Abstract: A method of medical training includes presenting a user with a medical scenario within a medical simulation in which the user plays a physician. The medical scenario includes an interaction between the user and a patient. Performance data corresponding to the user is identified. The identified performance data is based at least in part on an action of the user during the interaction between the user and the patient. The user is evaluated based at least in part on the identified performance data to determine whether the user has achieved a training goal within the medical simulation. The training goal is intended to improve a medical skill of the user.

Abstract: An eye assembly for use in a patient simulator is provided. The eye assembly includes an iris diaphragm having a moveable inner portion defining an opening. The inner portion of the iris diaphragm is movable radially from a first position wherein the opening has a first diameter and a second position wherein the opening has a second diameter greater than the first diameter. The iris diaphragm is configured for use in a simulated eye. The eye assembly also includes a dilation actuator in communication with the inner portion of the iris diaphragm for selectively moving the inner portion between the first and second positions to simulate dilation of an eye.

Abstract: Method and system for real-time computerized interactive text memorization. The real-time computerized interactive text memorization aids in the memorization of large amounts of text that contain an established sequence and flow that must be adhered to during the recitation of the text by a speaker. The present disclosure utilizes a data parser, a character selection function, a text to speech engine and a voice recorder to provide visual text displays, digitized and recorded audio playback and digitized and recorded audio annotation. Data is uploaded into the system where they are then scanned by the data parser and prepared to create the various audio/visual elements needed for memorization by the user. The data parser then searches and separates text-based data into its unique theatrical or playwriting character based components. A character selection function of the present disclosure allows a user to select as many characters s desired from the uploaded parsed data.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a learning device capable of increasing a learning effect by utilizing the operation of the subconscious mind during sleep. Provided is a learning device comprising: a time counting means; a time setting means which sets a question posing time of a question to be presented to a user; a question posing means which poses the question on the basis of the setting made by the time setting means; and a presenting means which, prior to the question posing time of the question, presents to the user in advance a content relating to the question posed by the question posing means.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and techniques for stimulating a user. For example, materials and methods for manipulating nystagmus and the related vestibular system with coupling of galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) and visual cueing are provided herein. Use of GVS within the present invention may be applied to simulation, alleviating motion sickness, and directional cueing of a user to a precise target location.

Abstract: A tablet interface learning device includes school books, narrative books, comics and written material on the device selectively are loaded and there is a scanner with automatic document feeder for acquiring document. There is a user interface (UI) screen, the interface screen having big icons, each of the icons occupying about 15 and 30% of the interface screen. A text to speech functionality includes an ebook that can be read aloud by the device itself, and includes an icon of the ebook toolbar to activate the text to speech starting from the first word of the shown page. An education or studying method and system includes a mapping tool representing the main concepts of a topic to study.

Abstract: A device for the laser transmission welding of two plastic assembly parts is provided, wherein at least one of the plastic assembly parts contains an absorber for laser light, comprising a processing head with a processing side, with a processing-side discharge shaft for at least one laser beam and with a laser-transparent pressing means for pressing together the plastic assembly parts, wherein the laser-transparent pressing means is guided decoupled from the processing head in the discharge shaft. Furthermore, a method for producing a welded joint between two plastic assembly parts by laser transmission welding is specified.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the use of porous polymer materials as a medium for the storage of biological samples. The present invention also relates to a method of drying and storage of biological samples on the porous polymer materials. The biological samples include blood and blood plasma samples.

Abstract: A disposable blood analysis cartridge may include a sample collection reservoir, an absorbance measurement channel, and an optical light scattering measurement channel. One or more valves may be disposed between the sample collection reservoir and the absorbance measurement channel and/or the optical light scattering measurement channel. A negative pressure may be applied to the cartridge to pull sample from the sample collection reservoir through the one or more valves and into the absorbance measurement channel and/or the optical light scattering measurement channel. Once the sample is pulled into the absorbance measurement channel and/or the optical light scattering measurement channel, the one or more valves may be closed. With the one or more valves closed, and in some cases, a pusher fluid may be provided to push the fluid sample to other regions of the disposable fluid blood analysis cartridge.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a kit for simultaneous diagnosis of viral respiratory diseases. To be more specific, the present invention is directed to a method for diagnosing viral respiratory diseases by detecting the genes specific to the respiratory disease-causing virus, a primer set for diagnosing the viral respiratory diseases used in the diagnosis method, a composition for simultaneous diagnosis of viral respiratory diseases, comprising the primer set, and a kit for simultaneous diagnosis of viral respiratory diseases, comprising the composition. When the primer set of the present invention for diagnosing the viral respiratory diseases is used, 14 different types of respiratory viruses can be simultaneously detected only with one reaction through real-time multiplex reverse transcription (RT)-PCR, and the onset of respiratory diseases caused by these viruses can be diagnosed. Thus, the primer set of the present invention can be widely used for prompt diagnosis and treatment of respiratory diseases.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to disease detection in plants. In particular, it provides methods, compositions, and devices for the detection of diseases in plants.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for amplifying and detecting a target nucleic acid of HCV in a sample, wherein an amplification of the nucleic acids in said sample is carried out. This amplification involves a polymerase, primers for generating an amplicon and at least two detectable probes specific for different sequence portions of said amplicon. Detection of the obtained amplicon is brought about by detecting hybridization of the probes mentioned above to said different sequence portions of the amplicon. The invention further provides reaction mixtures and kits for amplifying and detecting a target nucleic acid of HCV involving the use of at least two detectable probes specific for different sequence portions of an amplicon.

Abstract: Described herein are primers and probes useful for the binding, detecting, differentiating, isolating, and sequencing of influenza A, influenza B and RSV viruses.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide binding molecule-functionalized high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) that can be used to detect toxins, pathogens and other biological materials. In a specific embodiment, an antibody-functionalized HEMT can be used to detect botulinum toxin. The antibody can be anchored to a gold-layered gate area of the HEMT through immobilized thioglycolic acid. Embodiments of the subject detectors can be used in field-deployable electronic biological applications based on AlGaN/GaN HEMTs.

Abstract: A method of conducting in vitro toxicity testing is disclosed which includes the steps of exposing to a test agent a population of human liver progenitor or stem cells originated from human adult liver. The cells have the characteristics that the isolated human progenitor or stem cells express at least the mesenchymal markers vimentin and ?-smooth muscle actin (ASMA), the hepatocyte marker albumin (ALB), are negative for cytokeratin-19 (CK-19), and have mesenchymal-like morphology. One or more effects, if any, of the test agent on the population of human liver progenitor or stem cells are observed. Also disclosed are methods of conducting in vitro drug metabolism studies by exposing to a test agent a population of the human liver progenitor or stem cells and methods of testing infected human liver progenitor or stem cells for effects of a test agent.

Abstract: Nucleic acids comprising ?-glucosaminyloxy-5-methylcytosine; compositions, kits and methods of producing the nucleic acids using a glycosyltransferase; and methods of using the nucleic acids are described.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and kits for selectively altering and detecting modified cytosine residues are provided.

Abstract: Chemical stain compounds containing a fluorophore and a reducible quenching unit are disclosed. The reducible quenching unit quenches the fluorophore while in its oxidized state. Upon reduction, the quenching properties of the quenching unit are diminished or eliminated. The chemical compounds can be used in a variety of applications, including the detection of bacterial cells, monitoring the electron transport chain function of bacterial cells, monitoring the oxidation state of non-biological systems, and assaying the effectiveness of antibacterial or antimicrobial agents.

Abstract: Methods, Compositions, and Systems are provided for nucleic acid sequencing where the sequential incorporation of nucleotides uses two distinct chemical steps. A plurality of nucleotide analogs, each having a labeled leaving group at its 3? hydroxyl can be sequentially added to a growing strand in the presence of a selective cleaving activity that cleaves the 3? hydroxyl leaving group preferentially after it has been incorporated. The selective cleaving agent can comprise an exonuclease activity, and the exonuclease activity can be a polymerase-associated exonuclease activity. Nucleotide analogs having labels on both a cleavable polyphosphate portion and on a 3? hydroxyl leaving group can provide signals characteristic of nucleotide analog incorporation. Systems having illumination optics, collection optics, and substrates observe signals from the labels as they are being incorporated into a growing nucleic acid strand, allowing for the sequencing of template nucleic acids.

Abstract: The present invention describes the synthesis of biological samples that can be used for the purpose of enhancing the signal-to-noise ratios achievable during the imaging of protein synthesis, amino acid transport and neurotransmitter transport, particularly in applications where single-molecule resolution is demanded. The present invention provides quencher-labeled elongation factor (EF-Tu) and fluorophore-labeled tRNA. When these molecules are present in a ternary complex with GTP, the fluorescently-labeled tRNA is quantitatively quenched. Once the tRNA is incorporated into an actively translating ribosome, however, a burst of fluorescence is released and can be detected by a variety of techniques, including smFRET imaging.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods to identify molecules that binds in the neomycin binding pocket of a bacterial ribosome using structures of an intact bacterial ribosome that reveal how the ribosome binds tRNA in two functionally distinct states, determined by x-ray crystallography. One state positions tRNA in the peptidyl-tRNA binding site. The second, a fully rotated state, is stabilized by ribosome recycling factor (RRF) and binds tRNA in a highly bent conformation in a hybrid peptidyl/exit (P/E) site. Additionally, the invention relates to various assays, including single-molecule assay for ribosome recycling, and methods to identify compounds that interfere with ribosomal function by detecting newly identified intermediate FRET states using known and novel FRET pairs on the ribosome.

Abstract: 5-methylpyrimidine oxygenases and their use in the modification of nucleic acids are described.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for the detection of Streptococcus agalacticae.

Abstract: The invention provides methods featuring the use of polymorphisms in the JARID2 gene to diagnosis autism.

Abstract: This disclosure features methods of identifying an organism. In certain embodiments, the invention provides methods of distinguishing virulent and non-virulent strains of Listeria monocytogenes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for separating, determining or accumulating different DNA species that are present simultaneously in a sample, on the basis of unmethylated CpG-dinucleotides occurring with different frequency, within each DNA species present, wherein an unmethylated CpG motifs binding protein is immobilized on a base material and the DNA bound to the immobilized protein is eluted using an elution agent gradient, wherein specific concentration regions of the elution agent used correlate with specific CpG-dinucleotide frequencies in the DNA species present, so that during elution different fractions of DNA species are obtained that have different frequencies of CpG-dinucleotides.

Abstract: Methods and systems for determining if a sample has been contaminated with other genetic material, for example, from another sample in a parallel workflow. The methods and systems compare measured allele fractions to predetermined distributions of allele fractions in order to calculate a likelihood that the sample has been contaminated.

Abstract: There is provided a molecular marker CXCR1 for predicting response and survival in subjects afflicted with cancer who would benefit from treatment with and Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) targeted therapeutic.

Abstract: Somatic non-silent mutations on selected biomarkers are reliable indicators for the overall survival of Myelodysplastic Syndrome subjects.

Abstract: This invention is intended to provide a method capable of diagnosis of pancreatic tumor type at an early stage. More specifically, this invention relates to an examination method for determining pancreatic tumor type comprising detecting the degree of methylation in a 5?-untranslated region or a region comprising a 5?-untranslated region and a translated region of a gene encoding a mucin core protein in a pancreatic fluid sample from a subject, and identifying the pancreatic tumor as being of pancreatic tumor type selected from the group consisting of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, an intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the gastric type, an intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the intestinal type, and an intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the pancreatobiliary type using the degree of methylation as an index value.

Abstract: Sample preparation processes for in situ RNA or DNA analysis, methods and compositions therefor are provided. Processes provided herein allow DNA or RNA analysis to be carried out in the same tube or on an aliquot of the prepared sample without centrifugation or extraction. The preparation process can be carried out at room temperature in as little as seven minutes and is amenable to high throughput processing using manual or robotic platforms.

Abstract: The outcome of an in vitro fertilization (IVF) of a woman in terms of chances of successful pregnancy or the fertility status of a woman is predicted based on nucleotide analysis of the histidine-rich glycoprotein (HRG) gene or protein analysis of HRG. The proline isoform of HRG or an amino acid fragment thereof can further be used to increases the success of pregnancy of a woman.

Abstract: The present invention relates to DNA polymerases. In particular the invention relates to a method for the generation of DNA polymerases exhibiting a relaxed substrate specificity. Uses of mutant polymerases produced using the methods of the invention are also described.

Abstract: A method and kit for determining a nucleic acid is provided, including: providing magnetic nanoparticles and detectable nanoparticles to the sample, wherein the magnetic nanoparticles and detectable nanoparticles respectively contain oligonucleotides attached thereto, and the detectable nanoparticles contain at least one kind of nanoparticles with detectable signals distinct from the others, and the oligonucleotides attached on each kind of the detectable nanoparticles are complementary to a region of one of the nucleic acids in the sample; reacting the magnetic and detectable nanoparticles with the sample; and detecting signals from each kind of the detectable nanoparticles for determining the nucleic acid for each in the sample.

Abstract: By utilizing a Mini-Primer strategy targeting the target site duplication (TSD) sequence of retrotransposons, INNUL markers, which include SINEs, LINEs, and SVAs, can be effectively used as markers for human identification and bio-ancestry studies regardless of the size of the inserted element. The size of the amplicons for INNULs and the difference between allelic states can be reduced substantially such that these markers have utility for analyzing high and low quality human DNA samples. A 15 RE marker and Amelogenin (for sex determination) multiplex for a single tube amplification of DNA, in four color detection was successfully designed. The multiplex provided power of discrimination suitable for forensic and paternity analysis. In addition, sensitivity of detection can enable human identity and bio-ancestry studies on forensic and anthropological samples. Depending on the distribution of the alleles in global populations, INNULs can be selected for human identity testing or for bio-ancestry studies.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods, devices and systems for isolating a nucleic acid from a fluid comprising cells. In various aspects, the methods, devices and systems may allow for a rapid procedure that requires a minimal amount of material and/or results in high purity nucleic acid isolated from complex fluids such as blood or environmental samples.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the disclosure relates generally to methods, as well as related compositions, systems, and kits, for nucleotide polymerization, oligonucleotide synthesis, detecting nucleotide polymerization, detecting the presence of a nucleic acid, oligonucleotide amplification and detection of oligonucleotide amplification, which can be conducted via an abortive transcription initiation reaction. In some embodiments, abortive transcription initiation reactions can generate multiple copies of an oligonucleotide which can be used to detect the presence of a nucleic acid or macromolecule. In some embodiments, generation of multiple copies of an oligonucleotide can be detected via a sensor that senses the presence of byproducts from a nucleotide incorporation or a nucleotide polymerization reaction. In some embodiments, the byproducts include pyrophosphate, hydrogen ion, charge transfer, and heat.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for amplifying RNA and/or DNA from immune cell populations and using the amplified products to produce an immune response profile and evaluate the possible correlation between a normal or abnormal immune response and the development of a disease such as an autoimmune disease, cancer, diabetes, or heart disease.

Abstract: Compositions that are used in nucleic acid amplification in vitro are disclosed, which include a target specific universal (TSU) promoter primer or promoter provider oligonucleotide that includes a target specific (TS) sequence that hybridizes specifically to a target sequence that is amplified and a universal (U) sequence that is introduced into the sequence that is amplified, by using a primer for the universal sequence. Methods of nucleic acid amplification in vitro are disclosed that use one or more TSU oligonucleotides to attached a U sequence to a target nucleic acid in a target capture step and then use a primer for a U sequence in subsequent amplification steps performed in substantially isothermal conditions to make amplification products that contain a U sequence that indicates the presence of the target nucleic acid in a sample.

Abstract: Systems and methods are used to detect spectral and spatial information in a continuous flow PCR system. An incident beam of electromagnetic radiation is emitted using a laser. The incident beam is received from the laser and incident beam is transformed into an incident line of electromagnetic radiation using a line generator. The incident line is received from the line generator using a tube array that includes one or more transparent tubes in fluid communication with one or more micro-channels. Reflected electromagnetic radiation is received from the tube array and the reflected electromagnetic radiation is focused using an imaging lens. The focused reflected electromagnetic radiation is received from the imaging lens and a spectral intensity is detected from the focused reflected electromagnetic radiation using a spectrograph. The focused reflected electromagnetic radiation is received from the imaging lens and a location of the spectral intensity is detected using an imager.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to the use of one or more proteins (e.g., globular proteins) having a low isoelectric point and/or a limited number (e.g., zero) of modifying groups in nucleic acid polymerization and/or amplification reactions such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Abstract: Described is a method for in vitro diagnosing whether a pregnant woman has a risk for developing preeclampsia (PE) comprising the steps of determining the afamin content of the pregnant woman in a blood sample or a blood-derived sample, urine, amniotic and cerebrospinal fluid; or determining the content of afamin m-RNA in a liver tissue sample; and comparing the afamin content determined in the sample with a reference value.

Abstract: The present invention provides a kit for diagnosing the cardiomyopathy comprising an antibody or oligonucleotide for measuring an expression level of nuclear receptor interaction protein (NRIP). The present invention also provides a method of predicting a risk of cardiomyopathy for a subject. The present invention further provides a method of screening an agent for treating cardiomyopathy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for screening substances having weight-regulating action.

Abstract: A method for measuring human CYP3A inducibility upon administration of a test drug, characterized in that a non-human animal to which a test drug is administered or a population of human cells cultured in a medium containing a test drug is infected with viruses (A) and (B); virus (A) being an adenovirus which is used as a vector and engineered by incorporating thereto a detectable reporter gene an;d at least 3 human PXR binding regions falling within an untranslated region of a human CYP3A gene, and virus (B) being an adenovirus which is used as a vector and engineered by incorporating thereto a human PXR cDNA; and subsequently expression level of the reporter gene is determined in the non-human animal or the cultured human cells.

Abstract: A subject information acquiring apparatus including: a generation section that generates terahertz waves to be irradiated at a test object in a plurality of kinds of states including a state in which a target material that takes a specific portion of the test object as a target has been introduced into the test object; a detection section that detects terahertz waves that are propagated from the test object and outputs a signal; a processing section that acquires information of the test object using the signals detected by the detecting section and information relating to a characteristic portion of a wavelength spectrum of the target material.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and methods for detecting, screening, diagnosing or determining the progression of, regression of and/or survival from a proliferative disease or condition, specifically prostate cancer. The invention also provides new assays and kits for the staging or stratifying prostate cancer patients or patients suspected of having prostate cancer.

Abstract: A method of determining the presence or absence in a sample of a biomarker, the method comprising: (a) linking an antigen to colloidal gold to provide a gold-antigen species; (b) contacting the gold-antigen species with the sample; (c) adding a diagnosis agent to the sample; and (d) observing the colour of the sample.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for magnetic flow cytometry, wherein magnetic units (22, 24) are arranged in a flow channel (10) which is configured, with respect to the channel diameter (100) and the surface condition of the channel inner wall, in such a manner that a flow of a complex suspension can be produced in the flow channel (10) with a laminar flow profile (40). The forces (FM) that can be caused by the magnetic units (22, 24) and the forces (FS) that can be caused by the flow, applied to magnetic markers (26) that are not bound to cells, have the effect of holding back said magnetic markers (26) that are not bound to cells in the front channel section (240) and preventing them from continuing to flow along the flow channel (10) via the cell measuring device (20).

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for developing and using diagnoses of lymphosarcoma in feline subjects using Thymidine kinase (TK) and haptoglobin (HP) as biomarkers. The invention provides a method for obtaining the level of each biomarker and computing an index for a feline subject. The invention provides predefined index ranges to which the index value may be matched in order to determine whether the subject has a high probability of being affected by lymphosarcoma, even when the subject shows apparent symptoms that may be common with inflammatory bowel disease.