Abstract: [Problem to be Solved] Provided is an exercise apparatus which can suppress positional displacement when a user is jiggling. [Solution] The exercise apparatus 1 includes: a main body part 5 which has a placement part (smooth surface 5a), on which both legs of a user are placed, and an arc part 5b (curved surface) and rotationally moves over a predetermined range by alternate movement of the legs of the user placed on the placement part; and restraining means which restrains movement of the main body part 5 within a horizontal plane. The restraining means has a groove part 5c which is formed by removing a portion of the arc part 5b of the main body part 5 and a columnar body 3 which is fitted into the groove part 5c.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating a biochip for detecting or sequencing biomolecules are shown. Such a biochip may for instance include: a base member; a dielectric layer deposited on the base member and having at least two rows of discrete recesses formed thereon; and two or more electrodes sandwiched between the base member and the dielectric layer and running under respective row of discrete recesses, the two or more electrodes separated from each other along lengths thereof by a portion of the dielectric layer; wherein the dielectric layer defines a continuous operation surface above the electrodes and on which the discrete recesses are deposited for detecting or sequencing of biomolecules, when an electric field is applied through the electrodes, a field gradient is created to draw a biomolecule towards a preferred part of the operation surface.

Abstract: A vented or decorative finger ring and its method of manufacture that employs a co-injection mold casting of the vented or decorative finger ring that is formed with joined outer and inner rings where the inner ring includes a plurality of interconnected lateral and longitudinal slots or grooves, where the lateral slots or grooves are space apart and extend from the inner ring edges that each connect to a series of linked longitudinal slots or grooves formed around the inner ring that extend to the inner surface of the outer ring, forming air flow paths across the inner ring, between the inner ring edges.

Abstract: A vented finger ring and its method of manufacture are provided. The vented ring includes an outer ring portion, an inner ring portion, and an anti-stretch element positioned between the outer ring portion and the inner ring portion. The inner ring portion includes lateral grooves connected to inner grooves, the connected lateral grooves and inner grooves forming at least one fluid conduit from a first side of the vented ring to a second side of the vented ring. The method includes injecting a first material into a first mold to form an outer ring portion, injecting a second material into a second mold to form an inner ring portion, and positioning an anti-stretch element between the outer ring portion and the inner ring portion. The second mold includes at least one feature on a surface thereof, the at least one feature corresponding to connected lateral grooves and inner grooves on an inner surface of the inner ring portion.

Abstract: A biochip for detecting or sequencing biomolecules and a method of making the same. The biochip comprises a base member; a dielectric layer being deposited on the base member and having at least two rows of discrete recesses being formed thereon; and two or more electrodes being sandwiched between the base member and the dielectric layer and running under respective row of discrete recesses, the two or more electrodes are separated from each other along length by a portion of the dielectric layer; wherein the dielectric layer defines a continuous operation surface above the electrodes and on which the discrete recesses are deposited for detecting or sequencing of biomolecules, when an electric field is applied through the electrodes, a field gradient is created to draw biomolecule towards a preferred part of the operation surface.

Abstract: To provide a method for separating a vesicle having a lipid bilayer membrane, which has excellent efficiency of removing impurities and is unsuch asly to cause disruption of the vesicle having a lipid bilayer membrane. A method for separating the vesicle having the lipid bilayer membrane including: a complex forming step for forming a complex of the vesicle and the solid phase carrier by bringing a biological sample including a vesicle having a lipid bilayer membrane into contact with a solid phase carrier to which a ligand for recognizing a surface antigen present on a surface of the vesicle and is bound, a washing step for washing the complex, wherein at least any of the complex forming step and the washing step is performed in the presence of a nonionic surfactant.

Abstract: A method for detecting a target analyte associated with nano-sized gold- and/or silver-containing detecting labels in a microarray of samples. The labels indicate presence or absence of a target analyte in a sample. The method includes sequentially illuminating at least two sample groups with at least two different monochromatic light beams. The sample groups include (a) a first sample group containing at least one sample potentially containing the target analyte, and (b) a second sample group serving as positive control or negative control. The method also includes (ii) detecting intensity of light reflected, absorbed, or emitted from each of the sample groups when illuminated with each of the monochromatic light beams. (iii) recording groups of values associated with the intensity reflected, absorbed, or emitted light. (iv) comparing the groups of values associated with the sample groups; and (v) determining the presence of the target analyte based on the comparison.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for detecting target DNA in a biological sample using capture probes and electrically-assisted hybridization. The reaction cell is formed with an attachment surface of aluminum oxide for better thermal and physical properties, and the aluminum oxide surface is coated with anti-DIG antibody to provide a convenient attachment layer for the capture probes allowing their correct orientation, while the capture probes are formed with a DIG-label so that they attach to the surface of the cell through an anti-DIG/DIG linkage.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for detecting target DNA in a biological sample using capture probes and electrically-assisted hybridization. The reaction cell is formed with an attachment surface of aluminum oxide for better thermal and physical properties, and the aluminum oxide surface is coated with anti-DIG antibody to provide a convenient attachment layer for the capture probes allowing their correct orientation, while the capture probes are formed with a DIG-label so that they attach to the surface of the cell through an anti-DIG/DIG linkage.

Abstract: There are disclosed apparatus and methods for the field-assisted acceleration of biological processes involving charged entities, including in particular the detection of target DNA in a biological sample. A reaction cell is provided with a dielectric surface, and a field is generated by inducing charge-separation in the dielectric material by applying a potential to an electrode in contact with the dielectric material.

Abstract: A method for detecting a target analyte associated with nano-sized gold- and/or silver-containing detecting labels in a microarray of samples. The labels indicate presence or absence of a target analyte in a sample. The method includes sequentially illuminating at least two sample groups with at least two different monochromatic light beams. The sample groups include (a) a first sample group containing at least one sample potentially containing the target analyte, and (b) a second sample group serving as positive control or negative control. The method also includes (ii) detecting intensity of light reflected, absorbed, or emitted from each of the sample groups when illuminated with each of the monochromatic light beams. (iii) recording groups of values associated with the intensity reflected, absorbed, or emitted light. (iv) comparing the groups of values associated with the sample groups; and (v) determining the presence of the target analyte based on the comparison.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for detecting target DNA in a biological sample using capture probes and electrically-assisted hybridization. The reaction cell is formed with an attachment surface of aluminum oxide for better thermal and physical properties, and the aluminum oxide surface is coated with anti-DIG antibody to provide a convenient attachment layer for the capture probes allowing their correct orientation, while the capture probes are formed with a DIG-label so that they attach to the surface of the cell through an anti-DIG/DIG linkage.

Abstract: There are disclosed apparatus and methods for the field-assisted acceleration of biological processes involving charged entities, including in particular the detection of target DNA in a biological sample. A reaction cell is provided with a dielectric surface, and a field is generated by inducing charge-separation in the dielectric material by applying a potential to an electrode in contact with the dielectric material.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for detecting target DNA in a biological sample using capture probes and electrically-assisted hybridization. The reaction cell is formed with an attachment surface of aluminum oxide for better thermal and physical properties, and the aluminum oxide surface is coated with anti-DIG antibody to provide a convenient attachment layer for the capture probes allowing their correct orientation, while the capture probes are formed with a DIG-label so that they attach to the surface of the cell through an anti-DIG/DIG linkage.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for detecting target DNA in a biological sample using capture probes and electrically-assisted hybridization. The reaction cell is formed with an attachment surface of aluminum oxide for better thermal and physical properties, and the aluminum oxide surface is coated with anti-DIG antibody to provide a convenient attachment layer for the capture probes allowing their correct orientation, while the capture probes are formed with a DIG-label so that they attach to the surface of the cell through an anti-DIG/DIG linkage.

Abstract: Current methods for detecting influenza A subtype H5 virus, for example cell culture, haemagglutination-inhibition, fluorescent antibody and enzyme immunoassay, and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) may have the disadvantages of low sensitivity and low specificity. Furthermore, such methods are relatively difficult to use, and may not be suitable for routine detection on a daily basis. The kit for detecting H5 virus of this invention may provide a user-friendly alternative that is relatively more sensitive and specific to H5 virus. The detection kit utilizes two specially designed primers A and B for the replication of H5 virus, and a specific capture probe for immobilizing the amplified viral RNA. An additional primer C is also designed for the detection of pathogenic H5 virus. The detection of H5 virus by the detection kit may be accomplished within one day if desired.

Abstract: A training apparatus is disclosed which allows a trainee to attain a sense of accomplishment by continuing an exercise until a target is reached, without undue strain. A torque motor applies a load to a handle bar, which is driven by the exercise of a trainee. If the movement of the trainee who moves the handle bar is about to stop, then the load is gradually reduced. If the handle bar once again begins to move due to a load reduction, then it is inferred that the trainee has resumed the exercise, and the load at that time is maintained until, for example, the direction of motion of the handle bar changes. By gradually reducing the load at the fatigue limit of the trainee, it is possible to promote the resumption and the continuance of the exercise.

Abstract: Current methods for detecting influenza A subtype H5 virus, for example cell culture, haemagglutination-inhibition, fluorescent antibody and enzyme immunoassay, and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) may have the disadvantages of low sensitivity and low specificity. Furthermore, such methods are relatively difficult to use, and may not be suitable for routine detection on a daily basis. The kit for detecting H5 virus of this invention may provide a user-friendly alternative that is relatively more sensitive and specific to H5 virus. The detection kit utilizes two specially designed primers A and B for the replication of H5 virus, and a specific capture probe for immobilizing the amplified viral RNA. An additional primer C is also designed for the detection of pathogenic H5 virus. The detection of H5 virus by the detection kit may be accomplished within one day if desired.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a therapy device, including a body, an energy source disposed on the body for emitting a desired wavelength of electromagnetic radiation, and a proximity sensor for sensing proximity of the device to a desired surface. Also disclosed are a material dispensing system disposed on the body for dispensing a desired material for use with the device and accessories and compositions used with the therapy device, including interchangeable energy source-containing heads and interchangeable material containers. Methods for using the therapy device are also disclosed.