Abstract: A separation container for extracting a portion of a sample for use or testing and method for preparing samples for downstream use or testing are provided. The separation container may include a body defining an internal chamber. The body may define an opening, and the body may be configured to receive the sample within the internal chamber. The separation container may further include a seal disposed across the opening, such that the seal may be configured to seal the opening of the body, and a plunger movably disposed at least partially inside the internal chamber. The plunger may be configured to be actuated to open the seal and express the portion of the sample.

Abstract: A bottle neck insert can include a cylindrical body having a first end and a second end, the cylindrical body having a plurality of rings; a flange provided at the first end, the flange protruding outwardly from the cylindrical body in a radial direction of the cylindrical body; and a valve section at the second end, the valve section having at least one slit, wherein the flange is configured to seat the insert onto a neck of a bottle and the valve section is configured to allow a pipette to pass through. A bottle storage system, can include a bottle having a neck with a smooth interior surface; an insert that is configured to fit inside the neck of the bottle; and a pipette assembly that is configured to proceed through the insert into the bottle.

Abstract: A bottle neck insert can include a cylindrical body having a first end and a second end, the cylindrical body having a plurality of rings; a flange provided at the first end, the flange protruding outwardly from the cylindrical body in a radial direction of the cylindrical body; and a valve section at the second end, the valve section having at least one slit, wherein the flange is configured to seat the insert onto a neck of a bottle and the valve section is configured to allow a pipette to pass through. A bottle storage system, can include a bottle having a neck with a smooth interior surface; an insert that is configured to fit inside the neck of the bottle; and a pipette assembly that is configured to proceed through the insert into the bottle.

Abstract: A computer network includes a user computer connected to a communications network, an encryption/decryption device connected to the user computer, a plurality of authentication servers connected to the communications network, an authentication server selector that determines a near authentication server for the user computer from the plurality of authentication servers, wherein the user computer is connected to the near authentication server through the communication network. In a system including a first and second computing device which each store the same series of at least one value and each store a plurality of encrypting and decrypting processes, the first computing device establishing an encrypted communications session with the second computing device using at least one of the plurality of encrypting and decrypting processes selected from the plurality of encryption and decryption processes.