Abstract: A printing device determines that a consumable item newly installed within a printing device has previously been used, based on a remaining life of the consumable item. In response to determining that the consumable item has previously been used, the printing device resets the remaining life of the consumable item.

Abstract: An example apparatus includes at least one processor circuitry to execute or instantiate instructions to identify a media file is scheduled to be accessed by a media device within a first time period after a publishing of the media file was published by a media provider; select a first symbol to be inserted at a first symbol position and a second symbol to be inserted at a second symbol position to identify an access of the media file is to be accessed by the media device within the first time period, the first symbol position in a first bit sequence, the second symbol position in a second bit sequence; encode the first bit sequence in the media file on a first encoding layer of a multilayered watermark, and encode the second bit sequence in the media file on a second encoding layer of the multilayered watermark.

Abstract: An apparatus having a foil pack defining a device enclosure and a fluid conduit defining a fluid channel. The device enclosure may be configured to hold an energy storage device such as a battery or capacitor. The fluid conduit defines a fluid channel configured to allow a flow from the device enclosure through a test port defined by the fluid conduit. The apparatus is configured to establish a vacuum in the device enclosure when a vacuum is established in the fluid channel (e.g., during leak testing of the device enclosure). A scaffolding within the fluid conduit is configured to configured to resist a collapse of the fluid channel when the vacuum is established in the fluid channel.

Abstract: A filter for filtering a broadband beam and in one embodiment a fluorescence measurement system comprising such a filter. The system includes a broadband light source arranged to provide a broadband beam, a first tunable element arranged to filter at least a portion of the broadband beam thereby providing filtered light and a control unit arranged to provide a control signal to the first tunable element. In one embodiment the first tunable element is an acousto-optic filter (AOTF) and the control signal to the AOTF is an acoustic RF signal provided by a Voltage Controlled Oscillator (VCO) arranged so the AOTF provide a high out-of-band suppression.

Abstract: This disclosure provides an integrated and automated sample-to-answer system that, starting from a sample comprising biological material, generates a genetic profile in less than two hours. In certain embodiments, the biological material is DNA and the genetic profile involves determining alleles at one or a plurality of loci (e.g., genetic loci) of a subject, for example, an STR (short tandem repeat) profile, for example as used in the CODIS system. The system can perform several operations, including (a) extraction and isolation of nucleic acid; (b) amplification of nucleotide sequences at selected loci (e.g., genetic loci); and (c) detection and analysis of amplification product. These operations can be carried out in a system that comprises several integrated modules, including an analyte preparation module; a detection and analysis module and a control module.

Abstract: An instrument includes a fluidic cartridge having a body comprising a malleable material and a layer comprising a deformable material bonded to a surface of the body that seals one or more fluidic channels that communicate with one or more valve bodies formed in a surface of the body. The valve can be closed by applying pressure to the deformable material sufficient to close off a fluidic channel in the body. A cartridge interface is configured to engage the cartridge.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to processes for desulfurizing hydrocarbon feedstocks. The processes may include introducing a feedstock comprising hydrogen sulfide to an absorber comprising a metal chelate to form a reduced metal chelate. The processes may further include introducing the reduced metal chelate to a photobioreactor comprising a phototrophic bacterium. The present disclosure also relates to apparatuses for desulfurizing hydrocarbon feedstock. An apparatus may include and absorber and a photobioreactor fluidly connected to the absorber. The photobioreactor may be an anaerobic vessel with a light source.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided that is configured as or otherwise includes an axial flux electric machine. This axial flux electric machine includes a plurality of rotors, a plurality of stators and a shaft rotatable about an axis. The rotors are disposed axially along the axis and are mounted to the shaft. Each of the rotors includes a plurality of rotor magnets. The stators are axially interspersed with the rotors along the axis. Each of the stators includes a plurality of stator magnets. The stator magnets of a first of the stators are arranged asymmetrically about the axis.

Abstract: An instrument includes a fluidic cartridge having a body comprising a malleable material and a layer comprising a deformable material bonded to a surface of the body that seals one or more fluidic channels that communicate with one or more valve bodies formed in a surface of the body. The valve can be closed by applying pressure to the deformable material sufficient to close off a fluidic channel in the body. A cartridge interface is configured to engage the cartridge.

Abstract: A printing device determines that a consumable item newly installed within a printing device has previously been used, based on a remaining life of the consumable item. In response to determining that the consumable item has previously been used, the printing device resets the remaining life of the consumable item.

Abstract: Provided herein is a fluidic cartridge having a body comprising a malleable material and a layer comprising a deformable material bonded to a surface of the body that seals one or more fluidic channels that communicate with one or more valve bodies formed in a surface of the body. The valve can be closed by applying pressure to the deformable material sufficient to crush and close off a fluidic channel in the body. Also provided are a cartridge interface configured to engage the cartridge. Also provided is a system including a cartridge interface and methods of using the cartridge and system.

Abstract: A system for controlling custody of a sample can include a cartridge comprising a sample receptacle configured to receive an article configured to deliver a sample to the cartridge, a cartridge module having a cartridge receptacle configured to receive the cartridge; a housing enclosing the cartridge module and the cartridge. The housing can include a closable door; at least one sensor configured to produce a signal indicating: insertion or removal of an article into or from the sample receptacle; whether the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge receptacle; or whether the door is open or closed. The system can further include a computer programmed to record a signal from the at least one sensor for a recording period of time and to display a signal history to a user.

Abstract: A medical fluid probe includes a heat spreader structure that defines therein a fluid chamber that is in fluid communication with an external environment around the probe, and a thermal energy source in thermal communication with the heat spreader structure. The heat spreader structure functions as both temperature-control elements and structural elements. A variety of separate structure elements, such as the heat pipes, may combine to form the heat spreader structure. The thermal energy source may be used to maintain the temperature of the heat spreader structure, such as by heating and/or cooling the heater spreader structure.

Abstract: A cold worked and spinodally-hardened copper alloy comprising from about 8 to about 20 wt % nickel, and from about 5 to about 11 wt % tin, the remaining balance being copper, and having a 0.2% offset yield strength of at least 75 ksi, is used to form a sucker rod coupling or subcoupling. Each coupling is formed from a core having two ends, each end having an internal thread. These box ends engage the pin of a sucker rod or other rod. The exterior surface of the core includes grooves running between the two ends.

Abstract: This disclosure provides an integrated and automated sample-to-answer system that, starting from a sample comprising biological material, generates a genetic profile in less than two hours. In certain embodiments, the biological material is DNA and the genetic profile involves determining alleles at one or a plurality of loci (e.g., genetic loci) of a subject, for example, an STR (short tandem repeat) profile, for example as used in the CODIS system. The system can perform several operations, including (a) extraction and isolation of nucleic acid; (b) amplification of nucleotide sequences at selected loci (e.g., genetic loci); and (c) detection and analysis of amplification product. These operations can be carried out in a system that comprises several integrated modules, including an analyte preparation module; a detection and analysis module and a control module.

Abstract: A fluid probe includes a heat spreader structure that defines therein a fluid chamber that is in fluid communication with an external environment of the probe, and a thermal energy source in thermal communication with the heat spreader structure. The heat spreader structure may be made from heat pipes, which function as both temperature-control elements and structural elements. The thermal coupling of the heat spreader structure and the thermal energy source may be used to transfer heat between the two, heating, cooling, and/or maintaining temperature of the heat spreader structure. The fluid probe may have any of a variety of uses, for example being a pitot tube for an aircraft, a fluid sampling device, a medical device, or a device for injecting a fluid.

Abstract: A coupling for joining a downhole pump to a sucker rod string is disclosed. The coupling includes a core having a first end, a central portion, and a second end. The first end and the second end each have an end surface. The first end tapers linearly inwards from the central portion to the first end surface. The second end has a rounded edge along the second end surface. The coupling is made from a spinodally-hardened copper-nickel-tin alloy and has a sliding coefficient of friction of less than 0.4 when measured against carbon steel.

Abstract: A sucker rod string is formed from sucker rods and sucker rod couplings. The sucker rod couplings are formed from a spinodally-hardened copper alloy comprising from about 8 to about 20 wt % nickel, and from about 5 to about 11 wt % tin, the remaining balance being copper, and having a sliding coefficient of friction of 0.4 or less when measured against carbon steel. The sucker rod string has low friction and improved pumping stroke, enhanced pumping capacity, and less load in the overall system.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system are provided for assigning tasks and/or providing resources in a distributed system. An indication of a task being available for processing is provided to one or more remote systems in a distributed system based on a distribution list. At least one response from one of the remote systems capable of performing the task is received in response to the indication. The response includes a request for a resource for performing the task. The resource for performing the task is provided to the remote systems.

Abstract: A sucker rod guide having low friction and high wear resistance is disclosed herein, along with a fluid extraction system comprising the same. At least a part of the exterior surface of the sucker rod guide is formed from a cold worked and spinodally-hardenable or spinodally-hardened copper alloy comprising from about 5 to about 20 wt % nickel, and from about 5 to about 10 wt % tin, the remaining balance being copper, and having a 0.2% offset yield strength of at least 75 ksi. The guide includes a smoothbore adapted to surround and engage the surface of a sucker rod. The exterior surface of the guide can include grooves miming between the two ends. In particular embodiments, the guide is made by joining together two identical guide segments. In other embodiments, the guide is a single integral piece molded around a sucker rod.