Abstract: Described are exemplary methods for dispensing liquid from a handheld, powered positive displacement pipette.

Abstract: Described are exemplary embodiments of a handheld, powered positive displacement pipette having unique mechanisms for the retention, identification and ejection of associated pipette syringes.

Abstract: User devices are disclosed for managing a plurality of supplemental payment sources of a user. One method includes: generating and displaying a user interface prompting a user to input: an identifier of a primary payment source account for applying resources to transactions originating at one or more merchants, the primary payment source account being accounted for in a first data structure of a shared ledger and having its identifier linked with one or more supplemental payment source accounts; identifiers of one or more supplemental payment source accounts for applying resources to transactions originating at one or more merchants, the supplemental payment source accounts being accounted for in second and subsequent data structures of the shared ledger; and preference settings for applying resources of the primary payment source account and the supplemental payment source accounts to transactions, based on identities or categories of merchants involved in the transactions.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for managing a plurality of supplemental payment sources of a user. One method includes: receiving a primary payment source account of a user for a purchase transaction originating at the merchant, the primary payment source account having an identifier associated with one or more supplemental payment source accounts; receiving supplemental payment source accounts of a user for applying to a payment transaction originating at the merchant; receiving, from a user device, preference settings to apply one or more of the supplemental payment source accounts to a payment transaction; receiving a transaction authorization request from the merchant or merchant acquirer for a transaction amount; and determining a combination of payment source accounts to use in the payment transaction, from a group comprising one or more supplemental payment source accounts and the primary payment source account, and any of one or more preference settings.

Abstract: A composition, kit and method useful in a multi-stage washing method for cleaning an aluminum or aluminum alloy containers while reducing hazardous exposure of workers to toxic levels of hydrogen fluoride or ammonium bifluoride employs a stable, neutralized ammonium bifluoride-containing accelerator solution for addition to an acidic wash solution.

Abstract: Devices and methods for treating intraocular pressure are disclosed. The devices include shunts for draining aqueous humor from the anterior chamber to the uveoscleral outflow pathway, including the supraciliary space and the suprachoroidal space. The shunts are preferably implanted by ab interno procedures.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating ocular disorders are disclosed. One system has a delivery instrument, with a non-linear axis, configured to be inserted into an anterior chamber of an eye and moved to a location proximate a physiologic outflow pathway of the eye. The delivery instrument carries an implant that has a distal end sized for insertion into tissue such that aqueous humor drains from the anterior chamber to the physiologic outflow pathway. One method involves inserting a non-linear portion of a delivery device into the anterior chamber to position an implant within the eye. Another method involves using a delivery device with a curved distal portion to implant an implant at a location communicating with the physiologic outflow pathway. The delivery can be through a corneal incision and the implant can comprise a drug.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for enhancing the expression of human beta defensin 2 (HBD2) in human colon epithelium cells. The method comprises orally administering a composition comprising hyaluronan, where said hyaluronan has a molecular weight within the range of about 35 kDa.

Abstract: The present invention provides a collapsible intermodal container stacker, comprising: a stationary section and a movable section disposed adjacent the stationary section. The stationary section comprises: a substantially upright planar face part; and a side wall securing device configured to operatively connect to a first side wall of a collapsible intermodal container and to secure the first side wall in use against or with respect to the planar face part. The movable section comprises: a track extending substantially perpendicular to the planar face part; a carriage engaged with and movable along the track, the carriage being configured to attach to a second side wall of the collapsible intermodal container in use; and a lower wall moving device configured to operatively connect to a lower wall of the collapsible intermodal container and to move the lower wall in use such that the lower wall pivots upwards.

Abstract: The invention provides a collapsible intermodal container (10, 10?, 10?), comprising: first and second opposing side walls (12, 14), the first side wall (12) extending substantially parallel to the second side wall (14), each of the first and second side walls (12, 14) having a lower end portion (12b, 14b) and an upper end portion (12a, 14a); an upper wall (16) hingedly attached to the upper end portion (12b) of the first side wall (12); and a lower wall (18) hingedly attached to the lower end portion (14a) of the second side wall (14).

Abstract: The present invention provides a collapsible intermodal container (10, 10?, 10?), comprising: first and second opposing parallel side walls (12, 14), the first side wall (14) being connected to the second side wall (12) such that the collapsible intermodal container is configurable between an erected configuration in which the first and second side walls (12, 14) are spaced apart by a first distance (D1) to define an interior for storing goods, and a collapsed configuration in which the first and second side walls (12, 14) are spaced apart by a second distance (D2) which is less than the first distance (D1). The collapsible intermodal container (10, 10?, 10?) further comprises front and rear end assemblies (24, 26) for closing front and rear ends of the container in the erected configuration and for controlling access to the interior, each of the front and rear end assemblies (24, 26) being hingedly attached to the first side wall (14).

Abstract: This application relates to systems and methods of distributing orders for articles, in which a request is received from a user comprising an article identifier and a user identifier. The article identifier is compared with an inventory database which comprises a list of available articles, if the article identifier matches an available article, the user identifier is then compared with an identifier database which comprises a list of user identifiers and a corresponding list of articles previously supplied to each listed user identifier. If the article identifier is not listed in the identifier database as being previously supplied to the user identifier then a fulfilment request is forwarded to a fulfilment system and the article delivered to the user.

Abstract: User devices are disclosed for managing a plurality of supplemental payment sources of a user. One method includes: generating and displaying a user interface prompting a user to input: an identifier of a primary payment source account for applying resources to transactions originating at one or more merchants, the primary payment source account being accounted for in a first data structure of a shared ledger and having its identifier linked with one or more supplemental payment source accounts; identifiers of one or more supplemental payment source accounts for applying resources to transactions originating at one or more merchants, the supplemental payment source accounts being accounted for in second and subsequent data structures of the shared ledger; and preference settings for applying resources of the primary payment source account and the supplemental payment source accounts to transactions, based on identities or categories of merchants involved in the transactions.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for managing a plurality of supplemental payment sources of a user. One method includes: receiving a primary payment source account of a user for a purchase transaction originating at the merchant, the primary payment source account having an identifier associated with one or more supplemental payment source accounts; receiving supplemental payment source accounts of a user for applying to a payment transaction originating at the merchant; receiving, from a user device, preference settings to apply one or more of the supplemental payment source accounts to a payment transaction; receiving a transaction authorization request from the merchant or merchant acquirer for a transaction amount; and determining a combination of payment source accounts to use in the payment transaction, from a group comprising one or more supplemental payment source accounts and the primary payment source account, and any of one or more preference settings.

Abstract: A dock device connects participating devices such as a tablet device and an audio activated device, allowing them to operate as a single device. These participating devices may be associated with different accounts, each account being associated with particular “speechlets” or data processing functions. A natural language understanding (NLU) system uses NLU models to process text obtained from an automatic speech recognition (ASR) system to determine a set of possible intents. A second set of possible intents may then be generated that is limited to those possible intents that correspond to the speechlets associated with the docked device. The intents within the second set of possible intents are ranked, and the highest ranked intent may be deemed to be the intent of the user. Command data corresponding to the highest ranked intent may be generated and used to perform the action associated with that intent.

Abstract: Surgical methods and related medical devices for treating ocular disorders are disclosed. Some methods relate to delivering an implant within an eye, and involve providing an elongate guide device, such as, a flexible guide member or a guide wire. A distal end of the guide device can be advanced into an anterior chamber of an eye, or through at least a portion of a site of resistance along a physiologic outflow pathway of the eye, or from an anterior chamber of the eye to a location proximate a physiologic outflow pathway of the eye. The implant is advanced along the guide device toward the guide device distal end, and is positioned to conduct aqueous humor between the anterior chamber and the physiologic outflow pathway.

Abstract: There is provided a content automation system and a method for use by the content automation system for issuing a content management message for use in a program stream. In one implementation, such a content automation system comprises a processor and a memory, and a stream messaging module residing in the memory. The stream messaging module is configured to issue the content management message by embedding a command sequence as metadata in a container data structure, and inserting the container data structure into the program stream. The command sequence authorizes a replacement of program stream content.

Abstract: A method is provided for treatment of cataract in combination with a glaucoma procedure while maintaining the intraocular pressure by permitting aqueous to flow out of an anterior chamber of the eye through a surgically stented pathway. A trabecular stent is adapted for implantation within the trabecular meshwork of an eye such that intraocular liquid flows controllably from the anterior chamber of the eye to Schlemm's canal, bypassing the trabecular meshwork. Depending upon the specific treatment contemplated, pharmaceuticals may be utilized in conjunction with the trabecular stent enabling post-cataract healing processes.

Abstract: User devices are disclosed for managing a plurality of supplemental payment sources of a user. One method includes: generating and displaying a user interface prompting a user to input: an identifier of a primary payment source account for applying resources to transactions originating at one or more merchants, the primary payment source account being accounted for in a first data structure of a shared ledger and having its identifier linked with one or more supplemental payment source accounts; identifiers of one or more supplemental payment source accounts for applying resources to transactions originating at one or more merchants, the supplemental payment source accounts being accounted for in second and subsequent data structures of the shared ledger; and preference settings for applying resources of the primary payment source account and the supplemental payment source accounts to transactions, based on identities or categories of merchants involved in the transactions.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for managing a plurality of supplemental payment sources of a user. One method includes: receiving a primary payment source account of a user for a purchase transaction originating at the merchant, the primary payment source account having an identifier associated with one or more supplemental payment source accounts; receiving supplemental payment source accounts of a user for applying to a payment transaction originating at the merchant; receiving, from a user device, preference settings to apply one or more of the supplemental payment source accounts to a payment transaction; receiving a transaction authorization request from the merchant or merchant acquirer for a transaction amount; and determining a combination of payment source accounts to use in the payment transaction, from a group comprising one or more supplemental payment source accounts and the primary payment source account, and any of one or more preference settings.