Abstract: A diagnostic system is provided herein that includes an instrument comprising an electrochemiluminescence (ECL) detector, and a cartridge configured to fit within a portion of the instrument, wherein the cartridge includes at least one reagent including an ECL label and a blood collection holder. Also provided herein is a system that includes a diagnostic instrument, which includes a pump, an ECL detector, an incubator, a magnet, and an output device, and a cartridge configured to fit within a portion of the diagnostic instrument, a sample holder configured to fit within the cartridge, and a closed fluidic loop between the diagnostic instrument and the cartridge when the cartridge is fit within a portion of the diagnostic instrument, wherein the cartridge is configured to accept a sample from the sample holder and place the sample in fluidic communication with the diagnostic instrument via the closed fluidic loop.

Abstract: An inlet device for an aftercooler is provided. The inlet device includes a body defining an elongated flowpath therein. The body includes a front opening disposed at a beginning of the flowpath. The body further includes a bottom opening disposed at an angle with respect to the front opening and at an end of the flowpath. The inlet device further includes at least two baffles disposed in the flowpath between the front opening and the bottom opening. The baffles have different heights measured from the bottom opening, and the respective heights of the baffles increase with distance from the front opening.

Abstract: A fuel injection timing management system for a dual fuel engine is configured to determine a first diesel injection timing corresponding to a first mode of operation of the engine system and a second diesel injection timing corresponding to a second mode of operation. Further, determine a direction of change in a mode of operation of the engine system, and selectively perform a change in the diesel injection timing from the first diesel injection timing to the second diesel injection timing at a first rate of transition or a second rate of transition, based on the direction of change in a mode of operation of the engine system.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing glass ribbon includes a control device configured at least periodic thermal stress compensation of the glass ribbon by independently adjusting operation of a plurality of temperature adjustment elements based on stress characteristic information at least periodically obtained from a stress sensor apparatus. In further examples, methods of producing glass include at least periodically sensing a stress characteristic of a glass ribbon and at least periodically changing a transverse temperature profile of the glass ribbon based stress characteristic information. In further examples, methods include the step of changing a transverse temperature profile of the glass ribbon only if a measured parameter is within an operating range associated with the parameter.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing glass ribbon includes a control device configured at least periodic thermal stress compensation of the glass ribbon by independently adjusting operation of a plurality of temperature adjustment elements based on stress characteristic information at least periodically obtained from a stress sensor apparatus. In further examples, methods of producing glass include at least periodically sensing a stress characteristic of a glass ribbon and at least periodically changing a transverse temperature profile of the glass ribbon based stress characteristic information. In further examples, methods include the step of changing a transverse temperature profile of the glass ribbon only if a measured parameter is within an operating range associated with the parameter.

Abstract: An improved inflatable, tapered tip nasopharyngeal airway allows for comfortable self insertion and provides a clear airway for patient breathing in those with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Abstract: A gas turbine engine airfoil extending from an airfoil base to an airfoil tip at a free end of the airfoil and from a leading edge to a trailing edge of the airfoil has at least one recess extending into and circumferentially completely through the airfoil tip and located inwardly of the leading and trailing edges. The recess is located in an area of the airfoil tip subject to high tip vibratory stress and or rubs and may be a circular scallop having a scallop radius and a maximum depth of a few mills in a range of about 0.005-0.01 inches as measured from a nominal tip edge without the recess. The airfoil may be on a radial blade, a stator vane, or an impeller blade. An annular tip seal may surround a plurality of such airfoil tips with an airfoil tip clearance therebetween.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus are presented for providing unlimited access to media content, such as music. A media server environment can be provided, which maintains an instance of each subscriber account and a central archive of media content. Further, selected media content can be downloaded to, and stored locally at, a subscriber device, such as on a secure storage device. Access to the local media content can be controlled through the media server environment based on the status of the subscriber's account. If the subscriber's account becomes inactive, access to the downloaded media content can be disabled. Once the subscriber's account is reactivated, access to the downloaded media content can be restored. Additionally, access to the media server environment, including the central archive of media content, also can be controlled based on individual subscriber account status.

Abstract: Systems and devices are provided to facilitate safe handling and injection of medicaments contained in vials. A vial handling system has at least one vial gripping member to hold a vial, and a filler pin movable relative to the vial gripping member for piercing a membrane seal on the vial. At least one window is provided in the vial handling system to permit access to remove a cap on the vial, while preventing needle access to the membrane seal through the window. In some embodiments, the vial contents are removed through a male end connector portion of a unique connector pair. A female end connector portion has a female socket with an inner fluid tube in fluid communication with a body of a syringe, while the male end connector portion has an engaging end dimensioned to fit within the female socket and securely overlap the inner fluid tube.

Abstract: A process of producing a 1,1-diaryl alkane comprising a condensation reaction of an aromatic compound having at least one aromatic hydrogen with an acetal, in the presence of a perfluorinated sulfonic acid in polymeric form as catalyst.

Abstract: A process of producing a 1,1-diaryl alkane comprising a condensation reaction of an aromatic compound having at least one aromatic hydrogen with an acetal, in the presence of a perfluorinated sulfonic acid in polymeric form as catalyst.

Abstract: This disclosure concerns methods, systems and apparatus that can be automatically activated by means of insertion into a jack socket and designed such that when inserted, no longitudinal force is exerted on the jack. In particular, self-muting connectors employ a spring-biased switch with an internal spring and a protrusion. When the connector is disconnected, the protrusion extends outwardly of a ground sleeve and the spring contacts an inner signal conductor. In this state, the switch shorts the signal conductor and ground sleeve together. When the connector is inserted into a complementary jack socket, the protrusion is urged inwardly and the spring deformed such that it ceases to contact the inner conductor, thereby the breaking the short-circuit between the signal conductor and ground sleeve. This allows a normal electrical connection to be established between the connector and the device to which the connector is inserted.

Abstract: Including a disk, a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart airfoils extending radially outwardly from the disk, a plurality of shroud segments being disposed circumferentially between the plurality of airfoils and configured to attach to a corresponding airfoil of the plurality of airfoils and a plurality of wear surfaces, where at least one wear surface of the plurality of wear surfaces is configured and disposed to prevent excessive wear between the adjacent shroud segments. Each shroud segment of the plurality of shroud segments may be attached to a corresponding airfoil by weld connections to permit clearance during translation friction welding of the airfoil to the disk hub are located to avoid high stress areas.

Abstract: Methods of facilitating charitable donations using the internet are provided. Charitable organizations may post a picture which has been divided into predetermined sections on the internet, with each section having a corresponding price associated therewith. Donors, upon paying the price for a desired section, may post an image, text or audio data in association with their purchased image section.

Abstract: A system includes a magnetic device for writing to and reading from a magnetic medium and a sensor disposed adjacent to the magnetic device and proximate to the magnetic medium. The sensor generates signals related to thermal variations in the sensor caused by changes in a distance between the magnetic device and the magnetic medium.

Abstract: The CHOPPER has a unique treadle design which allows a better utilization of space in order to accommodate the control functions in a compact foot-pedal sound effect. In the case of the CHOPPER, the space is required to allow the multiple control functions required to achieve delay (echo) emulation, which is a new and unique sound effect generated by this product. The sound effect is controlled by means of a foot treadle that can uniquely control multiple parameters. The rate at which the foot treadle controls the effect is by means of a specific and unique optical coupling. To enable precise control of the effect, there is a visible read out of the modulation frequency which has not been achieved before in a foot pedal. Further, the modulation frequency can be controlled by a MIDI sync code which is also unique in a foot-pedal format.

Abstract: A system includes a magnetic device for writing to and reading from a magnetic medium and a sensor disposed adjacent to the magnetic device and proximate to the magnetic medium. The sensor generates signals related to thermal variations in the sensor caused by changes in a distance between the magnetic device and the magnetic medium.

Abstract: A gateway connected to a Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) for transfer of data with the WSN includes a data reader interface configurable to read sensor data from the WSN received from a communication port connected to the WSN, irrespective of a type of hardware or software used in the WSN. The gateway also includes an application profile interface configurable to receive the sensor data read by the data reader interface and convert the received data into a generic read data message irrespective of the type of hardware or software used in the WSN and a data handler interface configured to receive the generic read data message, process the received generic read data message based on a customized requirement or a standard requirement for the sensor data and send the processed data to a back-end network.

Abstract: Including a disk, a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart airfoils extending radially outwardly from the disk, a plurality of shroud segments being disposed circumferentially between the plurality of airfoils and configured to attach to a corresponding airfoil of the plurality of airfoils and a plurality of wear surfaces, where at least one wear surface of the plurality of wear surfaces is configured and disposed to prevent excessive wear between the adjacent shroud segments. Each shroud segment of the plurality of shroud segments may be attached to a corresponding airfoil by weld connections to permit clearance during translation friction welding of the airfoil to the disk hub are located to avoid high stress areas.