Abstract:
An assessment engine includes a definition of inquiry skills being assessed. Assessment models are used to infer skill demonstration as one or more students engage in inquiry within computerized simulations and/or microworlds. A pedagogical agent and/or help system provides real-time feedback to one or more students based on the assessment model outputs, and/or based on additional models that track one or more students developing proficiency across inquiry tasks over time. A pedagogical agent and/or help system for science inquiry tutoring responds in real-time on the basis of knowledge-engineered and data-mined assessment and/or tracking models.
Abstract:
A protective garment comprising a plurality of layers integrated or bonded in a complementary manner protects wearers such as emergency responders against multiple hazards often present in a response area. The layers include a toxicity barrier adapted for visual contrast with toxic substances, such that the toxicity is barrier responsive to toxic substances by varying a response to an optical signal such as a UV light. An impact layer is responsive to projectiles by controlled deformation, such that the controlled deformation prevents passage of the projectile, as EMT response areas are often unsecured crime scenes where firearms may be present. Also, an absorbent layer is responsive to expelled fluids of the wearer such as perspiration, in which the absorbent layer is adapted for unidirectional diffusion of fluids so that moisture does not remain in contact with the skin of the wearer and cause discomfort, irritation, and thermal imbalance.
Abstract:
The present invention is based on the discovery of a two- or three-organism model system that can be used to identify virulence factors involved in fungal infection and to screen for agents that attenuate the activity of those factors. The system includes a model eukaryote, the nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans, and one or more species of Candida, a fungal pathogen that infects humans, e.g., Candida albicans, C. dubliniensis, C. krusei, C. tropicalis, C. parapsilosis, or C. glabrata. The system also includes a food source for the C. elegans; the food source can be a live or attenuated bacterium, e.g., Escherichia coli.
Abstract translation:本发明基于发现可用于鉴定真菌感染中涉及的毒力因子并筛选减弱这些因子的活性的试剂的二体或三体模型系统。 该系统包括模型真核生物,线虫,秀丽隐杆线虫以及一种或多种假丝酵母,一种感染人类的真菌病原体,例如白色念珠菌,都柏林白蜡菌,克氏梭菌,热带假丝酵母,副伤寒杆菌或 C. glabrata。 该系统还包括线虫的食物来源; 食物来源可以是活的或减毒的细菌,例如大肠杆菌。
Abstract:
An engineered muscle construct in the form of a braided collagen microthread scaffold is provided. The microthread scaffold can be used with or without cells as engineered skeletal muscle. The microthread scaffold can also be used to promote cell attachment and growth to deliver cells to a large muscle defect to stimulate muscle regeneration. Methods for making a muscle construct, seeding cells onto microthread scaffolds and treating muscle defects are also provided.
Abstract:
De-differentiation protocols are described herein for generating progenitor cells from adult connective tissue, in particular adult human fibroblasts. The de- differentiation protocols described herein comprise culturing the differentiated cells with an amount of FGF2 to de-differentiate the cells. These de-differentiated cells may then be cultured and used for experimentation, amplification and clinical applications. The clinical applications include the use of the cells for tissue and cell based therapies.
Abstract:
Compositions, methods and devices for the removal of organic contaminants from fluids using hydrophobic microporous adsorbents, which are regenerated by advanced oxidation.
Abstract:
A freehand 3-D imaging system includes an integrated sensor configuration that provides position and orientation of each 2D imaging plane used for 3-D reconstruction without the need for external references. The position sensors communicate with the imaging system using either wired and wireless means. At least one translational and one angular sensor or three translational sensors acquire data utilized to compute position tags associated with 2D ultrasound image scan frames. The sensors can be built into the ultrasound transducer or can be reversibly connected and therefore retrofitted to existing imaging probes for freehand 3D imaging.
Abstract:
A method and a computer system, for providing an assessment for disease status of a disease, such as a cardiovascular disease, employ construction of image-based 3D computational model of an organ representative of the disease status; computationally obtaining a certain mechanical distribution using the 3D-organ model; and computational, quantitative analysis of the mechanical distribution to provide an assessment for disease status of a disease. The image-based 3D computational model includes a fluid-structure interaction and multiple components within the organ.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a composite gas separation module and to methods for fabricating a composite gas separation module. The present invention also relates to methods for selectively separating hydrogen gas from a hydrogen gas containing gaseous stream. In one embodiment, the composite gas separation module includes a porous metal substrate; an intermediate porous metal layer, wherein the intermediate porous metal layer overlies the porous metal substrate; and a dense hydrogen-selective membrane, wherein the dense hydrogen-selective membrane overlies the intermediate porous metal layer. The intermediate porous metal layer can include can include palladium and a Group IB metal. For example, the intermediate porous metal layer can contain alternating layers of palladium and a Group IB metal.
Abstract:
Described herein are alloys substantially free of dendrites. A method includes forming an alloy substantially free of dendrites. A superheated alloy is cooled to form a nucleated alloy. The temperature of the nucleated alloy is controlled to prevent the nuclei from melting. The nucleated alloy is mixed to distribute the nuclei throughout the alloy. The nucleated alloy is cooled with nuclei distributed throughout.