Abstract: A gas detection method using a gas detection element obtained by laminating a fixed support, a first electrode (2), a dielectric sensor (3), a second electrode (4), and a gas adsorption film (5), in this order, the method including: a step of applying a first signal resonantly driving the dielectric sensor (3) between electrodes of the first electrode (1) and the second electrode (3), and detecting gas adsorbed on the gas adsorption film based on a change of a resonant frequency of the dielectric sensor; and a step of heating the dielectric sensor (3) by applying a second signal between the electrodes after the detection of gas and desorbing gas adsorbed in the gas adsorption film; a gas detection system capable of performing the method; and a gas desorption method appropriate for applying this gas detection method.

Abstract: The operation of a measuring probe used for measuring at least one property of a process material is monitored or determined while the measuring probe is in use. The measured property can be a pH measurement, or a CO2 or oxygen concentration of the process material. The measuring probe has an electrode with a sensing element. When the sensing element is in contact with the process material, the electrode delivers a measurement signal to the measurement signal circuit, where the electrode voltage is related to the measured property. The signal-processing unit determines a measurement quantity of the measured property using the measurement signal. When a test signal is delivered by the signal source to the test signal circuit during a verification phase, a coupling element ensures galvanic isolation between the measurement signal circuit and the test signal circuit.

Abstract: A nanopore based sequencing system includes a plurality of nanopore sensors. Each nanopore sensor has a portion for receiving a fluid. The nanopore based sequencing system includes a fluid chamber configured to guide the fluid over the plurality of nanopore sensors and an inlet configured to deliver the fluid into the fluid chamber. At least a portion of the fluid chamber is made of a material that has been molded around at least a portion of an electrode.

Abstract: A discharge ionization current detector for ionizing and detecting a sample component where the sample component is ionized by UV light is provided. The detector includes a UV light source, and a microfluidic channel having a first surface including a conducting or semiconducting material and an opposing second surface including a conducting or semiconducting material, one of the first surface and the second surface being a collection electrode and the other of the first surface and the second surface being a bias electrode, the microfluidic channel being configured to receive a sample component. The microfluidic channel is in fluid communication with the UV light source such that, when activated, UV light from the UV light source can enter the microfluidic channel and ionize the sample component, which releases an electron, and the ionized sample component and electron are detected by the collection and bias electrodes.

Abstract: To provide a surface characteristics inspection method of inspecting a heat treatment on a steel product subjected to a surface treatment in a nondestructive manner. A surface characteristics inspection apparatus is used which includes an alternating-current bridge circuit, an alternating-current power supply that supplies an alternating-current power to the alternating-current bridge circuit, and an evaluation device that evaluates the surface characteristics of a subject, which is a steel product subjected to a heat treatment, based on an output signal of the alternating-current bridge circuit. Coils of a reference detector and an inspection detector in the bridge circuit are energized to produce an alternating-current magnetism to induce an eddy current in a reference subject and the subject, respectively, and the electromagnetic characteristics of the subject obtained in the state where the reference detector detects a reference state is output as a first output signal.

Abstract: According to one implementation, an ultrasonic test system includes an ultrasonic propagating body and an optical fiber sensor. The ultrasonic propagating body changes at least one traveling direction of at least one ultrasonic wave which propagates in a test target. The optical fiber sensor detects the at least one ultrasonic wave of which the at least one traveling direction has been changed by the ultrasonic propagating body.

Abstract: An ultrasonic flaw detecting apparatus comprises an array prove, an element-group defining circuit, a calculator, a signal receiver and a generator. The array probe comprises a plurality of piezoelectric elements, each of the plurality of piezoelectric elements being configured to transmit and receive an ultrasonic wave to and from an inspection object. The element-group defining circuit is configured to select, as an element group, plural consecutive piezoelectric elements from the plurality of piezoelectric elements, set a reference position of the element group based on array arrangement information of the plurality of piezoelectric elements in the element group and based on a weighting value of each of the plurality of piezoelectric elements in the element group, and calculate a propagation path of an ultrasonic beam from the element group based on the reference position and a predetermined refraction angle.

Abstract: In environments (such as acoustic and bioelectrical environments) characterized by multiple simultaneous sources, effective blind source separation from sensor response mixtures becomes difficult as the number of sources increases-especially when the true number of sources is both unknown and changing over time. However, in some environments, non-sensor information can provide useful hypotheses for some sources. Embodiments of the present invention provide an adaptive filtering architecture for validating such source hypotheses, extracting an estimated representation of source signals corresponding to valid hypotheses, and improving the separation of the remaining “hidden” source signals from the sensor response mixtures.

Abstract: A liquid chromatography (LC) column includes a wall having a length along a central axis from the inlet end to the outlet end, the wall enclosing a column interior and having a column radius relative to the central axis, the wall comprising a structured portion configured such that the column radius varies along the length; and a plurality of particles packed in the column interior, wherein at least some of the particles are in contact with the structured portion.

Abstract: Provided herein in some embodiments is a column including a housing assembly and a cartridge assembly. The housing assembly can include a housing top, a housing bottom, and a housing siding. The housing siding can be fixedly coupled to the housing top and the housing bottom forming hermetic seals therebetween. The cartridge assembly can include a cartridge top, an outer frit, and an inner frit disposed within the outer frit. A toroidal space can defined by the cartridge top, the outer frit, the inner frit, and the housing bottom. The toroidal space can be configured to hold a stationary phase for radial flow column chromatography. Also provided herein in some embodiments is a process including assembling the cartridge assembly, assembling the housing assembly about the cartridge assembly, and pressure testing the column. In some embodiments, the process can further include charging the toroidal space with a stationary phase.

Abstract: A system for analyzing a sample includes a chromatographic device, an electrospray source, and a mass resolving device. The chromatographic device is configured to separate components of the sample as a function of retention time within a chromatographic column. The electrospray source is configured to direct a first portion of a flow from the chromatographic device via a waste outlet to a pressurized waste reservoir, direct a second portion of the flow to an electrospray ionization outlet to form a spray, and charge and desolvate the spray to form ions of the components of the sample. A flow rate of the second portion of the liquid flow is substantially determined by a pressure of the pressurized waste reservoir. The mass resolving device configured to receive the ions and characterize the mass-to-charge ratio of the ions.

Abstract: A water hardness-measuring method and a fouling prevention method for hardness-measuring device include adding a colorant containing Eriochrome Black T and/or Calmagite and a sulfate ester-type anionic surfactant having a bonding unit derived from a sulfate ester including an alkyl group having 8 to 18 carbon atoms that may have one or more substituent in its chemical formula to a sample water.

Abstract: Systems and methods for subterranean formation testing. A method may include lowering a formation testing tool into a subterranean formation, wherein the formation testing tool may comprise a plurality of chambers, a pump and a probe channel; extracting a fluid from the subterranean formation into the probe channel; determining fluid properties at different depths; generating a fluid property-depth gradient; moving the fluid into the plurality of chambers; and determining a concentration of an inorganic portion of a downhole flashed gas.

Abstract: An apparatus may have a first reflector and a second reflector positioned on either side of a sample volume for a gas sample. The configuration of the first reflector may be variable between at least first and second configurations, wherein each of the first and second configurations is arranged such that a beam of optical radiation from an optical beam origin is directed to a detector location via the sample volume. In the second configuration the beam of optical radiation is reflected at least once from each of the first and second reflectors and the path length of the beam of optical radiation through the sample volume is greater than in the first configuration.

Abstract: It can sometimes be difficult to quantify the amount of polymer present in a subterranean treatment fluid, particularly at a job site. Methods for analyzing a treatment fluid for a polymer can comprise: receiving a sample of a treatment fluid comprising a nitrogen-containing polymer; placing the sample of the treatment fluid and an aqueous base in an oilfield retort; heating the sample of the treatment fluid and the aqueous base together in the oilfield retort at least until the nitrogen-containing polymer has been substantially hydrolyzed to one or more volatile nitrogen compounds; distilling the one or more volatile nitrogen compounds from the oilfield retort; and determining a quantity of the nitrogen-containing polymer in the sample of the treatment fluid based upon a quantity of the one or more volatile nitrogen compounds distilled from the oilfield retort. Analyses of other nitrogen-containing compounds may take place similarly.

Abstract: Devices and methods for detection of evidence of life or ore bodies on or near the surface of extraterrestrial bodies (e.g., Mars) are described. In particular, a ground penetrating probe capable of s conducting life detection or other experiments and transmitting the data from the experiments to a satellite relay is described. Methods of use for such devices and apparatus are described.

Abstract: A customizable diagnostic meter is provided. The diagnostic meter includes a meter for performing a diagnostic test, wherein the meter includes a housing having a slot, and a module having one or more functions. The slot is configured to receive and removably secure at least a portion of the module. A customizable diagnostic meter kit including two or more modules configured to be inserted in a meter is also provided.

Abstract: A test strip reader is disclosed. The test strip reader comprises a module main body and a circuit board. The module main body includes an upper cover, a grounding element and at least one operation hole containing a first operation movement assembly and a second operation movement assembly, wherein the upper cover and the module main body are formed integrally, and a condition of one of a contact status and a separation status between the second operation movement assembly and the grounding element determines a read signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to oligonucleotides that are capable of inducing expression of ubiquitin-protein ligase E3A (UBE3A) from the paternal allele in animal or human neurons. The oligonucleotides target the suppressor of the UBE3A paternal allele by hybridization to SNHG14 long non-coding RNA downstream of SNORD109B. The present invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions and methods for treatment of Angelman syndrome.

Abstract: Systems and methods to characterize dimerization interfaces at the subdomain level of a protein are provided. An exemplary method includes digesting a protein dimer sample into subdomains, labeling the digested protein sample, isolating labeled dimeric and monomeric subdomain fragments, and peptide mapping the labeled sample to determine where the dimer fragments are labeled and where the dimer fragments are not labeled. Regions that show decreased labeling extents in the dimer fraction than that in the monomer fraction are likely involved or in close proximity to the dimerization interface.

Abstract: A method for screening a pharmaceutical compound for prevention, alleviation and/or treatment of steatohepatitis, the method including employing N-terminal dimerization of an apoptosis signal-regulated kinase 1 as a target.

Abstract: Mitochondria are central to the intrinsic apoptotic pathway of programmed cell death. Commitment to cell death occurs upon mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization, and dysregulation of this vital apoptotic control point is implicated in various pathologies. Provided herein are novel sensors which can detect, in real time and with great sensitivity, the release of protons from intact mitochondria caused by mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization. Embodiments include graphene based ion-sensitive field effect transistors.

Abstract: Methods are provided to facilitate the detection and enumeration of neutrophils in bodily fluids, including milk. The methods incorporate the fluorescent staining of neutrophils using fluorogenic enzyme substrates, the imaging of fluorescent cells using a digital device, and the electronic counting of the cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of microelectronics, and more particularly to a structure and method of forming a biosensor having a nucleotide attracting surface tailored to reduce false detection of nucleotides and enabling optical detection of nucleotides. The biosensor may include an analyte-affinity layer on an upper surface of a dielectric layer. The analyte-affinity layer may include a plurality of cylindrical gold portions with dimensions tailored for a target analyte. A distance between adjacent portions of the plurality of portions may range from approximately 50% of a length of a target analyte to approximately 300% of a length of a target analyte. The plurality of portions of the analyte-affinity layer have an upper surface with a diameter ranging from approximately 3 nm to approximately 20 nm.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a transparent immunoassay apparatus and method. The transparent immunoassay apparatus includes a sample pad configured to allow a liquid specimen to be dropped thereonto, a first porous pipe configured to move the dropped specimen in a lateral flow manner, an immunobinding reaction unit configured to generate a detectable signal from binding of a previously applied reactant and the specimen between transparent upper and lower plates of the immunobinding reaction unit, a second porous pipe configured to move the specimen, having passed through the immunobinding reaction unit, in a lateral flow manner, and an absorption pad configured to absorb the specimen transferred from the second porous pipe.

Abstract: A method of determining the specific binding of ligand reversibly binding to a binding site in a sample using displacement competitive inhibition. The method comprising incubating the ligand (unlabeled) in the absence of a labeled ligand on a first tissue specimen, incubating the ligand (unlabeled) in the presence of a labeled ligand on a second tissue specimen, the first and the second tissue specimens being adjacent sections of specimen. MALDI imaging mass spectrometry is used to subsequently visualizing bound ligand localization, using in the first and second tissue specimen, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition for detecting phosphatase or kinase activity and a method of detecting phosphatase or kinase activity. The kinase or phosphatase activity may be quantitatively measured in real time by using the composition of the present invention.

Abstract: Herein is reported a method for the determination of the simultaneous binding of a bispecific antibody to a first and a second antigen comprising the steps of a) incubating a cell expressing cell-membrane bound FRET-donor-tagged first antigen and FRET-acceptor-tagged second antigen with the bispecific antibody, and b) determining the simultaneous binding of the bispecific antibody by determining the energy transfer from the FRET-donor to the FRET-acceptor.

Abstract: Platform technology involving aqueous microdroplet reaction vessels created, arrayed, and characterized by imaging microscopy in a microfluidic device are applied to a wide variety of bioassays involving the detection and phenotypic characterization of single cells. The bioassays include the rapid and automated detection of microbial pathogens and their antibiotic sensitivity from patient samples as well as the characterization of immune responses using a patient's own cells, including the killing of tumor cells.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a luminescent immunoassay method for detecting an analyte in a liquid sample with high sensitivity. The invention provides a unique combination of (i) using a probe having a small sensing surface area for binding analyte molecules, (ii) using a high molecular weight branched polymer conjugated with multiple binding molecules and multiple luminescent labels, and (iii) cycling the probe having immunocomplex formed back to the reagent vessel and amplification vessel 1-10 times and repeating the reaction with the reagent and the amplification polymer, to improve the sensitivity of detection level. For each cycling, the luminescent signal is increased significantly over the noise. The present invention is also directed to an electrochemiluminescent detection system for measuring a chemiluminescent signal on a probe tip.

Abstract: Biomarkers useful for assessing inflammatory disease or flare activity, in particular in juvenile idiopathic arthritis, are provided, along with kits for measuring expression of the biomarkers. The invention also provides predictive models, based on the biomarkers, as well as computer systems, and software embodiments of the models for scoring and optionally classifying samples.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods, compositions, and kits for enhanced detection of microbes in samples and monitoring of antimicrobial activity in a subject.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the detection and identification of Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever Borrelia sp. antibodies.

Abstract: There are provided methods, and devices for assaying for a binding interaction between a protein, such as a monoclonal antibody, produced by a cell, and a biomolecule. The method may include retaining the cell within a chamber having an aperture; exposing the protein produced by the cell to a capture substrate, wherein the capture substrate is in fluid communication with the protein produced by the cell and wherein the capture substrate is operable to bind the protein produced by the cell; flowing a fluid volume comprising the biomolecule through the chamber via said aperture, wherein the fluid volume is in fluid communication with the capture substrate; and determining a binding interaction between the protein produced by the cell and the biomolecule.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel compounds comprising one or more hydrophobic domains and a hydrophilic domain comprising PEG moieties, useful for binding cells, as well as uses and compositions related thereto. The compounds are useful for immobilizing and/or stabilizing cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for screening a compound useful for treating or preventing a viral infection or a virus-related condition in an individual, comprising at least the steps of: a) determining the ability of a candidate compound to promote the interaction between CBP20 and CBP80 in a sample, and b) selecting the candidate compound that is determined to promote said interaction at step a). The present invention further relates to a method for screening a compound useful for treating or preventing a viral infection or virus-related condition in an individual, comprising at least the steps of: a) determining the ability of a candidate compound to interact with CBP20 or CBP80 in a sample, and b) selecting the candidate compound that is determined to interact with CBP20 or CBP80 at step a).

Abstract: Disclosed herein are recombinant baculoviruses suitable for detecting the presence of arthropod-borne viruses in a biological sample of a test subject. The information derived from the detection may also be used to render a diagnosis on whether the test subject is infected with the arthropod-borne viruses or not, so that proper course of treatment may be assigned to the subject.

Abstract: A method for detection of active form of analytes in a sample and/or for determination of ability of tested substances to bind to the active site of these analytes has the following steps: a) analyte or group of analytes from the sample is immobilized on the surface of a solid carrier; b) analyte or group of analytes is incubated with a detection probe; c) then the solid carrier is washed to remove unbound detection probe; and subsequently, the amount of bound detection probe is determined.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide methods for determining the eligibility of a subject having a malignancy for treatment with an anti-PD therapeutic agent. In certain embodiments, the method includes determining, by immunohistochemistry, the number of PD-L1 positive malignant cells in a tumor tissue section as well as the number of infiltrating non-malignant cells and/or non-malignant cells of the stromal interface area. The infiltrating non-malignant cells and/or non-malignant cells of the stromal interface area are positive for a marker selected from PD-L1, CD8, CD68, and any combination thereof. Compositions and kits or performing the disclosed methods are also provided.

Abstract: Heritable mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 and other genes in the DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair pathway increase risk of breast, ovarian and other cancers. In response to DNA breaks, the proteins encoded by these genes bind to each other and are transported into the nucleus to form nuclear foci and initiate homologous recombination. Flow cytometry-based functional variant analyses (FVAs) were developed to determine whether variants in BRCA1 or other DSB repair genes disrupted the binding of BRCA1 to its protein partners, the phosphorylation of p53 or the transport of the BRCA1complex to the nucleus in response to DNA damage. Each of these assays distinguished high-risk BRCA1 mutations from low-risk BRCA1 controls. Mutations in other DSB repair pathway genes produced molecular phenocopies with these assays. FVA assays may represent an adjunct to sequencing for categorizing VUS or may represent a stand-alone measure for assessing breast cancer risk.

Abstract: A method of detecting a biological substance, including introducing a first substance dispersed in a solvent into a flow channel formed between a first substrate and a second substrate such that the first substance is placed in a first well formed in the first substrate, and detecting the first substance. The first well is formed such that the first well has an open side which faces downwards and is communicated with the flow channel, and the solvent has a specific gravity larger than a specific gravity of the first substance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of visualizing targets in histological samples, e.g. biopsy samples, wherein the methods comprise staining of the sample with (i) one or more target specific immunochemical stains, and (ii) a histological stain for specific tissue components e.g. iron, mucins glycogen, amyloid, nucleic acids, etc., e.g. hematoxilyn and/or eosin stains or the like, that is used to enhance contrast in the microscopic image of a tissue sample, highlight morphologic structures in the sample for viewing, define and examine tissues, cell populations, or organelles within individual cells. Methods may further comprise evaluation of expression of one or more targets in the sample. The disclosed methods are useful for medical diagnostics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for detecting sulfenylation within thiol groups in proteins, metabolites, or materials. Protein sulfenylation (Cys-SOH) describes the reversible post-translational modification of protein thiols by hydrogen peroxide, and plays a central role in oxidative signaling (see, e.g., Paulsen, C. E. & Carroll, K. S. 2013 Chemical Reviews 113, 4633-679). Growth factor stimulation activates NADPH oxidase enzymes, releasing a local burst of hydrogen peroxide, which transiently oxidizes the nuclcophilic cysteine of protein phosphatases and other proximal redox active thiols (see, e.g., Paulsen, C. E. et al., 2012 Nature Chemical Biology 8, 57-64). In addition to masking functional cysteine's, sulfenylation is also a critical intermediate towards irreversible cysteine oxidation.

Abstract: Provided are methods for determining the amount of thyroglobulin in a sample using various purification steps followed by mass spectrometry. The methods generally involve purifying thyroglobulin in a test sample, digesting thyroglobulin to form peptide T129, purifying peptide T129, ionizing peptide T129, detecting the amount of peptide T129 ion generated, and relating the amount of peptide T129 ion to the amount of thyroglobulin originally present in the sample.

Abstract: The current disclosure provides for specific peptides, and derived ionization characteristics of the peptides, from the tyrosine-protein kinase receptor UFO protein (AXL) that are particularly advantageous for quantifying the AXL protein directly in biological samples that have been fixed in formalin by the method of Selected Reaction Monitoring (SRM) mass spectrometry, or what can also be termed as Multiple Reaction Monitoring (MRM) mass spectrometry. Such biological samples are chemically preserved and fixed wherein said biological sample is selected from tissues and cells treated with formaldehyde containing agents/fixatives including 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.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides, for example, an improved method for identifying an epitope on a protein, comprising the following steps: (A) contacting a major histocompatibility complex (MHC molecule)-expressing cell differentiated from a stem cell or a progenitor cell derived therefrom with a target protein; (B) isolating a complex of a peptide contained in the target protein and the MHC molecule from the MHC molecule-expressing cell; and (C) eluting the peptide from the complex and identifying the peptide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of evaluating cellulite using fibulin-3 and/or sarcoglycan gamma as an indicator in a harvested skin sample, and a method of evaluating a drug for improving, preventing or treating cellulite using fibulin-3 and/or sarcoglycan gamma as an indicator in cultured cells.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing and/or stratifying the risk of infections or chronic diseases of the respiratory tract and lungs, particularly lower respiratory tract infections and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, in which method provasopressin (proAVP) or fragments or partial peptides thereof, especially copeptin or neurophysin II, is/are determined. Suitable biomarker combinations for in-vitro diagnosis are also included.

Abstract: The present invention is inter alia concerned with a method of diagnosing Alzheimer's disease in a patient, wherein said method is based on determining the amount of at least one premature mitochondrial protein. Further, the present invention relates to the use of such a protein as marker for Alzheimer's disease. Accordingly, antibodies binding to such a preprotein may be used for diagnosing Alzheimer's disease. The present invention is based on the finding that premature mitochondrial proteins accumulate in Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia in aging adults with the number of people living with AD projected to increase, making the search for treatments and tools to diagnose and measure disease progression increasingly urgent. In particular, ideal biomarkers for diagnosis of AD should not only have high specificity for disease versus non-disease and high sensitivity for distinguishing between disease types but also should be able to detect changes at a very early stage of the disease. Using microglia activation as an early event of AD's onset, the present inventors have identified a panel of biomarkers in CSF which has the potential to diagnose, stage and determine the likelihood of developing AD.