Abstract: A tablet computer with modular assembly having interchangeable end cap portions, and a method for installing the same. The assembly provides a universal design and customized features to a range of tablets. The modular assembly has a tablet carrier encasing a selected type of tablet computer and an exterior housing enclosing the tablet carrier. The exterior housing contains at least one battery and a controller for communication with the selected tablet computer. The housing also includes end cap portions configured to communicate with the controller and implement a function. The end caps can be interchanged. The tablet carrier and/or exterior housing can also include one or more programmable buttons with actuators for electromechanically actuating a button or an application associated with the tablet.

Abstract: A tablet computer with modular assembly having interchangeable end cap portions, and a method for installing the same. The assembly provides a universal design and customized features to a range of tablets. The modular assembly has a tablet carrier encasing a selected type of tablet computer and an exterior housing enclosing the tablet carrier. The exterior housing contains at least one battery and a controller for communication with the selected tablet computer. The housing also includes end cap portions configured to communicate with the controller and implement a function. The end caps can be interchanged. The tablet carrier and/or exterior housing can also include one or more programmable buttons with actuators for electromechanically actuating a button or an application associated with the tablet.

Abstract: A tablet computer with modular assembly having interchangeable end cap portions, and a method for installing the same. The assembly provides a universal design and customized features to a range of tablets. The modular assembly has a tablet carrier encasing a selected type of tablet computer and an exterior housing enclosing the tablet carrier. The exterior housing contains at least one battery and a controller for communication with the selected tablet computer. The housing also includes end cap portions configured to communicate with the controller and implement a function. The end caps can be interchanged. The tablet carrier and/or exterior housing can also include one or more programmable buttons with actuators for electromechanically actuating a button or an application associated with the tablet.

Abstract: The invention provides a method to detect an abnormal condition or disease state by assessing a characteristic response pattern of responder cells to indicators contained in a biological fluid of a subject. A characteristic disease-associated pattern can be obtained by determining the response pattern of responder cells to that of bodily fluids or fractions thereof from subjects known to exhibit a particular abnormal condition optionally comparing said pattern to such pattern elicited by fluids or fractions from normal subjects and identifying elements that differ. The identified elements constitute a characteristic or differential pattern which can then be used to identify the presence or stage of a disease in a test subject.

Abstract: Methods to detect amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or presymptomatic Alzheimer's disease (PSAD) using an indicator cell assay platform (iCAP) in a test subject are described. Specifically, the disclosure provides a method comprising contacting a biological fluid of said test subject with indicator cells and assessing said indicator cells for the level of expression of an exon of CKIgamma2 that encodes the C-terminal palmitoylated region of said CKIgamma2, to determine the probability that a test subject is afflicted with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Further disclosed are methods of using indicator cells that are pan neuronal populations of glutamatergic (and/or GABAergic) neurons to determine the probability of the presence of presymptomatic or symptomatic Alzheimer's disease (PSAD) in a test subject.

Abstract: A primary game controller for use by a mobility impaired person by interfacing with a peripheral controller that allows the user to input precise movements needed for certain game functions. The peripheral controller may be operated by a part of a user's body in which the user has sufficient motor control, while the primary game controller may provide control inputs that require lesser motor control to operate. A control unit on the game controller may transmit control signals from the game controller and the peripheral controller, or may exclusively use the peripheral controller as the input for certain game functions. The game controller may be sized to be able to rest on a user's lap and to provide bigger control inputs.

Abstract: A tablet computer with modular assembly having interchangeable end cap portions, and a method for installing the same. The assembly provides a universal design and customized features to a range of tablets. The modular assembly has a tablet carrier encasing a selected type of tablet computer and an exterior housing enclosing the tablet carrier. The exterior housing contains at least one battery and a controller for communication with the selected tablet computer. The housing also includes end cap portions configured to communicate with the controller and implement a function. The end caps can be interchanged. The tablet carrier and/or exterior housing can also include one or more programmable buttons with actuators for electromechanically actuating a button or an application associated with the tablet.

Abstract: A primary game controller for use by a mobility impaired person by interfacing with a peripheral controller that allows the user to input precise movements needed for certain game functions. The peripheral controller may be operated by a part of a user's body in which the user has sufficient motor control, while the primary game controller may provide control inputs that require lesser motor control to operate. A control unit on the game controller may transmit control signals from the game controller and the peripheral controller, or may exclusively use the peripheral controller as the input for certain game functions. The game controller may be sized to be able to rest on a user's lap and to provide bigger control inputs.

Abstract: The invention provides a method to detect an abnormal condition or disease state by assessing a characteristic response pattern of responder cells to indicators contained in a biological fluid of a subject. A characteristic disease-associated pattern can be obtained by determining the response pattern of responder cells to that of bodily fluids or fractions thereof from subjects known to exhibit a particular abnormal condition optionally comparing said pattern to such pattern elicited by fluids or fractions from normal subjects and identifying elements that differ. The identified elements constitute a characteristic or differential pattern which can then be used to identify the presence or stage of a disease in a test subject.

Abstract: An apparatus for punching and binding a stack of papers is disclosed. The apparatus includes a paper clamp and a binding element insertion device that are movable relative to each other. The binding element insertion device is configured to receive and detect binding elements of different sizes. The apparatus also includes a punching mechanism, a controller, and a user interface. The controller controls movement of the paper clamp and the binding element insertion device based on the size of the binding element needed to bind the stack of papers together. The user interface is configured to provide information to a user of the apparatus and to receive input from the user before, during, and after the punching and binding operation.

Abstract: A method of binding a stack of papers having a plurality of holes with a binding element having a plurality of fingers insertable in the holes. The method includes clamping the stack of papers with a paper clamp; moving at least one of the paper clamp and a binding element applicator relative to the other; and binding the stack of papers with a binding element held by the binding element applicator by operating the binding element applicator to insert the fingers of the binding element into holes of the stack of papers.

Abstract: An apparatus for punching and binding a stack of papers is disclosed. The apparatus includes a paper clamp and a binding element insertion device that are movable relative to each other. The binding element insertion device is configured to receive and detect binding elements of different sizes. The apparatus also includes a punching mechanism, a controller, and a user interface. The controller controls movement of the paper clamp and the binding element insertion device based on the size of the binding element needed to bind the stack of papers together. The user interface is configured to provide information to a user of the apparatus and to receive input from the user before, during, and after the punching and binding operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for punching and binding a stack of papers is disclosed. The apparatus includes a paper clamp and a binding element insertion device that are movable relative to each other. The binding element insertion device is configured to receive and detect binding elements of different sizes. The apparatus also includes a punching mechanism, a controller, and a user interface. The controller controls movement of the paper clamp and the binding element insertion device based on the size of the binding element needed to bind the stack of papers together. The user interface is configured to provide information to a user of the apparatus and to receive input from the user before, during, and after the punching and binding operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for punching and binding a stack of papers is disclosed. The apparatus includes a paper clamp and a binding element insertion device that are movable relative to each other. The binding element insertion device is configured to receive and detect binding elements of different sizes. The apparatus also includes a punching mechanism, a controller, and a user interface. The controller controls movement of the paper clamp and the binding element insertion device based on the size of the binding element needed to bind the stack of papers together. The user interface is configured to provide information to a user of the apparatus and to receive input from the user before, during, and after the punching and binding operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for punching and binding a stack of papers is disclosed. The apparatus includes a paper clamp and a binding element insertion device that are movable relative to each other. The binding element insertion device is configured to receive and detect binding elements of different sizes. The apparatus also includes a punching mechanism, a controller, and a user interface. The controller controls movement of the paper clamp and the binding element insertion device based on the size of the binding element needed to bind the stack of papers together. The user interface is configured to provide information to a user of the apparatus and to receive input from the user before, during, and after the punching and binding operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for punching and binding a stack of papers is disclosed. The apparatus includes a paper clamp and a binding element insertion device that are movable relative to each other. The binding element insertion device is configured to receive and detect binding elements of different sizes. The apparatus also includes a punching mechanism, a controller, and a user interface. The controller controls movement of the paper clamp and the binding element insertion device based on the size of the binding element needed to bind the stack of papers together. The user interface is configured to provide information to a user of the apparatus and to receive input from the user before, during, and after the punching and binding operation.

Abstract: A photovoltaic array includes a plurality of elongated rails and rectangular photovoltaic modules. Each rail can have an extruded resin construction and can include a lower base and an upper cap that cooperate to define a pair of grooves that open in opposite directions from each other. The elongated rails can be mounted on a support surface and extend in a spaced and parallel relationship with each other. During mounting, edges of the photovoltaic modules can be received by the grooves. In this way, the photovoltaic modules can be mounted above the support surface in a spaced relationship from the support surface.

Abstract: A photovoltaic array includes a plurality of elongated rails and rectangular photovoltaic modules. Each rail can have an extruded resin construction and can include a lower base and an upper cap that cooperate to define a pair of grooves that open in opposite directions from each other. The elongated rails can be mounted on a support surface and extend in a spaced and parallel relationship with each other. During mounting, edges of the photovoltaic modules can be received by the grooves. In this way, the photovoltaic modules can be mounted above the support surface in a spaced relationship from the support surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for punching and binding a stack of papers is disclosed. The apparatus includes a paper clamp and a binding element insertion device that are movable relative to each other. The binding element insertion device is configured to receive and detect binding elements of different sizes. The apparatus also includes a punching mechanism, a controller, and a user interface. The controller controls movement of the paper clamp and the binding element insertion device based on the size of the binding element needed to bind the stack of papers together. The user interface is configured to provide information to a user of the apparatus and to receive input from the user before, during, and after the punching and binding operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for punching and binding a stack of papers is disclosed. The apparatus includes a paper clamp and a binding element insertion device that are movable relative to each other. The binding element insertion device is configured to receive and detect binding elements of different sizes. The apparatus also includes a punching mechanism, a controller, and a user interface. The controller controls movement of the paper clamp and the binding element insertion device based on the size of the binding element needed to bind the stack of papers together. The user interface is configured to provide information to a user of the apparatus and to receive input from the user before, during, and after the punching and binding operation.