Abstract: A high-voltage switch is disclosed. The switch includes a substrate, a first contact fixedly coupled to the substrate, a second contact having a first position in conductive contact with the first contact and a second position not in conductive contact with the first contact; and an actuator comprising a body fixedly coupled to the substrate and a movable element coupled to the second contact. The actuator is configured to selectably move the second contact between its first and second positions. The switch has a breakdown voltage greater than or equal to 500V and does not include an arc suppression element.

Abstract: A microscope is disclosed that has a base, a slide holder configured to accept a slide, and an illuminator comprising a light-emitting surface configured to project light on an optical path toward the slide when the slide is accepted by the slide holder. There is no light-shaping apparatus disposed on the optical path between the illuminator and the slide holder.

Abstract: A method of positioning a slide for examination is disclosed. The method includes the steps of placing the slide in a carrier configured to retain the slide, placing the carrier in a cartridge configured to accept the carrier, coupling the cartridge to a microscope, and activating the microscope to automatically extract the carrier from the cartridge and position the carrier such that a portion of the slide is disposed within a field of view (FOV) of the microscope.

Abstract: A slide handling system is disclosed. The system has a carrier comprising a retention hole, a compartment configured to accept the carrier, and a spacer disposed so as to engage the retention hole when the carrier is fully seated in the compartment.

Abstract: A system for positioning a cartridge is disclosed. The system has a drive rod with a body having a first axis and a groove formed in the body. The groove has a first portion that is not perpendicular to the first axis and a second portion that is perpendicular to the first axis. The system also includes a collar that coupled to the drive rod. The collar has an element configured to engage the groove. Rotation of the drive rod with respect to the collar while the element is engaged in the first portion of the thread causes the collar to move with respect to the first axis. Rotation of the drive rod with respect to the collar while the element is engaged with the second portion of the thread causes the collar to remain stationary with respect to the first axis.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system for handling slides. The system includes a carrier having a linear engagement feature and a notch, a cartridge having a compartment configured to accept the carrier, and a cartridge positioning system with a platform configured to accept the cartridge and an actuator. The actuator has a rotary engagement feature configured to engage the linear engagement feature and a tab configured to interact with the notch when the carrier is accepted into the compartment and the cartridge is accepted onto the platform.

Abstract: A high-voltage switch is disclosed. The switch includes a substrate, a first contact fixedly coupled to the substrate, a second contact having a first position in conductive contact with the first contact and a second position not in conductive contact with the first contact; and an actuator comprising a body fixedly coupled to the substrate and a movable element coupled to the second contact. The actuator is configured to selectably move the second contact between its first and second positions. The switch has a breakdown voltage greater than or equal to 500V and does not include an arc suppression element.

Abstract: A slide handling system is disclosed. The system has a carrier comprising a retention hole, a compartment configured to accept the carrier, and a spacer disposed so as to engage the retention hole when the carrier is fully seated in the compartment.

Abstract: A system for positioning a cartridge is disclosed. The system has a drive rod with a body having a first axis and a groove formed in the body. The groove has a first portion that is not perpendicular to the first axis and a second portion that is perpendicular to the first axis. The system also includes a collar that coupled to the drive rod. The collar has an element configured to engage the groove. Rotation of the drive rod with respect to the collar while the element is engaged in the first portion of the thread causes the collar to move with respect to the first axis. Rotation of the drive rod with respect to the collar while the element is engaged with the second portion of the thread causes the collar to remain stationary with respect to the first axis.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system for handling slides. The system includes a carrier having a linear engagement feature and a notch, a cartridge having a compartment configured to accept the carrier, and a cartridge positioning system with a platform configured to accept the cartridge and an actuator. The actuator has a rotary engagement feature configured to engage the linear engagement feature and a tab configured to interact with the notch when the carrier is accepted into the compartment and the cartridge is accepted onto the platform.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides apparatus and methods for handling slides. The apparatus includes a carrier comprising a retention hole and a cartridge having a case coupled to one or more separators that together define a plurality of compartments each configured to accept the carrier. At least one of the separators comprises a guide hole, with all guide holes are disposed on a first axis. The retention hole of the carrier is aligned with the first axis when the carrier is disposed in a seated position within one of the compartments. The cartridge also comprises a plurality of spacers each partially disposed within at least one of the guide holes.

Abstract: An apparatus for reconfiguring a high-voltage circuit. The apparatus has a planar substrate, a non-conductive arm comprising a first contact and a rotary actuator having a body fixed to the substrate and a rotatable element fixed to the arm. The actuator is configured to selectably rotate the arm between a first position and a second position relative to the substrate. The apparatus also has a second contact fixed to the substrate such that the first contact makes conductive contact with the second contact when the arm is in the first position. The apparatus has a breakdown voltage that is greater than or equal to 500V.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides apparatus and methods for handling slides. The apparatus includes a carrier comprising a retention hole and a cartridge having a case coupled to one or more separators that together define a plurality of compartments each configured to accept the carrier. At least one of the separators comprises a guide hole, with all guide holes are disposed on a first axis. The retention hole of the carrier is aligned with the first axis when the carrier is disposed in a seated position within one of the compartments. The cartridge also comprises a plurality of spacers each partially disposed within at least one of the guide holes.

Abstract: An acrylamide-based polymer which contains one or more multiquaternized (“multiquat”) monomer unit(s) is provided. The acrylamide-based polymer can be used in a papermaking process to reduce pitch and stickies deposition, improve retention and drainage, and enhance dry strength properties of paper. Also included is a method of controlling pitch and stickies deposition in papermaking comprising treating pulp slurry with an acrylamide-based polymer which contains one or more multiquaternized (“multiquat”) monomer unit(s).

Abstract: An acrylamide-based polymer which contains one or more multiquaternized (“multiquat”) monomer unit(s) is provided. The acrylamide-based polymer can be used in a papermaking process to reduce pitch and stickies deposition, improve retention and drainage, and enhance dry strength properties of paper. Also included is a method of controlling pitch and stickies deposition in papermaking comprising treating pulp slurry with an acrylamide-based polymer which contains one or more multiquaternized (“multiquat”) monomer unit(s).

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for facilitating and monitoring provisioning of wireless communication devices. Wireless devices are provided to an end user in an unconfigured state, capable of being configured for operation using one or more communication protocols. Upon receipt and validation of a provisioning request by the wireless device, for example by a server, the wireless device is securely provisioned for operation with a wireless service provider. Provisioning activities are monitored and information is generated in response to provisioning events, for example via a database. Portions of the information are made available to one or more wireless service providers or parties providing enabling technology of the wireless device. Such reports may be used to facilitate revenue agreements between various parties involved in providing and servicing the wireless device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for calculating a segment's sensitivity to price changes. A histogram distribution is generated for transaction frequency by price as the initial part of the sensitivity analysis. The shape of this histogram may be used to extrapolate a sensitivity measure. This can be done in two distinct ways: statistical regression or slope approximation. For statistical regression, the inverse of the cumulative distribution function is first calculated. The slope of this function is determined to be the sensitivity; the steeper the curve the more sensitive the segment is to price changes. The second technique approximates the slope of the right hand side of the histogram in order to determine sensitivity.

Abstract: A power and risk score calibrator is provided, which receives quantitative power and risk scores for each quantitative segment, and receives qualitative power and risk scores for each qualitative segment. The qualitative segment and the qualitative power and risk scores are defined by a user. The system generates consolidated segments. Then consolidated power and risk scores for each of the consolidated segments are generated, respectively. The gaps between the qualitative power and risk scores and the consolidated power and risk scores are reconciled. From these reconciliations, adjustment factors are generated, which are applied by pricing power and risk value calibrators. The system may also perform a drill down to explain the gap between the qualitative scores and the consolidated scores.