Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods of collecting intestinal luminal fluid (ILF) exosomes and microvesicles (EMV) and isolating corresponding mRNA in order to diagnose and treat inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). In particular, certain embodiments relate to the method of capturing EMV from ILF applied to a filter device that is capable of capturing EMV. Nucleic acids such as mRNA can be isolated from the EMV using an oligo(dT)-coated plate designed to accommodate the filter device and then used for further molecular analysis. Quantification of the collected nucleic acids may then be used in the diagnosis and/or treatment of IBD.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a plurality of line heads that discharge light curable inks onto a recording target material, a plurality of first light irradiators that are located at downstream side of transportation direction relative to the respective line heads in the transportation direction and emit light to the recording target material, a drum that is located at the downstream side relative to the first light irradiators in the transportation direction and forms a part of the transportation path, and a second light irradiator that is located opposite to a portion of the drum with which the transported recording target material makes contact and emits light to the contact portion. In the recording apparatus, the first light irradiators emit light for provisionally curing the discharged light curable inks, and the second light irradiator emits light for permanently curing the light curable inks, which have been provisionally cured, on the drum.

Abstract: Provided herein are devices and methods for the capture or isolation of a biomarker from a biological sample. In several embodiments, the device comprises a loading region, a filter material, and a receiving region. In particular, in several embodiments, biological fluid is passed from the loading region through the filter material and into the receiving region, thereby resulting in capture or isolation of a biomarker.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to ex vivo methods of quantifying expression of interferon responsive genes and characterizing an individual's potential responsiveness to interferon administration. Certain embodiments relate to methods to monitor the efficacy of ongoing interferon therapy by evaluating expression of interferon responsive genes before and after interferon administration.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to methods of identifying subjects likely to develop diabetes-associated damage to the nephron, or subjects in the early stages of diabetic nephropathy. In particular, several embodiments relate to quantification of diabetic nephropathy-associated RNA isolated from vesicles from patient urine samples is performed to compare a subject to a population having normal nephron function and/or to track progression of diabetic nephropathy in said subject over time.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to methods for assessing the immune response related to a specific antigen or antigens. In several embodiments, the methods described herein are used to enable a recommendation for a particular type of therapy against a particular antigen, such as a foreign infectious agent or cancer cell. In several embodiments, the methods disclosed herein enable the ongoing monitoring of a subject's immune function.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide for a device that collects vesicles and vesicle-like materials from biological fluids. Such devices comprise at least one sample loading region; at least one corresponding vesicle-capture material, wherein said vesicle-capture material comprises glass-like materials; and at least one corresponding sample receiving region, wherein passage of the biological fluid from the sample loading region through the vesicle-capture material and into the sample receiving region results in the capture of vesicles. Additional embodiments provide for a method of isolating vesicles and vesicle-like materials from biological fluids.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to methods of characterizing kidney function. In particular, several embodiments quantify kidney-associated marker RNA isolated from vesicles contained in patient urine samples. In some embodiments, the quantified RNA from urine vesicles is compared to a normal population and in some embodiments is compared to the patient to evaluate kidney function over time.

Abstract: Providing a PM emission amount estimation device for the diesel engine wherein the accuracy of the correction in correcting the basic level of the PM emission amount by use of the PM emission amount estimation map can be enhanced; and, the PM emission amount particularly during the transient state of the engine operation condition can be accurately computed so as to estimate, with high precision, the PM emission amount and the PM emission accumulated-amount (integrated amount) during the whole engine operation conditions including the transient state as well as the steady state.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a plurality of line heads that discharge light curable inks onto a recording target material, a plurality of first light irradiators that are located at downstream side of transportation direction relative to the respective line heads in the transportation direction and emit light to the recording target material, a drum that is located at the downstream side relative to the first light irradiators in the transportation direction and forms a part of the transportation path, and a second light irradiator that is located opposite to a portion of the drum with which the transported recording target material makes contact and emits light to the contact portion. In the recording apparatus, the first light irradiators emit light for provisionally curing the discharged light curable inks, and the second light irradiator emits light for permanently curing the light curable inks, which have been provisionally cured, on the drum.

Abstract: A demand prediction apparatus (10) includes: an activity number acquisition unit (161a) that acquires the number of activities of a target that a demand is predicted; a replacement factor calculation unit (161b) that calculates a replacement factor of the target that a demand is predicted based on a first curve that expresses a change of a probability of occurrence of a failure in a time series and a second curve that expresses a change of a probability of occurrence of a failure in a time series; and a demand prediction unit (161c) that calculates a demand for the target that a demand is predicted based on the number of activities acquired at the activity number acquisition unit (161a) and the replacement factor calculated at the replacement factor calculation unit (161b).

Abstract: To improve positioning accuracy in a direction of relative movement of dots which are formed by a fluid ejection device in which a plurality of nozzle groups contained in the direction of the relative movement of the head section contain a plurality of nozzles in the direction of the relative movement, an ejection timing is set for adjusting in a direction of the relative movement the positions of dots formed by each of nozzle groups. A distribution of adjustment pixels is set for adjusting in the direction of the relative movement the positions of dots formed by each of nozzles. A fluid is ejected in accordance with raster data generated on the basis of a distribution of the adjustment pixels set by an adjustment pixel setting unit, on the basis of ejection timing set by a nozzle group timing setting unit.

Abstract: A transport method for transporting a long medium in a recording apparatus is performed using a transport control section. The transport control section performs, in a case where a first motor and a second motor are driven so as to transport a long sheet to the downstream side in a transport direction, prescribed processing that is different from the processing in a case where the deflection amount of the sheet becomes equal to or greater than a reference amount, in a case where the deflection amount of the sheet between a shaft member and a sending roller in the transport direction does not become equal to or greater than the reference amount.

Abstract: A conveyance mechanism by which a recording medium can be conveyed intermittently; a recording mechanism for recording by reciprocatingly scanning a recording head in a direction that intersects with a direction of conveyance of the recording medium by the conveyance mechanism; a turret to which a plurality of take-up spindles for taking up the recording medium are provided; rotational mechanisms of the take-up spindles; a rotational mechanism of the turret; and a control unit for controlling the rotational mechanisms of the take-up spindles and the rotational mechanism of the turret so as to cause the take-up spindles and/or the turret to be rotated intermittently so as to correspond to the intermittent conveyance by the conveyance mechanism.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to ex vivo methods of quantifying expression of leukocyte-function associated mRNAs and using the quantification to characterize an individual's potential responsiveness to cancer immunotherapy. Certain embodiments relate to methods to monitor the efficacy of ongoing cancer immunotherapy by evaluating expression of leukocyte-function associated mRNAs genes before and administration of an anti-cancer immunotherapy regimen.

Abstract: The transport control section controls, at the time of cutting of the long sheet by the cutting unit, the motor for pinching such that a downstream portion in the transport direction, which is cut from the sheet, remains pinched by the first roller and the second roller at the point of time of completion of cutting, and controls, after the completion of cutting, the motor for discharge such that the downstream portion is discharged downstream in the transport direction by rotation of the respective rollers which pinch the downstream portion.

Abstract: Provided is a device that collects vesicles and vesicle-like materials from biological fluids. Such devices comprise at least one sample loading region; at least one corresponding vesicle-capture material, wherein said vesicle-capture material comprises glass-like materials; and at least one corresponding sample receiving region, wherein passage of the biological fluid from the sample loading region through the vesicle capture material and into the sample receiving region results in the capture of vesicles. Additional methods provide for a method of isolating vesicles and vesicle-like materials from biological fluids are also provided.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes: a transport unit that unrolls and transports a recording medium being wound in a roll to the downstream side along a transport path of the recording medium; a recording unit that performs recording processing on the recording medium in a recording region positioned halfway on the transport path; and a control unit that controls the transport unit so that an amount of protrusion of the leading edge portion of the recording medium from the recording region to the downstream side is varied based on an amount of curling of the leading edge portion of the recording medium due to the curling tendency of the recording medium having been unrolled by the transport unit when the recording processing is performed on the recording medium by the recording unit.

Abstract: A target transportation device includes a first transportation portion which is capable of applying a transportation force toward a downstream side from an upstream side of a transportation path to a target, a second transportation portion which is provided on the transportation path at a position at the downstream side with respect to the first transportation portion in a transportation direction and is capable of applying a transportation force toward the downstream side from the upstream side of the transportation path to the target while nipping the target, and a cutting member which is provided on the transportation path at a position between the first transportation portion and the second transportation portion and is capable of cutting the target in the width direction perpendicular to the transportation direction of the target. The second transportation portion is configured so as to be capable of changing a nipping position of the target in the transportation direction of the target.

Abstract: A method for predicting ADCC activity in a subject, the method comprising the steps of: (a) preparing a biological sample from the subject, said sample including a leukocyte, (b) bringing a portion of the biological sample and an antibody into contact with each other, (c) detecting expression of at least one marker of ADCC activity selected from the group consisting of tumor necrosis factor super family 15, chemokine CXCL3, and interleukin 6 in the leukocyte in (i) the portion of the sample brought into contact with the antibody and in (ii) another portion of the sample not brought into contact with the antibody, (d) comparing an expression level in portion (i) with the expression level in portion (ii); and (e) predicting presence of the cytotoxic activity when the expression level in portion (i) is higher than the expression level in portion (ii)