Abstract: The invention relates to a cartridge housing for forming a cartridge capable of measuring an analyte or property of a liquid sample. The housing comprising a first substantially rigid zone, a second substantially flexible zone, a hinge region, and at least one sensor recess containing a sensor. The housing is foldable about said hinge region to form a cartridge having a conduit over at least a portion of said sensor. The invention also relates to methods for forming such cartridges and to various features of such cartridges.

Abstract: Filtration device suited for concentration of liquid samples, particularly biomolecules, and a method of concentrating, desalting, purifying and/or fractionating liquid samples. In certain embodiments the device includes a housing having a sample reservoir, and two substantially vertically oriented and spaced apart membranes disposed in the housing. An underdrain is associated with each membrane such that fluid passing through each membrane flows through a respective underdrain into a filtrate collection chamber. The fluid that does not pass through the membrane is collected in the retentate collection chamber, and can be recovered such as by a reverse spinning step, achieving recoveries greater than about 90%. The substantially vertical orientation of the membranes increases the available membrane area by at least 2.7 times the area available in a conventional filter device.

Abstract: A method of producing renewable material comprising (a) converting biologically a hemicellulose-derived material to form a first mixture comprising a first renewable material, and (b) convening a substantial amount of a material comprising cellulose and lignin in the presence of at least a portion of the first mixture to form a second mixture comprising second renewable material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cartridge housing for forming a cartridge capable of measuring an analyte or property of a liquid sample. The housing comprising a first substantially rigid zone, a second substantially flexible zone, a hinge region, and at least one sensor recess containing a sensor. The housing is foldable about said hinge region to form a cartridge having a conduit over at least a portion of said sensor. The invention also relates to methods for forming such cartridges and to various features of such cartridges.

Abstract: Filtration device suited for concentration of liquid samples, particularly biomolecules, and a method of concentrating, desalting, purifying and/or fractionating liquid samples. In certain embodiments the device includes a housing having a sample reservoir, and two substantially vertically oriented and spaced apart membranes disposed in the housing. An underdrain is associated with each membrane such that fluid passing through each membrane flows through a respective underdrain into a filtrate collection chamber. The fluid that does not pass through the membrane is collected in the retentate collection chamber, and can be recovered such as by a reverse spinning step, achieving recoveries greater than about 90%. The substantially vertical orientation of the membranes increases the available membrane area by at least 2.7 times the area available in a conventional filter device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cartridge housing for forming a cartridge capable of measuring an analyte or property of a liquid sample. The housing including a top portion having a first substantially rigid zone and a substantially flexible zone, a bottom portion separate from the top portion including a second substantially rigid zone, and at least one sensor recess containing a sensor. The top portion and the bottom portion are bonded to form the cartridge having a conduit over at least a portion of the sensor. The invention also relates to methods for forming such cartridges and to various features of such cartridges.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a method for processing a user request is provided. The method may include receiving input data from a user including at least natural language associated with a user request; analyzing the user input data with an intermediary agent; selecting at least one form based on analyzing the user input data; and, executing at least one update based on at least one form.

Abstract: Methods, compositions, and uses of herbicide safeners alone, and in combination with fungicides, to reduce mycotoxin accumulation, fungal infection and related disease in agricultural crops, plants and harvested plant material are disclosed.

Abstract: An oven comprising a box housing with an internal cavity bounded by walls, and provided on one side with an opening closable by a movable door, at least one of the walls there being provided a browning or grilling member comprising an electrical resistance element, and presenting a first side facing the wall and a second side, opposite the first side, facing the interior of the oven cavity in which at least one food item is positioned to be subjected to cooking and/or grilling, this latter function being obtained by activating the member. In a position corresponding with first side of the grilling member a flat element is provided presenting two opposing flat faces, a first face presenting high emissivity and the second face presenting high reflectivity or reflective power, the element being able to be moved relative to the member such that this latter can be faced by the first face or the second face, depending on the type of cooking required for the food item positioned within the oven cavity.

Abstract: The present invention is a safety system for use in conjunction with a control bar for a kite wherein the two front lines are secured by a front line swivel positioned between the bar and the kite. One front line terminates at the swivel and one extension of the other front line, the center line, travels through a central aperture in the swivel. The center line is then routed through an aperture on the control bar and terminated with an end that can be secured to the user either manually or by a leash arrangement. The swivel allows any twists that may form in the front lines to unwind. An increased diameter element located proximally of the swivel is configured to engage the center swivel, but is configured to pass through the aperture on the control bar. When the bar is released, sufficient slack is imparted into the remaining flying lines to effectively depower the kite while retaining attachment to the kite through the restrained front line.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, methods, and software for collecting and disseminating crowd-sourced information relating to one or more shared vehicles, such as buses, passenger trains, subway vehicles, streetcars, etc. The crowd-sourced information is collected via mobile client devices carried by users, such a riders of the shared vehicle at issue. Information collected includes tracing data for tracing the route and timing of each shared vehicles. The tracing data is used to update a computer model that helps predict arrival/departure times. The predicted arrival times can be conveyed to users and to allow people to arrange rendezvous events. Other information collected includes user-report information on items such as condition of the shared vehicle, fullness of the vehicle, and the user's experience with the vehicle and/or corresponding infrastructure. Collected user-report information can be shared with other users and/or a customer service system affiliated with the shared vehicle.

Abstract: Filtration device suited for concentration of liquid samples, particularly biomolecules, and a method of concentrating, desalting, purifying and/or fractionating liquid samples. In certain embodiments the device includes a housing having a sample reservoir, and two substantially vertically oriented and spaced apart membranes disposed in the housing. An underdrain is associated with each membrane such that fluid passing through each membrane flows through a respective underdrain into a filtrate collection chamber. The fluid that does not pass through the membrane is collected in the retentate collection chamber, and can be recovered such as by a reverse spinning step, achieving recoveries greater than about 90%. The substantially vertical orientation of the membranes increases the available membrane area by at least 2.7 times the area available in a conventional filter device.

Abstract: An anchoring device for a wastebasket includes a locking plate that adheres to a hard surface (e.g. a floor) using Command™ adhesive strips or other comparable means of adhesion. The locking plate includes a tongue and a rail. A bottom outer surface of the wastebasket includes a corresponding groove and track into which the tongue and rail of the locking plate are inserted, allowing the wastebasket to be anchored to the locking plate and the easy removal of trash liners, without having the wastebasket lift off the floor. A second embodiment includes a base to which the wastebasket is attached by a pivot mechanism. The bottom surface of the base has the corresponding groove and track that anchors to the locking plate in an identical manner, allowing a full trash liner to be removed from the wastebasket while in the tilted orientation without lifting the wastebasket from the underlying surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pesticidal mixtures, compositions and uses thereof comprising a component (A) and a component (B), wherein components (A) and (B) are: (A) a carboxylic acid amide fungicide; and (B) a benzamide fungicide; with the proviso that the mixture does not comprise: 1). fluopicolide and mandipropamid and clothianidin; or 2). fluopicolide and mandipropamid and imidacloprid; or 3). fluopicolide and mandipropamid and thiamethoxam. The invention also relates to mixtures, compositions and uses thereof wherein component (A) is metalaxyl-M and component (B) is a benzamide fungicide.

Abstract: A method and system for using input signal quality in an automatic speech recognition system. The method includes measuring the quality of an input signal into a speech recognition system and varying a rejection threshold of the speech recognition system at runtime in dependence on the measurement of the input signal quality. If the measurement of the input signal quality is low, the rejection threshold is reduced and, if the measurement of the input signal quality is high, the rejection threshold is increased. The measurement of the input signal quality may be based on one or more of the measurements of signal-to-noise ratio, loudness, including clipping, and speech signal duration.

Abstract: The present invention is a safety system for use in conjunction with a control bar for a kite wherein the two front lines are secured by a front line swivel positioned between the bar and the kite. One front line terminates at the swivel and one extension of the other front line, the center line, travels through a central aperture in the swivel. The center line is then routed through an aperture on the control bar and terminated with an end that can be secured to the user either manually or by a leash arrangement. The swivel allows any twists that may form in the front lines to unwind. An increased diameter element located proximally of the swivel is configured to engage the center swivel, but is configured to pass through the aperture on the control bar. When the bar is released, sufficient slack is imparted into the remaining flying lines to effectively depower the kite while retaining attachment to the kite through the restrained front line.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a method for processing a user request is provided. The method may include receiving input data from a user including at least natural language associated with a user request; analyzing the user input data with an intermediary agent; selecting at least one form based on analyzing the user input data; and, executing at least one update based on at least one form.

Abstract: A method and system for using input signal quality in an automatic speech recognition system. The method includes measuring the quality of an input signal into a speech recognition system and varying a rejection threshold of the speech recognition system at runtime in dependence on the measurement of the input signal quality. If the measurement of the input signal quality is low, the rejection threshold is reduced and, if the measurement of the input signal quality is high, the rejection threshold is increased. The measurement of the input signal quality may be based on one or more of the measurements of signal-to-noise ratio, loudness, including clipping, and speech signal duration.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a method for processing a user request is provided. The method may include receiving input data from a user including at least natural language associated with a user request; analyzing the user input data with an intermediary agent; selecting at least one form based on analyzing the user input data; and, executing at least one update based on at least one form.

Abstract: A laboratory device design particularly for a multiplate format that includes a manifold wherein the position of the plate is not a function of gasket compression or vacuum rate applied. In one embodiment, the device has a modular design, wherein one or more removable inserts, preferably with different functionalities can be positioned between a base component and a collar component. The particular insert(s) chosen depend on the desired sample preparation or assay to be carried out. The insert(s) are stacked and are positioned between the base and collar as a unit, so that the stack within the manifold does not move during evacuation of the vacuum chamber. The consistent position of the insert(s) facilitates using vacuum sample processing with automated liquid handlers.