Abstract: A non-repudiable transaction protocol system includes a memory, at least one processor in communication with the memory, an operating system executing on the at least one processor, a resource manager configured to manage a storage system, and a transaction manager. The transaction manager is configured to provide NRO-W evidence of a work request from a client to the resource manager and provide NRR-W evidence to the client that the resource manager has completed initial work for the work request. Additionally, the transaction manager is configured to provide NRO-C evidence to the resource manager that the client requested completion of the initial work and NRR-C evidence to the client that the resource manager promised to execute the completion. Each of the NRO-W evidence, the NRR-W evidence, the NRO-C evidence, and the NRR-C evidence are exchanged to prevent either one of the client and the resource manager from gaining an advantage.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for characterizing a target, e.g., microbial samples or biological toxins, includes labeling the target with a biomolecular recognition construct and measuring an atomic-spectra signal of the biomolecular recognition construct. The method can include heating the labeled target before measuring the atomic-spectra signal. The atomic-spectra signal can be measured by performing laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy. The atomic-spectra signal can be measured by performing spark induced breakdown spectroscopy. The biomolecular recognition construct can be prepared by tagging a biological scaffolding with a metal atom or ion. In an aspect in which the target includes a microbial sample, the biological scaffolding can include an antibody against epitopes present on bacterial surface, the antibody linked to a heavy metal. In an aspect in which the target includes a biological toxin, the biological scaffolding can include an antibody against the biological toxin linked to heavy metals.

Abstract: A training sled configurable for adding weights in some embodiments to increase friction and provide for weight-training by lifting portions of the sled. Sled components are slidably or pivotably connected to permit lifting a shoulder member of the sled to different heights and to achieve an optimal training angle.

Abstract: Various examples are directed to systems and methods for executing distributed transactions. A transaction manager may send to a resource manager a first prepare message that describes a first work item to be performed by the resource manager for a first transaction. The transaction manager may also send to the resource manager a second prepare message that describes a second work item to be performed by the resource manager for a second transaction. The transaction manager may detect a flush event and send to the resource manager a batch commit message instructing the resource manager to commit the first work item and the second work item.

Abstract: A system for the identification of micro-organisms includes an irradiation unit adapted to sequentially provide coherent electromagnetic radiation of one or more wavelengths along a common optical path. A holder is adapted to retain a substrate having a surface adapted for growth of a micro-organism colony. A beamsplitter is adapted to direct the coherent electromagnetic radiation from the common optical path towards the retained substrate. An imager is arranged opposite the beamsplitter from the retained substrate and is adapted to obtain images of backward-scattered light patterns from the micro-organism colony irradiated by the respective wavelengths of the directed coherent electromagnetic radiation. Some examples provide radiation of multiple wavelengths and include an imager arranged optically downstream of the retained substrate to obtain images of forward-scattered light patterns from the micro-organism colony irradiated by the wavelengths of radiation.

Abstract: A measurement system includes a system for causing relative motion between a sample and an irradiation spot. The sample includes fluorescent markers having respective wavelengths. A gating system provides a gating signal based at least in part on resultant light substantially at an irradiation wavelength. A detection system detects fluorescent light from the irradiated markers and provides detection signals representing the fluorescent light detected concurrently with a gate-open signal. In some examples, the detection system detects fluorescent light at multiple wavelengths and provides respective detection signals. A spectral discriminator arranged optically between the sample and the detection system receives the fluorescent light from the sample and provides respective fluorescent light at the wavelengths to the detection system. A flow cytometer can spectrally disperse resultant fluorescent light and measure the wavelengths separately.

Abstract: A method of modifying the output of an output device is provided. A first code, associated with a first recipient party, is received and used to generate, within the output device, a second code, the second code containing encoded data identifying the first recipient party and instructions for activating an additional functionality of the output device. The additional functionality is activated in accordance with the instructions contained in the second code. The output of the output device is modified according to data encoded in the second code, to encode a third code in the output of the output device, the third code including an ID code associated with the first recipient party.

Abstract: A method performed by a computing system includes receiving from a publishing entity a message and a first piece of evidence that the message was sent by the publishing entity, time-stamping the first piece of evidence, storing the time-stamped first piece of evidence, sending the message to a first subscribing entity, receiving from the first subscribing entity a second piece of evidence that the message was received by the first subscribing entity, time-stamping the second piece of evidence, and storing the time-stamped second piece of evidence.

Abstract: According to an aspect, a system may an online education platform configured to provide an online course over a network to a plurality of computing devices. The online course may provide education content in which learners view and interact with the education content. The online education platform may include a content editor may provide an authoring tool on a computing device associated with an instructor of the online course. The authoring tool may develop or change the education content associated with the online course. The content editor may include an education content converter to receive the education content via the authoring tool in a first format, and the education content converter may convert the first format to a second format. The content editor may be configured to provide the education content having the second format to the plurality of computing devices associated with the learners.

Abstract: An image flow cytometer for observing a microparticulate sample includes a flow chamber having a flow channel that permits the microparticulate sample to travel in a flow direction. An irradiation system scans an irradiation spot across a sensing area of the flow channel in a scan direction different from the flow direction. A detection system detects resultant light from the sensing area and provides a detection signal. An alignment system alters a location of the sensing area with respect to the flow chamber. A control unit causes the irradiation system to scan the irradiation spot during a first measurement interval and operates the alignment system to translate the location of the sensing area along the flow direction. The flow chamber can be mounted to a movable stage in some examples, and the alignment system can move the flow chamber substantially opposite the flow direction using the stage.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to a system that improves heat distribution throughout an internal cooking cavity of an oven. The embodiments described may find particular use in ovens used on-board passenger transport vehicles, but they may also be incorporated into other ovens, such as residential and other commercial ovens.

Abstract: A method of modifying the output of an output device is provided. A first code, associated with a first recipient party, is received and used to generate, within the output device, a second code, the second code containing encoded data identifying the first recipient party and instructions for activating an additional functionality of the output device. The additional functionality is activated in accordance with the instructions contained in the second code. The output of the output device is modified according to data encoded in the second code, to encode a third code in the output of the output device, the third code including an ID code associated with the first recipient party.

Abstract: A density meter for measuring the density of a fluid, having a base plate, wherein a spring element is clamped to the base plate; a torpedo, wherein the torpedo comprises a known weight, and wherein the torpedo is attached or coupled to the spring element; and a sensor, wherein the sensor measures a deflection of the spring element, as the torpedo displaces a volume of fluid.

Abstract: An image flow cytometer has a flow chamber with a flow channel formed therein to permit a microparticulate sample to flow through the flow channel. An irradiation optical system irradiates the sample in the channel with incident light in an irradiation spot smaller than a selected representative size, e.g., smaller than the sample. The system scans an irradiation position perpendicular to the flow direction of the sample. A detection optical system is opposed to the irradiation optical system through the flow chamber, or is off the optical axis of the incident light. The detection system detects a light intensity of resultant light from the flow chamber. A control unit detects the microparticulate sample according to a change of the light intensity of the resultant light detected by the detection optical system.

Abstract: A target within a sample can be characterized using an energy source configured to transform a metal in the sample into a plasma and an optical spectroscopic detector configured to detect electromagnetic radiation emitted by the plasma to provide an optical-spectrum signal. A processor can determine presence of the metal in the sample using the optical-spectrum signal. The target can include a microbe or biological toxin. A recognition construct comprising a metal and a scaffold can be applied to the sample. The scaffold can bind to the target. Energy can be applied to transform at least some of the sample into a plasma. Electromagnetic radiation emitted by the plasma can be detected to provide an optical-spectrum signal of the sample. A preparation subsystem can add the recognition construct to the sample and a washing subsystem can wash unbound recognition construct out of the sample.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for enlisting single phase commit resources in a two phase commit transaction. An exemplary method includes accessing a global transaction having a plurality of processes requiring single phase commit (1PC) resource and a two phase commit (2PC) resource, initializing a 1PC resource manager for the 1PC resource with a first process of the plurality of processes, wherein the first process requires the 1PC resource, preparing a 2PC resource manager for the 2PC resource with a second process of the plurality of processes, wherein the second process requires the 2PC resource, generating a unique identifier for the 1PC resource, transmitting the unique identifier to the 1PC resource manager, and instructing the 1PC resource manager to commit the first process to the 1PC resource, wherein committing the first process to the 1PC resource comprises recording the unique identifier to the 1PC resource.