Abstract: DNA oligomers comprising sequences that are absent from the genome of one or more organisms of interest are used as reference markers (RMs). The RMs are added to biological samples to “tag” and subsequently identify the samples as authentic and to distinguish tagged samples from samples obtained without said markers, for example, in forensic, medical, legal and other applications.

Abstract: An actuation apparatus includes at least one magnetic shape memory (MSM) element containing a material configured to expand and/or contract in response to exposure to a magnetic field. Among other things, the MSM element may be configured to pump fluid through a micropump by expanding and/or contracting in response to the magnetic field. The magnetic field may rotate about an axis of rotation and exhibit a distribution having a component substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation. Further, the magnetic field distribution may include at least two components substantially orthogonal to one another lying in one or more planes perpendicular to the axis of rotation. The at least one MSM element may contain nickel, manganese, and gallium. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) may be enhanced by contacting a PCR reagent and DNA material with the MSM element.

Abstract: DNA oligomers comprising sequences that are absent from the genome of one or more organisms of interest are used as reference markers (RMs). The RMs are added to biological samples to “tag” and subsequently identify the samples as authentic and to distinguish tagged samples from samples obtained without said markers, for example, in forensic, medical, legal and other applications.

Abstract: DNA oligomers comprising sequences that are absent from the genome of one or more organisms of interest are used as reference markers (RMs). The RMs are added to biological samples to “tag” and subsequently identify the samples as authentic and to distinguish tagged samples from samples obtained without said markers, for example, in forensic, medical, legal and other applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for searching and identifying absent and rare peptide sequences from public databases and their uses in the treatment of pathological diseases. One embodiment of the present invention provides a method that includes: a) storing, in a memory or storage of a computing device, a set of at least one peptide sequence of fixed length; b) searching, by the computing device, for a peptide sequence from the set within at least one database having naturally-occurring amino acid sequences; and c) classifying, by the number of appearance in the database, the peptide sequence.

Abstract: DNA oligomers comprising sequences that are absent from the genome of one or more organisms of interest are used as reference markers (RMs). The RMs are added to biological samples to “tag” and subsequently identify the samples as authentic and to distinguish tagged samples from samples obtained without said markers, for example, in forensic, medical, legal and other applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, compositions and kits that include reference markers in biological samples. The reference samples can be marked with DNA oligomers that can be derived from sequences that do not to exist in the human genome. These sequences can be determined by an algorithm used to search published genomes for the shortest sequences which are not present (“nullomers”). Such reference markers can be used in forensic, medical, legal or other applications.

Abstract: A magnetoplastic and/or magnetoelastic material transduces linear motion, delivered to it by a mechanical connection, into a change of magnetic field, via twin boundary deformation. A bias magnetic field assures a net change of magnetization during the deformation, and a coil, coaxial with the magnetoplastic/elastic material, couples the magnetic field change to an electrical output. The bias magnetic field or a device that produces strain in a reverse direction resets the magnetomechanical transducer to its initial state. Microgenerators using the magnetoplastic/elastic material may be connected in series or parallel, combined with solar cells, and used to capture energy from passive motion such as random, cyclic or vibrational motion.

Abstract: A magnetomechanical transducer, and apparatus and methods using said magnetomechanical transducer, extract electrical power from any motion, including random motion, cyclic, and vibrational motion. The motion is transferred to linear motion through a mechanical connecting device to the magnetomechanical coupler, which comprises a magnetoplastic and/or magnetoelastic material that transduces the linear motion into a change of magnetic field, via twin boundary deformation. A bias magnetic field assures a net change of magnetization during said deformation. A further transducer, e.g. a coil or a Hall element, couples the magnetic field change to an electrical output. A restoring field or device, for example the bias magnetic field or a device that produces strain in a reverse direction, resets the magnetomechanical transducer to its initial state. The magnetomechanical transducer may be provided in microgenerators that capture kinetic energy and convert it to electrical power.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, compositions and kits that include reference markers in biological samples. The reference samples can be marked with DNA oligomers that can be derived from sequences that do not to exist in the human genome. These sequences can be determined by an algorithm used to search published genomes for the shortest sequences which are not present (“nullomers”). Such reference markers can be used in forensic, medical, legal or other applications.