Abstract: Compositions, kits, and methods of using the kits and compositions to determine the hardness of and/or magnesium concentration in a solution are described. The kit can include a lyophilized composition that has an absorbance at a detectable wavelength in response to the hardness of the solution and or the concentration of magnesium in the solution.

Abstract: A combination cooking system and methods for cooking having a simplified venting structure are provided. In one embodiment, the cooking system can include a housing having a hollow chamber for receiving food, a lid coupled to the housing for enclosing food within the chamber, and at least one heating element. In use, a seal disposed between the lid and housing can be selectively removed to create an air gap there between, thus providing a simplified method for venting air within the housing and thereby enabling the system to operate in different cooking modes. A locking element for locking the lid relative to the housing and/or an adjustable vent can also be selectively used to control venting within the system to enable the system to operate in different cooking modes.

Abstract: Compositions, kits and methods of using the kits and compositions to determine the phosphate concentration in a solution is described. The composition comprising: an indicator, a molybdate salt, a buffer, a reaction accelerant, a sulfate salt, and one or more excipient, wherein the composition has an absorbance at a detectable wavelength in response to the phosphate concentration in a solution. The kit can include a lyophilized composition which has absorbance at a detectable wavelength in response to the phosphate concentration in the solution.

Abstract: Compositions, kits and methods of using the kits and compositions to determine the alkalinity of an analyte solution are described. The kit can include a lyophilized titrant.

Abstract: A cooking system is provided. The cooking system includes a housing, a lid, a heating element, a vent tube, and a piston. The housing has a hollow interior. The lid is movable relative to the housing, where the lid and housing cooperate to form a cooking chamber. The heating element is mounted within the lid. The vent tube is arranged within the lid and extends between the cooking chamber and an external environment. The vent tube includes an inlet channel, an outlet channel, and a central channel arranged between the inlet and outlet channel. A piston is arranged within the central channel and configured to alternate between a venting and a non-venting position such that a low-moisture fluid is drawn through the inlet channel into the cooking chamber from the external environment, and a high-moisture fluid is evacuated through the outlet channel into the external environment from the cooking chamber.

Abstract: A combination cooking system and methods for cooking having a simplified venting structure are provided. In one embodiment, the cooking system can include a housing having a hollow chamber for receiving food, a lid coupled to the housing for enclosing food within the chamber, and at least one heating element. In use, a seal disposed between the lid and housing can be selectively removed to create an air gap there between, thus providing a simplified method for venting air within the housing and thereby enabling the system to operate in different cooking modes. A locking element for locking the lid relative to the housing and/or an adjustable vent can also be selectively used to control venting within the system to enable the system to operate in different cooking modes.

Abstract: A cooking system is provided. The cooking system includes a housing, a lid, a heating element, a vent tube, and a piston. The housing has a hollow interior. The lid is movable relative to the housing, where the lid and housing cooperate to form a cooking chamber. The heating element is mounted within the lid. The vent tube is arranged within the lid and extends between the cooking chamber and an external environment. The vent tube includes an inlet channel, an outlet channel, and a central channel arranged between the inlet and outlet channel. A piston is arranged within the central channel and configured to alternate between a venting and a non-venting position such that a low-moisture fluid is drawn through the inlet channel into the cooking chamber from the external environment, and a high-moisture fluid is evacuated through the outlet channel into the external environment from the cooking chamber.

Abstract: Compositions, kits, and methods of using the kits and compositions to determine the hardness of and/or magnesium concentration in a solution are described. The kit can include a lyophilized composition that has an absorbance at a detectable wavelength in response to the hardness of the solution and or the concentration of magnesium in the solution.

Abstract: Compositions, kits and methods of using the kits and compositions to determine the alkalinity of an analyte solution are described. The kit can include a lyophilized titrant.

Abstract: Compositions, kits, and methods of using the kits and compositions to determine the hardness of and/or magnesium concentration in a solution are described. The kit can include a lyophilized composition that has an absorbance at a detectable wavelength in response to the hardness of the solution and or the concentration of magnesium in the solution.

Abstract: Compositions, kits and methods of using the kits and compositions to determine the alkalinity of an analyte solution are described. The kit can include a lyophilized titrant.

Abstract: Compositions, kits, and methods of using the kits and compositions to determine the hardness of and/or magnesium concentration in a solution are described. The kit can include a lyophilized composition that has an absorbance at a detectable wavelength in response to the hardness of the solution and or the concentration of magnesium in the solution.

Abstract: Compositions, kits and methods of using the kits and compositions to determine the alkalinity of an analyte solution are described. The kit can include a lyophilized titrant.

Abstract: A system and method of knowledge assessment provides for a computer-executable program capable of generating a user's knowledge profile based on answers to queries posed to the user via a communication network. The user's knowledge profile can be used for creating a detail curriculum in a specific academic subject for the user to pursue or for comparing with the knowledge profile of one or more other users. The detail curriculum, or knowledge path, arranges the subjects to be learned in a hierarchical manner so that the user can determine which subject categories must be mastered before moving to other categories and concepts.

Abstract: Techniques for prioritizing test dependencies are described. A computer system employing such techniques may present a test structure for a set of test cases. The test structure may comprise prioritized test cases and dependencies between test cases. The dependencies may be based on predicted test case failure given failure of another test case. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: Techniques for prioritizing test dependencies are described. A computer system employing such techniques may present a test structure for a set of test cases. The test structure may comprise prioritized test cases and dependencies between test cases. The dependencies may be based on predicted test case failure given failure of another test case. Other embodiments are described and claimed.