Abstract: Various embodiments of a swab device, system, and method are provided for measuring and assessing saliva flow in the mouth of a person. In one embodiment, a system includes a swab device and a measuring device. The swab device includes a handle portion and a swab portion, the handle portion being elongated to extend between a proximal end and a distal end. The swab portion is coupled to a distal portion of the handle portion and is sized and configured to collect saliva from the mouth. The measuring device is sized and configured to measure an amount of the saliva collected with the swab portion, the measuring device including a nesting portion integrated therewith. Such nesting portion of the measuring device is sized and configured to receive the proximal end of the handle portion of the swab device to measure the saliva collected therewith.

Abstract: A non-degradable device for use in controlled feeding of mammalian cell cultures including by way of example cultures of stem cells such as induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Methods of making and using the device are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting a user's finger are provided. In some embodiments, a method may include applying a first electrical signal, applying a second signal, receiving a third electrical signal using a first electrode, receiving a fourth electrical signal using the first electrode, extracting the third and fourth electrical signals using a quadrature demodulator, and compensating for a phase delay between at least the first electrical signal and the third electrical signal.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a swab device, system, and method are provided for measuring and assessing saliva flow in the mouth of a person. In one embodiment, a system includes a swab device and a measuring device. The swab device includes a handle portion and a swab portion, the handle portion being elongated to extend between a proximal end and a distal end. The swab portion is coupled to a distal portion of the handle portion and is sized and configured to collect saliva from the mouth. The measuring device is sized and configured to measure an amount of the saliva collected with the swab portion, the measuring device including a nesting portion integrated therewith. Such nesting portion of the measuring device is sized and configured to receive the proximal end of the handle portion of the swab device to measure the saliva collected therewith.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a swab device, system, and method are provided for measuring and assessing saliva flow in the mouth of a person. In one embodiment, a system includes a swab device and a measuring device. The swab device includes a handle portion and a swab portion, the handle portion being elongated to extend between a proximal end and a distal end. The swab portion is coupled to a distal portion of the handle portion and is sized and configured to collect saliva from the mouth. The measuring device is sized and configured to measure an amount of the saliva collected with the swab portion, the measuring device including a nesting portion integrated therewith. Such nesting portion of the measuring device is sized and configured to receive the proximal end of the handle portion of the swab device to measure the saliva collected therewith.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting a user's finger are provided. In some embodiments, a method may include applying a first electrical signal, applying a second signal, receiving a third electrical signal using a first electrode, receiving a fourth electrical signal using the first electrode, extracting the third and fourth electrical signals using a quadrature demodulator, and compensating for a phase delay between at least the first electrical signal and the third electrical signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods which provide the ability for users to track the lifecycle and conditional rules associated with credentials, which can include digitally verified third-party assertions of identity, education, licensing, work history, provenance, authenticity, outcomes, ingredients, etc. through a network of certified primary source or primary source equivalent issuers of credentials. Verifiable data registry technology can be used to provide access to information associated with the credentials, such as validity and schemas. Credential presentation and subscription processes are also utilized. Ecosystem communication and management functions can be executed through various agent instances associated with the actors, including administrators. Rating systems and fee transactions are also managed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing noise in sensors are described. In some embodiments, measurement values for selected pixels may be processed to remove signals that are common to groups of pixels. In some embodiments, offset values between pixel groups may be determined. In some embodiments, the determined offset values may be used to remove or suppress artificial discontinuities.

Abstract: The present invention relates to treatment methods and methods for sustained delivery of one or more exogenous factors to desired nervous system sites. In certain embodiments, the invention relates to the use of biodegradable microspheres to deliver exogenous factors, such as the morphogenic factor, sonic hedgehog (Shh), to the site of spinal cord injury. In certain embodiments, the Shh-releasing microspheres are administered together with stem cells, which may be spinal cord neural stem cells. In certain embodiments, the invention relates to regrowth of neural cells in both the central and peripheral nervous systems.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing noise in sensors are described. In some embodiments, measurement values for selected pixels may be processed to remove signals that are common to groups of pixels. In some embodiments, offset values between pixel groups may be determined. In some embodiments, the determined offset values may be used to remove or suppress artificial discontinuities.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a system and method for generating phrase based categories of interactions may include obtaining a base category, the base category including one or more phrases. A base trend for the base category may be generated based on a frequency of appearance of at least one of the one or more phrases in a set of recorded interactions; a candidate phrase may be obtained and a candidate trend may be generated for the candidate phrase based on a frequency of appearance of the candidate phrase in the set of recorded interactions; a correlation level may be determined by relating the candidate trend to the base trend; and, if the correlation level is greater than a threshold level then the candidate phrase may be included the in the base category.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a retinal pigment epithelial stem cell isolated from a posterior region of the retinal pigment epithelium of an adult mammal. The invention also relates to a method of inducing differentiation of retinal epithelial stem and progenitor cells in vitro, wherein the cells of the invention are highly plastic, multipotential stem cells. The invention also includes methods for the treatment of retinal diseases and vision loss involving the transplantation of retinal pigment epithelial stem cells or cells differentiated from retinal pigment epithelial stern cells to the retina of a patient in need of treatment.

Abstract: A method and system for evaluating the performance of individuals, such as agents in a call center, each performing multiple tasks may include obtaining a performance score for each execution of a task by individuals in the group of individuals; determining the distribution of the performance scores; comparing single performance scores with the distribution of performance scores; and selecting a single performance score for an individual based on said comparison. An oscillator algorithm may be used to determine whether said selected performance score is part of a trend in performance by that individual.

Abstract: A method and system for evaluating the performance of individuals, such as agents in a call center, each performing multiple tasks may include obtaining a performance score for each execution of a task by individuals in the group of individuals; determining the distribution of the performance scores; comparing single performance scores with the distribution of performance scores; and selecting a single performance score for an individual based on said comparison. An oscillator algorithm may be used to determine whether said selected performance score is part of a trend in performance by that individual.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a retinal pigment epithelial stem cell isolated from a posterior region of the retinal pigment epithelium of an adult mammal. The invention also relates to a method of inducing differentiation of retinal epithelial stem and progenitor cells in vitro, wherein the cells of the invention are highly plastic, multipotential stem cells. The invention also includes methods for the treatment of retinal diseases and vision loss involving the transplantation of retinal pigment epithelial stem cells or cells differentiated from retinal pigment epithelial stem cells to the retina of a patient in need of treatment.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a swab device, system, and method are provided for measuring and assessing saliva flow in the mouth of a person. In one embodiment, a system includes a swab device and a measuring device. The swab device includes a handle portion and a swab portion, the handle portion being elongated to extend between a proximal end and a distal end. The swab portion is coupled to a distal portion of the handle portion and is sized and configured to collect saliva from the mouth. The measuring device is sized and configured to measure an amount of the saliva collected with the swab portion, the measuring device including a nesting portion integrated therewith. Such nesting portion of the measuring device is sized and configured to receive the proximal end of the handle portion of the swab device to measure the saliva collected therewith.

Abstract: Methods for culturing undifferentiated mammalian cells, such as stem and progenitor cells, are provided. The methods involve incubating the cell in the presence of a sustained release composition containing at least one growth factor, wherein the sustained release composition continuously releases the growth factor(s), and wherein the presence of the sustained level of growth factor maintains the cell in an undifferentiated state.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a system and method for generating phrase based categories of interactions may include obtaining a base category, the base category including one or more phrases. A base trend for the base category may be generated based on a frequency of appearance of at least one of the one or more phrases in a set of recorded interactions; a candidate phrase may be obtained and a candidate trend may be generated for the candidate phrase based on a frequency of appearance of the candidate phrase in the set of recorded interactions; a correlation level may be determined by relating the candidate trend to the base trend; and, if the correlation level is greater than a threshold level then the candidate phrase may be included the in the base category.

Abstract: A system and method for analysis of interactions with a customer service center, comprising receiving a plurality of customer service interactions, receiving a word cloud computed for the plurality of customer service interactions, consolidating similar or synonymous words into word sets, constructing a weighted graph of the word sets, generating a query for the interaction topic based on a corresponding subset of word sets, selecting at least one representative interaction from the retrieved customer service interactions, and displaying at least a portion of the representative interaction for the selected identified topic.

Abstract: Methods for inhibiting epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in epithelial cells are disclosed. The methods can include contacting epithelial cells, such as retinal pigment epithelial cells or breast epithelial cells, with an inhibitor of the forkhead box s1 (FOXS1) signaling pathway.