Abstract: At least some embodiments of the technology are directed to an automated slide processing apparatus configured to apply at least one reagent to a specimen carried by a microscope slide. The slide processing station can include a support element with a support surface, at least one vacuum port, and a sealing member having a non-round shape. In an uncompressed state, the sealing member can extend upwardly beyond the support surface. In a compressed state, the sealing member can be configured to maintain an airtight seal with a backside of the microscope slide as the microscope slide is pulled against the support surface by a vacuum drawn via the at least one vacuum port.

Abstract: A portable storage device to contain fuel. The device is designed to be relatively light-weight to allow for movement around a fueling facility, and to be delivered to the fueling facility through the air. The device includes a number of separate tanks each configured to contain fuel. A suspension protects the tanks by absorbing external forces that could occur in the event the device is dropped during air delivery.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for screening compounds for treating pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) using a mouse model with an Rgs16::GFP reporter. Also described are combination therapies for treating pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) using taxanes, gemcitabine and an Axl kinase inhibitor.

Abstract: An optical system, such as a fiber laser amplifier, including a plurality of optical sources, such as fiber amplifiers, each generating a beam. In one embodiment, the system includes first and second diffraction gratings that correct the angle of the propagation direction of the beams to remove angular dispersion caused by a diffractive optical element (DOE). In another embodiment, the system includes a single diffraction grating, where the optical beams pass through the grating twice to also remove the angular dispersion caused by the DOE.

Abstract: Systems and methods of automated adaptation of a language model for transcription of audio data include obtaining audio data. The audio data is transcribed with a language model to produce a plurality of audio file transcriptions. A quality of the plurality of audio file transcriptions is evaluated. At least one best transcription from a plurality of audio file transcriptions is selected based upon the evaluated quality. Statistics are calculated from the selected at least one best transcription from the plurality of audio file transcriptions. The language model is modified from the calculated statistics.

Abstract: An image processing method and apparatus for determining depth in an original image captured by a light field image capture device, in which a light field analysis algorithm is applied a plurality of times to the original image, changing the focus setting each time, so as to generate a respective plurality of scene images focused at different depths; edge detection is performed in respect of each of the scene images to generate a respective plurality of edge detected images; area identification is performed in respect of each edge detected image to generate a respective plurality of area identification images indicative of areas of respective edge detected images in which edges have been detected; and the area identification images are applied to respective scene images so as to extract from the scene images respective image segments corresponding to the areas in which edges have been detected.

Abstract: When detecting an object of interest, such as a bicyclist passing a truck, two downward looking cameras both capture images of the cyclist and detect the cyclist as a deviation from the flat ground plane. The ground plane is reconstructed using a homography (projection) matrix of each camera and compared. Where the camera images do not agree, the ground is not flat. The cyclist is located as the intersection of the rays extending to either end of the area of disagreement between the images.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for a novel bead-based next-generation “X-aptamer” selection scheme that extends aptamer technology to include X-modified bases, thus resulting in X-aptamers, at any position along the sequence because the aptamers are chemically synthesized via a split-pool scheme on individual beads. Also provides are application to a wide range of commonly used DNA modifications, including, but not limited to, monothioate and dithioate backbone substitutions. This new class of aptamer allows chemical modifications introduced to any of the bases in the aptamer sequence as well as the phosphate backbones and can be extended to other carbohydrate-based systems.

Abstract: A brake apparatus activates a stroke simulator OUT valve in a valve-closing direction to increase a pressure in a wheel cylinder with use of brake fluid flowing out of the stroke simulator according to a state of an operation performed by a driver on a brake pedal. Further, when the hydraulic pressure in the wheel cylinder or a first oil passage is brought into a predetermined state, the brake apparatus activates the stroke simulator OUT valve in a valve-opening direction to cause the brake fluid in the stroke simulator to flow out to a low-pressure portion while restricting the brake fluid in the stroke simulator to a predetermined flow amount.

Abstract: In techniques for video denoising using optical flow, image frames of video content include noise that corrupts the video content. A reference frame is selected, and matching patches to an image patch in the reference frame are determined from within the reference frame. A noise estimate is computed for previous and subsequent image frames relative to the reference frame. The noise estimate for an image frame is computed based on optical flow, and is usable to determine a contribution of similar motion patches to denoise the image patch in the reference frame. The similar motion patches from the previous and subsequent image frames that correspond to the image patch in the reference frame are determined based on the optical flow computations. The image patch is denoised based on an average of the matching patches from reference frame and the similar motion patches determined from the previous and subsequent image frames.

Abstract: This invention relates to optical particle counters and methods capable of effectively distinguishing signals generated from particle light scattering from sources of noise. Embodiments of the invention, for example, use multisensory detector configurations for identifying and distinguishing signals corresponding to fluctuations in laser intensity from signals corresponding to particle light scattering for the detection and characterization of submicron particles. In an embodiment, for example, methods and systems of the invention compare signals from different detector elements of a detector array to identify and characterize noise events, such as noise generated from laser intensity instability, thereby allow for the detection and characterization of smaller particles. The system and methods of the present invention, thus, provide an effective means of reducing false positives caused by noise or interference while allowing for very sensitive particle detection.

Abstract: A wireless device (1) searches a database that stores positional information of the wireless device (1), a device (2-4) and control identifiers for controlling the devices (2-4) in an associated manner, acquires a device (2-4) located near the wireless device (1) and a control identifier for controlling the device (2-4) based on the positional information of the wireless device (1), and, based on the device (2-4) and the control identifier for controlling the device (2-4) that have been acquired, determines a controlled device (at least one of the devices (2-4)) and generates a control identifier for the controlled device. The wireless device (1) transmits, by wireless communication, the generated controlled identifier to a receiver mounted on the controlled device to control the controlled device.

Abstract: Size reduction of a power conversion device is intended. A power conversion device according to the present invention includes: a first power semiconductor module; a second semiconductor module; and a fixing member which fixes the first power semiconductor module, wherein the first power semiconductor module has a first power semiconductor device, a first case which houses the first power semiconductor device, and a first flange portion connected to the case, the second power semiconductor module has a second power semiconductor device, and a second case which houses the second power semiconductor device, the second case is connected to the first flange portion so as to provide a first flow path space for allowing a coolant to flow between the second case and the first case, and the first flange portion is fixed to the fixing member while supporting the first case and the second power semiconductor module.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for creating a user-defined database interface. An Orbit Form module processes a call comprising an identifier for the database, a target data object (database table), approach filters (table fields), and results lines (table fields). Approach filters may support comparable data types, and results lines may support both comparable and non-comparable data types. The call may optionally include parameters that the Orbit Form module uses to govern retrieval of data from the target database, presentation of filter values, and/or formatting of results pages. After testing the call constructs, the Orbit Form module generates Approach boxes (corresponding to the approach filters) that a user employs to enter target input values to compare to records in the database. Record matches result in retrieval and user-specified display of data corresponding to the results lines (DaPs). A selectable view image field in a DaP extracts and displays image file data.

Abstract: A system for determining a level of a lipid analyte corrected for hematocrit includes a test strip configured to receive a sample and a meter configured to receive the test strip. The system further includes circuitry and a microprocessor, the circuitry and microprocessor configured to read the test strip and the sample and determine a level of a lipid analyte and correct the level of the lipid analyte based on a hematocrit level of the sample.

Abstract: In embodiments of camera-based brush creation, an image is displayed in a brush application interface of a virtual brush application on a computing device. A photo capture selection can be received through the brush application interface to initiate capturing a digital photo of the image with a camera device of the computing device. A brush can then be created for the virtual brush application based on the image and brush-edit inputs, and the brush saved as a brush template in a brush library that is accessible by the virtual brush application. The brush can be created as a ribbon brush that expands a middle section of the image represented as a brush stroke in the brush application interface. Alternatively, the brush can be created as a scatter brush that repeats multiple images of the image represented as a brush stroke in the brush application interface.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system for real time control of a wheel slip of each slipping wheel of a pair of wheels associated with an axle of a motor vehicle, simultaneously and independently with real time explicit control of said motor vehicle's acceleration provided by each non-slipping wheel associated with the axle. The system makes use of a total controller and an asymmetric controller associated with the axle of the vehicle for generating two torque signals used to control the total and asymmetric dynamics respectively of the axle, and a distributor for distributing the two said torque signals into available actuators' targets. The two said controllers each contain feedback and feed forward control elements, is operable to sense wheel slippage condition of each wheel on the axle, and augments the feedback and feed forward control based on the sensed wheel slippage conditions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for protecting communications between at least two nodes protect the identity of a node requesting information, provide content of communications being sent and/or obscuring a type of communications being sent. Varying degrees of protection options including encryption, intermediate node termination and direct node communications are provided.

Abstract: A splined coupling comprises a radially inner shaft and a radially outer shaft having a cavity for receiving the inner shaft. First splines are provided on a radially outwardly facing surface of the inner shaft. Second splines are provided on a radially inwardly facing surface of the cavity of the outer shaft. The first splines are slidably engaged with the second splines. At least one biasing element, for example a diaphragm is arranged to act between the radially inner and radially outer shafts for locating the first splines in a desired axial position relative to the second splines and to provide a biasing force resisting the axial movement of the first splines relative to the second splines upon relative axial movement of the inner and outer shafts.

Abstract: A dosing dispenser system and a dosing dispenser include a slidable control configured to allow a user to select a desired mixing ratio for a product contained in a container attached to the dosing dispenser with a transport medium, such as water, flowing through the dosing dispenser.