Abstract: An electrode for use in instruments capable of measuring the electrophoretic mobility of particles in solution is disclosed. The electrode is comprised of an inexpensive support member, generally made of titanium, onto a flat surface of which has been connected, generally by microwelding, a flat electrically conductive but chemically inert foil member, preferably platinum. A uniform texture can be generated on the exposed surfaces of the electrode by various means including tumbling the electrode with an abrasive. An oxide layer can be generated on the support member by soaking the composite electrode in an appropriate medium, protecting the exposed surface of the support member from fluid contact with the sample solution, while the foil member, unaffected by the oxidation process, is able to contact the sample solution.

Abstract: A system comprising a protein and a channel. The channel has a domain that binds a membranal component. The channel is configured to carry a liquid sample to an isotachophoresis (ITP) apparatus. The liquid sample comprising or suspected of comprising a cell, a cell membrane or a fraction of a cell membrane. The ITP apparatus comprises a first zone and a second zone. The first zone is configured to contain a solution of high effective mobility leading electrolyte (LE) ion. The second zone is configured to contain a solution of low effective mobility trailing electrolyte (TE) ion. The first zone and the second zone are configured to be operably connected to at least one anode and at least one cathode.

Abstract: An electromechanical transducer unit for a field device includes a membrane embodied to execute mechanical oscillations, two rods perpendicular to the membrane and secured to the membrane, a housing, wherein the membrane forms at least one portion of a wall of the housing, and wherein the two rods extend into the housing interior, two magnets, wherein each magnet is secured in an end region away from the membrane to a different one of the two rods, and a coil with a core, wherein the coil is secured above the magnets within the housing, and is contactable with an electrical, alternating current signal, wherein the coil is embodied to produce a magnetic field that causes the two rods via the two magnets to execute mechanical oscillations, and wherein the two rods are secured to the membrane such that oscillations of the membrane result from oscillations of the two rods.

Abstract: A method of inspecting a joint of a heat exchanger comprises: scanning the heat exchanger 10 with an electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) sensor 110 by scanning the EMAT sensor 110 over an area of the heat exchanger 10 in a scanning pattern; collecting data from the EMAT sensor 110; analysing the data; and determining a status of the joint based on the analysed data.

Abstract: A distributed sensing fiber acoustic emission apparatus and method for monitoring a hydraulic engineering safety behavior includes a fiber-carrying laying module and a fiber acoustic emission module. The fiber-carrying laying module includes an inner supporter, mesh modules and fiber-carrying modules, the inner supporter, the mesh modules and the fiber-carrying modules form a cylindrical shape. The cross section of the inner supporter is in a quadrangle inner-concave shape with the four edges concaved, the four surfaces of the inner supporter are concaved, the mesh modules having a plurality of meshes are respectively disposed in the four concave surfaces of the inner supporter, and the fiber-carrying module is arranged between every two adjacent mesh modules.

Abstract: An ultrasound flaw detection device which detects abnormalities within a tube while moving in the tube by pressure of water flow. The ultrasound flaw detector includes an ultrasound probe (11) which emits an ultrasound wave from an inside of the tube to a tube wall and receives an echo signal, a pulser-receiver (12) which transmits a pulse signal to the ultrasound probe and to which the received echo signal is inputted, a memory unit (14) which stores the received echo signal, a control unit (15) which controls transmitting timing of the pulse signal from the pulser-receiver to the ultrasound probe and controls writing of the received echo signal to the memory unit, and a power supply unit (19); a flexible member (25) which connects the plurality of parts of the ultrasound flaw detector; and a centering member (26) which keeps the ultrasound probe approximately centered within the tube.

Abstract: An apparatus for in-situ calibration of a photoacoustic sensor is provided. The apparatus includes a light emitter to emit light along a transmission path to a gas and an acoustic sensor element configured to detect an acoustic signal emitted from the gas based on the received light. Furthermore, the apparatus includes a sensing unit configured to detect the light transmitted along the transmission path and to provide an output signal, and a calibration unit to receive the output signal from the sensing unit and to provide a calibration information based on the output signal received from the sensing unit.

Abstract: It is described an apparatus for inspecting a pipeline, said apparatus including a cylindrical body (15) adapted to be transported inside said pipeline, an array of acoustical transducers (Tx,y) installed in the surface of the cylindrical body (15), the acoustical transducers being organized in columns and rows in a belt around the cylindrical body, a controller adapted to initiate a transmission of an acoustical signal from a first transducer (T2,2) and a reception of said acoustical signal from other transducers in said array surrounding the first transducer, the controller further being adapted to determine the direction to a flaw in the wall of said pipeline from the received acoustical signals.

Abstract: A system for analyzing fiber reinforced composite including: an ultrasonic transmitter configured to provide ultra-sonic pulses to the fiber reinforced composite; an ultrasonic receiver configured to receive ultrasonic signal data related to the ultrasonic pulses; a filter module configured to filter the ultrasonic signal data; a signal processing module configured to process the filtered ultrasonic signal data; an analysis module configured to analyze the processed ultrasonic signal data by: calculating a characteristic value based on the ultrasonic signal data; comparing the characteristic value to a baseline established for the characteristic value; and determining a percentage of design strength based on the comparison; and an output module configured to output the percentage of design strength.

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe, an ultrasonic imaging apparatus including the same, and a method for controlling the same are disclosed, which relate to a method for changing a pulse signal received by an ultrasonic probe by controlling a switching element mounted to an ultrasonic probe during pulse inversion harmonic imaging. The ultrasonic probe includes: a transducer array configured to transmit and receive an ultrasonic signal; a printed circuit board (PCB) electrically connected to the transducer array so as to transmit a pulse signal received from a main body of an ultrasonic imaging apparatus to the transducer array; and a switching circuit configured to change a waveform of the pulse signal received by the PCB and transmitted to the transducer array.

Abstract: Disclosed are fibers which contain identification fibers. The identification fibers can contain a one or more of chemical markers and one or more distinct features, or taggants, which may vary among the fibers or be incorporated throughout all of the fibers. The chemical markers and distinct features can be representative of specific supply chain information. The supply chain information can be used to track the fibers from manufacturing through intermediaries, conversion to final product, and/or the consumer. The disclosed embodiments also relate to the method for making and characterizing the fibers. Characterization of the fibers can include identifying chemical markers and distinct features and correlating the chemical markers and distinct features to manufacturer-specific taggants to determine supply chain information.

Abstract: A liquid chromatography measurement method includes: switching between a first measurement mode using a liquid chromatography method in which hemoglobin A1c and a hemoglobin variant are measured in a measurement sample by sequentially delivering a first component-separating eluent, a second component-separating eluent and a wash eluent to an analytical column, and a second measurement mode using the liquid chromatography method in which the hemoglobin A1c is measured by sequentially delivering the first component-separating eluent and the wash eluent to the analytical column; delivering the wash eluent in the first measurement mode prior to an influence from the second component-separating eluent disappearing such that a first retention time of the hemoglobin A1c in the first measurement mode and a second retention time of the hemoglobin A1c in the second measurement mode are substantially the same as each other; and delivering the first component-separating eluent after the wash eluent.

Abstract: Provided are a method of and an apparatus for formulating a multicomponent drug capable of surely making a multicomponent drug meeting criteria for productization with high accuracy into a product. The method and apparatus obtain a chromatogram from an extract or a base of a multicomponent drug, evaluate whether the base meets the criteria for productization based on the obtained chromatogram with high accuracy, and subject the base determined in the high-accuracy evaluating as an accepted one meeting the criteria to dosage form processing, to produce a formulated drug having a given dosage-form.

Abstract: A calculation device includes: an acquisition unit that obtains a mass concentration of particles in a gas measured in a first measurement station, a number concentration of particles in the gas measured in a second measurement station, and a humidity of the gas measured in the second measurement station; and a calculation unit that calculates a function, which defines a relationship of a mass concentration and a number concentration to a humidity and is used to calculate a mass concentration of particles in the gas in a third measurement station from a number concentration of particles in the gas and a humidity of the gas measured in the third measurement station, based on the mass concentration in the first measurement station and the number concentration and the humidity in the second measurement station, the third measurement station being installed in a different location from the first and second measurement stations.

Abstract: A method for determining the carbon dioxide content in ambient air includes providing a mobile data transmission device which comprises a sensor configured to detect carbon dioxide in ambient air. The method further includes calibrating the sensor. Calibrating the sensor includes measuring the carbon dioxide content of the ambient air in a reference situation. The method also includes measuring the carbon dioxide content of the ambient air using the sensor.

Abstract: A metal oxide heterostructure includes mixing a first precursor and a second precursor to form a precursor aqueous mixture, adding at least one constituent to the precursor aqueous mixture to form a first solution, adding a nanostructuring reagent to the first solution to form a second solution, sonochemically treating the second solution to provide a metal oxide powder, filtering, washing, and drying the metal oxide powder to provide a metal oxide nanocomposite heterostructure for a sensing layer of a hydrogen sulfide sensor. A method for forming a hydrogen sulfide sensor includes the metal oxide heterostructure, forming a sensing material, contacting the sensing material with interdigitated electrodes to form a sensing layer, and thermally consolidating the sensing layer to form the hydrogen sulfide sensor.

Abstract: A kit for determining if a shock treatment is required for a water source may comprise a test strip having at least two chemically treated test areas. One of the areas is responsive in color to a concentration of free chlorine in the water and another test area is responsive in color to a concentration of total chlorine in the water. A chlorine indicator scale may be provided on a substrate, such as a label, and comprises a plurality of pairs of colored indicia and each pair of colored indicia representing a color pattern indicating a concentration, or range of concentrations, of total chlorine and free chlorine in the water. An alphanumeric designation may be provided adjacent to each pair of indicia indicating whether a shock treatment is required for the water source based on a color pattern the associated indicia pattern.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and compositions are described for the measurement of metal and/or metalloid elements, including selenium in samples. More specifically, the invention provides a sensor and/or array of sensors to measure metal and/or metalloid analytes, e.g. sensor and/or array of sensors having a chelator molecule, the chelator molecule including a peptide which has a phenylalanine derivative.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining a presence, type, quality and/or volume of a subsurface hydrocarbon accumulation from a sample related thereto. The method may include obtaining sample data associated with a subsurface hydrocarbon accumulation, wherein the sample data includes a noble gas signature, a clumped isotope signature and/or a ecology signature. From the signatures, relationships between the noble gas signature; the clumped isotope signature and the ecology signature are identified and stored in memory.

Abstract: A system for locating and tracking an object is provided. The system includes a measuring device configured to determine a property of a paving-related material, a locating device configured to determine a location of the measuring device, a tracking system configured to store tracking information associated with the measuring device and one or more properties determined by the measuring device, and a communications system configured to transfer, to a remote device, the location of the measuring device and the tracking information associated with the measuring device.

Abstract: A magnetism characteristic detection method, a magnetism characteristic detection apparatus, an imaging apparatus and an imaging method are provided, where magnetism detection and imaging are based on an integrated excitation field of a direct current (DC) magnetic field and an oscillation wave. The magnetism detection method includes the following steps. A DC magnetic field is selectively applied to an object. Further, an oscillation wave is provided to the object, where the oscillation wave is a sound wave or an ultrasound wave. Then, a magnetism characteristic variation of the object is detected.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of assessing suitability of a pharmaceutical composition for medical use. The pharmaceutical composition comprises nanoparticles comprising paclitaxel coated with albumin and a non-nanoparticle portion comprising albumin and paclitaxel.

Abstract: There is provided a blood condition analyzing device including: an extraction unit configured to use temporal change data of an electrical characteristic of blood at an arbitrary frequency to extract a feature of the data; and a blood condition evaluation unit configured to evaluate a condition change of blood from a feature extracted in the extraction unit.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for breath gas analysis when determining the difference in the concentrations of at least one gas in the exhaled breathing air on the one hand and in the ambient air on the other hand. The device may include at least one gas sensor, by means of which the concentration of a gas can be determined, and a line system, through whose lines the exhaled air to be examined, the ambient air and a calibrating gas can be selectively pumped to the gas sensor. The method may include feeding ambient air; feeding calibrating gas to the gas sensor; feeding exhaled air to the gas sensor; feeding calibrating gas to the gas sensor again; and feeding exhaled air to the gas sensor again.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a method for adjusting the maturation state of mammalian sperm for use in assisted reproductive technologies (ART). A mammalian ejaculate is provided and incubated under controlled conditions. Aliquots of the ejaculate are assayed during incubation period at intervals to determine maturation state and changes in the maturation state by observing the percent positive cells in the aliquot. The assays are repeated with successive aliquots at intervals during incubation to observe real time changes in the maturation state. The ejaculate remaining is processed for the desired ART after the percentage of positive cells in the latest aliquot being assayed begins to decline.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for detecting small mutations and structural alterations in DNA by using binding proteins to protect those features while digesting unprotected DNA in a sample. To detect small mutations, a protein that binds exclusively to the mutation of interest, and not to wild-type, is used. For structural alterations, binding proteins are used that flank a breakpoint of the alteration. After digestion of unbound, unprotected nucleic acid in the sample, the mutation- or breakpoint-containing segment remains as an isolated DNA fragment. The sample is then assayed to detect any fragment of DNA and the detection of the fragment indicates the presence of the mutation or breakpoint in the subject.

Abstract: Described herein is a protein capable of spontaneously forming an isopeptide bond for the development of a peptide tag and binding partner pair wherein the peptide tag and binding partner are capable of covalently binding to each other via an isopeptide bond. Also provided is a method for developing a peptide tag and binding partner pair which are capable of covalently binding to each other based on a protein which is capable of spontaneously forming an isopeptide bond. Additionally provided are peptide tag and binding partner pairs which are obtainable from isopeptide proteins. Further, specifically developed peptide tags and binding partners are described, together with nucleic acid molecules and vectors which encode those peptides or proteins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to materials and methods for high throughput monitoring of target engagement of isopeptidases, such as deubiquitylating enzymes by, inter alia, small molecule inhibitors. In particular the invention relates to development of high throughput assays to measure isopeptidase activity in biological samples, such as cells, animal tissues, animal tumours, human tissue or patient-derived biopsies.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for isolating target biomolecules or cells from samples, particularly biological samples. In particular, the device comprises a loading mixture, which contains the biological sample and a first binding entity that specifically binds to the target biomolecule or target cell; and a micro-channel coated with a second binding entity that binds directly or indirectly to the first binding entity. Methods of capturing, detecting, and/or evaluating target biomolecules or target cells (e.g. cancer cells) in biological samples are also disclosed.

Abstract: In a method and arrangement for detecting binding events of molecules, at least one second molecule covalently bound to a ligand, and optionally bonded to a third molecule bound to a ligand, forms a specific non-covalent fond with a first molecule immobilised on a bioactive surface by a covalent bond, and binding events between an analyte molecule and the second-molecule bound ligand are detected by an analytical measuring method, wherein the specific non-covalent bond between the first and second molecules is breakable by supplying a buffer solution, and, hence, a specific ligand, or two, different specific ligands are made available on the bioactive surface in an easily reversible manner.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include methods that include co-culturing a cell and a microparticle that includes a capture ligand, in a culture medium under conditions in which a biomarker produced by the cell is bound by the capture ligand. Such methods may further include detecting (e.g., by flow or mass cytometry) complexes that include the microparticle, the capture ligand, the biomarker, and a detection reagent. The methods may further include determining the proportion or number of cells among a heterogeneous cell population that produced the biomarker and/or the level of biomarker secreted by such cells. Compositions, systems and kits are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and kits for detecting analytes using avidin-biotin assays.

Abstract: An antigen detection method detects an antigen having a specific sugar chain in a sample with a lectin that binds to plural kinds of sugar chains including the specific sugar chain. The detection method includes: a first step of bringing the lectin into contact with the sample; a second step of bringing a glycohydrolase capable of cleaving at least one kind of sugar chain to which the lectin can bind into contact with the sample, the at least one kind of sugar chain excluding the specific sugar chain among the plural kinds of sugar chains; and a step of detecting the antigen bound with the lectin after the first and second steps.

Abstract: The object is to provide a lysis method, lysis treatment solution, detection method using an immunochromatographic device, and detection kit comprising an immunochromatographic device for detecting whether causative bacterium of mastitis is a staphylococcus or not by using milk of a livestock animal. There is provided a method for lysing a staphylococcus, which comprises the step of mixing a lysis agent containing a lytic enzyme, and at least one kind of ampholytic surfactant, and preferably further containing at least one kind of nonionic surfactant, with milk obtained form a livestock animal to lyse a staphylococcus existing in the milk. The lytic enzyme is preferably lysostaphin.

Abstract: The object is to provide a lysis method and lysis treatment solution for efficiently lysing cells of various Streptococcus bacteria in milk of a livestock animal to release a specific antigen substance contained in the cells for detecting whether causative bacterium of mastitis is a Streptococcus bacterium or not by using the milk, as well as a detection method using an immunochromatographic device. There is provided a method for lysing a Streptococcus bacterium, which comprises the step of mixing a lysis agent containing a lytic enzyme with milk obtained form a livestock animal to lyse a Streptococcus bacterium existing in the milk. The lytic enzyme is preferably at least one selected from the group consisting of lysozyme, labiase, and ?-N-acetylglucosaminidase.

Abstract: Means for enabling an immunoassay with a sufficient sensitivity in an immunoassay for measuring influenza virus in a sample using influenza virus M1 protein as an antigen is provided. A sample processing method in an immunoassay for influenza virus, which method comprises, in an immunoassay for influenza virus using an antibody which undergoes antigen-antibody reaction with influenza virus matrix 1 protein, or an antigen-binding fragment thereof, bringing a sample containing influenza virus into contact with a sample processing liquid containing a surfactant having at least one group selected from the group consisting of palmityl, stearyl, and oleyl, is provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and products associated with in vivo enzyme profiling. In particular, biomarker nanoparticles capable of quantitatively detecting enzymatic activity in vivo are described. These nanoparticles can be used to detect in vivo enzyme activity. The invention also relates to products, kits, and databases for use in the methods of the invention.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for detecting BoNT/A enzymatic activity in tissues or a tissue sample are described herein. The invention encompasses antibodies that bind preferentially to BoNT/A cleaved SNAP25 and is able to preferentially detect BoNT/A cleaved SNAP25, as compared to intact (non-cleaved) SNAP25, in a tissue sample.

Abstract: The present invention describes methods for preventing IBS, reducing the likelihood of developing IBS and/or treating IBS by administering CDT inhibitors and/or CDT neutralizers to a subject in need thereof. The present invention also describes methods of eliciting a specific immune response and methods of vaccinating a subject to prevent IBS or to reduce the likelihood of developing or having IBS. The present invention further describes methods of diagnosing IBS by detecting the presence or absence of CDT or a CDT marker in a subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides antibody-based arrays for detecting the activation state and/or total amount of a plurality of signal transduction molecules in rare circulating cells and methods of use thereof for facilitating cancer prognosis and diagnosis and the design of personalized, targeted therapies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antigen recognizing constructs against a tumor associated antigen (TAA) derived from the target protein DDB1 and CUL4 associated factor 4-like 2 (DCAF4L2). The invention in particular provides novel T cell receptor (TCR) based molecules which are selective and specific for the TAA of the invention. The TCR of the invention, and TAA binding fragments derived therefrom, are of use for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of TAA expressing cancerous diseases. Further provided are nucleic acids encoding the antigen recognizing constructs of the invention, vectors comprising these nucleic acids, recombinant cells expressing the antigen recognizing constructs and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method for detecting castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) in a patient afflicted with prostate cancer comprising (a) performing a direct analysis comprising immunofluorescent staining and morphological characterization of nucleated cells in a blood sample obtained from the patient to detect circulating tumor cells (CTC), (b) determining prevalence of a CTC subpopulation associated with CRPC comprising detecting a measurable feature of each biomarker in a panel of morphological and protein biomarkers, and (c) comparing the prevalence of said CTC subpopulation to a predetermined threshold value, wherein the prevalence of the CTC subpopulation associated with CRPC above said predetermined threshold value is indicative of CRPC. In some embodiments, the CTC subpopulation associated with CRPC comprises CK? CTCs. In some embodiments, the CTC subpopulation associated with CRPC comprises small CTCs.

Abstract: One or more aqueous, near infrared emitting, high yield, highly photoluminescent, stable quantum dots conjugated to one or more biomarkers specific moieties. The conjugated quantum dots have an enhanced detection sensitivity and selectivity and may be formed using a novel and efficient method for conjugating one or more biomarker specific moieties to the quantum dots. The invention is further directed to a method for using the conjugated quantum dots for cancer detection in the margin of excised tissue.

Abstract: Provided herein, among other aspects, are methods and apparatuses for analyzing particles in a sample. In some aspects, the particles can be analytes, cells, nucleic acids, or proteins and contacted with a tag, partitioned into aliquots, detected by a ranking device, and isolated. The methods and apparatuses provided herein may include a microfluidic chip. In some aspects, the methods and apparatuses may be used to quantify rare particles in a sample, such as cancer cells and other rare cells for disease diagnosis, prognosis, or treatment.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to urinary polyamines useful as prostate cancer biomarkers. In particular, the present disclosure provides a novel, highly-sensitive and specific, method for detecting and quantifying urinary polyamines using lanthanide complexes or citrate capped gold nanoparticles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, wherein the method classifies a subject as suffering from dry eye, the method consisting of: a. obtaining demographic data, consisting of the age and gender of the subject; b. obtaining a tear sample from the patient, and determining the level of human serum albumin; c. from the determined level of human serum albumin, assigning a score for the determined amount of human serum albumin; and d. from the assigned score, calculating a cutoff probability score, according to the following equation: wherein the subject has dry eye, if the calculated cutoff probability score is from 50% to 60%. exp ? ( - 0.6491 - 1.1142 * Albumin ) 1 + exp ? ( - 0.6491 - 1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a set of two or more mass labels. Each mass label comprises: X-L-M-Re; X is a reporter moiety having exact mass; L is a bond cleavable by collision in a mass spectrometer; M is a mass modifier; Re is a) a reactive functionality for attaching the mass label to an analyte or b) the analyte. Each mass label in the set has the same integer mass; wherein the set comprises two or more subsets of mass labels, each subset comprising one or more mass labels; wherein, when the subset comprises two or more mass labels, the exact mass of the reporter moiety X of each mass label in the subset is different from the exact mass of the reporter moiety X of the mass labels in the same subset and in all other subsets; each mass label is distinguishable by mass spectrometry.

Abstract: The invention relates methods for detecting antibody-secreting B-cells specific for at least an HLA in a subject. The invention also relates to kits for developing said methods and to the use of said methods for determining the risk of a subject having humoral rejection against an allogeneic transplant, for determining the risk of a subject of suffering endarteritis associated with post-transplant humoral rejection after allogeneic organ or tissue transplant, for selecting a subject to receive a transplant, and for determining the presence of humoral sensitization against HLA.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for the selective activation of a BMP-dependent response in certain cell types. Methods include identifying a ligand or ligand combinations as well as cell receptor profiles that result in selectively activating a ligand-dependent response through interactions with ligand receptors on a first cell type that do not activate the ligand-dependent response in a second cell type.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of differential diagnosis of schizophrenia or other psychotic disorder from a further psychiatric disorder.