Abstract: A method for modulating a response signal includes introducing functionalized magnetic particles configured to interact with target analytes into the body, applying a magnetic field sufficient to draw the functionalized magnetic particles towards a surface of the lumen of subsurface vasculature closest to an internally or externally applied mask having a spatial arrangement, and detecting a response signal, which includes a background signal and an analyte response signal, transmitted from the subsurface vasculature. The analyte response signal related to interaction of the functionalized magnetic particles with the target analytes and is modulated with respect to the background signal due, at least in part, to the spatial arrangement of the mask. The target analytes may be non-invasively detected by differentiating the analyte response signal from the background signal due, at least in part, to the modulation of the analyte response signal.

Abstract: A method for modulating a response signal includes introducing functionalized particles into a lumen of subsurface vasculature, wherein the functionalized particles are configured to interact with one or more target analytes present in blood circulating in the subsurface vasculature; and non-invasively detecting the one or more target analytes. A response signal, which may include a background signal and an analyte response signal related to interaction of the functionalized particles with the one or more target analytes, is transmitted from the subsurface vasculature. A modulation configured to alter the response signal such that the analyte response signal is affected differently than the background signal may be applied to a portion of subsurface vasculature. Analyte detection may be achieved by differentiating the analyte response signal from the background signal.

Abstract: A system and method reduce stiction while manipulating micro objects on a surface. The system and method employed a field generator configured to generate a driving force at a frequency and amplitude to at least partially overcome stiction between the micro objects and the surface. The field generator is further configured to generate a manipulation force to manipulate the micro objects on the surface in two dimensions. The manipulation force is spatially programmable.

Abstract: A system and method form charge patterns on micro objects. The system and method employ a micro object including a rectifying device. The rectifying device exhibits an asymmetric current-voltage (I-V) response curve. Further, the system and method employ a device external to the micro object to induce the flow of charge through the rectifying device.

Abstract: Concentrated creams are produced from starting cream compositions characterized as homogenous, oil-in-water emulsions containing fat globules, phospholipid membrane components and non-fat solids, and which have an initial fat content between about 35 to about 55 percent by weight. To produce the concentrated creams, moisture is removed from the starting cream compositions through evaporative processing, and as a result, the concentrated cream remains in a homogenous state, retains the fat globules, phospholipid membrane components and non-fat solids, and includes a concentrated fat content of at least about 70 percent by weight. In addition, the concentrated cream may be in an oil-in-water or a bi-continuous emulsion. Evaporative processing may be through a wiped film evaporator or a scraped surface heat exchanger.

Abstract: Crumble process cheese products may be produced by cooling process cheese to freezing temperatures below about 32° F. and holding the process cheese at the freezing temperatures for a sufficient amount of time to cause a freeze-induced denaturation of the protein bonds in the process cheese, thereby providing a modified process cheese with a texture adapted to crumble. A crumble process cheese product may include an emulsion of an emulsifier, protein, water and oil, with a portion of the protein bound to the oil and the water in the emulsion, and another portion of the casein is bound to the oil and is unbound to the water, thereby providing the crumble cheese product with a crumble-like texture.

Abstract: Example embodiments of the present invention include devices used to improve in-home exercise routines. In one example embodiment, an exercise device includes two assemblies that can connect and disconnect from each other. When the assemblies are connected together, a user can position the exercise device as described above to serve as a sit-up spotter to brace the user's feet during sit-up type exercises. In addition, the assemblies can be disconnected and serve as weights to allow the user to do various leg lifting exercises with weights securely attached to the foot of the user.

Abstract: A rigid removable case for a portable electronic device may have an acoustic isolation mechanism between the rigid removable case and an acoustic component on the electronic device. The acoustic isolation mechanism may be a compressible component that may provide an air seal between an interior surface of the removable case and an exterior surface of the electronic device. The acoustic isolation mechanism may be constructed of several different materials and several different manufacturing processes.

Abstract: A rigid removable case for a portable electronic device may have an acoustic isolation mechanism between the rigid removable case and an acoustic component on the electronic device. The acoustic isolation mechanism may be a compressible component that may provide an air seal between an interior surface of the removable case and an exterior surface of the electronic device. The acoustic isolation mechanism may be constructed of several different materials and several different manufacturing processes.

Abstract: Cream products formed by dispersing gum and lactose in water prior to the addition of butter and dry ingredients, subjecting the mixture of ingredients to heating, followed by rapid cooling and shear forces, provides a stable product. The cream products may replace traditional liquid cream-based products, and instead use dry cream up to about 7.5 weight percent mixed with butter up to about 30 weight percent, gum at about 0.75 weight percent, lactose, and water forming the balance of the product. The product may form a reduced heavy cream replacer with a fat content of up to about 35 weight percent. The product includes at least one of a flavor, appearance, and texture substantially similar to that of a traditional reduced heavy cream but withstands stresses and abuses that are not tolerated by the traditional reduced heavy cream.

Abstract: A rigid removable case for a portable electronic device may have an acoustic isolation mechanism between the rigid removable case and an acoustic component on the electronic device. The acoustic isolation mechanism may be a compressible component that may provide an air seal between an interior surface of the removable case and an exterior surface of the electronic device. The acoustic isolation mechanism may be constructed of several different materials and several different manufacturing processes.

Abstract: A rigid removable case for a portable electronic device may have an acoustic isolation mechanism between the rigid removable case and an acoustic component on the electronic device. The acoustic isolation mechanism may be a compressible component that may provide an air seal between an interior surface of the removable case and an exterior surface of the electronic device. The acoustic isolation mechanism may be constructed of several different materials and several different manufacturing processes.

Abstract: A backboard immobilization device includes a first section having a plurality of interconnected panels and a second section having a like plurality of interconnected panels. A coupling assembly releasably couples the first section to the second section. The coupling assembly comprises a male insert having a plurality of ratchet teeth. The male insert is coupled to the first section. A female coupler has a pawl for releasable engagement with the plurality of ratchet teeth. The female coupler is coupled to the second section. An assembly including the backboard immobilization device and an inflatable air bladder assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A language processing system is provided, including at least one computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions for performing a method. The method may include retrieving a first body of alphanumeric character-based text from a first database. The method may also include converting the first body of alphanumeric character-based text into a multi-bit character encoding. In addition, the method may include writing the multi-bit encoded text to a non-formatted text file and storing the multi-bit encoded text from the text file in a second database. Further, the method may include converting the multi-bit encoded text in the second database to a set of hexidecimal codes and creating, from the set of hexidecimal codes, a web-based report that reproduces the first body of alphanumeric character-based text.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are visual display systems and methods capable of having shifted bit-weights in neutral density filtering (NDF) applications. In one embodiment, a method (200) of displaying an image comprises transmitting light through an optical filter (17) comprising at least one high transmissivity portion configured to output light at an initial intensity, and at least one low transmissivity portion configured to output light at a lower intensity than the initial intensity, where the initial intensity and lower intensity output light illuminates a spatial light modulator (14). The method also includes providing a plurality of data bits (non-ND) from a predetermined number of data bits (B0-B7), where each of the plurality comprises a pulse-width longer than a load-time for operating the spatial light modulator (14).

Abstract: In a first aspect, a first method is provided. The first method includes the steps of (1) receiving a set of data; (2) determining whether a free group entry of a size required by a portion of the set of data exists in one of a plurality of sections of a memory; (3) if a free group entry of the size required by the portion of the set of data does not exist in one of the plurality of sections of the memory, determining whether the memory includes one or more sections of an unallocated size; and (4) if the memory includes one or more sections of an unallocated size, allocating one of the sections of an unallocated size to the size required by the portion of the set of data thereby creating a section of a dynamically allocated size. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: A backboard immobilization device is provided. The device includes first and second complimentary body support panels which are detachably interconnected at each end by a lock. Each lock has a first tube and a second tube. The first tube has a first end disposed within the first body support panel and a second end extending therefrom. The second end is tapered and has a locking pin. The second tube has a first end disposed within the second body support panel and a second end extending therefrom. The second end has a retracting sleeve wherein the retracting sleeve is slidably connected to the tapered end of the first tube and interlocks with the locking pin.