Abstract: The invention provides methods for simultaneously amplifying multiple nucleic acid regions of interest in one reaction volume as well as methods for selecting a library of primers for use in such amplification methods. The invention also provides library of primers with desirable characteristics, such as minimal formation of amplified primer dimers or other non-target amplicons.

Abstract: A door latch assembly includes a housing; a bolt configured to the extend from the housing in a first direction and retract into the housing in a second direction; a handle connected to the bolt; a lockable, blocking member configured to prevent movement of the bolt; a controller configured to place the door latch assembly into an overlock mode; an actuator in communication with the controller, the actuator configured to prevent movement of the bolt in the overlock mode.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and compositions for cell free cloning and polynucleotide production. In illustrative aspects, the methods of the present disclosure comprise the use of molecular barcodes and a dilution step. Moreover, some aspects of the instant disclosure relate to systems and kits comprising molecular barcodes for use with methods of cell free cloning and polynucleotide production.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes an end effector with an ultrasonic blade, a shaft assembly, and a body assembly. The shaft assembly has an articulation section, an acoustic waveguide with a flexible waveguide portion, an articulation band configured to drive articulation of the articulation section between a straight configuration and an articulated configuration, and a pin distal to the articulation section and configured to constrain a distal waveguide portion to the end effector. The body assembly has a housing, a transducer assembly, and a compensator operatively connected to the articulation band and the acoustic waveguide. The compensator is configured to longitudinally urge the acoustic waveguide to thereby pivot the ultrasonic blade about the pin for alignment relative to another portion of the end effector.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and compositions useful for routing and tracking multiple mobile units within a microfluidic device. Mobile units may be routed through a plurality of chemical environments, and the mobile units may be tracked to determine the path and/or environments that the mobile units have routed through. Mobile units may be routed in accordance with a predetermined algorithm. Mobile units may be routed through microfluidic devices in ordered flow. Mobile units routed through the microfluidic device can be used to perform various chemical reactions uniquely associated to the units, including without limitation peptide synthesis, enzymatic gene synthesis and gene assembly.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for simultaneously amplifying multiple nucleic acid regions of interest in one reaction volume as well as methods for selecting a library of primers for use in such amplification methods. The invention also provides library of primers with desirable characteristics, such as minimal formation of amplified primer dimers or other non-target amplicons.

Abstract: A vertical door latch assembly includes a housing and a bolt movably attached to the housing having a catch portion. A drive motor is located within the housing and is configured to selectively move a lock assembly between a locked position preventing movement of the bolt and an unlocked position allowing movement of the bolt. A controller is in electrical communication with the drive motor and is configured to direct the actuator lock assembly between the locked position and the unlocked position. A force sensor is in electrical communication with the controller configured to measured when a force exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An example of a jam-resistant key container comprises a body configured to be disposed within a housing of a lockbox, the body including a first surface, a second surface, a third surface and fourth surface; a key compartment formed in a portion of the third surface, where the key compartment is configured to receive a key, a movable lid coupled to the third surface at a position adjacent to the key compartment, where the movable lid is configured to move between a first position where the movable lid covers the key compartment and a second position where the movable lid exposes the key compartment; and a mating recess formed in a portion of the fourth surface, where the mating recess includes latches that are configured to mate with components of a locking assembly of the lockbox when the jam-resistant key container is disposed in the housing of the lockbox.

Abstract: A vertical door latch assembly includes a housing and a bolt movably attached to the housing having a catch portion. A drive motor is located within the housing and is configured to selectively move a lock assembly between a locked position preventing movement of the bolt and an unlocked position allowing movement of the bolt. A battery assembly is removable from the housing when the lock assembly is in first position and fixed to the housing when the lock assembly is in a second position. A controller is in electrical communication with the drive motor and is configured to direct the actuator lock assembly between the locked position and the unlocked position.

Abstract: A robotic torso for a humanoid robot includes a first torso member having an axial axis aligned with a reference axis and a second torso member having at least one mounting portion for at least one humanoid component. The robotic torso includes a series of actuators arranged in a column between the first torso member and the second torso member and coupling the first torso member to the second torso member. Each of the actuators has a rotatable member defining a rotational axis. The rotational axes of each adjacent pair of actuators in the series of actuators are orthogonal to each other.

Abstract: Methods for non-invasive prenatal paternity testing are disclosed herein. The method uses genetic measurements made on plasma taken from a pregnant mother, along with genetic measurements of the alleged father, and genetic measurements of the mother, to determine whether or not the alleged father is the biological father of the fetus. This is accomplished by way of an informatics based method that can compare the genetic fingerprint of the fetal DNA found in maternal plasma to the genetic fingerprint of the alleged father.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for simultaneously amplifying multiple nucleic acid regions of interest in one reaction volume as well as methods for selecting a library of primers for use in such amplification methods. The invention also provides library of primers with desirable characteristics, such as minimal formation of amplified primer dimers or other non-target amplicons.

Abstract: A system for “tagging” funds identified on a blockchain and associating a weight value therewith. The tagging profile is developed into a propagation profile wherein weight values are inherited from the tagging profile s. Propagation profile funds may be diluted by combining with non-tagged funds, similar to how ink dilutes through water. A spending history of funds of interest is developed based on replaying the funds of interest against the global transaction history of the blockchain. It is determined whether the spending history intersects with the propagation profile, thus determining how closely the two sources of funds are economically to one another. Intersection triggers actions including alert notifications or transfer of funds on the blockchain.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for simultaneously amplifying multiple nucleic acid regions of interest in one reaction volume as well as methods for selecting a library of primers for use in such amplification methods. The invention also provides library of primers with desirable characteristics, such as minimal formation of amplified primer dimers or other non-target amplicons.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes an end effector with an ultrasonic blade, a shaft assembly, and a body assembly. The shaft assembly has an articulation section, an acoustic waveguide with a flexible waveguide portion, an articulation band configured to drive articulation of the articulation section between a straight configuration and an articulated configuration, and a pin distal to the articulation section and configured to constrain a distal waveguide portion to the end effector. The body assembly has a housing, a transducer assembly, and a compensator operatively connected to the articulation band and the acoustic waveguide. The compensator is configured to longitudinally urge the acoustic waveguide to thereby pivot the ultrasonic blade about the pin for alignment relative to another portion of the end effector.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for determining the ploidy status of a chromosome in a gestating fetus from genotypic data measured from a mixed sample of DNA comprising DNA from both the mother of the fetus and from the fetus, and optionally from genotypic data from the mother and father. The ploidy state is determined by using a joint distribution model to create a plurality of expected allele distributions for different possible fetal ploidy states given the parental genotypic data, and comparing the expected allelic distributions to the pattern of measured allelic distributions measured in the mixed sample, and choosing the ploidy state whose expected allelic distribution pattern most closely matches the observed allelic distribution pattern. The mixed sample of DNA may be preferentially enriched at a plurality of polymorphic loci in a way that minimizes the allelic bias, for example using massively multiplexed targeted PCR.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for determining the ploidy status of a chromosome in a gestating fetus from genotypic data measured from a mixed sample of DNA comprising DNA from both the mother of the fetus and from the fetus, and optionally from genotypic data from the mother and father. The ploidy state is determined by using a joint distribution model to create a plurality of expected allele distributions for different possible fetal ploidy states given the parental genotypic data, and comparing the expected allelic distributions to the pattern of measured allelic distributions measured in the mixed sample, and choosing the ploidy state whose expected allelic distribution pattern most closely matches the observed allelic distribution pattern. The mixed sample of DNA may be preferentially enriched at a plurality of polymorphic loci in a way that minimizes the allelic bias, for example using massively multiplexed targeted PCR.

Abstract: A vertical door latch assembly includes a housing and a bolt movably attached to the housing having a catch portion. A drive motor is located within the housing and is configured to selectively move a lock assembly between a locked position preventing movement of the bolt and an unlocked position allowing movement of the bolt. A controller is in electrical communication with the drive motor and is configured to direct the actuator lock assembly between the locked position and the unlocked position.