A product quality analysis and control system is provided. The product quality analysis and control system includes a processing system that is configured to receive data of objective qualities of a product from multiple data gathering modules. Each of the multiple data gathering modules is respectively positioned at corresponding nodes of a supply chain and is configured to receive from sensors data of objective qualities of a product when the product is at each of the corresponding nodes. The processing system includes a model repository and a data evaluation module. The data evaluation module is configured to select, from the model repository, a model associated with a type of the product and to use the model to analyze the data to identify changes in the objective qualities along the supply chain.

Disclosed is a test strip for detecting microalbumin in urine, and more particularly a test strip for detecting microalbumin in urine that contains a synthetic albumin indicator, a buffer solution, a surfactant and a polymer (sensitizer) and thus exhibits high sensitivity. The albumin detection test strip has accuracy sufficient to enable clear observation of color change from colorless to blue through the albumin indicator, and improves the detection limit (increases sensitivity) to thereby enable detection of microalbuminuria at a concentration of 20 mg/L or less. The albumin test detection strip contains a surfactant and a polymer in addition to a synthetic albumin indicator, thereby incorporating separate first and second processes into a single process and having effects of reducing costs, improving processing convenience, and increasing solubility and miscibility.

Disclosed here are systems and methods for collecting and/or screening of a pancreatic secretion, using a capsule endoscope comprising an imaging system and a trypsin sensor, and a tether coupled to the capsule endoscope.

A handheld Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) device for detecting phenylalanine (Phe) in a sample collected from a subject, the device comprising a laser generator configured to produce a laser beam; a nanoporous anodic aluminum oxide (NAAO) substrate configured to receive the sample collected from the subject; and a light sensor configured to receive a light.

A system for monitoring an analyte concentration in liquid is provided. The system includes a coupon comprising an absorbent body with a window through the absorbent body wherein the liquid is maintained in said window by capillary action and surface tension. A reactant is in the absorbent body wherein the reactant is capable of diffusing into the window to react with an analyte in the liquid, or the reactant is able to react with the analyte within the coupon itself, with color-indicating by-products of the reaction diffusing into the window, wherein the analyte is present in an analyte concentration, to form a reactant with a color wherein the color has an intensity which correlates to the analyte concentration. A light source is provided which is capable of passing light into the window wherein the light is attenuated by the color proportional to the analyte concentration to form attenuated light. A detector is provided which is capable measuring an intensity of the attenuated light. Alternatively, the color change can be read by eye and compared to a color chart relating the color to an analyte concentration.

Disclosed are diagnostic test strips to screen for azotemia or kidney disease in felines and canines. The diagnostic test strips comprise an elongate carrier material to which is adhered a test pad assembly comprising a reagents substrate material loaded with urease, a pH indicator, and a buffer for adjusting a pH value of a feline or canine saliva sample to within a transition interval of the pH indicator, a laminate layer, and an adhesive layer. The test strips may additionally comprise a control pad assembly adhered to the elongate carrier material adjacent to the test pad assembly.

A gold nanoporous anodic aluminum oxide (NAAO) substrate used in coordination with a handheld Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) device for detecting phenylalanine (Phe) in a sample collected from a subject, the gold NAAO substrate comprising a multilayered nanoporous aluminum layer; and a gold layer disposed on top of the multilayered nanoporous aluminum layer. The gold layer comprises gold nanoparticles.

A method for fabrication of a gold nanoporous anodic aluminum oxide (NAAO) substrate used in coordination with a handheld Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) device for detecting phenylalanine (Phe) in a sample collected from a subject, the method comprising forming a three-phase system on top of a multilayered nanoporous aluminum layer of the gold NAAO substrate; injecting a cosolvent solution into the three-phase system, wherein the cosolvent solution comprises gold nanoparticles; forming a gold layer on top of the multilayered nanoporous aluminum layer, and drying the gold NAAO substrate.

An in vitro method for the detection of inflammation caused by an acute COVID-19 infection, long COVID and/or PIMS. The level of kynurenine in a body fluid is determined and the value of kynurenine measured in the patient to be diagnosed is compared with the average value obtained from a comparable cohort of persons who do not suffer from said diseases, whereby the value of kynurenine in patients is increased.

Certain aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to systems and methods for determining viruses such as coronaviruses. For instance, some aspects are directed to systems and methods for determining viruses using a partitioning system. Within the partitioning system, free RNA or other nucleic acids may preferentially partition into one phase, while intact viruses may be present in the other phase or in both phases. Accordingly, in some cases, free RNA or other nucleic acids may be preferentially removed, e.g., as compared to intact RNA or other nucleic acids present within a virus. In some cases, the phase containing intact viruses can be determined to determine the infectiousness, e.g., of a sample arising from a subject. This may be useful, for example, for distinguishing subjects who are capable of spreading an infection from those who are not infectious.