Abstract: The present disclosure relates a low magnification dark-field microscope system and method for producing a dark-field image. The method includes transferring a biological specimen to a surface of a sample plate, and pre-treating the biological specimen using one or more pre-treatment steps selected from (1) heating the biological specimen using a heating device; (2) applying ultrasound energy using an ultrasound transducer and ultrasound generator; and (3) doping the biological specimen with a metallic nanoparticle. Following pre-treatment, the method includes imaging a region of interest the biological specimen on the sample plate using a dark-field microscope to generate a dark-field image of the biological specimen.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates a low magnification dark-field microscope system and method for producing a dark-field image. The method includes transferring a biological specimen to a surface of a sample plate, and pre-treating the biological specimen using one or more pre-treatment steps selected from (1) heating the biological specimen using a heating device; (2) applying ultrasound energy using an ultrasound transducer and ultrasound generator; and (3) doping the biological specimen with a metallic nanoparticle. Following pre-treatment, the method includes imaging a region of interest the biological specimen on the sample plate using a dark-field microscope to generate a dark-field image of the biological specimen.

Abstract: In one general aspect, a method can include configuring a first connector of a particular type included in a first multipurpose port located on a first side of a computing device to connect the computing device to a first peripheral device, transporting one or more of power, high-speed data, and display data between the computing device and the first peripheral device using the first multipurpose port, configuring a second connector of the particular type included in a second multipurpose port located on a second side of the computing device to connect the computing device to a second peripheral device, and transporting one or more of power, high-speed data, and display data between the computing device and the second peripheral device using the second multipurpose port.

Abstract: In one general aspect, a method can include determining an orientation of a plug inserted into a connector included in the computing device, providing a plurality of display data signals to a reordering switch included in the computing device, selecting, by the reordering switch and based on the determined orientation of the plug, a display data signal from the plurality of display data signals, providing the selected display data signal to at least one of a plurality of multiplexers, the plurality of multiplexers being orientated back-to-back, providing a data signal to the at least one of the plurality of multiplexers, enabling the at least one of the plurality of multiplexers, selecting the display data signal for output by the at least one of the plurality of multiplexers, and providing the selected display data signal to a contact included on the connector.

Abstract: In some implementations, a computing device may include a plurality of voltage regulators including a first voltage regulator and a second voltage regulator, and a multi-phase oscillator, connected to the first voltage regulator and the second voltage regulator, configured to synchronize the first voltage regulator and the second voltage regulator.

Abstract: In one general aspect, a method can include receiving, by a computing device, an indication of movement of the computing device, receiving, by the computing device, an input from one of a touchpad, a touch-sensitive surface of a lid portion of the computing device, a trackpad, one or more mouse buttons, and a keyboard during the movement of the computing device, determining, based on the received indication of the movement of the computing device, that the received input is a false input, and ignoring, by the computing device, the received input based on determining that the received input is a false input.

Abstract: In one general aspect, a method can include determining an orientation of a plug inserted into a connector included in the computing device, providing a plurality of display data signals to a reordering switch included in the computing device, selecting, by the reordering switch and based on the determined orientation of the plug, a display data signal from the plurality of display data signals, providing the selected display data signal to at least one of a plurality of multiplexers, the plurality of multiplexers being orientated back-to-back, providing a data signal to the at least one of the plurality of multiplexers, enabling the at least one of the plurality of multiplexers, selecting the display data signal for output by the at least one of the plurality of multiplexers, and providing the selected display data signal to a contact included on the connector.

Abstract: In one general aspect, a method can include configuring a first connector of a particular type included in a first multipurpose port located on a first side of a computing device to connect the computing device to a first peripheral device, transporting one or more of power, high-speed data, and display data between the computing device and the first peripheral device using the first multipurpose port, configuring a second connector of the particular type included in a second multipurpose port located on a second side of the computing device to connect the computing device to a second peripheral device, and transporting one or more of power, high-speed data, and display data between the computing device and the second peripheral device using the second multipurpose port.

Abstract: A sample collection method and apparatus for holding and transporting tubes is provided which includes a fluid collection tube holder and transporter for use in holding and transporting fluid collection tubes. The tube holder includes an elongated body with a plurality of sleeves thereon for receiving and retaining a plurality of fluid collection tubes. Each of the plurality of fluid collection tubes includes a first end, an enlarged second end, and a cylindrical body therebetween. Each of the plurality of sleeves include an inner surface having a plurality of contact edges extending inwardly for frictionally engaging an exterior side of the cylindrical body of one of the plurality of fluid collection tubes. The sleeves define a circumferential contact area between the inner surface of the sleeve and the exterior side of cylindrical body, the circumferential contact area between the inner surface and the cylindrical body is discontinuous when the tube is mounted in the sleeve.

Abstract: A sample collection method and apparatus for holding and transporting tubes is provided which includes a tube holder having an elongated body with at least one fluid collection sleeve thereon for receiving and retaining at least one fluid collection tube. The apparatus includes at least one sample retriever sleeve thereon for receiving and retaining a sample retriever tube.

Abstract: A modular, expandable, self-regulating watering system for burial in planters, which do not have access to water pipes nearby for use in watering plants continuously with on the amount of water the plant needs and which can be refilled by relatively infrequent visits. The system is comprised of a plurality of hollow sections each of which has two upper ports and two lower ports, unless there are only two sections in which case only one upper port and one lower port is needed on each section. One section has a fill pipe that extends above the soil level. One section has an air port at the top thereof, or close to the top, which is coupled to an air tube, which is plugged at the other end with a hydrophilic sensor. Expansion sections can be added or subtracted to make the system larger or smaller. All sections are coupled together at their upper ports by flexible hose or tubing, and are coupled together by their lower ports by flexible hose or tubing.

Abstract: A modular, expandable, self-regulating watering system for burial in planters, which do not have access to water pipes nearby for use in watering plants continuously with on the amount of water the plant needs and which can be refilled by relatively infrequent visits. The system is comprised of a plurality of hollow sections each of which has two upper ports and two lower ports, unless there are only two sections in which case only one upper port and one lower port is needed on each section. One section has a fill pipe that extends above the soil level. One section has an air port at the top thereof, or close to the top, which is coupled to an air tube, which is plugged at the other end with a hydrophilic sensor. Expansion sections can be added or subtracted to make the system larger or smaller. All sections are coupled together at their upper ports by flexible hose or tubing, and are coupled together by their lower ports by flexible hose or tubing.