Abstract: Described are compositions, methods, systems, and kits related to related to synthetic phages with a customized host range. Customized host range of the synthetic phage is imparted on the synthetic phage by one or more recombinant tail-spike proteins. For example, a recombinant tail-spike protein may include a combination of the N-terminal region and the C-terminal region is engineered in a laboratory.

Abstract: Blended operator and autonomous control in an autonomous vehicle, including: receiving sensor data from a plurality of sensors of an autonomous vehicle; determining, based on the sensor data, a degree of autonomous control for each control input of a plurality of control inputs; and applying the degree of autonomous control for each control input of the plurality of control inputs.

Abstract: An IP telephony system allows users of the IP telephony system to register extension telephony devices with the IP telephony system. An extension telephony device is one that is provided with service by a separate telephony service provider. Once an extension telephony device is registered, a user can obtain communications services from the IP telephony system using the extension telephony device. A extension telephony device may be tied to a user's main telephony services account with the IP telephony system such that when the user obtains communications services from the IP telephony system using an extension telephony device, the user will be billed for those communications services through the user's main account.

Abstract: A system for sterilizing and/or deimmunizing an object includes a stationary chamber at ambient pressure configured to store an object to be sterilized and/or deimmunized therein. An electromagnetic device is coupled to the chamber and configured to direct microwaves at the object. A solvent spray subsystem is coupled to the chamber and configured to apply a solvent to the object such that the object is completely coated and/or saturated with the solvent. A controller subsystem coupled to the electromagnetic device and the solvent spray subsystem is configured to provide a cycle of activating the solvent spray subsystem for a predetermined amount of time, activating the electromagnetic device for a predetermined amount of time, and repeating the cycle a predetermined amount of times to irreversibly destroy proteins on the object to sterilize and/or deimmunize the object.

Abstract: A testing apparatus employs an interface module removably attached to a filter testing device. The interface module includes a first flowpath communicating with an outlet of the testing device and a housing of the filter device, a first valve disposed in the first flowpath, a second flowpath communicating with the housing of the filter device and an exhaust, a second valve disposed in the second flowpath, and an enclosure enclosing the first flowpath, the first valve, the second flowpath, and the second valve. The interface module is cleanable and/or sterilizable, and replaceable. A filter integrity testing method uses an interface module to prevent contamination of the testing device and cross-contamination of different filter devices and avoid liquid ingress into the testing device.

Abstract: A system for sterilizing and/or deimmunizing an object includes a stationary chamber at ambient pressure is configured to store an object to be sterilized and/or deimmunized therein. A solvent delivery subsystem is coupled to the chamber and configured to apply a directed volume of a non-toxic aqueous solvent to coat and wet the object to optimally hydrate proteins of infectious agents and/or immunological agents in or on the object for proteolysis. An electromagnetic device is coupled to the chamber and is configured to direct microwaves at the object to induce proteolysis of the proteins and generate heat to dry the non-toxic aqueous solvent in or on the object in or on the object. A temperature control subsystem is coupled to the chamber and is configured to control the temperature of the chamber to induce a temperature of the proteins which accelerates proteolysis of the proteins and dries the non-toxic aqueous solvent in or on the object.

Abstract: An IP telephony system allows a user to register a telephony device that receives its native telephony service from a different telephony service provider as an extension telephone. The user can then place calls through the IP telephony system using the extension telephone. Such calls may or may not be established using the extension telephone's native telephony service provider.

Abstract: A testing apparatus employs an interface module removably attached to a filter testing device. The interface module includes a first flowpath communicating with an outlet of the testing device and a housing of the filter device, a first valve disposed in the first flowpath, a second flowpath communicating with the housing of the filter device and an exhaust, a second valve disposed in the second flowpath, and an enclosure enclosing the first flowpath, the first valve, the second flowpath, and the second valve. The interface module is cleanable and/or sterilizable, and replaceable. A filter integrity testing method uses an interface module to prevent contamination of the testing device and cross-contamination of different filter devices and avoid liquid ingress into the testing device.

Abstract: A proppant comprises a particle and a polycarbodiimide coating disposed on the particle. The polycarbodiimide coating comprises the reaction product of a polymeric isocyanate and a monomeric isocyanate, in the presence of a catalyst. A method of forming the proppant comprises the steps of providing the particle, providing the polymeric isocyanate, providing the monomeric isocyanate, providing the catalyst, reacting the polymeric isocyanate and the monomeric isocyanate in the presence of the catalyst to form the polycarbodiimide coating, and coating the particle with the polycarbodiimide coating.

Abstract: A IP telephony service allows customers to form user groups. Each user group can include multiple members, each of whom have their own telephony device. When a member of a user group sends an outgoing communication from one of the telephony devices associated with the user group, the service obtains communication handling instructions for the user group. The outgoing communication is then processed in accordance with the handling instructions. This could include sending copies of the outgoing communication to the telephony devices of other members of the user group. This could also include sending the outgoing communication with an origination identifier associated with the user group, rather than an origination identifier associated with the member's telephony device.

Abstract: A IP telephony service allows customers to form user groups. Each user group can include multiple members, each of whom have their own telephony device. When a member of a user group sends an outgoing communication from one of the telephony devices associated with the user group, the service obtains communication handling instructions for the user group. The outgoing communication is then processed in accordance with the handling instructions. This could include sending copies of the outgoing communication to the telephony devices of other members of the user group. This could also include sending the outgoing communication with an origination identifier associated with the user group, rather than an origination identifier associated with the member's telephony device.

Abstract: A IP telephony service allows customers to form user groups. Each user group can include multiple members, each of whom have their own telephony device. A group identifier, which could be a telephone number, is assigned to each user group. As a result, a single telephony device belonging to a member of a user group can be associated with its own unique telephone number, and the telephone number used as the group identifier. The system allows the user to select which of multiple telephone numbers associated with his telephony device are to be used as the originating telephone number when an outgoing telephone call or an outgoing message is sent.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for routing Application Programming Interface (API) calls from a partner entity to a telephony service provider (TSP) network are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method for routing API calls may include receiving a first message including an API call and a partner API key used to authenticate the partner entity on the TSP network to access a partner API layer disposed on the TSP network, extracting the partner API key from the first message, performing an authentication process to authenticate an identity of the partner entity using at least the extracted partner API key, and routing the first message based on results of the authentication process. In some embodiments, the first message is routed to the partner API layer disposed on the TSP network when the identity of the partner entity is authenticated.

Abstract: Described are techniques for detecting data collisions between a first portion and a second portion of an application executing on a computer, the first portion and the second portions executing concurrently with respect to each other. While the first portion and second portion are executing, before the first portion accesses a memory location shared by the first portion and the second portion, a value stored in the memory location is captured and the first portion is delayed. While the second portion continues to execute the first portion is delayed. After a period of the first portion having been paused or slowed, the current content of the memory location is compared with the captured content to determine if there is a data collision. The first and second portions may be threads, and the capturing, delaying, and determining may be performed by code inserted to the application after it has been compiled.

Abstract: Described are techniques for detecting data collisions between a first portion and a second portion of an application executing on a computer, the first portion and the second portions executing concurrently with respect to each other. While the first portion and second portion are executing, before the first portion accesses a memory location shared by the first portion and the second portion, a value stored in the memory location is captured and the first portion is delayed. While the second portion continues to execute the first portion is delayed. After a period of the first portion having been paused or slowed, the current content of the memory location is compared with the captured content to determine if there is a data collision. The first and second portions may be threads, and the capturing, delaying, and determining may be performed by code inserted to the application after it has been compiled.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for routing Application Programming Interface (API) calls from a partner entity to a telephony service provider (TSP) network are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method for routing API calls may include receiving a first message including an API call and a partner API key used to authenticate the partner entity on the TSP network to access a partner API layer disposed on the TSP network, extracting the partner API key from the first message, performing an authentication process to authenticate an identity of the partner entity using at least the extracted partner API key, and routing the first message based on results of the authentication process. In some embodiments, the first message is routed to the partner API layer disposed on the TSP network when the identity of the partner entity is authenticated.

Abstract: An IP telephony system allows a user to register a telephony device that receives its native telephony service from a different telephony service provider as an extension telephone. The user can then place calls through the IP telephony system using the extension telephone. Such calls may or may not be established using the extension telephone's native telephony service provider.

Abstract: An IP telephony system allows a user to register a telephony device that receives its native telephony service from a different telephony service provider as an extension telephone. The user can then place calls through the IP telephony system using the extension telephone. Such calls may or may not be established using the extension telephone's native telephony service provider.

Abstract: An IP telephony system allows a user to register a telephony device that receives its native telephony service from a different telephony service provider as an extension telephone. The user can then place calls through the IP telephony system using the extension telephone. Such calls may or may not be established using the extension telephone's native telephony service provider.

Abstract: A IP telephony service allows customers to form user groups. Each user group can include multiple members, each of whom have their own telephony device. Each user group is assigned a unique group identifier, which can be a telephone number. As a result, a single telephony device belonging to a member of a user group can be associated with its own unique telephone number, and the telephone number of the user group. This also means that a member's telephony device could be associated with multiple different billing accounts. The system allows a user to select which of multiple different billing accounts that are associated with his telephony device are to be billed for outgoing communications.