Abstract: Briefly, embodiments disclosed herein relate to image cropping, such as for digital images, for example.

Abstract: A content item categorizer system retrieves content items from Internet sources. If a retrieved content item includes sufficient information for traditional categorization methods, then the system assigns one or more categories to the content item using such traditional methods. The system creates a metadata model, based on information about traditionally-categorized content items, that maps at least hashtags from the content items to one or more content categories. When the system retrieves a sparse-info item that does not include sufficient information for traditional categorization, the system applies the metadata model to categorize the content item using at least hashtags in the sparse-info item. The metadata model may also include information indicating mappings between categories and coincidence of hashtags and additional content item attributes. Also, the metadata model may provide information for categorizing sparse-info items based on multiple hashtags in the sparse-info item metadata.

Abstract: Systems and methods of measuring ferrule-core concentricity for an optical fiber held by a ferrule are disclosed. The method includes: generating ferrule distance data by measuring distances to a ferrule outside surface as a function of rotation angle using a distance sensor and rotating either the ferrule or the distance sensor about an axis of rotation that is off-center from the true ferrule axis; aligning the axis of rotation with the fiber core; using the ferrule distance data to determine a position of the true ferrule center relative to the optical fiber core; and measuring the concentricity as the distance between the true center of the ferrule and the optical fiber core.

Abstract: A device for controlling buoyancy of a buried pipeline, the device comprising a form placed atop the pipeline and a flexible strap extending around the form adjacent its top. The form may comprise a first trough located adjacent the first side of the pipeline, a second trough located adjacent the opposing second side of the pipeline, and a middle section with an inverted-U-shaped cross section such that the middle portion fits over the top of the pipeline and joins the first trough and the second trough. The troughs are filled with backfill when the pipeline is buried. Thus, when fully installed, the device may comprise the slot form, the strap, and the backfill. As the pipeline tends to rise, the straps deform, bringing the sides of the troughs inward and compressing the backfill therein. This prevents further upward movement of the pipeline.

Abstract: Disclosed is a wellbore configuration for use in coal bed gas production comprising tubing and down hole equipment made from non-sparking materials which can be mined out with the coal.

Abstract: A device for controlling buoyancy of a buried pipeline, the device comprising a form placed atop the pipeline and a flexible strap extending around the form adjacent its top. The form may comprise a first trough located adjacent the first side of the pipeline, a second trough located adjacent the opposing second side of the pipeline, and a middle section with an inverted-U-shaped cross section such that the middle portion fits over the top of the pipeline and joins the first trough and the second trough. The troughs are filled with backfill when the pipeline is buried. Thus, when fully installed, the device may comprise the slot form, the strap, and the backfill. As the pipeline tends to rise, the straps deform, bringing the sides of the troughs inward and compressing the backfill therein. This prevents further upward movement of the pipeline.

Abstract: A method for updating content. The method includes determining at least one indicator with respect to the content, wherein the at least one indicator is at least one of a user engagement indicator, a content popularity indicator, a content quality indicator, and a content update frequency indicator. The method further includes updating the content based on the at least one indicator, wherein the at least one indicator is dynamically updated.

Abstract: Optical fiber-based wireless systems and related components and methods support radio frequency (RF) communications with clients over optical fiber, including Radio-over-Fiber (RoF) communications. The systems may be provided as part of an indoor distributed antenna system (IDAS) to provide wireless communication services to clients inside a building or other facility. The communications can be distributed between a head end unit (HEU) that receives carrier signals from one or more service or carrier providers and converts the signals to RoF signals for distribution over optical fibers to end points, which may be remote antenna units (RAUs). A microprocessor-based control system or systems may also be employed. The control systems may include one or more microprocessors or microcontrollers in one or more of the components of the system that execute software instructions to control the various components and provide various features for the optical fiber-based distributed antenna systems.

Abstract: Cell-free extracts, methods for producing these extracts, methods for using these extracts, compositions that facilitate production of these extracts and kits that contain these extracts are provided. By increasing or decreasing certain gene products through, for example, the use of siRNA or mimics, one can develop mammalian cell-free extracts that have desired levels of efficiency.

Abstract: Techniques are provide for linking actions in an online fantasy sports game to a currency balance associated with a user of the game. The techniques adjust the balance by a first quantity in response to a sports player action, where the first quantity is based upon the player action, and adjust the balance by a second quantity in response to transfer of a sports player to or from a fantasy sports team associated with the user, where the second quantity is based upon a value of the sports player; and, prevent transfer of the sports player to the fantasy sports team in response to the second quantity being greater than the balance. The currency balance may be increased by the first quantity in response to the sports player action. The sports player action may include scoring a number of game points, and the first quantity may be based upon the number of game points.

Abstract: Optical reader systems and methods for label-independent reading of resonant waveguide (RWG) biosensors operably supported by a microplate as defined herein. The system includes a light source, a spectrometer unit, a beam-forming optical system and a scanning optical system that includes a scanning mirror device, a mirror device driver operably coupled to the scanning mirror device, and an F-theta lens arranged between the microplate and the beam-forming optical system. Some systems use multiple optical beams to scan multiple biosensors at once without having to move the microplate. Asynchronous scanning of multiple beams allows for reducing the number of spectrometer units needed.

Abstract: Techniques are provide for linking actions in an online fantasy sports game to a currency balance associated with a user of the game. The techniques adjust the balance by a first quantity in response to a sports player action, where the first quantity is based upon the player action, and adjust the balance by a second quantity in response to transfer of a sports player to or from a fantasy sports team associated with the user, where the second quantity is based upon a value of the sports player; and, prevent transfer of the sports player to the fantasy sports team in response to the second quantity being greater than the balance. The currency balance may be increased by the first quantity in response to the sports player action. The sports player action may include scoring a number of game points, and the first quantity may be based upon the number of game points.

Abstract: The evaluation of players in the context of a fantasy sports league is disclosed. In order to evaluate whether a fantasy team owner should add one player to the starting lineup of the team and drop another, player stat predictions are first used to predict end-of-season stats for the current starting lineup of a team. Historical and current league stat/point functions may then be used to determine how many points the team is expected to earn during the course of a full season based on the predicted end-of-season stats. This same methodology is then applied to a proposed revised lineup to determine how many points the revised team is expected to earn during the course of a full season. The difference between the projected point totals for the current team and the revised team are an indication of the value of this specific transaction to this specific team.

Abstract: A device and methods for performing biological or chemical analysis is provided. The device includes an array of three-dimensional microcolumns projecting away from a support plate. Each microcolumn has a relatively planar, first surface remote from the support plate. An array of multiple, different biological materials may be attached to the first surface. The device, when used in combination with existent micro-titer well plates, can improve efficiency of binding assays using microarrays for high-throughput capacity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for navigating screens in a legacy host system. In a preferred embodiment, requests for specific legacy host screens are received by a server. The server then navigates to the appropriate screen within the legacy host system and retrieves the host screen. Any intermediate screens navigated by the server in reaching the host screen are not displayed to the user. If variable data need be entered to access the host screen, the server sends the user a submittable form on which to enter the appropriate information, which, once entered and sent to the server, is used by the server to retrieve the host screen. Once the host screen has been retrieved, the server formats it into a web page format using a hypertext language and sends the screen to the user. Other screens within the legacy host system are accessed by user selection of selectable links displayed to the user.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hospitality type card which is provided with a series of indentations on each of its first and second longitudinally extending sides and first and second transversely extending edges that are sized and configured so as to be graspable by digits of a human hand. The card may further include indentations on each of the first and second transversely extending edges to accommodate additional graspable orientations as well as add aesthetic attributes to the card structure. The card may be provided with a card carrier which may be printed with matching or complimentary indicia as well as personalized indicia directed at a recipient of the card and carrier.

Abstract: Described herein are supports useful in incorporating biomolecules into cells and methods of making and using thereof.

Abstract: Buffered assay solutions for performing 1) binding or 2) functional assays on GPCR arrays, along with methods for their use are described. The buffered assay solution has an underlying composition having: a buffer reagent with a pH in the range of about 6.5 to about 7.9; an inorganic salt of either a monovalent or divalent species, at a concentration from about 1 mM to about 500 mM; and optionally a combination of: c) a blocker reagent at a concentration of about 0.01 wt. % to about 2 wt. % of the composition, or d) protease-inhibitor at a concentration of about 0.001 mM to about 100 mM. In an embodiment for functional assay uses, the composition is modified to also include a GTP-analogue, a guanosine 5?-diphosphate (GDP) salt, and/or an anti-oxidant reagent.

Abstract: The invention relates to G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) microarrays on porous substrates for structural or functional analyses of GPCRs, and methods of preparing porous substrate surfaces for receiving membranes that comprise GPCRs. In one embodiment, a GPCR microarray of the invention comprises a membrane adhered to an upper surface of a porous substrate, the membrane spanning across a plurality of pores on the porous substrate to form a plurality of cavities having sufficient geometry to permit entry of assay reagents into each cavity, thereby allowing access of assay reagents to both sides of GPCR in the membrane.

Abstract: Methods for performing surface-mediated protein delivery into living cells, and fabricating protein-transfected cell cluster arrays are provided. The method comprises providing a protein-containing mixture; depositing said protein-containing mixture onto a surface at defined locations; affixing the protein-containing mixture to the surface as microspots; and plating cells onto the surface in sufficient density and under conditions for the proteins to be delivered into the cells. The protein-containing mixture comprises any suitable amino acid sequence, including peptides, proteins, protein-domains, antibodies, or protein-nucleic acid conjugates, etc., with a carrier reagent. Protein-transfected cell arrays may be used for rapid and direct, screening of protein or enzymatic functions or any given intracellular protein interaction in the natural environment of a living cell, as well as for high-throughput screening of other biological and chemical analytes, which affect the functions of these proteins.