Abstract: A tissue processing apparatus for processing biological tissue. The tissue processing apparatus includes: an extraction device configured to, when connected to a reagent receptacle, take reagent out from the reagent receptacle for use by the tissue processing apparatus; a tag reader configured to read information from a machine-readable tag.

Abstract: Provided is a laser system that includes a laser head having a laser holder configured to house a laser beam and a lens for reflecting the laser beam at a predetermined wavelength, and a thermal-mechanical adjustment device disposed on the laser head and configured to adjust a temperature and an alignment of the laser beam, to maintain the predetermined wavelength of the laser beam.

Abstract: An apparatus may have a first reflector and a second reflector positioned on either side of a sample volume for a gas sample. The configuration of the first reflector may be variable between at least first and second configurations, wherein each of the first and second configurations is arranged such that a beam of optical radiation from an optical beam origin is directed to a detector location via the sample volume. In the second configuration the beam of optical radiation is reflected at least once from each of the first and second reflectors and the path length of the beam of optical radiation through the sample volume is greater than in the first configuration.

Abstract: Blockchain encryption techniques are provided. An exemplary method includes sending a signed transaction with at least two users to a blockchain; obtaining, by a first user, a public key of a second user from the blockchain; generating, by the first user, a symmetric key by combining a private key of the first user and the public key of the second user; encrypting, by the first user, a data item using the symmetric key; and providing the encrypted data item to the blockchain. The second user obtains the encrypted data item and a public key of the first user from the blockchain, and decrypts the encrypted data item using the symmetric key generated, by the second user, by combining a private key of the second user and the public key of the first user.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the disclosure relate to a bi-directional oil-flow adapter that is attachable to a valve-controlled port of a transformer housing in which oil is contained for cooling parts of the transformer such as a primary coil and a secondary coil. The bi-directional oil-flow adapter not only allows for an oil sample to be drawn out of the transformer housing via the valve-controlled port but also allows for the oil sample to be used (along with an additional volume of oil if so desired) for flushing the valve-controlled port in order to ensure that a subsequent oil sample is different than a current oil sample. The oil sample can be provided to a dissolved gas analyzer for detecting and analyzing one or more gases that may be present in the oil sample, the one more gases indicative of a level of contamination of the oil sample.

Abstract: An apparatus for extracting organic compounds from plant materials using subcritical or supercritical carbon dioxide is described. The apparatus has a sealable pressure chamber into which carbon dioxide dry ice and the plant materials are inserted, the pressure chamber, once sealed, self-pressurizing as the container and contents are warmed to a chosen temperature, converting the solid CO2 to liquid, or to a super-critical fluid as the temperature and pressure are raised above the Critical Point. The chamber can be rotated when subcritical CO2 liquid is employed to improve mixing between the liquid and the plant material.

Abstract: An apparatus for extracting organic compounds from plant materials using subcritical or supercritical carbon dioxide is described. The apparatus has a sealable pressure chamber into which carbon dioxide dry ice and the plant materials are inserted, the pressure chamber, once sealed, self-pressurizing as the container and contents are warmed to a chosen temperature, converting the solid CO2 to liquid, or to a super-critical fluid as the temperature and pressure are raised above the Critical Point. The chamber can be rotated when subcritical CO2 liquid is employed to improve mixing between the liquid and the plant material.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein techniques for use in authentication. The techniques comprise providing multiple selectable image portions. The techniques also comprise selecting a first image portion of the multiple selectable image portions. The said selecting of the first image portion comprises performing a first operation to associate a first marking with the first image portion in an identifiable manner. The techniques further comprise generating information for use in authentication based on the first image portion and the first marking associated with the first image portion.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for proactivized threshold password-based secret sharing with key rotation. An exemplary method comprises determining a difference between updated and prior values of a share, wherein the updated value comprises a fixed share of a plurality of shares of a secret; setting at least one polynomial coefficient of a correction polynomial employed by a polynomial-based secret sharing scheme to a value that depends on the difference; applying the polynomial-based secret sharing scheme to obtain share correction values that comprise a share correction value for the fixed share derived from the at least one polynomial coefficient; and providing the share correction values to at least one party that generates the fixed share from the provided share correction value for the fixed share and the prior value of the share. The secret can optionally be updated. A key rotation scheduler optionally performs a new sharing of the secret based on a refreshing schedule and/or a refreshing policy.

Abstract: There are provided methods and devices for sensing hydrogen gas. For example, there is provided a method that includes drawing a sample into a channel. The method includes passing the sample over a collection plate to remove an extraneous gas in the sample, thus yielding a purified sample. The method further includes passing the purified sample on a sensing plate and measuring a concentration of hydrogen in the purified sample using the sensing plate. The measuring can include heating the sensing plate and correlating a change in resistance of the sensing plate with a specified concentration of hydrogen. Furthermore, the method can include regenerating the collection plate following the measuring.

Abstract: Apparatus for manufacturing mailpieces, comprising a supply module for supplying cold seal paper to form an envelope body, a feeding module for collating documents to form the content to be inserted in the mailpiece, and a pair of finishing rollers for folding the envelope body around the content and sealing the mailpiece in a single finishing step.

Abstract: Provided, a trace gas measurement apparatus for electrical equipment that includes at least one sample cell configured to collect an oil sample from the electrical equipment. The sample cell includes (i) an oil receiving portion for receiving an oil sample, and (ii) a head space in an upper section thereof receiving ambient air therein, an oil pump for selectively pumping oil into and out of the sample cell, and a hydrogen gas sensor within an exhaust path of the sample cell. The hydrogen gas sensor receives the air exhausted from the sample cell and measures hydrogen gas present in the exhausted air.

Abstract: An apparatus may have a first reflector and a second reflector positioned on either side of a sample volume for a gas sample. The configuration of the first reflector may be variable between at least first and second configurations, wherein each of the first and second configurations is arranged such that a beam of optical radiation from an optical beam origin is directed to a detector location via the sample volume. In the second configuration the beam of optical radiation is reflected at least once from each of the first and second reflectors and the path length of the beam of optical radiation through the sample volume is greater than in the first configuration.

Abstract: Methods are provided for detecting antigen binding agents in samples. Aspects of the methods include detection of the aggregation of antigen binding agents with polynucleotide-bound antigens by sensitive proximity-based association of the antigen-bound polynucleotides. Aspects of the methods also include methods for the detection of such proximity-based association through nucleic acid amplification. In addition, compositions, e.g., reagents, kits, and devices, useful in practicing various embodiments of the methods are provided.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the disclosure relate to a bi-directional oil-flow adapter that is attachable to a valve-controlled port of a transformer housing in which oil is contained for cooling parts of the transformer such as a primary coil and a secondary coil. The bi-directional oil-flow adapter not only allows for an oil sample to be drawn out of the transformer housing via the valve-controlled port but also allows for the oil sample to be used (along with an additional volume of oil if so desired) for flushing the valve-controlled port in order to ensure that a subsequent oil sample is different than a current oil sample. The oil sample can be provided to a dissolved gas analyzer for detecting and analyzing one or more gases that may be present in the oil sample, the one more gases indicative of a level of contamination of the oil sample.

Abstract: Provided is a trace gas measurement apparatus for electrical equipment that includes at least one sample cell configured to collect an oil sample from the electrical equipment. The sample cell having an oil receiving portion for receiving an oil sample, at least one perforated or porous sheet within a head space thereof for receiving the oil sample from the oil receiving portion, housing the oil sample thereon, and separating a new oil sample received from an existing oil sample within the at least one sample cell. The trace gas measurement apparatus also includes an oil pump for selectively pumping oil into and out of the sample cell, and a control module controlling operation of the oil pump, to adjust an oil level and air pressure within the sample cell, for performing an extraction process of trace gases within the oil sample.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for protecting encryption key(s) and other protected material on devices, such as mobile devices. A device stores an encrypted container received from an online authentication service, wherein the encrypted container is encrypted using a first key stored by the online authentication service, wherein the encrypted container comprises a data item stored on the device. The device transmits the encrypted container using an online connection to the online authentication service to decrypt the encrypted container using the first key, wherein the encrypted container is decrypted by the online authentication service to provide a decrypted container only if the online connection satisfies one or more predefined online connection criteria. The device then receives the decrypted container from the online authentication service and obtains the data item from the decrypted container. Online secure containers are also disclosed that are optionally protected using a multi-layer encryption scheme.

Abstract: A system is presented. The system includes an absorption cell filled-with a gas-mixture, a mirror-cum-window comprising a first portion that acts as a first mirror and a second portion that acts as a first window, a second mirror, a plurality of radiation sources to generate a plurality of light beams directed into the absorption cell through the first window followed by reflection of the plurality of light beams between the first mirror and the second mirror to irradiate the gas-mixture resulting in generation of a plurality of transmitted light beams passing out of the absorption cell through the second window, a detector that detects at least one characteristic of the plurality of transmitted light beams resulting in generation of one or more response signals, and a processing subsystem that analyzes the gas-mixture at least based on the one or more response signals.

Abstract: A gas analysis system and method filter different wavelengths of incident light using a variable light filter at different locations along a length of the variable light filter to form filtered light. The variable light filter is configured to be disposed between a light source generating plural different wavelengths of the incident light and a gas sample. Intensities of wavelengths of the filtered light are determined after the incident light generated by the light source passes through the variable light filter and the gas sample. The gas sample may be identified from among different potential gasses based on the intensity of the one or more wavelengths of the filtered light that is determined by the light detector.

Abstract: Provided is a laser system that includes a laser head having a laser holder configured to house a laser beam and a lens for reflecting the laser beam at a predetermined wavelength, and a thermal-mechanical adjustment device disposed on the laser head and configured to adjust a temperature and an alignment of the laser beam, to maintain the predetermined wavelength of the laser beam.