Abstract: Patient care devices, such as person support apparatuses and thermal control units, include one or more internal high speed networks, such as an Ethernet, for transmitting data between internal nodes or modules. A lower speed network may also be included with the Ethernet for redundantly transmitting some, but not all, types of data. Devices external to the patient care device can be granted limited access to the internal high speed network. Such devices may connect to the high speed network to utilize one or more user interfaces of the patient care device and/or to piggyback onto the patient care device's connection to an external local area network (e.g. a hospital LAN), or the patient care device's connection to yet another device. Some nodes may include web servers for serving up web pages of diagnostic information relevant to that node. The web servers are accessible via an external web browser.

Abstract: A modular drive device for driving a first driven module of a first emergency patient motion device or a second driven module of a second emergency patient motion device, the first driven module being different from the second driven module. The modular drive device comprises a motor, and an output device operatively coupled to and drivable by the motor. The output device transmits mechanical force from the motor to the first driven module when said output device is coupled to the first emergency patient motion device and from the motor to the second driven module when said output device is coupled to the second emergency patient motion device. The modular drive device further comprises a controller operable in a first motor mode and a second motor mode. The first motor mode corresponding to the first driven module, and the second motor mode corresponding to the second driven module.

Abstract: A person support apparatus includes one or more thermal image sensors whose outputs are analyzed to perform one or more functions. Such functions include automatically turning on a brake, automatically turning on one or more lights, detecting when a patient associated with the person support apparatus has fallen, enabling a propulsion system of the patient support apparatus to be used, automatically controlling one or more environmental controls, and/or automatically arming an exit detection system after entry of a patient onto the person support apparatus. Multiple thermal images may be generated from multiple sensors to generate stereoscopic thermal images of portions of the person support apparatus and its surroundings.

Abstract: A person support apparatus includes one or more thermal image sensors whose outputs are analyzed to perform one or more functions. Such functions include automatically turning on a brake, automatically turning on one or more lights, detecting when a patient associated with the person support apparatus has fallen, enabling a propulsion system of the patient support apparatus to be used, automatically controlling one or more environmental controls, and/or automatically arming an exit detection system after entry of a patient onto the person support apparatus. Multiple thermal images may be generated from multiple sensors to generate stereoscopic thermal images of portions of the person support apparatus and its surroundings.

Abstract: A modular drive device for driving a first driven module of a first emergency patient motion device or a second driven module of a second emergency patient motion device, the first driven module being different from the second driven module. The modular drive device comprises a motor, and an output device operatively coupled to and drivable by the motor. The output device transmits mechanical force from the motor to the first driven module when said output device is coupled to the first emergency patient motion device and from the motor to the second driven module when said output device is coupled to the second emergency patient motion device. The modular drive device further comprises a controller operable in a first motor mode and a second motor mode. The first motor mode corresponding to the first driven module, and the second motor mode corresponding to the second driven module.

Abstract: A person support apparatus includes one or more thermal image sensors whose outputs are analyzed to perform one or more functions. Such functions include automatically turning on a brake, automatically turning on one or more lights, detecting when a patient associated with the person support apparatus has fallen, enabling a propulsion system of the patient support apparatus to be used, automatically controlling one or more environmental controls, and/or automatically arming an exit detection system after entry of a patient onto the person support apparatus. Multiple thermal images may be generated from multiple sensors to generate stereoscopic thermal images of portions of the person support apparatus and its surroundings.

Abstract: A person support apparatus includes one or more thermal image sensors whose outputs are analyzed to perform one or more functions. Such functions include automatically turning on a brake, automatically turning on one or more lights, detecting when a patient associated with the person support apparatus has fallen, enabling a propulsion system of the patient support apparatus to be used, automatically controlling one or more environmental controls, and/or automatically arming an exit detection system after entry of a patient onto the person support apparatus. Multiple thermal images may be generated from multiple sensors to generate stereoscopic thermal images of portions of the person support apparatus and its surroundings.

Abstract: Patient care devices, such as person support apparatuses and thermal control units, include one or more internal high speed networks, such as an Ethernet, for transmitting data between internal nodes or modules. A lower speed network may also be included with the Ethernet for redundantly transmitting some, but not all, types of data. Devices external to the patient care device can be granted limited access to the internal high speed network. Such devices may connect to the high speed network to utilize one or more user interfaces of the patient care device and/or to piggyback onto the patient care device's connection to an external local area network (e.g. a hospital LAN), or the patient care device's connection to yet another device. Some nodes may include web servers for serving up web pages of diagnostic information relevant to that node. The web servers are accessible via an external web browser.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for screening for the effect of a test agent on a population of biological specimens, preferably insects, comprising the steps of providing a population of specimens, administering at least one test agent to the population, creating a digitized movie showing the movements of members of the population, measuring at least one trait of members of the population, and correlating the traits of the population with the effect of the test agent. The invention also provides a method for preparing a medicament useful for the treatment of a mammalian disease.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a class of small molecule hydroxamic acid compounds capable of inhibiting histone deacetylases (HDACs). The present invention also relates to methods of preparation of hydroxamic acid HDAC inhibitor compounds of the invention, which are N-substituted-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline hydroxamic acid derivatives, and their incorporation into pharmaceutical compositions and methods of administration. The present invention also relates to N-substituted-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline hydroxamic acid derivatives, which may be prepared as a hydroxamic acid HDAC inhibitor compound library that can be utilized in screening methods known in the art.

Abstract: A method of system is provided for assaying specimens. In connection with such system or method, plural multi-pixel target images of a field of view are obtained at different corresponding points in time over a given sample period. A background image is obtained using a plural set of the plural target images. For a range of points in time, the background image is removed from the target images to produce corresponding background-removed target images. Analysis is performed using at least a portion of the corresponding background-removed target images to identify visible features of the specimens. A holding structure is provided to hold a set of discrete specimen containers. A positioning mechanism is provided to position a plural subset of the containers to place the moving specimens within the plural subset of the containers within a field of view of the camera.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a transgenic fly that expresses the Arctic mutant version of the human A&bgr;42 peptide of human amyloid-&bgr; precursor protein (APP), and a double transgenic fly that expresses both the Tau protein and the human A&bgr;42Arctic peptide of human amyloid-&bgr; precursor protein (APP). The transgenic flies of the present invention provide for models of neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease. The invention further discloses methods for identifying genetic modifiers, as well as screening methods to identify therapeutic compounds to treat neurodegenerative disorders using the transgenic flies.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a transgenic fly that expresses the Iowa mutant version of the human A&bgr;42 peptide of human amyloid-&bgr; precursor protein (APP), and a double transgenic fly that expresses both the Tau protein and the human A&bgr;42Iowa peptide of human amyloid-&bgr; precursor protein (APP). The transgenic flies of the present invention provide for models of neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease. The invention further discloses methods for identifying genetic modifiers, as well as screening methods to identify therapeutic compounds to treat neurodegenerative disorders using the transgenic flies.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a transgenic fly that expresses the Dutch mutant version of the human A&bgr;42 peptide of human amyloid-&bgr; precursor protein (APP), and a double transgenic fly that expresses both the Tau protein and the human A&bgr;42Dutch peptide of human amyloid-&bgr; precursor protein (APP). The transgenic flies of the present invention provide for models of neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease. The invention further discloses methods for identifying genetic modifiers, as well as screening methods to identify therapeutic compounds to treat neurodegenerative disorders using the transgenic flies.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a transgenic fly that expresses the Flemish mutant version of the human A&bgr;42 peptide of human amyloid-&bgr; precursor protein (APP), and a double transgenic fly that expresses both the Tau protein and the human A&bgr;42Flemish peptide of human amyloid-&bgr; precursor protein (APP). The transgenic flies of the present invention provide for models of neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease. The invention further discloses methods for identifying genetic modifiers, as well as screening methods to identify therapeutic compounds to treat neurodegenerative disorders using the transgenic flies.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for screening for the effect of a test agent on a population of biological specimens, preferably insects, comprising the steps of providing a population of specimens, administering at least one test agent to the population, creating a digitized movie showing the movements of members of the population, measuring at least one trait of members of the population, and correlating the traits of the population with the effect of the test agent. The invention also provides a method for preparing a medicament useful for the treatment of a mammalian disease.

Abstract: Tools are provided for obtaining and assessing data concerning the physical or behavioral traits of an biological specimen population for the purpose of identifying, treating, or gathering intelligence on the condition of the specimen population. In one aspect, a computer system is provided to assess a condition of a biological specimen by studying the physical traits of a sample that comprises a number of specimens. The condition may comprise a human central nervous system condition. A user interface is provided that comprises a computer screen, an input interface portion, and a processing mechanism. The user interface may further comprise a specimen information input mechanism. The specimen information input mechanism may comprise a specimen type input that allows the user to specify, through the computer screen input, the type of specimen to be studied.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for screening for the effect of a test agent on a population of biological specimens, preferably insects, comprising the steps of providing a population of specimens, administering at least one test agent to the population, creating a digitized movie showing the movements of members of the population, measuring at least one trait of members of the population, and correlating the traits of the population with the effect of the test agent. The invention also provides a method for preparing a medicament useful for the treatment of a mammalian disease.

Abstract: A method of system is provided for assaying specimens. In connection with such system or method, plural multi-pixel target images of a field of view are obtained at different corresponding points in time over a given sample period. A background image is obtained using a plural set of the plural target images. For a range of points in time, the background image is removed from the target images to produce corresponding background-removed target images. Analysis is performed using at least a portion of the corresponding background-removed target images to identify visible features of the specimens. A holding structure is provided to hold a set of discrete specimen containers. A positioning mechanism is provided to position a plural subset of the containers to place the moving specimens within the plural subset of the containers within a field of view of the camera.

Abstract: The present invention utilizes a “knock-in” approach to provide a transgenic mammal containing integrated into its genome a repeating nucleotide sequence encoding a polyglutamine comprising at least about 154, preferably at least about 160, 200, 300, 400, 500, and up to 600 or more contiguous glutamine residues. The transgenic mammals normally display observable phenotypic changes. As such, they may serve as a model for disease processes in humans for such diseases as spinobulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA), Huntington's disease (HD), dentatorubral pallidoluysian atrophy (DRPLA), and the spinocerebellar ataxias types 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, and 17. As a result of displaying pathology indicative of a human disease, the efficacy of an agent for treating human disease may be tested in the transgenic mammals.