Abstract: In equities trading, users typically develop trading strategies designed to achieve profitable returns. The trading strategies may include rules surrounding how to respond to particular market conditions. However, when a wide variety of conflicting market scenarios arise, users are often confused and unsure of how to untangle all the conflicting market conditions and struggle with making a final trading decision. The disclosed trade execution engine uses a switching matrix model to separate the different market conditions and reacts to the different market states based on intelligent execution driving signals.

Abstract: A cap assembly for a container comprises a cap and a body coupled to the cap. The body includes a peripheral wall and a valve seat. The valve seat includes a first side facing the cap and a second side facing away from the cap. A first check valve having an elastic valve body is positioned at the second side of the seat. A second check valve having an elastic valve body is positioned at the first side of the valve seat. When a pressure at the first side of the valve seat exceeds a pressure at the second side of the valve seat by a first predetermined value, the first check valve opens; and when the pressure at the second side exceeds the pressure at the first side by a second predetermined value, the second check valve opens.

Abstract: There is provided a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) sensor for sensing a hydrophobic target molecule, comprising a MIP film comprising a hydrophobic polymer host, such as polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) or polystyrene (PS), with one or more binding sites for one or more target molecules, such as parathion methyl (PTM); and a sensing substrate, such as mass sensitive quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). The MIP film is coated on a surface of a sensing substrate. There is also provided a method of making the MIP sensor and a method for detecting/quantifying a target molecule using the MIP sensor.

Abstract: A device (100) for analysing a specimen using the Goos-Hänchen surface plasmon resonance effect is disclosed. The device comprises a housing (102); a sensor (116) for internally reflecting a coherent light beam and for receiving the specimen; an optical means (112, 114) for directing the coherent light beam at the sensor to enable interaction between the internally reflected coherent light beam and the received specimen to cause the internally reflected coherent light beam to be shifted; and a detector (120) for detecting the shifted coherent light beam, the sensor being integrally formed with the housing. Related methods of operating and manufacturing the device are also disclosed.

Abstract: A cap assembly for a container comprises a cap and a body coupled to the cap. The body includes a peripheral wall and a valve seat. The valve seat includes a first side facing the cap and a second side facing away from the cap. A first check valve having an elastic valve body is positioned at the second side of the seat. A second check valve having an elastic valve body is positioned at the first side of the valve seat. When a pressure at the first side of the valve seat exceeds a pressure at the second side of the valve seat by a first predetermined value, the first check valve opens; and when the pressure at the second side exceeds the pressure at the first side by a second predetermined value, the second check valve opens.

Abstract: A device (100) for analysing a specimen using the Goos-Hänchen surface plasmon resonance effect is disclosed. The device comprises a housing (102); a sensor (116) for internally reflecting a coherent light beam and for receiving the specimen; an optical means (112, 114) for directing the coherent light beam at the sensor to enable interaction between the internally reflected coherent light beam and the received specimen to cause the internally reflected coherent light beam to be shifted; and a detector (120) for detecting the shifted coherent light beam, the sensor being integrally formed with the housing. Related methods of operating and manufacturing the device are also disclosed.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a system for detecting one or more analytes in a fluid. The system comprises: a controller adapted to obtain one or more sample streams of the fluid. The controller is configured in use to form a plurality of output streams. Each output stream comprises at least part of one of the one or more sample streams. The system further comprises: a detector adapted to receive from the controller the plurality of output streams and comprising a plurality of sensors. Each sensor is operable to detect an interaction between a corresponding detecting agent and a corresponding analyte. The detector is configured in use to detect one or more said interactions using the plurality of output streams to determine if the fluid contains one or more said analytes. A corresponding method is also provided.

Abstract: A method for forming uniform ultrathin silicide features in the fabrication of an integrated circuit is described. A metal layer is deposited over the surface of a silicon semiconductor substrate. An array of heated metallic tips contact the metal layer whereby the metal layer is transformed to a metal silicide where it is contacted by the metallic tips and wherein the metal layer not contacted by the metallic tips is unreacted. The unreacted metal layer is removed leaving the metal silicide as uniform ultrathin silicide features. Alternatively, a metal acetate layer is spin-coated over the surface of a silicon semiconductor substrate. An array of heated metallic tips contacts the metal acetate layer whereby the metal acetate layer is transformed to a metal silicide where the metallic tips contact the metal acetate layer and wherein the metal acetate slayer not contacted by the metallic tips is unreacted.