Abstract: Improved fluid collection and test systems and methods provide for a fluid specimen to be collected via a swab with an absorbent sponge-like tip and have a first portion of the collected specimen dispensed into an external vessel (such as a cassette or holder for testing) as a first step, and a second portion of the collected specimen dispenses into a specimen container as a second step. The swab may be compressed by downward compression of the swab in a compression tube with a movable venting gasket/seal having one or more cross members impeding the swab but allowing passage of fluid specimen into an external test vessel or specimen container. Improved swab assemblies have analyte test holders for holding one or more analyte test strips that may be inserted into a “top” end of the swab assembly that is distal from a “bottom” end of the swab assembly that has a sponge-like material for collecting a fluid specimen.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting and responding to security threats using application execution and connection lineage tracing in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide for systems and methods for generating blockchain tokens as tokenized versions of live assets stored in a vault. A server verifies live assets and mints vault-backed title NFTs to blockchain wallets. The server executes software (e.g., dApp; smart contract) for minting a vault-backed title NFT as UDA token corresponding one-to-one with the live asset, or optionally as a set of COA tokens, including the title NFT and a set of fungible access tokens having a subset of privileges or rights derived from the title token. The server hosts an online marketplace where users may purchase or sell the asset tokens (e.g., title NFTs or the access tokens), or may submit redemption requests for triggering or accessing privileges afforded by the asset tokens or redeeming (“unchaining”) the live assets.

Abstract: A fluid sample testing devices and methods are provided with a fluid collector having an elongated stem and an absorbent member affixed to a first end of the stem. An interior open channel extends from the first end of the stem to a distal second end of the stem. One or more lateral flow assay strips are positioned in the channel of the stem, and a sample reception member of each of the lateral flow assay strips is in fluid communication with the absorbent member. One or more test lines and a control line of the lateral flow strips are visible through a window portion of the stem. Fluid introduced into the absorbent member reaches the sample reception member and a test result is perceptible by a user or instrument via the window. Multiple analytes, drugs, diseases, biomarkers and the like may be detected. The swab assembly may be combined with compression tubes and housing to produce specimens for lab testing.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting injection exploits in a networked computing environment are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for detection includes monitoring web applications that are executing and detecting when an execution function is received over a network and invoked, where an execution function is a function that accepts external free-form data values, detecting malicious code by generating a model of legitimate behavior subsequent to invocation of the execution function, comparing actual behavior to the model of legitimate behavior, and generating an alert when the actual behavior deviates from the model of legitimate behavior and validating whether the deviation of the actual behavior is due to one or more functions that accept external input.

Abstract: A fluid sample testing apparatus has a fluid collector tube and a fluid collector in fluid communication with a sample holding container. The fluid collector is inserted into and penetrates the fluid collector tube and pressure is generated to release fluid from the fluid collector into the sample holding container, and air passes outside of the apparatus from the fluid collector tube via a vent path. The vent path is sealed with the fluid collector is fully inserted into the fluid collector tube. Indicator or test strips are optionally included in a stem of the fluid collector.

Abstract: A fluid sample testing apparatus has a housing with a test chamber and first and second fluid collector tubes and first and second fluid collectors in fluid communication with the test chamber. A sample holding container is in fluid communication with the second fluid collector tube. The first fluid collector is inserted into the first fluid collector tube and pressure is generated to release fluid from the first fluid collector into the test chamber, and air passes outside of the apparatus from the test chamber via an opening from the test chamber into the first fluid collector tube. The second fluid collector is inserted into the second fluid collector tube concurrently and pressure is generated to release fluid from the second fluid collector into the sample holding container, and air passes outside of the apparatus from the second fluid collector tube.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting security threats using application execution and connection lineage tracing with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment, detecting suspicious activity in a network includes receiving at a collector server a first activity data including a first set of attributes, combining a first set of context information with the activity data to generate a first activity record, comparing the first activity record to a set of baseline signatures, incrementing a count of a first matching baseline signature when the first activity record has the same values for all attributes, receiving from a second activity data including a third set of attributes, combining a second set of context information with the second activity data to generate a second activity record, and generating an alert when the attributes of the second activity record differ from all baseline signatures.

Abstract: A system and method directed at business administration are provided which may be implemented with an application executed on a computing device. A processor comprising the computing device may be operative to register and assign roles to various system users and grant users access to a plurality of administration modules according to each user’s role and in response to receiving a single set of user-authenticating credentials. The plurality of administration modules may comprise a combination of communication, billing, service, marketing and analytics, and task modules.

Abstract: A fluid sample testing apparatus has a fluid collector tube and a fluid collector in fluid communication with a sample holding container. The fluid collector is inserted into and penetrates the fluid collector tube and pressure is generated to release fluid from the fluid collector into the sample holding container, and air passes outside of the apparatus from the fluid collector tube via a vent path. The vent path is sealed with the fluid collector is fully inserted into the fluid collector tube. Indicator or test strips are optionally included in a stem of the fluid collector.

Abstract: A fluid sample testing apparatus has a housing with a test chamber and first and second fluid collector tubes and first and second fluid collectors in fluid communication with the test chamber. A sample holding container is in fluid communication with the second fluid collector tube. The first fluid collector is inserted into the first fluid collector tube and pressure is generated to release fluid from the first fluid collector into the test chamber, and air passes outside of the apparatus from the test chamber via an opening from the test chamber into the first fluid collector tube. The second fluid collector is inserted into the second fluid collector tube concurrently and pressure is generated to release fluid from the second fluid collector into the sample holding container, and air passes outside of the apparatus from the second fluid collector tube.

Abstract: An embolization device may include a fiber section having a plurality of polymeric electrospun fibers and, optionally, a contrast agent. An embolization device may further include a plurality of fiber sections, wherein each fiber section is separated by a linker. A method of deploying such an embolization device may include inserting the embolization device into a vessel. The method may further include applying an electrical current to one or more of the linkers, applying electrothermal heat to at least a portion of the device, or applying force to at least a portion of a delivery vehicle for the device. A method of manufacturing the device may include electrospinning a fiber section, and processing the fiber section by straining, twisting, heating, or shaping it.

Abstract: An embolization device may include a fiber section having a plurality of polymeric electrospun fibers and, optionally, a contrast agent. An embolization device may further include a plurality of fiber sections, wherein each fiber section is separated by a linker. A method of deploying such an embolization device may include inserting the embolization device into a vessel. The method may further include applying an electrical current to one or more of the linkers, applying electrothermal heat to at least a portion of the device, or applying force to at least a portion of a delivery vehicle for the device. A method of manufacturing the device may include electrospinning a fiber section, and processing the fiber section by straining, twisting, heating, or shaping it.

Abstract: A method of pointillist painting includes receiving a dot list including a specification of color, position, size, texture, and exclusion zone of a plurality of dots, wherein the exclusion zone of a dot represents an area that does not overlap with an exclusion zone of any other of the plurality of dots and selecting a first set of dots of a first color. A colorant dispenser may be moved to a first position of a first dot in the first set. A pre-determined amount of colorant may be applied to the first position. A measured blast of air may modify coverage and profile of the applied colorant. The dispenser may then move to the remaining positions until all dots of the first color and subsequent sets of dots of subsequent colors are dispensed.

Abstract: A method of generating a textured pointillist painting design comprises receiving a digital image file including a specification of a plurality of pixels representative of a digital image, the pixels each including a color definition, creating an ordered list of color definitions of the plurality of pixels in the digital image file, for each color definition in the ordered list determining a set of design parameters including: a dot size, a dot shape, a dot exclusion zone size, and a dot distribution scheme, for each color definition, determining a placement of a plurality of dots according to the pixels and color definitions in the digital image file and the set of design parameters, generating a dot list specifying the placement and design parameters of the plurality of dots representative of the digital image, and rendering on a display a facsimile image in response to the dot list.

Abstract: An article comprising two chemically grafted polymer layers comprising a hydrogel layer and an end-functionalized polyurethane layer. The invention also includes methods of making and using the article.

Abstract: A system of pointillist painting comprises an automated 3-D positioning system disposed proximate a painting surface, a colorant dispenser coupled to the gantry structure and having a dispensing tip in fluid communication with a colorant chamber, the gantry structure operable to move the colorant dispensing tip to a specified position of the painting surface, where the colorant dispenser is operable to apply a specified amount of a colorant to the painting surface and creating a dot having a two-dimensional coverage and three-dimensional profile at the specified position.

Abstract: A system of pointillist painting comprises an automated 3-D positioning system disposed proximate a painting surface, a colorant dispenser coupled to the gantry structure and having a dispensing tip in fluid communication with a colorant chamber, the gantry structure operable to move the colorant dispensing tip to a specified position of the painting surface, where the colorant dispenser is operable to apply a specified amount of a colorant to the painting surface and creating a dot having a two-dimensional coverage and three-dimensional profile at the specified position. The colorant dispenser further comprises a piston disposed in the colorant chamber, and a push rod coupled to the piston operable to advance the piston toward the dispensing tip to exude the specified amount of colorant onto the painting surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides O-nitro compounds, pharmaceutical compositions of O-nitro compounds and methods of using O-nitro compounds and/or pharmaceutical compositions thereof to treat or prevent diseases or disorders characterized by abnormal cell proliferation, such as cancer, inflammation, cardiovascular disease and autoimmune disease.

Abstract: An article comprising two chemically grafted polymer layers comprising a hydrogel layer and an end-functionalized polyurethane layer. The invention also includes methods of making and using the article.