Abstract: The present disclosure is related to improving image quality in a scanning camera system via scan angle selection to obtain images having overlap for performing image stitching, dynamically tuning an aperture of a camera in the scanning camera system, updating pixel values of an image using vignetting data, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A node of a database system is operable to determine, at a first time, to prepare for a shutdown. The shutdown of the node is performed at a second time that is a period of time after the first time based on the node delaying the shutdown until a plurality of currently running processes being run by the node that initiated prior to the first time are determined to be complete. During the period of time after the first time and prior to performing the shutdown, a set of new processing requests are rejected by the node.

Abstract: A variation testing system environment for performing variation testing of web pages and applications is disclosed. The variation testing system applies a weighted consistent hash function to user attributes of users to assign the users to a variant of a web page that is undergoing experimentation. The usage of the weighted consistent hash function allows for a stable experimental population.

Abstract: This disclosure is related to positioning one or more glass plates between an image sensor and lens of a camera in a scanning camera system; determining plate rotation rates and plate rotation angles based on one of characteristics of the camera, characteristics and positioning of the one or more glass plates, and relative dynamics of the camera and the object area; and rotating the one or more glass plates about one or more predetermined axes based on corresponding plate rotation rates and plate rotation angles.

Abstract: Devices and methods for fusing a sacroiliac joint of a patient. Exemplary fusion systems include an implant body and one or more screws. An implant body can have a medial side configured to engage a sacrum of a patient, a lateral side configured to engage an ilium of the patient, a distal portion, and a proximal portion having an opening configured to receive a screw. A screw can include a distal portion having a threaded portion configured to engage bone of the patient, and a proximal portion configured engage the opening in the proximal portion of the implant body.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is method for conjugating a metal chelating agent to a functionalized dextran by reacting a chelator with an aminated dextran backbone, where the chelator comprises a one, and only one, derivatized carboxylic acid group to form a chelator-dextran complex. In certain aspects, the dextran-chelator complex is substantially free of intra- or intermolecular crosslinking. In certain aspects, the functionalized dextran is an amine dextran, an alkynyl dextran, or a thiol dextran. In exemplary implementations, the functionalized dextran is an amine dextran. In further embodiments, one and only one carboxylic acid group on the chelating agent is derivatized as a N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) ester.

Abstract: Certain embodiments are described that are directed to lead containing compositions including radiation absorption metals in combination with a polymeric material. In some aspects, a composition includes lead, optionally at least one additional heavy metal known to have shielding capability against ionizing radiation and at least one polymer, polymer blend or co-polymer. Sheets and articles including the compositions are also described.

Abstract: A method of identifying a target microbe in a specimen and including the steps of a) obtaining a specimen, b) lysing the specimen to release a plurality of rRNA molecules from one or more first target microbes in the specimen, c) contacting the specimen with a plurality of first oligonucleotide probe sets configured to selectively bind to rRNA molecules released from the target microbe thereby forming a plurality of first hybridized complexes, each first hybridized complex including one first capture probe and one first detector probe and one of the plurality of rRNA molecules, and d) analyzing the first hybridized complexes to identify a first target microbe in the specimen.

Abstract: A method of determining a bacterial density in a specimen may include the steps of: (a) conducting an RNA assay on the specimen to determine a microbial rRNA concentration, wherein the microbial rRNA concentration is defined as the number of rRNA molecules per volume of the specimen; and (b) converting the rRNA concentration to a bacterial density value.

Abstract: There is described a system for growing a microorganism in liquid culture, the system comprising: a driving apparatus configured to house and oscillate a microfluidic cartridge; and a microfluidic cartridge comprising at least one incubation chamber, such that when the system is in use, the incubation chamber may be oscillated back and forth along an oscillation path using a preferred oscillation protocol. There is also described a method of growing a microorganism in liquid culture, the method comprising disposing a microorganism and suitable growth medium into an incubation chamber; and mixing the microorganism and growth medium by oscillating the incubation chamber back and forth along an oscillation path using a preferred oscillation protocol. There is also described a microfluidic cartridge that may be used to grow microorganisms using the system and methods described above.

Abstract: Certain embodiments are described that are directed to lead free compositions including radiation absorption metals in combination with a polymeric material. In some aspects, a composition includes at least one heavy metal, other than lead, known to have shielding capability against ionizing radiation and at least one polymer, polymer blend or co-polymer. Sheets and articles including the compositions are also described.

Abstract: A method for determining the susceptibility of bacteria in a clinical sample comprising urine or an inoculant derived therefrom to an antibiotic agent may include the steps of a) inoculating a test portion of the clinical sample in a medium containing a predetermined concentration of the antibiotic agent; b) inoculating a control portion of the clinical sample in a medium that does not contain the antibiotic agent; c) incubating the test portion for an incubation period; d) incubating the control portion for the incubation period; e) determining a quantity of RNA in the test portion and a quantity of RNA in the control portion at the conclusion of the incubation period that is less than 480 minutes after the completion of step a); and f) determining a susceptibility of the bacteria to the antibiotic agent by comparing the quantity of RNA in the test portion to the quantity of the RNA in the control portion.

Abstract: There is described a method for extracting a target chemical compound from a cellular material in a sample. The method comprising the steps of: subjecting the sample to mechanical lysis to cause disruption of a cellular membrane in the cellular material; contacting the sample with an alkaline material to produce a lysate composition comprising the target chemical compound; and recovering the lysate composition from the sample. There is also described a method for producing a lysate composition comprising RNA from a mammalian bodily fluid sample comprising a cellular material. There is also described a method for extracting a nucleic acid from a cellular material in a bodily fluid or an inoculant derived therefrom.

Abstract: An imaging system can include a first and second camera configured to capture first and second sets of oblique images along first and second scan paths, respectively, on an object area. A drive is coupled to a scanning mirror structure, having at least one mirror surface, and configured to rotate the structure about a scan axis based on a scan angle. The first and second cameras each have an optical axis set at an oblique angle to the scan axis and include a respective lens to focus first and second imaging beams reflected from the mirror surface to an image sensor located in each of the cameras. The first and second imaging beams captured by their respective cameras can vary according to the scan angle. Each of the image sensors captures respective sets of oblique images by sampling the imaging beams at first and second values of the scan angle.

Abstract: An imaging system can include a first and second camera configured to capture first and second sets of oblique images along first and second scan paths, respectively, on an object area. A drive is coupled to a scanning mirror structure, having at least one mirror surface, and configured to rotate the structure about a scan axis based on a scan angle. The first and second cameras each have an optical axis set at an oblique angle to the scan axis and include a respective lens to focus first and second imaging beams reflected from the mirror surface to an image sensor located in each of the cameras. The first and second imaging beams captured by their respective cameras can vary according to the scan angle. Each of the image sensors captures respective sets of oblique images by sampling the imaging beams at first and second values of the scan angle.

Abstract: A computer program for providing access to auto insurance information comprises a first software widget and a second software widget. The first software widget may appear on a display of a mobile electronic device. When selected by a user, the first software widget displays a first information screen that includes a phone number and a mailing address for an insurance agent of the user. The second software widget may also appear on the display. When selected by the user, the second software widget displays a second information screen that includes an image of an auto insurance card of the user. The second software widget may compare an expiration date from the second information screen with the current date and generate a first indicia if the expiration date occurred before the current date (such as if the virtual auto insurance card is out of date and needs to be updated).

Abstract: A computer program for providing access to auto insurance information comprises a first software widget and a second software widget. The first software widget may appear on a display of a mobile electronic device. When selected by a user, the first software widget displays a first information screen that includes a phone number and a mailing address for an insurance agent of the user. The second software widget may also appear on the display. When selected by the user, the second software widget displays a second information screen that includes an image of an auto insurance card of the user. The second software widget may compare an expiration date from the second information screen with the current date and generate a first indicia if the expiration date occurred before the current date (such as if the virtual auto insurance card is out of date and needs to be updated).

Abstract: Under collective buying, quantity discounts are offered based on buyers aggregated purchasing quantity instead of individual purchasing quantities. As the price decreases with the total amount, buyers have positive externalities that allow them to obtain lower prices than they would otherwise be able to get individually (Chen and Roma 2011, 181). Although collective buying has been widely used for business-to-business and business-to-consumer transactions (Chen and Roma 2011, 181), there is an underlying problem with the use of discount vouchers as they can call into question the reliability that the minimum number of buyers will make the purchase. In practice, once discount vouchers have been delivered, the minimum order quantity set by the seller is significantly greater than the aggregated quantity purchased. CollectiveBuying.io (CB) discovered new processes that are unique and valuable improvements to the traditional collective buying model.

Abstract: An imaging system can include a first and second camera configured to capture first and second sets of oblique images along first and second scan paths, respectively, on an object area. A drive is coupled to a scanning mirror structure, having at least one mirror surface, and configured to rotate the structure about a scan axis based on a scan angle. The first and second cameras each have an optical axis set at an oblique angle to the scan axis and include a respective lens to focus first and second imaging beams reflected from the mirror surface to an image sensor located in each of the cameras. The first and second imaging beams captured by their respective cameras can vary according to the scan angle. Each of the image sensors captures respective sets of oblique images by sampling the imaging beams at first and second values of the scan angle.

Abstract: This disclosure is related to positioning one or more glass plates between an image sensor and lens of a camera in a scanning camera system; determining plate rotation rates and plate rotation angles based on one of characteristics of the camera, characteristics and positioning of the one or more glass plates, and relative dynamics of the camera and the object area; and rotating the one or more glass plates about one or more predetermined axes based on corresponding plate rotation rates and plate rotation angles.