Abstract: Described here are devices for closing one or more tissues, and handles for controlling these devices. Generally, the devices described here comprise a snare loop assembly, wherein the snare loop assembly comprises a snare and a suture loop, and a handle for controlling the snare loop assembly. In some variations the snare loop assembly may comprise a retention member that may releasably connect the suture loop to the snare. In other variations the devices comprise one or more force-reducing suture locks to help prevent the suture loop from inadvertently disengaging from the snare loop assembly. In still other variations, the excess-suture management features. The handles described here may be configured to remove excess suture from a suture loop, and may also be configured to release the suture loop from the snare loop assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed is a churn prediction system that predicts with a high level of accuracy which users will and which users will not stop opening the app over a 30-day time period. To this end a model is created using historical event data where the churn-related behavior of each user is known. New event data is then applied to the model to determine the likelihood of each user churning in the future. With these prediction scores a user is then qualified as falling into one of three classifications: low-risk, medium-risk, or high-risk of churn.

Abstract: Disclosed is a churn prediction system that predicts with a high level of accuracy which users will and which users will not stop opening the app over a 30-day time period. To this end a model is created using historical event data where the churn-related behavior of each user is known. New event data is then applied to the model to determine the likelihood of each user churning in the future. With these prediction scores a user is then qualified as falling into one of three classifications: low-risk, medium-risk, or high-risk of churn.

Abstract: A 3D printed tool includes a tool body extending between first and second ends and including at least one loading surface defining an axis, at least one support surface configured to receive a clamp, and a structural weakness portion positioned along the axis between the at least one loading surface and the at least one support surface. The structural weakness portion is configured to cause the at least one tool body to fail along a predetermined fault line such that the at least one tool body splits substantially down a middle of the at least one tool body when overloaded.

Abstract: Push reporting is disclosed. A first payload comprising feature reporting information and meta information is received from a first device at a first time. A second payload comprising feature reporting information and meta information is received from a second device at a second time. At respective third and fourth times, respective third and fourth payloads are received from the first and second devices, respectively. The third and fourth payloads include additional feature reporting information and meta information. The processing of the information received from the first and second devices is coordinated. A request for information is received. Metrics are provided as output. The metrics are based at least in part on the processing of the information received from the first and second devices.

Abstract: Push reporting is disclosed. A first payload comprising feature reporting information and meta information is received from a first device at a first time. A second payload comprising feature reporting information and meta information is received from a second device at a second time. At respective third and fourth times, respective third and fourth payloads are received from the first and second devices, respectively. The third and fourth payloads include additional feature reporting information and meta information. The processing of the information received from the first and second devices is coordinated. A request for information is received. Metrics are provided as output. The metrics are based at least in part on the processing of the information received from the first and second devices.

Abstract: The invention provides a portable DC cooling fan that performs the dual function of a cooling fan and a sleep aid by generating air movement and white noise useful for inducing sleep. The portable device includes a DC axial fan under the control of an electrical control system that receives power through an AC/DC adapter. The electrical control system includes one or more user interface switches for selecting fan speed and optionally, selecting oscillation mode, thereby simulating the sounds of an oscillating fan without undergoing rotation. The portable DC cooling fan of the invention includes a housing having a plurality of openings on its front and rear surfaces that enable air flow through the device. The invention also provides an article of manufacturer comprising an AC/DC adapter packaged with a portable DC cooling fan of the invention.

Abstract: Disclosed is a churn prediction system that predicts with a high level of accuracy which users will and which users will not stop opening the app over a 30-day time period. To this end a model is created using historical event data where the churn-related behavior of each user is known. New event data is then applied to the model to determine the likelihood of each user churning in the future. With these prediction scores a user is then qualified as falling into one of three classifications: low-risk, medium-risk, or high-risk of churn.

Abstract: A system for providing additional content to a program stream includes a primary program stream, additional content that is related to the primary program stream, and a server for associating the additional content with the primary program stream based on a location of a portable communication device.

Abstract: Push Reporting is disclosed. A first payload comprising feature reporting information and meta information is received from a first device at a first time. A second payload comprising feature reporting information and meta information is received from a second device at a second time. At respective third and fourth times, respective third and fourth payloads are received from the first and second devices, respectively. The third and fourth payloads include additional feature reporting information and meta information. The processing of the information received from the first and second devices is coordinated. A request for information is received. Metrics are provided as output. The metrics are based at least in part on the processing of the information received from the first and second devices.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed to facilitate group activities in a virtual environment. An indication is conveyed of a region surrounding a first avatar as being a group activity region, upon detecting that the first avatar is leading a first group activity in the virtual environment. The region is defined by proximity to the first avatar. A second avatar is allowed to participate in the first group activity with the first avatar in the region, only when the second avatar is within the region surrounding the first avatar in the virtual environment.

Abstract: The invention provides a portable DC cooling fan that performs the dual function of a cooling fan and a sleep aid by generating air movement and white noise useful for inducing sleep. The portable device includes a DC axial fan that blows air in one direction and is under the control of an electrical control system that receives power through an AC/DC adapter. The electrical control system includes one or more user interface switches through which a user can select fan speed and optionally, set the fan on oscillation mode, and thereby simulating airflow and the sounds of a standard oscillating fan without undergoing rotation. The portable DC cooling fan of the invention includes a housing having a plurality of openings on its front and rear surfaces that enable maximum air flow through the device. The invention also provides an article of manufacturer comprising an AC/DC adapter packaged with a portable DC cooling fan of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention is an interface system for interactively building rules and constraints. The interface system comprises of an output display configured to show a user a partial complete rule with a current rule fragment, such rule fragment comprising a blank space. The user can fill in the blank space by either choosing from a list or by typing in text in the blank space. After the blank space is filled, a completed rule is generated. The interface system then assigns this rule to one or more person in a resource scheduling system. The present invention can be used for agent scheduling in a call center environment.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed to facilitate group activities in a virtual environment. An indication is conveyed of a region surrounding a first avatar as being a group activity region, upon detecting that the first avatar is leading a first group activity in the virtual environment. The region is defined by proximity to the first avatar. A second avatar is allowed to participate in the first group activity with the first avatar in the region, only when the second avatar is within the region surrounding the first avatar in the virtual environment.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for changing digital broadcast channels. In one implementation, upon receiving a request for switching to a new channel in a digital broadcast receiving device, the device switches from a power saving mode, in which the device processes time-slices only for the currently selected broadcast channel, to a channel changing mode, in which broadcast data is buffered for more than one broadcast channels in anticipation of channel surfing. In another implementation, the user's perception of the channel change delay is mitigated by displaying channel information about the newly selected channel.

Abstract: Here, we describe a sensitive and specific assay and kit for the detection of chemokines having activity that is upregulated by Th-1 cytokines (such IFN-?) and chemokines that upregulate the activity of Th-1 cytokines (such as IFN-?). In a typical embodiment, detection of the chemokine monokine induced by gamma interferon (MIG) provides a measure of the biological effect of IFN-? rather than direct quantitation of IFN-? or IFN-? secreting cells per se. Upregulation of MIG expression was observed following in vitro activation of PBMC with defined CD8+ T cell epitopes derived from influenza virus, CMV, or EBV, and in all cases this was antigen-specific, genetically restricted and dependent on both CD8+ T cells and IFN-?. Responses as assessed by the MIG assay paralleled those detected by conventional IFN-? ELISPOT, but the magnitude of response and sensitivity of the MIG assay were superior.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for changing digital broadcast channels. In one implementation, upon receiving a request for switching to a new channel in a digital broadcast receiving device, the device switches from a power saving mode, in which the device processes time-slices only for the currently selected broadcast channel, to a channel changing mode, in which broadcast data is buffered for more than one broadcast channels in anticipation of channel surfing. In another implementation, the user's perception of the channel change delay is mitigated by displaying channel information about the newly selected channel.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for changing digital broadcast channels. In one implementation, upon receiving a request for switching to a new channel in a digital broadcast receiving device, the device switches from a power saving mode, in which the device processes time-slices only for the currently selected broadcast channel, to a channel changing mode, in which broadcast data is buffered for more than one broadcast channels in anticipation of channel surfing. In another implementation, the user's perception of the channel change delay is mitigated by displaying channel information about the newly selected channel.

Abstract: Here, we describe a sensitive and specific assay and kit for the detection of chemokines having activity that is upregulated by Th-1 cytokines (such IFN-?) and chemokines that upregulate the activity of Th-1 cytokines (such as IFN-?). In a typical embodiment, detection of the chemokine monokine induced by gamma interferon (MIG) provides a measure of the biological effect of IFN-? rather than direct quantitation of IFN-? or IFN-? secreting cells per se. Upregulation of MIG expression was observed following in vitro activation of PBMC with defined CD8+ T cell epitopes derived from influenza virus, CMV, or EBV, and in all cases this was antigen-specific, genetically restricted and dependent on both CD8+ T cells and IFN-?. Responses as assessed by the MIG assay paralleled those detected by conventional IFN-? ELISPOT, but the magnitude of response and sensitivity of the MIG assay were superior.