Abstract: Provided herein are mutant endonuclease V enzymes that are capable of nicking an inosine-containing DNA sequence. Nucleic acid assays and agents that employ such mutant endonuclease V enzymes to introduce a nick into a target DNA including one or more inosine, and uses a DNA polymerase to generate amplicons of a target DNA are also described.

Abstract: In accordance with an aspect, there is provided a system and method for electronic communications that involves machine learning and natural language processing for contact relationship discovery, ranking and retrieval. In accordance with an aspect, there is provided a system and device that discovers contacts related to user search terms, quantitatively measures and ranks the strength between contact relationships according to a score calculated by natural language processing and machine learning. The system generates visual effects to present recommendations to the user with multiple alternate route options to establish relationships between contacts.

Abstract: Provided herein are nucleic acid synthesis methods and agents that employ an endonuclease for example, endonuclease V, to introduce a nick into a target DNA including one or more inosine, and uses a DNA polymerase to generate amplicons of the target DNA.

Abstract: In accordance with an aspect, there is provided a system and method for electronic communications that involves machine learning and natural language processing for contact relationship discovery, ranking and retrieval. In accordance with an aspect, there is provided a system and device that discovers contacts related to user search terms, quantitatively measures and ranks the strength between contact relationships according to a score calculated by natural language processing and machine learning. The system generates visual effects to present recommendations to the user with multiple alternate route options to establish relationships between contacts.

Abstract: A separation device, system and associated method are provided herein for separation of particulates form a base fluid. The separation device comprises a first microchannel comprising a fluid inlet and a mesofluidic collection chamber. The mesofluidic collection chamber has a first side and a second side, wherein the mesofluidic collection chamber is operatively coupled to the first microchannel on the first side, and wherein the mesofluidic collection chamber comprises a first fluid outlet at the second side, such that the fluid inlet, first microchannel, and first fluid outlet are in fluidic communication via the mesofluidic collection chamber.

Abstract: An adjustable level 3-D printing platform includes a platform, three support posts, and an adjusting component by which heights of the three support posts are adjustable. The bottom of the build platform includes at least one socket to engage with a ball end of one of the three support posts, thereby enabling two point leveling. The adjusting component is configured to simultaneously adjust a height of the at least three support posts using a first arm and a second arm, each connected to the build platform at respective pivot points and configured to apply respective clamping forces to the support posts. The printing platform further includes at least one sensor leveling system that deploys a probe, measures a relative probe state, and compares the measurement to a predetermined value. During the leveling processes, the 3-D printer is configured to provide sensory feedback.

Abstract: An image analysis system and method determines whether a channel is active by intercepting signals from a set-top box and determining whether the signals correspond to an inactive channel by analyzing pixels, recognized text and/or audio in the signal stream. The system and method controls tuning of the set-top box to each channel to be tested. Data relating to the analysis may be stored and transmitted for processing credit requests.

Abstract: A method of amplifying RNA template is provided. The method comprises reverse-transcribing a ribonucleic acid (RNA) template to form a cDNA using a first reaction mixture comprising RNA template, at least one primer capable of hybridizing to the RNA template, a reverse transcriptase and deoxynucleoside triphosphates (dNTPs); and amplifying the cDNA to form an amplified product using a second reaction mixture comprising at least one strand displacement DNA polymerase, at least one inosine-containing primer and a nuclease that is capable of nicking DNA 3? to an inosine residue of the primer. The method is accomplished under an isothermal condition without denaturing the cDNA template. A method of quantifying RNA template in a sample and a method of detecting RNA template in a sample are also provided.

Abstract: A solid substrate for biological sample storage under dry-state and elution of biomolecules is provided. The dry, solid substrate comprises a surface modified with a plurality of hydrophilic groups; and the substrate is comprised of one or more protein denaturing agents impregnated therein under a substantially dry state. A method for elution of biomolecules from biological samples is also provided. The compositions disclosed herein provide for enhanced elution and recovery of biomolecules, such as nucleic acids, from the sample. The sample is disposed on a substrate, dried to a substantially dry state; eluted from the biological sample dried on the substrate by rehydrating the substrate in an elution buffer.

Abstract: Provided herein are integrated devices that improve sensitivity of rapid diagnostic tests. The devices described herein integrate sample separation with rapid diagnostic tests and improve signal intensity of the rapid diagnostic tests.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for the collection and amplification of circulating nucleic acids from a non-celluar fraction of a biological sample. Circulating nucleic acids are extracted from the non-cellular fraction and are circularized to generate single-stranded nucleic acid circles, which are then subsequently amplified by rolling circular amplification using random primers to produce an amplified library. Devices for the collection of a non-cellular fraction from a biological sample are also provided. The device includes a filtration membrane and a dry solid matrix, which is in direct contact with the filtration membrane.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for handling atomic update operations. The apparatus has a cache storage to store data for access by processing circuitry, the cache storage having a plurality of cache lines. Atomic update handling circuitry is used to handle performance of an atomic update operation in respect of data at a specified address. When data at the specified address is determined to be stored within a cache line of the cache storage, the atomic update handling circuitry performs the atomic update operation on the data from that cache line. Hazard detection circuitry is used to trigger deferral of performance of the atomic update operation upon detecting that a linefill operation for the cache storage is pending that will cause a chosen cache line to be populated with data that includes data at the specified address. The linefill operation causes the apparatus to receive a sequence of data portions that collectively form the data for storing in the chosen cache line.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for handling atomic update operations. The apparatus has a cache storage to store data for access by processing circuitry, the cache storage having a plurality of cache lines. Atomic update handling circuitry is used to handle performance of an atomic update operation in respect of data at a specified address. When data at the specified address is determined to be stored within a cache line of the cache storage, the atomic update handling circuitry performs the atomic update operation on the data from that cache line. Hazard detection circuitry is used to trigger deferral of performance of the atomic update operation upon detecting that a linefill operation for the cache storage is pending that will cause a chosen cache line to be populated with data that includes data at the specified address. The linefill operation causes the apparatus to receive a sequence of data portions that collectively form the data for storing in the chosen cache line.

Abstract: An x-ray housing can include: a finned housing member having a tubular body with an external fin array on a finned external surface and an internal fin array on a finned internal surface, the finned internal surface defining a finned housing lumen, the internal fin array and external fin array cooperatively forming a heat exchanger; and an apertured housing member having a tubular body with an x-ray window aperture extending therethrough from an external surface to an internal surface, the internal surface defining an apertured housing lumen, the finned housing member having an annular end integrally coupled with an annular end of the apertured housing member to form a tubular x-ray housing having an x-ray housing lumen.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for the collection and amplification of circulating nucleic acids from a non-cellular fraction of a biological sample. Circulating nucleic acids are extracted from the non-cellular fraction and are circularized to generate single-stranded nucleic acid circles, which are then subsequently amplified by rolling circular amplification using random primers to produce an amplified library. Devices for the collection of a non-cellular fraction from a biological sample are also provided. The device includes a filtration membrane and a dry solid matrix, which is in direct contact with the filtration membrane.

Abstract: A method for handling failure in a networked virtualization environment having distributed virtual machine management.

Abstract: A solid substrate for biological sample storage under dry-state and elution of biomolecules is provided. The dry, solid substrate is coated with saccharides, such as monosaccharides, oligosaccharides, polysaccharides or combinations thereof, and the substrate is comprised of one or more protein denaturing agents impregnated therein under a substantially dry state. A method for elution of biomolecules from biological samples is also provided. The compositions disclosed herein provide for enhanced elution and recovery of biomolecules, such as nucleic acids, from the sample. The sample is disposed on a substrate, dried to a substantially dry state; eluted from the biological sample dried on the substrate by rehydrating the substrate in an elution buffer.

Abstract: An image analysis system and method determines whether a channel is active by intercepting signals from a set-top box and determining whether the signals correspond to an inactive channel by analyzing pixels, recognized text and/or audio in the signal stream. The system and method controls tuning of the set-top box to each channel to be tested. Data relating to the analysis may be stored and transmitted for processing credit requests.

Abstract: A method for handling failure in a networked virtualization environment having distributed virtual machine management.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved approach to implement virtualization objects in a virtualization system. The virtualization object from a first namespace is cloned as a snapshot that is accessible within a second namespace. To implement this, the virtualization object can be mounted as a target (implemented as a snapshot) that is locally accessible to the host.