Abstract: A kit of educational building blocks models nucleic acid structures for use in teaching nucleic acid structures using building blocks that visually represent nucleotides and their components.

Abstract: A method is provided for user speech performance evaluation with respect to a reference performance for which a phoneme mark-up is available. The method includes capturing input speech from the user and formatting it as frames. For a respective frame of the input speech, the method generates probability values for a plurality of phonemes, generates a probability value for a phoneme class based upon the generated probability values for a plurality of phonemes belonging to that phoneme class. For a plurality of frames of the input speech, the method further includes averaging the phoneme class probability values corresponding to the plurality of frames of the input speech. The method also includes calculating a user speech performance score based upon the average.

Abstract: A DNA model includes first and second handle members and first and second flexible connecting members each extending between the first and second handle members. The DNA model includes a plurality of pairs of first and second elongated members. The first elongated members in each of the pairs has a first end connected to the first flexible connecting member and a second end having a coupling element thereon. The second elongated members in each of the pairs has a first end connected to the second flexible connecting member and a second end having a coupling element thereon. The second ends of the first and second elongated members in the pair being are configured to couple the first elongated member in the pair to the second elongated member in the pair by the coupling element.

Abstract: A tube assembling device consisting of hub-carriers and hubs for erecting three-dimensional structures. The hub-carriers consist of two pairs of half-rings, bearing tongues offset by 90° along an antero-posterior axis and linked by four connecting lugs, they support radial hook-shaped expansions. The hub-carriers can link two tubes in a fixed or balanced position, can be fixed at the tube end, can be fixed along a tube and support hubs. The hubs support tongues are positioned folded or unfolded inside the tubes used for the construction of the radial expansions into rings and catching teeth internal to the rings. The assembly enables the hubs and hub-carriers to be linked by tubes or elastic links and constitute by folding or combining the hubs and hub-carriers nodes for modelling structures of numerous types from a reduced number or elements.

Abstract: A gel electrophoresis training aid is provided. The training aid includes a substantially transparent elastomeric body having at least one series of spaced-apart wells. The elastomeric body is adapted with a plurality of spaced-apart bands extending in the same direction from the wells. Each of the spaced-apart bands are positioned substantially parallel to one spaced-apart well. A training kit including the training aid is also provided.

Abstract: It is described a system of independently moving elements with characteristics making them bind reversibly to each other according to certain rules such that they form self-replicating and mutating polymers subject to the general principles of natural selection, and use of the system to simulate the origin of life, for entertainment, decoration, scientific and educational purposes.

Abstract: A three dimensional DNA model includes a plurality of interlocking nucleotide units that can be supported on a stand. Each nucleotide unit has a phosphate unit, a generally planar sugar unit and a planar base unit. The sugar and base units include representation of their chemical structures.

Abstract: A block includes a hole provided on one side of the block, two fifths of the length of the block from one end, and a pin provided on the opposite side of the block two fifths of the length of the block from the other end. The hole is arranged to be connected to the pin of a like underlying or overlying block, so that a plurality of said blocks can be connected to form a double helix. Each end of the block includes a knob for connecting a plurality of blocks to a flexible member which follows a double helix shape to produce a model for DNA.

Abstract: The invention is a dynamic model of the DNA molecule. The invention includes a multiplicity of physical representations of the four nucleotides. Each physical representation is comprised of T-shaped members having an elongate body attached to a flexible planar member. The invention also includes a first joint, located at an end of the elongate bodies which physically represent the Adenine base and the Thymine base, for attaching the Adenine base to the Thymine base, wherein the joint is rotatable. The invention further includes a second joint, located at an end of the elongate bodies which physically represent the Guanine base and the Cytosine base, for attaching the Guanine base to the Cytosine base, wherein the joint is rotatable. Lastly, the invention includes a connections between the nucleotides and the flexible planar member. The flexible planar member physically represents the sugar-phosphate structure of the DNA molecule.

Abstract: An assembly for obtaining a plurality of cluster structures in either a sequential manner or collectively having a base component portion (10) having an enlarged body (12) to which is attached, by way of flexible straps (21), a plurality of assembly component portions (20) each having an enlarged body (24) and the flexible straps (21) such that, when appropriate tension is applied to the straps (21), the bodies (24) of the assembly component portions (20) are firmly abutted to the body (12) of the base component portion (10) causing rotations of the assembly component bodies (24) in relation to each other and to the base body (12) to automatically produce a plurality of cluster structures. The base component portion (10) may have the enlarged body (12) mounted on and around an enlarged hollow-core support member (11) with the member acting as a channel for the flexible straps (21).

Abstract: A versatile multiple spout balloon network is provided with thin walled resilient, single or multiple spout balloons which may be interconnected to other balloons or a pole using plugs. Plugs provide for resilient and airtight engagement of balloons at their spouts. Plugs may include an air channel for passage of air between balloons and the network. The network may include one or more poles, each pole having several branches. Balloons may make an airtight and resilient engagement with the poles at branches using a plug. A stand may be used to erect the plug pole by inserting the pole into a fitting hole in the middle of the stand. A plug unit may comprise multiple surfaces attached to, or integrated at, a central point in different patterns.

Abstract: A three-dimensional molecular model comprises plastic modules, each representing on atom connected to one another. Modules intended to represent atoms of cyclic compounds are polyhedrons set in the model so that adjacent polyhedrons touch faces and have a common apex. The sum total of the angles formed by the adjacent faces of polyhedrons of the modules is more than 360.degree..

Abstract: The invention relates to a mechanical support module for the construction of different models of nucleic acids or the like.A module of this type consists of at least one frame (110) carrying a plurality of (n) plates (255) intended for carrying balls representing atoms and sticks or the like representing bonds, arranged so that each plate (255) contains four bases. The arrangement of the bases on the plates and of the plates in space is such that the pathway (T) followed by the genetic information from one plate to the next corresponds to a Moebius strip having more than one twist, which is therefore called a polymoebius global strip.The invention applies in particular to education, research and industry.

Abstract: A ball-and-stick model system representing alpha carbon positions and the peptide link between adjacent alpha carbons as modeling elements of two-piece sets. Each two-piece set comprises complementary ring rods and ball rods, the latter having a generally cylindrical body enlarged at one end to a sphere form with a slot through a portion of the enlargement. The ring rod also includes a generally cylindrical body with an enlarged end portion to fit snugly within the slot of the ball rod so that when they are fitted together they appear as a sphere with the cylindrical body portions extending outwardly therefrom. The cylindrical portions of adjacent model sets are united by a pintle and hole structure configured so that when fitted together a continuous cylindrical body extends between adjacent spheres.