Abstract: The invention discloses a method for determining a nucleotide sequence of a nucleic acid segment present in a biological sample, comprising the steps of: a) generating a fluorescent image of the sample by a protocol comprising immunofluorescence detection of at least five different target proteins in the sample; b) selecting a region of interest of the sample by comparing the image to a predetermined criterion; c) removing a subsample from the region of interest, and; d) determining a nucleotide sequence of a nucleic acid segment present in the subsample.

Abstract: A method includes providing a biological sample, providing a sample collection device, wherein the sample collection device includes a sample binding surface including a photodegradable polymer configured to bind the biological sample, contacting the biological sample with the sample binding surface of the sample collection device, and irradiating the sample binding surface and the bound biological sample using light emitted from a light source to initiate degradation of the photodegradable polymer of the sample binding surface to cause release of the biological sample.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and kits for isothermal nucleic acid amplifications that use a target nucleic acid template; a reaction mixture comprising a DNA polymerase having a strand displacement activity, a deoxyribonucleoside triphosphate (dNTP) mixture, a primer with a 3? end and a 5? end, a molecular crowding reagent, and a buffer solution for amplifying the target nucleic acid template. The buffer solution maintains a low salt concentration of the reaction mixture, and wherein the salt concentration results in a melting temperature (Tm) of the primer at least 10° C. below the reaction temperature. The amplification is effected under isothermal condition.

Abstract: A well treatment additive includes a siloxane surfactant, a solvent and an aqueous phase. The solvent is preferably a terpene hydrocarbon. Also disclosed is a method for using the well treatment additive to form and enhance the properties of terpene solvent based additives useful for the treatment of oil and gas wells. Methods of using the novel well treatment additives include using the additives in a variety of well treatment processes including, but not limited to, acidizing operations, hydraulic fracturing operations, well remediation operations and water removal operations.

Abstract: In connection with a ground transportation vehicle light head (86) powered by a battery-based voltage source (20) supplying positive (76) and reference (i.e., ground) (78) voltages that define a voltage difference (22) applied across a number of multiple series-connected high-power light-emitting diodes (HP LEDs) (12) and current regulator circuitry (80) electrically connected to them, ultra-low dropout circuit techniques are disclosed for increasing a portion of the voltage difference available from the battery-based voltage source to forward bias and thereby maximize the number of the multiple series-connected HP LEDs emitting light by maintaining a low voltage drop (82) across the current regulator circuitry.

Abstract: A system for extracting material from a region of interest includes a fluid delivery base comprising an inlet channel and an outlet channel formed within the fluid delivery base, a gasket affixed to the fluid delivery base, wherein the gasket comprises at least one opening exposing an open end of the inlet channel and an open end of the outlet channel; a support comprising a sample-supporting surface facing the gasket and an opposing surface; and an alignment member coupled to the opposing surface in a fixed position and such that the support is positioned between the fluid delivery base and the alignment member, wherein one or both of the alignment member or the fluid delivery base are biased towards one another by a force (e.g., a magnet or spring force) and wherein the fluid delivery base is separable from the support and configured to move along a plane of the sample-supporting surface to align with the alignment member.

Abstract: In connection with a ground transportation vehicle light head (86) powered by a battery-based voltage source (20) supplying positive (76) and reference (i.e., ground) (78) voltages that define a voltage difference (22) applied across a number of multiple series-connected high-power light-emitting diodes (HP LEDs) (12) and current regulator circuitry (80) electrically connected to them, ultra-low dropout circuit techniques are disclosed for increasing a portion of the voltage difference available from the battery-based voltage source to forward bias and thereby maximize the number of the multiple series-connected HP LEDs emitting light by maintaining a low voltage drop (82) across the current regulator circuitry.

Abstract: A method is provided herein, the method includes: applying a sample comprising target nucleic acids to a sample application zone of a substrate; and flowing a nucleic acid amplification reaction mixture across a length of the substrate through the sample application zone to amplify the target nucleic acid forming a nucleic acid amplification product; wherein the target nucleic acid having a first molecular weight is substantially immobilized at the sample application zone and wherein the amplification product having a second molecular weight migrates away from the sample application zone. An associated device is also provided.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and kits for isothermal nucleic acid amplifications that use a target nucleic acid template; a reaction mixture comprising a DNA polymerase having a strand displacement activity, a deoxyribonucleoside triphosphate (dNTP) mixture, a primer with a 3? end and a 5? end, a molecular crowding reagent, and a buffer solution for amplifying the target nucleic acid template. The buffer solution maintains a low salt concentration of the reaction mixture, and wherein the salt concentration results in a melting temperature (Tm) of the primer at least 10° C. below the reaction temperature. The amplification is effected under isothermal condition.

Abstract: A furniture assembly is disclosed that includes an article of furniture, two or more implements and an implement interlock system. The article of furniture includes at least one panel defining an implement-receiving cavity. The two or more implements are slidably-disposed within the implement-receiving cavity of the article of furniture. The implement interlock system includes: two or more cable guides attached to the at least one panel; a cable engagement device attached to each implement of the two or more implements; and a cable tensioning device, including a cable, attached to the at least one panel. A portion of a length of the cable extends through the two or more cable guides and is selectively-hooked by the cable engagement device attached to each implement of the two or more implements. An implement interlock system and a cable guide also are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for in vivo RNA or protein expression is provided. The method includes introducing a double-stranded concatemeric DNA into a eukaryotic cell to generate a desired RNA or protein. The double-stranded concatemeric DNA includes a plurality of tandem repeat sequences, wherein each of the plurality of tandem repeat sequences comprises an expression sequence. The double-stranded concatemeric DNA comprises one or more phosphorothioated nucleotides, wherein a ratio of phosphorothioated nucleotides to total nucleotides in the double-stranded concatemeric DNA is at least 1:1600. A eukaryotic cell comprising an exogeneous, double-stranded concatemeric DNA comprising the plurality of tandem repeat sequences is also provided.

Abstract: The multifunctional device has slide and ladder portions easily connectable for use together as a self-supporting unit, and easily detachable for use separately on other equipment or for compact storage or transport. When set-up for use as a self-supporting unit, the ladder and slide portions are hooked together by a double-hook/double-axle connection system that does not allow the angle between the ladder and slide to change any significant amount during normal use of the set-up device. Yet, quick disconnection may be done when the weight of the user is removed, by purposely lifting and pivoting the portions, and then unhooking their top ends from each other. When disconnected from each other, the ladder and/or the slide portion (and preferably both) may be connected/hooked to another object(s), for example, a trampoline or a play equipment platform or other specially-adapted elevated structure, for climbing up to, and sliding down from, said trampoline/platform.

Abstract: A device for rapid detection of a tuberculosis lipoarabinomannan (TB-LAM) is provided. The device includes a pre-concentrator unit for concentrating the TB-LAM comprising: an ion-exchange medium comprising one or more ligands configured to capture the TB-LAM from the source biological sample, wherein the captured-TB-LAM is eluted from the ion-exchange medium as an eluate comprising a concentrated form of TB-LAM; a cassette; a lateral flow assay unit disposed in the cassette; and an integration unit attached to the pre-concentrator unit and the cassette. The integration unit is configured to operatively couple and de-couple the pre-concentrator unit and the cassette. The pre-concentrator unit and the lateral flow assay unit disposed in the cassette are in a fluidic communication in a coupled form. The device for rapid detection of TB-LAM further comprises a dilutor unit.

Abstract: A rapid detection method of a target biomolecule comprising an antigenic moiety is provided. The method includes providing a source biological sample comprising the target biomolecule; contacting the source biological sample to an ion-exchange medium; eluting the captured-target biomolecule from the ion-exchange medium as an eluate, and loading the eluate to a rapid diagnostic testing device comprising an antibody. The eluate comprises a concentrated form of the biomolecule in a solution having a salt concentration greater than 150 mM. A concentration of the target biomolecule in the eluate is in a range from about 2× to 25× compared to a concentration of the biomolecule in the source biological sample. The target biomolecule binds to the antibody under the salt concentration of greater than 150 mM. A device for rapid detection of target biomolecule is also provided.

Abstract: An electrospinning approach is disclosed for generating a dissolvable formulation of a reagent of interest in a nanoscale fiber medium. In one embodiment, the nanoscale fibers can incorporate and stabilize biological agents of interest, such as for storage at room temperature for extended periods. In one implementation, the fibers can be produced in a continuous manner and dissolve rapidly.

Abstract: Most spinal cord therapies are administered systemically, with only a small portion of the therapeutic reaching the spinal cord. A novel method for delivering therapeutics directly to the spinal cord is provided. The method uses a dual balloon catheter to isolate the microvasculature around a region of the spinal cord. Once isolated, one or more therapeutics are delivered directly to the spinal cord blood supply. This allows for smaller, safer therapeutic dose to be utilized.

Abstract: A method for in vivo RNA or protein expression is provided. The method includes introducing a double-stranded concatemeric DNA into a eukaryotic cell to generate a desired RNA or protein. The double-stranded concatemeric DNA includes a plurality of tandem repeat sequences, wherein each of the plurality of tandem repeat sequences comprises an expression sequence. The double-stranded concatemeric DNA comprises one or more phosphorothioated nucleotides, wherein a ratio of phosphorothioated nucleotides to total nucleotides in the double-stranded concatemeric DNA is at least 1:1600. A eukaryotic cell comprising an exogeneous, double-stranded concatemeric DNA comprising the plurality of tandem repeat sequences is also provided.

Abstract: A furniture assembly is disclosed that includes an article of furniture, two or more implements and an implement interlock system. The article of furniture includes at least one panel defining an implement-receiving cavity. The two or more implements are slidably-disposed within the implement-receiving cavity of the article of furniture. The implement interlock system includes: two or more cable guides attached to the at least one panel; a cable engagement device attached to each implement of the two or more implements; and a cable tensioning device, including a cable, attached to the at least one panel. A portion of a length of the cable extends through the two or more cable guides and is selectively-hooked by the cable engagement device attached to each implement of the two or more implements. An implement interlock system and a cable guide also are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for in vitro transcription and translation from an RCA product are provided. The methods comprise providing a double-stranded RCA product, wherein the double-stranded RCA product consists essentially of tandem repeats of a minimalistic expression sequence. The methods further comprise expressing a protein from the double-stranded RCA product in a cell-free expression system.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and kits for endonuclease-assisted DNA amplification reaction using decontaminated primer solutions that are pre-treated with a nuclease. Nucleic acid amplification assays that employ nuclease-resistant, inosine-containing primers, endonuclease V enzymes to introduce a nick into a target DNA comprising at least one inosine, and a DNA polymerase to generate amplicons of a target DNA are also disclosed.