Abstract: A method of nucleic acid processing that comprises providing an adapted nucleic acid fragment having a triazole linkage therein, and transcribing the adapted nucleic acid fragment with reverse transcriptase. The invention further relates to kits and uses associated with the method.

Abstract: A device, system and method are provided to dynamically manage bandwidth for audiovisual communications and content distribution. The device, system and method may include dynamic qualification of content or channels for distribution in accordance with one or more distribution models, such as a broadcast distribution model and a narrowcast distribution model (e.g., a multicast distribution model and/or a unicast distribution model). In some embodiments, the qualification may be based on demand as reflected in requests for, or access to, content from user terminals. In some embodiments, based on changes in demand for content, a requalification of the content in terms of one or more distribution models may take place.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that relate to on-demand compression for electronic data, such as media content, through a communication pathway. The communication pathway may be a configured to multicast media content to a plurality of end-users in a service group. In certain embodiments, the service group may comprise a service group node having a quadrature amplitude modulation device. In one exemplary method, it may be determined whether the amount of media content being transmitted meets a first utilization threshold. The determination may be based on, at least in part, by measurements taken at one or more electronic devices located throughout a network or system. If the first bandwidth utilization threshold is not met, media content may be transmitted in a first format. If the first bandwidth utilization threshold is met, at least a portion of the media content may be transmitted in a first optimized delivery technique.

Abstract: A method of repairing damage to a composite material having a composite substrate and at least one layer of shielding material includes: a) removing damage to the at least one layer of shielding material by creating a hole in the at least one layer of shielding material; b) applying a patch of shielding material in the region of the hole via a resin, wherein a ratio of a resin weight to a weight of the patch of shielding material lies in a range between about 0.45-0.55; and c) curing the resin, wherein an absorptive, consumable material is positioned in contact with the resin during at least a portion of the curing.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses a composition comprising a viable pollen suspension in a water miscible carrier. The compositions are especially suitable for mechanical distribution, such as, electrostatic spraying of the viable pollen composition onto a flowering plant to increase pollination. The invention further provides a mechanical system and method for applying droplets containing a viable pollen suspension to flowering plants to increase pollination.

Abstract: A box style steam methane reformer has plural sections, with each section having walls forming an interior cavity and open ends that communicate with the interior cavity. Each section has a feedstock supply pipe and a fuel supply pipe located along the top wall, as well as a syngas collection pipe and a flue gas collection duct located outside of the bottom wall. The pipes and ducts have ends that are aligned with each other to allow the sections to be assembled together. Burners are located in the interior cavity and are connected to the fuel supply pipe. Reactor tubes extend through the interior cavity. The bottom ends are supported by the syngas collection pipe and the top ends are spring supported to allow for expansion and contraction. Refractory members are located in the interior cavity and across a slot leading to the flue gas collection dust. The spacing between the refractory members varies to control the flow of flue gas.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that relate to on-demand compression for electronic data, such as media content, through a communication pathway. The communication pathway may be a configured to multicast media content to a plurality of end-users in a service group. In certain embodiments, the service group may comprise a service group node having a quadrature amplitude modulation device. In one exemplary method, it may be determined whether the amount of media content being transmitted meets a first utilization threshold. The determination may be based on, at least in part, by measurements taken at one or more electronic devices located throughout a network or system. If the first bandwidth utilization threshold is not met, media content may be transmitted in a first format. If the first bandwidth utilization threshold is met, at least a portion of the media content may be transmitted in a first optimized delivery technique.

Abstract: A device, system and method are provided to dynamically manage bandwidth for audiovisual communications and content distribution. The device, system and method may include dynamic qualification of content or channels for distribution in accordance with one or more distribution models, such as a broadcast distribution model and a narrowcast distribution model (e.g., a multicast distribution model and/or a unicast distribution model). In some embodiments, the qualification may be based on demand as reflected in requests for, or access to, content from user terminals. In some embodiments, based on changes in demand for content, a requalification of the content in terms of one or more distribution models may take place.

Abstract: A method of nucleic acid processing that comprises providing an adapted nucleic acid fragment having a triazole linkage therein, and transcribing the adapted nucleic acid fragment with reverse transcriptase. The invention further relates to kits and uses associated with the method.

Abstract: Systems and methods are discussed for providing a sensor enhanced employee safety evaluation system. Sensors that monitor employee behavior are placed at the workplace of an insured entity. Data from the sensors are processed to obtain a safety evaluation. Based on the safety evaluation, the insurance provider can adjust the terms of the insurance policy to accurately reflect the risks associated with the insured entity. Feedback based on the safety evaluation is also provided to the insured entity and the employees of the insured entity to promote improvements in safe behavior.

Abstract: There is provided a method of detecting the presence of a target polynucleotide and/or sequence variations within the target polynucleotide using a probe system comprising two independent partner oligonucleotide components wherein the first oligonucleotide has a first and second section, wherein the first section comprises a nucleotide sequence that is labelled with at least one visually detectable label and is not capable of hybridising to the nucleotide sequence of the target polynucleotide; and wherein the second section comprises a nucleotide sequence that is capable of hybridising to a portion of the sequence of the target polynucleotide; and the second oligonucleotide has a first and second section, wherein the first section comprises a nucleotide sequence which is capable of hybridising to a nucleotide sequence of the first section of the first oligonucleotide; and the second section comprises a nucleotide sequence that is capable of hybridising to a nucleotide sequence of the target polynucleotide tha

Abstract: A method for determining the number of tandem repeats in a target polynucleotide, the method comprising (a) providing a sample containing the target polynucleotide, wherein one or more of the tandem repeats in the target polynucleotide is in single stranded form, (b) hybridizing a labelled probe oligonucleotide to the single stranded portion of the target polynucleotide, wherein the probe oligonucleotide is complementary to at least one of the tandem repeats, and at least 5 nucleotides of the probe oligonucleotide are complementary to the tandem repeats, in the single stranded portion of the target polynucleotide, and (c) determining the number of tandem repeats in the target polynucleotide based on the hybridization of the probe oligonucleotide to the single stranded portion of the target polynucleotide.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that relate to on-demand compression for electronic data, such as media content, through a communication pathway. The communication pathway may be a configured to multicast media content to a plurality of end-users in a service group. In certain embodiments, the service group may comprise a service group node having a quadrature amplitude modulation device. In one exemplary method, it may be determined whether the amount of media content being transmitted meets a first utilization threshold. The determination may be based on, at least in part, by measurements taken at one or more electronic devices located throughout a network or system. If the first bandwidth utilization threshold is not met, media content may be transmitted in a first format. If the first bandwidth utilization threshold is met, at least a portion of the media content may be transmitted in a first optimized delivery technique.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that relate to on-demand compression for electronic data, such as media content, through a communication pathway. The communication pathway may be a configured to multicast media content to a plurality of end-users in a service group. In certain embodiments, the service group may comprise a service group node having a quadrature amplitude modulation device. In one exemplary method, it may be determined whether the amount of media content being transmitted meets a first utilization threshold. The determination may be based on, at least in part, by measurements taken at one or more electronic devices located throughout a network or system. If the first bandwidth utilization threshold is not met, media content may be transmitted in a first format. If the first bandwidth utilization threshold is met, at least a portion of the media content may be transmitted in a first optimized delivery technique.

Abstract: Disclosed is a splash guard that can be permanently or removably attached to a toilet seat. The splash guard includes an elongated, rectangular panel that can be secured to the underside of a toilet seat about the opening thereof. The panel is flexible so that it may be curved similarly to the opening of the toilet seat. The panel further includes an upper edge having an adhesive thereon that can be secured to the underside of the toilet seat so that the panel is perpendicular thereto. The upper edge may further include a flange thereon to provide additional surface area for securing the panel to a toilet seat. When installed, the panel extends downward into the toilet bowl and serves to deflect splashed liquid from within the toilet bowl so as to prevent the liquid from escaping the toilet bowl through the gap between the toilet bowl and toilet seat.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses a composition comprising a viable pollen suspension in a water miscible carrier. The compositions are especially suitable for mechanical distribution, such as, electrostatic spraying of the viable pollen composition onto a flowering plant to increase pollination. The invention further provides a mechanical system and method for applying droplets containing a viable pollen suspension to flowering plants to increase pollination.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing an optical device or wavelength converting light-emitting device, the method comprising coating a wafer containing at least one material selected from the group of a gallium nitride material and a silicon carbide material with a composite structure comprising an optical material, e.g., wavelength converting material, and a compound represented by formula (I) and curing the composite structure to induce polymerization of said compound. The present invention further provides an optical device, e.g., a wavelength converting light-emitting device produced by this method.

Abstract: Cache management techniques are described for a content distribution network (CDN), for example, a video on demand (VOD) system supporting user requests and delivery of video content. A preferred cache size may be calculated for one or more cache devices in the CDN, for example, based on a maximum cache memory size, a bandwidth availability associated with the CDN, and a title dispersion calculation determined by the user requests within the CDN. After establishing the cache with a set of assets (e.g., video content), an asset replacement algorithm may be executed at one or more cache devices in the CDN. When a determination is made that a new asset should be added to a full cache, a multi-factor comparative analysis may be performed on the assets currently residing in the cache, comparing the popularity and size of assets and combinations of assets, along with other factors to determine which assets should be replaced in the cache device.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method and system for monitoring the bandwidth utilization on a high speed data network port over time. According to the method described herein, measurements of the bandwidth utilization on the port may be taken over a predetermined time interval and analyzed to determine whether the utilization measurement equals or exceeds a predetermined upper threshold. If the port exhibits high bandwidth utilization within the time interval, an alert may be set for further monitoring of the port or for port augmentation.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for variant cytosine detection, and kits and probes for variant cytosine detection. In particular the variant cytosine detection is related to detection of methylated cytosine, hydroxymethylated cytosine, carboxycytosine and/or formylcytosine in nucleic acid.