Abstract: A device includes a main body and an actuating and sensing module. A length of the main body is 0.2˜6 mm. A width of the main body is 0.1˜5.5 mm. A height of the main body is 0.1˜2.5 mm. The actuating and sensing module is disposed in the main body. The actuating and sensing module includes a carrier, a sensor, an actuator, a driving-and-transporting controller and a battery. The sensor, the actuator, the driving-and-transporting controller and the battery are disposed on the carrier. The actuator is disposed on one lateral side of the sensor. The actuator has a fluid channel. The actuator is enabled to transport fluid, so that the fluid flows through the fluid channel toward the sensor, and the sensor measures the fluid received therethrough.

Abstract: An actuating and sensing apparatus includes a circuit board, a housing, an actuating device and a sensor. The housing is disposed on the circuit board and includes an entrance opening, an exit opening and a compartment. The compartment is in communication with an external environment of the housing through the entrance opening and the exit opening. The actuating device is disposed within the compartment and closing the exit opening. The sensor is disposed within the compartment and corresponding to the entrance opening. When the actuating device is enabled, a gas within the compartment is guided to the external environment outside the housing, and a pressure gradient is generated in the compartment so as to introduce a gas from the external environment outside the housing into the compartment through the entrance opening to make the gas detected by the sensor.

Abstract: A device includes a main body and at least one actuating and sensing module. A length of the main body is 50˜70 mm. A width of the main body is 25˜30 mm. A height of the main body is 9˜15 mm. The actuating and sensing module is disposed in the main body. The actuating and sensing module includes a carrier, at least one sensor, at least one actuating device, a driving and transmitting controller and a battery. The sensor, the actuating device, the driving and transmitting controller and the battery are disposed on the carrier. The actuating device is disposed on one side of the sensor. The actuating device includes a guiding channel. The actuating device is enabled to transport fluid to flow toward the sensor through the guiding channel so as to make the fluid measured by the sensor.

Abstract: A device includes a main body and at least one actuating and sensing module. A length of the main body is 35-55 mm. A width of the main body is 25-30 mm. A height of the main body is 9-13 mm. The actuating and sensing module is disposed in the main body. The actuating and sensing module includes a carrier, at least one sensor, at least one actuating device, a driving and transmitting controller and a battery. The sensor, the actuating device, the driving and transmitting controller and the battery are disposed on the carrier. The actuating device is disposed on one side of the sensor. The actuating device includes at least one guiding channel. The actuating device is enabled to transport fluid to flow toward the sensor through the guiding channel so as to make the fluid measured by the sensor.

Abstract: An inspection apparatus includes a container, first and second detectors, and a controller. The container stores a specimen. The first detector detects a substance emitted by the specimen stored in the container. The second detector detects a different component than the substance in the atmosphere inside the container. The controller corrects the result of detection of the substance by the first detector on the basis of the component detected by the second detector and judges a quality of the specimen.

Abstract: Formation potential for disinfection by-products (DBPs) is determined in-situ using one or more automated sample extraction and measurement mechanisms. In one embodiment, such an in-situ mechanism is used to take periodic water samples and measure trihalomethane (THM) concentration in near real-time (i.e., less than two hours), using a measurement process based on modified Fujiwara chemistry. During the extraction and measurement process, water samples can be heated according to a specific temperature/time profile in order to artificially accelerate age of the water sample, so as to cause DBPs to form prematurely. A water monitoring network can monitor detected DBP levels and take automated response actions according to predefined computer policies or rules.

Abstract: An improved sensor fish with robust design and enhanced measurement capabilities. This sensor fish contains sensors for acceleration, rotation, magnetic field intensity, pressure, and temperature. A low-power microcontroller collects data from the sensors and stores up to 5 minutes of data on a non-volatile flash memory. A rechargeable battery supplies power to the sensor fish. A recovery system helps locating sensor fish. The package, when ready for use is nearly neutrally buoyant and thus mimics the behavior of an actual fish.

Abstract: A method for determination of the behavior of a reactive mixture intended for obtaining a geopolymer. The reactive mixture comprises at least one aluminosilicate material. The method includes determining a proportion of amorphous phase of the at least one aluminosilicate material and determining a degree of wettability of the at least one aluminosilicate material. If the proportion of amorphous phase is greater than 45% and if the degree of wettability is situated in a range between 300 ?g/l and 1400 ?g/l, then the reactive mixture, formed by the reaction of the at least one aluminosilicate material with an alkaline solution, forms a geopolymer.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to determining a mineralogical composition of a geological sample, comprising estimating mineralogical and elemental compositions of the sample using measurements.

Abstract: A rock sample includes multiple rock samples that are each obtained from the borehole. The rock samples have been exposed to contamination during a drilling operation to drill the borehole. The rock sample is split into a first sample portion and a second sample portion. The first sample portion is decontaminated with a solvent. The second sample portion is decontaminated by thermovaporization for an initial duration of time at an initial thermovaporization temperature below that of a cracking temperature of an organic matter carried within the rock sample. A difference between a first pyrolysis Tmax value of the first sample portion decontaminated by the solvent and a second pyrolysis Tmax value of the second sample portion decontaminated by the thermovaporization is determined to satisfy a decontamination level threshold. The remainder of rock samples are decontaminated by the thermovaporization in response to determining that the difference satisfies the decontamination level threshold.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and to a method for measuring at least one flow property of at least one fluid in a porous medium. The measurement system (1) comprises at least one cell (2), means (7) for injecting fluid(s) into the cell and X-ray radiography means (4, 5).

Abstract: A multiple layer composite material having fluid breach detection features provides indication of a failure in a fluid barrier. The indication of breach of fluid is provided before failure of a final layer of the composite material. The multiple layer composite material includes more than one fluid impermeable layer with an intermediate layer sealed between the fluid impermeable layers. Failure of one of the fluid impermeable layers is detected by fluid contact in the intermediate layer. The intermediate layer includes a reagent and/or detection device to indicate that the fluid has reached the intermediate layer.

Abstract: A system for measuring hematocrit in a whole blood sample is provided. An absorbent substrate is adapted to receive a whole blood sample. At least one light source is positioned to illuminate the sample on the substrate at first and second wavelengths. The first and second wavelengths are different from each other. A spectral sensor is positioned to measure a first intensity and a second intensity of light diffusely reflected from the sample at the first and second wavelengths, respectively. The diffusely reflected first and second intensities of light are compared to reference values to generate first and second reflectance values. A controller, coupled to the spectral sensor, is configured to determine a first differential reflectance between the first and second reflectances. The hematocrit level of the sample is determined based on a first stored relationship between hematocrit and a differential reflectance corresponding to the first and second wavelengths.

Abstract: This application relates to methods and apparatus for monitoring and predicting a cell count of at least one component of white blood cells, especially absolute neutrophil count (ANC), within a chemotherapy treatment cycle. The method comprises taking (102), within a treatment cycle, at least one measurement of a cell count of said white blood cell component of a subject; identifying (103) at least one modeled trajectory of white blood cell count that matches said at least one measurement for said subject; and based on said at least one modeled trajectory identifying (104) a likely cell count at a later date in the cycle and/or start of the next cycle. The step of identifying at least one modeled trajectory may comprise taking a reference set of trajectories that has been generated (101), and from said reference set, identifying a selection set of trajectories that matches the measurement data.

Abstract: A method for the early prediction of risk of hypertensive disorders in pregnant women, including for example eclampsia, mild pre-eclampsia, chronic hypertension, EPH gestosis, gestational hypertension, superimposed pre-eclampsia, HELLP syndrome, or nephropathy.

Abstract: A Self-Regulating Alcohol Breathalyzer has a Main Module Enclosure to channel breath evenly to three Fuel-Cell Sensors. Within the Main Module Enclosure are the Main Circuit Board and the Exhaust Fan. When a user blows into the straw, their breath will flow through the Main Air-Flow Channel, Solenoid Pumps are triggered and breath samples are pulled into the Fuel-Cells as the user's air pressure begins to decline. Each Fuel-Cell Sensor has an opening that protrudes into the Main Air Flow Channel and will have access to pull in samples of the breath passing through the channel. After the breath sample is acquired, the three Fuel Cells comparatively test for alcohol content.

Abstract: Biosensors are disclosed for detecting ligand binding at ectopic Olfactory Receptors. Methods of identifying novel ectopic Olfactory Receptors are also disclosed. Ligands for ectopic Olfactory Receptors are disclosed as well as methods for using these ligands to interact with ectopic Olfactory Receptors, including the use of such ligands in the treatment and/or mitigation of disease conditions.

Abstract: Processes are sequentially performed on a plurality of biological samples of an identical type from a reference time, and the plurality of biological samples are sequentially evaluated from a time point at which a preset time elapses from the reference time, in which a time interval of each process on each of the biological samples is set to a time interval which is equal to or more than a shortest process operation time of the processing apparatus, and a time interval of each evaluation of each of the biological samples is set to a time interval which is equal to or more than a shortest evaluation operation time of the evaluation apparatus and is obtained by adding or subtracting a desired time interval shorter than the shortest evaluation operation time to or from the time interval of each process.

Abstract: This present invention relates generally to devices, systems, and methods for performing bioimaging at the microscopic scale and, more particularly, to devices and systems including a disposable testing device configured to perform bioimaging at the microscopic scale, and methods of performing the bioimaging using the disposable testing device. In some aspects, a testing device is provided for imaging assay beads. The testing device having a sample entry port for receiving the blood sample; a sample testing conduit fluidically connected to the sample entry port, the sample testing conduit including: (i) a planar member, (ii) a transparent planar member, and (iii) a plurality of wells having a predetermined average well height and disposed between the first planar member and the second planar member; and an imager chip forming at least a portion of the planar member.

Abstract: This present invention relates generally to devices, systems, and methods for performing bioimaging at the microscopic scale and, more particularly, to devices and systems including a disposable testing device configured to perform bioimaging at the microscopic scale, and methods of performing the bioimaging using the disposable testing device. In some aspects, a method is provided for imaging assay beads. The method includes moving a blood sample into a sample testing conduit having a first wall formed from at least a portion of an imager chip, a second wall formed from a transparent material layer, and a plurality of wells. The method further including driving a light emitter to project light through the wells, recording an output signal of at least one of absorbance and fluorescence, and converting the output signal to a value indicative of a reaction of a biological sample within each of the plurality of wells.

Abstract: The present invention describes compositions and methods for treating cardiovascular disease and myocardial infarction using dipeptidyl peptidase inhibitors. Also provided are methods for increasing natriuretic peptide function by administering one or more analogues of B type natriuretic peptide that provide increased stability in the presence of prolyl-specific dipeptidyl peptidases.

Abstract: A method of measuring an analyte amount in a whole blood sample, including (i) measuring the haematocrit level of the whole blood sample; (ii) measuring an analyte amount directly in the whole blood sample; and (iii) calculating a corrected analyte amount according to relation DP=Pa(DST,DH), where DP, is the corrected analyte amount, DST is the measured analyte amount, DH is the measured haematocrit level, and Pa is a non-constant polynomial of a degree greater than or equal to 1 having as indeterminate values the measured analyte amount, DST, and the measured haematocrit level, DH, and having its polynomial coefficients depending on the analyte.

Abstract: The application describes a method of quantifying a multimeric analyte in a sample comprising: (i) treating the multimeric analyte with a separating agent selected to convert at least a portion of the multimeric analyte into monomeric analyte; (ii) binding the analyte to an analyte-specific binding agent; (iii) comparing the amount of binding of the analyte to the analyte-specific binding agent to a calibration curve, wherein the calibration curve is obtained (i) by binding the analyte-specific binding agent to one or more predetermined amounts of separating agent treated analyte, prior to contacting with analyte-specific binding agent or (ii) by binding the analyte-specific binding agent to a predetermined amount of substantially monomeric analyte; and (iv) determining an amount of the multimeric analyte in the sample.

Abstract: An optical sensing method with optical excitation in the ultraviolet (UV) range (200-400 nm wavelength) where biomolecules, which have inherent absorption lines in the UV range, adsorb on a plasmonic surface exhibiting coincident optical resonances in the UV, and the amplitude of the reflected/scattered/transmitted optical wave, which is strongly changed due to the presence of biomacromolecules or biomolecular structures, are measured or imaged to infer the presence and optical properties of the adsorbed biomolecular structures.

Abstract: The present invention addresses the problem of suppressing cross-reaction with antigenic components similar to an analyte, in immunochromatography, so as to reduce detection of similar antigens, and prevent measurement value errors and false positive reactions, while maintaining or improving the detection sensitivity for the analyte, and thereby allowing accurate determinations. In the present invention, when an antibody that specifically binds to the analyte and the analyte are reacted under conditions in which a buffer solution is used in a specific pH range, even if similar antigens are also present, cross-reactivity between the antibody and similar antigens is suppressed, and the analyte can be accurately detected.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and systems for detecting a biomarker in a synovial fluid wherein the system also includes a control to ensure that the test sample is indeed synovial fluid. The biomarkers and the control for synovial fluid can be identified using proteomic methods, including but not limited to antibody based methods, such as an enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA), a radioimmunoassay (RIA), or a lateral flow immunoassay.

Abstract: An in vitro method for determining whether a patient has, or is at risk of having or developing an autoimmune disease or for assessing the severity or predicting the outcome of an autoimmune disease, comprising a step of detecting or quantifying in a biological sample obtained from said patient an immune anti-IL2 response, peptides specifically recognised by anti-1L2 antibodies or IL-2-specific T cells of T1D, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren's syndrome and autoimmune polymyositis patients, and pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: Peptides useful in determining the presence of autoantibodies in patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis are disclosed.

Abstract: In order to provide a protein tag and use thereof, the present invention uses a protein tag that binds to a substance having a crystal structure and that includes a binding domain whose amino acid sequence is a mutated version of an amino acid sequence of an ice-binding domain derived from an antifreeze protein.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to detection of contamination of a sample or diagnosis of subject based upon detection or quantification of amino acid sequences in a sample, specifically to the identification and use of molecular biomarkers for Candida albicans biofilm infections.

Abstract: The invention relates to an expression construct for the soluble expression of polypeptides in host cells and for the expression of polypeptides on the surface of host cells, using alternative splicing. The amount of cell membrane expression of polypeptides such as antibodies, antibody fragments and bispecific antibodies can be correlated directly to the amount of soluble polypeptide expressed. In the case of bispecific antibodies, cell membrane expression of heterodimer and homodimer products can be correlated directly to the soluble expression of these products, thereby aiding selection of a desired producer clone.

Abstract: Methods for assessing pneumonia in a patient, methods for managing treatment of a patient suspected of having pneumonia, and methods of managing treatment in a patient suffering from pneumonia. The method of assessing pneumonia includes contacting a biological sample with reagents for detection and/or quantification of neutrophil-derived microparticles, determining a level of neutrophil-derived microparticles, and assessing pneumonia if the level is elevated. The method of managing treatment of a patient suspected of having pneumonia includes assessing pneumonia by calculating a concentration of neutrophil-derived microparticles, treating the patient where pneumonia is indicated, and determining treatment response by measuring a post treatment concentration of neutrophil-derived microparticles.

Abstract: Embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure include apparatuses, devices, and methods. For example, a method is directed to method exposing immobilized white blood cells from a blood sample to an antigen. And, scanning the immobilized white blood cells and, therefrom, identify and isolate white blood cells from among the immobilized white blood cells that produce an antibody in response to the exposure to the antigen.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for producing disulfide oxidoreductase A (DsbA) and disulfide oxidoreductase C (DsbC) polypeptides at very high levels of purity. Also provided are ultrapure DsbA and DsbC and methods of using same, e.g., for use in immunoassays to show removal of DsbA and DsbC from biologics produced in bacteria.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of determining whether a subject has or is at risk of developing a cancer. The method comprises, obtaining a sample from the subject; determining the levels of at least two target polypeptides, which are selected from the group consisting of, ANXA2, HSPA5, KNG1 and MMP1; and assessing whether the subject has or is at risk of developing the cancer based on the levels of target polypeptides. The present method provides a potential means to diagnose and predict the occurrence of oral squamous cell carcinoma, and accordingly, the subject in need thereof could receive a suitable therapeutic regimen in time.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of detecting a subject suffering from, or at risk of suffering from, bladder cancer the method comprising i) providing a body fluid sample isolated from a subject; ii) isolating cells from said sample to provide a cell sample; iii) contacting the sample with a specific binding member capable of binding to a minichromosome maintenance (MCM) polypeptide(s); iv) determining the binding of said specific binding member to the cell sample; v) counting those cells in said cell sample which bound to said specific binding member to provide a cell count; vi) determining, based on the cell count, whether the subject has, or is at risk of having, bladder cancer.

Abstract: The present application provides novel compositions, methods, and assays for use in identification of appropriate diagnostic markers in blood. These compositions, methods, and assays are capable of distinguishing normal levels of detectable markers from changes in marker levels that are indicative of changes in health status.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to compositions and methods for cancer diagnosis, research and therapy, including but not limited to, cancer markers. In particular, the present disclosure relates to cancer markers as diagnostic markers and clinical targets for lung cancer.

Abstract: The invention relates, in part, to methods of scoring a sample containing tumor tissue from a cancer patient. The score is representative of a spatial proximity between at least one pair of cells, a first member of the at least one pair of cells expressing a first biomarker and a second member of the at least one pair of cells expressing a second biomarker that is different from the first biomarker. The score obtained from these methods can be indicative of a likelihood that a patient may respond positively to immunotherapy.

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 methods for detecting and quantitating the 6-O-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase protein (MGMT) directly in biological samples that have been fixed in formalin by the method of Selected Reaction Monitoring/Multiple Reaction Monitoring (SRM/MRM) mass spectrometry. Such biological samples are chemically preserved and fixed with formaldehyde containing agents/fixatives and may include formalin-fixed tissue/cells, formalin-fixed/paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue/cells, FFPE tissue blocks and cells from those blocks, and tissue culture cells that have been formalin fixed and/or paraffin embedded. A protein sample is prepared from the biological sample and the MGMT protein is quantitated in the sample using SRM/MRM mass spectrometry by quantitating one or more fragment peptides.

Abstract: To provide a method for discriminating a microorganism by selecting and using a marker protein capable of reproducibly and quickly discriminating a bacterial species of the genus Listeria. The method for discriminating a microorganism according to the present invention includes: a step of subjecting a sample containing a microorganism to mass spectrometry to obtain a mass spectrum; a reading step of reading a mass-to-charge ratio m/z of a peak derived from a marker protein from the mass spectrum; and a discrimination step of discriminating which bacterial species of Listeria bacteria the microorganism contained in the sample contains based on the mass-to-charge ratio m/z, in which at least one of 17 ribosomal proteins L3, L4, L23, L2, L24, L6, L18, S5, L15, S13, S11, L10, L21, L13, S9, L31, S16 is used as the marker protein and particularly at least one of 8 ribosomal proteins L24, L6, L18, L15, S9, L31, S16 among the 17 ribosomal proteins is used.

Abstract: Contemplated test kits and methods for food sensitivity related to osteoarthritis are based on rational-based selection of food preparations with established discriminatory p-value. In some embodiments, kits include those with a minimum number of food preparations that have an average discriminatory p-value of ?0.07 as determined by their raw p-value or an average discriminatory p-value of ?0.10 as determined by FDR multiplicity adjusted p-value. In further contemplated aspects, compositions and methods for food sensitivity are also stratified by gender to further enhance predictive value.

Abstract: The invention relates to forming locus-specific (or gene-specific) pools of cells from various potential donors, where the cells that express or display HLA molecules, or other polymorphic cell surface markers, and identifying the pattern of responses across these pools, notably aggregation of cells, or their acquisition of fluorescence when exposed to a labeled secondary antibody, when exposed to sera from a potential recipient. Pools of cells from different potential donors are designed and constructed in accordance with allele partitions that are identified by amino acid sequence tags, preferably defined in terms of single or combinations of variable amino acid positions encoded by the constituent alleles in the partition.

Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to a method for the in vitro detection/prediction of imminent childbirth based on the detection of at least two of the following markers: insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 1 (IGFBP-1), an N-terminal fragment of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 1, and interleukin 6 (IL-6). Some embodiments are also directed to a device for the implementation of the method. Some embodiments are applicable in the medical field, in the diagnostic field, and in particular in the obstetric field.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of using increased levels of one or more biomarkers to identify subjects having non-celiac gluten sensitivity or non-celiac wheat sensitivity. The identification would aid the physician or health professional to determine a specific treatment for the patient, for example, a diet that eliminates wheat, rye, and/or barley. In one embodiment, the biomarkers are one or more of soluble CD 14 (sCD14), lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP), anti-lipopolysaccharide antibodies, anti-flagellin antibodies, anti-gliadin antibodies, and intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (FABP2). The present invention also provides a method of using the same markers to monitor the response to treatment for non-celiac wheat sensitivity in a subject.

Abstract: Certain embodiments are directed to method of measuring fortilin in a serum sample as a biomarker of in vivo apoptosis, which can be utilized to noninvasively assess the status of in vivo apoptosis in a subject.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for detecting at least one disease selected from the group consisting of visceral fat accumulation, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, hypertension and atherosclerosis or a disease two or more of which are combined or detecting onset risk of these diseases, which comprises (a) a step of measuring a ganglioside GM3 in a blood sample derived from a subject, wherein the ganglioside GM3 has a structure represented by the following formula (1). [In the formula (1), R1 represents a glycan constituting the ganglioside GM3, and R2—C(?O)— represents a fatty acid residue having 16 or more and 24 or less carbon atoms which may have a double bond, and having an OH group as a substituent.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and dose packs for the monitoring of medication adherence. In one aspect, the dose pack comprises comprise a multiplicity of doses of an agent and a multiplicity of doses of a marker and be configured to isolate a pair of at least one of the multiplicity of doses of the agent and at least one of the multiplicity of doses of the marker for co-administration of the pair to the subject according to the dosing schedule. In another aspect, the method comprises obtaining a sample from the subject subsequent to the conclusion of a monitoring window and analyzing the sample for the presence or absence of a marker or a degradation product thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods, devices, and systems for loading and retrieval of particles. In some embodiments, a loading station comprise a tray configured to receive a microwell array, a first magnet, a second magnet, and an actuation mechanism configured to cause movement of at least one of the first magnet and the second magnet.