Abstract: The invention generally relates to droplet based digital PCR and methods for analyzing a target nucleic acid using the same. In certain embodiments, a method for determining the nucleic acid make-up of a sample is provided.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for assessing one or more predetermined characteristics or properties of a microfluidic droplet within a microfluidic channel, and regulating one or more fluid flow rates within that channel to selectively alter the predetermined microdroplet characteristic or property using a feedback control.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for assessing one or more predetermined characteristics or properties of a microfluidic droplet within a microfluidic channel, and regulating one or more fluid flow rates within that channel to selectively alter the predetermined microdroplet characteristic or property using a feedback control.

Abstract: Surfactants (e.g., fluorosurfactants) for stabilizing aqueous or hydrocarbon droplets in a fluorophilic continuous phase are presented. In some embodiments, fluorosurfactants include a fluorophilic tail soluble in a fluorophilic (e.g., fluorocarbon) continuous phase, and a headgroup soluble in either an aqueous phase or a lipophilic (e.g., hydrocarbon) phase. The combination of a fluorophilic tail and a headgroup may be chosen so as to create a surfactant with a suitable geometry for forming stabilized reverse emulsion droplets having a disperse aqueous or lipophilic phase in a continuous, fluorophilic phase. In some embodiments, the headgroup is preferably non-ionic and can prevent or limit the adsorption of molecules at the interface between the surfactant and the discontinuous phase. This configuration can allow the droplet to serve, for example, as a reaction site for certain chemical and/or biological reactions.

Abstract: Surfactants (e.g., fluorosurfactants) for stabilizing aqueous or hydrocarbon droplets in a fluorophilic continuous phase are presented. In some embodiments, fluorosurfactants include a fluorophilic tail soluble in a fluorophilic (e.g., fluorocarbon) continuous phase, and a headgroup soluble in either an aqueous phase or a lipophilic (e.g., hydrocarbon) phase. The combination of a fluorophilic tail and a headgroup may be chosen so as to create a surfactant with a suitable geometry for forming stabilized reverse emulsion droplets having a disperse aqueous or lipophilic phase in a continuous, fluorophilic phase. In some embodiments, the headgroup is preferably non-ionic and can prevent or limit the adsorption of molecules at the interface between the surfactant and the discontinuous phase. This configuration can allow the droplet to serve, for example, as a reaction site for certain chemical and/or biological reactions.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for assessing one or more predetermined characteristics or properties of a microfluidic droplet within a microfluidic channel, and regulating one or more fluid flow rates within that channel to selectively alter the predetermined microdroplet characteristic or property using a feedback control.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for assessing one or more predetermined characteristics or properties of a microfluidic droplet within a microfluidic channel, and regulating one or more fluid flow rates within that channel to selectively alter the predetermined microdroplet characteristic or property using a feedback control.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for assessing one or more predetermined characteristics or properties of a microfluidic droplet within a microfluidic channel, and regulating one or more fluid flow rates within that channel to selectively alter the predetermined microdroplet characteristic or property using a feedback control.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for assessing one or more predetermined characteristics or properties of a microfluidic droplet within a microfluidic channel, and regulating one or more fluid flow rates within that channel to selectively alter the predetermined microdroplet characteristic or property using a feedback control.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to droplet based digital PCR and methods for analyzing a target nucleic acid using the same. In certain embodiments, a method for determining the nucleic acid make-up of a sample is provided.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for assessing one or more predetermined characteristics or properties of a microfluidic droplet within a microfluidic channel, and regulating one or more fluid flow rates within that channel to selectively alter the predetermined microdroplet characteristic or property using a feedback control.

Abstract: Surfactants (e.g., fluorosurfactants) for stabilizing aqueous or hydrocarbon droplets in a fluorophilic continuous phase are presented. In some embodiments, fluorosurfactants include a fluorophilic tail soluble in a fluorophilic (e.g., fluorocarbon) continuous phase, and a headgroup soluble in either an aqueous phase or a lipophilic (e.g., hydrocarbon) phase. The combination of a fluorophilic tail and a headgroup may be chosen so as to create a surfactant with a suitable geometry for forming stabilized reverse emulsion droplets having a disperse aqueous or lipophilic phase in a continuous, fluorophilic phase. In some embodiments, the headgroup is preferably non-ionic and can prevent or limit the adsorption of molecules at the interface between the surfactant and the discontinuous phase. This configuration can allow the droplet to serve, for example, as a reaction site for certain chemical and/or biological reactions.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to droplet libraries and to systems and methods for the formation of libraries of droplets. The present invention also relates to methods utilizing these droplet libraries in various biological, chemical, or diagnostic assays.

Abstract: The present invention is an adaptive file distribution method for choosing a transmission protocol in order to optimize network and processor bandwidth according to the number of client nodes active on the data distribution network. Specifically, a method for adaptively selecting a transport protocol for transmitting data segments across a distributed data network can include the steps of: determining the number and identity of subordinate nodes on the network that will receive the data segment; selecting a data transport protocol according to the number of subordinate nodes determined; and, transmitting the data segment to the subordinate nodes using the selected transport protocol. Significantly, the transport protocol is selected from the group consisting of a connection-oriented protocol and a connectionless protocol. Moreover, the connection-oriented protocol can be the Transport Control Protocol, whereas the connectionless protocol can be the Universal Datagram Protocol.

Abstract: The present invention utilizes a file locking emulator between an application program and an operating system. The file locking emulator comprises an application program interface and a file lock supervisor. The file locking emulator receives the file locking requests from the application program and generates file requests and file lock query commands. When the application program interface receives a file request it first checks the files lock status and then either returns an error for incompatible file requests or executes the compatible lock request along with any other compatible operation request such as a read, write or truncate file operation. Only code in the file request emulator needs to be rewritten when an application program is ported to different operating systems sharing incompatible but executable processes. In this manner tested code of the application program does not have to be rewritten.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products are provided which access files which are mirrored between at least a first storage device and a second storage device by determining if an access of the first storage device is by a process for mirroring files between the first storage device and the second storage device and assuming a privileged user level for the process for mirroring files so that the access to the first storage device is performed at the privileged user level if the access is by the process for mirroring files. By assuming a privileged user level, the process for mirroring files may have access to the files to mirror, preferably, irrespective of the permissions assigned to a file by the owner of a file.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products are provided which assure access to files which are mirrored between at least a first storage device and a second storage device by controlling access to the first and second storage devices so that owners of files which are to be mirrored between the first and the second storage devices are within a common user group. A predefined set of permissions are established for the common user group and permissions of members of the common user group are forced to the predefined set of permissions. Thus, files and directories owned by members of the common user group will be forced to have the permissions of the common user group. Files and directories owned by members of the common user group are mirrored between the first and the second storage devices.

Abstract: A currency cassette has removably attached to one side thereof an identification means in the form of a card having a magnetic stripe. Data concerning the cassette, such as the quantity and denomination of the notes stored therein, is recorded on the stripe. Such data is arranged to be read by a read head attached to a carrier which is slidably mounted on support means forming part of a cassette receiving compartment of an ATM into which the cassette is arranged to be inserted. Upon completion of the insertion of the cassette into said compartment, the carrier is arranged to be moved in a controlled manner along said support means by a spring against the action of a dash pot, thereby causing the head to move in a controlled manner along the magnetic stripe and read the data recorded thereon.