Abstract: Flexible payment loan methods and systems are provided. When approved for a flexible payment loan, a user may skip making loan payments in a set of loan skipping periods without penalty. The set of loan skipping payment periods may be predetermined and may comprise the summer months of July and August. Interest may continue to accrue in the loan skipping periods when the user skips payments. In each review period, the condition of a flexible payment loan is validated. A user may continuously skip payments only if the flexible payment loan is in good standing.

Abstract: An adaptor for use to direct pressurized fluid into a glove to inflate the glove is disclosed. A kit for holding several test components for use to inflate a glove is also disclosed. The kit is provided for testing a glove for leakage. The components include an adaptor, a strap, and a portable pump, which can be either a DC-powered air compressor or a hand or foot pump. A method is also disclosed for inflating a glove to test the glove for leaks.

Abstract: Device for generating hydrogen for internal-combustion engines essentially comprising first means for generating hydrogen (H2) and second means for generating oxygen (O2) that addresses the technical problem of storing hydrogen, as well as the derived problems of using a substation to produce the fuel required to start and run the positive-ignition engine, increasing the working potential of said engine compared to operation with hydrocarbon and reducing residues to very low levels, clearly benefitting the environment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for monitoring, diagnosis, prognosis, and determination of treatment regimens in subjects. In particular, the invention relates to methods and compositions selected to monitor cardiorenal syndrome using assays that detect NGAL, preferably together with assays that detect natriuretic peptides such as BNP. Such methods and compositions can provide early indications of a deterioration in cardiorenal syndrome status, including prognosis regarding mortality and worsening renal function.

Abstract: Methods, systems and kits for production of autologous blood products are provided. Such methods, systems and kits comprise a blood collection set, a serum dilution set, and an aliquot set. The blood collection set includes a collection container and a serum container. The serum dilution set includes a serum measurement device, a serum dilution bag, and a mixing device enabling serum to be mixed with balanced saline solution in a defined dilution ratio. The aliquot set includes at least one filter and aliquot tubing having periodic segment length markings.

Abstract: The invention encompasses diagnosis and prognosis in the context of heart or renal failure, particularly in subjects who exhibit a normal body fluid level of a natriuretic peptide. The invention also relates to methods of assigning an increased likelihood that a subject having AKI is susceptible to AKI progression. The invention relates in part to assigning a diagnosis of heart and/or renal failure, and/or an outcome risk (e.g., worsening cardiac and/or renal function or a mortality risk) to a subject based, at least in part, on the result(s) obtained from an assay that detects WAP four-disulfide core domain protein 2 performed on a body fluid sample obtained from a subject.

Abstract: A system and method for automated quality assurance including a quality assurance application server for managing quality assurance. The quality assurance application server includes an application configuration module which has a data configuration module configured to define configurable reference fields to be captured and reviewed during the processing of the records. The application configuration module also has a rules configuration module to receive, create or modify a set of rules where the configurable reference fields are selectable when the rules are defined. The system also includes a portal module for processing the received records and applying the set of rules to the record. The portal module includes a quality assurance records review module configured to evaluate and validate the received records and to generate an output utilized to validate the record to ensure compliance with a data recipient, for example payer billing, standards.

Abstract: This disclosure provides for methods and reagents for rapid multiplex RPA reactions and improved methods for detection of multiplex RPA reaction products. In addition, the disclosure provides new methods for eliminating carryover contamination between RPA processes.

Abstract: Aerial markers are disclosed for hanging on overhead support cables at discrete spaced apart distances to warn passersby, such as airplanes, helicopters, hang gliders, hot air balloons, and the like of the presence of the cables. The aerial markers can be made in multiple parts, having various parting lines, including a vertical parting line, and can be hung in a spaced relationship to the support cables. To space the marker body from the support wire, a support frame is used to enable hanging the marker body via one or more external clamps. Direct connection is also possible.

Abstract: This disclosure describes related novel methods for Recombinase-Polymerase Amplification (RPA) of a target DNA that exploit the properties of recombinase and related proteins, to invade double-stranded DNA with single stranded homologous DNA permitting sequence specific priming of DNA polymerase reactions. The disclosed methods have the advantage of not requiring thermocycling or thermophilic enzymes. Further, the improved processivity of the disclosed methods may allow amplification of DNA up to hundreds of megabases in length.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel 2-hydroxyhippuric acid analogs, and methods for their synthesis and use. Such analogs are designed to provide a protected or functional moiety such as a free thiol (—SH) group or a protected thiol group, thereby providing a convenient linkage chemistry for coupling under mild conditions to a suitable group on a target protein, polypeptide, solid phase or detectable label.

Abstract: A process includes providing a mixture that includes a recombinase, a single-strand binding protein, and one or more oligonucleotides; and detecting particles in the reaction mixture.

Abstract: The present invention relates in part to diagnosing the occurrence of heart failure, particularly in subjects who exhibit a normal body fluid level of a natriuretic peptide. The present invention further relates in part to assigning an outcome risk (e.g., worsening cardiac function or a mortality risk, a risk of rehospitalization) to a subject. The methods comprise performing one or more assays that detect one or more biomarkers selected from the group consisting of WAP4C, ESAM, LTBR, Mesothelin, and Syndecan-1 performed on a body fluid sample obtained from a subject, and assigning diagnosis or risk based, at least in part, on the result(s) obtained thereby.

Abstract: Pluripotent human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) hold great potential for restoring tissue and organ function, which has been hindered by inefficiency and instability of generating desired cell types through multi-lineage differentiation. This instant invention is based on the discovery that pluripotent hESCs maintained under defined culture conditions can be uniformly converted into a specific lineage by small molecule induction. Retinoic acid induces specification of neuroectoderm direct from the pluripotent state of hESCs and triggers progression to neuronal progenitors and neurons efficiently. Similarly, nicotinamide induces specification of cardiomesoderm direct from the pluripotent state of hESCs and triggers progression to cardiac precursors and cardiomyocytes efficiently. This technology provides a large supply of clinically-suitable human neuronal or cardiac therapeutic products for CNS or myocardium repair.

Abstract: Work platforms are generally discussed herein for providing expanded work space for their users with specific discussions extended to portable work platforms that are mountable on vertical or horizontal poles and the like, such as utility poles, for expanding useful work space. The portable work platform has a deck attached to a base by a beam, which is made from a non-conducting material. A strap assembly having a webbing is connected to the base and configured for use with a ratchet mechanism to tension the webbing around a pole to mount to the platform. The beam enhances electrical isolation between the deck and the base.

Abstract: The invention is in general directed to compounds and methods for diagnosing, preventing or alleviating the symptoms of amyloid-associated diseases, for example, neuronal diseases, such as, for example, Alzheimer's disease, methods of screening for compounds useful in preventing or alleviating the symptoms of amyloid-associated diseases, methods of diagnostic imaging of A-beta fibrils, and compounds and methods useful for studying normal or disease-associated cellular mechanisms relating to amyloid proteins.

Abstract: The present invention relates in part to diagnosing the occurrence of heart failure, particularly in subjects who exhibit a normal body fluid level of a natriuretic peptide. The present invention further relates in part to assigning an outcome risk (e.g., worsening cardiac function or a mortality risk, a risk of rehospitalization) to a subject. The methods comprise performing one or more assays that detect one or more biomarkers selected from the group consisting of WAP4C, ESAM, LTBR, Mesothelin, and Syndecan-1 performed on a body fluid sample obtained from a subject, and assigning diagnosis or risk based, at least in part, on the result(s) obtained thereby.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a modularized interface for connecting a plug-in electric vehicle to the energy grid. For use with public or semi-public outlets, the modularized interface comprises a module and a smart socket, where the module is integrated within or capable of being connected to, the vehicle's charging interface. The module is normally disabled, but is enabled only after the end user is authenticated, the smart socket and its associated meter have been identified, and the module and the end user's account with the local utility are validated. The module meters the energy consumption, and, when the module is disconnected from the smart socket, indicating termination of the charging session, the metered data is communicated to the utility for updating the end user's account, and the module is disabled. The module is also capable of use with conventional outlets located, for example, in private residences.

Abstract: Pluripotent human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) hold great potential for restoring tissue and organ function, which has been hindered by inefficiency and instability of generating desired cell types through multi-lineage differentiation. This instant invention is based on the discovery that pluripotent hESCs maintained under defined culture conditions can be uniformly converted into a specific lineage by small molecule induction. Retinoic acid induces specification of neuroectoderm direct from the pluripotent state of hESCs and triggers progression to neuronal progenitors and neurons efficiently. Similarly, nicotinamide induces specification of cardiomesoderm direct from the pluripotent state of hESCs and triggers progression to cardiac precursors and cardiomyocytes efficiently. This technology provides a large supply of clinically-suitable human neuronal or cardiac therapeutic products for CNS or myocardium repair.

Abstract: This disclosure describes related novel methods for Recombinase-Polymerase Amplification (RPA) of a target DNA that exploit the properties of recombinase and related proteins, to invade double-stranded DNA with single stranded homologous DNA permitting sequence specific priming of DNA polymerase reactions. The disclosed methods have the advantage of not requiring thermocycling or thermophilic enzymes, thus offering easy and affordable implementation and portability relative to other amplification methods. Further disclosed are conditions to enable real-time monitoring of RPA reactions, methods to regulate RPA reactions using light and otherwise, methods to determine the nature of amplified species without a need for gel electrophoresis, methods to improve and optimize signal to noise ratios in RPA reactions, methods to optimize oligonucleotide primer function, methods to control carry-over contamination, and methods to employ sequence-specific third ‘specificity’ probes.