Abstract: Methods for managing non-player characters and power centers in a computer game are based on character hierarchies and individualized correspondences between each character's traits or rank and events that involve other non-player characters or objects. Players may share power centers, character hierarchies, non-player characters, and related quests involving the shared objects with other players playing separate and unrelated game instances over a computer network, with the outcome of the quests reflected in different the games. Various configurations of game machines are used to implement the methods.

Abstract: A gravel pack system has a heel section and a toe section that is downhole from the heel section. The system also includes a conveyance having an interior passageway for fluid flow to the toe section, a closing sleeve that forms an annulus with the conveyance, a shunt having a first section that provides a fluid flow entrance into the shunt, a second section that extends to the heel section along the gravel pack system, and one or more nozzles along the second section that provides fluid flow out of the gravel pack system at the heel section, and a shroud having a first section that is coupled to the closing sleeve and a second section that is coupled to the shunt, where the shroud and the conveyance form a second annulus.

Abstract: A gravel pack system has a heel section and a toe section that is downhole from the heel section. The system also includes a conveyance having an interior passageway for fluid flow to the toe section, a closing sleeve that forms an annulus with the conveyance, a shunt having a first section that provides a fluid flow entrance into the shunt, a second section that extends to the heel section along the gravel pack system, and one or more nozzles along the second section that provides fluid flow out of the gravel pack system at the heel section, and a shroud having a first section that is coupled to the closing sleeve and a second section that is coupled to the shunt, where the shroud and the conveyance form a second annulus.

Abstract: A kit or composition for in situ simultaneously derivatization of 14 phenol and carboxylic acid metabolites of benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, and xylene (BTEX) in a urine sample is disclosed. The derivatization imparts a positive charge to phenol and carboxylic acid for subsequent LC-MS analysis. Limit of detection reached part-per-trillion levels for o-Cresol and part-per-billion levels for the remaining BTEX metabolites. BTEX metabolites can be detected in less than 35 mins according to one embodiment of the invention. Methods, kits and compositions disclosed herein can be used for in situ simultaneous derivatization of phenol and carboxylic acid in aqueous solution in general.

Abstract: Provided herein are high-throughput sequencing methods to study the diversity and functionality of lymphocyte receptor chains and pairing of the same. Specifically, the methods provided herein are used to identify with confidence one or more lymphocyte receptor chain pairs in a sample, for example one or more functional chain pairs.

Abstract: A kit or composition for in situ simultaneously derivatization of 14 phenol and carboxylic acid metabolites of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX) in a urine sample is disclosed. The derivatization imparts a positive charge to phenol and carboxylic acid for subsequent LC-MS analysis. Limit of detection reached part-per-trillion levels for o-Cresol and part-per-billion levels for the remaining BTEX metabolites. BTEX metabolites can be detected in less than 35 mins according to one embodiment of the invention. Methods, kits and compositions disclosed herein can be used for in situ simultaneous derivatization of phenol and carboxylic acid in aqueous solution in general.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided herein for identifying a cell population comprising an effector cell that exerts an extracellular effect. In one embodiment the method comprises retaining in a microreactor a cell population comprising one or more effector cells, wherein the contents of the microreactor further comprise a readout particle population comprising one or more readout particles, incubating the cell population and the readout particle population within the microreactor, assaying the cell population for the presence of the extracellular effect, wherein the readout particle population or subpopulation thereof provides a direct or indirect readout of the extracellular effect, and determining, based on the results of the assaying step, whether one or more effector cells within the cell population exerts the extracellular effect on the readout particle. If an extracellular effect is measured, the cell population is recovered for further analysis to determine the cell or cells responsible for the effect.

Abstract: Provided herein are high-throughput sequencing methods to study the diversity and functionality of lymphocyte receptor chains and pairing of the same. Specifically, the methods provided herein are used to identify with confidence one or more lymphocyte receptor chain pairs in a sample, for example one or more functional chain pairs.

Abstract: A camera gimbal is provided having first and second arms, a support connected to the second arm and having an upper end to which a camera may be mounted and a lower end to which a counterweight is connected, and a gearbox including a gear and a rotary damper. The second arm is rotatable relative to the first arm and includes a proximal end portion forming a housing for the gearbox and a distal end portion to which the support is connected. The camera gimbal is purely-mechanical in operation and is without connection to a power source relying solely on gravity acting on a camera mounted on the support and the counterweight to cause rotation of the first arm relative to the second arm to maintain the camera in a relatively level position while the rotary damper damps the rotational movement.

Abstract: Presented is a portable full body work out system for indoor and outdoor uses. The system includes a pair of mounts configurable over an intended surface, a pair of bracket assembles releasably mountable over the mounts, a strap with extending around one or more pulleys of one of the bracket assemblies and operatively connecting to a securing device, a resistance band releasably mountable around a retainer member of one of the bracket assemblies and another coupled to the securing device. The securing device is selectively operated during initial set up to allow the user to adopt to an appropriate position to connect an external exercising accessory to the strap for performing an exercise. The user is able to select the desired resistance for the exercise, or reduce the selected resistance, or combine resistances for even greater resistance by selecting appropriate resistance bands, and/or changing the tension applied on the strap.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for isolating the sequences of an antibody that reacts with a disease related antigen, e.g., an autoantigen, without knowing the identity of the antigen (sequence or structural epitope) a priori. The methods can also be used to identify an antigen that mediates a disease state, e.g., an autoantigen implicated in an autoimmune disorder or a tumor response.

Abstract: A motor is disclosed. The motor includes a first end bell, a second end bell and a stator with a stator coil disposed between the first end bell and the second end bell. A rotor with a rotor shaft is disposed relative to the stator, the rotor configured to rotate relative to the stator and the rotor shaft extending through the first end bell. The second end bell includes a chamber, the chamber includes an electronic circuit and a connector. The connector is electrically coupled to the electronic circuit and configured to receive both a control signal and a power signal from an external source.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a system for the use of a collapsible and deployable interactive structure. An interactive structure that is collapsible and deployable is provided in an outdoor or interior location. The interactive structure includes at least a door with a locking mechanism, an interior display, and a physical presence sensor, and may include ceiling tiles made of melt-away material, external displays, and an external bench that houses electrical components. Communication with a user is initiated, and information about the user is obtained for authentication and identification purposes. The user is authenticated, thereby unlocking the door to allow the user to enter the interactive structure. Once the user is inside, the interior display is activated to allow an underlying system to communicate with the user to determine a desired action for with the user. The interior display and underlying system facilitate the performance of the desired action.

Abstract: A camera gimbal is provided having first and second arms, a support connected to the second arm and having an upper end to which a camera may be mounted and a lower end to which a counterweight is connected, and a gearbox including a gear and a rotary damper. The second arm is rotatable relative to the first arm and includes a proximal end portion forming a housing for the gearbox and a distal end portion to which the support is connected. The camera gimbal is purely-mechanical in operation and is without connection to a power source relying solely on gravity acting on a camera mounted on the support and the counterweight to cause rotation of the first arm relative to the second arm to maintain the camera in a relatively level position while the rotary damper damps the rotational movement.

Abstract: A robotic actuator comprises a mass manufactured bellows, wherein the mass manufactured bellows allows a volume change by localized bending, and wherein the mass manufactured bellows is formed from a material that has a higher strength in at least two axes relative to at most one other axis, and an end effector, wherein the end effector is coupled to the manufactured bellows.

Abstract: A camera gimbal has a gearbox including a housing containing therein a central main gear secured to a bearing shaft in a fixed-position relative to the bearing shaft and at least one rotary damper secured to the housing at a fixed-location relative to the housing. The at least one rotary damper is engaged with the central main gear in a manner permitting rotation of the at least one rotary damper about a periphery of the main central gear such that the housing rotates about an axis of rotation extending longitudinally through the bearing shaft and the central main gear. A camera-mount extends from the housing. Gravity acting on the mass/weight of the camera and a counterweight causes rotation of the gearbox to maintain the camera in a relatively level position while the at least one rotary damper damps the rotational movement of the gearbox.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided herein for identifying a cell population comprising an effector cell that exerts an extracellular effect. In one embodiment the method comprises retaining in a microreactor a cell population comprising one or more effector cells, wherein the contents of the microreactor further comprise a readout particle population comprising one or more readout particles, incubating the cell population and the readout particle population within the microreactor, assaying the cell population for the presence of the extracellular effect, wherein the readout particle population or subpopulation thereof provides a direct or indirect readout of the extracellular effect, and determining, based on the results of the assaying step, whether one or more effector cells within the cell population exerts the extracellular effect on the readout particle. If an extracellular effect is measured, the cell population is recovered for further analysis to determine the cell or cells responsible for the effect.

Abstract: Presented is a portable full body work out system for indoor and outdoor uses. The system includes a pair of mounts configurable over an intended surface, a pair of bracket assembles releasably mountable over the mounts, a strap with extending around one or more pulleys of one of the bracket assemblies and operatively connecting to a securing device, a resistance band releasably mountable around a retainer member of one of the bracket assemblies and another coupled to the securing device. The securing device is selectively operated during initial set up to allow the user to adopt to an appropriate position to connect an external exercising accessory to the strap for performing an exercise. The user is able to select the desired resistance for the exercise, or reduce the selected resistance, or combine resistances for even greater resistance by selecting appropriate resistance bands, and/or changing the tension applied on the strap.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided herein for identifying a cell population comprising an effector cell that exerts an extracellular effect. In one embodiment the method comprises retaining in a microreactor a cell population comprising one or more effector cells, wherein the contents of the microreactor further comprise a readout particle population comprising one or more readout particles, incubating the cell population and the readout particle population within the microreactor, assaying the cell population for the presence of the extracellular effect, wherein the readout particle population or subpopulation thereof provides a direct or indirect readout of the extracellular effect, and determining, based on the results of the assaying step, whether one or more effector cells within the cell population exerts the extracellular effect on the readout particle. If an extracellular effect is measured, the cell population is recovered for further analysis to determine the cell or cells responsible for the effect.

Abstract: A pneumatic actuator that includes a plurality of elongated inflatable chambers stacked lengthwise in an array from a top-end to a bottom end, the plurality of elongated inflatable chambers defined by an inextensible body that is inextensible along one or more plane axes of the body while being flexible in other directions.