Abstract: A microfluidic lab-on-a-chip (LOC) device, microfluidic systems, and associated methodology are described that allow for intelligently collecting environmental DNA (eDNA) and their associated metadata. Optical spectroscopy is integrated with filtration membranes on the microfluidic device. The microfluidic LOC device and systems can be used for selectively capturing targeted species based on optical characteristics and for recording relevant metadata on eDNA acquired by the filtration membranes.

Abstract: Methods and systems for securing a data connection for communicating between two end-points are described herein. One of the end-points may be a server and the other of the end-points may be a client that wants to communicate with the server. The data connection may be secured based on a previously-established secure connection and/or a self-signed or self-issued certificate. In some variations, by using the previously-established secure connection and/or a self-signed or self-issued certificate, the secure communication between the server and the client may be conducted without using a third-party authentication service and without requiring a third-party CA to issue a certificate for the server.

Abstract: A tooling base assembly for holding a workpiece is disclosed. In one example, the tooling base assembly includes a base assembly and a clamping assembly that imparts an inward radial force towards a center of the base assembly on the workpiece to securely retain and precisely locate the workpiece to the base assembly.

Abstract: An optical cell for performing light spectroscopy (including absorbance, fluorescence and scattering measurements) on a liquid sample in microfluidic devices is disclosed. The optical cell comprises an inlaid sheet having an opaque material inlaid in a clear material, and a sensing channel that crosses the clear material and the opaque material provides a fluidic path for the liquid sample and an optical path for probe light. Integral optical windows crossing a clear-opaque material interface permit light coupling into and out of the sensing channel, and thus light transmission through the sensing channel is almost entirely isolated from background light interference. A microfluidic chip comprising one or more optical cells is also disclosed. The optical cells may have different lengths of sensing channels, and may be optically and fluidly coupled. A method of manufacturing an optical cell in a microfluidic chip is also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided are methods for quantitating an amount of a polypeptide that comprises a portion of an antibody present in a sample (e.g., a plasma or serum sample) wherein the antibody comprises a constant region (e.g., a heavy chain or light chain constant region) that comprises an engineered mutation.

Abstract: Approaches described herein allow an appliance to receive a message from a client device when the client device is attempting to connect to a service other than the appliance. For instance, a client device might connect to a service on a private network, however if the client device is not on the private network, it may encounter an appliance such as a gateway. The appliance is configured to return a message to a client device indicating that it is an appliance, and the client device returns a certificate to the appliance that allows the client to indicate a first purpose of a connection and a second purpose of the connection. In approaches described herein, the second purpose is used by the appliance to perform an action related to providing the service with a certificate that allows for the first purpose, which can include information to create a secure connection between the service and the client device.

Abstract: An optical cell for performing light spectroscopy (including absorbance, fluorescence and scattering measurements) on a liquid sample in microfluidic devices is disclosed. The optical cell comprises an inlaid sheet having an opaque material inlaid in a clear material, and a sensing channel that crosses the clear material and the opaque material provides a fluidic path for the liquid sample and an optical path for probe light. Integral optical windows crossing a clear-opaque material interface permit light coupling into and out of the sensing channel, and thus light transmission through the sensing channel is almost entirely isolated from background light interference. A microfluidic chip comprising one or more optical cells is also disclosed. The optical cells may have different lengths of sensing channels, and may be optically and fluidly coupled. A method of manufacturing an optical cell in a microfluidic chip is also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided are methods for quantitating an amount of a polypeptide that comprises a portion of an antibody present in a sample (e.g., a plasma or serum sample) wherein the antibody comprises a constant region (e.g., a heavy chain or light chain constant region) that comprises an engineered mutation.

Abstract: A punch and die set and selection apparatus adapted for sheet material forming, to work cooperatively with an automated punch press to select one of a set of punches and dies to operate within said apparatus to be engaged with the punch-press load-applying ram and tool holders, and to compel or allow the non-selected dies to be moved away from the sheet material so as not to impinge on or damage the sheet material being formed.

Abstract: Approaches described herein allow an appliance to receive a message from a client device when the client device is attempting to connect to a service other than the appliance. For instance, a client device might connect to a service on a private network, however if the client device is not on the private network, it may encounter an appliance such as a gateway. The appliance is configured to return a message to a client device indicating that it is an appliance, and the client device returns a certificate to the appliance that allows the client to indicate a first purpose of a connection and a second purpose of the connection. In approaches described herein, the second purpose is used by the appliance to perform an action related to providing the service with a certificate that allows for the first purpose, which can include information to create a secure connection between the service and the client device.

Abstract: A machine tool apparatus for a press brake, folding press or punch press system includes a tool holder body having a receiving portion configured for selective engagement with a coupling end of a machine tool. The apparatus also includes a magnetic coupling assembly comprising one or more magnetic elements configured to generate a magnetic coupling adapted for the selective engagement of the tool holder body with the coupling end of the machine tool. In some embodiments, the apparatus may further include an actuator configured to manipulate at least one of the magnetic elements to modulate the strength of the magnetic coupling for selective engagement and disengagement of the tool holder body with the coupling end of the machine tool.

Abstract: Methods and systems for securing a data connection for communicating between two end-points are described herein. One of the end-points may be a server and the other of the end-points may be a client that wants to communicate with the server. The data connection may be secured based on a previously-established secure connection and/or a self-signed or self-issued certificate. In some variations, by using the previously-established secure connection and/or a self-signed or self-issued certificate, the secure communication between the server and the client may be conducted without using a third-party authentication service and without requiring a third-party CA to issue a certificate for the server.

Abstract: Methods and systems for securing a data connection for communicating between two end-points are described herein. One of the end-points may be a server and the other of the end-points may be a client that wants to communicate with the server. The data connection may be secured based on a previously-established secure connection and/or a self-signed or self-issued certificate. In some variations, by using the previously-established secure connection and/or a self-signed or self-issued certificate, the secure communication between the server and the client may be conducted without using a third-party authentication service and without requiring a third-party CA to issue a certificate for the server.

Abstract: A punch and die set and selection apparatus adapted for sheet material forming, to work cooperatively with an automated punch press to select one of a set of punches and dies to operate within said apparatus to be engaged with the punch-press load-applying ram and tool holders, and to compel or allow the non-selected dies to be moved away from the sheet material so as not to impinge on or damage the sheet material being formed.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display includes a display area and a border area at least partially surrounding the display area, where the display area displays images for viewing and the border area displays display-protection images, which are used to control ion migration in the liquid crystal layer. In a more particular embodiment, the border area displays a series of checkerboard pattern(s), where the checkerboard patterns can alternate between initial and inverted values. The display-protection images protect the liquid crystal display from migrating ions accumulating in particular regions of the pixel array and causing permanent defects in the display area. A liquid crystal display that includes a liquid crystal alignment layer having a plurality of liquid crystal alignment directions is also disclosed. The customized liquid crystal alignment director(s) over the border area promote ion migration away from the display area.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display includes a display area and a border area at least partially surrounding the display area, where the display area displays images for viewing and the border area displays display-protection images, which are used to control ion migration in the liquid crystal layer. In a more particular embodiment, the border area displays a series of checkerboard pattern(s), where the checkerboard patterns can alternate between initial and inverted values. The display-protection images protect the liquid crystal display from migrating ions accumulating in particular regions of the pixel array and causing permanent defects in the display area. A liquid crystal display that includes a liquid crystal alignment layer having a plurality of liquid crystal alignment directions is also disclosed. The customized liquid crystal alignment director(s) over the border area promote ion migration away from the display area.

Abstract: Provided are methods for quantitating an amount of a polypeptide that comprises a portion of an antibody present in a sample (e.g., a plasma or serum sample) wherein the antibody comprises a constant region (e.g., a heavy chain or light chain constant region) that comprises an engineered mutation.

Abstract: A computer system for recording and broadcasting audio messages between users configured to (a) store a plurality of channel data for a plurality of channels; (b) receive, from a channel owner computer device associated with a channel owner, a first audio message; (c) store, in the database, the first audio message in a first channel associated with the channel owner; (d) transmit a first notification to one or more subscriber computer devices of the first channel, where the first notification includes the first location of the first audio message; (e) receive, from a subscriber computer device associated with a subscriber of the first channel, a second audio message in response to the first audio message; and (f) transmit a second notification to the channel owner computer device wherein the second notification includes a second location of the second audio message.

Abstract: Methods and systems for securing a data connection for communicating between two end-points are described herein. One of the end-points may be a server and the other of the end-points may be a client that wants to communicate with the server. The data connection may be secured based on a previously-established secure connection and/or a self-signed or self-issued certificate. In some variations, by using the previously-established secure connection and/or a self-signed or self-issued certificate, the secure communication between the server and the client may be conducted without using a third-party authentication service and without requiring a third-party CA to issue a certificate for the server.

Abstract: A machine tool apparatus for a press brake, folding press or punch press system includes a tool holder body having a receiving portion configured for selective engagement with a coupling end of a machine tool. The apparatus also includes a magnetic coupling assembly comprising one or more magnetic elements configured to generate a magnetic coupling adapted for the selective engagement of the tool holder body with the coupling end of the machine tool. In some embodiments, the apparatus may further include an actuator configured to manipulate at least one of the magnetic elements to modulate the strength of the magnetic coupling for selective engagement and disengagement of the tool holder body with the coupling end of the machine tool.