Abstract: A biological analysis system is provided. The system comprises a sample block assembly. The sample block assembly comprises a sample block configured to accommodate a sample holder, the sample holder configured to receive a plurality of samples. The system also comprises a control system configured to cycle the plurality of samples through a series of temperatures. The system further comprises an automated tray comprising a slide assembly, the tray configured to reversibly slide the sample block assembly from a closed to an open position to allow user access to the plurality of sample holders.

Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, a method for detecting variants in electropherogram data is provided. The method includes receiving electropherogram data from an instrument and analyzing the electropherogram data to identify mixed bases in the electropherogram data. The method further includes identifying features within the electropherogram data indicative of errors and validating the identified mixed bases. Then the method includes determining variants in the electropherogram data based on the validated mixed bases.

Abstract: A distributed telecommunication network including a VPN, a cellular network, a LAN, an Ethernet network, a server, a database, all communicatively coupled to the backbone of the network, a Wi-Fi network, a firewall, and a mobile device, communicatively coupled to the Wi-Fi network and the cellular network, wherein the database is configured to store a profile of a user of the distributed telecommunication network, the profile including a biography of the user, user relationships, a plurality of posts, an activity level of the user, and wherein the server is configured to determine whether the profile belongs to a category using a weighted average of a biography indication related to the biography of the profile and a post indication related to posts and relationship indication related to user relationships.

Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, a method for calibrating an instrument is provided. The instrument includes an optical system capable of imaging fluorescence emission from a plurality of reaction sites. The method includes performing a region-of-interest (ROI) calibration to determine reaction site positions in an image. The method further includes performing a pure dye calibration to determine the contribution of a fluorescent dye used in each reaction site by comparing a raw spectrum of the fluorescent dye to a pure spectrum calibration data of the fluorescent dye. The method further includes performing an instrument normalization calibration to determine a filter normalization factor. The method includes performing an RNase P validation to validate the instrument is capable of distinguishing between two different quantities of sample.

Abstract: A distributed telecommunication network including a VPN, a cellular network, a LAN, an Ethernet network, a server, a database, all communicatively coupled to the backbone of the network, a Wi-Fi network, a firewall, and a mobile device, communicatively coupled to the Wi-Fi network and the cellular network, wherein the database is configured to store a profile of a user of the distributed telecommunication network, the profile including a biography of the user, user relationships, a plurality of posts, an activity level of the user, and wherein the server is configured to determine whether the profile belongs to a category using a weighted average of a biography indication related to the biography of the profile and a post indication related to posts and relationship indication related to user relationships.

Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, a method for calibrating an instrument is provided. The instrument includes an optical system capable of imaging florescence emission from a plurality of reaction sites. The method includes performing a region-of-interest (ROI) calibration to determine reaction site positions in an image. The method further includes performing a pure dye calibration to determine the contribution of a fluorescent dye used in each reaction site by comparing a raw spectrum of the fluorescent dye to a pure spectrum calibration data of the fluorescent dye. The method further includes performing an instrument normalization calibration to determine a filter normalization factor. The method includes performing an RNase P validation to validate the instrument is capable of distinguishing between two different quantities of sample.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that comprise calibration techniques and associated systems that identify the two-dimensional position, or other alignment or positioning, of sample wells or other calibration objects located in a sample well plate, or other surface or area of interest. In some embodiments, calibration of the plate and/or positioning and/or alignment with respect to detection optics can be performed in multiple stages for two or more dimensions.

Abstract: The present teachings comprise systems and methods for calibrating the background or baseline signal in a PCR or other reaction. The background signal derived from detected emissions of sample wells can be subjected to a normalized statistical metric, and be compared to a threshold or other standard to discard outlier cycles or other extraneous data. According to various embodiments, a relative standard deviation (relativeSTD) for the background component can be generated by dividing the standard deviation by the median of differences across all wells, where the difference is defined as the difference between maximum and minimum pixel values of a well. The relativeSTD as a metric is not sensitive to machine-dependent variations in absolute signal output that can be caused by different gain settings, different LED draw currents, different optical paths, or other instrumental variations. More accurate background characterization can be achieved.

Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, a method for detecting variants in electropherogram data is provided. The method includes receiving electropherogram data from an instrument and analyzing the electropherogram data to identify mixed bases in the electropherogram data. The method further includes identifying features within the electropherogram data indicative of errors and validating the identified mixed bases. Then the method includes determining variants in the electropherogram data based on the validated mixed bases.

Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, a method for calibrating an instrument is provided. The instrument includes an optical system capable of imaging florescence emission from a plurality of reaction sites. The method includes performing a region-of-interest (ROI) calibration to determine reaction site positions in an image. The method further includes performing a pure dye calibration to determine the contribution of a fluorescent dye used in each reaction site by comparing a raw spectrum of the fluorescent dye to a pure spectrum calibration data of the fluorescent dye. The method further includes performing an instrument normalization calibration to determine a filter normalization factor. The method includes performing an RNase P validation to validate the instrument is capable of distinguishing between two different quantities of sample.

Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, a method for validating an instrument is provided. The method includes receiving amplification data from a validation plate to generate a plurality of amplification curves. The validation plate includes a sample of a first quantity and a second quantity, and each amplification curve includes an exponential region. The method further includes determining a set of fluorescence thresholds based on the exponential regions of the plurality of amplification curves and determining, for each fluorescence threshold of the set, a first set of cycle threshold (Ct) values of amplification curves generated from the samples of the first quantity and a second set of Ct values of amplification curves generated from the samples of the second quantity. The method includes calculating if the first and second quantities are sufficiently distinguishable based on Ct values at each of the plurality of fluorescence thresholds.

Abstract: A user device receives a command to transmit information at a transmit power level specified by a wireless carrier. The user device determines whether transmitting the information at the specified transmit power level using a first duty cycle will cause the user device to violate a condition. Responsive to determining that transmitting the information at the specified transmit power level using the first duty cycle will cause the user device to violate the condition, the user device determines a new duty cycle that is lower than the first duty cycle, and transmits the information using the new duty cycle.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention describe a method and apparatus for viewing and interfacing with gene expression on a computer device. A computer based device interfaces with gene the expression data by representing a plate having one or more wells and their contents with a matrix of elements addressable along at least two-dimensions. Each of the elements in the matrix are processed and then distinguished based upon their passing and failing one or more metrics for gene expression data. The interface displays those values associated with the distinguished elements in the matrix using colors, shapes and symbols. Depending on the results, some of the elements in the matrix may be flagged and then filtered from the data set. Remaining gene expression values not filtered from the matrix of elements are displayed and processed further.

Abstract: A user device receives a command to transmit information at a transmit power level specified by a wireless carrier. The user device determines whether transmitting the information at the specified transmit power level using a first duty cycle will cause the user device to violate a condition. Responsive to determining that transmitting the information at the specified transmit power level using the first duty cycle will cause the user device to violate the condition, the user device determines a new duty cycle that is lower than the first duty cycle, and transmits the information using the new duty cycle.

Abstract: A user device receives a command to transmit information at a transmit power level specified by a wireless carrier. The user device makes a determination as to whether transmitting the information at the specified transmit power level will cause the user device to violate a condition. When it is determined that transmitting the information at the specified transmit power level will cause the user device to violate the condition, the user device dynamically computes a new transmit power level that is lower than the specified transmit power level. The user device then transmits the information at the new transmit power level.

Abstract: The invention discloses a system and methods for quantitating the presence of nucleic acid sequences by evaluation of amplification data generated using real-time PCR. In one aspect, the methods may be adapted to identify a threshold and threshold cycle for one or more reactions based upon evaluation of exponential and baseline regions for each amplification reaction. The methodology used in the analysis may be readily automated such that subjective user interpretation of the data is substantially reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: The invention discloses a system and methods for quantitating the presence of nucleic acid sequences by evaluation of amplification data generated using real-time PCR. In one aspect, the methods may be adapted to identify a threshold and threshold cycle for one or more reactions based upon evaluation of exponential and baseline regions for each amplification reaction. The methodology used in the analysis may be readily automated such that subjective user interpretation of the data is substantially reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: The invention discloses a system and methods for quantitating the presence of nucleic acid sequences by evaluation of amplification data generated using real-time PCR. In one aspect, the methods may be adapted to identify a threshold and threshold cycle for one or more reactions based upon evaluation of exponential and baseline regions for each amplification reaction. The methodology used in the analysis may be readily automated such that subjective user interpretation of the data is substantially reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: Methods and systems for processing signals to minimize the effects of dye crosstalk. Deconvolution of multiplexed dye signals can include corrections for residual error determined from experimental measurements. Residual error corrections can account for reaction or assay specific factors and modify the subsequent filtering of signals. Correction values can be determined for specific dye-probe conjugates to minimize dye crosstalk and may be combined with residual error correction to further minimize errors in spectral deconvolution. Apparatus, systems, and computer-readable media can process signals and modify filters based on values obtained using the methods.

Abstract: The invention discloses a system and methods for quantitating the presence of nucleic acid sequences by evaluation of amplification data generated using real-time PCR. In one aspect, the methods may be adapted to identify a threshold and threshold cycle for one or more reactions based upon evaluation of exponential and baseline regions for each amplification reaction. The methodology used in the analysis may be readily automated such that subjective user interpretation of the data is substantially reduced or eliminated.