Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for increasing brightness of pulp, wherein the method includes: contacting a pulp slurry with chlorine dioxide in a final D (ClO2) bleaching stage; and adding a brightening additive to the final D bleaching stage after at least a portion of the chlorine dioxide has been consumed, in an amount sufficient to increase brightness of the pulp; wherein the brightening additive is an inorganic compound chosen from hypochlorous acid, one or more precursor compounds that form hypochlorous acid in said final D bleaching stage, or a mixture thereof.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide communication control features and functionality, but are not so limited. In an embodiment, a computing environment includes an access control component that can use a number of access states to control access to computing data and/or services. In one embodiment, a server computer can control access to data and/or services using a number of access states including, but not limited to: an allowed state, a blocked state, a device discovery state, and/or a quarantined state. Other embodiments are available.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for increasing brightness of pulp, wherein the method includes: contacting a pulp slurry with chlorine dioxide in a final D (ClO2) bleaching stage; and adding a brightening additive to the final D bleaching stage after at least a portion of the chlorine dioxide has been consumed, in an amount sufficient to increase brightness of the pulp; wherein the brightening additive is an inorganic compound chosen from hypochlorous acid, one or more precursor compounds that form hypochlorous acid in said final D bleaching stage, or a mixture thereof.

Abstract: A luminescence detecting apparatus and method for analyzing luminescent samples is disclosed. Luminescent samples are placed in a plurality of sample wells in a tray, and the tray is placed in a visible-light impervious chamber containing a charge coupled device camera. The samples may be injected in the wells, and the samples may be injected with buffers and reagents, by an injector. In the chamber, light from the luminescent samples pass through a collimator, a Fresnel field lens, a filter, and a camera lens, whereupon a focused image is created by the optics on the charge-coupled device (CCD) camera. The use of a Fresnel field lens, in combination with a collimator and filter, reduces crosstalk between samples below the level attainable by the prior art. Preferred embodiments of the luminescence detecting apparatus and method disclosed include central processing control of all operations, multiple wavelength filter wheel, and robot handling of samples and reagents.

Abstract: A luminescence detecting apparatus and method for analyzing luminescent samples is disclosed. A detecting apparatus may be configured so that light from luminescent samples pass through a collimator, a a first lens, a filter, and a camera lens, whereupon an image is created by the optics on the charge-coupled device (CCD) camera. The detecting apparatus may further include central processing control of all operations, multiple wavelength filter wheel, and/or a robot for handling of samples and reagents.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided for synchronizing data retrieval with multiple data sources on a mobile computing device while maintaining a predetermined quality of service and optimizing resource usage. A connection is established between the mobile computing device and the multiple data sources for a first synchronization interval. A synchronization request is sent over the connection during the first interval. A response to the request including data is received from a data source during the first interval to synchronize the data. After the data is received, the connection to the data source is severed. The connection between the mobile computing device and the data source is then re-established for a second synchronization interval based on quality of service parameters associated with the data source and a pending connection status associated with one or more additional data sources. Another synchronization request is then sent by the mobile computing device over the re-established connection.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided for synchronizing data retrieval with multiple data sources on a mobile computing device while maintaining a predetermined quality of service and optimizing resource usage. A connection is established between the mobile computing device and the multiple data sources for a first synchronization interval. A synchronization request is sent over the connection during the first interval. A response to the request including data is received from a data source during the first interval to synchronize the data. After the data is received, the connection to the data source is severed. The connection between the mobile computing device and the data source is then re-established for a second synchronization interval based on quality of service parameters associated with the data source and a pending connection status associated with one or more additional data sources. Another synchronization request is then sent by the mobile computing device over the re-established connection.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide communication control features and functionality, but are not so limited. In an embodiment, a computing environment includes an access control component that can use a number of access states to control access to computing data and/or services. In one embodiment, a server computer can control access to data and/or services using a number of access states including, but not limited to: an allowed state, a blocked state, a device discovery state, and/or a quarantined state. Other embodiments are available.

Abstract: A luminescence detecting apparatus and method for analyzing luminescent samples is disclosed. Luminescent samples are placed in a plurality of sample wells in a tray, and the tray is placed in a visible-light impervious chamber containing a charge coupled device camera. The samples may be injected in the wells, and the samples may be injected with buffers and reagents, by an injector. In the chamber, light from the luminescent samples pass through a collimator, a Fresnel field lens, a filter, and a camera lens, whereupon a focused image is created by the optics on the charge-coupled device (CCD) camera. The use of a Fresnel field lens, in combination with a collimator and filter, reduces crosstalk between samples below the level attainable by the prior art. Preferred embodiments of the luminescence detecting apparatus and method disclosed include central processing control of all operations, multiple wavelength filter wheel, and robot handling of samples and reagents.

Abstract: A thermal cycler for automatic performance of the polymerase chain reaction is provided. The thermal cycler comprises a heater control that provides close temperature control of the reaction.

Abstract: In a luminescence detecting apparatus and method for analyzing luminescent samples, luminescent samples are placed in a plurality of sample wells in a tray, and the tray is placed in a visible-light impervious chamber containing a charge coupled device camera. In the chamber, light from the luminescent samples pass through a collimator, a Fresnel field lens, an infrared filter, and a camera lens, whereupon a focused image is created by the optics on the camera. The use of an infrared filter suppresses stray IR radiation resulting from plate phosphorescence (which can result in abnormally high backgrounds and/or alteration of the image received by the camera).

Abstract: A thermal cycler for automatic performance of the polymerase chain reaction is provided. The thermal cycler comprises a heater control that provides close temperature control of the reaction.

Abstract: An allergy barrier for bedding comprised of a sheet adapted to fit a wide variety of mattress depths by enclosing a top, all sides, and a portion of the bottom of a mattress. A pull string inserted within an outer hem of the sheet where the pull string is adapted to secure the sheet to the mattress. The pull string terminates outside of the outer hem. The sheet is made of a material having a mean average pore size of less than ten (10) microns.

Abstract: An instrument for performing highly accurate PCR employing an assembly, a heated cover, and an internal computer, is provided. The assembly is made up of a sample block, a number of Peltier thermal electric devices, and a heat sink, clamped together. A control algorithm manipulates the current supplied to thermoelectric coolers such that the dynamic thermal performance of a block can be controlled so that pre-defined thermal profiles of sample temperature can be executed. The sample temperature is calculated instead of measured using a design specific model and equations. The control software includes calibration diagnostics which permit variation in the performance of thermoelectric coolers from instrument to instrument to be compensated for such that all instruments perform identically. The block/heat sink assembly can be changed to another of the same or different design.

Abstract: An optical instrument monitors PCR replication of DNA in a reaction apparatus having a temperature cycled block with vials of reaction ingredients including dye that fluoresces in presence of double-stranded DNA. A beam splitter passes an excitation beam to the vials to fluoresce the dye. An emission beam from the dye is passed by the beam splitter to a CCD detector from which a processor computes DNA concentration. A reference strip with a plurality of reference emitters emit reference beams of different intensity, from which the processor selects an optimum emitter for compensating for drift. Exposure time is automatically adjusted for keeping within optimum dynamic ranges of the CCD and processor. A module of the beam splitter and associated optical filters is associated with selected dye, and is replaceable for different dyes.

Abstract: An optical instrument monitors PCR replication of DNA in a reaction apparatus having vials of reaction ingredients. A beam splitter passes an excitation beam to the vials. An emission beam from the reaction ingredients can be passed by the beam splitter to a detector from which a processor can compute DNA concentration. A reference strip with a plurality of reference emitters can be provided which emits reference beams of different intensity, from which the processor can select an optimum emitter for compensating for drift. Exposure time can be automatically adjusted for keeping within optimum dynamic ranges of the detector and processor. A module of the beam splitter and associated optical filters can be associated with a selected dye, and can be replaceable for different dyes.

Abstract: An instrument for performing highly accurate PCR employing an assembly, a heated cover and an internal computer. The assembly is made up of a sample block, a number of Peltier thermal electric devices and heat sink, clamped together. The sample block temperature is changed exclusively by the thermoelectric devices controlled by the computer. The sample block is of low thermal mass and is constructed of silver. The Peltier devices are designed to provide fast temperature excursions over a wide range. The heat sink has a perimeter trench to minimize edge losses and is adjacent to a continuously variable fan. A perimeter heater is used to improve the thermal uniformity across the sample block to approximately ±0.2° C. A heated platen pushes down onto the tube caps to apply a minimum acceptable force for seating the tubes into the block, ensuring good thermal contact with the block. The force is applied about the periphery of the tube caps to prevent distortion of the caps during thermal cycling.

Abstract: An instrument for performing highly accurate PCR employing an assembly, a heated cover and an internal computer. The assembly is made up of a sample block, a number of Peltier thermal electric devices and heat sink, clamped together. The sample block temperature is changed exclusively by the thermoelectric devices controlled by the computer. The sample block is of low thermal mass and is constructed of silver. The Peltier devices are designed to provide fast temperature excursions over a wide range. The heat sink has a perimeter trench to minimize edge losses and is adjacent to a continuously variable fan. A perimeter heater is used to improve the thermal uniformity across the sample block to approximately ±0.2° C. A heated platen pushes down onto the tube caps to apply a minimum acceptable force for seating the tubes into the block, ensuring good thermal contact with the block. The force is applied about the periphery of the tube caps to prevent distortion of the caps during thermal cycling.

Abstract: Example embodiments provide for authenticating a device to multiple servers without using delegation or having to have a password stored on the device. Multiple certificates that are typically non-delegable are used to authenticate the device to each server. One certificate is used to authenticate the client with the front-end server and a second certificate is used to authenticate the client against a back-end server. Rather than having both certificates reside with the device, however, the second certificate is originally stored by the client in the back-end. It is then retrieved “on-the-fly” by the front-end upon authentication of the client and used to authenticate itself as the client in order to act on behalf of the client when retrieving data from the back-end server.

Abstract: The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for enforcing device settings for mobile devices. Generally, a computer system enforces appropriate mobile device settings (e.g., policy and/or configuration settings) prior to permitting a mobile device to access maintained data. The computer system receives a request from a mobile device. The computer system determines that current mobile device settings are not appropriate for accessing the maintained data. The computer system sends device settings, representing a new mobile device configuration that is appropriate accessing the maintained data, to the mobile device. The computer system receives an indication that the mobile device is configured in accordance with the device settings. The computer system permits the mobile device to access the maintained data in response to receiving the indication that the mobile device is configured in accordance with the device settings.