Abstract: The present application discloses regioselectively substituted cellulose esters, films made from the regioselectively substituted cellulose esters and methods for making the same. The regioselectively substituted cellulose esters are synthesized using trifluoroacetic anhydride and cellulose with various acyl donors or acyl donor precursors.

Abstract: The present application discloses regioselectively substituted cellulose esters, films made from the regioselectively substituted cellulose esters and methods for making the same. The regioselectively substituted cellulose esters are synthesized using trifluoroacetic anhydride and cellulose with various acyl donors or acyl donor precursors.

Abstract: A method includes receiving an indication from a client computing device that a first user has selected one or more options from a composer interface to schedule a live video for broadcast by the first user at a future start time. The method also includes determining one or more second users who are connected to the first user in a social graph and sending a first notification to each of the second users. Each notification includes a first selectable option to receive a future notification about the live video. The method also includes sending a second notification to each of the second users who selected the first selectable option, the second notification including a second selectable option to view the live video. The method also includes providing the live video for display to the second users who select the second selectable option.

Abstract: Processes and systems for separating a mixture including at least one fluorocarboxylic acid and at least one carboxylic acid are provided herein. In some aspects, the present invention relates to processes and systems configured to provide a purified stream of fluorocarboxylic acid and a purified stream of carboxylic acid, even when the mixture includes an azeotrope, a pinch point, and/or a eutectic mixture of the fluorocarboxylic acid and carboxylic acid. Systems as described herein may include, for example, at least one distillation zone and at least one fractional crystallization zone arranged in series and configured to provide highly purified product streams having compositions heretofore unachievable by conventional means.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for forming enals from corresponding alehydes in a single enclosed unit such as a divided wall reaction distillation unit. The method of the present invention includes (a) feeding an aldehyde feed stream comprising at least one aldehyde reactant into a reaction zone contained within said single enclosed unit; (b) reacting said at least one aldehyde reactant in said reaction zone in the presence of a catalyst to form an enal-containing reaction zone effluent comprising an enal; (c) purifying said enal-containing reaction zone effluent in a first separation zone within said single enclosed unit to form an enal-rich product mixture and a residual unreacted aldehyde mixture; and (d) collecting from said single enclosed unit at least a portion of said enal-rich product mixture. The method of the present invention results in high enal yields at a markedly reduced capital cost and energy consumption as compared to prior art processes.

Abstract: Electrophoretic separation devices and methods for using the same are provided. Aspects of the devices include a polymeric separation medium that includes a plurality of microwells. Also provided are methods, systems and kits in which the subject devices find use. The devices and methods find use in a variety of different electrophoretic separation applications.

Abstract: Microfluidic devices for determining whether an analyte is present in a sample are provided. The microfluidic devices include a polymeric medium that includes a first analyte detection domain having a first covalently bound capture member that specifically binds to a first analyte, and a second analyte detection domain having a second covalently bound capture member that specifically binds to a second analyte. Also provided are methods of using the subject microfluidic device, systems and kits that use the subject microfluidic devices, as well as methods of producing the same.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optimized process and apparatus for more efficiently and economically carrying out the liquid-phase oxidation of an oxidizable compound. Such liquid-phase oxidation is carried out in a bubble column reactor that provides for a highly efficient reaction at relatively low temperatures. When the oxidized compound is para-xylene and the product from the oxidation reaction is crude terephthalic acid (CTA), such CTA product can be purified and separated by more economical techniques than could be employed if the CTA were formed by a conventional high-temperature oxidation process.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving an indication that a first user has selected an option to broadcast a live video at a future start time and determining one or more second users who are connected to the first user in a social graph. The method also includes sending a notification to each of the second users about the live video. Each notification includes a selectable option to view the live video. The method also includes providing a lobby interface for display to the particular second user in response to receiving an indication that a particular second user has selected the selectable option to view the live video within a predetermined amount of time before the future start time of the live video. The lobby interface enables the second users to interact with one another before the future start time of the live video.

Abstract: A method includes receiving an indication from a client computing device that a first user has selected one or more options from a composer interface to schedule a live video for broadcast by the first user at a future start time. The method also includes determining one or more second users who are connected to the first user in a social graph and sending a first notification to each of the second users. Each notification includes a first selectable option to receive a future notification about the live video. The method also includes sending a second notification to each of the second users who selected the first selectable option, the second notification including a second selectable option to view the live video. The method also includes providing the live video for display to the second users who select the second selectable option.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to methods and systems for on demand droplet generation and impedance based detection. The microfluidic system can utilize an electrical sensor for detecting an electrical property of a fluid and for generating an electrical signal indicating a change in the electrical property of the fluid; a droplet generator coupled to the electrical sensor configured to generate the droplet from the fluid in response to the electrical signal from the electrical sensor; and a microfluidic channel coupled to the droplet generator for receiving the droplet. The method for generating droplets involves measuring an electrical property of the fluid, transmitting an electrical signal indicative of the electrical property, and forming the droplets from the fluid based on the electrical signal.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optimized process and apparatus for more efficiently and economically carrying out the liquid-phase oxidation of an oxidizable compound. Such liquid-phase oxidation is carried out in a bubble column reactor that provides for a highly efficient reaction at relatively low temperatures. When the oxidized compound is para-xylene and the product from the oxidation reaction is crude terephthalic acid (CTA), such CTA product can be purified and separated by more economical techniques than could be employed if the CTA were formed by a conventional high-temperature oxidation process.

Abstract: A method for detecting presence of a macromolecule of interest in a test droplet. A set of detection electrodes are provided in contact with a fluidic channel. The test droplet is provided in vicinity of the detection electrodes through the fluidic channel. An alternate current (AC) power at a first frequency is applied across the set of detection electrodes. A first measurement value that reflects electrical characteristics (e.g., impedance) of the test droplet at the first frequency is obtained. This value is compared with a corresponding reference value, wherein the corresponding reference value is obtained by measuring a reference droplet containing the macromolecule of interest or free of the macromolecule at the first frequency. The presence of the macromolecule in the test droplet is thus determined based on the comparison.

Abstract: A multi-pixel terahertz transceiver is constructed using a stack of semiconductor layers that communicate using vias defined within the semiconductor layers. By using a stack of semiconductor layers, the various electrical functions of each layer can be tested easily without having to assemble the entire transceiver. In addition, the design allows the production of a transceiver having pixels set 10 mm apart.

Abstract: An apparatus 100 and method 2900 of brewing a hot beverage including the steps of selecting a desired volume of brewed beverage; filling a boiler with a predetermined volume of water, heating the predetermined volume of water in the boiler to a predetermined temperature value, transferring the predetermined volume of water in the boiler at staggered predetermined time and volume intervals to a brew head when the water reaches the predetermined temperature, and repeating the steps of falling the boiler with a predetermined volume of water, heating the volume of water in the boiler to a predetermined temperature, and transferring the heated predetermined volume of water to the brew head at staggered predetermined time and volume intervals a number of cycles until the sum of all of the predetermined volumes of heated water transferred to the brew head equals the selected desired volume of brewed beverage desired to be brewed.

Abstract: Microfluidic devices for determining whether an analyte is present in a sample are provided. The microfluidic devices include a polymeric medium that includes a first analyte detection domain having a first covalently bound capture member that specifically binds to a first analyte, and a second analyte detection domain having a second covalently bound capture member that specifically binds to a second analyte. Also provided are methods of using the subject microfluidic device, systems and kits that use the subject microfluidic devices, as well as methods of producing the same.

Abstract: A method for automatically testing an apparatus controlled by software based on pilot test case file comprising user input sequence data recorded manually and the time stamp of the input. In the process of automated testing, these pre-recorded user inputs are replay with same input sequence but with either the same time interval between two subsequent inputs recorded prior; or with a random time interval autonomously generated in a range set by the test configuration. During the process of replaying user input, a separate plural numbers of background tasks are executed in parallel with random execution delays to generate varying system load and execution timing to simulate the apparatus' unpredictable real operation scenarios. The user input and new random time interval between each user input are recorded at replay as a new expanded test record file for later test result trace and failure analysis.

Abstract: A method for detecting presence of a macromolecule of interest in a test droplet. A set of detection electrodes are provided in contact with a fluidic channel. The test droplet is provided in vicinity of the detection electrodes through the fluidic channel. An alternate current (AC) power at a first frequency is applied across the set of detection electrodes. A first measurement value that reflects electrical characteristics (e.g., impedance) of the test droplet at the first frequency is obtained. This value is compared with a corresponding reference value, wherein the corresponding reference value is obtained by measuring a reference droplet containing the macromolecule of interest or free of the macromolecule at the first frequency. The presence of the macromolecule in the test droplet is thus determined based on the comparison.

Abstract: Electrophoretic separation devices and methods for using the same are provided. Aspects of the devices include a polymeric separation medium that includes a plurality of microwells. Also provided are methods, systems and kits in which the subject devices find use. The devices and methods find use in a variety of different electrophoretic separation applications.

Abstract: A novel profile-based rating method and system are disclosed; where a plurality of profiles and their ratings are employed to indirectly represent the quality of products and services (objects), and to differentiate “good” versus “bad” products and services. A user establishes his association of favoritism with certain profiles through his rating feedback via a rating calculator in the system and uses his favorite profiles' ratings on objects as guidance for future selection. The advantages of the proposed profile-based rating method over the existing methods lies in its ability to mitigate the effects of unfair rating; and its ability to satisfy a variety of quality standards and tastes from a wide audience.