Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for monitoring a condition of an elongated ferrous object having a longitudinal axis, said apparatus including at least one magnetizing circuit including magnetic poles separated along the longitudinal axis, and magnetic field sensors arranged at the poles, said poles including pole shoes for directing magnetic flux between the poles and the monitored object. The pole shoes include openings between the monitored object and the poles, an opening including two ends separated in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis by a mid-section defining a smaller opening than the ends for concentrating the magnetic flux at the mid-section. There is further provided an arrangement including one or more elongated objects for hoisting payload, wherein the monitoring apparatus is attached to the elongated objects.

Abstract: A fluid properties measurement device, including a magnetically excited and sensed resonator and a resonator electromagnetic excitation assembly, including an excitation coil driven by an electrical network, electrically connected to the excitation coil. The excitation coil is positioned so that a varying magnetic field produced by the excitation coil will drive the resonator in a pattern of resonating movement that has predetermined characteristics. Also, an electromagnetic sensing assembly, including a gradiometric sense coil is positioned so that an electromagnetic field originating due to movement of the resonator in a pattern having the predetermined characteristics, will create a time-varying gradient across the sense coil. Finally, a signal sensing electrical network is electrically connected to the sense coil.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a scanning device for performing ultrasonic nondestructive testing of a tube, comprising a housing; the housing having bottom surface that is concavely curved with cavities to accommodate a waveguide assembly and an encoder assembly; where the waveguide assembly comprises a waveguide and a probe that are in communication with one another; the waveguide having at least one surface that is contoured to match an outer surface of the tube; where the waveguide facilitates the transmission of ultrasonic signals into the tube generated by the probe; and where the encoder assembly comprises a spring loaded wheel that contacts the tube; and where the encoder assembly provides a signal indicative of a location of the probe relative to a position on the tube as the scanning device is moved in a direction of a longitudinal axis of the tube.

Abstract: This invention employs an object information acquiring apparatus including a probe for receiving, as a received signal, an acoustic wave which is generated within an object irradiated with light and propagates on an object surface, and a processor for generating object information, which is information based on an internal optical characteristic value of the object, by using intensity of the received signal. The processor corrects the intensity of the received signal by using the reflectance upon the acoustic wave entering the probe which is calculated based on the angle of the acoustic wave entering the probe, and on the acoustic impedance and acoustic velocity of the object and the probe.

Abstract: The electrostatic sensors of bridge or cantilever type with multiple electrodes, the electrostatic sensors of comb type and piezoelectric sensors are used for the single molecule detection of ligands. The electrical driving of sensors is separated in some cases from the sensing for increased sensitivity. The large arrays of sensors with individual or common sensing circuits are employed to further improve detection sensitivity. The fabrication of the sensors, their functionalization for detection of many chemical and biological species and electrical circuitry, packaging, microfluidic subsystem and the system architecture are also disclosed. The individual, specific sensing of single species or simultaneous detection of multiple species is realized. The freeze drying or critical point drying after exposure of sensors to ligands present in liquids and detection in reduced pressure or vacuum is employed for increased sensitivity, down to the single molecule.

Abstract: Methods for depositing materials on patterned substrates, and related devices, are generally provided. In some embodiments, a material is deposited on a patterned substrate. In certain embodiments, the substrate comprises a first portion with a material deposited on the first portion and a second portion of the substrate essentially free of the material. The methods described herein may be useful in fabricating sensors, circuits, tags, among other devices. In some cases, devices for determining analytes are also provided.

Abstract: A snorkel assembly for reading optimization of a sensor, wherein the snorkel assembly may be configured to be positioned around and spaced apart from the sensor. The snorkel assembly may include an upstream side and a downstream side. The snorkel assembly may include a cup section and a tube section extending from the cup section. The tube section may include an inlet opening on the upstream side of the snorkel assembly. The cup section may include an exhaust opening on the downstream side of the snorkel assembly.

Abstract: Provided is a method for determining a performance index of a cooking utensil (1a, 1b, 11) for a predetermined cooking temperature with, the aim of assessing nutritional gain, said cooking utensil comprising a bottom (2a, 2b, 10) having a cooking surface (3a, 3b, 10a).

Abstract: A measurement system includes a light source having semiconductor sources configured to generate an input optical beam, a multiplexer configured form an intermediate optical beam from the input optical beam, fibers including a fused silica fiber configured to receive the intermediate optical beam and to form an output optical beam. The output optical beam comprises wavelengths between 700 and 2500 nanometers with a bandwidth of at least 10 nanometers. A measurement apparatus is configured to deliver the output beam to a sample to generate a spectroscopy output beam. A receiver is configured to receive and process the spectroscopy output beam to generate an output signal, wherein the receiver processing includes chemometrics or multivariate analysis methods to permit identification of materials within the sample, the light source and the receiver are remote from the sample, and the sample includes plastics or food industry goods.

Abstract: A method for measuring formaldehyde in an aqueous solution of an oxazolidine or hexahydro-1,3,5-triazine biocide; the method comprising separating an amino alcohol produced by hydrolysis of the biocide via mixed mode chromatography and detecting the amino alcohol using a charged aerosol detector or an evaporative light scattering detector.

Abstract: The mercury detecting paper provides a visual indication of the presence of mercury in an applied water sample. The mercury detecting paper is formed as a hydrophobic substrate having a reagent layer deposited thereon. The hydrophobic substrate is made from paper having a layer of hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) deposited thereon, and the reagent layer is a layer of 6-hydroxy-3-(2-oxoindolin-3-ylideneamino)-2-thioxo-2H-1,3-thiazin-4(3H)-one (HOTT). In use, a water sample is applied to the reagent layer and a visual color change of the reagent layer upon contact with the water sample indicates a presence of mercury in the water sample. Specifically, HOTT turns a brick red color upon contact with Hg2+ ions.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus including a structure containing a multiphase fluid and having a transparent window. A collimated light source emits light through the transparent window structure at a wavelength at which a component of a desired phase of the multiphase fluid is absorptive. A photodetector is positioned such that the emitted light passes through the multiphase fluid in the structure and out through the transparent window structure to impinge upon the photodetector. The photodetector has an actual dynamic range for light detection. Processing circuitry adjusts a power of the collimated light source in a series of steps dependent upon a relationship between an output level of the photodetector and a threshold to cause measurement of the emitted light over an effective dynamic range greater than the actual dynamic range. Properties of the multiphase fluid are determined as a function of the measured emitted light.

Abstract: One object is to provide a lubricant deterioration sensor that can maintain accuracy of sensing the deterioration of a lubricant having low transmissivity and an optical sensor used therein for sensing the amount of received light. The lubricant deterioration sensor is used for determining deterioration state of a lubricant. The lubricant deterioration sensor includes an optical sensor having: an LED for emitting detection light; an oil entering gap in which the detection light passes through a lubricant to be inspected; a color sensor for sensing color information of the detection light having passed through the lubricant; and a logarithmic amplifier for logarithmically amplifying the detection value sensed by the color sensor and outputting the amplified detection value.

Abstract: A mechanical property tester includes a base, a fixture for fixing the biological soft tissue, a transverse force applying device for applying a transverse force, a vertical force applying device for applying a vertical force, a longitudinal pulling force detector for detecting a longitudinal force, a displacement detecting unit for detecting the displacement of the fixture, an acquisition device and a computer. The transverse force applying device includes a transverse pulling force detector for detecting the transverse force. The vertical force applying device includes a vertical pulling force detector for detecting the vertical force. The acquisition device is used for collecting the longitudinal force, transverse force, vertical force and the displacement. The computer is connected with the acquisition device to analyze the longitudinal force, transverse force, vertical force, and the displacement.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new method of determining in a sample the presence, absence or concentration of one or more target analytes, such as micro-ribonucleic acids (microRNAs or miRNAs). The invention may therefore relate to a multiplex assay for determining the presence or absence of each target analyte in a group of multiple analytess. The invention uses one or more probes comprising a quadruplex and transmembrane pores.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a measurement device includes a first chamber, a second chamber, a partition provided between the first and second chambers, a through hole which is provided in the partition and with which the first chamber and the second chamber communicate each other, a first electrode provided in the first chamber, and a second electrode provided in the second chamber. The first electrode and the second electrode contain different metals or alloys at least in surface layers thereof, and a relationship of Ia<Ib is satisfied, where Ia is an ionization tendency of a metal or an alloy contained at least in the surface layer of the first electrode and Ib is an ionization tendency of a metal or an alloy contained at least in the surface layer of the second electrode.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the construction of a new hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) responsive reporter gene construct, the genetic constructs and vectors containing the same. Further, the present invention relates to a stable cell line comprising the HIF responsive reporter construct, as well as methods and uses of the inventive constructs and cell lines to identify modulators of HIF activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mitochondrial UQCRB mutant cell line expressing the UQCRB mutant protein. The present invention is directed to a novel research method for UQCRB activity evaluation using a novel mitochondrial UQCRB mutant cell line, and provides a method for anticancer activity evaluation, a method for angiogenesis inhibitory activity evaluation, and a method for screening a UQCRB activity inhibitor. In particular, the cell line of the present invention is a novel cell line having cell proliferative and angiogenesis inducing activities, and provides a method for screening an angiogenesis inhibitor or an anticancer material through the UQCRB activity inhibitory mechanism, and thus can be applied in the development of therapeutic agents against angiogenesis or mitochondria-mediated diseases and various cancers.

Abstract: Lipid multilayer structures are formed by evaporating a solvent from each of a plurality of lipid solutions thereby form the lipid multilayer structures. Each lipid solution comprises the solvent and one or more lipids. Each lipid multilayer structure is a microstructure comprising one or more lipids.

Abstract: Provided are methods of screening to identify molecules capable of binding to CD4 and capable of activating CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells. Further provided are antibodies and antibody fragments capable of activating CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells and methods and uses involving the antibodies and fragments thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of medicine. The invention provides methods for generating glatiramer-acetate-specific human T-cell lines, and assays that use these T-cell lines for demonstrating immunological identity between glatiramer acetate preparations. These assays allow sensitive and accurate comparison of glatiramer acetate preparations, and find utility as lot-release assays.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method of introducing a pathogenic infection into one or more peripheral lymph nodes of an animal for testing of meat, comprising: inoculating at one or more peripheral lymph node drainage areas the animal with a known amount of a known pathogen; harvesting one or more peripheral lymph nodes from the animal; grinding meat or meat trimmings and the one or more peripheral lymph nodes into ground meat; and determining a ratio of a number of peripheral lymph nodes infected to the weight of the meat or meat trimmings used to create the ground meat, wherein the infected ground meat can be used to test interventions against the known pathogen in a grinding process.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a nucleated red blood cell simulating particle, which may be leukocytes bound to a fluorescent-staining inhibitor capable of stably binding to the nucleus or a nucleic acid in a cell so as to reduce the binding capacity of the particles to a fluorescent dye during their detection. The present disclosure also provides a method for preparing nucleated red blood cell simulating particles, including the following steps: (a) obtaining purified leukocytes; (b) suspending the leukocytes in a cell treatment solution containing a fluorescent-staining inhibitor which stably binds to the nucleus or a nucleic acid in a cell, and (c) washing the obtained product. The present disclosure also provides a hematology control mixture containing the nucleated red blood cell simulating particles.

Abstract: The present invention is in the field of plant breeding and genetics, particularly as it pertains to the genus, Glycine. More specifically, the invention relates to a method for screening soybean plants containing one or more quantitative trait loci for disease resistance, species of Glycine having such loci and methods for breeding for and screening of Glycine with such loci. The invention further relates to the use of exotic germplasm in a breeding program.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for detecting and enumerating a rare cell in blood. The apparatus comprises a sample collector configured to collect a blood sample and receive a complex in which a target antibody and a marker are coupled; a measuring kit connected to the sample collector in such a way that a mixture of the blood sample and the complex is injected into the measuring kit, thereby individually trapping a blood cell; and a detector configured to detect and enumerate the rare cell having an antigen-antibody reaction with the target antibody among the blood cell trapped in the measuring kit.

Abstract: The invention provides methods, compositions, kits and devices for the detection of proteins. In some embodiments, the invention allows for multiplexed protein detection.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of determining whether a temperature of a sample has reached a predetermined temperature. The method comprises the steps of: mixing an albumin-containing sample with a peptide reagent comprising a peptide for temperature determination; heating the mixture; detecting an optical change of the mixture; and determining whether the temperature of the mixture has reached the predetermined temperature based on the detection result of the optical change. In the method, a dissociation constant (Kd) of binding of the peptide for temperature determination to albumin is 500 ?M or more, and the peptide for temperature determination comprises a first labeling substance and a second labeling substance.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a complex for detecting a target material comprising upconverting nanoparticles; and at least one target material specific aptamer-quencher, connected through a linker with the upconverting nanoparticles, a method of preparing the same, a kit for detecting a target material comprising the same, and a method of detecting a target material using the same. According to the present disclosure, different target materials in samples can be quantified or detected accurately based on luminescence resonance energy transfer (LRET) of the upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) excited by a near infrared (NIR) light source.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to methods and devices for transferring a sample into a cartridge for processing. Methods of the invention include providing a vessel containing a sample, coupling the sample to a cartridge configured to process the sample at an interface, in which the interface is configured to provide communication between the vessel and the cartridge, introducing a fluid, capture particles, or both from the cartridge into the vessel, and transferring the sample, fluid, and capture particles from the vessel and into the cartridge for processing.

Abstract: A test apparatus including a cassette main body, a test strip and a pressurizing assembly is provided. The cassette main body has a sample entrance. The test strip is disposed in the cassette main body, and the sample entrance of the cassette main body exposes a sample collecting region of the test strip. The pressurizing assembly is detachably combined to the cassette main body, and is adapted to exert a pressure on a liquid sample located at the sample entrance, such that the liquid sample enters the sample collecting region, and reacts with the test strip to display a test result. The test apparatus is able to implement quick and convenience test, by which a complicated pre-processing of a test sample is omitted to save a time and test cost.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and methods for the immunoassay of an analyte of interest. The analyte is detected in an immunoassay using three or more antibodies, where in each antibody specifically binds to a different epitope on the analyte. When the analyte of interest in a clinical marker for an acute disease, the detection of the analyte by immunoassay is a diagnosis of the occurrence of the disease.

Abstract: Methods for producing a protein extract from cells, such as cells or cellular samples containing viral proteins, are provided. In general terms, the methods may involve: increasing the pH of the cells to a pH of at least about pH 10.0 to produce an intermediate composition, and then, in the presence of a non-ionic detergent such as a polyoxyethylene alkyl ether, neutralizing the pH of the intermediate composition to produce the protein extract. Such methods can be used in conjunction with methods for detecting one or more target proteins in a sample, such as viral proteins. Systems, kits and compositions for practicing the subject methods are also provided.

Abstract: In this application is described a method for rapidly and accurately identifying B. anthracis in a sample by simultaneously detecting the presence of cell wall antigen and capsule antigen in the same sample culture grown under capsule inducing conditions. Other uses and advantages of the method of the invention are described herein.

Abstract: The invention relates to murine monoclonal antibodies corresponding to monoclonal antibodies secreted by cell lines of hybridomas denominated 3G8/C11 and 7G4/A12, and which react against the antigen M of hMPV. Said antibodies do not compete with each other for the binding site for binding to the antigen, nor do they impede the simultaneous binding thereof to the antigen. Said monoclonal antibodies can be used for tests for the detection, diagnosis and/or determination of infection by hMPV.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods of using biomarkers to improve diagnosis of forms of prostate. The method includes testing a biological sample from an individual for a interleukin-8 (IL-8), Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a) and soluble tumor necrosis factor-? receptor 1 (sTNFR1), and may further include testing for prostate serum antigen (PSA). Use of these markers in combination provides tests that are more sensitive and specific than PSA in differentiating benign versus malignant prostate disease and/or localized CaP versus metastatic CaP and show that the specificity and sensitivity of a PSA-based CaP diagnosis can be significantly enhanced by measuring IL-8, TNF-a and sTNFR1.

Abstract: There is method for detecting the presence or absence of a target analyte in a sample comprising the steps of: allowing an inorganic fluorescent particle to conjugate with a detection biomolecule that is bound to said target analyte, if present in said sample, said target analyte additionally being bound by a capture biomolecule immobilized on or within a nanostructure; and detecting the fluorescence emitted by said inorganic fluorescent particle, said nanostructure being capable of generating a surface plasmon resonance effect when excited by a light source to substantially increase the fluorescence emitted by said inorganic fluorescent particle, wherein the detected fluorescence indicates the presence of said target analyte in said sample.

Abstract: Method for the detection of glutamine and its analogs are provided by the present disclosure. Also provided are methods for measuring the levels of glutamine and its analogs, including diagnostic methods. Further provided are methods that utilize glutamine analogs for the synthesis of colored pigments and other useful agents. The methods comprise the use of a nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) under conditions to produce an indigoidine or indigoidine-related pigment.

Abstract: A method of detection, for at least one microorganism contained in a sample, of at least one marker of resistance to a glycopeptide, including the detection, by mass spectrometry, of at least one peptide or protein of the microorganism. Preferably, the glycopeptide is vancomycin. Preferably, the peptide is derived from a protein of type vanA, vanB, vanC, vanD, vanE, vanG, vanL, vanM or vanN.

Abstract: Described are methods and compositions for evaluating the relapse risk n subjects having an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Some embodiments include selecting a treatment for an evaluated IBD relapse risk in a subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides antibodies and antigen-binding fragments thereof that bind to the antibody pembrolizumab (pembrolizumab). These antibodies are useful, for example, for use as positive controls in assays for detecting the presence of anti-drug antibodies in a sample, e.g., the blood of a patient who has been administered pembrolizumab.

Abstract: Use of glu-tubulin as a biomarker for predicting the response to a compound, preferably resistance of a disease such as cancer in a subject to said compound, wherein the compound is a furazanobenzimidazole compound of general formula (I).

Abstract: Methods of diagnosing and treating disorders related to TH2 inhibition, including but not limited to asthma, are provided. Also provided are methods of selecting or identifying patients for treatment with certain therapeutic agents that are TH2 pathway inhibitors.

Abstract: Described herein are, inter alia, methods for diagnosing and treating arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) by detecting cardiac intercalated disk proteins, e.g., desmosomal proteins, mechanical and gap junction proteins, in buccal cells. Exemplary desmosomal and gap junction proteins that can be evaluated in the methods described herein include plakoglobin, plakophilin 1, desmoplakin, and Cx43. The methods can also include selecting and/or administering a treatment for ACM to the subject.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods, kits, and devices for determining an amount of hemoglobin S and/or an amount of total hemoglobin, and optionally, expressing the amount of hemoglobin S as a percentage. Devices of the disclosure may be used as point-of-care diagnostic systems accessible for use to a layperson, i.e., an individual with minimal or no medical training or expertise.

Abstract: The present application describes methods and systems for measuring and controlling oxidative stress in animals and humans. The degree of oxidative stress can be measured directly by inducing all of the blood cells to produce excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) by exposure to an elevated concentration sulfide or other ROS inducing chemical and measuring the fluorescence intensity of a fluorescent dye or color intensity of dye that reacts with ROS. Oxidative stress can be reduced by reducing dietary sulfur, consumption of a methanogenic probiotic, or apheresis methods to replace ROS-positive blood cells with normal blood cells. Plasma oxidative stress can be compared in venous and arterial blood samples to evaluate small vessel disease. Oxidative stress can be increased by increasing dietary sulfur or the use of an intravenous method that exposes blood cells to an elevated blood concentration of sulfide or other ROS inducing chemical.

Abstract: A method for determining whether a subject has or is predisposed to abnormal expression of inflammasomes and/or to dysfunctional HDL suitable for use in diagnosing atherosclerosis, chronic inflammatory disease, Incident Cardiovascular Disease (ICD) and other pathologies characterized by an inflammatory response. Specifically, a protein assay that measures LAG-3 can be used as a diagnostic predictor of pathologies such as infection, inflammation, chronic inflammatory disease, and coronary artery disease. The diagnostic is combined with the therapeutic use of a remediating drug for treatment.

Abstract: A rotational speed measuring device for measuring the rotational speed on coaxially arranged drive shafts is described, wherein a first drive shaft is formed as an inner shaft in a second drive shaft embodied as a hollow shaft. The hollow shaft has at least one opening and a rotational speed encoder which is arranged on the inner shaft and can be detected through the opening of the hollow shaft. A rotational speed sensor is arranged on the outer side of the hollow shaft and is configured to pick up the rotational speed on the rotational speed encoder. A corresponding method for measuring the rotational speed on coaxially arranged drive shafts is also disclosed.

Abstract: A laboratory system has demonstrated the measurement of three degrees of vibrational freedom simultaneously using a single beam through heterodyne speckle imaging. The random interference pattern generated by the illumination of a rough surface with coherent light can be exploited to extract information about the surface motion. The optical speckle pattern is heterodyne mixed with a coherent reference. The recorded optical data is then processed to extract three dimensions of surface motion. Axial velocity is measured by demodulating the received time-varying intensity of high amplitude pixels. Tilt, a gradient of surface velocity, is calculated by measuring speckle translation following reconstruction of the speckle pattern from the mixed signal.

Abstract: Provided is a highly reliable acceleration sensor that keeps production costs low and has low zero point drift initially and over time even when used in a poor installation environment. In this acceleration sensor, a weight that rotates when acceleration is applied in the z-direction is disposed in a cavity surrounded by a support substrate and a cap layer. The cap layer is formed such that both sides thereof across the axis of rotation of the weight have different masses per unit area.

Abstract: A scanning probe microscope (SPM) system and associated method. The SPM system having a probe adapted to interact with nanoscale features of a sample and scan within a target region to produce a three-dimensional image of that target region, the system maintaining location information for a plurality of features of interest of the sample according to a sample-specific coordinate system, wherein the SPM system is configured to adjust positioning of the probe relative to the sample according to a SPM coordinate system, the SPM system further configured to manage a dynamic relationship between the sample-specific coordinate system and the SPM coordinate system by determining a set of alignment errors between the sample-specific coordinate system and the SPM coordinate system and apply corrections to the SPM coordinate system to offset the determined alignment errors.