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2019-071 – The Minneapolis Institute of Art (MIA) becomes a giant puzzle room with the free “Riddle Mia This” app. Players work individually or as a team to solve an interactive museum mystery using the app to search for clues in the artworks to expose a secret society. The app creates an augmented reality puzzle room and helps guide players through the museum. Instead of building new rooms or... Read More
20180356 – While wearables, such as FitBit and other activity trackers, are useful for tracking and recording user’s physical and sleep activities, annotation and effective interpretation of data requires expertise. Moreover, evaluation of longitudinal activity data is done only in retrospect. Recently, researchers at the University of Minnesota developed a data mining and machine learning... Read More
20180173-20180174-20180175-20180176-20180177-20180178 – A software portfolio for assessing and mitigating food supply chain risk ensuring we have a reliable source of food. FDA mandatory food recall alerts come far too late, after the majority of sickness has already occurred and the majority of processing, packaging and shipment has already taken place. The delayed issuance of FDA warnings can be very expensive for companies.... Read More
20180320 – A smartphone app (iTorsion) for diagnosis of ocular torsion by physicians. It is not intended for self-diagnosis by patients. Patients wear standard red/green glasses. While holding the smartphone perpendicular to the ground, the patient should predominantly see one line out of each eye. The patient is asked to make the lines parallel with each other and with the ground. After finishing... Read More
20180310 – This technology is a software based model for analyzing whole brain diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data to estimate function specific brain circuits. The approach reveals detailed anatomical connectivity patterns for each functional module and recovers structural connections that are underestimated by diffusion MRI (dMRI).... Read More
20180108 – A novel lane departure warning system (LDWS) alerts drivers of unintended lane drifting. The method uses standard global positioning system (GPS) receivers and low-resolution map references to detect lane departure based on the relative trajectory of the vehicle. In future phases, the Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) will use Dedicated Short Range Communication (DSRC)... Read More
20170420 – Artificial Resynthesis Technology (ART-5) is a mechanical mouth that tests food products and dental materials by simulating the mechanics of the human chewing process. It provides information on the environmental conditions found in the human mouth. The chewing machine or artificial mouth has a computerized feedback control that mimics the human chewing motion, especially its ability to... Read More
20180168 – New, detailed geologic maps of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) include lakes, campsites, portages, trails and altitude maps. These new maps are color-coded based on bedrock geology and include a complete geologic legend and printed summaries of the geology. The maps, provided to publishers as print-ready Adobe PDF or editable Illustrator files, would be a valuable... Read More
20130008 – A novel route-planning algorithm dynamically updates routes by incorporating real-time traffic data to accurately predict future travel times and traffic situations. The algorithm’s temporally detailed (TD) roadmaps contain travel time information about road segments at all times of the day and week at fine temporal resolutions (seconds or minutes). By using better modelling of the... Read More
20110121 – A new system provides multiple imputation of missing data elements in retail data sets used for modeling and decision support applications. The method is based on the multi-dimensional, tensor structure of the data sets and offers a fast, scalable scheme suitable for large data sets. The computer-implemented algorithm first identifies a retail data set (a measured quantity of... Read More
20090032 – A new algorithm tracks exterior and interior surfaces of organs to provide a surgeon with a real-time, 3D view of organs as they deform. The 3-D reconstruction allows the surgeon to “see” through the wall of an organ during surgery rather than just look at its surface. The algorithm is based on sparse sampling of the exterior surfaces tracked by identifying subspaces in which the... Read More
20160347 – The MnMotion System™ is an easy to use clinical tool to accurately measure, diagnose and objectively track progress for shoulder movement disorders. The system consists of a physical component that attaches to a mobile device or smartphone and accurately measures shoulder positions. The handle maximizes accuracy of measurement, including location of fingers relative to important bony... Read More
20170266 – An algorithm uses prognostic models based on electronic medical record (EMR) data to predict one-year mortality risk. The random forest model, which predicts the risk of death within a year of the last day of hospitalization, is remarkable as a broadly applicable prognostic model that does not focus on a specific disease. The model is derived from about 100,000 hospital discharges, is... Read More
20150270 – A handheld device used in conjunction with a smartphone can measure three-dimensional angles of the scapula during arm movement. The device attaches to a smartphone with an adjustable mounting apparatus, and a custom smartphone application integrates the phone’s sensors and data recording ability to measure and record scapular angles during arm motion. By measuring all three angles of... Read More
20170355 – A dual-incentive peer mentoring model, Positive Peer-Pressured Productivity (PQUAD), shows promising results in increasing academic productivity of early-career faculty and trainees. PQUAD is a virtual scholarship leaderboard which combines an increased awareness of peers’ academic work with a weighted lottery for which tickets are earned on the basis of academic output. The incentive... Read More
20170140 – A new, versatile optimization technique enables microstructure imaging of crossing white matter fibers. Microstructure Imaging of Crossing (MIX) White Matter Fibers is a novel regression method that can characterize tissue microstructure in the brain white matter from diffusion MRI (dMRI) data. The technique is robust, versatile and utilizes the Variable Separation Method (VSM) to fit... Read More
20160116 – The University of Minnesota’s Bee Squad has developed a safe and effective varroa mite testing kit for beekeepers. The kit, based on the University of Nebraska's non-destructive testing method called the “powdered sugar roll,” monitors varroa mite levels in honey bee colonies and supports beekeepers in regular mite monitoring to better manage their colonies based on mite levels. The... Read More
20170064 – A software program based on Fourier transform methods (FTM) provides accurate image-based fiber orientation and alignment data in tissue samples. FTM surpassed other methods in delivering accurate results, findings confirmed by applying FTM to SEM micrographs of fibrin tissue analogs. The code may also be used to characterize fiber orientation or other microstructural features in a... Read More
20170008 – A new reporting algorithm improves accuracy in assigning responsible provider data for inpatient hospital accounts. Following guidelines established by the Center for Medicaid Services (CMS), this algorithm helps coders adhere to federal and state rules and regulations while helping hospitals measure physician quality and performance. The algorithm is based on several components: ... Read More
20170002 – CG-TARGET (Chemical-Genetic Translation via A Reference Genetic interaction nETwork) software is a pipeline that uses a genetic interaction network for predicting the molecular target of a compound/mode-of-action from chemical-genetic interaction profiles. Three input datasets (chemical-genetic interaction profiles, reference genetic interaction profiles, and a mapping from the query... Read More
20170001 – BEAN-counter (Barcoded Experiment Analysis from Next-generation sequencing) software is a pipeline for quantitative scoring of chemical-genetic interactions from sequencing-based chemical-genetic interaction screens. It provides a complete toolset for processing multiplexed sequencing data from barcoded mutant pools into chemical-genetic interaction profiles, based on these basic inputs:... Read More
20150048 – An inexpensive laparoscopic camera handling trainer (CHT) provides effective training for 30° laparoscopic camera navigation. The device consists of a transparent Plexiglas viewfinder, trocar support and a graphical path for users to navigate. The viewfinder is connected to a monitor that displays images from the camera and features a geometric shape indicates correct targeting of the... Read More
20110246 – A principal components analysis (PCA) algorithm has been created which is more robust to outliers and data corruption than those in current usage. PCA is one of the most useful and widely used algorithms for data analysis and is useful in areas of data mining and machine learning, but is very sensitive to outliers and corruption. The developed alternative PCA algorithm is not only much... Read More
20160047 – FRAME is an interactive, online training software package that provides comprehensive, standardized training with measurable results for any type of organization, discipline or career path. Its online framework ensures consistency, as the same training is accessible to any worker, anytime, anywhere in the world. The software features a matrix whereby workers are trained in user-defined... Read More
20160234-4 – A 4-mm punch biopsy was acquired from a 44-yr old Caucasian male, fixed and vertically sectioned into 200-micron sections. Sections were multi-stained with antibodies to visualize nerves (PGP9.5, blue) and melanocytes (MEL1, yellow) of the hair bulb and the epidermis. This image was captured using laser scanning confocal microscopy at 200X magnification and is a projection... Read More
20160234-3 – A 4-mm punch biopsy was acquired from a 34-yr old Caucasian male, fixed and vertically sectioned into 200-micron thick sections. The sample was stained with antibodies to visualize nerves (PGP9.5, green) and with the plant lectin, Ulex europeaous-FITC (red) which binds to follicular keratinocytes. This image was captured using laser scanning confocal microscopy at 200X... Read More
20160234-2 – A 4-mm punch biopsy was acquired from a healthy Caucasian subject, fixed and vertically sectioned into 200-micron-thick sections. Sections were stained with the plant lectin, Ulex europeaous conjugated to FITC (yellow). This lectin binds to l-fucose moieties, a carbohydrate abundant in human blood vessels. This image was captured using laser scanning confocal microscopy at... Read More
20160234 – The Ericson Lab at the University of Minnesota has been examining, imaging and quantifying biomarkers in skin and other organs using laser scanning microscopy and three-dimensional analysis since 1996. The lab has successfully administered and secured funding for several collaborative projects (including staffing, research protections, budgets and experimental plans) and produced several... Read More
20160234-1 – A 4-mm punch biopsy was acquired from a healthy 44-yr old Caucasian male, fixed and vertically sectioned into 200-micron-thick sections. Sections were multi-stained with antibodies to the neuropeptide calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP, green), nerves (PGP9.5, red), and vasculature (Ulex europeaous-FITC, blue). This image was captured using laser scanning confocal... Read More
20150024 – Daynamica is an innovative smartphone application that tracks and collects highly-detailed user activity and travel data. Using real-time data mining of raw sensor data with smartphone GPS and accelerometer data, the app automatically detects and classifies daily activity and travel. By allowing users to view and edit/customize the information, the software can collect more detailed data... Read More
20120080 – CoreSHIELD is an online collaboration and information sharing tool that allows professionals to identify and securely communicate with their counterparts in similar positions in other organizations, anywhere in the nation. Users maintain detailed profiles identifying their roles, making it easy to search for and connect with functional counterparts despite geographic, organizational or... Read More
20150084 – Potential food threats and adverse food events can quickly be identified and shared with food and agriculture stakeholders using the Focused Integration of Data for Early Signals (FIDES) tool. Initiated by the Food Protection and Defense Institute, FIDES integrates big data compiled from non-traditional sources (e.g., trade, economics, meteorology, global policies, social media,... Read More
20160061 – A comprehensive study presents a unique analysis of marginal emission factors for three pollutants from electricity generation in the eleven-state Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) region. Researchers estimate both average emission factors and marginal emission factors for carbon dioxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO), and nitrogen oxides (NO) from fossil-fired generators in... Read More
20160049 – A new graphical user interface (GUI) guides users easily through the process of implementing Storn and Price’s differential evolution algorithm for optimization applications, such as in optimizing solution compositions for freezing media for a cell type. Not only does this software program customize the algorithm for optimizing solution compositions, but a user-friendly GUI prompts users... Read More
20160076 – A newly-developed assessment tool designed by pediatric neuroscientists and physicians allows practitioners of pediatric non-invasive brain stimulation to anticipate and address potential issues from adverse events. The assessment helps investigators assess and manage any adverse effects from non-invasive brain stimulation – and possibly helps prevent them from occurring in the first... Read More
20150081 – Through use of an open-source commodity computing platform Apache Hadoop, and an extension labeled Spatial Hadoop, it is possible to perform spatial analysis on large quantities of location and GPS data. Please Note: SpatialHadoop has been adopted by the Eclipse Foundation under the name GeoJinni. Today’s availability of big data sets brings high demand for computational power.... Read More
20150057 – The most common malignant symptom of incontinence is skin damage or dermatitis. The buttocks, hips, and thighs are especially prone to skin breakdown when exposed to the moisture and chemicals in incontinence fluids. Skin damage prevention involves careful hygiene in the affected regions, but treatment is an involved process that depends on the severity of the skin damage. There exists a... Read More
20150056 – The Online Global Health Course prepares today’s medical professional to practice medicine and public health in an increasingly mobile world. With more than one billion people crossing international boundaries annually, every clinician, regardless of location of practice must be familiar with working across cultures and with infections and diseases in an increasing diverse world. In... Read More
20130206 – The Criticality Spatial Analysis (CRISTAL) corporate risk software instantly traces products across multiple companies, identifying specific points in the system that are at risk of failure. The technology was developed by the National Center for Food Protection and Defense for performing corporate food traceability. By documenting parallel systems (i.e. food, water, chemicals,... Read More
20130141 – The Sanfilippo Behavior Rating Scale questionnaire can define Sanfilippo syndrome behavior along a specific pattern and progression of behavioral symptoms. Currently, there is no scale specifically for the disease. Sanfilippo syndrome (also known as Mucopolysaccharidosis type III) is a genetic neurological disease which manifests early in life, generally ending in death in adolescence... Read More
20140194-20150025 – Given the emphasis put on empirical evidence in modern science, scientific datasets are a huge component of publications and research documents. Much of this data is useful to future studies, and needs proper data annotation so that the datasets can be found in an online search. Unfortunately, most datasets lack annotations and context that facilitate searching. The need for proper... Read More
20140124 – A system that monitors parking availability in parking lots has been developed. It uses a 3-dimensional camera method and is robust under all weather conditions. It is highly effective in accounting for vehicular occlusion which happens often in parking facilities with large vehicles. Detection of vehicles in real-world lighting (accounting for reflections and shadows) is a dramatic... Read More
20140226 – A user behavior modelling algorithm has been developed that acknowledges a user’s changing preferences on sites where users experience many pieces of successive media and adjusts the recommendations accordingly. How much time does it take to bore a customer with the same “reliable” recommendations? How long will it take for a certain recommendation to finally pique the interest of a user?... Read More
20140120 – An open-source PostgreSQL-embedded system has been produced that creates and processes user-item preference matrices from within the database itself. This database application, RecDB, provides a solution by eliminating the wasteful online-offline transition step common to most recommendation systems located outside the database. The SQL language involved is simple and designed to easily... Read More
20140083 – An algorithm has been designed to maximize clicks in a search engine result page. It measures the incongruity of a given text segment (i.e. how unrelated and rare the terms are within the segment). In the utility of a search algorithm, the method utilizes a user’s cookies and browser history to further refine its prediction of what the user will find interesting based on search terms. It... Read More
20140246 – An iPad application, Global Outbreak, has been developed that simulates how a health department might implement the federal government’s Incident Command System (ICS) during an outbreak response. The simulation aims to illustrate a Department Operations Center coming to life and increase the likelihood the user will be able to perform well in a real response. It presents the user with the... Read More
20140312 – Discernment counseling is a powerful process for couples with divorce ambivalence who aren't sure whether to pursue couples counseling or consider divorce. This short term protocol video helps “mixed agenda couples” where one is leaning out of the marriage and the other wants to save it. BENEFITS AND FEATURES OF DISCERNMENT COUNSELING: This technology is now available for... Read More
20140245 – Emergency event responders have some of the world’s most important jobs, but also some of the most personally taxing. Occupations, such as EMT, deal with injury, death, risk, trauma of fellow human beings which increases the risk of psychological and physical detriment to the occupation holder. To ensure that responders maintain personal care in areas of nutrition, hygiene, and psyche is... Read More
20140050 – Dedicated short-range communications (DSRC) systems have been recently developed that allow for vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication as well as vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication. Various safety techniques are being developed for DSRC-equipped vehicles, but despite an anticipated standardization of DSRC in U.S. automobiles, use is not widespread. DSRC as it stands today has... Read More
20140049 – A new system has been developed that replaces roadside V2I DSRC units with a Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) network to relay dangerous changes in the speed of traffic along with additional statistics. A vehicle approaching an area where traffic speed is volatile will issue a dedicated short-range communications (DSRC) Basic Safety Message to other DSRC-equipped vehicles. Of these trailing... Read More
