Abstract: Methods for managing non-player characters and power centers in a computer game are based on character hierarchies and individualized correspondences between each character's traits or rank and events that involve other non-player characters or objects. Players may share power centers, character hierarchies, non-player characters, and related quests involving the shared objects with other players playing separate and unrelated game instances over a computer network, with the outcome of the quests reflected in different the games. Various configurations of game machines are used to implement the methods.

Abstract: This disclosure provides, e.g., methods for coupling Formation of Surface Carboxylates on PES an entity to a solid substrate. The method can comprise treating the with Exposure Time substrate with a plasma, e.g., a CO2 plasma, to increase its reactivity. The entity can be, e.g., a biological polymer that binds a microbe. Substrates produced by these methods can be used in a variety of applications, including hemodialysis and diagnostic assays.

Abstract: A facility for procuring and analyzing information about an anatomical surface feature from a caregiver that is usable to generate an assessment of the surface feature is described. The facility displays information about the surface feature used in the assessment of the surface feature. The facility obtains user input and/or data generated by an image capture device to assess the surface feature or update an existing assessment of the surface feature.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, that automate selection of configuration data. One of the methods includes obtaining meal configuration data relating to feeding livestock in an aquaculture environment that includes one or more feeding parameters relating to feeding farmed livestock and one or more criteria. Each of the one or more criteria can be associated with the one or more feeding parameters. Sensor data can be obtained that describes at least one property of the aquaculture environment. A selected set of feeding parameters can be selected using the obtained sensor data and the obtained feeding parameters. The selected set of feeding parameters can be provided to a feeding control subsystem.

Abstract: Described embodiments provide systems and methods for providing cross-application adaptive services. A computing system may receive, from a first client device, an identification of an user access requirement. The computing system may retrieve, from a requirement-adaptive service database, a system configuration corresponding to the user access requirement. The computing system may configure a hosted application according to the retrieved system configuration. The computing system may provide, to the first client device for rendering by an application of the first client device, the configured hosted application.

Abstract: Described embodiments provide systems and methods for providing cross-application adaptive services. A computing system may receive, from a first client device, an identification of an user access requirement. The computing system may retrieve, from a requirement-adaptive service database, a system configuration corresponding to the user access requirement. The computing system may configure a hosted application according to the retrieved system configuration. The computing system may provide, to the first client device for rendering by an application of the first client device, the configured hosted application.

Abstract: A deck coupled to a paddle board having a base having a longitudinal axis, an axial axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. A base length that is substantially in line with longitudinal axis, a paddle board width that is substantially in line with the axial axis. A bow side having a hull for displacing the water, a stern side, a port side, and a starboard side. A first rung integrally coupled to the port side, the first rung having a first rung bow side, a first rung stern side, and a first rung base positioned between the first rung bow side and the first rung stern side. A second rung integrally coupled to the starboard side, the second rung having a second rung bow side, a second rung stern side, and a second rung base positioned between the second rung bow side and the second rung stern side.

Abstract: A deck coupled to a paddle board having a base having a longitudinal axis, an axial axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. A base length that is substantially in line with longitudinal axis, a paddle board width that is substantially in line with the axial axis. A bow side having a hull for displacing the water, a stern side, a port side, and a starboard side. A first rung integrally coupled to the port side, the first rung having a first rung bow side, a first rung stern side, and a first rung base positioned between the first rung bow side and the first rung stern side. A second rung integrally coupled to the starboard side, the second rung having a second rung bow side, a second rung stern side, and a second rung base positioned between the second rung bow side and the second rung stern side.

Abstract: This disclosure provides, e.g., methods for coupling an entity to a solid substrate. The method can comprise treating the substrate with a plasma, e.g., a CO2 plasma, to increase its reactivity. The entity can be, e.g., a biological polymer that binds a microbe. Substrates produced by these methods can be used in a variety of applications, including hemodialysis and diagnostic assays.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods for delivering aerosolized micro-droplets into microfluidic devices. In some embodiments, the microfluidic devices are designed for the culture of living cells at an air interface. In some embodiments, the systems and methods described herein can be used to deliver aerosolized micro-droplet into detection systems and small animals, tissues, organs and organisms.

Abstract: A microfluidic device of a diagnostic and detection system includes an inlet port connected by one or more microchannels to an outlet port and includes a capture and visualization chamber (CVC) connected to at least one microchannel. A fluid to be analyzed can be mixed with magnetic microbeads that have an affinity to become bound to target components, such as pathogens in the fluid. The fluid including the magnetically bound target components can be injected through the microfluidic device. Magnetic field gradient, such as provided by permanent or electro-magnets, can be applied to the fluid and the magnetically bound target components flowing through the microfluidic device to cause the magnetically bound target components to migrate into the (CVC) and become separated from the fluid.

Abstract: A reflector to reflect solar radiation, the reflector having a concave reflector surface, wherein the surface curves about a first axis and a second axis, the second axis being in a plane generally normal to the first axis and curved about the first axis. Also disclosed is an apparatus for collection and utilization of solar energy including at least one of the reflectors, and at least one photovoltaic cell associated with each surface and positioned relative to the associated surface so as to be positioned to receive radiation reflected by the associated surface and to convert the radiation to electrical energy. The apparatus further includes heat a conversion mechanism for converting excess solar radiation energy incident thereon to heat energy.

Abstract: A heat sink structure formed out of mechanisms which may include petals and stems, and which may be characterized by configurations which include rosettes and umbels. Each heat sink structure being generally comprised of multiple petals and one or more stems which are capable of interlocking with each other through use of various mechanical connector elements, which may include fin, claw and ball features. Each petal typically having a plurality of fins, claws and balls, intended to create hinge-like properties for maximizing the number and types of heat sinks which may be expressed. Advantageously, a plurality of expandable, connectable and adjustable heat sinks may be formed to optimize heat dispersion and allow for a plurality of lighting sources to be accommodated as desired.

Abstract: A hand-held device (10) for creating a pressure change in a person's ear canal. It has an interior space forming an air chamber (50), a plunger (58) and a valve means (52) frictionally engaged with said plunger (58), a tube (14) with an earpiece (48), and a finger-actuated diaphragm (60) in an external wall of the air chamber (50). The diaphragm (60) moves the plunger (58) from a resting position, and in a first direction. A spring (56) returns the diaphragm (60) to its undepressed position. Initial movement of the plunger (58) in said first direction from said resting position displaces the valve (52) from a first position to a second position at which the valve means (52) is stopped from further movement in said first direction. Further movement of the plunger (58) in said first direction causes the plunger (58) to slide relative to the valve (52). The device (10) is intended for treatment of Mënière's disease and ear pain from other causes.

Abstract: A method of determining the distance, from a reference point, of a tracer emitting radiation comprising a first component emitted at a first known energy level and a second component emitted at a second known energy level, the intensity of a penetrating portion of the first component that penetrates a substance between the tracer and the reference point and the intensity of a penetrating portion of the second component of the radiation that penetrates the substance being a function of the rate of gamma radiation emission of the tracer as well as of the distance of the tracer from the reference point, the method comprising: a) measuring the intensity of the first penetrating portion and the intensity of the second penetrating portion; b) determining the ratio of the intensity of the first penetrating portion to the intensity of the second penetrating portion; and c) determining the distance of the tracer from the reference point.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining at least one ratio of different isotopes of at least one element in a sample. The method comprises ionizing the sample to produce ions of the different isotopes of the at least one element, the ions being selected from the group consisting of: multiply charged atomic positive ions, single charged positive ions for hydrogen and single charged positive ions for deuterium, separating the charged positive ions of the different isotopes of the at least one element according to their mass-to-charge ratios, and determining at least one ratio of the different isotopes of said at least one element separated in the previous step. The invention also relates to an apparatus for performing the above method.

Abstract: An automated tool for scheduling tasks to be performed based on resources available in a constrained environment. The tool gives crew members, employees, or others responsible for the performance of tasks in the constrained environment the power to adjust task schedules to take projected conditions into account.