Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems are disclosed for accelerated ergonomic collection of capillary blood. An apparatus and system include a blood collection module with a proximal portion including a vacuum generation chamber, a distal portion including a blood collection chamber, a concave mid portion including a pressure equalization channel configured to equalize reduced air pressure. The apparatus further includes a sealing surface to stably seal the blood collection module to the skin around a collection site and a slide latch actuated by a lengthwise sliding motion. Also included is a lancet carrier with linearly-arranged lancet strips to puncture rows of blood extraction slits in the collection site. The apparatus also includes an angled transfer port with a low-resistance non-microfluidic blood flow channel to a transfer module, then to a plasma separation module with a multilayer laminate and plasma separation membrane. Methods for accelerated ergonomic collection of capillary blood are disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods, and systems are disclosed for accelerated ergonomic collection of capillary blood. An apparatus and system include a blood collection module with a proximal portion including a vacuum generation chamber, a distal portion including a blood collection chamber, a concave mid portion including a pressure equalization channel configured to equalize reduced air pressure. The apparatus further includes a sealing surface to stably seal the blood collection module to the skin around a collection site and a slide latch actuated by a lengthwise sliding motion. Also included is a lancet carrier with linearly-arranged lancet strips to puncture rows of blood extraction slits in the collection site. The apparatus also includes an angled transfer port with a low-resistance non-microfluidic blood flow channel to a transfer module, then to a plasma separation module with a multilayer laminate and plasma separation membrane. Methods for accelerated ergonomic collection of capillary blood are disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure is related to automatically, based on contextual information and without needing explicit input from a user, modifying one or more settings associated with presenting a notification. In examples, settings may include automatically suspending notification presentation or automatically overriding a notification setting that suspends notification presentation. In addition, contextual information may include, among other things, information related to a computing device (e.g., device location or network signal strength), a rate of user interaction or engagement with an application (e.g., rate of information sharing, user reactions, etc.), and/or a calendar or schedule of a user. In examples, the contextual information may be analyzed (e.g., based on comparison to a threshold) to determine whether a condition is met, and based on the analysis, the one or more settings may be modified.

Abstract: Using proximity data to update user interfaces for users of a communication platform is described. The communication platform can determine, for a first user of the communication platform, a first location of the first user and for at least a second user of the communication platform, a second location of the second user. Based at least in part on a determination that the first location and the second location satisfy a condition, the communication platform can cause a user interface of the communication platform to be updated, wherein the updated user interface indicates at least one of (i) proximity data associated with the first user and the second user or (ii) context data associated with at least one of the first user or the second user.

Abstract: A method and system for aggregate programming a computer numerical control (CNC) machine that includes (a) shifting a control point from an aggregate base point to a center tip of a tool being programmed, thereby enabling tool length and diameter adjustment along with C-axis aggregate rotation during a machine activity. The shifting includes (i) activating a tilted work plane (TWP); and (ii) shifting the control point to the tip of the tool using a tool length compensation. The system and method also include (b) implementing an activity on the CNC machine using the shifted control point and C-axis aggregate rotation. In some cases, activating the TWP comprises using a special machine control code such as g-code G68.2. In some cases, shifting the control point to the tip of the tool using a tool length compensation comprises using a special machine control code such as g-code G43.

Abstract: The present disclosure is related to automatically, based on contextual information and without needing explicit input from a user, modifying one or more settings associated with presenting a notification. In examples, settings may include automatically suspending notification presentation or automatically overriding a notification setting that suspends notification presentation. In addition, contextual information may include, among other things, information related to a computing device (e.g., device location or network signal strength), a rate of user interaction or engagement with an application (e.g., rate of information sharing, user reactions, etc.), and/or a calendar or schedule of a user. In examples, the contextual information may be analyzed (e.g., based on comparison to a threshold) to determine whether a condition is met, and based on the analysis, the one or more settings may be modified.

Abstract: Provided are two-stage processes by which primary alcohols such as ethanol or 1-butanol are converted into distillate-range ethers and olefins utilizing Guerbet coupling followed by intermolecular dehydration. The ethers can be used, for example, as cetane-improvers in diesel fuel, while the olefins can be hydrogenated to afford paraffins.

Abstract: The present disclosure is related to automatically, based on contextual information and without needing explicit input from a user, modifying one or more settings associated with presenting a notification. In examples, settings may include automatically suspending notification presentation or automatically overriding a notification setting that suspends notification presentation. In addition, contextual information may include, among other things, information related to a computing device (e.g., device location or network signal strength), a rate of user interaction or engagement with an application (e.g., rate of information sharing, user reactions, etc.), and/or a calendar or schedule of a user. In examples, the contextual information may be analyzed (e.g., based on comparison to a threshold) to determine whether a condition is met, and based on the analysis, the one or more settings may be modified.

Abstract: A microfluidic chip having a micro channel for processing a sample is provided. The micro channel may focus the sample by using focusing fluid and a core stream forming geometry. The core stream forming geometry may include a lateral fluid focusing component and one or more vertical fluid focusing components. A microfluidic chip may include a plurality micro channels operating in parallel on a microfluidic chip.

Abstract: The present disclosure is related to automatically, based on contextual information and without needing explicit input from a user, modifying one or more settings associated with presenting a notification. In examples, settings may include automatically suspending notification presentation or automatically overriding a notification setting that suspends notification presentation. In addition, contextual information may include, among other things, information related to a computing device (e.g., device location or network signal strength), a rate of user interaction or engagement with an application (e.g., rate of information sharing, user reactions, etc.), and/or a calendar or schedule of a user. In examples, the contextual information may be analyzed (e.g., based on comparison to a threshold) to determine whether a condition is met, and based on the analysis, the one or more settings may be modified.

Abstract: The present disclosure is related to automatically, based on contextual information and without needing explicit input from a user, modifying one or more settings associated with presenting a notification. In examples, settings may include automatically suspending notification presentation or automatically overriding a notification setting that suspends notification presentation. In addition, contextual information may include, among other things, information related to a computing device (e.g., device location or network signal strength), a rate of user interaction or engagement with an application (e.g., rate of information sharing, user reactions, etc.), and/or a calendar or schedule of a user. In examples, the contextual information may be analyzed (e.g., based on comparison to a threshold) to determine whether a condition is met, and based on the analysis, the one or more settings may be modified.

Abstract: Using proximity data to update user interfaces for users of a communication platform is described. The communication platform can determine, for a first user of the communication platform, a first location of the first user and for at least a second user of the communication platform, a second location of the second user. Based at least in part on a determination that the first location and the second location satisfy a condition, the communication platform can cause a user interface of the communication platform to be updated, wherein the updated user interface indicates at least one of (i) proximity data associated with the first user and the second user or (ii) context data associated with at least one of the first user or the second user.

Abstract: Processes for producing alcohols from biomass are provided. The processes utilize supercritical methanol to depolymerize biomass with subsequent conversion to a mixture of alcohols. In particular the disclosure relates to continuous processes which produce high yields of alcohols through recycling gases and further employ dual reactor configurations which improve overall alcohol yields. Processes for producing higher ethers and olefins from the so-formed alcohols, through alcohol coupling and subsequent dehydration are also provided. The resulting distillate range ethers and olefins are useful as components in liquid fuels, such as diesel and jet fuel.

Abstract: Provided herein are devices and methods for extracting blood plasma from ultra-low volumes of blood. In some cases, the devices and methods use positive pressure to force a blood sample through a filter or a membrane. In some cases, the devices and methods use centrifugation to force a blood sample through a filter or a membrane. The devices and methods disclosed herein are suitable for the preparation of high-quality samples containing cell-free nucleic acids.

Abstract: A microfluidic chip having a micro channel for processing a sample is provided. The micro channel may focus the sample by using focusing fluid and a core stream forming geometry. The core stream forming geometry may include a lateral fluid focusing component and one or more vertical fluid focusing components. A microfluidic chip may include a plurality micro channels operating in parallel on a microfluidic chip.

Abstract: Using proximity data to update user interfaces for users of a communication platform is described. The communication platform can determine, for a first user of the communication platform, a first location of the first user and for at least a second user of the communication platform, a second location of the second user. Based at least in part on a determination that the first location and the second location satisfy a condition, the communication platform can cause a user interface of the communication platform to be updated, wherein the updated user interface indicates at least one of (i) proximity data associated with the first user and the second user or (ii) context data associated with at least one of the first user or the second user.

Abstract: A hydroponic growing assembly includes a support frame and a platform is positionable on the support frame. The platform has a plurality of holes each extending therethrough. A plurality of canisters each has a plant growing in a substrate contained therein. Each of the canisters is insertable into a respective one of the holes in the platform for maintaining each of the canisters in an upright position. A tray is provided that is filled with a nutrient solution. The tray is positionable beneath the platform when the platform is positioned on the support frame. A pumping unit is coupled to the platform and the pumping unit pumps the nutrient solution in the tray into a respective one of the canisters for nourishing the plant in each of the canisters.

Abstract: Provided are two-stage processes by which primary alcohols such as ethanol or 1-butanol are converted into distillate-range ethers and olefins utilizing Guerbet coupling followed by intermolecular dehydration. The ethers can be used, for example, as cetane-improvers in diesel fuel, while the olefins can be hydrogenated to afford paraffins.

Abstract: Processes for producing alcohols from biomass are provided. The processes utilize supercritical methanol to depolymerize biomass with subsequent conversion to a mixture of alcohols. In particular the disclosure relates to continuous processes which produce high yields of alcohols through recycling gases and further employ dual reactor configurations which improve overall alcohol yields. Processes for producing higher ethers and olefins from the so-formed alcohols, through alcohol coupling and subsequent dehydration are also provided. The resulting distillate range ethers and olefins are useful as components in liquid fuels, such as diesel and jet fuel.