Abstract: A sample preparation cartridge module comprises an input and output; and interconnected volumes arranged in series between the input and output, the volumes comprising a fluidic isolation chamber and an output channel connected to the fluidic isolation chamber downstream of the fluidic isolation chamber and leading to the output.

Abstract: A method operable by a communication network gateway for providing communication services includes (a) supporting respective communication links with a plurality of communication service providers, (b) supporting a plurality of virtual local area networks (VLANs), (c) associating each virtual local area network (VLAN) with a respective communication service provider of the plurality of communication service providers, and (d) routing data between each VLAN and the respective communication link of the respective communication service provider associated with the VLAN.

Abstract: A method for transmitting data through a multi-media communication network includes converting transmission entities into data symbols at a first communication device, transmitting the data symbols from the first communication device to a second communication device through at least two different types of communication media using only lower PHY layers of the at least two different types of communication media, and converting the data symbols into transmission entities at the second communication device.

Abstract: A method of securing data transmission from a plurality of spatially distributed transmitters to a receiving device includes steps of: determining first and second receiving device propagation delays for first and second transmission paths, respectively; portioning a contiguous stream of data into first and second data portions; transmitting the first data portion by the first transmission path utilizing a coordinating system and first propagation delay, and the second data portion such that first and second data portions arrive at the receiving device during a first and second time period, respectively, wherein, when seen from the receiving device, the first data portion and second data portion are seen as transmitted as contiguous data from the same transmitter, and wherein that transmitted data is received as a contiguous stream of transmitted data at a location of the receiving device.

Abstract: A method for transmitting data through a multi-media communication network includes converting transmission entities into data symbols at a first communication device, transmitting the data symbols from the first communication device to a second communication device through at least two different types of communication media using only lower PHY layers of the at least two different types of communication media, and converting the data symbols into transmission entities at the second communication device.

Abstract: Guidewires and methods for transmitting electrical stimuli to a heart and for guiding and supporting the delivery of elongate treatment devices within the heart are disclosed. A guidewire can comprise an elongate body, including first and second elongate conductors, and at least first and second electrodes. A distal end portion of the elongate body can include a preformed bias shape, such as a pigtail-shaped region, on which the first and second electrodes can be located. The preformed bias shape can optionally be non-coplanar relative to an intermediate portion of the elongate body. The first and second elongate conductors can be formed of a single structure or two or more electrically connected structures. The conductors can extend from proximal end portions to distal end portions that electrically connect to the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: An antenna assembly including flexible antenna elements connected to a non-flexible antenna element which connects to a counterpoise where the non-flexible antenna element is between the counterpoise and the flexible antenna elements. The flexible antenna elements are a plurality of peripheral flexible antenna elements and a central flexible antenna element. The plurality of peripheral flexible antenna elements are separated from and surrounding the central flexible antenna element. The non-flexible antenna element is a biconical antenna, formed from two tapered shapes connected at a central feed point such that a constant electrical impedance as the currents radiate outward from the central feed point. A total length of the flexible antenna elements connected to the non-flexible antenna element is ?43.0 cm, and the flexible antenna elements connected to the non-flexible antenna element has a realized gain of at least 2 dB over at least a frequency range of 200-7000 MHz.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for sensing an environment electric field. In one exemplary implementation, a method includes disposing a sensor in the environment, wherein the sensor comprising a crystalline lattice and at least one optically-active defect in the crystalline lattice; pre-exciting the crystalline lattice to prepare at least one defect in a first charge state using a first optical beam at a first optical wavelength; converting at least one defect from the first charge state to a second charge state using a second optical beam at a second optical wavelength; monitoring a characteristics of photoluminescence emitted from the defect during or after the conversion of the at least one defect from the first charge state to the second charge state; and determining a characteristics of the electric field in the environment according to the monitored characteristics of the photoluminescence.

Abstract: A valve orifice insert has a stepped-shaped wall including a first tubular section and a second tubular section having a smaller outer dimension than the first tubular section, and a lip structure protruding axially and including a planar valve seat surface. The first tubular section and the second tubular section being are joined by a step structure. At least one circumferential protrusion extends radially outward a predetermined distance from an outer surface of the first tubular section or an outer surface of the second tubular section to form an interference fit with the step-shaped opening when the valve orifice insert is fitted into the step-shaped opening.

Abstract: A valve orifice insert has a stepped-shaped wall including a first tubular section and a second tubular section having a smaller outer dimension than the first tubular section, and a lip structure protruding axially and including a planar valve seat surface. The first tubular section and the second tubular section being are joined by a step structure. At least one circumferential protrusion extends radially outward a predetermined distance from an outer surface of the first tubular section or an outer surface of the second tubular section to form an interference fit with the step-shaped opening when the valve orifice insert is fitted into the step-shaped opening.

Abstract: An antenna includes a dielectric substrate having a planar shape. The dielectric substrate has a first side and a second side. An elongated feed is disposed on the first side of the substrate. A ground plane is disposed adjacent to and spaced apart from the feed on the first side of the substrate. A meander has a first end coupled to the elongated feed. The meander comprises a second end disposed opposite the first end. A first extension extends from the second end adjacent to the meander. A second extension extends from the second end adjacent to the meander.

Abstract: A lubric gel composition for personal defense includes a fatty acid at a concentration ranging from 5 wt % to 10 wt % of the composition, a thickening agent at a concentration ranging from 1.75 wt % to 8.75 wt % of the composition, a detergent at a concentration ranging from 1.03 wt % to 4.07 wt % of the composition, a surfactant at a concentration ranging from 2 wt % to 15 wt % of the composition, and water at a concentration ranging from 66 wt % to 90.21 wt % of the composition.

Abstract: A lubric gel composition for personal defense includes a fatty acid at a concentration ranging from 5 wt% to 10 wt% of the composition, a thickening agent at a concentration ranging from 1.75 wt% to 8.75 wt% of the composition, a detergent at a concentration ranging from 1.03 wt% to 4.07 wt% of the composition, a surfactant at a concentration ranging from 2 wt% to 15 wt% of the composition, and water at a concentration ranging from 66 wt% to 90.21 wt% of the composition.

Abstract: Mitigation of satellite interference is contemplated. The mitigation may include processing satellite transmissions to remove interferences based on an amount of signal overlap, such as to facilitate mitigating interferences resulting from satellite spacing and/or ground antenna dish size.

Abstract: A machine detects a set of first control operations and, in response, causes a display screen to present a graphical interface in which a central window suggests first content by presenting a first preview and a first identifier superimposed on the first preview. The machine then detects a second control operation that indicates dismissal of the first content. In response to the second control operation, the machine causes the display screen to present a transition to an interest-improved version of the graphical interface. The transition includes sliding the first preview, the first identifier, a second preview, and a second identifier together in a shared direction and at a shared speed within the central window. The second preview and the second identifier correspond to second content. In the interest-improved version of the graphical interface, the central window suggests the second content by presenting the second preview and the second identifier.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating and displaying groupings of content recommendations using personas are provided. The system determines content for each of the plurality of personas. The determined content for each of the plurality of personas comprises content that shares a common genre or theme for each persona. The system populates each of the plurality of personas using the determined content for each of the plurality of personas. The system then causes display of at least some of the plurality of personas on a viewing device of a user. The at least some of the plurality of personas is selected for the user based on device data corresponding to the user, whereby the device data indicates user preferences and interactions with previous content.

Abstract: There is provided a method of evaluating user churn in wireless networks. The method includes receiving data from a plurality of wireless electronic devices connected to and operating in a plurality wireless networks and/or network types, wherein the data has been collected for each wireless electronic device by wireless device software embedded in an application or memory of the respective wireless electronic device and configured to collect the data when the wireless electronic device accesses one or more of the plurality of wireless networks and/or network types, and wherein the data comprises one or more identifiers associated with the wireless electronic device or a user of the wireless electronic device.

Abstract: A storage area network architecture and a method for storing data in the storage area network architecture are disclosed. For example, the storage area network architecture comprises a first layer of servers, the first layer of servers comprising a plurality of file receiving servers, a second layer of servers, the second layer of servers comprising a plurality of file sharing servers in communication with the first layer of servers and a third layer of servers, the third layer of servers comprising a plurality of storage servers in communication with the second layer of servers.

Abstract: A lubric gel composition for personal defense includes a fatty acid at a concentration ranging from 5 wt % to 10 wt % of the composition, a thickening agent at a concentration ranging from 1.75 wt % to 8.75 wt % of the composition, a detergent at a concentration ranging from 1.03 wt % to 4.07 wt % of the composition, a surfactant at a concentration ranging from 2 wt % to 15 wt % of the composition, and water at a concentration ranging from 66 wt % to 90.21 wt % of the composition.

Abstract: A lubric gel composition for personal defense includes a fatty acid at a concentration ranging from 5 wt % to 10 wt % of the composition, a thickening agent at a concentration ranging from 1.75 wt % to 8.75 wt % of the composition, a detergent at a concentration ranging from 1.03 wt % to 4.07 wt % of the composition, a surfactant at a concentration ranging from 2 wt % to 15 wt % of the composition, and water at a concentration ranging from 66 wt % to 90.21 wt % of the composition.