Abstract: Systems and methods for efficiently conducting a commercial transaction involving a gratuity are provided. The systems and methods enable users to set tipping preferences in advance so as to be applied automatically during subsequent commercial transactions.

Abstract: A phase-separation device and method of use is provided for separating immiscible liquids. The phase-separation device has a porous membrane with a filter surface having a non-planar contour that forms a receiving cavity to receive a liquid mixture. The filter surface is configured to impede flow of a polar liquid into the porous membrane and permit flow of a non-polar liquid into the porous membrane.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for pairwise sequencing of a double-stranded polynucleotide template, which methods result in the sequential determination of nucleotide sequences in two distinct and separate regions of the polynucleotide template.

Abstract: Systems and methods for activating and using dynamic cards are disclosed. In one embodiment, in an information processing apparatus comprising at least one computer processor, a method for activating a dynamic transaction instrument may include: (1) receiving, from an electronic device, an identification of an inactive financial instrument to activate; (2) receiving, from the electronic device, at least one parameter that restricts the use of the inactive financial instrument after it is activated; and (3) activating the inactive financial instrument subject to the at least one parameter by associating, at a backend, an account with the inactive financial instrument.

Abstract: Systems and methods for account agnostic transaction routing are disclosed. According to one embodiment, in an information processing device comprising at least one computer processor, a method for account agnostic transaction routing may include: (1) receiving an identifier for a first financial instrument for a transaction being conducted at a point of transaction; (2) retrieving a plurality of financial instruments associated with the identifier, the plurality of financial instruments comprising the first financial instrument; (3) retrieving at least one transaction routing rule associated with the plurality of financial instruments, the transaction routing rule specifying a condition for using one of the plurality of financial instruments; (4) identifying one of the plurality of financial instruments for conducting the transaction based on the transaction and the transaction routing rule; and (5) settling the transaction with the identified financial instrument.

Abstract: Method that includes providing a phase-separation device having a porous membrane with a filter surface. The filter surface has a non-planar contour that forms a receiving cavity. The method also includes providing a liquid mixture into the receiving cavity of the porous membrane. The liquid mixture includes a polar liquid and a non-polar liquid that are immiscible with respect to each other. The filter surface along the receiving cavity has a surface energy that impedes flow of the polar liquid through the filter surface and permit flow of the non-polar liquid into the porous membrane. The method also includes permitting the non-polar liquid to flow into the porous membrane. The polar liquid forms a droplet within the receiving cavity as the non-polar liquid flows into the porous membrane.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with compositions and methods for improving the rate of correct sample identification in indexed nucleic acid library preparations for multiplex next generation sequencing by modifying or blocking 5? and 3? ends of pooled indexed polynucleotides from multiple samples, with an optional exonuclease treatment, prior to amplification and sequencing.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with compositions and methods for improving the rate of correct sample identification in indexed nucleic acid library preparations for multiplex next generation sequencing by exonuclease treatment after protective adapters are ligated to target polynucleotides to degrade unincorporated adapters prior to amplification and sequencing.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for pairwise sequencing of a double-stranded polynucleotide template, which methods result in the sequential determination of nucleotide sequences in two distinct and separate regions of the polynucleotide template.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present invention, an automated computer implemented system and method for building system hierarchies comprising: an input configured to receive monitoring data from a plurality of devices associated with an entity, wherein the monitoring data for each device of the plurality of devices comprises a unique addressing scheme, the unique addressing scheme comprising a location identifier, a relationship identifier and an object identifier for each device; a processor configured to dynamically build a system hierarchy based on the addressing scheme for each device responsive to the monitoring data and a calculated data determined for each device; and an output configured to generate the system hierarchy on an user interface.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present invention, an automated computer implemented system and method for dynamically building a product hierarchy comprises: an input configured to receive product data for a plurality of products where each product has an associated a unique addressing scheme, the unique addressing scheme comprising a location identifier, a parent identifier, an object identifier and a position identifier for each product, wherein the position identifier represents each product's position within the product hierarchy; a processor configured to dynamically build a system hierarchy based on the addressing scheme for each product; and an output configured to generate the product hierarchy on an user interface.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process and an apparatus for conducting simultaneous endothermic and exothermic reactions in a microchannel reactor. A start-up procedure for the microchannel reactor is disclosed.

Abstract: Method that includes providing a phase-separation device having a porous membrane with a filter surface. The filter surface has a non-planar contour that forms a receiving cavity. The method also includes providing a liquid mixture into the receiving cavity of the porous membrane. The liquid mixture includes a polar liquid and a non-polar liquid that are immiscible with respect to each other. The filter surface along the receiving cavity has a surface energy that impedes flow of the polar liquid through the filter surface and permit flow of the non-polar liquid into the porous membrane. The method also includes permitting the non-polar liquid to flow into the porous membrane. The polar liquid forms a droplet within the receiving cavity as the non-polar liquid flows into the porous membrane.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for pairwise sequencing of a double-stranded polynucleotide template, which methods result in the sequential determination of nucleotide sequences in two distinct and separate regions of the polynucleotide template.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a system diagnosis of a disease or a disease condition whereby a single sample is prepared from a biological specimen which integrates synchronously the methods of protection, isolation and alteration of a biological specimen or a bio-molecule to isolate and study tissues and bio-molecules including DNA, large RNA, small RNA, protein, lipid, carbohydrates, and other metabolite simultaneously or individually resulting in a comprehensive understanding of the cause, prevention, risk, seriousness, confirmation, treatment, triage, and prognosis of a disease or a disease condition.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for pairwise sequencing of a double-stranded polynucleotide template, which methods result in the sequential determination of nucleotide sequences in two distinct and separate regions of the polynucleotide template.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process and an apparatus for conducting simultaneous endothermic and exothermic reactions in a microchannel reactor. A start-up procedure for the microchannel reactor is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for generating a magnetic resonance (MR) image includes acquiring MR data from each of a plurality of RF coils and applying a prospective motion correction method to the MR data for each RF coil including determining a set of motion measurements that include a scan plane orientation associated with each data point in the MR data. The MR data for each RF coil is divided into a plurality of scan plane orientation groups based on motion changes. A set of unaliasing coefficients is generated for each scan plan orientation group and applied to the MR data to synthesize data for each RF coil. The acquired MR data and synthesized data for each RF coil is combined to generate a scan plane orientation data set. Each scan plane orientation data set is combined to generate a complete k-space data set.

Abstract: The instant invention provides an intergrated kit with solutions and instruments to isolate various biological samples from biological samples. The kit enables an user to preserve specimens and isolate biomolecules with features and benefits of high quality, easy, fast, no toxicity, safe to user and environment, low demanding, cost-effective, reducing waste, saving nature resources and protecting environment, and leads to a low-carbon and Green economy in preparation of specimens. The integrated kit enables the user to extract biomolecules including DNA/ccfDNA, Large RNA/mRNA/ccfRNA, Small RNA/miRNA/ccfmiRNA, Protein, Lipid, Carbohydrates, and Metabolite using one seamless procedure.

Abstract: Present embodiments are directed towards a magnetic resonance imaging method. In one embodiment, the method includes (a) performing a first magnetic resonance imaging sequence including: (i) a first preparatory composite spin locking pulse sequence having a spin lock pulse bounded by similarly oriented spin tipping pulses; and (ii) an acquisition pulse sequence to acquire first magnetic resonance data. The method further includes (b) performing a second magnetic resonance imaging sequence including: (i) a second preparatory composite spin locking pulse sequence having a spin lock pulse bounded by oppositely oriented spin tipping pulses; and (ii) an acquisition pulse sequence to acquire second magnetic resonance data. The method also includes (c) storing the first and second magnetic resonance data.