Abstract: A method is provided for generating single-stranded DNA circles from a biological sample. The method comprises the steps of: treating the biological sample with an extractant to release nucleic acids, thereby forming a sample mixture; neutralizing the extractant; denaturing the released nucleic acids to generate single-stranded nucleic acids; and contacting the single-stranded nucleic acids with a ligase that is capable of template-independent, intramolecular ligation of single-stranded DNA to generate the single-stranded DNA circles. All the steps of the method are performed without any intermediate nucleic acid isolation or nucleic acid purification. The single-stranded DNA circles may be amplified and further analyzed. Also provided is a kit which comprises compositions for carrying out the novel methods.

Abstract: Approaches presented herein provide systems and methods for a data platform to identify, evaluate, and map data for processing via one or more compute instances. The data platform may receive an instruction and retrieve data from a variety of remote data locations. The data may be processed, such as to label or file the data, and then streamed to a compute instance for further evaluation. The data platform may be used to provide a centralized system for managing system data that combine both legacy and modern storage solutions into a single integrated platform.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides systems and methods for non-invasively measuring blood pressure, the system and methods comprise a wearable device having a first surface, a first sensor positioned on the first surface of the wearable device, the first sensor configured to receive a first signal, wherein the first signal is indicative of a first blood-volume change in a first vessel of a subject, a second sensor positioned within the wearable device, the second sensor configured to receive a second signal, wherein the second signal is indicative of a cardiac mechanical motion of the subject, and a processor positioned within the wearable device, the processor configured to generate an output based at least on the first signal and the second signal, the output representing a blood pressure measurement of the subject.

Abstract: A system includes a memory and at least one processor to transmit information associated with a plurality of talents to a client computing device, receive a selection of at least one talent of the plurality of talents from the client computing device associated with a user profile, determine a list of shows featuring the at least one talent, each show in the list of shows having a rating greater than or equal to a particular threshold, transmit the list of shows featuring the at least one talent to the client computing device, receive feedback for each show of the list of shows from the client computing device, and transmit a list of recommended shows available from subscribed media providers to the client computing device based on the feedback.

Abstract: A system for performing molecular biological diagnosis, analysis and multistep and multiplex reactions utilizes a selfaddressable, selfassembling microelectronic system for actively carrying out controlled reactions in microscopic formats. The device includes a power supply and waveform generator adapted to supply a DC bias and superimposed AC signal to the system through an interface to the array of microlocations.

Abstract: A system for performing molecular biological diagnosis, analysis and multistep and multiplex reactions utilizes a selfaddressable, selfassembling microelectronic system for actively carrying out controlled reactions in microscopic formats. Preferably, a fluidic system flow a sample across an active area of the biochip, increasing diagnostic efficiency. Preferably, the fluidic system includes a flow cell having a window.

Abstract: Cholinergic agents are used to improve specific learning deficits and language function in individuals of normal intelligence. Psychosocial deficits including a pragmatics impairment, reading deficits, a problem solving impairment, an information processing impairment, an adaptive function impairment, social skills impairment, attention impairment, a mood impairment and employment skills impairment, can also be treated in this manner. The cholinergic treatments can be combined with more traditional educational, psychological, and behavioral therapies for enhanced therapeutic benefit.

Abstract: The invention provides a wire dispensing device for use with forceps which attaches to a pair of forceps and provides a continuous source of wire or suture material for surgical procedures and means for covering the exposed end of the wire.

Abstract: A platform for photoelectrophoretic transport and electronic hybridization of fluorescence labeled DNA oligonucleotides in a low conductivity electrolyte is described. A chemically stabilized semiconductor photodiode or photoconductor surface is coated with a streptavidin-agarose permeation layer. Micro-illumination of the surface generates photo-electrochemical currents that are used to electrophoretically transport and attach capture strands, preferably biotinylated DNA, to arbitrarily selected locations. The same process is then used to transport and electronically hybridize fluorescence labeled DNA target strands to the previously attached capture strands. Signal detection is accomplished either by a fluorescence scanner or a CCD camera. This represents a flexible electronic DNA assay platform that need not rely on pre-patterned microelectronic arrays.

Abstract: A platform for photoelectrophoretic transport and electronic hybridization of fluorescence labeled DNA oligonucleotides in a low conductivity electrolyte is described. A chemically stabilized semiconductor photodiode or photoconductor surface is coated with a streptavidin-agarose permeation layer. Micro-illumination of the surface generates photo-electrochemical currents that are used to electrophoretically transport and attach capture strands, preferably biotinylated DNA, to arbitrarily selected locations. The same process is then used to transport and electronically hybridize fluorescence labeled DNA target strands to the previously attached capture strands. Signal detection is accomplished either by a fluorescence scanner or a CCD camera. This represents a flexible electronic DNA assay platform that need not rely on pre-patterned microelectronic arrays.

Abstract: A novel structure for a highly-scaleable high-performance shared-memory computer system having simplified manufacturability. The computer system contains a repetition of system cells, in which each cell is comprised of a processor chip and a memory subset (having memory chips such as DRAMs or SRAMs) connected to the processor chip by a local memory bus. A unique type of intra-nodal busing connects each system cell in each node to each other cell in the same node. The memory subsets in the different cells need not have equal sizes, and the different nodes need not have the same number of cells. Each node has a nodal cache, a nodal directory and nodal electronic switches to manage all transfers and data coherence among all cells in the same node and in different nodes. The collection of all memory subsets in the computer system comprises the system shared memory, in which data stored in any memory subset is accessible to the processors on the other processor chips in the system.

Abstract: A system for performing molecular biological diagnosis, analysis and multistep and multiplex reactions utilizes a selfaddressable, selfassembling microelectronic system for actively carrying out controlled reactions in microscopic formats. Preferably, a fluidic system flow a sample across an active area of the biochip, increasing diagnostic efficiency. Preferably, the fluidic system includes aflow cell having a window. Pulsed activation of the electrodes of the biochip are advantageously employed with the fluidic system, permitting more complete sampling of the materials within the biological sample. An improved detection system utilizes a preferably coaxially oriented excitation fiber, such as a fiber optic, disposed within a light guide, such as a liquid light guide. In this way, small geometry systems may be fluorescently imaged. A highly automated DNA diagnostic system results.

Abstract: An integrated processor and level two (L2) dynamic random access memory (DRAM) are fabricated on a single chip. As an extension of this basic structure, the invention also contemplates multiprocessor "node" chips in which multiple processors are integrated on a single chip with L2 cache. By integrating the processor and L2 DRAM cache on a single chip, high on-chip bandwidth, reduced latency and higher performance are achieved. A multiprocessor system can be realized in which a plurality of processors with integrated L2 DRAM cache are connected in a loosely coupled multiprocessor system. Alternatively, the single chip technology can be used to implement a plurality of processors integrated on a single chip with an L2 DRAM cache which may be either private or shared. This approach overcomes a number of issues which limit the performance and cost of a memory hierarchy. When the L2 DRAM cache is placed on the same chip as the processor, the time needed for two chip-to-chip crossings is eliminated.

Abstract: Provides within a semiconductor chip a plurality of internal DRAM arrays connected to each section data bus. A cross-point switch simultaneously connects the plural section data buses to a corresponding plurality of port registers that transfer data between a plurality of ports (I/O pins) on the chip and the section data buses in parallel in either data direction to effectively support a high multi-port data rate to/from the memory chip. For any section, the data may be transferred entirely in parallel between the associated port and a corresponding port register, or the data may be multiplexed between each port and its port register in plural sets of parallel bits. Each of the DRAM banks in the chip is addressed and accessed in parallel with the other DRAM banks through a bank address control in the chip which receives all address requests from four processors in a computer system.

Abstract: A system for performing molecular biological diagnosis, analysis and multistep and multiplex reactions utilizes a selfaddressable, selfassembling microelectronic system for actively carrying out controlled reactions in microscopic formats. Preferably, a fluidic system flow a sample across an active area of the biochip, increasing diagnostic efficiency. Preferably, the fluidic system includes aflow cell having a window. Pulsed activation of the electrodes of the biochip are advantageously employed with the fluidic system, permitting more complete sampling of the materials within the biological sample. An improved detection system utilizes a preferably coaxially oriented excitation fiber, such as a fiber optic, disposed within a light guide, such as a liquid light guide. In this way, small geometry systems may be fluorescently imaged. A highly automated DNA diagnostic system results.

Abstract: An inserting device is provided for inserting an elongated thin flexible surgical member, such as an electrode, and the like, into body tissues. The device includes a pair of tubular portions with longitudinal slits. The two members define a lumen for accepting the surgical member after the device is introduced into the tissues. Thereafter, the members are positioned so that the slits are aligned to provide an opening which allows the inserting device to be withdrawn without interfering with the inserted surgical instrument. An enforcing element, such as an obturator, may be inserted into the lumen while the inserting device is introduced into the tissues.

Abstract: A cardiac catheter testing apparatus having a support structure including a plurality of receptacles adapted to removably receive a first probe of an electrical continuity measuring device. The support structure also includes electrical contact prongs adapted to removably receive the connective end of a cardiac catheter, which catheter has at least one electrode at the end of the catheter substantially opposite the connective end. The testing apparatus also includes electrical contact elements electrically connected to the receptacles to form an electrical path between the first probe when inserted in one of the receptacles, the electrical contact elements and the signal generating electrode. A second probe is electrically connected to the electrical continuity measuring device which displays a value indicating the presence or absence of electrical continuity between the electrode and the connective end of the catheter when the second probe is brought into contact with the electrode.