Abstract: Sterilizable separator tubes and methods of utilization of same are presented. Methods include providing a separator tube containing a separator substance that can be polymerized to a desired hardness following sterilization using radical generating radiation. The separator substance is formulated to have a density between that of the average densities of separable fractions derived from a sample fluid such as blood, and to be flowable. Upon centrifugation of a separator tube containing a fluid sample, the separator substance forms a barrier between the fractions. The barrier subsequently hardens to form a solid barrier when triggered by a suitable energy source.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for updating video graphics changes of a managed server to a remote console independent of an operating system. The screen (e.g. frame buffer) of the managed server is divided into a number of blocks. Each block is periodically monitored for changes by calculating a hash code and storing the code in a hash code table. When the hash code changes, the block is transmitted to the remote console. Color condensing may be performed on the color values of the block before the hash codes are calculated and before transmission. Compression is performed on each block and across blocks to reduce bandwidth requirements on transmission. Periodically, the configuration of a video graphics controller and a pointing device of the managed server are checked for changes, such as changes to resolution, color depth and mouse movement. If changes are found, the changes are transmitted to the remote console.

Abstract: Methods of producing collection tubes are presented. The methods include providing a separator substance that can rapidly polymerize in a short time to a desired hardness and disposing the separator substance within the lumen of the tube. The separator substance is formulated to have a density between an average density of a serum fraction of whole blood and a cell-containing fraction of whole blood, and to be flowable with whole blood. Upon centrifugation of a tube having blood, the separator substance forms a barrier between the whole blood fractions. The barrier rapidly hardens forming a solid barrier when triggered by a suitable energy source.

Abstract: A rate-adaptive pacemaker and a method for its operation in which the response factor for a minute ventilation sensor or other type of exertion level sensor is automatically set during a parameter adjustment mode that utilizes an activity level measurement to determine when the patient is at a target activity level with which is associated an appropriate target pacing rate. In a preferred embodiment, the target activity level corresponds to casual walking (e.g., 2 mph at a 4% grade) with a target pacing rate selected as appropriate for that level of activity in the individual patient.

Abstract: A method for initializing a memory subsystem (212) of a management controller (200) includes, with an additional memory initialization module (206) of the management controller (200), initializing the memory subsystem (212) of the management controller (200) in response to the memory subsystem (212) not being properly initialized. A management controller (200) includes a memory subsystem (212) including a memory controller (214) and a memory (216); firmware (208) able to initialize the memory subsystem (212); and a memory initialization module (206) to initialize the memory subsystem (212) if the memory subsystem (212) is not properly initialized.

Abstract: A memory controller containing one or more ports coupled to a buffer selection logic and a plurality of buffers. Each buffer is configured to store write data associated with a write request and each buffer is also coupled to the buffer selection logic. The buffer selection logic is configured to store write data associated with a write request from at least one of the ports in any of the buffers based on a priority of the buffers for each one of the ports.

Abstract: The present invention relates to providing a secure computing environment in a remote server management controller. The exemplary embodiment includes a hierarchy of register security levels restricting register access by communications interfaces shared by the remote server management controller and a managed server associated therewith. Failsafe protection is provided to override register security under certain conditions.

Abstract: Spooling strategies are described for producing job information that conforms to a hierarchical structure, and then storing the job information in a spool storage. The job information is then retrieved from the spool storage and consumed. The structured job information includes a multi-level hierarchy of nodes, including a job level that represents the entire job, a document level that represents a document to be processed within the job; a rendition level that represents a rendition of the document to be processed; and a page level that represents a page associated with the rendition. The hierarchical structure can also include resource nodes and metadata nodes associated with any level of the hierarchy, respectively representing resources and metadata. The hierarchy can optionally be composed using one or more selection and sequence parts.

Abstract: A method performed by a physical computing system, the method includes disabling a display refresh process of a video controller (202) of the physical computing system if no active display device is connected to the physical computing system. A physical computing system includes a video controller (202) comprising a rendering engine (204) and a display refresh controller (206); a memory controller (212) connected to a memory (214); and a display controller (310) to determine whether an active display device is connected to the physical computing system; in which a display refresh process performed by the display refresh controller (206) is disabled when no active display device is connected to the physical computing system.

Abstract: A patient-specific model can show changes in cardiac stroke volume or cardiac output, such as to predict heart failure or to indicate cardiac remodeling. The patient-specific model can be derived from a surrogate indication of a cardiac stroke volume, such as a physical activity level, and features obtained from a thoracic impedance waveform, such as mean or peak-to-peak impedance values. In an example, several models corresponding to different patient physical activity levels can be determined.

Abstract: A hierarchical spooling data structure includes a plurality of nodes. In accordance with certain aspects, the plurality of nodes include at least four nodes: a first node representing a fixed page of the job; a second node representing a fixed document of the job, the second node including a reference to the first node; a third node containing data representing a fixed sequence of documents of the job, the third node including a reference to the second node; and a fourth node containing data representing a root of the job, the fourth node including a reference to the third node.

Abstract: Micro-vesicles that become acoustically sensitive in the presence of a Radio Frequency (RF) Electromagnetic (EM) field are presented. The micro-vesicles can comprise a main body having one or more affinity ligands configured to preferentially bind to a target tissue. Once bound, the micro-vesicles and the target tissue can be bathed in an RF EM field, which induces the target tissue or micro-vesicles to generate an acoustic signal. The micro-vesicles can also become receptive to acoustic energy. An acoustic therapeutic signal can be directed toward the target tissue and micro-vesicles, which causes therapeutic excitation of the micro-vesicles. The therapeutic excitation can include heating the target tissue, releasing a drug formulation, or other excitation. The disclosed techniques can be used with a high degree of precision to activate micro-vesicles local to the target tissue.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for multiple host management are provided. An example of a method for multiple host management includes a multiple host management device managing a plurality of host instances. The multiple host management device can provide each of the plurality of host instances with a plurality of input/output (I/O) functionalities.

Abstract: A first firmware image is copied from a first memory to a second memory. Firmware access requests are directed from a host processing system to a memory location in the second memory. A second firmware image is written to the first memory. Conditioned on occurrence of a switching event a switch is set to direct firmware access requests from the host processing system to a memory location in the first memory storing the second firmware image. In some cases, firmware access requests are directed from a host processing system to a memory location in a first memory storing a first firmware image. A second firmware image is written to a second memory. Conditioned on occurrence of a switching event, a switch is set to direct firmware access requests from the host processing system to a memory location in the second memory storing the second firmware image.

Abstract: A shared video management subsystem configured to be coupled to and shared by a plurality of independent compute nodes includes a plurality of graphics interfaces configured to receive drawing commands and data from the compute nodes and render graphics information to a frame buffer. The subsystem also includes at least one display refresh controller configured to retrieve the graphics information rendered to the frame buffer and output the graphics information to a display device for display.

Abstract: Modular content framework and document format methods and systems are described. The described framework and format define a set of building blocks for composing, packaging, distributing, and rendering document-centered content. These building blocks define a platform-independent framework for document formats that enable software and hardware systems to generate, exchange, and display documents reliably and consistently. The framework and format have been designed in a flexible and extensible fashion. In addition to this general framework and format, a particular format, known as the reach package format, is defined using the general framework. The reach package format is a format for storing paginated documents. The contents of a reach package can be displayed or printed with full fidelity among devices and applications in a wide range of environments and across a wide range of scenarios.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods, assays, and devices for assaying a sample to detect the presence, absence, or level of at least one analyte in a biological sample using a pan-antibody panel or multiplexed immunoassay, wherein at least one analyte is detected by two or more antibodies. Certain embodiments include the use of a microfluidic device in the immunoassay. Further embodiments of the invention include assays, methods, and devices to detect the presence, absence, or level of at least one analyte which is determined for a diagnostic or a scientific purpose. Still further embodiments of the invention include assays, methods, and devices to detect the presence, absence, or level of at least one analyte which is indicative of a condition or disease. Yet further embodiments of the invention include incorporating additional diagnostic techniques (e.g., PCR, RT-PCR, and DNA hybridization arrays) to the assays, device, and methods.

Abstract: A multi-mode Electro-Magnetic Acoustic Imaging (EMAI) system is disclosed. The EMAI system utilizes an electromagnetic energy source to induce multiple acoustic signals in surrounding objects including a target tissue area or a transducer. The induced acoustic signals can be collected and converted to imaging data, which can be used to display a tissue area image. The collected acoustic signals can be filtered or isolated based on one or more signal proprieties including frequency. A signal's frequency can indicate a property of the target tissue including the tissue's conductivity or its density.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein relate to a method and system for providing remote management for a computer system with a portable management device. An exemplary method comprises connecting a portable management device to a computer system and a network. The exemplary method additionally comprises receiving remote management data over the network via the portable management device and executing instructions in response to the remote management data.

Abstract: An Electro-Magnetic Imaging (EMAI) System is presented. EMAI systems can include induction elements (e.g., an induction coil) configured to induce a target tissue to generate internally sourced ultrasounds. The induction elements can be shielded by one or more shielding elements to shape, or otherwise alter, an imaging field while attenuating radiated fields in a far zone. EMAI systems can further include a shield tuner to adjust shield parameters to achieved desired imaging or radiated field properties. A shielding element can be placed approximately one induction coil radius away from the coil to achieve suitably strong imaging field magnitudes while also achieving suitably weak radiated field magnitudes in a far zone. In some embodiments, acoustic sensors lack substantial shielding from the fields generated by the induction elements.