Abstract: The invention includes a device for inserting a medicament within a body cavity of a mammal, and a cartridge for containing the medicament within the device, where the cartridge includes a housing, a retractable chamber for containing medicament disposed within the housing, and a substantially stationary member disposed within the barrel of the retractable chamber, where upon activation of the device, the retractable chamber is retracted about the substantially stationary member, thereby depositing medicament within the body cavity.

Abstract: An electric-motor arrangement for a medical, in particular dental, handpiece that has a motor housing and a rotor which is arranged in the motor housing so that it can be rotated about an axis via a first bearing and a second bearing. A stator is arranged around the rotor in relation to the axis. The first bearing is received in a first bearing flange, and the second bearing is received in a second bearing flange. Both bearing flanges are composed of metal and adjoin the motor housing directly by way of their circumferential faces. As a result, running noise and vibrations can be reduced. Moreover, premature wear and/or failure can be prevented.

Abstract: A button for an implant healing abutment includes a button body coupled to an implant healing abutment; and a pressing part projecting sideward from the button body, wherein the pressing part covers, fixes and heals an incised gingival flap including attached gingiva. An implant healing abutment having a pressing part includes an implant healing abutment joined to an implant fixture; and a pressing part projecting sideward from the implant healing abutment, wherein the pressing part covers, fixes and heals an incised gingival flap including attached gingiva.

Abstract: A dental implant system including a dental implant with a micro-pattern surface treatment and an abutment with a micro-pattern surface treatment. The abutment cooperatively engages the dental implant during use.

Abstract: A device and method for forming a texture on a surface of a hard material. Spatial patterns, such as an array of microbeams, are delivered to the tissue through the handpiece. The plurality of microbeams illuminate and ablate the hard material simultaneously. Each of the microbeams has of a sufficient fluence and pulse width to ablate the surface of the hard material and form the texture. Alternatively, one microbeam of a sufficient fluence and pulse width to ablate the surface of the hard material and form the texture is scanned over the surface either manually or in an automatic fashion.

Abstract: A method for identifying nutritional data related to food substances contained in a multimedia content item is provided. The method includes analyzing a received multimedia content item to identify multimedia elements containing food substance; generating at least one signature for each identified multimedia element; querying a deep-content-classification (DCC) system for each of the identified multimedia elements to find at least one concept that matches at least one of the identified multimedia elements; matching the at least one signature of each of the at least one matching concepts to previously generated signatures of food substances maintained in a data warehouse; retrieving, for each of the at least one matching signature, nutritional data associated with the at least one matching signature from the data warehouse, thereby providing nutritional data for the food substances substance contained in the received multimedia content item; and sending the nutritional data to the user device.

Abstract: An error detection system for automatically evaluating writing includes: an example construction apparatus to collect example sentences including various literary styles, to break up the collected example sentences in units of morphemes, and to construct the example sentences in an example-based index database (DB); and an error detection apparatus to break up an input sentence in units of morphemes, to generate one or more morpheme sequences bound in arbitrary window sizes based on one or more of morphemes of the broken-up input sentence, to search the example-based index DB for each of the generated morpheme sequences, and to detect an error according to a frequency at which said each morpheme is arranged in a corresponding morpheme sequence among morpheme sequences searched for through the example-based index DB.

Abstract: A system and method for providing an educational grade-level based word game that incorporates kinesthetic, tactile, and auditory learning styles for use in teaching children and other learners how to spell in an entertaining manner. The game correlates grade appropriate words to the common core language arts standards. The game may be portable and uses direct social interaction between real people. The game can incorporate a foreign language as well as sign language. The physical game set may include, but is not limited to, playing cards, one regular numbered game die, one six-sided graphical cube, and a kinesthetic implement, such as an elastic rope or a bouncy ball.

Abstract: A system for solving problems in mathematics, natural science, engineering and like disciplines, online or on a computing device. The system includes an interface which employs a declarative approach to solution representation. The interface allows users such as students to enter their solutions by declaring main steps of a solution (in various modes and levels of detail). The interface provides a list from which a student selects an appropriate action and fills out the details of the computations related to the action. The system helps students learn the process of solving problems by teaching them how to divide solutions into logical steps.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided to effectively determine the attentional focus of each of a plurality of individuals, such as the members of a group. In the context of a method, information is received identifying an attentional focus of each of a plurality of individuals. The method also includes determining, with a processor, a relationship between a threshold and a number of individuals with an attentional focus having a predefined association with a location. Further, the method includes causing an action to be performed based upon the relationship.

Abstract: An apparatus for the learning emotion of a robot includes an internal state calculation unit for detecting external environment information and calculating an internal state vector value for one point of an internal state coordinate system; an emotion decision processing unit for generating an emotion value within each emotion value group, indicated by the coordinates of the internal state input value of the robot on the coordinate system, as an emotion of the robot; a behavior generation unit for deciding the behavior of the robot based on the decided motion value and making an emotional expression; and an emotion learning unit for generating feedback information on the emotion value, corresponding to one point of the coordinate system, based on the decided emotion value and information on the type of emotion from a user input unit and changing an emotion probability distribution of the coordinate system using the feedback information.

Abstract: A method for providing ongoing motivation to users who are attempting completion of a goal through the performance of individual steps. In the method, for each completed step towards a determined goal which is completed, the user is awarded a charm engageable to a bracelet. The ongoing positive reinforcement of the charms continues to motivate the user during all steps toward the goal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a horseback riding simulator configured to operate in an adaptive manner with respect to a user and a method using the same, the horseback riding simulator including a user identification unit to identify a user through user identification information based on user facial information extracted from an input image, a posture recognition unit to calculate user posture information by extracting information related to each of designated body parts of the user from the input image, a coaching unit to provide the user with instruction in horseback riding posture, based on the user identification information and the user posture information, and a sensory realization unit to control a horseback riding mechanism based on a user-intended posture calculated through analysis of the user posture information. Accordingly, user-customized horseback riding instruction is provided through identification of a user and recognition of a user's horseback riding posture.

Abstract: A model for practicing laparoscopic surgical skills is provided. The model includes a base having a plurality of practice stations at the upper surface. The practice stations include a cover having a first closed position in which a cavity is concealed beneath the cover and a second open position in which the cover is moved to uncover the cavity. The covers are connected to the surface in a number of ways to provide a variety of haptic responses useful in fine-tuning laparoscopic surgical skills. The cover is configured as a door hinged with or without a bias, a flexible flap, a sliding cover, a lid, and a penetrable sheet. An object for removal is hidden inside the cavity underneath the cover for practicing hand-to-hand transfer of instruments, use of both hands, switching instruments and determining and visualizing tissue planes in a laparoscopic environment.

Abstract: A system including a chest compression sensor configured to detect at least one parameter corresponding to chest compressions of a subject and an electrocardiogram signal simulator configured to generate a simulated electrocardiogram signal and combine and/or modify the simulated electrocardiogram signal with an output of the chest compression sensor to produce a simulated electrocardiogram signal with a CPR artifact.

Abstract: A model for practicing laparoscopic surgical skills is provided. The model comprises a body having an elongate lumen and a plurality of eyelets connected to an inner surface of the lumen. The plurality of eyelets defines at least one pathway for practicing the passing of at least one needle and suture through the eyelets. The model further includes a staging area with removable objects having apertures configured to be placed onto hook-like eyelets. The model provides a platform for practicing hand-to-hand transfer, depth perception among other skills required in laparoscopic procedures within a confined tubular space. The model may be placed inside a laparoscopic trainer in which the practice is performed in a simulated laparoscopic environment and observed on a video display.

Abstract: Methods, systems, apparatus, and non-transitory computer readable media for treating a user having a learning disability. In embodiments, the method comprises displaying, at a physical location on a display device, at least one graphic element associated with a virtual sound source position in a three dimensional soundfield corresponding to the physical position of the at least one graphic element, and responding to a user selection of one of the at least one graphic elements by playing a three dimensional audio effect having a perceived source located at the virtual sound source position corresponding to the selected graphic element.

Abstract: According to embodiments, a method for providing a user with information includes storing one or more pieces of advisory information and identification information of each of the advisory information, recognizing a request for advisory information from the user, forming, on a sheet, the advisory information requested by the user, an image corresponding to the identification information of the requested advisory information, and an input region in which feedback from the user can be provided, scanning the image formed on the sheet and the input region in which the user has provided the feedback, and storing the feedback in association with the corresponding advisory information.

Abstract: A method is provided of facilitating online education between learning institutions, including the steps of obtaining an e-learning course from a content provider learning institution; obtaining the approval of a subscriber learning institution for students enrolled at such institution to receive academic credit for the successful completion of such e-learning course; enrolling students from such subscriber learning institution in such e-learning course through a website; providing such e-learning course to students of the subscriber learning institution; obtaining an evaluation of the students' performances in the e-learning course from the content provider learning institution; providing said evaluations of the students' performances in such e-learning course to the subscriber learning institution in which the students are enrolled; and providing remuneration to the subscriber learning institution and content provider learning institution.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiment relates to methods and systems for evaluating an electronic document. The computer implemented method includes receiving the electronic document containing a first set of answers corresponding to one or more pre-stored questions. The first set of answers are compared with a pre-stored second set of answers based on an answer descriptor syntax dataset. The answer descriptor syntax dataset comprises one or more rules. One or more answer descriptors for each of the first set of answers are determined based on the comparing. The one or more answer descriptors correspond to one or more observations for each of the first set of answers. Finally, the electronic document is evaluated based on determining.

Abstract: The invention is a crawling pad for the babies with a replaceable intelligence patch. The characteristic lies in: The crawling pad is divided into several areas based on different colorful design with allocated pockets by suture. The LED lamination and sound chips formed an intelligence patch can be inserted into individual pocket on the pad. The inserted intelligence patch comprises of: printed circuit board, LED lamination, sound chip and a controller with the automatic time-delay switch. All these components are set inside a fully heat-sealed patch that is formed: a printed decorative vinyl cover; then a soft lining on top of the electronic components; and the bottom is a clear/solid color vinyl. The bright patterns and sound enhance the cause and effect development to the babies at their early age. The variety choices of changeable patch with different patterns and sound empower the babies gaining new knowledge over time.

Abstract: A system and method for assisting individuals in developing and refining memory skills is disclosed. The computer-base memory enhancing system provides users with a memory enhancing process, memory enhancing interface, memory enhancing files, and memory enhancing methods that provide users with tools to enhance memorization. Among the features and functionalities associated with the computer-base memory enhancing system are: (i) a memory enhancing method that suggests components from queries, (ii) a memory enhancing method that suggests component structures for arranging components, and (iii) a memory enhancing method that superposes components in real-world locations (“the augmented reality memory enhancing method”).

Abstract: This invention relates to a mechanical fixture which simulates a four bar link drive system for pedal driven scooters and bicycles and the resulting drive system. A four bar drive link system simulator has a frame assembly, a proximal hinge attachment bracket, a bottom bracket simulator 0, a pair of crank levers, a pair of coupling levers and a pair of pedal levers. The frame assembly has a plurality of guide rails, including at least a proximal hinge adjustment rail, and a frame rail. The proximal hinge attachment bracket is connected to the proximal hinge adjustment rail. The bottom bracket simulator is attached or otherwise connected to the frame simulator rail.

Abstract: A method of simulating an environment has a back panel and at least one side panel. The method then selects a theme for the panels, selects a primary image for the back panel, and selects a related secondary image for the side panel. The primary and secondary images are asymmetric for upright installation. The primary image then identifies its front end and its back end and the secondary image does so also in this method. The method then aligns the front ends to the back ends. With the various ends aligned, the back panel is then installed upon a wall in a closet or a corner. With the back panel installed, the side panel is installed upon either the front end or the back end of the back panel. The side panel and the back panel create surroundings for a child to play in using his imagination to explore.

Abstract: For cooling organs and tissues in transplantation medicine, only ice preparations are used so far which are not soft like a gel and are brought to the necessary degree of comminution by mechanically comminuting frozen, sterile, pyrogen-free isotonic infusion solutions, such as 5% glucose or 0.9% saline, with great effort. The lack of gel-like consistency of the preparations and the expensive production process are very disadvantageous. Therefore, it was necessary to produce a cooling preparation for transplantation medicine, which in a temperature range from ?5° C. to 4° C. is gel-like and soft, transparent and sufficiently mechanically stable and yet remains formable. In accordance with the invention, such preparation can be produced from gelatin solutions in the concentration range of 3-20 wt-%, which are isotonized or adjusted to 280-650 mosmol/kg and are almost pH-neutral, by simple cooling and/or freezing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for improving viability and/or stress tolerance of viable biological material and using the said material comprising applying hydrostatic pressure to said biological material; keeping the said viable biological material at the hydrostatic pressure for a predetermined time period; releasing the hydrostatic pressure; and using the said material for any desired purpose in accordance with any useful protocol. The usage of the said biological material incorporates any techniques, protocols that are applicable in the field of assisted reproductive techniques, biotechnical and/or biotechnological manipulations.

Abstract: Methods of determining whether an analyte is present in a sample using a competitive assay are provided. Aspects of the methods include employing a competitor that provides for the obtainment of signal which is directly proportional to the amount of analyte in the sample. Also provided are devices and kits that find use in practicing the methods described herein.

Abstract: The specification generally discloses systems and methods for mixing and delivering fluids in microfluidic systems. The fluids can contain, in some embodiments reagents that can participate in one or more chemical or biological reactions. Some embodiments relate to systems and methods employing one or more vent valves to controllably flow and/or mix portions of fluid within the microfluidic system. Advantageously, fluid control such as a sequence of fluid flow and/or a change in flow rate, can be achieved by opening and closing one or more vent valves and by applying a single source of fluid flow (e.g., a vacuum) operated at a substantially constant pressure. This can simplify the operation and use of the device by an intended user.

Abstract: A spiral inertial filtration device is capable of high-throughput (1 mL/min), high-purity particle separation while concentrating recovered target particles by more than an order of magnitude. Large fractions of sample fluid are removed from a microchannel without disruption of concentrated particle streams by taking advantage of particle focusing in inertial spiral microfluidics, which is achieved by balancing inertial lift forces and Dean drag forces. To enable the calculation of channel geometries in the device for specific concentration factors, an equivalent circuit model was developed and experimentally validated. Large particle concentration factors were achieved by maintaining either average fluid velocity or Dean number throughout the entire length of the channel during the incremental removal of sample fluid. Also provided is the ability to simultaneously separate more than one particle from the same sample.

Abstract: A chromatographic kit is provided including a labeling substance holding area having a labeling substance modified with a first binding substance of a test substance, and a labeling substance capturing area having a second binding substance of the test substance or a binding substance of the first binding substance in this order from upstream to downstream of a development direction of a test sample including the test substance, and further including an area having a color developing reagent in order to detect a first amplification reagent of two types of amplification reagents used to amplify the signal of the labeling substance when detecting the labeling substance.

Abstract: This invention provides novel azido linkers for deoxynucleotide analogues having a detectable marker attached thereto.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method to rapidly find crystallization conditions for a biomolecule in a desired conformation using single-molecule, fluorescent resonance energy transfer (smFRET) imaging techniques. The method provides significant cost and time advantages over the empricial exploration for crystallization conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detecting mitochondria alterations, which comprises the following steps: (A) providing a separation element and a sample; (B) mixing the separation element and the sample, wherein a detecting sample is obtained through the binding of a DNA fragment on the separation element to mitochondrial DNA in the sample; (C) dividing the detecting sample into a comparison group and a detection group; (D) adding an amplification solution into the comparison group and the detection group respectively to begin a DNA amplified reaction, and further adding a restriction enzyme into the detection group, wherein the amplification solution comprises a labeling reagent and a primer pair; and (E) detecting amounts of the labeling reagent in the comparison group and the detection group respectively after the DNA amplified reaction.

Abstract: A method of detecting mutation in blood cell-free DNA, includes providing a serum sample, isolating DNA from the serum sample, amplifying the DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), subjecting the PCR product to primer extension (PE), and separating the PE reaction product and identifying the mutation by gel electrophoresis. In order to improve accuracy and sensitivity, the PE reaction can be carried out by using a primer that blocks the extension of the wild or non-mutated sequence.

Abstract: Provided are compositions and processes that utilize genomic regions that are differentially methylated between a mother and her fetus to separate, isolate or enrich fetal nucleic acid from a maternal sample. The compositions and processes described herein are particularly useful for non-invasive prenatal diagnostics, including the detection of chromosomal aneuploidies.

Abstract: A method for detecting a nucleic acid molecule comprises: preparing a sample solution which contains a nucleic acid probe which is specifically hybridizable with the nucleic acid molecule to be analyzed, and a biosample; associating the nucleic acid molecule with the nucleic acid probe in the sample solution that has been prepared in the preparing; and after the associating, calculating, by the scanning molecule counting method, the number of molecules of the associated bodies including the nucleic acid probe in the sample solution that has been prepared in the preparing. This method for detecting a nucleic acid molecule further comprises: removing proteins from the sample solution before the calculating, or removing proteins from the biosample before the preparing.

Abstract: Nucleic acids encoding mammalian cytokine receptor, e.g., for cytokine IL-B50, purified proteins and fragments thereof. Antibodies, both polyclonal and monoclonal, are also provided. Methods of using the compositions for both diagnostic and therapeutic utilities are described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for single molecule based nucleic acid amplification and subsequent detection of nucleic acid molecules, and particularly to the determination of SNPs, mutations, and to the diagnosis of diseases associated with the changes of these nucleic acid molecules.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of amplification of nucleic acid sequences; more particularly, it relates to methods of amplifying target sequences by utilizing cross priming isothermal amplification. The present invention relates to methods of marking the amplification target sequence during the amplification reaction and rapid detection of the target sequence. The present invention also relates to reagent kits for rapid nucleic acid diagnosis and the nucleic acid detection of pathogenic microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, as well as to diagnoses related to human genetic diseases.

Abstract: Provided herein are mutant endonuclease V enzymes that are capable of nicking an inosine-containing DNA sequence. Nucleic acid assays and agents that employ such mutant endonuclease V enzymes to introduce a nick into a target DNA including one or more inosine, and uses a DNA polymerase to generate amplicons of a target DNA are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel methods and devices that employ microfluidic technology to generate molecular melt curves. In particular, the devices and methods in accordance with the invention are useful in providing for the analysis of PCR amplification products.

Abstract: A composition, a kit, and a method of isolating a vesicle from a sample using a compound comprising zwitterion moieties, which may be used to analyze vesicles, and proteins, glycoprotein, lipids, or nucleic acids thereof.

Abstract: A compression method includes: measuring a waveform associated with a chemical event occurring on a sensor array, wherein the waveform comprises a plurality of measured values and the chemical event is indicative of a number of nucleotide incorporations in a genetic sequencing reaction; applying a first compression process to the waveform, the first compression process including a truncating of data corresponding to a portion of the waveform that is not related to nucleotide incorporations in the genetic sequencing reaction; and applying a second compression process to the waveform, the second compression process including a data substitution process that replaces at least a portion of the waveform with a plurality of coefficients representative of the portion of the waveform.

Abstract: Provided are methods of depleting a target nucleic acid in a sample. The methods include contacting a target nucleic acid with two or more polymers that specifically hybridize to the target nucleic acid, and cleaving the hybridized regions of the target nucleic acid to deplete the target nucleic acid in the sample. Kits for practicing the subject methods are also provided.

Abstract: The invention is in general directed to the rapid exponential amplification of short DNA or RNA sequences at a constant temperature.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new process for identifying novel anti-inflammatory molecules with reduced direct transrepression of genes induced by glucocorticoids. The inventors have discovered that GCs-mediated transrepression can be mediated not only via the tethering indirect pathway, but also through direct binding of GR to “simple” negative GREs (nGRE), which belongs to a novel family of evolutionary-conserved cis-acting negative response elements (IR nGREs), and are found in numerous GC-repressed genes.

Abstract: A proteomic screening method for anaerobic-specific and expression-effective promoter, and a method of specially delivering and selectively stably expressing target gene in anaerobic tissue by an alcohol dehydrogenase promoter and uses thereof. The latter comprises an anaerobically-induced alcohol dehydrogenase promoter which is used as target gene promoter, anaerobic target bacteria and low copy number plasmid. Therefore, the target gene can be specially and highly expressed under hypoxia condition in vivo or in vitro. The selective gene expression which is driven by the alcohol dehydrogenase promoter in anaerobic tissue can be used as gene therapy method to treat anaerobic tissue disease including tumor, or to prepare anti-tumor drug.

Abstract: Improved G-rich oligonucleotide (GRO) aptamers specific to nucleolin, a method of preparing the aptamers, and a use of the aptamers for diagnosing and/or treating a nucleolin-associated disease, are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of detecting (e.g., by flow cytometry) a target compound, cell or particle, wherein the target is labelled with a detectable luminescent compound. The method comprises utilizing as the detectable luminescent compound a compound comprising a porphyrinic macrocycle such as a porphyrin, chlorin, bacteriochlorin, or isobacteriochlorin. In particular embodiments, the detectable luminescent compound comprises a compound of the formula A-A?-Z-B?-B, wherein: A is a targeting group or member of a specific binding pair that specifically binds the detectable luminescent compound to the target compound, cell or particle; A? is a linker group or covalent bond; B? is a linker group or covalent bond; B is a water-soluble group; and Z is the porphyrinic macrocycle.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to highly pure plasmid compositions having low, or undetectable, levels of colanic acid and other contaminants made by a process that includes the steps of obtaining a crude lysate of a plasmid DNA from a bacteria that makes colanic acid; treating the partially purified or purified plasmid DNA with a polypeptide that digests colanic acid under conditions that digest the colanic acid; and purifying the plasmid DNA from the digested colanic acid and the colanic acid degrading enzyme by one or more chromatography steps.