Abstract: Probe systems and methods for automatically maintaining alignment between a probe and a device under test (DUT) during a temperature change. The methods include collecting an initial image of a planar offset fiducial and determining an initial height reference of a height offset fiducial. The methods further include changing a temperature of the DUT, automatically maintaining a planar alignment between a probe and the DUT during the changing, and automatically maintaining a height alignment between the probe and the BUT during the changing. The probe systems include a chuck, which defines a support surface configured to support a substrate that includes the DUT, and a probe head assembly, which includes a probe configured to contact a corresponding contact pad of the DUT. The probe systems further include a substrate thermal module, which is configured to regulate a temperature of the DUT, and a controller programmed to execute the methods.

Abstract: Container systems for manipulating growth of a plant or a portion thereof in a controlled environment are provided. The growth of the plant can be controlled for ornamental benefit, commercial benefit or both. The container system may comprise separable modular sections, thereby allowing control over the growth of different parts of the plant. The separate modular sections may be assembled together to control the growth of the entire plant.

Abstract: A hazard detection system measures a color and intensity of a portion of an image of a scene. The image is obtained using a known gain and/or exposure such that the image substantially lacks any saturation. A black body brightness temperature and the corresponding block body intensity are determined based on the measured color. A hazard condition, such the presence of a flame, can be detected using a comparison of the measured intensity and the computed intensity. The gain and/or exposure can be selected such that only the pixels of intensity greater than a certain threshold generally saturate in the captured image. Hazard conditions, such as smoke, can be detected using images in which selective saturation is permitted.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a rigid frame or girder system, a first computer controlled motion system associated with the rigid frame or girder system and configured to move in coordinated positions, a second computer controlled motion system associated with a part to be worked on and configured to move in coordinated positions, and a plurality of sensors associated with the first motion system and the second motion system. The first computer controlled motion system and the second computer controlled motion system use information from the plurality of sensors to assist in coordination between the first computer controlled motion system and the second computer controlled motion system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a switching module for creating, and operating secure networks of data sources and monitoring stations, and for providing controlled access to the data sources and monitoring stations from public networks.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in 3D fabrication includes a heat sink, a melt tube extending through the heat sink, the melt tube having a first end and an opposite second end and adapted for melting filament or other material as the material is conveyed from the first end to the second end, a pen tip having an opening therein for ejecting melted material, the pen tip at the second end of the melt tube, and a pen tip holder for securely holding the pen tip during printing, the pen tip holder having a heater element associated therewith.

Abstract: The invention relates to a switching module for creating and operating secure networks of data sources and monitoring stations, and for providing controlled access to the data sources and monitoring stations from public networks.

Abstract: A hazard detection system measures a color and intensity of a portion of an image of a scene. The image is obtained using a known gain and/or exposure such that the image substantially lacks any saturation. A black body brightness temperature and the corresponding block body intensity are determined based on the measured color. A hazard condition, such the presence of a flame, can be detected using a comparison of the measured intensity and the computed intensity. The gain and/or exposure can be selected such that only the pixels of intensity greater than a certain threshold generally saturate in the captured image. Hazard conditions, such as smoke, can be detected using images in which selective saturation is permitted.

Abstract: Methods are provided for ascertaining the sequence of a genomic DNA sample by nicking the DNA sample with a restriction nicking enzyme, followed by nick translation with labeled nucleotides, such that the labeled nucleotides can be quantified and compared to a known, reference genome.

Abstract: Cervical cancer cells and HPV+ head and neck cancer cells express three testis-specific genes not normally expressed in somatic cells: testicular cell adhesion molecule 1 (TCAM1), synaptonemal complex protein 2 (SYCP2) and stromal antigen 3 (STAG3). Among the three markers, TCAM1 and SYCP2 are early detection markers. Various methods for identifying a human or non-human animal as a candidate for further examination for cervical cancer, preneoplastic lesion for cervical cancer, head and neck cancer, or preneoplastic lesion for head and neck cancer are disclosed. Methods of detecting said cancers and preneoplastic lesions, methods of screening for drugs for treating said cancers and preneoplastic lesions, methods for monitoring the effectiveness of a treatment for said cancers, and methods of treating said cancers are also disclosed. Further disclosed are kits that can be used to practice the above methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to a switching module for creating and operating secure networks of data sources and monitoring stations, and for providing controlled access to the data sources and monitoring stations from public networks.

Abstract: Cervical cancer cells and HPV+ head and neck cancer cells express three testis-specific genes not normally expressed in somatic cells: testicular cell adhesion molecule 1 (TCAM1), synaptonemal complex protein 2 (SYCP2) and stromal antigen 3 (STAG3). Among the three markers, TCAM1 and SYCP2 are early detection markers. Various methods for identifying a human or non-human animal as a candidate for further examination for cervical cancer, preneoplastic lesion for cervical cancer, head and neck cancer, or preneoplastic lesion for head and neck cancer are disclosed. Methods of detecting said cancers and preneoplastic lesions, methods of screening for drugs for treating said cancers and preneoplastic lesions, methods for monitoring the effectiveness of a treatment for said cancers, and methods of treating said cancers are also disclosed. Further disclosed are kits that can be used to practice the above methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for providing customized, event-triggered messages in response to emergency events, such as natural disasters and man-made events. The methods and systems provide a set of messages related to responding to the emergency event and a set of rules relating to the distribution of the messages, receive an indication that the emergency event has occurred, and in response to the indication, transmit at least one of the messages to at least one message receiver based at least in part on at least one attribute of the message receiver to at least one of instruct and inform recipients of the messages of the emergency event and the action to be taken in response to the emergency event.

Abstract: A rear axle assembly for a vehicle having an engine and a rear wheel including an axle configured to couple to the rear wheel, a compensator bowl coupled to the axle and having a ring gear, and a drive member coupled to the compensator bowl. The drive member is configured to be driven by the engine to rotate the axle in a forward direction. The rear axle assembly also includes a motor selectively engageable with the ring gear. The motor is operable to drive the ring gear to rotate the axle in a reverse direction.

Abstract: Cervical cancer cells and HPV+ head and neck cancer cells express three testis-specific genes not normally expressed in somatic cells: testicular cell adhesion molecule 1 (TCAM1), synaptonemal complex protein 2 (SYCP2) and stromal antigen 3 (STAG3). Among the three markers, TCAM1 and SYCP2 are early detection markers. Various methods for identifying a human or non-human animal as a candidate for further examination for cervical cancer, preneoplastic lesion for cervical cancer, head and neck cancer, or preneoplastic lesion for head and neck cancer are disclosed. Methods of detecting said cancers and preneoplastic lesions, methods of screening for drugs for treating said cancers and preneoplastic lesions, methods for monitoring the effectiveness of a treatment for said cancers, and methods of treating said cancers are also disclosed. Further disclosed are kits that can be used to practice the above methods.

Abstract: Methods are provided for ascertaining the sequence of a genomic DNA sample by nicking the DNA sample with a restriction nicking enzyme, followed by nick translation with labeled nucleotides, such that the labeled nucleotides can be quantified and compared to a known, reference genome.

Abstract: An electrosurgical system includes a generator for generating radio frequency power, and an electrosurgical instrument including at least three electrodes and. The generator includes a radio frequency output stage having at least a pair of RF output lines, and a power supply coupled to the output stage for supplying power to the output stage. A controller is operable to limit the radio frequency output voltage developed across the output lines to at least a first predetermined threshold value to produce a cutting RF waveform, and a second threshold value to produce a coagulating RF waveform. In a combined mode, the controller delivers both cutting and coagulating waveforms, either simultaneously or by alternating constantly between the first and second threshold values to form a blended signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for providing customized, event-triggered messages in response to emergency events, such as natural disasters and man-made events. The methods and systems provide a set of messages related to responding to the emergency event and a set of rules relating to the distribution of the messages, receive an indication that the emergency event has occurred, and in response to the indication, transmit at least one of the messages to at least one message receiver based at least in part on at least one attribute of the message receiver to at least one of instruct and inform recipients of the messages of the emergency event and the action to be taken in response to the emergency event.

Abstract: A wagering game for one or more players comprising (a) a random result generator for generating a specific random result, and (b) a playing surface (100) including a first betting zone (20) for placement of first wagers corresponding to a plurality of likely random results; and a second betting zone (30) for placement of second wagers corresponding to a first or second outcome wherein the likely random result is compared to the specific random result for a match and the first or second outcomes are determined by a comparison of the specific random result with either a predetermined specific random result or a successive specific random result.

Abstract: A dry powder inhaler for delivering a dose of medicament for inhalation by a user, including a drug entrainment device and a valve actuable by a user to cause pressurised gas to flow through a dose of medicament disposed in the drug entrainment device to entrain said dose in the gas, the valve comprising a valve member (28) configured such that, in a first mode, pressurised gas biases the valve member (28) into an open state to allow the flow of gas through the valve and, in a second mode, pressurised gas biases the valve member (28) into a closed state to prevent the flow of gas through the valve.