Abstract:
Education is a very important topic and educators are constantly attempting to improve manners in which education is provided to student. However, Educators often disagree as to the best techniques for educating students. Further, as technology is increasing the manner in which education is performed must keep up and take advantage of the current and anticipated developments in technology. A problem that is faced by Educators is that there is no ability to easily test and implement techniques of educations. Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and system for conducting a controlled experiment to compare techniques of conveying information. The embodiments facilitate administration of the controlled experiment to a plurality of users via an online user interface. Using results of the controlled experiment, the embodiments detenrrine a relative effectiveness of a technique for conveying information to at least one user of the plurality of users.
Abstract:
Methods for micropropagation of plant or fungal material within a plant bioreactor by attachment of the plant or fungal material to a positively-charged polymer-coated support structure and placement of the support structure within a growth chamber of the bioreactor are described.
Abstract:
Accurate AR method for extracting respiratory rates directly from a pulse oximeter and accurate methods of extracting respiratory rates directly from a pulse oximeter under low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) conditions.
Abstract:
In one aspect, the invention features a textured microthread that includes or is fashioned from a naturally occurring polymer and that has a surface comprising micron-scale ridges with intervening grooves.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for locating an object are disclosed herein. The locator system includes a plurality of reference units and a processor in communication with the reference units. The reference units are positioned about a region in which a mobile unit is located, and each reference unit includes a transceiver for transmitting and receiving a transaction-based location signal to and from the mobile unit. The processor is configured for estimating time offsets between the mobile unit and reference units and aligning the transaction-based location signals from the reference units by removing the time offsets. The processor is further configured for collectively processing data representative of the aligned location signals based on a plurality of potential locations to identify at least one of the potential locations as a likely mobile unit location.
Abstract:
An assembly for rigid bone fixation includes a plate and a screw. The screw can be rotated freely within the plate in a non¬ locking configuration to secure the plate against the bone. A locking mechanism is engaged to prevent the screw from moving relative the plate. In one embodiment, the plate includes a threaded portion and a non- threaded portion. The screw head rotates within the non- threaded portion to tighten the screw and pull the plate against the bone. The locking mechanism includes a moveable nut that rotates within the threaded portion of the plate to lock the screw and plate in a locking mode. The assembly can be used for rigid fixation of bones that experience cyclic loads, such as the sternum and mandible. Methods of rigid bone fixation are also described.
Abstract:
A computer system and method are disclosed for automatically generating a vascular model of a blood vessel to support, for example, identification of mechanical factors corresponding to the blood vessel. The method includes interpolating data points corresponding to a contour of the blood vessel; generating a structural model representing three-dimensional structural characteristics of the blood vessel based on interpolated contours; generating a fluid model representing three-dimensional characteristics of fluid flow within the vessel; and generating a vascular model based on the structural model and the fluid model. The method may also include performing a mechanical analysis of the vascular model to identify a mechanical factor associated with the vessel, for example, a factor associated with a potential plaque rupture within the vessel, Embodiments of the invention are applicable to the diagnosis, assessment, or treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
Abstract:
Today, students are underperforming on the standardized testing. In an effort to better performance on these tests, software systems allow a student to practice different topics. These software systems, however, do not perform a longitudinal analysis of a student allowing the creation of an adaptable learning environment for the system. In contrast, the present invention provides a system that enables a student to answer one or more questions of a problem set. Next, the system stores information for each answer of the one or more questions over a period of time, analyzes the information for each student answer in a longitudinal manner, and identifies one or more deficiencies in learning of the student based on the longitudinal analysis. In this way, the system uses longitudinal analysis to identify student deficiencies, which allows a teacher or parent, using the analysis, to increase the quality of learning for the student.
Abstract:
The present invention is a low-cost, easily deployed, degradable taggant that can be dispersed over a wide area to serve as a witness to activity in the area and for queuing of other sensors. The taggant enables nearly real-time change detection within the treated area using one or more simple optical sensing techniques.
Abstract:
Compositions that include microthreads are provided. The compositions can be fully or partially encased in a sleeve along at least a portion of their length and can include biological cells and, optionally, therapeutic agents. Also provided are methods for using the compositions to repair or ameliorate damaged or defective tissue, including cardiovascular tissue (e.g., the myocardium).