Abstract: A chip module configured for use with a fluid sample processing system can include one or more assay devices arranged into one or more rows. The assay device(s) can include one or more wells configured to hold fluid therein and one or more aspiration channels connected to the well(s). The aspiration channel(s) can be configured to aspirate fluid from the bottoms or the sides of the well(s). The assay device(s) can be arranged within a frame in the chip module, which can be removable from the fluid sample processing system. This chip module can also include one or more trenches beneath the aspiration channel(s). the trench(es) being configured to facilitate the aspiration of fluid from multiple wells. A hydrophobic material can be included in the aspiration channel(s) and/or trench(es) to hold the fluid therein without the fluid passing through the aspiration channel(s) during analytic measurements on the fluid.

Abstract: A system module configured to be installed into and removed from a separate fluid sample processing system can include an aspiration submodule, a pneumatic submodule, and a control submodule. The aspiration submodule can be configured to receive a chip module having assay devices and to provide aspiration for the chip module. The pneumatic submodule can be coupled to the aspiration submodule and can include passages configured to deliver vacuum to and receive fluids from the chip module and valves coupled to the passages. The control submodule can be coupled to the pneumatic submodule and can include a controller configured to operate the valves. The aspiration submodule can include a lid that allows the chip module to be inserted and removed and can be configured to perform operations on the chip module when it is within the aspiration submodule and the lid is closed.

Abstract: Described herein are veterinary progastrin binding molecules (VPBM) against veterinary progastrin-like molecules (VPM) and the methods of making and using the VPBM thereof. Also described, are compositions comprising binding domains of VPBM against VPM and methods of making an using thereof.

Abstract: A protection system for a hydraulic cylinder piston having a barrel and a piston rod reciprocating therein, the protection system comprising a piston rod shield which is fixed with respect to the piston rod in use to move with respect to the barrel to cover the piston rod when the piston rod is exposed from the barrel and wherein the piston rod shield comprises a non-metallic flexible material which substantially returns to shape after deformation.

Abstract: In some examples, a non-transitory computer-readable medium stores machine-readable instructions, which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to: identify an event of a computing device from operational data of the computing device; evaluate the event to determine if the event is a non-routine event; and store the event to a timeline if the event is a non-routine event, where the timeline includes an incident of the computing device.

Abstract: A protection system for a hydraulic cylinder piston having a barrel and a piston rod reciprocating therein, the protection system comprising a piston rod shield which is fixed with respect to the piston rod in use to move with respect to the barrel to cover the piston rod when the piston rod is exposed from the barrel and wherein the piston rod shield comprises a non-metallic flexible material which substantially returns to shape after deformation.

Abstract: One variation of a method—for controlling a breathing mask comprising a flow control module configured to mate to nostrils of a user and comprising an actuator configured to adjust obstruction to airflow out of the flow control module—includes: accessing a wake alarm time; accessing a sleep delay duration; at a first time, receiving an indicator that the user is preparing for sleep; in response to receiving the indicator, triggering the actuator to transition from a minimum-restriction position toward a maximum-restriction position at a second time succeeding the first time by the sleep delay duration, the actuator minimally obstructing airflow out of outlet port in the minimum-restriction position and maximally obstructing airflow out of outlet port in the maximally—restriction position; and, prior to the wake alarm time, triggering the actuator to transition back to the minimum-restriction position.

Abstract: One variation of a method—for controlling a breathing mask comprising a flow control module configured to mate to nostrils of a user and comprising an actuator configured to adjust obstruction to airflow out of the flow control module—includes: accessing a wake alarm time; accessing a sleep delay duration; at a first time, receiving an indicator that the user is preparing for sleep; in response to receiving the indicator, triggering the actuator to transition from a minimum-restriction position toward a maximum-restriction position at a second time succeeding the first time by the sleep delay duration, the actuator minimally obstructing airflow out of outlet port in the minimum-restriction position and maximally obstructing airflow out of outlet port in the maximally-restriction position; and, prior to the wake alarm time, triggering the actuator to transition back to the minimum-restriction position.

Abstract: One variation of a method—for controlling a breathing mask comprising a flow control module configured to mate to nostrils of a user and comprising an actuator configured to adjust obstruction to airflow out of the flow control module—includes: accessing a wake alarm time; accessing a sleep delay duration; at a first time, receiving an indicator that the user is preparing for sleep; in response to receiving the indicator, triggering the actuator to transition from a minimum-restriction position toward a maximum-restriction position at a second time succeeding the first time by the sleep delay duration, the actuator minimally obstructing airflow out of outlet port in the minimum-restriction position and maximally obstructing airflow out of outlet port in the maximally-restriction position; and, prior to the wake alarm time, triggering the actuator to transition back to the minimum-restriction position.

Abstract: A system of an embodiment of the invention is disclosed that includes an interconnect, an electronic device, and a power supply. The interconnect is to carry direct current (DC). The electronic device is connectable to the interconnect to receive DC, and has a communication circuit to transmit signals over the interconnect. The power supply is connectable to the interconnect to provide the DC to the electronic device, and has a decoder circuit to decode the signals received over the interconnect from the electronic device.

Abstract: A mechanism of one embodiment of the invention is disclosed that disconnects an electronic device from a power source includes a user-actuable switch, an electronically controllable switch, and a feedback mechanism. The electronically controllable switch couples the power source to the electronic device. The feedback mechanism turns on and off the electronically controllable switch in response to actuation of the user-actuable switch.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell with a pressure relief vent formed in a metal plate disposed in at least one of the closed end and the open end of the container. The pressure relief vent has an annular ring that includes a reduced thickness groove, interrupted in at least two places by unthinned sections of the plate. When the vent opens to relieve pressure from within the cell, the area of the plate within the annular ring remains attached to the remainder of the plate by at least one of the unthinned sections. A can with such a pressure relief vent formed in the can bottom is useful as an electrochemical cell container.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings described herein, systems and methods are provided for data sorting. A method for use with one or more processing devices in order to merge sorted runs of data may include the steps of: defining a plurality of floating buffers; calculating a number of data blocks for each floating buffer; configuring the floating buffers to store the number of data blocks; and using the floating buffers to perform an external data sorting operation. A data sorting system may include one or more programs, and may be used with a plurality of floating buffers and a data storage device for storing a plurality of sorted runs of data blocks, each data block including a plurality of data records. The one or more programs in a data sorting system may be operable to calculate a number of data blocks for each floating buffer and configure the plurality of floating buffers to store the number of data blocks.

Abstract: A power supply of one embodiment of the invention is disclosed that includes a conversion mechanism and a feedback mechanism. The conversion mechanism is to control conversion of a first direct current (DC) signal from to a second DC signal provided to an electronic device by switching the first DC signal to vary the second DC signal. The feedback mechanism is to cause the switching control mechanism to operate in a nominal-power mode or a reduced-power mode according to a control signal received from the electronic device. The conversion mechanism is caused in the reduced-power mode to lessen at least one of the duty cycle and the frequency at which the first DC signal is switched until the voltage of the second DC signal decays to a first voltage level.

Abstract: A liquid transport system. The liquid transport system includes a gas displacement piping section fluidly coupled to a centrifugal pump or to other portions of the liquid transport system. The gas displacement piping section includes an inlet, and outlet and a gas discharge located between the inlet and outlet for enabling gases to escape or be displaced from the gas displacement piping section, the gas displacement piping section being configured to cause entrained gases in flowing liquid to migrate toward the gas discharge. In centrifugal pump embodiments, the gas displacement piping section may be fluidly coupled upstream or downstream of the centrifugal pump, and may include a vacuum pump and/or float valve coupled to the gas discharge.

Abstract: A system of an embodiment of the invention is disclosed that includes an interconnect, an electronic device, and a power supply. The interconnect is to carry direct current (DC). The electronic device is connectable to the interconnect to receive DC, and has a communication circuit to transmit signals over the interconnect. The power supply is connectable to the interconnect to provide the DC to the electronic device, and has a decoder circuit to decode the signals received over the interconnect from the electronic device.

Abstract: A power supply of one embodiment of the invention is disclosed that includes a conversion mechanism and a feedback mechanism. The conversion mechanism is to control conversion of a first direct current (DC) signal from to a second DC signal provided to an electronic device by switching the first DC signal to vary the second DC signal. The feedback mechanism is to cause the switching control mechanism to operate in a nominal-power mode or a reduced-power mode according to a control signal received from the electronic device. The conversion mechanism is caused in the reduced-power mode to lessen at least one of the duty cycle and the frequency at which the first DC signal is switched until the voltage of the second DC signal decays to a first voltage level.

Abstract: In an implementation of power supply adjustment, a power supply generates an output to a powered device that generates a control signal which is input to an adjustment circuit that generates a difference signal to adjust the output of the power supply.

Abstract: A low profile collector and seal assembly for sealing the open end of a container of an electrochemical cell and providing venting of pressurized gases. An electrochemical cell has a can with a closed bottom end and an open top end, positive and negative electrodes disposed in the can, and a collector and seal assembly disposed in the open top end of the can for closing the open top end of the can. The collector and seal assembly includes a current collector and an annular seal that move relative to each other from a sealed position to a vented position when the internal cell pressure reaches a pressure threshold to vent pressurized gases.

Abstract: A mechanism of one embodiment of the invention is disclosed that disconnects an electronic device from a power source includes a user-actuable switch, an electronically controllable switch, and a feedback mechanism. The electronically controllable switch couples the power source to the electronic device. The feedback mechanism turns on and off the electronically controllable switch in response to actuation of the user-actuable switch.