Abstract: System and methods for analyzing single molecules and performing nucleic acid sequencing. An integrated device includes multiple pixels with sample wells configured to receive a sample, which when excited, emits radiation. The integrated device includes at least one waveguide configured to propagate excitation energy to the sample wells from a region of the integrated device configured to couple with an excitation energy source. A pixel may also include at least one element for directing the emission energy towards a sensor within the pixel. The system also includes an instrument that interfaces with the integrated device. The instrument may include an excitation energy source for providing excitation energy to the integrated device by coupling to an excitation energy coupling region of the integrated device.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for producing ultrashort optical pulses are described. A high-power, solid-state, passively mode-locked laser can be manufactured in a compact module that can be incorporated into a portable instrument. The mode-locked laser can produce sub-50-ps optical pulses at a repetition rates between 200 MHz and 50 MHz, rates suitable for massively parallel data-acquisition. The optical pulses can be used to generate a reference clock signal for synchronizing data-acquisition and signal-processing electronics of the portable instrument.

Abstract: Agents are coached to improve their performance by participation in a speech coaching campaign. In one embodiment, an administrator identifies top and bottom performing agents, and retrieves their voice call recordings that are processed by a speech analytics system to produce word clouds corresponding to desirable and undesirable phrases. After reviewing and potentially editing the word clouds, a set of desirable and undesirable operational phrases are created, which the agent should use, or not use, during a call. A speech analytics system is configured to detect the presence of these operational phrases for an agent when the agent is on a call. The agent may review information depicting how well they are utilizing the desirable phrases and avoiding the undesirable phrases, and points may be allocated reflecting the agent's usage. The points may be processed by a gamification system to incentivize the agent to improve their performance.