Abstract: The invention provides a means to sequence a gene by mass spectroscopy by release and detection of mass labeled nucleic acids. Mass labels are designed as chain terminators nucleic acid and optimal for ionization by the mass spectrometric method used and there is no loss of sensitivity across genes sequenced and the amplification can be minimized.

Abstract: The invention provides a means of generation of high numbers of droplets containing content while still diluting the interfering molecules to allow generating large arrays of isolated droplets without increased need to sort more droplets while allowing a higher content. The invention generates a larger group of droplets containing a library of compounds, then removes the empty droplets and retain the contents of full droplets by size exclusion filtration.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of releasing a liquid from a porous matrix having at least one pore to a microfluidic surface having at least one liquid volume area and at least one exit hole, comprising: (a) filtering said liquid through said porous matrix; (b) removing said porous matrix and sealing the microfluidic surface having a liquid volume area; (c) releasing said liquid from the liquid volume area through the exit hole of the microfluidic surface by application of a dynamic force; and (d) collecting said liquid into a liquid receiving area. Additionally, there is provided an apparatus useful for processing liquid samples undergoing analytical assays which includes (a) a filtering device having a porous matrix affixed to a support structure; (b) a microfluidic surface having a liquid volume area and an exit hole connected to said filtering device; and (c) a liquid receiving area attached to said microfluidic surface.

Abstract: A method of updating statuses of processes in a network is provided. The method may include the following steps: connecting N processes on a K-connected overlay network of nodes which is in operative association with a computer network; determining an update of subscription and un-subscription statuses of at least some of the processes; generating update messages reflecting the subscriptions and the un-subscriptions, the update messages being differences between previous update and current update; and propagating the update messages through the K-connected graph, such that at least some of the processes transfer the update to its respective K neighboring nodes, wherein at least one of the connecting, the subscribing, the unsubscribing, the generating, and the propagating is executed by at least one processor.

Abstract: A method of updating statuses of processes in a network is provided. The method may include the following steps: connecting N processes on a K-connected overlay network of nodes which is in operative association with a computer network; determining an update of subscription and un-subscription statuses of at least some of the processes; generating update messages reflecting the subscriptions and the un-subscriptions, the update messages being differences between previous update and current update; and propagating the update messages through the K-connected graph, such that at least some of the processes transfer the update to its respective K neighboring nodes, wherein at least one of the connecting, the subscribing, the unsubscribing, the generating, and the propagating is executed by at least one processor.

Abstract: An actuator and integral position sensor has increased reliability with a fail-safe mode. The actuator and sensor assembly includes a rotary actuator that has a driving shaft. A sensor rotor has the driving shaft mounted in a bore. A contactor is mounted to an outer edge of the rotor. The contactor is engaged with a resistor film as the rotor rotates. A driven shaft is mounted to the rotor in another bore. The rotor couples the driving shaft and the driven shaft together.

Abstract: An actuator and integral position sensor has increased reliability with a fail-safe mode. The actuator and sensor assembly includes a rotary actuator that has a driving shaft. A sensor rotor has the driving shaft mounted in a bore. A contactor is mounted to an outer edge of the rotor. The contactor is engaged with a resistor film as the rotor rotates. A driven shaft is mounted to the rotor in another bore. The rotor couples the driving shaft and the driven shaft together.

Abstract: An actuator and integral position sensor has increased reliability with a fail-safe mode. The actuator and sensor assembly includes a rotary actuator that has a driving shaft. A sensor rotor has the driving shaft mounted in a bore. A contactor is mounted to an outer edge of the rotor. The contactor is engaged with a resistor film as the rotor rotates. A driven shaft is mounted to the rotor in another bore. The rotor couples the driving shaft and the driven shaft together.