Abstract: Applicators and methods for dispensing material are disclosed. The applicator includes a syringe defining an inlet, and outlet, a chamber extending from the inlet to the outlet, a plunger disposed within the chamber, and a piston attached to the plunger, where the piston is configured to move the plunger through the chamber. The applicator also includes an actuation mechanism configured to linearly translate the piston through the chamber so as to dispense material through the outlet, a sensor attached to the plunger, where the sensor is configured to sense a linear movement of the plunger, and a controller configured to adjust operation of the actuation mechanism based on the linear movement sensed by the sensor such that the piston repeatedly dispenses a predetermined amount of the material from the outlet of the syringe over a plurality of dispense cycles.

Abstract: A system and method of identifying a target molecule that bind to the bioactive site of a protein or protein complex is described. The system and method includes the steps of calculating the information signature of a first molecule that is known to bind to the bioactive site of a protein or protein complex, wherein the information signature is a string of numerical values based on the average distance and physico-chemical properties of each atom of a plurality of atoms in the first molecule, calculating the information signature of each target molecule in a library of target molecules, comparing the information signature of the first molecule to the information signatures of the target molecules, and selecting the target molecules having an information signature that is similar to the information signature of the first molecule.

Abstract: A modular cross-connect includes a chassis configured to receive a cross-connect module therein and including a front face and a rear cover. A plurality of fixed printed circuit boards (PCBs) are mounted in the chassis such that rear facing connectors of each of the fixed PCBs extend outward from the rear cover of the chassis. Each fixed PCB has a front-facing connector configured to mate with a rear-facing connector of a corresponding a cross-connect module. A plurality of slots in the front face of the chassis are configured to receive a cross-connect module and to align a rear-facing connector the cross-connect module for connection with a front-facing connector of the fixed PCB. Each front facing connector of the fixed PCBs includes at least one ground contact and a plurality of signal contacts, such that upon insertion of the cross-connect module into the chassis, the ground contacts engage the rear-facing connector before the signal contacts engage the rear facing connector.

Abstract: A novel packaged novelty is shown. The packaged novelty includes an individually sized package and a non-edible novelty item contained by the individually sized package. In one embodiment, the packaged novelty includes an individually sized box. In one embodiment the packaged novelty includes a second package such as a bag that contains the individually sized package. A method of packaging a novelty item is also shown. The method includes placing a non-edible novelty item into an individually sized package. Examples of novelties include, but are not limited to: stickers, temporary tattoos, scratch-and-sniff cards, scratch-and-sniff stickers, scratch off game cards, coupons, etc.