Abstract: Participation by multiple users in an online game through client computing platforms associated with the users is facilitated. User accounts associated with the users indicate affiliations having a functional significance between users. Presentation of offers to sell virtual items are provided to users having a first affiliation and to users having a second affiliation. The virtual items associated with the offers are distributed to the users having a first affiliation upon an indication that a threshold number of users having the first affiliation have accepted the offer and are not distributed to users having a second affiliation upon an indication that a threshold number of users having the second affiliation have not accepted the offer.

Abstract: Techniques are described for providing location-based information and functionality to people and computing devices in various ways. In at least some situations, the techniques include enabling multiple people in a common geographic area to interact in various ways, such as via devices capable of communications (e.g., cellular telephones, computing devices with wired and/or wireless communications capabilities, etc.), while in other situations at least some users who are remote from a particular geographic area may be allowed to intercommunicate with one or more other users or other entities in or related to that geographic area. In addition, the techniques include enabling the creation and maintenance of location-based virtual groups of users (also referred to as “clouds”), such as for users of mobile and/or fixed-location devices. Such clouds may enable various types of interactions between group members, and may be temporary and/or mobile.

Abstract: Examples of the disclosure relate to an apparatus for analysing fluid samples. The apparatus is sized and shaped so that it can fit into an input port of an electronic device. The input port could be an existing port of the electronic device such as an input port for a memory card or a charger. The electronic device can be configured with a heat transfer means so that, when the apparatus is inserted into the electronic device, heat from the electronic device can be used to control the temperature of a fluid sample within the apparatus. This can enable the reaction conditions within the apparatus to be controlled.

Abstract: Cell free nucleic acids from a test sample obtained from an individual are analyzed to identify possible fusion events. Cell free nucleic acids are sequenced and processed to generate fragments. Fragments are decomposed into kmers and the kmers are either analyzed de novo or compared to targeted nucleic acid sequences that are known to be associated with fusion gene pairs of interest. Thus, kmers that may have originated from a fusion event can be identified. These kmers are consolidated to generate gene ranges from various genes that match sequences in the fragment. A candidate fusion event can be called given the spanning of one or more gene ranges across the fragment.

Abstract: Examples of the disclosure relate to a transducer array. The transducer array includes a monolithic crystal, a first array of electrodes provided on a first surface of the monolithic crystal, and a second array of electrodes provided on a second surface of the monolithic crystal. The second surface is an opposing surface to the first surface. The transducer array also comprises a plurality of oscillators wherein the plurality of oscillators include sections of the monolithic crystal that are positioned between opposing portions of an electrode from the first array and portions of an electrode from the second array.

Abstract: Incoherently combining light from different lasers while maintaining high brightness is challenging using conventional fiber bundling techniques, where fibers from different lasers are bundled adjacently in a tight-packed arrangement. The brightness can be increased by tapering the tips of the bundled fibers to match a single, multi-mode output fiber, e.g., one whose core that is just wide enough to fit the input cores. This increases the brightness of the beam combining. In addition, reducing the outer diameters of the signal fiber claddings allows the signal fibers to be bundled closer together, making it possible to couple more signal fiber cores to the core of a multi-mode output fiber. Similarly, reducing the outer diameter of the pump fiber cladding and/or etching away corresponding portions of the signal fiber cladding in a pump/signal combiner makes it possible to couple more pump light into the signal fiber cladding, again increasing brightness.

Abstract: Methods for measuring subpopulations of ribonucleic acid (RNA) molecules are provided. In some embodiments, methods of generating a sequencing library from a plurality of RNA molecules in a test sample obtained from a subject are provided, as well as methods for analyzing the sequencing library to detect, e.g., the presence or absence of a disease.

Abstract: Cell free nucleic acids from a test sample obtained from an individual are analyzed to identify possible fusion events. Cell free nucleic acids are sequenced and processed to generate fragments. Fragments are decomposed into kmers and the kmers are either analyzed de novo or compared to targeted nucleic acid sequences that are known to be associated with fusion gene pairs of interest. Thus, kmers that may have originated from a fusion event can be identified. These kmers are consolidated to generate gene ranges from various genes that match sequences in the fragment. A candidate fusion event can be called given the spanning of one or more gene ranges across the fragment.

Abstract: Introduced here are carrier tape assemblies that can improve efficiency and reduce costs when utilized in the handling, transport, or storage of semiconductor components. A carrier tape assembly can include an adhesive film affixed to an elongated and/or extruded carrier tape. For example, the adhesive film may be integrally laminated onto the top surface of the elongate carrier tape as a single continuous (i.e., unbroken) sheet. The adhesive film may substantially conform to the top surface of the elongate carrier tape, including any punched cavities for holding semiconductor components. Proper securement of the semiconductor components to the carrier tape assembly depends on the adhesive property of the constituent material(s) of the adhesive film.

Abstract: Participation by multiple users in an online game through client computing platforms associated with the users is facilitated. User accounts associated with the users indicate affiliations having a functional significance between users. Presentation of offers to sell virtual items are provided to users having a first affiliation and to users having a second affiliation. The virtual items associated with the offers are distributed to the users having a first affiliation upon an indication that a threshold number of users having the first affiliation have accepted the offer and are not distributed to users having a second affiliation upon an indication that a threshold number of users having the second affiliation have not accepted the offer.

Abstract: Participation by multiple users in an online game through client computing platforms associated with the users is facilitated. User accounts associated with the users indicate affiliations having a functional significance between users. Presentation of offers to sell virtual items are provided to users having a first affiliation and to users having a second affiliation. The virtual items associated with the offers are distributed to the users having a first affiliation upon an indication that a threshold number of users having the first affiliation have accepted the offer and are not distributed to users having a second affiliation upon an indication that a threshold number of users having the second affiliation have not accepted the offer.

Abstract: Introduced here are carrier tape assemblies that can improve efficiency and reduce costs when utilized in the handling, transport, or storage of semiconductor components. A carrier tape assembly can include an adhesive film affixed to an elongated and/or extruded carrier tape. For example, the adhesive film may be integrally laminated onto the top surface of the elongate carrier tape as a single continuous (i.e., unbroken) sheet. The adhesive film may substantially conform to the top surface of the elongate carrier tape, including any punched cavities for holding semiconductor components. Proper securement of the semiconductor components to the carrier tape assembly depends on the adhesive property of the constituent material(s) of the adhesive film.

Abstract: A system and method for providing virtual items to users of an online game operated in a virtual space. Multiple users may participate in affiliations or alliances of discrete groups of users in an online game and may access the online game through client computing platforms associated with the users. The affiliations may have affiliation game units associated with affiliations which provide a benefit to the members of the online game. Affiliation members may cumulatively obtain affiliation game units and/or upgrade affiliation game units by providing one or more virtual items. Upgrading affiliation game units may require the cooperation of multiple members of the affiliation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicle having a breakaway tie rod. The tie rod has a longitudinal axis oriented substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, and includes a rod portion and a receiver portion. The rod portion includes a proximal ball joint disposed at the proximal end and a male coupling section disposed at the distal end. The receiver portion includes a female coupling section disposed at the proximal end, a distal ball joint disposed at the distal end, and a narrowing feature disposed between the proximal end and distal end. The male coupling section of the rod portion is received into the female coupling section of the receiver portion, forming a connection, and the distal end of the rod portion is disposed proximate to the narrowing feature. The narrowing feature is configured to fracture when subjected to a threshold force substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for providing virtual items to users of an online game operated in a virtual space. Multiple users may participate in affiliations or alliances of discrete groups of users in an online game and may access the online game through client computing platforms associated with the users. The affiliations may have affiliation game units associated with affiliations which provide a benefit to the members of the online game. Affiliation members may cumulatively obtain affiliation game units and/or upgrade affiliation game units by providing one or more virtual items. Upgrading affiliation game units may require the cooperation of multiple members of the affiliation.

Abstract: In various aspects, the present disclosure provides methods, compositions, reactions mixtures, kits, and systems for sequencing both RNA and DNA from a single source sample. In some embodiments, RNA is treated so as to differentiate RNA sequences from DNA sequences derived from the same sample. In some embodiments, the RNA and DNA are cell-free polynucleotides.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method may be used for intelligent transaction pre-authorization using a browser extension. The method may including detecting user navigation by a user of a vendor web page, the vendor web page being associated with a vendor and detecting at least one input field of the vendor web page. Additionally, the method may include determining based on the at least one input field of the vendor web page, that the user is attempting a transaction with the vendor and determining information regarding the vendor based on the vendor web page. Additionally, the method may include executing a program to display on the vendor web page a request for the user to pre-authorize the transaction prior to completing the transaction and receiving, by the one or more processors, an indication from the user to pre-authorize the transaction. Additionally, the method may include receiving payment information of the user and processing the transaction between the user and the vendor.

Abstract: Approaches for secondary-game-mode sessions based on primary-game-mode arrangements of user-controlled elements are provided. Actions by user-controlled elements of a first user or other game-space elements in a primary game mode of a game space may be managed. A session request for a session in a secondary game mode of the game space may be received from the first user. A first session for the first user may be executed in the secondary game mode such that: the first session involves artificial-intelligence-controlled elements as opponents against the user-controlled elements; (ii) an arrangement of the user-controlled elements at a beginning of the first session is the same as an arrangement of the user-controlled elements in the primary game mode at a time of the session request; and (iii) impacts on the user-controlled elements during the first session in the secondary game mode are not reflected in the primary game mode.

Abstract: Examples of the disclosure relate to a transducer array. The transducer array includes a monolithic crystal, a first array of electrodes provided on a first surface of the monolithic crystal, and a second array of electrodes provided on a second surface of the monolithic crystal. The second surface is an opposing surface to the first surface. The transducer array also comprises a plurality of oscillators wherein the plurality of oscillators include sections of the monolithic crystal that are positioned between opposing portions of an electrode from the first array and portions of an electrode from the second array.

Abstract: In various aspects, the present disclosure provides methods, compositions, reactions mixtures, kits, and systems for sequencing both RNA and DNA from a single source sample. In some embodiments, RNA is treated so as to differentiate RNA sequences from DNA sequences derived from the same sample. In some embodiments, the RNA and DNA are cell-free polynucleotides.