Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method, device and system to efficiently liquefy and isolate a gas from a gaseous mixture. In an embodiment of the present invention, separation of gasses from the atmosphere can be carried out using a cooled surface to separate the gasses from the atmosphere. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, removal of CO2 from the atmosphere can be carried out by using the method, device and system to efficiently cryogenically separate CO2 from air and capture the CO2 from a gaseous mixture using a surface and release the ‘CO2 lean air’ into the atmosphere and store the captured liquefied CO2.

Abstract: Sizing resources for a replication target, including: determining an initial resource requirement for a replication source; determining a retention resource requirement for the replication source; and reporting, in dependence on the initial resource requirement and the retention resource requirement, a total resource requirement for replicating the replication source.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for providing third party connectivity to installed software at a customer site through a broker infrastructure. A uniform facility for powerful and secure third party access to customer software installations is provided. Multiple TCP-based session types including source code debug and database sessions are supported. A target backend and session type are selected by an authorized agent logged into the broker infrastructure. A communication session is established between environments of the agent's frontend tool and the backend. The agent can perform maintenance or troubleshooting on the backend using the full capabilities of the frontend tool. Data exchange between frontend and backend utilizes TCP connections within the communication session, and is mediated by a connectivity framework within the broker infrastructure. Customer control over access to target backends is supported.

Abstract: Sizing resources for a replication target, including: determining an initial resource requirement for a replication source; determining a retention resource requirement for the replication source; and reporting, in dependence on the initial resource requirement and the retention resource requirement, a total resource requirement for replicating the replication source.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for providing third party connectivity to installed software at a customer site through a broker infrastructure. A uniform facility for powerful and secure third party access to customer software installations is provided. Multiple TCP-based session types including source code debug and database sessions are supported. A target backend and session type are selected by an authorized agent logged into the broker infrastructure. A communication session is established between environments of the agent's frontend tool and the backend. The agent can perform maintenance or troubleshooting on the backend using the full capabilities of the frontend tool. Data exchange between frontend and backend utilizes TCP connections within the communication session, and is mediated by a connectivity framework within the broker infrastructure. Customer control over access to target backends is supported.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is disclosed for generating large volumes of data for purposes such as testing data validation tools and training machine-learning models. Selecting a data schema and identifying its rules and conditions establish the characteristics of the data to be generated. The internal data structure can be organized into a multilevel nested hierarchy of bounding boxes that serve as separate containers for articles of data. The bounding boxes can be readily configured in a manner that generates a broad spectrum of data applicable to even the most complex or lengthy data schema, such as creating separate bounding boxes for data that complies with the rules of the schema, and data that fails to comply. By automating data generation in this manner, users can generate desired data at scale, instead of relying on time-intensive manual production efforts, and precisely tailor the generated data for the desired purposes.

Abstract: Methods of screening a compound for susceptibility to causing systemic or hepatic toxicity, using a hepatic cell system exposed to a range of concentrations of a bile acid in the absence or presence of a compound to determine a toxicity profile. In vitro systems for predicting in vivo hepatotoxic potential of a compound are also provided, and include in vitro cultured hepatic cell systems with a capacity for bile acid synthesis, bile acid transport and bile acid regulation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aerial fire-fighting bucket. The bucket includes a base plate and a valve arrangement including at least one valve and a liner actuator. The base plate includes at least one aperture and the valve is arranged to block the aperture in a closed position and to allow fluid to pass from within the bucket through the aperture when in an open position. The valve is arranged to be moved by the linear actuator generally transversely across an upper face of the base plate between the closed position and the open position of the valve to progressively reveal the aperture.

Abstract: A method of evaluating disposition and/or effect of a candidate compound in an in vitro culture and/or suspension to predict in vivo disposition and/or effect of the candidate compound, which can include the steps of providing a cell culture and/or suspension; exposing a candidate compound to the culture and/or suspension; exposing the culture and/or suspension to a media providing an in vivo relevant extracellular environment, such as a media comprising a component (such as a protein and/or other component, such as lipoproteins, bile acids, and endogenous compounds such as bilirubin) at a physiologic concentration or a concentration having characteristics, such as binding characteristics, similar to the physiological concentration; wherein any combination of any of the exposing steps can occur in any order or simultaneously; and evaluating in vitro disposition and/or effect of the compound to predict in vivo disposition and/or effect of the candidate compound.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically focusing imaging devices on an imaging set employs at least one tracker and two or more tracking markers, each tracking marker having an identification means and a tracking pattern. The tracking markers are configured for attaching to the imaging devices and to corresponding subjects to be imaged. A tracker gathers image information of the imaging set and provides it to a controller, which compares the image information to predetermined stored information about the tracking patterns of the various tracking markers. The tracking markers are identified and their three-dimensional positions determined. The distances between the imaging devices and the subjects are determined and the distances between the imaging devices and the subjects are calculated. This provides the focus setting information for communication to the imaging devices. The tracking patterns may have no rotational symmetry, allowing the orientation of subjects to be determined.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically focusing imaging devices on an imaging set employs at least one tracker and two or more tracking markers, each tracking marker having an identification means and a tracking pattern. The tracking markers are configured for attaching to the imaging devices and to corresponding subjects to be imaged. A tracker gathers image information of the imaging set and provides it to a controller, which compares the image information to predetermined stored information about the tracking patterns of the various tracking markers. The tracking markers are identified and their three-dimensional positions determined. The distances between the imaging devices and the subjects are determined and the distances between the imaging devices and the subjects are calculated. This provides the focus setting information for communication to the imaging devices. The tracking patterns may have no rotational symmetry, allowing the orientation of subjects to be determined.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include systems and methods for selective gripping and/or releasing of media cartridges using a robotic ratcheting gripper mechanism. Embodiments operate in context of a data storage library having a number of media cartridges physically located within slots of one or more magazines. A robot with a hand assembly uses a gripper mechanism to retrieve and ferry the cartridges between the magazines and one or more media drives. A novel gripper mechanism is provided that toggles between open and closed states according to movement of the gripper. In some embodiments, movement of a carriage from a retracted to an extended position extends the gripper mechanism and toggles its state, while movement of the carriage from the extended to the retracted position retracts the gripper mechanism while maintaining its state. Certain embodiments implement this functionality with simple mechanical components.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aerial fire-fighting bucket. The bucket includes a base plate and a valve arrangement including at least one valve and a liner actuator. The base plate includes at least one aperture and the valve is arranged to block the aperture in a closed position and to allow fluid to pass from within the bucket through the aperture when in an open position. The valve is arranged to be moved by the linear actuator generally transversely across an upper face of the base plate between the closed position and the open position of the valve to progressively reveal the aperture.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically focusing imaging devices on an imaging set employs at least one tracker and two or more tracking markers, each tracking marker having an identification means and a tracking pattern. The tracking markers are configured for attaching to the imaging devices and to corresponding subjects to be imaged. A tracker gathers image information of the imaging set and provides it to a controller, which compares the image information to predetermined stored information about the tracking patterns of the various tracking markers. The tracking markers are identified and their three-dimensional positions determined. The distances between the imaging devices and the subjects are determined and the distances between the imaging devices and the subjects are calculated. This provides the focus setting information for communication to the imaging devices. The tracking patterns may have no rotational symmetry, allowing the orientation of subjects to be determined.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include systems and methods for selective gripping and/or releasing of media cartridges using a robotic ratcheting gripper mechanism. Embodiments operate in context of a data storage library having a number of media cartridges physically located within slots of one or more magazines. A robot with a hand assembly uses a gripper mechanism to retrieve and ferry the cartridges between the magazines and one or more media drives. A novel gripper mechanism is provided that toggles between open and closed states according to movement of the gripper. In some embodiments, movement of a carriage from a retracted to an extended position extends the gripper mechanism and toggles its state, while movement of the carriage from the extended to the retracted position retracts the gripper mechanism while maintaining its state. Certain embodiments implement this functionality with simple mechanical components.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include systems and methods for selective gripping and/or releasing of media cartridges using a robotic ratcheting gripper mechanism. Embodiments operate in context of a data storage library having a number of media cartridges physically located within slots of one or more magazines. A robot with a hand assembly uses a gripper mechanism to retrieve and ferry the cartridges between the magazines and one or more media drives. A novel gripper mechanism is provided that toggles between open and closed states according to movement of the gripper. In some embodiments, movement of a carriage from a retracted to an extended position extends the gripper mechanism and toggles its state, while movement of the carriage from the extended to the retracted position retracts the gripper mechanism while maintaining its state. Certain embodiments implement this functionality with simple mechanical components.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include systems and methods for selective gripping and/or releasing of media cartridges using a robotic ratcheting gripper mechanism. Embodiments operate in context of a data storage library having a number of media cartridges physically located within slots of one or more magazines. A robot with a hand assembly uses a gripper mechanism to retrieve and ferry the cartridges between the magazines and one or more media drives. A novel gripper mechanism is provided that toggles between open and closed states according to movement of the gripper. In some embodiments, movement of a carriage from a retracted to an extended position extends the gripper mechanism and toggles its state, while movement of the carriage from the extended to the retracted position retracts the gripper mechanism while maintaining its state. Certain embodiments implement this functionality with simple mechanical components.

Abstract: According to principles of this invention, flour can be used as a filler for either an oil-based or PEG-based paintball fill material. In one embodiment of the present invention, a paintball fill material preferably comprises flour. More particularly, a paintball according to principles of the present invention can comprise a gelatin capsule defining an interior chamber which, upon formation of the paintball, houses a fill material. The fill material can comprise, for instance, 1%-65% polyethylene glycol, 25%-45% flour, and up to 0.5% dye, with the balance water. Accordingly, unlike conventional paintballs, the paintball fill material of the present invention preferably contains flour rather than starch to reduce the amount of polyethylene glycol required for the fill material. In alternative formulations, an oil can be used in addition to, or instead of, polyethylene glycol. According to another aspect of the present invention, the gelatin capsule for the paintball can also utilize flour in its composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a paintball comprising a shell containing an inner filler composition. The shell comprises a mixture of gelatin and mineral oil; the inner filler composition comprises a mixture of starch, oil, an emulsifying agent and a spreading and surfacting agent. The shell further comprises a non-crystallizing polyhydric alcohol, glycerine, and water. The inner filler composition may further comprise a pigment. The non-crystallizing polyhydric alcohol may be sorbitol, the oil is Soya oil and the emulsifying agent is emulsifying wax. The spreading and surfacting agent may be Tween® 20 and the pigment may be TiO2.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of purifying diphtheria toxin comprising (1) fermenting a microorganism strain capable of producing diphtheria toxin using glucose as a carbon source, said method comprising adding glucose to a growing culture whereby the addition of glucose maintains microorganism growth effective to support diphtheria toxin production; and (2) purifying the diphtheria toxin from the culture by contacting a toxin containing preparation derived therefrom with an ion exchange matrix, eluting a fraction containing the toxin, applying the eluate to a hydrophobic matrix, and eluting a fraction containing the toxin.