Abstract: A device is presented that includes a chip having a plurality of wells that are optionally connected by capillary channels, and a manifold member configured to be disposed over the chip for equalizing pressure over the wells and capillary channels.

Abstract: A device is presented that includes a chip having a plurality of wells that are optionally connected by capillary channels, and a manifold member configured to be disposed over the chip for equalizing pressure over the wells and capillary channels.

Abstract: Apparatus and processes for the production of a sulfur dioxide-containing combustion gas are provided in which a sulfur-containing liquid is pneumatically atomized with a sulfur gun or lance that utilizes an atomizing gas to form an atomized combustion mixture for combustion in a sulfur furnace. The sulfur dioxide-containing combustion gas may be used in the manufacture of sulfuric acid by the contact process.

Abstract: Apparatus and processes for the production of a sulfur dioxide-containing combustion gas are provided in which a sulfur-containing liquid is pneumatically atomized with a sulfur gun or lance that utilizes an atomizing gas to form an atomized combustion mixture for combustion in a sulfur furnace. The sulfur dioxide-containing combustion gas may be used in the manufacture of sulfuric acid by the contact process.

Abstract: System and method for enhancing cognition using continuous performance with multiple stimulus streams. A target correspondence is presented. A continuous sequence of stimulus groups is presented one stimulus group at a time, where each stimulus group includes at least two stimuli, and where each stimulus group is presented for a specified duration, and separated by a specified inter-stimulus-interval (ISI). For each stimulus group in the sequence: the subject is required to respond to the group, indicating when all the stimuli in the group correspond in accordance with the target correspondence, and refraining from indicating when the stimuli do not correspond, correctness/incorrectness of the response is determined, and the duration and/or the ISI adjusted accordingly, using an adaptive procedure, e.g., a continuous performance maximum likelihood procedure.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for enhancing cognition, e.g., for improving cognitive ability and memory of a subject using continuous performance with respect to a stimulus stream. A target descriptor is presented to the subject after which, a continuous sequence of stimulus groups from a stimulus set is presented one stimulus at a time, each stimulus presented for a specified duration, and separated by a specified inter-stimulus-interval (ISI). For each stimulus in the sequence: the subject is required to respond to the stimulus, indicating when the stimulus corresponds to the target descriptor, and the duration and/or the ISI adjusted accordingly, using an adaptive procedure. The presenting the target descriptor(s), presenting the continuous sequence, and requiring/determining/adjusting for each stimulus, are repeated iteratively to improve the cognition of the subject.

Abstract: System and method for enhancing cognition using continuous performance with respect to one or more stimulus streams. At least one target attribute is presented to the subject after which a continuous sequence of stimulus groups from a stimulus set is presented one stimulus group at a time, each group including one or more stimuli, presented for a specified duration, and separated by a specified inter-stimulus-interval (ISI). For each stimulus group in the sequence: the subject is required to respond to the group, indicating when all the stimuli in the group correspond to the target attribute(s); correctness/incorrectness of the response is determined, and the duration and/or the ISI adjusted based on the determining using an adaptive procedure, e.g., a continuous performance maximum likelihood procedure. The presenting the target attribute(s), presenting the continuous sequence, and requiring/determining/adjusting for each group, are repeated iteratively to improve the cognition of the subject.

Abstract: Computer-implemented method for enhancing cognitive ability of a participant using guided eye movements. Multiple graphical elements are provided for visual presentation to the participant, each having a value. A temporal sequence of at least two of the graphical elements are visually presented at a specified stimulus intensity, e.g., duration or presentation time, including displaying the value of each graphical element at a respective position in a visual field for a specified duration, then ceasing to display the value. The participant is required to respond to the displayed values. A determination is made as to whether the participant responded correctly, and the stimulus intensity modified in response, e.g., using a maximum likelihood procedure. The visually presenting, requiring, determining, and modifying are repeated in an iterative manner to improve the participant's cognitive skills. Periodically, assessments of the participant's progress are performed, e.g., using the maximum likelihood procedure.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for enhancing cognition, e.g., for improving cognitive ability of a participant using visual stimuli. A set (or sets) of visual stimuli is provided for visual presentation to the participant. A visual stimulus from the set is visually presented to the participant. The participant is required to respond to the visual stimulus. A determination is made regarding whether the participant responded correctly. The stimulus intensity of the visual stimuli presented may be adjusted based on the correctness/incorrectness of the participant's response according to a single-stair maximum likelihood (e.g., ZEST) or N-up/M-down procedure. The visually presenting, requiring, and determining are repeated one or more times in an iterative manner to improve the participant's cognition, e.g., ability to process visual information, memory, etc. Assessments may be performed during the repeating according to a dual-stair maximum likelihood (e.g., ZEST) or N-up/M-down procedure.

Abstract: A method on a computing device is provided for assessing a stimulus threshold of an older adult by requiring the adult to differentiate between rapidly presented stimuli. The method trains the time order judgment of the adult by presenting upward and downward frequency sweeps, in random order, separated by an inter-stimulus interval (ISI). Icons associated with the upward and downward frequency sweeps allow the adult to indicate an order in which the frequency sweeps are presented (i.e., UP-UP, UP-DOWN, DOWN-UP, and DOWN-DOWN). Correct/incorrect selection of an order causes the inter-stimulus interval and/or the duration of the frequency sweeps to be adaptively reduced/increased, using a maximum likelihood procedure, such as ZEST or QUEST, where two tracks, each with a respective duration and ISI, are adjusted until their values substantially converge, or a specified number of trials is performed. The threshold is determined by averaging the final values of the two tracks.

Abstract: A method on a computing device for determining a psychophysical threshold regarding an aging adult's ability to temporarily store and retrieve an order of the syllables by requiring the adult to listen to two or more aurally processed syllables, presented serially, view the syllables graphically, and designate the order in which the syllables were presented. Two tracks are initialized to respective stage values, each corresponding to attributes of the presented syllables. A number of trials are performed according to each of the two tracks. As the adult attempts to determine the syllable order in trials, correct/incorrect selection of an order causes the stage value of a track to be adaptively reduced/increased, using a maximum likelihood procedure, e.g., ZEST, where the two tracks are adjusted until their values substantially converge, or a specified number of trials is performed. The final stage values of the tracks are averaged to determine the threshold.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is described for assessing an aging adult's ability to integrate visual-spatial and auditory memory by requiring the adult to spatially match pairs of graphically presented response buttons that are associated with aurally presented stimuli which is processed by a computing device. The adult is presented with a grid of response buttons, each associated with an aural stimulus. When the adult selects a response button, its aural stimulus is presented. The adult is required to consecutively select a response button having the same aural stimulus. As the adult sequentially selects response buttons having the same aural stimuli, the button pair is removed. First assessment trials are performed for a first plurality of grids, training trials are performed for a second plurality of grids, then second assessment trials performed for the first plurality of grids. The adult's performances in the two assessments are compared to determine the adult's improvement.

Abstract: Computer-implemented method for determining a threshold regarding an aging adult's ability to remember and perform sequences of auditory instructions. A stage specifies a set of stimulus attributes. First and second tracks are respectively initialized to stage values below and above an initial anticipated threshold specifying an initial estimate of stimulus attributes corresponding to a specified performance level of the adult. A sequence of auditory instructions is presented indicating respective manipulations of graphical objects in accordance with the stage value of a specified one of either the first or second track. Input manipulating the graphical objects is received from the adult, and the stage value of the track modified in response. This is performed with respect to each of a plurality of sequences to determine final stage values for the tracks, and a threshold comprising the stage value associated with the specified performance level determined based on the final stage values.