Abstract: A fuel property sensor including a substrate, a first lead wire, a second lead wire, a wiring member, and a determiner. The substrate is disposed in such a position as to be in contact with the fuel. The first lead wire is connected to the substrate. The second lead wire is connected to the substrate. The second lead wire is spaced from the first lead wire. The wiring member is provided on the substrate. The wiring member connects the first lead wire and the second lead wire. The wiring member is configured to electrically disconnect the first lead wire and the second lead wire from each other by reaction with impurities contained in the fuel. The determiner is configured to determine whether the first lead wire and the second lead wire are electrically connected.

Abstract: A communication interface apparatus is provided for use with a handheld medical test device. The communication interface apparatus is comprised of an attachment member configured to detachably couple to a housing of the medical test device, where the attachment member substantially overlays a rear side of the medical test device. The communication interface apparatus houses an infrared receiver, a secondary transceiver and a controller. The infrared receiver is arranged such that its input port aligns with an output port of an infrared transmitter in the medical test device when the attachment member is coupled to the medical test device.

Abstract: A wet standard calibration system which utilizes a heat conducting foam with the liquid therein to serve as a primary heating device to avoid the need to include mechanical agitation. The system is particularly useful for generating a vapor comprising water and ethanol which can be used for the calibration of breath alcohol testers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to use of inhibitors of Notch signalling pathway selected from the group consisting of 6-(4-Tert-Butylphenoxy)Pyridin-3-Amine (I3), its derivatives, in treating and/or preventing cancers.

Abstract: A method of identifying a test agent as a skin tone agent. The method includes determining the level of high-mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1), messenger RNA associated with the expression and/or regulation of HMGB1 (HMGB1 mRNA), and/or micro-RNA associated with the expression and/or regulation of HMGB1 (HMGB1 miRNA) present in the test sample, and identifying the test agent as a skin tone agent when there is no increase in HMGB1 level, a downregulation in transcription of HMGB1 mRNA, and/or an upregulation of HMGB1 miRNA. The method also includes identifying a test agent as a skin tone agent when the test agent inhibits or prevents an increase in melanocyte dendricity and/or body size caused by HMGB1.

Abstract: Compositions include nucleic acid sequences encoding the C-terminal fragment of fragment (Seg3) of Nuclear factor-erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2). These compositions provide a target for identification of novel therapeutics having the ability to modulate the translation of Nrf2. Methods of treating subjects are also provided.

Abstract: Devices and methods for performing a point of care diagnostic test for detecting and quantifying at least one analyte in a biological sample. The device may include an immunoassay apparatus and a holder with a variable angle stage for positioning the immunoassay apparatus relative to a light source and a detector device. In one embodiment, the device is based upon elastic light scattering, so the variation in the angle of incidence and angle of reflection are optimized to maximize signal generation due to elastic light scattering. The detector device may include a wired or wireless connection to a computer network for communicating with an electronic medical records system, uploading the amount or concentration of at least one analyte present in the sample to the electronic medical records system, or querying a decision support algorithm stored in a computer readable format. The detector device may further include an onboard interpretive algorithm.

Abstract: Methods for detecting respiratory infection associated with bacterial infection are described, in which the values of soluble CD14 antigen subtype (“sCD14-ST”) in the urine sample can be used to select a patient with a respiratory infection to whom antibiotic can be beneficially administered. The methods of this disclosure can also be used to determine the timing for ending administration of the antibiotic to the patient with respiratory infection associated with bacterial infection.

Abstract: Mycobacterial-specific biomarkers and methods of using such biomarkers for diagnosis of mycobacterial infection in a mammal are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for quantifying the level of agglutination of particles in a sample, in particular a biological sample, and notably blood. The biological sample is positioned between a light source and a matrix photodetector. The image acquired by the photodetector is representative of the level of agglutination of the particles in the sample. The light source emits a light wave, the spectral band of which extends an optimum 400 and 600 nm, which constitutes an optimum an excessively low absorption and excessively high absorption, given the thickness of the sample.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for classification of individuals suffering from a demyelinating disease into groups that are informative of the individual's responsiveness or lack of responsiveness to treatment with a J3-interferon (IFNJ3) acting therapy. In particular, it is shown that the effective immunomodulatory treatment of demyelinating disease with IFNJ3 is associated with an increase in circulating transitional B cells in the patient. Diseases of interest include without limitation inflammatory demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system, e.g. multiple sclerosis, neuromyelitis optica (NMO), experimental autoimmune encephalitis (EAE), acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), etc.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward novel methods to identify as well as to treat a subject having an inflammatory disease resistant to corticosteroids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of identifying cancer subjects, in particular human patients, who are suitable for anti-lymphangiogenesis therapy to prevent tumor growth and tumor metastasis. The present invention also relates to a new approach, which uses nucleolin as a bait to search and screen for lymphangiogenesis inhibitors or cancer suppressors, which function in a manner that is analogous to endostatin. The invention is based upon the discovery that nucleolin is specifically expressed on lymphangiogenic vessels and functions as a specific receptor for endostatin, and thus is involved in the signal transduction pathway of endostatin as an anti-lymphangiogenesis inhibitor. The present invention also discloses that cell surface nucleolin on lymphatic endothelial cells is a biomarker for lymphangiogenic vessels, which could be used for the prediction of tumor metastasis.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a microfluidic device for encapsulation, incubation, and analysis of cell surface markers or secreted molecules from a single cell.

Abstract: The current disclosure provides for specific peptides from the Insulin Receptor Substrate 1 (IRS1) protein and the derived ionization characteristics of those peptides that are advantageous for quantifying the IRS1 directly in formalin fixed biological samples by the method of Selected Reaction Monitoring (SRM) mass spectrometry. Such fixed biological samples include: formalin-fixed tissue/cells, formalin-fixed/paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue/cells, FFPE tissue blocks and cells from those blocks, and formalin fixed and paraffin embedded tissue culture cells. IRS1 protein is quantitated in biological samples by the method of SRM/MRM mass spectrometry by quantitating one or more of the peptides described herein. The peptides can be quantitated if they reside in a modified or an unmodified form. Examples of potentially modified forms of an IRS1 peptides include those bearing phosphorylation of a tyrosine, threonine, serine, and/or other amino acid residues within the peptide sequence.

Abstract: New methods and assays for multiplexed detection of analytes using phosphors that are uniform in morphology, size, and composition based on their unique optical lifetime signatures are described herein. The described assays and methods can be used for imaging or detection of multiple unique chemical or biological markers simultaneously in a single assay readout.

Abstract: A method of processing spectral data is disclosed and may include the steps of illuminating a medium to detect an inside particular component with light; obtaining a first spectral data for the medium at a first radial position and a second spectral data for the medium at a second radial position, wherein the first radial position and the second radial position are selected arbitrarily; and performing differential processing on the first spectral data and the second spectral data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a blood sugar managing watch and a blood sugar managing method. The blood sugar managing watch comprises: a housing having a wrist watch shape; a blood sugar strip connector installed on a side of the housing such that a blood sugar strip is to be connected thereto; and a blood sugar meter that is embedded in the housing and automatically activates a blood sugar measurement task to measure the blood sugar of blood on the blood sugar strip when the blood sugar strip is connected to the blood sugar strip connector.

Abstract: The present embodiments relate generally to the field of cancer diagnostics. More specifically the embodiments relate to platelet derived biomarkers used for diagnosis of cancer or cancer progression, as well as prognosis and improved treatment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for identification and quantification of carboxyethylated valine modified haemoglobin to assess the extent of diabetic complications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of GPCR structure biology and signaling. In particular, the present invention relates to protein binding domains directed against or capable of specifically binding to a functional conformational state of a G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR). More specifically, the present invention provides protein binding domains that are capable of increasing the stability of a functional conformational state of a GPCR, in particular, increasing the stability of a GPCR in its active conformational state. The protein binding domains of the present invention can be used as a tool for the structural and functional characterization of G-protein-coupled receptors bound to various natural and synthetic ligands, as well as for screening and drug discovery efforts targeting GPCRs. Moreover, the invention also encompasses the diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic usefulness of these protein binding domains for GPCR-related diseases.

Abstract: We describe a method of detecting pre-eclampsia in a cell, tissue, organ or organism, the method comprising detecting a modulated level of expression, activity or amount of a pre-eclampsia biomarker polypeptide selected from the group consisting of PlGF, FLT1, BNP, ANP, CD9, PAI-1, TGF ?, PCT, SI 00b, TIMP1, CD 105 and IL6 in or of a microparticle type (selected from a CTB binding microparticle and an Annexin V binding microparticle) from the cell, tissue, organ or organism, as compared to level of expression, activity or amount of the pre-eclampsia biomarker polypeptide in the same microparticle type in a cell, tissue, organ or organism not sufferin from pre-eclampsia.

Abstract: Diagnostic biomarker panel, method, kit, and device for diagnosing the severity and/or prognosis of cirrhosis are provided. More specifically, the invention provides a novel biomarker panel correlating to HVPG and esophageal varices. The invention further provides a biomarker panel and non-invasive test methods that predict non-clinically significant portal hypertension HVPG and non-clinically significant esophageal varices when the expression of the biomarker panel correlates with HVPG of less than 12 mmHg. The invention further provides that the patients with the expression of the biomarker panel correlating to non-clinically significant HVPG and esophageal varices can be excluded from undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) screening and those correlating to HVPG equal to or greater than 12 mmHg are indicated for EGD.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining the propensity of a fluid for calcification.

Abstract: The present invention relates to conjugate of 17-? estradiol with an analog of indocyanine green dye for the detection of cancers. The invention also provides a method of preparation of the conjugate and method of detection of cancer cells.

Abstract: A system for detecting an analyte with a reagentless dry test strip includes a collector for collecting a blood sample from a user. The system additionally includes a mixer for receiving the collector and mixing the blood sample. The system additionally includes reagents, located in the mixer, for mixing with the blood sample. The system additionally includes a dry test strip for receiving the blood sample mixed with the reagents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to metabolic biomarker sets for assessing HIV. In preferred embodiments, the present invention relates to the use of biomarker sets for screening and/or diagnosing HIV infection, for prediction of immunologic response of a mammalian subject to antiretroviral therapy and/or prognosis of HIV disease progression, and for monitoring of HIV disease activity in a mammalian subject. In other embodiments, the invention relates to methods for screening and/or diagnosing HIV infection, for prediction of immunologic response of a mammalian subject to antiretroviral therapy and/or prognosis of HIV disease progression, and for monitoring of HIV disease activity in a mammalian subject, as well as to a kit adapted to carry out the methods. By employing the specific biomarkers and the method according to the present invention it becomes possible to more properly and reliably assess HIV.

Abstract: A sample analyzer is provided that does not require a plurality of reagent containers containing the same type of reagent to be connected, that can continue measurement even when a reagent container becomes empty, and that allows the timing of replacement of the reagent container to be recognized suitably. A reagent storage section is provided that is connected to a reagent container containing a reagent through a fluid channel and that stores the reagent transferred from the reagent container. A message for prompting replacement of the reagent container is outputted when it is detected that the remaining amount in the reagent container is a predetermined amount or less. A message for prompting to suspend sample measurement in the measurement section is outputted when it is detected that the remaining amount in the reagent storage section is a predetermined amount or less.

Abstract: A method for determining the speed vector ({right arrow over (Vd)}), with respect to the surrounding air, of a rotary wing aircraft (HL) equipped with a beam scanning Doppler laser anemometry device for measuring (Step1) a set of projections (Vm) of said speed vector ({right arrow over (Vd)}) in at least four non-coplanar directions, comprising the following steps: detecting (Step2) any anomaly of at least one element from the set of measured projections (Vm), from a comparison with respect to a first threshold (S1), of a deviation between the measurements (Vm) and the measurements (Vp) predicted from a predetermined model depending on values of beam scanning parameters of the anemometry device; and reducing (Step3) the effect of a detected anomaly by invalidating measurements corresponding to said anomaly and computing the components of the speed vector from valid measurements.

Abstract: A portable device such as a key fob includes a piezoelectric component, such as a vibrator or buzzer, and an accelerometer. Self-testing of the piezoelectric component in the portable device may be achieved by applying a test electrical signal to the piezoelectric component and determining whether a vibration is detected by the accelerometer. If a vibration is detected by the accelerometer, then a determination is made as to whether the vibration detected by the accelerometer matches the test electric signal applied to the piezoelectric component.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus relating to a photodiode-augmented infrared (IR) motion sensor are provided. The IR motion sensor can be used to sense mid-IR range radiation emitting from a person. Within the IR motion sensor, incident mid-IR range radiation impinges on an IR sensing element situated behind a Fresnel lens. Thus, when the person crosses a particular region in the range of the IR motion sensor, the IR sensing element detects a change in radiation signature, and can subsequently notify another system, such as a security system, of the change. The IR motion sensor also includes an ambient light-sensing element configured to provide information used to perform a quality check, such as to rule out “false positive” outputs, on information output from the IR sensing element.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes: preparing a first substrate; forming a metal film having a Ti layer as the most outermost surface on one surface of the first substrate a metal film having a Ti layer as the outermost surface; patterning the metal film to form a first pad portion; preparing a second substrate; forming on one surface of the second substrate a metal film having a Ti layer as the outermost surface; patterning the metal film to form a second pad portion; vacuum annealing the first substrate and the second substrate to remove an oxide film formed on the Ti layer in the first pad portion and the second pad portion; and bonding the first pad portion and the second pad portion together.

Abstract: An electronic device configured for real-time calibration of an on-board accelerometer. A plurality of acceleration measurements are collected from the accelerometer to form a data set. An accelerometer error correction model is maintained that includes bias error calibration parameters, sensitivity calibration parameters, and cross-axis calibration parameters that each specify respective weights for each of bias error, sensitivity error, and cross-axis error. Calibration values are determined for one or more of the bias error calibration parameters, the sensitivity calibration parameters, and the cross-axis error calibration parameters for the data set of acceleration measurements using the accelerometer error correction model. A true acceleration vector may be determined that corresponds to a subsequently received acceleration measurement using the determined calibration values.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling an FM-AFM including a cantilever having a resonant frequency and an excitation system configured to oscillate the cantilever in response to a drive signal. The method includes determining latency of the excitation system; receiving a deflection signal indicating a deflection of a cantilever tip; mixing the deflection signal with a first sine signal output by a PLL indicating a frequency shift of a frequency response of the cantilever; measuring the frequency shift in response to the drive signal; determining spurious phase of the cantilever based on the determined latency, the resonant frequency of the cantilever, and the measured frequency shift; providing a second sine signal having a phase that is advanced by the determined spurious phase to preemptively compensate for subsequent spurious phase of the cantilever; and driving the excitation system using the second sine signal with an adjusted amplitude as the drive signal.

Abstract: An optical light beam positioning system that enables the combination of two or more light beams of different wavelengths to be focused onto a probe or sample of a scientific instrument, such as an atomic force microscope, for a number of specific uses typical to AFMs, like measuring the deflection or oscillation of the probe and illuminating an object for optical imaging, and less traditional ones like photothermal excitation of the probe, photothermal activated changes in the sample, photothermal cleaning of the probe and photochemical, photovoltaic, photothermal and other light beam induced changes in the sample. The focused light beams may be independently positioned relative to each other.

Abstract: The microscope for monitoring objects after nano-cutting and for investigating structures of macro- and micro-carriers under low temperature comprises a punch having a cutting edge, drives driving the punch along two axes, a platform rotatable in a plane, a piezo-scanner for recording a sample image along three axes, a holder with a carrier of the sample, and a probe unit to which a probe is fastened. The piezo-scanner is fastened to the platform, the punch is able to interact with the sample, and the probe unit is mounted on the platform so as to be movable along one of the axes. The assembly includes a module for mechanical action on the cutting edge of the punch to modify the cutting surface, which module is fastened to the same platform to which the piezo-scanner with the object carrier and the probe unit are fastened.

Abstract: A test lead assembly includes a first test lead having a first cable extending between a distal end and a proximal end, a first test probe attached to the distal end and a first plug attached to the proximal end; a second test lead having a second cable extending between a distal end and a proximal end, a second test probe attached to the distal end, and a second plug attached to the proximal end; and a fastener member for repeatedly releasably engaging at least a portion of the first cable with at least a portion of the second cable along a length of the first and second cables. The test lead assembly and a measurement device incorporating the test lead assembly can avoid or at least reduce knotting of the test leads.

Abstract: A centering holding device for a Rogowski coil. The holding device comprises a virtual axis; a first cutout running from a first main side to a second main side thereof through the holding device and is arranged centrally with respect to the axis. The holding device has a channel in the shape of a circle arc around the axis and around the first cutout from a first channel opening to a second channel opening. The first cutout and the channel are coaxial relative to the axis of the holding device. The holding device has a second cutout, which leaves out an edge region of the holding device. The first and second channel openings lead into the second cutout. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for arranging a Rogowski coil by the holding device.

Abstract: A device and method are provided for monitoring voltage and current in a continuous conductor. A current sensor is configured to sense current in the continuous conductor. A voltage sense conductor is provided and a guided path is configured to bring the voltage sense conductor into contact with the continuous conductor at a pre-determined orientation. A communication interface is configured to receive information about a common reference voltage from a source, the source being external to the device. A voltage measuring circuit is configured to estimate voltage between a voltage sensed by the voltage sense conductor and the common reference voltage using the information about the common reference voltage.

Abstract: This application discusses, among other things, zero current detection. In an example, a circuit for zero current detection can include a compensating circuit and a detecting circuit. The compensating circuit can be configured to feed back a compensating voltage to the detecting circuit according to an output voltage of a DC-DC converting circuit. The detecting circuit can be configured to dynamically adjust an intentional offset voltage according to the compensating voltage, and to perform zero current detection of the DC-DC converting circuit according to the adjusted Voffset.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an integrated circuit includes a first circuit and a characterization circuit to capture a histogram of the supply voltage magnitude to the first circuit (or other characteristics of the first circuit). In various embodiments, the characterization circuit may: be located near the first circuit; include a sample/hold circuit that may sample the supply voltage in a short window of time and an ADC that is configured to converge to the sampled voltage over multiple orders of magnitude longer than the short window; be relatively small and low power; capture multiple histograms, e.g. one for each mode of the first circuit; support a blackout interval during mode changes; support a zoom feature to a subrange of supply voltage disabled with fine-grain histogram buckets; and/or include one or more comparators to detect maximum and/or minimum voltages experienced over a time interval.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to measure a voltage across a two-state dipole. The systems and methods measure voltages across two measurement paths of operational circuitry at first and second sensor terminals. The operational circuitry is configured to decouple the first and second sensor terminal based on a dipole voltage. The systems and methods further estimate the dipole voltage based on the voltages of the two measurement paths.

Abstract: A method for determining a frequency, an amplitude and an attenuation of at least one output oscillation in an electrical energy supply network. A time window of predefined duration is used and momentary values for the output determined within the time window are used to determine the frequency, the amplitude and the attenuation of the at least one output oscillation. At least one further time window is used, wherein all the time windows are each of different duration. That time window, within the duration of which a predefined number of oscillation processes of the output oscillation under consideration falls, is used for determining frequency, amplitude and attenuation. The invention also describes a data processing arrangement.

Abstract: An RF processing module that when coupled to a computer having appropriate signal processing software will function as a spectrum analyzer. The RF processing module has a first stage mixer and a switch that allows either port of the first stage mixer to be selected as the input and receive the RF signal. The RF processing module has a sample packing buffer that packs digitized signal samples into a fewer number of longer words and loads the words into a circular buffer and from then to one of two DMA channels on a USB link. The circular buffer can be emptied faster than it can be filled, allowing the sample packing buffer to create time intervals for a USB controller to switch DMA channels. LO leakage through the mixer-to-IF path is used to self-calibrate the filter's frequency response as temperature and other environmental factors change.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and a system for a Linear Resonant Actuator (LRA) real time impedance tracking. The method includes extracting the Back Electro-Motive Force (BEMF) voltage from a driver's load current by determining a current multiplying factor utilizing a Least Mean Square (LMS) algorithm and introducing an error function to control the gain of the load current and isolate the BEMF.

Abstract: A device includes a test enclosure defining a cavity forming an anechoic chamber, having a test probe placed inside the cavity. The cavity comprises an aperture against which the radiating surface of antenna is positioned. The device includes a microwave-frequency test signal generator and a receiver for microwave-frequency signal emitted by the antenna under test and for measuring its amplitude and its phase in relation to a reference. Depending on the depth of the cavity and the dimensions of the radiation pattern of a test probe, the device comprises one or more test probes placed in fixed positions in the cavity or a mobile probe that can be positioned in various locations of the cavity, the probe or probes being configured and arranged to illuminate the whole active surface of the antenna and that the radiation pattern of each radiating element illuminates at least one test probe.

Abstract: A system and method of electronic component authentication or component classification can reduce the vulnerability of systems (e.g., satellites, weapons, critical infrastructure, aerospace, automotive, medical systems) to counterfeits. Intrinsic deterministically random property data can be obtained from a set of authentic electronic components, processed, and clustered to create a classifier that can distinguish whether an unknown electronic component is authentic or counterfeit.

Abstract: A first electrostatic discharge measurement is received from a first sensor. The first sensor utilizes a wireless network to send the first measurement from a first stage of the assembly line of electronic components susceptible to electrostatic discharge damage. A second electrostatic discharge measurement is received from a second sensor. The second sensor utilizes the wireless network to send the second measurement from a second stage of the assembly line. An electrostatic discharge history is updated for the first assembly stage based on the first electrostatic discharge measurement. The electrostatic discharge history is updated for the second assembly stage based on the second electrostatic discharge measurement. A potential electrostatic danger condition is determined based on the electrostatic discharge history.

Abstract: A failure rate calculation device calculates the failure rate of a wire harness of which each of a plurality of electrical wires is connected with connectors via relay points, the device including: a storage unit which stores electrical wire-connector connection information in which each of the plurality of electrical wires and the connectors are associated with each other and in which type information on each of the electrical wires and type information on each of the connectors are associated with each other, and failure rate information in which the type information belonging to the electrical wire-connector connection information and failure rate factors, associated with the type information, are associated with each other; and a processing unit which, when the wire harness is specified, checks the electrical wire-connector connection information and the failure rate information against each other and calculates a failure rate in the wire harness.

Abstract: A testing jig includes a substrate and a plurality of conductive elastic pieces, wherein the substrate has a recess and a plurality of circuits; the recess is located on a top surface of the substrate, while the circuits are provided on the top surface of the substrate. The conductive elastic pieces are provided on the substrate, and are respectively electrically connected to the circuits. Each of the conductive elastic pieces has a contact portion located within an orthographic projection range of the recess, wherein each of the contact portions contacts a pad of a DUT. Whereby, attenuation happens while transmitting test signals with high frequency can be effectively reduces by using the conductive elastic pieces to transmit test signals.