Abstract: Embodiments may include methods and systems for a rotating multi-basketball shooting game. It may include a rim mounting hub attached to a vertical shaft; at least three differently sized basketball rims radially attached to said rim mounting hub providing a basketball hoop configuration; a stepper motor configured to rotate said vertical shaft along with said attached rim mounting hub attached to said three differently sized basketball rims; a backboard located in front of said vertical shaft and said rim mounting hub; and perhaps even an opening in said backboard configured to allow passage of each of said three differently sized basketball rims through said opening while said vertical shaft, said rim mounting hub and said three differently sized basketball rims are rotated.

Abstract: A device for manipulating many hundreds or thousands of microdroplets into an array using EWOD or oEWOD is provided. The device comprises: i) a chip comprising a first region for receiving and manipulating microdroplets; a second region comprising the array and a plurality of electrowetting pathways leading to the array; ii) a microdroplet source configured to provide microdroplets of a predetermined target diameter; iii) a channel configured to provide fluid communication between the microdroplet source and the first region of the chip; and iv) a pressure source configured to move the microdroplets between the microdroplet source and the first region of the chip. The electrowetting pathways on the chip are centre to centre separated by at least double the predetermined target diameter of the microdroplets from the microdroplet source. Furthermore, the controller is configured to enable synchronous movement of the microdroplets in the electrowetting pathways by application of EWOD or oEWOD force.

Abstract: An apparatus for manipulating one or more microdroplets into an array using EWOD or oEWOD is provided. The apparatus comprises: a) a chip for manipulating microdroplets comprising: i) a plurality of electrowetting pathways leading to the array; and ii) one or more waste electrowetting pathways leading to a waste outlet; b) a detector for detecting one or more microdroplets with a distinct characteristic, said detector configured to obtain a measured dataset relating to the distinct characteristic of the detected microdroplet; c) a storage module configured to store and maintain a stored dataset associated with the characteristic measured by the detector; and d) a controller configured to receive the stored dataset from the storage module and the obtained measured dataset to determine whether the measured dataset is associated with a desired or undesired characteristic.

Abstract: A device for dispensing one or more microdroplets is provided. The device comprising a microfluidic chip having an oEWOD structure configured to create an optically-mediated electrowetting (oEWOD) force, the microfluidic chip includes a first region and a second region, wherein said first and second regions are separated by a constriction; wherein the first region is adapted to receive and manipulate one or more microdroplets dispersed in a carrier fluid at first flow rate; and wherein the second region is configured to receive the microdroplet via the constriction from the first region and transfer said microdroplet to an outlet port of the microfluidic chip in a second flow rate; wherein the second region is configured to receive said microdroplet via the constriction from the first region by application of an optically -mediated electrowetting (oEWOD) force; and wherein the second flow rate in the second region is higher than the first flow rate in the first flow region.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for manipulating and interrogating the contents of large numbers of microdroplets in parallel on a surface of a microfluidic chip. According to one aspect of the invention a method is provided for manipulating and inspecting microdroplets on a microfluidic chip by optically- mediated electrowetting (oEWOD), the method comprising forming, using a first optical assembly, a plurality of oEWOD traps on a surface of the chip and forming, using a second optical assembly, a second array of oEWOD traps on the surface of the chip, and making an adjustment to the first optical assembly whilst one or more of the microdroplets are held in place by second array of oEWOD traps. Apparatus comprising a microfluidic chip and first and second optical assemblies is also provided.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for scanning data including accessing a reference table including a grid of data cells arranged in columns and rows and containing reference data elements. Each of the rows may relate to one of a plurality of data subjects. The method may also include generating a list of reference subcombinations. The list of reference subcombinations may be generated by designating a primary column for uniquely identifying the data subjects and generating a plurality of first preliminary reference subcombinations. Each of the first preliminary reference subcombinations may include reference data elements gathered from the primary column and a second column of a single row of the reference table. The method may also include accessing a subject file having a plurality of data entries. Each of the data entries may include a plurality of logically-related and delimited subject data elements.

Abstract: A system for tracking a location of a movable object can include a tracking device mounted to a collar. The tracking device can be configured to track its location using at least one of a global positioning system signal, a Bluetooth signal, and a Wi-Fi signal. The system can include a middle man charging mechanism. The middle man charging mechanism can be configured to receive electrical energy from a base station charging device. The middle man charging mechanism can be configured to store the received electrical energy. The middle man charging mechanism can be configured to couple to an external charging interface of the tracking device to recharge the battery included in the tracking device while the collar is worn by the movable object. The tracking device can also be configured to transmit information corresponding to the location of the tracking device to an external computing device.

Abstract: There is provided the use of mannose-6-phosphate, or a salt, precursor or analogue thereof, for providing and/or maintaining a consistent skin colour, particularly to reducing redness of skin. There is also provided the use of mannose-6-phosphate, or a salt, precursor or analogue thereof, as a skin improvement agent for providing a cosmetic effect and mannose-6-phosphate, or a salt, precursor or analogue thereof, for use in treating normal or damaged skin, wherein damaged skin is skin that has been subject to epidermal and/or dermal damage.

Abstract: The invention provides new methods of treatment using TGF-?3 to inhibit scarring in humans, and TGF-?3 for new uses in the inhibition of scarring in humans. In a first incidence of treatment TGF-?3 is provided to each centimetre of a wound margin or each centimetre of a site at which a wound is to be formed in a first therapeutically effective amount; and in a subsequent incidence of treatment TGF-?3 is provided to each centimetre of wound margin in a larger therapeutically effective amount of TGF-?3. The incidences of treatment occur between 8 hours and 48 hours apart from one another. The TGF-?3 may be provided by intradermal injection. Also provided are kits and methods of selecting an appropriate treatment regime for inhibiting scarring associated with the healing of a human wound.

Abstract: The invention provides new methods of treatment using TGF-?3 to inhibit scarring in humans, and TGF-?3 for new uses in the inhibition of scarring in humans. In a first incidence of treatment each centimetre of wound margin, or each centimetre of a site at which a wound is to be formed, is provided with between approximately 350 ng and 1000 ng of TGF-?3; and in a second incidence of treatment, occurring after a wound is formed, and between 8 and 48 hours after the first incidence of treatment, the wound is provided with an amount of between approximately 350 ng and 1000 ng of TGF-?3 per centimetre of wound margin in which scarring is to be inhibited. The amount of TGF-?3 provided may be the same in each incidence of treatment. The amount of TGF-?3 provided per centimetre in each incidence of treatment may preferably be approximately 500 ng. The TGF-?3 may be provided by intradermal injection.

Abstract: An improved gauge for determining the distance between a plane and a point includes a contact probe allowed to rotate within a support frame and coupled to a rotary sensor. When released, force provided by an energizing device urges the probe from the start position, normal to the start plane, to the measured point. As the contact probe moves toward and makes contact with the measured point, output from the rotary sensor is translated through a microprocessor and interpreted through an equation as a normal distance from the start point to the contact surface of the probe. The resultant of the equation is displayed onto a digital readout. The digital readout features a touchpad interface which allows the user to control measurement units, power controls and default start points. In addition to individual readouts, this apparatus may be applied to a multi-readout embodiment which displays the outputs from multiple devices on a single output display.

Abstract: A scroll compressor is provided with a recess to increase the flow area through which compression chambers communicate with a discharge port. The scroll compressor is of the sort having a wrap with a swing radius that is always equal to or greater than zero. That is, this invention does not apply to the type of scroll compressor wherein a swing radius will cross zero as the wrap is generated. Stated another way, a forward ledge of the scroll compressor can be defined spaced towards a tip of the scroll wrap relative to a rear ledge. The present invention provides a recess in the type of scroll wrap wherein the forward ledge has a thickness that is at least equal to or greater than the thickness of the scroll wrap at the rear ledge. A supplemental recess may be provided in the non-orbiting scroll wrap. The recess in the orbiting scroll may be stepped to have different height portions.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a printhead includes printing a test pattern, scanning the test pattern to obtain calibration data, performing an ink drop velocity optimization for the printhead using the calibration data, and determining a bi-directional offset based on the calibration data.

Abstract: A method, and a document scanning apparatus employing the method, of scanning with a light source. The method comprises the acts of determining a calibration time of the light source and light sensor in a scanning unit, adjusting an activation time for the light source based on the calibration time, scaling a clock signal based on the activation time, and activating the light source based on the scaled clock signals. Where a red, green and blue LED light source is used, the longest of the activation times of the LEDs is used for the scaling of the clock signals. In another embodiment, the time between the start of the activation of last LED scan on a previous scan line and the start of activation of the first LED on the subsequent scan line is adjusted to maintain the predetermined resolution used for the scan.

Abstract: A compressor has an inlet, an outlet, and at least an intermediate first port therebetween. A condenser is coupled to the compressor to receive refrigerant. First and second evaporators are coupled to the condenser to receive refrigerant. Conduits define a return flowpath from the first evaporator to the compressor inlet and a second return flowpath from the second evaporator to the intermediate port. A bypass conduit extends between a first location between the first evaporator and the compressor inlet and a second location between the second evaporator and the first port.

Abstract: A system has a number of parallel flowpath segments between a compressor and an evaporator. One or more valves selectively block and unblock at least one of the segments to provide capacity control.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for detecting the presence of an ink jet printhead when a printhead controller fails to properly identify an installed printhead using a printhead identification device. The system includes a printhead including heater resistors and control elements, and a controller connected to the printhead via address and data lines. When the controller fails to properly identify an installed printhead, the controller operates to bias the control elements in a predetermined manner via at least one address line, detect a signal via the data lines, and generate a signal indicative of the presence of the installed printhead.

Abstract: A fluid composition of (a) a friction modifier derived from the reaction of a carboxylic acid or a reactive equivalent thereof with an aminoalcohol, the friction modifier containing at least two hydrocarbyl groups; and (b) a dispersant other than a species of (a), provides good friction properties to an automatic transmission.

Abstract: A refrigeration system has first and second evaporators which may be operated at first and second temperatures. Refrigerant from a lower temperature evaporator may be returned to a compressor suction port. Refrigerant from the higher temperature evaporator may be returned to an intermediate port.

Abstract: An abradable coating is formed on portions of the flank wall of the wraps of a scroll compressor. The radially outer portions of the flank wall are left uncoated, and can bear a force between the scroll wraps. In this manner, the load is not transferred through a coated portion, but rather through the uncoated portion. As the scroll wraps move relative to each other at run-in, the abradable coating wears away leaving a tight fit between the flank walls at the radially inner locations.