Abstract: A media marker mechanism may be used to send, to a cloud service, up-to-date context regarding playback of a media content stream on a user device. The cloud service may insert a media content item into a media content stream and/or combine media content items into a media content stream. The cloud service may implement the media marker mechanism to tag a content item with metadata that can be read by the user device. The user device can play the streaming media content and, when the tagged content item plays, read the metadata and send it to the cloud service. The cloud service can use the metadata to enrich the media content delivery by, for example, providing a companion image that the user device can display while paying the tagged content item, providing a link to make the companion image clickable, handling requests referring to the media content, etc.

Abstract: Techniques are described for maintaining contextual data to support content-related actions. In an example, a system stories second content at a source. The source is associated with first content. The system sends, to a device, an object that indicates the first content. From the device at a first time, the system receives first data indicating a first request for the second content and including source information that indicates the source. From the device at a second time, the system receives second data indicating a second request for the second content, the second data including the source information, the first data and the second data received at a frequency indicated by the object. The system determines that the requests are associated with the first content based on the source information included in the received data, and stores third data indicating a presentation of the first content by the device.

Abstract: A ferrule system includes: a first ferrule comprising a proximal end for engaging a first implement and a threaded portion opposite the proximal end; and a second ferrule comprising a distal portion for engaging a second implement, a proximal portion opposite the distal portion and comprising teeth, a threaded portion intermediate the distal portion and proximal portion and configured to engage the threaded portion of the first ferrule. Teeth are mounted on the first ferrule and are biased to automatically engage the teeth of the proximal portion of the second ferrule as the threaded portion of the first ferrule engages the threaded portion of the second ferrule such that only tightening rotation of the second ferrule relative to the first ferrule is permitted when the teeth mounted on the first ferrule are automatically engaged with the teeth of the proximal portion of the second ferrule.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions, methods and uses that relate to or result from providing separation media having at least one flocculant ligand covalently attached to a base surface or support, and the separation and/or purification of biological molecules using the separation media of the present disclosure. Certain embodiments provide separation media which under certain modes of operation, enhance the separation of the molecule of interest from impurities.

Abstract: A concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) system for solar power generation incorporating an array of receiving elements in a panel with optical receiving components designed to accept light from an angle offset from the normal optical axis of the placement of the panel. The offset angle is approximately equal to the difference in the mean position of the sun, and the installed angle of the panel thereby enabling the elements to effectively point directly at the sun even if the angle of the sun is outside the limited angular rotation of the solar tracking system.

Abstract: Methods and kits for preparing biologically derived fluids for subsequent biomarker analysis by mass spectrometry are provided.

Abstract: An optical amplifier is disclosed comprising a signal semiconductor optical amplifier having a waveguide, forming at least part of a signal path between an input and an output, extending along a signal active region for amplification of a signal. The amplifier also includes a control active region of semiconductor material having a gain which is controllable independently from the gain of the signal active region. The amplifier also includes a laser cavity containing both the signal active region and the control active region and being capable of clamping the gain of the signal active region, and the control active region is arranged not to amplify a signal in the signal path within a predetermined signal band.

Abstract: A MALDI plate suitable for MS or MS-MS analysis provided with a composite coating that comprises a hydrophobic coating and a thin layer coating of a mixture of a MALDI matrix material and an intercalating agent such as a polymer is disclosed. A MALDI plate produced in accordance with the present teachings is useful for suppression of matrix ions in the low mass region (<1,000 daltons) of a MALDI-MS spectrum.

Abstract: A method of producing an optical grating component including only a single continuous grating field formed in a longitudinal waveguide rib, the method including the steps of defining a grating in an optic chip including a portion thereof through which the longitudinal waveguide rib is to extend, and then defining the lateral edges of the longitudinal rib in the optic chip, whereby any portion of the grating extending laterally beyond the lateral width of the rib is removed in the step of defining the lateral edges of the rib leaving a single continuous grating field that has straight lateral grating boundaries that are laterally aligned with the straight lateral edges of the rib.

Abstract: A method of cleaning gas turbine compressors using crushed, solid, sublimable material, such as dry ice, which can be used in during low temperature conditions, poses no risk of ice formation, clogging cooling hole passages, or degrading the emissions from the turbine.

Abstract: An external cavity laser system comprises a reflective optical amplifier 3, an input waveguide 4 for receiving an optical input signal from the reflective optical amplifier 3, a Bragg grating 5 for reflecting a portion of the optical input signal back along the input waveguide 4 to define a resonant cavity with the optical amplifier, and a reflection photodiode 30 for detecting the signal portion reflected by the grating 5 and for supplying an electrical feedback signal indicative of the signal portion. A transmission photodiode 6 is also provided for detecting the signal portion transmitted by the grating 5 and for supplying an electrical feedback signal indicative of that signal portion. These feedback signals are supplied to a control circuit which controls a phase modulator to modulate the phase of the optical input signal so as to ensure zero detuning between the dominant signal mode and the peak of the grating.

Abstract: A hybridized fiber amplifier/waveguide system for amplifying a multichannel signal comprises a planar waveguide structure (1) incorporating a pump laser (2) providing an output signal of a defined wavelength, a doped optical fiber (8) attached to the structure and having an absorption wavelength corresponding to the wavelength of the laser output signal, and coupling means (5) for supplying the output signal of the laser and the multichannel signal to the doped fiber to amplify the multichannel signal.

Abstract: A method of cleaning gas turbine compressors using crushed, solid, sublimatable material, such as dry ice, which can be used in during low temperature conditions, poses no risk of ice formation, clogging cooling hole passages, or degrading the emissions from the turbine.

Abstract: The invention is a circuit protection device comprising a first and a second female terminal. The device further comprises a first fuse clip in electrical contact with the first fuse terminal and a second fuse clip in electrical contact with the second fuse terminal. A positive temperature coefficient element, preferably planar, is positioned between and makes electrical contact with both the first fuse clip and the second fuse clip. In a first embodiment, at least one of the first and second fuse clips is spring-loaded, i.e., has an inherent resiliency. In this same embodiment, portions of the first and second fuse clips overlap, and the positive temperature coefficient element is secured between the overlapping portions of the first and second fuse clips. In the second of the two preferred embodiments, the first fuse clip, the second fuse clip, and the positive temperature coefficient element are generally coplanar.

Abstract: A heater employs a ferromagnetic or like material heated by a varying magnetic field to heat the ferromagnetic material wherein the ferromagnetic material has a large cross-section comprised of many members of small cross-section insulated from one another and wherein for medical applications each member may be surrounded by a heat conductive electrically conductive coating.

Abstract: A conductive polymer composition which exhibits PTC behavior comprises a crystalline organic polymer, carbon black, and a high resistivity particulate filler. The high resistivity filler is semiconductive and has a resistivity at least 100 times that of the carbon black. Compositions of the invention exhibit good resistance stability when exposed to thermal cycling. They are useful in electrical devices requiring compositions with high resistivity.

Abstract: An electrical system which comprises (1) a temperature-sensitive device comprising a PTC or NTC element, (2) a load in series with the temperature-sensitive device and (3) a control device in parallel with the load and the temperature-sensitive device. The control device is a device whose resistance can be changed from a high value (which may be infinite) to a low value or vice versa, by a change in the electrical or physical environment thereof, e.g. a diode, triac, thyristor, PTC device or NTC device. The system is connected to a power supply so that, under normal conditions of operation, either (a) the temperature-sensitive device has a low resistance and the control device has a high resistance, whereby the load is activated, or (b) the temperature-sensitive device has a high resistance and the control device has a low resistance, whereby the load is isolated. By an appropriate change in the power source, e.g. its size or direction, or in the physical environment of the control device, e.g.