Abstract: A self-healing capacitor comprises a first electrode, a second electrode, and a dielectric layer disposed between said first and second electrodes and having first surface faced the first electrode and second surface faced the second electrode. At least one of the electrodes can include metal foam. The dielectric layer can have electrically conductive channels that each has an exit point located on the first surface of the dielectric layer and another exit point located on the second surface of the dielectric layer. The electrodes can include local contact breakers each of which is located within the electrode at an interface between the dielectric layer and the electrode and opposite at least one exit point of each electrically conductive channel in the dielectric layer. The local contact breakers can prevent electric current through the conductive channels in dielectric layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods to produce a reduced representation of a genome for sequencing and DNA polymorphism detection. In particular, the invention provides PCR-based methods, with normalization of the amplified products using a duplex-specific nuclease, in order to reduce over-representation of PCR products. Oligonucleotides for use in the disclosed method are also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein to provide information to a user based on a symbol with a plurality of interpretations. Each candidate interpretation for the symbol is identified and compared to an attribute of a user profile. The meaning of the symbol is determined and the user profile is updated with the meaning of the symbol. This meaning may be used to provide relevant information to the user.

Abstract: The present invention relates to storage and display device comprising a base wall and a side wall that are connected together and operable to move between a folded and an expanded configuration, the expanded configuration defining an interior region for the storage of product between the side wall and the base wall, and the side wall and the base wall are arranged to provide a top opening and a side opening to the interior region. The device comprises at least one locking arm arrangement comprising a pair of connected locking arms each having a side wall engaging locking surface and together operable to move between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration in the expanded configuration of the device. The locking arm arrangement strengthens and provides considerable stability and rigidity to the device in the expanded configuration by preventing sideways movement or wobble of the side wall when of the device in the expanded configuration.

Abstract: The present invention is realized by apparatus and methods for harvesting, storing, and generating energy by permanently placing a large rigid buoyant platform high in the earth's atmosphere, above clouds, moisture, dust, and wind. Long, strong and light tethers can connect the buoyant structure to the ground which can hold it in position against wind forces. Weights suspended from the buoyant platform with cables are raised and lowered by electric winches to store and release gravitational potential energy. High voltage transmission lines electrically connect the platform to the earth's surface. Electrical energy from the high voltage transmission lines or from photovoltaic arrays on the platform can be stored as gravitational potential energy and subsequently released as electricity from generators driven from the stored gravitational potential energy and used on the platform or transmitted via the high voltage transmission lines.

Abstract: An energy recovery device comprising a drive mechanism; an engine comprising a plurality of Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) elements or Negative Thermal Expansion (NTE) elements fixed at a first end by a holder element and connected at a second end to a drive mechanism wherein Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) elements or Negative Thermal Expansion (NTE) elements are positioned to from a gap between adjacent elements and configured to improve heat transfer from a fluid to each element.

Abstract: A computing device may comprise a volatile memory and a non-volatile storage device. Upon system shutdown, contents of the volatile memory may be preserved by memory transfer operations from the volatile memory to the non-volatile storage device. During memory preservation, the computing device may enter a low-power state. The low-power state may comprise suspension of power to a core of a processor while maintaining power to the processor's uncore, and disablement of interrupt signals not related to memory transfer operations. Power delivery to the core of the processor may be periodically resumed to initiate additional memory transfer operations.

Abstract: Antimicrobial polymer coating formulations are prepared that protect biological surfaces by treating, reducing, ameliorating, preventing or inhibiting pathogenic microorganism ingress to a human or animal host, reducing the potential for infection, particularly by necrotizing fasciitis originating microorganisms, through use of a polymer coating barrier containing antimicrobial agents that facilitates sustained release of biocidal agents active against such opportunistic microorganisms. Such formulations are effective for inhibiting microbial ingress pertaining to soft tissue and skin tears, abrasions, punctures and surgical wounds, and can be used as in water environments and as a skin protectant sunscreen and insect repellent.

Abstract: Formulations of a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-specific fusion protein antagonist are provided including a pre-lyophilized formulation, a reconstituted lyophilized formulation, and a stable liquid formulation. Preferably, the fusion protein has the sequence of SEQ ID NO:4.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a novel endophyte, Serendipita vermifera ssp. bescii (“S. bescii”), uses thereof and methods incorporating the use thereof for enhancement of plant performance. The present disclosure also provides methods for detecting the presence of and identifying S. bescii.

Abstract: An imaging system uses a dynamically varying coded mask, such as a spatial light modulator (SLM), to time-encode multiple degrees of freedom of a light field in parallel and a detector and processor to decode the encoded information. The encoded information may be decoded at the pixel level (e.g., with independently modulated counters in each pixel), on a read-out integrated circuit coupled to the detector, or on a circuit external to the detector. For example, the SLM, detector, and processor may create modulation sequences representing a system of linear equations where the variables represent a degree of freedom of the light field that is being sensed. If the number of equations and variables form a fully determined or overdetermined system of linear equations, the system of linear equations' solution can be determined through a matrix inverse. Otherwise, a solution can be determined with compressed sensing reconstruction techniques with the constraint that the signal is sparse in the frequency domain.

Abstract: A LED based illumination source with integrated communications and processing functions, which can communicate via wireless communications to a mobile phone, smart phone, smart pad, notebook, tablet, desktop or other computing device. The LED based illumination source is programmed to operate autonomously, and is able to alter its behavior, based on the proximity of a controlling element. The communications and processing functions can also be integrated into other household and commercial electrical devices, such as wall outlets, light switches, plug in timers, appliances, and the like.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and kits for detecting microorganisms and/or profiling microbiota such as for example through use of nucleic acid amplification and detection.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for preventing a viewer from switching from a channel when an advertisement is being displayed on the channel. The apparatus and method comprises an advertisement controller in a video playback device that (1) prevents a viewer of a direct (non-recorded) broadcast from switching channels when an advertisement is displayed, and (2) prevents a viewer of a recorded program from fast forwarding the recorded program in order to skip past advertisements that were recorded with the program. A viewer may either watch the advertisements or pay a fee in order to be able to change channels or fast forward when the advertisements are being displayed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to dosing dispensers and in particular to dosing dispensers that may be operated using one hand by raising and filling a dosing chamber followed by lowering and dispersing a product from the dosing chamber and wherein the dose may be selected or adjusted and a user may visually confirm that the proper dose is being loaded and delivered by the dispenser.

Abstract: The methods, apparatus, and systems described herein relate to routing based on customer satisfaction, and include receiving the customer communication; retrieving or predicting a first profile of a customer associated with a customer communication, wherein the retrieved or predicted profile includes a customer satisfaction score; predicting a second profile of a future customer; providing a list of currently available and expected available agents, wherein the currently available agents are selected by including only agents that exceed a predetermined work threshold based on an average customer satisfaction score determined over a selected time period; providing a routing recommendation to a communication distributor based on the retrieved or predicted first profile, the predicted second profile, and currently available agents' and expected available agents' proficiency at handling customers with the retrieved or predicted first and second profiles, wherein the communication distributor routes the communicat

Abstract: A vertically interchangeable and stackable jewelry system which includes a pendant bail clasp and stackable pendants. The bail clasp opens with a hinged lever, which includes a beveled edge opposite the hinged end of the lever. In addition, the clasp contains a complementary beveled edge which locks with the beveled edge of the hinged lever to lock the pendant bail clasp. Each pendant includes a uniform hooking mechanism at an exterior edge to connect pendant to the bail clasp. Differing pendants all have the same hooking mechanism to facilitate proper stacking. Pendants are available in a variety of shapes, colors, and sizes such an infinite number of combinations are available. The front and back surface of each charm is curved to facilitate vertical stacking of the charms upon and beneath each other. The present jewelry system also includes an interior view when ornaments have center openings and are vertically stacked.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatic purchasing, reserving and/or provisioning of a wavelength bandwidth block are disclosed. A user may access a web page, such as an interactive web-portal, to provide bandwidth data and corresponding ordering information for reserving a particular amount of bandwidth capacity on a telecommunications network. Subsequently, the customer's may access and the bandwidth blocks to increase/decrease and/or activate/deactivate portions of the reserved bandwidth capacity as needed.