Abstract: Embodiments of a system and/or method can include: a set of weight sensor subsystems associated with the set of users, wherein a weight sensor subsystem of the set of weight sensor subsystems comprises a weight sensor operable to collect a weight dataset for a user, wherein the weight dataset is associated with a physical activity characteristic of the user, and a wireless communication module operable to transmit the weight dataset; and a medical improvement subsystem wirelessly connectable to the set of weight sensor subsystems, wherein the medical improvement subsystem is operable to: assign the user to a user subgroup based on the physical activity characteristic of the user; determine a physical activity metric based on the weight dataset; and promote a therapeutic intervention to the user based on the physical activity metric, where the therapeutic intervention is operable to improve the status of the first user.

Abstract: A rack for holding samples and various reagents, wherein the rack may be used for loading the samples and reagents prior to using the reagents. The rack accepts complementary reagent holders, each of which contain a set of reagents for carrying out a predetermined processing operation, such as preparing biological samples for amplifying and detecting polynucleotides extracted from the samples.

Abstract: A rack for holding samples and various reagents, wherein the rack may be used for loading the samples and reagents prior to using the reagents. The rack accepts complementary reagent holders, each of which contain a set of reagents for carrying out a predetermined processing operation, such as preparing biological samples for amplifying and detecting polynucleotides extracted from the samples.

Abstract: A system and method of manufacture for the system, comprising a set of heater-sensor dies, each heater-sensor die comprising an assembly including a first insulating layer, a heating region comprising an adhesion material layer coupled to the first insulating layer and a noble material layer, and a second insulating layer coupled to the heating region and to the first insulating layer through a pattern of voids in the heating region, wherein the pattern of voids in heating region defines a coarse pattern associated with a heating element of the heating region and a fine pattern, integrated into the coarse pattern and associated with a sensing element of the heating region; an electronics substrate configured to couple heating elements and sensing elements of the set of heater-sensor dies to a controller; and a set of elastic elements configured to bias each of the set of heater-sensor dies against a detection chamber.

Abstract: A system for thermocycling biological samples within detection chambers comprising: a set of heater-sensor dies, each heater-sensor die comprising a heating surface configured to interface with a detection chamber and a second surface, inferior to the heating surface, including a first connection point; an electronics substrate, comprising a first substrate surface coupled to the second surface of each heater-sensor die, an aperture providing access through the electronics substrate to at least one heater-sensor die, and a second substrate surface inferior to the first substrate surface, wherein the electronics substrate comprises a set of substrate connection points at least at one of the first substrate surface, an aperture surface defined within the aperture, and the second substrate surface, and wherein the electronics substrate is configured to couple heating elements and sensing elements of the set of heater-sensor dies to a controller; and a set of wire bonds, including a wire bond coupled between the

Abstract: A rack for holding samples and various reagents, wherein the rack may be used for loading the samples and reagents prior to using the reagents. The rack accepts complementary reagent holders, each of which contain a set of reagents for carrying out a predetermined processing operation, such as preparing biological samples for amplifying and detecting polynucleotides extracted from the samples.

Abstract: A system and method of manufacture for the system, comprising a set of heater-sensor dies, each heater-sensor die comprising an assembly including a first insulating layer, a heating region comprising an adhesion material layer coupled to the first insulating layer and a noble material layer, and a second insulating layer coupled to the heating region and to the first insulating layer through a pattern of voids in the heating region, wherein the pattern of voids in heating region defines a coarse pattern associated with a heating element of the heating region and a fine pattern, integrated into the coarse pattern and associated with a sensing element of the heating region; an electronics substrate configured to couple heating elements and sensing elements of the set of heater-sensor dies to a controller; and a set of elastic elements configured to bias each of the set of heater-sensor dies against a detection chamber.

Abstract: A system for thermocycling biological samples within detection chambers comprising: a set of heater-sensor dies, each heater-sensor die comprising a heating surface configured to interface with a detection chamber and a second surface, inferior to the heating surface, including a first connection point; an electronics substrate, comprising a first substrate surface coupled to the second surface of each heater-sensor die, an aperture providing access through the electronics substrate to at least one heater-sensor die, and a second substrate surface inferior to the first substrate surface, wherein the electronics substrate comprises a set of substrate connection points at least at one of the first substrate surface, an aperture surface defined within the aperture, and the second substrate surface, and wherein the electronics substrate is configured to couple heating elements and sensing elements of the set of heater-sensor dies to a controller; and a set of wire bonds, including a wire bond coupled between the

Abstract: Femoral heads, mobile inserts, acetabular components, and modular junctions for orthopedic implants, e.g., hip replacement implants, and methods of using femoral heads, mobile inserts, acetabular components, and modular junctions for orthopedic implants are provided. Prosthetic femoral heads, mobile inserts, and acetabular components are provided that can alleviate soft tissue impingement, reduce implant wear, and/or reduce frictional torque. Modular junctions are provided that can minimize the incidence of loosening and micromotion that can occur at modular junctions of orthopedic implants.

Abstract: A rack for holding samples and various reagents, wherein the rack may be used for loading the samples and reagents prior to using the reagents. The rack accepts complementary reagent holders, each of which contain a set of reagents for carrying out a predetermined processing operation, such as preparing biological samples for amplifying and detecting polynucleotides extracted from the samples.

Abstract: Methods for preparing paintings containing an additional substance such as a substance selected from a nucleic acid, sand, soil, metal, cremated ash, ceramics, and plant tissue are described herein. The methods include applying paint comprising the additional subsance to a surface. The paintings may comprise an image that is visible under fluorescent light and contains that additional substance that is prepared by applying paint comprising the additional substance and at least one fluorescent compound to a surface to form the image. The additional substance and optionally the fluorescent compound may be encapsulated in a non-erodible polymer.

Abstract: Embodiments of a system and/or method can include: a set of weight sensor subsystems associated with the set of users, wherein a weight sensor subsystem of the set of weight sensor subsystems comprises a weight sensor operable to collect a weight dataset for a user, wherein the weight dataset is associated with a physical activity characteristic of the user, and a wireless communication module operable to transmit the weight dataset; and a medical improvement subsystem wirelessly connectable to the set of weight sensor subsystems, wherein the medical improvement subsystem is operable to: assign the user to a user subgroup based on the physical activity characteristic of the user; determine a physical activity metric based on the weight dataset; and promote a therapeutic intervention to the user based on the physical activity metric, where the therapeutic intervention is operable to improve the status of the first user.

Abstract: Compositions for delivering materials, such as a biological material, sand, soil, metal, water, sea water, holy water, synthetic or biological polymers, cremated ash, ceramics, animal or plant tissue, or another physiologically compatible component having personal significance to an individual are described herein. The material(s) are encapsulated in an inert, non-bioerodible, hydrophobic, polymeric material. Methods of making microparticles encapsulating the personalizing substance and methods of use are also provided, The personalizing substance may be encapsulated in a polymeric non-bioerodible microparticle. The encapsulated personalizing substance may be combined with a carrier for delivery to an individual's skin. In some embodiments, the personalizing substance is added to a tattoo ink and incorporated in a tattoo created on an individual's skin. Following injection in the skin, the encapsulated material remains in the microparticles, and is not released over time.

Abstract: Compositions for delivering materials, such as a biological material, sand, soil, metal, water, sea water, holy water, synthetic or biological polymers, cremated ash, ceramics, animal or plant tissue, or another physiologically compatible component having personal significance to an individual are described herein. The material(s) are encapsulated in an inert, non-bioerodible, hydrophobic, polymeric material. Methods of making microparticles encapsulating the personalizing substance and methods of use are also provided. The personalizing substance may be encapsulated in a polymeric non-bioerodible microparticle. The encapsulated personalizing substance may be combined with a carrier for delivery to an individual's skin. In some embodiments, the personalizing substance is added to a tattoo ink and incorporated in a tattoo created on an individual's skin. Following injection in the skin, the encapsulated material remains in the microparticles, and is not released over time.

Abstract: Compositions for delivering materials, such as a biological material, sand, soil, metal, water, sea water, holy water, synthetic or biological polymers, cremated ash, ceramics, animal or plant tissue, or another physiologically compatible component having personal significance to an individual are described herein. The material(s) are encapsulated in an inert, non-bioerodible, hydrophobic, polymeric material. Methods of making microparticles encapsulating the personalizing substance and methods of use are also provided. The personalizing substance may be encapsulated in a polymeric non-bioerodible microparticle. The encapsulated personalizing substance may be combined with a carrier for delivery to an individual's skin. In some embodiments, the personalizing substance is added to a tattoo ink and incorporated in a tattoo created on an individual's skin. Following injection in the skin, the encapsulated material remains in the microparticles, and is not released over time.

Abstract: Femoral heads, mobile inserts, acetabular components, and modular junctions for orthopedic implants, e.g., hip replacement implants, and methods of using femoral heads, mobile inserts, acetabular components, and modular junctions for orthopedic implants are provided. Prosthetic femoral heads, mobile inserts, and acetabular components are provided that can alleviate soft tissue impingement, reduce implant wear, and/or reduce frictional torque. Modular junctions are provided that can minimize the incidence of loosening and micromotion that can occur at modular junctions of orthopedic implants.

Abstract: Compositions for delivering materials, such as a biological material, sand, soil, metal, water, sea water, holy water, synthetic or biological polymers, cremated ash, ceramics, animal or plant tissue, or another physiologically compatible component having personal significance to an individual are described herein. The material(s) are encapsulated in an inert, non-bioerodible, hydrophobic, polymeric material. Methods of making microparticles encapsulating the personalizing substance and methods of use are also provided. The personalizing substance may be encapsulated in a polymeric non-bioerodible microparticle. The encapsulated personalizing substance may be combined with a carrier for delivery to an individual's skin. In some embodiments, the personalizing substance is added to a tattoo ink and incorporated in a tattoo created on an individual's skin. Following injection in the skin, the encapsulated material remains in the microparticles, and is not released over time.

Abstract: A system for thermocycling biological samples within detection chambers comprising: a set of heater-sensor dies, each heater-sensor die comprising a heating surface configured to interface with a detection chamber and a second surface, inferior to the heating surface, including a first connection point; an electronics substrate, comprising a first substrate surface coupled to the second surface of each heater-sensor die, an aperture providing access through the electronics substrate to at least one heater-sensor die, and a second substrate surface inferior to the first substrate surface, wherein the electronics substrate comprises a set of substrate connection points at least at one of the first substrate surface, an aperture surface defined within the aperture, and the second substrate surface, and wherein the electronics substrate is configured to couple heating elements and sensing elements of the set of heater-sensor dies to a controller; and a set of wire bonds, including a wire bond coupled between the

Abstract: A system and method of manufacture for the system, comprising a set of heater-sensor dies, each heater-sensor die comprising an assembly including a first insulating layer, a heating region comprising an adhesion material layer coupled to the first insulating layer and a noble material layer, and a second insulating layer coupled to the heating region and to the first insulating layer through a pattern of voids in the heating region, wherein the pattern of voids in heating region defines a coarse pattern associated with a heating element of the heating region and a fine pattern, integrated into the coarse pattern and associated with a sensing element of the heating region; an electronics substrate configured to couple heating elements and sensing elements of the set of heater-sensor dies to a controller; and a set of elastic elements configured to bias each of the set of heater-sensor dies against a detection chamber.