Abstract: Provided are methods for estimating the amount of initial target nucleic acid in a sample prior to nucleic acid amplification by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The methods generally involve modeling signal intensity data generated across a range of PCR cycles with a phenomenological model in concert with a chemical model, to yield an estimate of the amount of initial target nucleic acid in the sample.

Abstract: A method of increasing a processing performance by setting a suitable upper limit of a resources count for each processing request according to an arrangement of hardware such as a storage device or to contents of the processing request. A processing request acceptor accepts the processing request as a data query. An auxiliary storage device forms a storage area where a database is stored. A data operation executor analyzes the accepted processing request and executed the data operations on the basis of the analyzed result. A resource manager manages the respective data operations allocated to generated processes or threads. A buffer manager caches data of the data operations upon execution of the data operations from the auxiliary storage device to a memory, and determines whether or not the data as the target of the data operations are present in the cache.

Abstract: A paper-sheet recognition apparatus recognizes a paper sheet, which is being transported, by using an optical line sensor and a magnetic line sensor. The paper-sheet recognition apparatus includes a memory unit that stores therein magnetic templates defined in advance for respective types and respective transport directions of paper sheets, wherein the magnetic templates are defined at optical resolution representing resolution of the optical line sensor; a selecting unit that selects a magnetic template based on a type and a transport direction of the paper sheet, the type and the transport direction being obtained by analyzing optical data acquired by the optical line sensor; and a comparing unit that divides magnetic data acquired by the magnetic line sensor into pieces of data each corresponding to the optical resolution, and compares the magnetic template selected by the selecting unit with the divided magnetic data.

Abstract: The present technology provides a nanoparticulate in-situ gelling vitreous substitute, which is a liquid at room temperature to aid easy administration, such as e.g. through a small needle incision, and forms a gel within the eye, which is hydrophilic in nature, similar to the natural vitreous. The vitreous substitute formulation may include a water-soluble natural or synthetic polymer and a gelling-agent which are blended together in the presence of a cross linker, to form a gel having the properties of the vitreous humor. The process of cross linking and gelation may occur in-situ. This can be achieved by dispensing to the eye, different components of the vitreous substitute in liquid state, along with the cross linking agent.

Abstract: A controller for controlling a plurality of devices configured for wireless communications in a facility includes a data communications interface communicating with at least one of the devices. The controller further includes a control module configured to provide a control signal to the data communications interface for communicating to a transceiver associated with the device and for turning off the device according to an algorithm wherein the control signal is provided based on a time of day and/or a sensed condition relating to use of the facility. The transceiver reports device data to the control module to quantify a reduction in power obtained by controlling the devices according to the algorithm.

Abstract: The invention relates to an airbag, the airbag comprising a tubular area and a filling piece for filling the airbag with gas of a gas generator, wherein the filling piece is formed by putting-over the tubular area of the airbag. In one embodiment, the filling piece is formed by putting-over the tubular area of the airbag in the longitudinal direction, wherein an end of the put-over tubular area faces the airbag interior and said end of the put-over tubular area comprises one or several openings which are arranged to distribute gas inflowing from a gas generator in a targeted manner into the airbag.

Abstract: A system for transferring spinal cord signals comprises a superior electrode and an inferior electrode. The superior electrode interfaces with a first portion of a spinal cord of a human body; and the inferior electrode interfaces with a second portion of the spinal cord. The superior electrode has at least one superior contact for receiving signals from the first portion of the spinal cord to transmit to the inferior electrode; and the inferior electrode has at least one inferior contact for transmitting signals received from the superior electrode to the second portion of the spinal cord.

Abstract: A smart-card based system and methods to control access to a plurality of attractions within a geographical area. The system may include one or more reward terminals that are located at attractions and are configured to read smart cards presented to them and, assuming the card is valid for that location, allow the card holder to access the attraction. Each smart card may be programmed with a product code that defines the attractions at which the card may be used. Product codes may be stored in a central database along with a list of the attractions associated with the each product code. The list of attractions may be updated as desired, thereby updating and changing the attractions at which any given card may be used.

Abstract: An artificial medium includes: a dielectric layer having a front surface and a back surface; a plurality of first grid lines respectively formed on the front surface and the back surface and extending in a first direction and a plurality of second grid lines extending in a second direction different from the first direction; and electrically conductive elements respectively formed on the front surface and the back surface of the dielectric layer and located in areas where the first grid lines intersect the second grid lines, wherein when an electromagnetic wave propagated in the direction of the thickness of the dielectric layer is incident, a current excited by the electromagnetic wave is increased in a prescribed operating frequency and a current loop is formed in a plane parallel to the direction of the thickness.

Abstract: In one configuration of the present invention, a hair extension device for providing a user with the appearance of having longer, fuller hair is disclosed. The device may have a hair cluster having a hair flap which in turn comprises one or more hair wefts. The hair wefts may contain a number of hair strands connected together by seams which composes the band. The device may contain a filament which may be sandwiched between one or more flaps. The hair wefts may be sewn together with thread using a zig-zag stitch for example. The hair extension device may be reversible and the wefts may be attached to a length of lace.

Abstract: A guide apparatus includes a pair of guide rails, magnet units, pedestals, a sensor unit, a magnetic guide control apparatus as a control unit, and projected parts. The magnet unit includes electromagnets and permanent magnets and magnetic poles thereof are opposed to a blade of the guide rail from three directions with a gap. The projected parts are formed with side parts of a tip part of a central magnetic pole opposite to a tip surface of the blade of the guide rail among the magnetic poles of the magnet unit being brought closer to the guide rail than a center section thereof.

Abstract: The present method for determining the efficacy of therapy in the treatment of amyloidosis involves administering to a patient in need thereof a compound of formula (I) or formula (II) or structures 1-45 and imaging the patient. After said imaging, at least one anti-amyloid agent is administered to said patient. Then, an effective amount of a compound of formula (I) or formula (II) or structures 1-45 is administered to the patient and the patient is imaged again. Finally, baseline levels of amyloid deposition in the patient before treatment with the anti-amyloid agent are compared with levels of amyloid deposition in the patient following treatment with the anti-amyloid agent.

Abstract: A drill bit carousel for use on a blast hole drill includes a base structure that movably supports a plurality of drill receptacles. The drill bit carousel is movable between a storage position and at least one exchange position. In the exchange position, one of the drill receptacles is aligned with a centerline of a drill pipe string. In the storage position, the drill bit carousel is clear of the centerline of the drill pipe string.

Abstract: The value of fixed cycle time is adjusted to an optimum value in a short period of time. In a second operational mode (MON) of a PLC, a series of a plurality of system processes are repeatedly performed with a change to a user program in a peripheral service process being allowed. A change to fixed cycle time to be compared with actual cycle time is prohibited in a first operational mode (RUN) but is allowed in the second operational mode (MON) and a non-operational mode (PRG).

Abstract: An apparatus for displaying an image of a blind spot area to which driver's view is obstructed by a pillar, includes: an monitor on the pillar; a camera to take an image of a peripheral area including the blind spot area; and an image converting device to convert the camera image and create an output image to be displayed on the monitor. The image converting device sets in the peripheral area a reference surface defined as a surface of a sphere around a reference point at which the driver's eye point is assumed to exist; obtains positions of intersecting points at which half-lines extending from the reference point and passing through respective screen pixels of the monitor intersect with the reference surface; identifies pixels of the camera image corresponding to the respective intersecting points based on the camera's parameters; and creates the output image using data of the identified pixels.

Abstract: A spinal implant assembly combines a spinal interbody spacer with a spine plate. The combined spinal interbody spacer and spine plate assembly provides stabilization and torsional resistance to promote fusion of adjacent vertebrae of the spine. The interbody spacer is configured for placement within an intervertebral space between the adjacent vertebrae previously occupied by a spinal disc. The spinal plate is configured for attachment to anterior sides of the adjacent vertebrae (either on or within the vertebrae). The spinal plate may translate relative to the interbody spacer or it may be fixed relative to the interbody spacer. Translation of the spinal plate allows it to be affixed to the vertebrae in various positions and/or allow movement post installation. In one form, the spinal plate is defined by first and second spine plate or plate portions that are coupled to one another to allow rotation about each other.

Abstract: An object of this invention is to provide a newspaper production system, having the structure of a system that is provided with a supply unit for a continuous web provided at an upstream side of a printing unit for printing on one surface and the other surface of a continuous web, and a processing unit for carrying out cutting and folding processing of a continuous web after printing at a downstream side, by making the area of an installation flat region for the printing unit for printing on one surface and the other surface of a continuous web, having an ink jet printing device group for printing one side of the continuous web and an ink jet printing device group for printing the other side of the paper sheet, small, and with which it is easy for a single person to carry out a newspaper production operation of monitoring the entire system.

Abstract: This invention relates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘PS-1.125’. This new strawberry plant named ‘PS-1.125’ is primarily adapted to the growing conditions of the central coast of California, and is primarily characterized by its medium red skin color, conical fruit shape, very good fruit flavor, early fruit ripening, medium to large plant, and long fruiting truss.

Abstract: This invention relates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘PS-3.108’. This new strawberry plant named ‘PS-3.108’ is primarily adapted to the growing conditions of the central coast of California, and is primarily characterized by its dark red to red fruit color, large to very large fruit size, medium plant vigor, conical fruit shape, firm fruit flesh, and early fruit ripening.

Abstract: A four-line CCD sensor is structured by line sensors R, G, B in which color fillers are respectively disposed on surfaces of light receiving elements, and a line sensor BK at which no color filter is disposed. Amplitudes of signals which are outputted from the line sensors R, G, B at a time of reading a color document, and an amplitude of a signal which is outputted from the line sensor BK at a time of reading a monochrome document are adjusted so as to be substantially equal to one another. In a case in which a color document is read, outputs of the line sensors R, G, B are selectively provided, and in a case in which a monochrome document is read, output of the line sensor BK is selectively provided.