Abstract: Devices and methods are provided that permit efficient and selective separation of liquid biological specimens into at least two constituent components to facilitate subsequent quantitative and qualitative analysis on at least one analyte of interest in at least one of the components. The devices generally include one or more sample deposition regions supported on a base. Each sample deposition region includes a separation membrane for separating the liquid biological specimen into two different fractions. The first fraction is trapped by the separation membrane while the second fraction passes through the separation membrane and into a respective collection membrane. The separation and collection membranes are easily separable from the devices and can be utilized for further processing and analysis.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided that permit efficient and selective separation of liquid biological specimens into at least two constituent components to facilitate subsequent quantitative and qualitative analysis on at least one analyte of interest in at least one of the components. For example, a liquid biological specimen separation device includes a base defining a base surface, a collection housing extending away from the base surface to a collection end, a collection membrane disposed on the collection housing adjacent the collection end, and a cap assembly secured to the collection housing. The cap assembly includes a cap defining an aperture therein configured to allow deposition of a liquid biological specimen therethrough, a separation membrane secured to the cap and extending across the aperture, a cap ring rotatably secured about the collection housing, and a tether coupling the cap to the cap ring.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided that permit efficient and selective separation of liquid biological specimens into at least two constituent components to facilitate subsequent quantitative and qualitative analysis on at least one analyte of interest in at least one of the components. The devices generally include one or more sample deposition regions supported on a base. Each sample deposition region includes a separation membrane for separating the liquid biological specimen into two different fractions. The first fraction is trapped by the separation membrane while the second fraction passes through the separation membrane and into a respective collection membrane. The separation and collection membranes are easily separable from the devices and can be utilized for further processing and analysis.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided that permit efficient and selective separation of liquid biological specimens into at least two constituent components to facilitate subsequent quantitative and qualitative analysis on at least one analyte of interest in at least one of the components. The devices generally include one or more sample deposition regions supported on a base. Each sample deposition region includes a separation membrane for separating the liquid biological specimen into two different fractions. The first fraction is trapped by the separation membrane while the second fraction passes through the separation membrane and into a respective collection membrane. The separation and collection membranes are easily separable from the devices and can be utilized for further processing and analysis.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided that permit efficient and selective separation of liquid biological specimens into at least two constituent components to facilitate subsequent quantitative and qualitative analysis on at least one analyte of interest in at least one of the components. The devices generally include one or more sample deposition regions supported on a base. Each sample deposition region includes a separation membrane for separating the liquid biological specimen into two different fractions. The first fraction is trapped by the separation membrane while the second fraction passes through the separation membrane and into a respective collection membrane. The separation and collection membranes are easily separable from the devices and can be utilized for further processing and analysis.

Abstract: A system and computer-implemented method for improving the quality of images, such as images used in medical diagnosis. In a first technique, sinogram data, intermediate volumes, and transmission CT-based attenuation correction files are created. Scatter correction is performed, and a scatter correction map is created. Misregistration offsets are measured, and a correction registration mask is created using volume reprojection. The two masks are combined and applied to create the enhanced image data. In a second technique, a difference may be determined for each parent and child pixel pair, and an average difference may be determined for all pairs. For each pair which is under the average difference, the child may be eliminated and replaced with a new child. This process may be iteratively repeated, with the image data being incrementally enhanced with each iteration. For both techniques, the enhanced image data may be communicated to an interpretive application for display.

Abstract: A system and computer-implemented method for improving the quality of images, such as images used in medical diagnosis. In a first technique, sinogram data, intermediate volumes, and transmission CT-based attenuation correction files are created. Scatter correction is performed, and a scatter correction map is created. Misregistration offsets are measured, and a correction registration mask is created using volume reprojection. The two masks are combined and applied to create the enhanced image data. In a second technique, a difference may be determined for each parent and child pixel pair, and an average difference may be determined for all pairs. For each pair which is under the average difference, the child may be eliminated and replaced with a new child. This process may be iteratively repeated, with the image data being incrementally enhanced with each iteration. For both techniques, the enhanced image data may be communicated to an interpretive application for display.

Abstract: An application executing on a computing device may invoke a function call of a first function. The computing device may support a bundled application library of functions and a native library of functions. It may be determined that code for executing the first function exists in both the bundled application library and the native library, and the application may execute the first function using the code in the native library. While the application continues execution on the computing device, the application may invoke a function call of a second function. It may be determined that, of the bundled application library and the native library, the code for executing the second function exists in the bundled application library. The application may execute the second function using the code in the bundled application library.

Abstract: An application executing on a computing device may invoke a function call of a first function. The computing device may support a bundled application library of functions and a native library of functions. It may be determined that code for executing the first function exists in both the bundled application library and the native library, and the application may execute the first function using the code in the native library. While the application continues execution on the computing device, the application may invoke a function call of a second function. It may be determined that, of the bundled application library and the native library, the code for executing the second function exists in the bundled application library. The application may execute the second function using the code in the bundled application library.

Abstract: An application executing on a computing device may invoke a function call of a first function. The computing device may support a bundled application library of functions and a native library of functions. It may be determined that code for executing the first function exists in both the bundled application library and the native library, and the application may execute the first function using the code in the native library. While the application continues execution on the computing device, the application may invoke a function call of a second function. It may be determined that, of the bundled application library and the native library, the code for executing the second function exists in the bundled application library. The application may execute the second function using the code in the bundled application library.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing compatibility of applications with multiple versions of an operating system are provided. The method may comprise receiving, by a device, a request to perform a function-call of an application that references features of a first version of an operating system. The method also includes determining whether a version of the operating system and a system library on the device supports the function-call of the application so as to be able to perform dynamic compilation of code in the system library for the function-call at run-time, and based on the determination, accessing a compatibility library associated with the application that includes pre-compiled code for execution by a given device having a given version of the operating system other than the first version of the operating system. The method also includes at run-time, performing the function-call using corresponding pre-compiled code from the compatibility library.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing compatibility of applications with multiple versions of an operating system are provided. The method may comprise receiving, by a device, a request to perform a function-call of an application that references features of a first version of an operating system. The method also includes determining whether a version of the operating system and a system library on the device supports the function-call of the application so as to be able to perform dynamic compilation of code in the system library for the function-call at run-time, and based on the determination, accessing a compatibility library associated with the application that includes pre-compiled code for execution by a given device having a given version of the operating system other than the first version of the operating system. The method also includes at run-time, performing the function-call using corresponding pre-compiled code from the compatibility library.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing defect-critical articles from a molding resin comprising at least 98% clear polymer and additives including a heat stabilizer and a UV blocker in an injection molding machine. According to the apparatus, there is provided an injection molding machine in combination with a molding resin. The injection molding machine's resin delivery assembly is made from a powder metallurgy formed into solid non-coated parts having a Chromium-Vanadium (Cr/V) blend. As the molding resin interacts with the resin delivery assembly, the resin only contacts the solid non-coated parts whereby the resin experiences less degradation and provides improved quality for the defect-critical articles. The method includes the steps of plasticizing, injecting, and cooling. During the plasticizing and injecting steps, the molding resin only contacts solid non-coated parts made from a powder metallurgy material containing a Chromium-Vanadium (Cr/V) blend thereby producing reduced defect articles.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing defect-critical articles from a molding resin comprising at least 98% clear polymer and additives including a heat stabilizer and a UV blocker in an injection molding machine. According to the apparatus, there is provided an injection molding machine in combination with a molding resin. The injection molding machine's resin delivery assembly is made from a powder metallurgy formed into solid non-coated parts having a Chromium-Vanadium (Cr/V) blend. As the molding resin interacts with the resin delivery assembly, the resin only contacts the solid non-coated parts whereby the resin experiences less degradation and provides improved quality for the defect-critical articles. The method includes the steps of plasticizing, injecting, and cooling. During the plasticizing and injecting steps, the molding resin only contacts solid non-coated parts made from a powder metallurgy material containing a Chromium-Vanadium (Cr/V) blend thereby producing reduced defect articles.

Abstract: Aspects of forming a wound-conforming pressure seal in the eye, such as upon completion of an ocular surgical procedure, are described herein. Forming the seal includes introducing a plug member into an opening formed in the eye to block vitreous from exiting from the eye through the opening. Consequently, the seal is operable to substantially reduce or eliminate hypotony (i.e., lowering of intraocular pressure below safe levels) and/or endophthalmitis (i.e., infections to the eye).

Abstract: Various embodiments of systems and methods for preserving saved memory states to which a computer system can be restored are disclosed. In certain embodiments, the systems and methods intercept write operations to protected memory locations and redirect them to alternate memory locations. Embodiments of the systems and methods include creation of a table for each memory state. Certain embodiments additionally include a recovery capability, by which the protected memory in the computer system is capable of being restored or recovered to a recovery point that represents a saved memory state. Further embodiments relate to systems and methods for preventing protected memory locations from being overwritten that utilize a plurality of memory state values.

Abstract: Various embodiments of systems and methods for preserving saved memory states to which a computer system can be restored are disclosed. In certain embodiments, the systems and methods intercept write operations to protected memory locations and redirect them to alternate memory locations. Embodiments of the systems and methods include creation of a table for each memory state. Certain embodiments additionally include a recovery capability, by which the protected memory in the computer system is capable of being restored or recovered to a recovery point that represents a saved memory state. Further embodiments relate to systems and methods for preventing protected memory locations from being overwritten that utilize a plurality of memory state values.

Abstract: An air seeder has two tanks for holding seed or other particulate matter. Each tank has a metering device at the bottom to meter out the contents of the tanks. A panel is positioned to cover and uncover a hole between the two tanks such that it can direct the contents of one tank into the other and also block off the metering device of the one tank. The panel is connected to a handle that extends outside the tanks so the operator can move the panel without entering the tank.

Abstract: An air seeder has two tanks for holding seed or other particulate matter. Each tank has a metering device at the bottom to meter out the contents of the tanks. A panel is positioned to cover and uncover a hole between the two tanks such that it can direct the contents of one tank into the other and also block off the metering device of the one tank. The panel is connected to a handle that extends outside the tanks so the operator can move the panel without entering the tank.

Abstract: A disc opener assembly connected to a tool bar linked to a vehicle for movement over the ground for opening a seed trench therein, the assembly comprising a main arm member attached to the tool bar, a disc mounted for rotation on the main arm, a gauge arm member having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end mounted for pivotal motion about a pivot axis to the main arm member, a gauge wheel mounted to the distal end of the gauge arm member, a first coupler mounted to the main arm member, a second coupler linked to the gauge arm member and juxtaposed proximate and for movement with respect to the first coupler along a coupling axis that is substantially parallel to the pivot axis, the second coupler configured to engage the first coupler when biased there against and a retainer for maintaining the first and second couplers engaged.