Abstract: Certain embodiments relate to a method for determining a condition of a subject, including obtaining a signal, the signal including a plurality of determinable parameters. The method also includes determining at least two of the plurality of determinable parameters from the signal, to yield determined parameters. The method also includes applying a weighting factor to each of the determined parameters to yield weighted parameters, and combining the weighted parameters to determine a numeric value relating to the condition of the subject. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A manually propelled vehicle (1) comprises a frame (11) and a plurality of wheels (17, 23) secured to the frame (11) for conveying the vehicle (1) in one mode of operation. The vehicle (1) further comprises at least one continuous track assembly (3) mounted on the frame (11) and defining an upper tread (63a) and a lower tread (63b). The distance between the upper tread (63a) and lower tread (63b) can be changed from a retracted condition to an extended condition. In the extended condition, the lower tread (63b) forms the ground engaging surface of the vehicle (1) for conveying the vehicle (1) in a second mode of operation thereof. The vehicle (1) further comprises a seat (5) pivotally mounted to the frame (11) and means to tilt the seat (15) rear-wardly when ascending or descending an incline.

Abstract: A method of stabilizing a patient sample such as a urine sample to prevent degradation of nucleic acids for subsequent analysis for pathogen detection involves adding a stabilizing solution to an aliquot of the sample. A stabilizing solution comprising a chaotrope, a non-ionic detergent, and a buffer preserves urine samples for at least 28 days at room temperature for storage and transportation to an analytical facility for screening for pathogen nucleic acids.

Abstract: Provided are non-competitive internal controls for use in nucleic acid tests (NATs), which are obtained from the organisms Methanobacterium thermoautrophicum (MET) and Zea mays (Corn). The non-competitive internal controls have utility in DNA and RNA NATs selected from Influenza A, Influenza B, parainfluenza viruses 1 to 4 (PIV-1 to PIV-4), respiratory syncytial virus type A (RSV A), RSV B, human metapneumovirus (hMPV), Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), and Neisseria gonorrhea (GC), Hepatitis B virus (HBV), Hepatitis C virus (HCV), Human Immunodeficiency Virus I (HIV-1), and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

Abstract: The present invention relates to oligonucleotide sequences for amplification primers and detection probes and their use in nucleic acid amplification methods for the selective and specific detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in biological samples. The invention also provides oligonucleotide primer sets and primer/probe sets in the form of kits for the detection and diagnosis of gonococcal infection. The inventive oligonucleotide primers and probes can also be used in combination with other specific oligonucleotide primers and probe for the simultaneous detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and other target organisms, such as Chlamydia trachomatis.

Abstract: Magnetic particles for nucleic acid isolation are coated with silica and separated from impurities and nanoparticulates using a multi-step fractionation process. In each cycle of the fractionation process, the particles are stirred, sedimented, and resuspended, resulting in a decline in pH of the suspended particles. Repeating the fractionation process until the resuspended particles have dropped to a target pH in the range of about 9 to 10.5, and their zeta potential is more negative than about ?40 mV, results in a purified population of particles with a high and reproducible binding capacity for nucleic acids. The silica-treated magnetic beads produced by the method offer improved sensitivity and consistency for recovery of nucleic acids in a sample.

Abstract: A system for capturing, analyzing, storing and reporting system-users' usage of Multiple internet and/or intranet web servers. At each web server in the system, the actions by the system-user create a server log that is processed by the system on a continuous basis. The processing at the server may include, by way of illustration, filtering the logs of about 75 percent of the data and decrypting a system-user's cookie. On a periodic basis, one or more collection servers in the system copy the processed log files from each web server on the system, zip the files, and transfer the files to an analysis server. After the collection is complete, an analysis server processes the data and stores it in a relational database that supports various user specified daily, monthly and quarterly reports of the usage data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to oligonucleotide sequences for amplification primers and detection probes and their use in nucleic acid amplification methods for the selective and specific detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in biological samples. The invention also provides oligonucleotide primer sets and primer/probe sets in the form of kits for the detection and diagnosis of gonococcal infection. The inventive oligonucleotide primers and probes can also be used in combination with other specific oligonucleotide primers and probe for the simultaneous detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and other target organisms, such as Chlamydia trachomatis.

Abstract: The present invention provides polypeptides involved in cryptophycin biosynthesis and the nucleic acid molecules that encode such polypeptides. The nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides of the invention or variants thereof can be used in the methods of the invention to produce cryptophycins.

Abstract: The present invention provides polypeptides involved in cryptophycin biosynthesis and the nucleic acid molecules that encode such polypeptides. The nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides of the invention or variants thereof can be used in the methods of the invention to produce cryptophycins.

Abstract: Embodiments include methods and apparatus for determining whether a neurological event has occurred in a subject. An apparatus includes at least one sensor adapted to sense electroencephalogram signals from the subject. The apparatus also includes an electroencephalogram acquisition module adapted to receive the electroencephalogram signals from at least one sensor, and a processing and analysis module adapted to receive signals from the electroencephalogram acquisition module and determine changes in neurological function using entropy analysis.

Abstract: Disruption of the two-component regulatory system encoded by the cbsA locus is associated with improved production of cephamycin C and/or clavulanic acid in Streptomyces clavuligerus.

Abstract: The present invention provides polypeptides involved in cryptophycin biosynthesis and the nucleic acid molecules that encode such polypeptides. The nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides of the invention or variants thereof can be used in the methods of the invention to produce cryptophycins.

Abstract: A system for capturing, analyzing, storing and reporting system-users' usage of multiple internet and/or intranet web servers. At each web server in the system, the actions by the system-user create a server log that is processed by the system on a continuous basis. The processing at the server may include, by way of illustration, filtering the logs of about 75 percent of the data and decrypting a system-user's cookie. On a periodic basis, one or more collection servers in the system copy the processed log files from each web server on the system, zip the files, and transfer the files to an analysis server. After the collection is complete, an analysis server processes the data and stores it in a relational database that supports various user specified daily, monthly and quarterly reports of the usage data.

Abstract: A compressed ternary mask system and method is described. The system and method compresses masks in a search tree such that a single comparison may be completed for each branch level of the tree. In a preferred embodiment, a tree having a root level, a 2nd level and a leaf level may be used to implement the method.

Abstract: The system separates the common administrative functions from the supervisory host applications. Each administrative function is performed by a separate administrative process that is dedicated to that function and is accessible by all the supervisory application. Thus when a supervisory process requires performance of an administrative function, it invokes operation of the corresponding administrative process. With this arrangement, only a single copy of each administrative process needs to be maintained. All communications between the administrative processes, the switching platform and/or the supervisory applications are routed through a gateway process. The gateway process then forwards the message to the appropriate process or switch and later returns the any reply results to the requesting process or application.

Abstract: A plurality of node index records are created in a database containing stored scanned image data and related index files. The node index records are batched in accordance with a hierarchy of documents from which they were derived. The index node records are stored in a work queue which is divided into stages. The first stage of the work queue includes a system administrator connected to the database which identifies a work flow comprising several processes to be carried out on the node index records and related image files. A plurality of workstations networked to the database carry out the work flow process and upon completion of each process, restores the index node records to a lower stage of the work queue where subsequent processes are carried out by the networked computer workstations.

Abstract: An ashtray includes an insert with a cylindrical section having at least one radial or side opening therethrough and lugs at one end to restrict the movement of a cigarette. An entry to the cylindrical section is provided. The side opening is sized to fit over a burning portion of a lighted cigarette to diminish the rate of combustion and simultaneously suppress smoke while permitting the cigarette to continue to burn for more than a few seconds, but causing extinguishment after a defined period greater than a few seconds. The holder may be used in combination with a table top ashtray, a cup holder ashtray or various other ashtrays.