Abstract: The invention provides a sterilization indicator (17), characterized in that it comprises: a compound (21) that is of the heating type when put into contact with atoms of oxygen O and/or nitrogen N; and a thermochromic dye (19), in thermal contact with the compound (21).

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, the invention is directed to a method of determining the nitrogen content in nitrocellulose by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). It is within the scope of the invention for the sample of nitrocellulose to be unstable nitrocellulose, unrefined nitrocellulose, or refined nitrocellulose. The sample of nitrocellulose can wet or dry. A sample of nitrocellulose that is wet can be in acid or in water. Before HPLC, the sample is dissolved in a suitable solvent. The nitrogen content of the sample is determined by comparing the retention time of the sample to a graph of retention time to amount of nitrogen due to the linear correlation of retention time and percent nitrogen substitution.

Abstract: Fluid analyte sensors include a photoelectrocatalytic element that is configured to be exposed to the fluid, if present, and to respond to photoelectrocatalysis of at least one analyte in the fluid that occurs in response to impingement of optical radiation upon the photoelectrocatalytic element. A semiconductor light emitting source is also provided that is configured to impinge the optical radiation upon the photoelectrocatalytic element. Related solid state devices and sensing methods are also described.

Abstract: Nitric oxide probes including a compound represented by Formula, I, II, III, IV, V, VI or a combination thereof are provided. Methods of using these nitric oxide probes to detect nitric oxide are also provided.

Abstract: A method of detecting nitrogen compound emissions in exhaust gases treated with selective catalytic reduction achieved by injecting a reducing agent into the gases and by passing these gases through a catalyst include sending the signal collected by a gas detector arranged in the exhaust gas downstream from the catalyst and representative of the amount of NOx (NOxsonde) at the catalyst outlet to a computing unit, decomposing this signal into a value representative of the effective NOx amount (NOxréel) at the outlet of catalyst established by the SCR catalyst model, into a detector perturbation coefficient (k) and into a value representative of the ammonia amount (NH3réel) via an integrated model so as to obtain NOxsonde=NOxréel+k.NH3réel, evaluating coefficient (k) from this decomposition, and determining the presence of nitrogen compounds downstream from catalyst (16) when coefficient (k) is greater than or equal to 1.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for producing CO2, N2 and/or SO2 from a sample for a quantitative analysis of the sample, comprising a reactor structure and metals acting in an oxidizing manner or metal oxides in the reactor. According to the invention, the reactor structure has at least two zones through which the sample can flow, which is to say a first zone with reactor metal and reservoir metal, or only reactor metal, and following the first zone, a second zone with reactor metal and reservoir metal, or only reservoir metal, wherein both metals can form oxides, and wherein the ratio of the reactor metal to the reservoir metal in the first zone is greater than in the second zone.

Abstract: Reagents and methods are provided that permit simultaneous analysis of multiple diverse small molecule analytes present in a complex mixture. Samples are labeled with chemically identical but isotopically distinct forms of the labeling reagent, and analyzed using mass spectrometry. A single reagent simultaneously derivatizes multiple small molecule analytes having different reactive functional groups.

Abstract: Microfluidic devices, assemblies, and systems are provided, as are methods of manipulating micro-sized samples of fluids. Microfluidic devices having a plurality of specialized processing features are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and kits to detect and quantitate NOx compounds in a biological sample are provided. The methods include reacting a mixture that includes a nitrite compound and a chromogenic reagent to form a colored compound, contacting the mixture with a retention medium configured to retain the colored compound, and detecting the colored compound retained on the retention medium.

Abstract: The invention relates to an assay to test for pyrethroids in a sample. The assay is particularly useful for testing material treated with pyrethroids, such as bed netting and the like.

Abstract: Methods for determining the concentration of nitrates in several types of water samples by photochemical reduction without the use of toxic materials such as cadmium or hydrazine, and having an approximately 100% reduction efficiency are described. A water sample mixed with a buffered aqueous solution including ammonium salts and EDTA is irradiated using ultraviolet light having wavelengths effective for photochemical conversion of nitrate and nitrite ions (NOx) to detectable species. The resulting species may be quantitatively determined by diazotization using sulfanilamide followed by coupling with N-(1-napthyl)ethylenediamine dihydrochloride which produces a water-soluble azo dye having a magenta color which may be colorimetrically measured at 540 nm from which the nitrate and nitrite concentration in the sample is determined.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the determination of polysorbate in a protein-containing sample. The method of the present invention involves the pretreatment of the sample by alkaline hydrolysis followed by colorimetric determination.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for enhancing the fragmentation of peptides for mass spectrometry by modifying the peptides with a tagging reagent containing a functional group, such as a tertiary amine, having a greater gas-phase basicity than the amide backbone of the peptide. These high gas-phase basicity functional groups are attached to a peptide by reacting the tagging reagent to one or more available carboxylic acid groups of the peptide. Linking these high gas-phase functional groups to the peptides leads to higher charge state ions from electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), which fragment more extensively during fragmentation techniques, particularly non-ergodic fragmentation techniques such as electron capture dissociation (ECD) and electron transfer dissociation (ETD).

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (10) for detection of harmful substances with a measurement unit (28) for measuring at least one harmful substance and an evaluation unit (30) for determining the concentration of the at least one harmful substance. The invention also relates to a method for detecting harmful substances in a gas mixture. It is hereby provided that the gas mixture is tested for a gaseous harmful substance or simultaneously for several gaseous harmful substances, wherein the gaseous harmful substance or the gaseous harmful substances is/are measured with different sensor means, and the gaseous harmful substances are optionally chemically modified such that a measurement is performed with the existing sensor means.

Abstract: A sensor device includes an optical limiting structure including a metal layer with at least one metal particle having a size no greater than about 1500 nanometers, and a phase-change material layer disposed adjacent at least a portion of the metal layer, the phase-change material layer including a phase-change material, and a dendritic-metal layer disposed over at least a portion of the phase-change material layer of the optical limiting structure, the dendritic-metal layer including an organic compound including branching chain amino acid groups attached to a metal structure. The optical limiting structure is configured to transition from a first optical state to a second optical state when the phase-change material is heated above a critical temperature, with transmittance of light at a predetermined wavelength through the optical limiting structure being lower at the second optical state of the optical limiting structure in relation to the first optical state of the optical limiting structure.

Abstract: Relative quantification of metabolites by Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry (ESI-MS) requiring a mechanism for simultaneous analysis of multiple analytes in two or more samples. Labeling reagents that are reactive to particular compound classes and differ only in their isotopic compositions facilitate relative quantification. Heavy and light isotopic forms of methylacetimidate were synthesized and used as labeling reagents for quantification of amine-containing molecules. Heavy and light isotopic forms of formaldehyde and cholamine were also synthesized and used independently as labeling reagents for quantification of amine-containing and carboxylic acid-containing molecules, such as found in biological samples. The labeled end-products are positively charged under normal acidic conditions involving conventional Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS) applications.

Abstract: The invention provides a sensor for detecting nitrogen containing high explosives. The sensor includes a substrate and a blue-photoluminescent metallofluorene copolymer to be carried on said substrate during testing for nitrogen containing high explosives. The copolymer is preferably a blue-photoluminescent metallofluorene copolymer, and preferably is a vinyl bridged silafluorene copolymer. A method for detecting nitrogen containing high explosives involves exposing a copolymer to an analyte, preferably by spraying the copolymer or otherwise coating the substrate after it has been exposed to analyte and then exciting the copolymer to luminesce. The copolymer is observed for fluorescence quenching, which can be through human or electronic observation. The invention also provides for synthesis of a vinyl bridged silafluorene polymer by providing diethynylmetallofluorene and dihydrosilafluorene as precursors and conducting catalytic hydrosilation of the precursors.

Abstract: The invention provides a sensor for detecting nitrogen containing high explosives. The sensor includes a substrate and a blue-photoluminescent metallofluorene copolymer to be carried on said substrate during testing for nitrogen containing high explosives. The copolymer is preferably a blue-photoluminescent metallofluorene copolymer, and preferably is a vinyl bridged silafluorene copolymer. A method for detecting nitrogen containing high explosives involves exposing a copolymer to an analyte, preferably by spraying the copolymer or otherwise coating the substrate after it has been exposed to analyte and then exciting the copolymer to luminesce. The copolymer is observed for fluorescence quenching, which can be through human or electronic observation. The invention also provides for synthesis of a vinyl bridged silafluorene polymer by providing diethynylmetallofluorene and dihydrosilafluorene as precursors and conducting catalytic hydrosilation of the precursors.

Abstract: A fluorescence based sensor (10) is disclosed and described. The sensor (10) can include nanofibril materials (12) fabricated from a linear carbazole oligomer and a fluorescence detector (14). The linear carbazole oligomer can have the formula (I) where n is 3 to 9, Rn are independently selected amine sidegroups, and at least one Rn is a C1 to C14 alkyl. The carbazole-based fluorescence based sensors (10) can be particularly suitable for detection of explosives and volatile nitro compounds.

Abstract: A method for determining the amount of a chemical species in a sample, in particular the amount of weak acid dissociable cyanide or total cyanide in a sample, and an apparatus for performing said method. The method comprises the steps of: i) treating the sample to liberate the chemical species into a gaseous stream; ii) directing the gaseous stream to a scrubber; iii) absorbing the chemical species into a scrubber solution; and iv) determining the amount of chemical species absorbed into the scrubber solution, wherein any remaining chemical species not absorbed into the scrubber solution is directed or recirculated to the scrubber in the gaseous stream and step iii) is repeated to increase absorption of the chemical species prior to performing step iv).

Abstract: Provided are methods for determining the amount of one or more of one or more of epinephrine (E), norepinephrine (NE), and dopamine (D) in a sample using mass spectrometry.

Abstract: The nitrogen oxide analyzer obtains the ozone concentration-luminescence response characteristics that show the relationship between the ozone concentration and the light intensity by chemiluminescent response obtained by varying the ozone concentration alone in a steady state, and sets the relationship of the parameter that determines an average period of the sample gas passing the reactor so that the luminescence response is generated in the reactor alone even though the ozone concentration of the ozone-containing gas changes within a predetermined range based on the ozone concentration-luminescence response characteristics.

Abstract: Devices, methods and systems for detecting nitro-containing compounds such as TNT, which utilize semiconductor nanostructures modified by a functional moiety that interacts with the nitro-containing compound, are disclosed. The functional moiety is attached to the nanostructures and is being such that upon contacting a sample that contains the nitro-containing compound, the nanostructure exhibits a detectable change in an electrical property, which is indicative of the presence and/or amount of the nitro-containing compound in the sample. Electronic noses for generating recognition patterns of various nitro-containing compounds, comprising a plurality of nanostructures modified by versatile functional moieties are also disclosed. The devices, methods and systems are suitable for detecting nitro-containing compounds in both liquid and gaseous states and for detecting a concentration of a nitro-containing compound such as TNT as low as attomolar concentrations.

Abstract: A senor uses a transduction mechanism of attenuating electroluminescence. Luminescence from a light emitting diode is attenuated as a consequence of direct interaction of an analyte and a electroluminescent material, An electroluminescent diode sensor (EDS) is fabricated in a way that allows the electroluminescent material in the diode to be exposed to gaseous, liquid or solid sample(s) which may affect the luminescence intensity of the diode.

Abstract: A chemical sensor is disclosed. The chemical sensor is an electronic device including in specific embodiments a first transistor and a second transistor. The first transistor includes a semiconducting layer made of a first semiconductor and carbon nanotubes. The second transistor includes a semiconducting layer made of a second semiconductor, and does not contain carbon nanotubes. The two transistors vary in their response to chemical compounds, and the differing response can be used to determine the identity of certain chemical compounds. The chemical sensor can be useful as a disposable sensor for explosive compounds such as trinitrotoluene (TNT). The electronic device is used in conjunction with an analyzer that processes information generated by the electronic device.

Abstract: An ammonia gas sensing device includes a housing defining a fluid flow path. The fluid flow path includes a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and an access port. A gas permeable/liquid impermeable membrane is mounted on and sealed against the housing at the access port such that the membrane is exposed to the fluid flow path but fluid is blocked from flowing outward of the access port around rather than through the membrane. An ammonia sensor is mounted on the housing at the access port in a position outward of the membrane. A system for using the ammonia sensing device includes the ammonia gas sensing device, a light source directed at the ammonia sensor, a photo detector to measure the light reflected off the ammonia sensor from the light source, and a controller for controlling the light source and optical sensor.

Abstract: Chemoselective derivatization of biological amines, carboxylic acids, aldehydes or ketones are employed in methods to detect a plurality of components, or members of a component, such as metabolites, that vary in molecular structure. The methods of the invention can be employed in aqueous and nonaqueous conditions.

Abstract: The present application relates to copolymers having at least one optionally substituted fluoranthene as a first monomer unit and at least one optionally substituted pyrrole as a second monomer unit. The copolymer may, for example, emit green light when exposed to a blue or ultraviolet radiation. Methods of making the copolymer are also disclosed, as well as methods and apparatuses for producing light and detecting nitroaromatics using the copolymer.

Abstract: The invention herein disclosed provides for compositions, methods for synthesizing said compositions, and methods for using said compositions, wherein the compositions and methods may be used to bind to and/or deactivate a poison oak oil, such as urushiol. The compositions and methods can be used to treat and/or reduce an inflammatory reaction and/or hypersensitivity to natural compounds found in poison oak, poison ivy, poison sumac, mango, lac tree, and cashew nut.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of detecting anions in solution. In particular, the methods can be used to detect trace anions in solution. For example, the anions can be present in an amount of between about 500 femtomoles to about 10 millimoles.

Abstract: In a sensing element for a nitrogen oxide molecule of the present invention, a sensing portion that is to be bonded to a nitrogen oxide molecule to be sensed is fixed between paired metal electrodes through connecting portions. The sensing portion is a single porphyrin molecule or a single porphyrin derivative molecule each having, as a central metal thereof, iron or cobalt. The connecting portions are each a mercaptophenyleneethynyl group bonded to the single porphyrin molecule or the single porphyrin derivative molecule. Provided are a sensing element for nitrogen oxide molecule, a sensing apparatus for nitrogen oxide molecule, and a method for sensing nitrogen oxide molecule.

Abstract: The present invention describes the development of a end-capped bipyridine compound having formula A and the zinc complex having formula B. The assay having formula 1 can be used to estimate and quantify the amount of zinc ions by monitoring the fluorescence changes. The assay with formula 1 can be use to image and detect Zn2+ ions in MCF7 cell lines. The zinc complex of formula 2 and 4 can be used as a fluorescent sensor for cyanide anions using analyte replacement protocol. The assay with formula 2 is selective only to cyanide anions even in the presence of other competing anions. The assay with formula 3 having bright green solid state emission is used for the preparation of formula 4. The orange fluorescent powder of assay with formula 4 is used for the selective detection of CN? ions in aqueous solution.

Abstract: This invention provides polymeric coordination compounds capable of forming three-dimensional microporous metal organic frameworks (MMOFs) that are useful for detection of explosive compounds. The polymeric coordination compounds comprise a repeating unit comprising a transition metal coordinated to at least one binding member of a bidentate binding site on each of two polyfunctional ligands and one binding site of a bis-pyridine exodentate bridging ligand, for example, the repeating unit comprising formula [Zn2(bpdc)2(bpee)] (bpdc=4,4?-biphenyldicarboxylate; bpee=1,2-bipyridylethene). Methods of preparing such polymeric coordination compounds, methods of using them for detection of explosive compounds, and sensors or sensor arrays comprising such polymeric coordination compounds for detection of explosive compounds, especially those comprising one or more nitro (—NO2) groups, are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to luminescent and/or optically absorbing compositions and/or precursors to those compositions, including solid films incorporating these compositions/precursors, exhibiting increased luminescent lifetimes, quantum yields, enhanced stabilities and/or amplified emissions. The present invention also relates to sensors and methods for sensing analytes through luminescent and/or optically absorbing properties of these compositions and/or precursors. Examples of analytes detectable by the invention include electrophiles, alkylating agents, thionyl halides, and phosphate ester groups including phosphoryl halides, cyanides and thioates such as those found in certain chemical warfare agents. The present invention additionally relates to devices and methods for amplifying emissions, such as those produced using the above-described compositions and/or precursors, by incorporating the composition and/or precursor within a polymer having an energy migration pathway.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided that utilize measured isotopic abundance data to correlate a product to the synthesis process by which it was made. By utilizing the principles described herein, isotopic process profiles for synthetic products can be constructed, products of unknown origin can be inferentially identified to the processes by which they were made, and synthesis processes can be monitored for consistency of process parameters.

Abstract: A chemochromic indicator is provided that includes a hypergolic fuel sensing chemochromic pigment that change from a first color to a second color in the presence of a hypergolic fuel. In a first embodiment, a chemochromic indicator is provided for detecting the presence of a hypergolic fuel such that the irreversible hypergolic fuel sensing chemochromic pigment includes potassium tetrachloroaurate (KAuCl4). There are several types of chemochromic indicators, for example, the article used to form the chemochromic indicators include, but are not limited to, wipe materials, silicone/TEFLON tape, manufactured parts, fabrics, extruded parts, and paints.

Abstract: A vapochromic gold-copper complex [AuL2(Cu(Y)n)2](X)3 exhibiting luminescence is provided, where L is an N-heterocyclic carbene; Y is a heteroatom-containing ligand; X is an anion, and n is an integer having a value of 1 or 2, and solvates thereof. A reaction of [AuL2(Cu(Y)n)2](X)3 with water vapor or an organic compound vapor, for example, affords a modified complex that yields a change in luminescence color under UV excitation. These tricationic vapochromic materials exhibit large changes in the emission through ligand substitution reactions between the solid complex and vapors, which permit use in luminescent vapochromic sensors.

Abstract: A flow regulating system for maintaining a stable air flow comprising at least one pump, a mass flow sensor, an ambient temperature sensor, an ambient pressure sensor, a temperature compensation sensor measuring the temperature of said mass flow sensor, and a control system is disclosed, as well as a method for measuring a flow using said flow regulating system, a device for the monitoring of air-borne compounds present in air in both a gas phase and a particle phase, wherein it comprises a sampling device, an enrichment trap 1, a calibration and tuning module, a blank module, said flow regulating system, a chromatography unit, and a detection unit, and a method for the detection of air-born compounds in an air flow by using said monitoring device.

Abstract: The detecting and monitoring of solid structure or phase transformation, such as those used for testing the formation of gas hydrates and their inhibition by chemical additives may be conducted in a multi-test assembly of laboratory bench scale loops. The test loop contains a fluid that includes water and hydrate-forming guest molecules such as methane, ethane, carbon dioxide and the like at hydrate-forming conditions of low temperature and high pressure. A small bit or “pig” may be circulated through the test loop at variable speeds to circulate the fluid in the loop. The pig may be moved or impelled through the test loop remotely. The exterior of the pig and/or the interior of the loop may be smooth and/or have a friction-reducing coating thereon to facilitate movement of the pig through the loop. The formation of hydrates may be monitored with consistent and reproducible results.

Abstract: Fluid analyte sensors include a photoelectrocatalytic element that is configured to be exposed to the fluid, if present, and to respond to photoelectrocatalysis of at least one analyte in the fluid that occurs in response to impingement of optical radiation upon the photoelectrocatalytic element. A semiconductor light emitting source is also provided that is configured to impinge the optical radiation upon the photoelectrocatalytic element. Related solid state devices and sensing methods are also described.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for labeling an analyte comprising a primary amino group, the method comprising: a. a labeling process comprising reacting the analyte with a dialdehyde in the presence of a label, wherein the label bears a charge, and b. an analysis process comprising subjecting the labeled analyte to MS, preferably LC-MS-MS. Herein, preferably, the labeling process comprises reacting an analyte with a dialdehyde, wherein the dialdehyde carries a label bearing a charge, to provide a labeled analyte carrying the charge. The present invention also provides a labeling method to provide a labeled analyte carrying a charge, wherein the labeling method comprises a labeling process comprising reacting an analyte with a dialdehyde, wherein the analyte comprises a primary amino group and wherein the dialdehyde carries a label bearing the charge. The dialdehyde is preferably an aromatic dialdehyde, most preferably an aromatic 1,2- or 1,3-dicarboxaldehyde.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining the presence or amount of a compound in a sample by interparticle distance-dependent sensing, comprising: (a) contacting the sample suspected of containing the compound with rare earth doped metal oxide nanoparticles; and (b) detecting the compound by determining the change in luminescent properties of the rare earth doped metal oxide nanoparticles upon contact with the sample.

Abstract: A class of fluorescent, organic nanofibrils, and particularly the films comprising entangled piling of these nanofibrils exhibiting effective quenching of their fluorescence upon exposure the vapor of explosives is disclosed. A sensor and a method for sensing the explosives vapor and other volatile organic compounds is disclosed, including the explosives taggants through the modulation of the fluorescence of the nanofibril film and the electrical conductivity of the nanofibrils. A development of synthetic methods is disclosed, such as protocols and techniques that lead to the production of various arylene-ethynylene macrocycle (AEM) molecules, which consist of a shape-persistent, toroidal scaffold in planar conformation, with minimal ring strain and highly tunable ring sizes (from 0.5 nm to above 10 nm).

Abstract: Isobaric reagents for labeling analytes are provided. The isobaric reagents have facile design and synthesis that allows for differential labeling of an unlimited number of analyte samples.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to automatically detect the presence of a substance on a test swipe by capturing a background image of the test swipe; applying one or more test chemicals to a test swipe; adjusting the temperature of the test swipe to a predetermined temperature range; capturing an in-situ image of the test swipe after the application of chemical at the predetermined temperature range; subtracting the background image from the in-situ image; generating a difference value from the two images; and searching a known database to identify the substance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to using a marker in a functional fluid, which survives the use of the functional fluid in an application, with a reagent solution to identify the functional fluid rapidly either before, during or after the functional fluid's use and which is a suitable method for identifying a functional fluid in the field, and which may employ the use of test wipe, or medium, that contains the reagent solution.

Abstract: A method for introducing standard gas into a sample vessel is generally disclosed comprising providing a vessel containing a sample gas and a receptacle with a vessel port, such as sampling needle, pressurizing the vessel with a carrier gas, and introducing a volume of standard gas into the flow path of the carrier gas being used to pressurize the vessel when the vessel port of the receptacle is located within the vessel. In some embodiments, a rotary valve is loaded with the standard gas, and the valve is brought into fluid communication with the flow path of the carrier gas when the vessel port is within the vessel.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for detecting and/or quantifying compounds of interest present in gaseous form or dissolved in a solvent. The apparatus according to the invention includes an electrical device including two electrodes, and a device for measuring the variation in charges between the two electrodes of the electrical device. The electrical device includes a layer made of an insulating dielectric material onto which a layer of receptor molecules is grafted, and finally, a layer of semiconductor material is deposited onto the receptor molecule layer. The invention can be used in the field of detecting and/or quantifying compounds of interest present, in particular, in a gas or in a solution.

Abstract: A molecularly-imprinted polymeric material that selectively binds with an explosive compound. The molecularly-imprinted polymeric material comprises a cross-linked, water-soluble polymer having basic functional groups and a binding site capable of selectively binding an explosive compound. The basic functional groups have a pKa that is sufficiently high to react with the explosive compound to result in a visually detectable color change. For example, the basic functional groups may have a pKa in the range of 6.0-9.0. The molecularly-imprinted polymeric material may be used in a variety of applications, such as a projectile for detecting explosives. Also described is a method for making a molecularly-imprinted polymeric material.

Abstract: This invention provides polymeric coordination compounds capable of forming three-dimensional microporous metal organic frameworks (MMOFs) that are useful for detection of explosive compounds. The polymeric coordination compounds comprise a repeating unit comprising a transition metal coordinated to at least one binding member of a bidentate binding site on each of two polyfunctional ligands and one binding site of a bis-pyridine exodentate bridging ligand, for example, the repeating unit comprising formula [Zn2(bpdc)2(bpee)] (bpdc=4,4?-biphenyldicarboxylate; bpee=1,2-bipyridylethene). Methods of preparing such polymeric coordination compounds, methods of using them for detection of explosive compounds, and sensors or sensor arrays comprising such polymeric coordination compounds for detection of explosive compounds, especially those comprising one or more nitro (—NO2) groups, are also disclosed.