The present invention provides a test strip for measuring a concentration of an analyte of interest in a biological fluid, wherein the test strip may be encoded with information that can be read by a test meter into which the test strip is inserted.

System and method for coding information on a biosensor test strip

A method of measuring an analyte in a biological fluid comprises applying an excitation signal having a DC component and an AC component. The AC and DC responses are measured; a corrected DC response is determined using the AC response; and a concentration of the analyte is determined based upon the corrected DC response. Other methods and devices are disclosed.

System and method for analyte measurement using dose sufficiency electrodes

The present invention provides a test strip for measuring a signal of interest in a biological fluid when the test strip is mated to an appropriate test meter, wherein the test strip and the test meter include structures to verify the integrity of the test strip traces, to measure the parasitic resistance of the test strip traces, and to provide compensation in the voltage applied to the test strip to account for parasitic resistive losses in the test strip traces.

System and method for quality assurance of a biosensor test strip

System and method for analyte measurement employing maximum dosing time delay

Biodiversity conservation organisations have recently begun to consider a wider ecosystem services context for their activities. While the literature suggests the potential of ‘win–win’ situations where biodiversity conservation and the delivery of ecosystem services overlap, empirical evidence is wanting. Here we explore the role that species-led management for the benefit of biodiversity in cultural landscapes can play in the delivery of wider ecosystem services. We use UK lowland wetlands as a case study and show how successful delivery of species-led conservation through management interventions relies on practices that can affect greenhouse gas fluxes, water quality and regulation, and cultural benefits. In these wetlands, livestock grazing has potentially large effects on water and greenhouse gas related services, but there is little scope to alter management without compromising species objectives. Likewise, there is little potential to alter reedbed management without compromising conservation objectives. There is some potential to alter woodland and scrub management, but this would likely have limited influence due to the relatively small area over which such management is practiced. The management of water levels potentially has large effects on provision of several services and there does appear to be some scope to align this objective with biodiversity objectives. A comprehensive understanding of the net costs and benefits to society of these interventions will require fine-grained research integrating ecological, economic and social science research. However, a less analytic understanding of the potential costs and benefits can highlight ways by which land management principally to achieve biodiversity conservation objectives might be modified to enhance delivery of other ecosystem services.

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Impacts of species-led conservation on ecosystem services of wetlands: understanding co-benefits and tradeoffs

Great Bitterns Botaurus stellaris have experienced a population decline in the UK, such that in 1997 the total number of breeding males was just 11. This study aimed to identify factors affecting productivity, and how management could be used to manipulate this. An intensive study of Great Bittern breeding success was conducted between 1997 and 2001. The date that males established their booming territories was closely correlated with when females started nesting. Wetter sites with greater fish densities had males that established their booming territories earlier in the season. However, only the date that males started booming determined when females started nesting. The mean clutch size of Great Bitterns was four and the only cause of nest failure was predation. Of eight nests suspected to be second attempts the mean interval between these first and second attempts was 12.25 ± 0.88 (sd) days (range 8-15). The fate of radiotagged chicks followed to fledging revealed that the overall probability of a chick surviving to fledge was 39.1%. Daily losses of Great Bittern chicks due to starvation/exposure accounted for 76.25% and predation 21.25%. The youngest chicks in poor condition were most likely to die, particularly in periods of high rainfall. A simulated renesting model allowed estimation of Great Bittern productivity as 1.24 chicks per female and 1.52 nesting attempts per female. Habitat management, or lack of water control that resulted in sites being drier in spring, delayed nesting, although statistically there was no difference in productivity compared with wetter sites.

The influence of habitat management on the breeding success of the Great Bittern Botaurus stellaris in Britain

A method for detecting Helicobacter pylori in a subject's gastroenteral tract involves measuring a change in resistance of an electronic or electrochemical sensor, notably a polypyrrole film, on exposure to gas from the subject's lungs and/or stomach. Depending on the magnitude of the change (if any) a positive or negative result is indicated visually by electronics means. Two sensors (16) are used, one of which receives a sample of gas (24) which has passed through an ammonia-absorbing means (30) to provide a corrected baseline value for the ammonia. The invention also provides apparatus suitable for carrying out the method.

Method for detection of helicobacter pylori and apparatus therefor

A method for detecting Helicobacter pylori in a subject's gastroenteral tract involves measuring a change in resistance of an electronic or electrochemical sensor, notably a polypyrrole film, which is caused by ammonia, on exposure to gas from the subject's lungs and/or stomach. Depending on the magnitude of the change (if any) a positive or negative result is indicated visually by electronics means such as LED's 20, 22. In a preferred embodiment, two sensors 16a, 16b are used. One of these receives a sample of gas 24 which has passed through an ammonia-absorbing means 30 such as sodium dihydrogen phosphate or copper sulphate on a porous frit to provide a corrected baseline value for the ammonia. Porous frit 28 balances the gas flow to the two sensors. An antacid or sparkling water may be administered orally to a subject before the test. The chambers 2a, 2b can be expandable and can have an exit vent to assist gas flow. An alkaline desiccant may be provided in the common passageway 32.

Christopher Dunn

Papers

The influence of habitat management on the breeding success of the Great Bittern Botaurus stellaris in Britain

Method for detection of helicobacter pylori and apparatus therefor

Detection of Helicobacter pylori and apparatus therefor