Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for multiplexed analysis of two or more targets in a test sample including a first set of particles including a first set of target-specific reagents and a first optically detectable identifier capable of emitting a first wavelength indicative of a first target, and at least one second set of particles including a second set of target-specific reagents and a second optically detectable identifier capable of emitting a second wavelength indicative of a second target; and at least one optically detectable reporter probe capable of constitutively emitting a third wavelength in response to reaction of the first set of target-specific reagents with the first target in the test sample and/or reaction of the second set of target-specific reagents with the second target in the test sample, wherein the first wavelength, the second wavelength, and the third wavelength are optically discernable from one another.

Abstract: Controlling a valveless microfluidic device using rotational and pistoning motion is disclosed. A system embodiment includes, but is not limited to, a stage to support a valveless microfluidic device, the stage having a bottom surface coupled with an extension, having a threaded portion, and defining an interior volume; a first motor including a powered rotating portion operable to engage with the threaded portion to induce a z-axis motion of the stage; a second motor including a powered rotating portion coupled with a slidable coupler, the slidable coupler engaging the interior volume to induce a second motion of the stage about the z-axis; a base defining an aperture to receive the stage; and a lid having a subset of the plurality of apertures corresponding to a subset of a plurality of apertures defined by the valveless microfluidic device upon positioning of the stage by the first motor and the second motor.

Abstract: A plasma processing tool for fabricating a semiconductor device on a semiconductor wafer includes an optical window disposed on a plasma chamber, remotely from a plasma region. The window is thermally connected to an electrical heater element capable of maintaining the window at a temperature of at least 30° C. A heater controller provides electrical power to the heater element. During operation of the plasma processing tool, the heater controller provides power to the heater element so as to maintain the window at a temperature of at least 30° C. during at least a portion of a plasma process step in which by-products are produced in the plasma chamber.

Abstract: A system for providing real-time risk mitigation for an authorization system. The system receives authorization requests from multiple merchants (or their respective acquirers) and processes such requests. Each processed request is then forwarded to its corresponding issuer for further authorization. Each processed request includes an authorization message. The authorization message can include a risk score, a number of reason codes, and a number of condition codes. The use of the risk score, reason codes and condition codes allows issuers to make better informed decisions with respect to providing authorizations.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to flow assays including at least one electrically-actuated valve configured to control fluid flow. Methods of operating such flow assays are also disclosed.

Abstract: A device is described having a first surface having a plurality of first areas and a second surface having a plurality of second areas. The first surface and the second surface are opposed to one another and can move relative to each other from at least a first position where none of the plurality of first areas, having a first substance, are exposed to plurality of second areas, having a second substance, to a second position. When in the second position, the plurality of first and second areas, and therefore the first and second substances, are exposed to one another. The device may further include a series of ducts in communication with a plurality of first second areas to allow for a substance to be disposed in, or upon, the plurality of second areas when in the first position.

Abstract: A plasma processing tool for fabricating a semiconductor device on a semiconductor wafer includes an optical window disposed on a plasma chamber, remotely from a plasma region. The window is thermally connected to an electrical heater element capable of maintaining the window at a temperature of at least 30° C. A heater controller provides electrical power to the heater element. During operation of the plasma processing tool, the heater controller provides power to the heater element so as to maintain the window at a temperature of at least 30° C. during at least a portion of a plasma process step in which by-products are produced in the plasma chamber.

Abstract: Processes are provided that include providing a copper-manganese alloy containing copper and manganese and having an amount of manganese that is at least 32 weight percent and not more than 40 weight percent of a combined total amount of the copper and manganese in the copper-manganese alloy, and casting the copper-manganese alloy by multidirectional solidification to produce a product in the form of a casting. The copper-manganese alloy has a composition sufficiently near the congruent melting point of the Cu—Mn alloy system to sufficiently avoid dendritic growth during the multidirectional solidification of the copper-manganese alloy to avoid the formation of microporosity attributable to dendritic growth. The product has a cast microstructure having a cellular and/or planar solidification structure free of dendritic growth and having multidirectional columnar grains.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for an exhaust gas recirculation system. In one example, an exhaust gas recirculation cooler includes a first section, arranged proximate to an exhaust gas inlet of the EGR cooler and including a first plurality of tubes and a first plurality of fins coupled to the first plurality of tubes, where at least one of the first plurality of tubes and the first plurality of fins are comprised of a first material that has a first coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE); and a second section, arranged downstream of the first section and including a second plurality of tubes and a second plurality of fins coupled to the second plurality of tubes, where the second plurality of tubes and the second plurality of fins are comprised of a second material that has a second CTE, the second CTE greater than the first CTE.

Abstract: In a process and apparatus for treating produced water, the produced water flows through a series of treatment units. A portion of the produced water may by-pass one or more of the treatment units but the by-pass portion may be such that the treated water is still acceptable, for example for discharge or reuse. Concentrations of oil and grease, organic carbon, silica, pH or related parameters in the produced water may be monitored and used to control the process or apparatus. Control of the process may involve one or more of altering a by-pass portion, altering the addition of chemicals, and altering the operation of a unit process. The process may be controlled to respond to upset conditions, or such that the concentration of one or more limiting contaminants is near, but not over, a specified maximum for re-use or discharge.

Abstract: The present inventive subject matter is directed to repair compositions for thermal barrier coatings and methods of use thereof. The repair compositions include a ceramic composition, a colloidal solution, an aqueous binder, an aqueous dispersant, and an aqueous ammonia solution. The ceramic composition includes a first population of yttria-stabilized zirconia particles having a mean diameter from about 250 nm to about 1000 nm, a second population of yttria-stabilized zirconia particles having a mean diameter from about 2 ?m to about 10 ?m, and a third population of yttria-stabilized zirconia particles having a mean diameter from about 20 ?m to about 250 ?m. One method includes depositing the repair layer onto the damaged region, the repair layer including the repair composition, and heat treating the repair layer.

Abstract: Processes for producing continuous bulk forms of iron-silicon alloys and bulk forms produced thereby. Such a bulk form is continuous in a longitudinal direction thereof and has a continuous cross-sectional form transverse to the longitudinal direction. The bulk form is formed of an Fe—Si alloy and has a crystallographic texture that comprises <111> and {110} fibers that are inclined relative to the longitudinal direction. The bulk form may be produced by a process that includes deforming a solid body formed of an Fe—Si alloy with a cutting tool in a single step to continuously produce a continuous bulk form from material obtained from the solid body.

Abstract: A foodstuffs preparation device suitable for preparing breadstuff-based goods, the device comprises a hollow cylindrical tube having an open first end, a second end and a side wall, the side wall defining a tube channel, the first end including a cutting arrangement, the side wall defining an elongate aperture with an anterior end proximal to the first end and a posterior end distal from the first end, wherein the aperture is suitable for the insertion of a foodstuff into the tube channel.

Abstract: Embodiments herein include methods and systems for use in delivering resources to a client device over a local network. An exemplary system comprises a plurality of caching devices operable to cache resources on behalf of a plurality of content providers, and a local caching device communicatively situated between an access network and the client device, wherein the access network is communicably situated between the plurality of caching devices and the local caching device. The local caching device is operable to retrieve a requested resource from at least one of the plurality of caching devices, deliver the requested resource to the client device over the local network, and store the requested resource for future requests by other client devices.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems, apparatuses, and methods for assembling cartridges for aerosol delivery devices. A system may include assembly cells each including an assembly track and assembly carriages that ride thereon and which engage components of partially-assembled cartridges. A transfer apparatus may transfer partially-assembled cartridges between the assembly cells. In another example system, cartridges may be assembled on platforms on a rotary track. The platforms may include assembly grippers with sequentially-opening clamps configured to receive the components of the partially-assembled cartridges. Related methods are also provided.

Abstract: Generally, this disclosure relates to expression constructs that encode a reporter enzyme-affinity binding tag fusion protein that is produced after the construct is inserted into bacteriophage and the bacteriophage infects bacteria. In some embodiments, the fusion protein is captured and produces a detectable signal. Signal intensity may correlate with the number of bacterial cells in a fluid sample. Methods of detecting bacteria using the expression constructs, and microfluidic devices for detecting bacteria using the expression constructs are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems, apparatuses, and methods for assembling cartridges for aerosol delivery devices. A system may include assembly cells each including an assembly track and assembly carriages that ride thereon and which engage components of partially-assembled cartridges. A transfer apparatus may transfer partially-assembled cartridges between the assembly cells. In another example system, cartridges may be assembled on platforms on a rotary track. The platforms may include assembly grippers with sequentially-opening clamps configured to receive the components of the partially-assembled cartridges. Related methods are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to repair compositions for thermal barrier coatings and methods of use thereof. The repair compositions include a ceramic composition, a colloidal solution, an aqueous binder, an aqueous dispersant, and an aqueous ammonia solution. The ceramic composition includes a first population of yttria-stabilized zirconia particles having a mean diameter from about 250 nm to about 1000 nm, a second population of yttria-stabilized zirconia particles having a mean diameter from about 2 ?m to about 10 ?m, and a third population of yttria-stabilized zirconia particles having a mean diameter from about 20 ?m to about 250 ?m. One method includes depositing the repair layer onto the damaged region, the repair layer including the repair composition, and heat treating the repair layer.

Abstract: Processes for producing continuous bulk forms of iron-silicon alloys and bulk forms produced thereby. Such a bulk form is continuous in a longitudinal direction thereof and has a continuous cross-sectional form transverse to the longitudinal direction. The bulk form is formed of an Fe—Si alloy and has a crystallographic texture that comprises <111> and {110} fibers that are inclined relative to the longitudinal direction. The bulk form may be produced by a process that includes deforming a solid body formed of an Fe—Si alloy with a cutting tool in a single step to continuously produce a continuous bulk form from material obtained from the solid body.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed at an umbrella including a canopy having a set of canopy portions; and a frame portion comprising a shaft portion; a sliding collar assembly coupled to the shaft portion and sliding along the shaft portion; and a set of ribs, each of the independent ribs attached to one of the set of canopy portions and to the sliding collar assembly, where each of the set of ribs move independently of each other when a high wind force is experienced by one of the canopy portions.