Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for enhancing the consistency of performance of assays, such as multiplexed assays, by printing features in a particular pattern, such that the outer edge of the pattern has a shape that is substantially similar to the shape of the test well. For example, the pattern is a ring pattern, such that the outer edge of the ring pattern is circular or oval along the bottom of multiplexed wells. The assay substrates prepared according to the methods described result in more accurate, precise, and sensitive chemical and/or biological analyses.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for enhancing the consistency of performance of assays, such as multiplexed assays, by printing features in a particular pattern, such that the outer edge of the pattern has a shape that is substantially similar to the shape of the test well. For example, the pattern is a ring pattern, such that the outer edge of the ring pattern is circular or oval along the bottom of multiplexed wells. The assay substrates prepared according to the methods described result in more accurate, precise, and sensitive chemical and/or biological analyses.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for improved detection sensitivity of assays. The systems include an upper plate that is inserted into a well of testing well, such as a base microtiter plate. For bottom detection, a coating, including polymer coatings or membrane coatings, is applied to an insert portion of the upper plate, and the base plate includes transparent windows. In bottom detection, a detector will image from below the base plate. Alternatively, for top detection, the coating is applied to the well of the base plate, and the upper plate includes transparent windows. In top detection, a detector will image from above the upper plate. Analysis features, including capture antibody features or antigen features, can be printed on the coating surface for forward-phase assays or reverse-phase assays, respectively. Methods for making and using the same are disclosed.

Abstract: A shellfish beheading assembly includes a clipper that includes a top jaw and a bottom jaw. The top jaw is hingedly coupled to the bottom jaw. The clipper may have a shellfish positioned between the top jaw and the bottom jaw. The top jaw is selectively urged toward the bottom jaw. A saddle is coupled to the clipper and saddle is configured to have the shellfish positioned therein. A pair of blades is provided. A selected one of the blades is removably coupled to the clipper. Thus, the selected blade beheads the shellfish when the top jaw is urged toward the bottom jaw.

Abstract: Systems and methods for adaptive bitrate streaming of media including subtitles utilizing HTTP in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. One embodiment of the invention includes selecting a portion of the source media using the source encoder, transcoding the selected portion of the source media into a plurality of alternative portions of encoded video, where each alternative portion is encoded using a different set of encoding parameters and commences with an intra frame at the start of a closed group of pictures (GOP), writing each of the alternative portions of encoded video to a separate container file using the source encoder, writing a subtitle stream segment from each subtitle track corresponding to the selected portion of the source media to a separate container file using the source encoder, and associating a font file with at least one of the container files containing subtitle stream segments.

Abstract: The disclosed systems and methods allow composite images with enhanced dynamic range to be generated that result in more accurate, reliable, and efficient chemical and/or biological analyses. The disclosed systems include an image detector; a timer for tracking exposure time of the image detector; and computer readable medium, including instructions that when executed cause a computer system to generate a composite image using the multiple images of pixels.

Abstract: Protocols for facilitating a peer-to-peer real time network in which network state information and data processing is delegated to user nodes. A virtual space is recursively divided into a plurality of sub-regions represented by a logical tree, with responsibility for leaf nodes delegated to multiple user nodes. A distributed hash table can be used to store leaf node state and identity information. A discovery index protocol is provided for user nodes to effectively identify a user node responsible for a sub-region of interest. Further, a semantic filtering protocol limits communications primarily to other user nodes deemed relevant, so as to constrain bandwidth usage. A broadcast control protocol is provided to increase the number of simultaneous interactions for each user node. A security protocol is also provided to prevent any illegal activity by malicious nodes.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for improved detection sensitivity of assays. The systems include an upper plate that is inserted into a well of testing well, such as a base microtiter plate. For bottom detection, a coating, including polymer coatings or membrane coatings, is applied to an insert portion of the upper plate, and the base plate includes transparent windows. In bottom detection, a detector will image from below the base plate. Alternatively, for top detection, the coating is applied to the well of the base plate, and the upper plate includes transparent windows. In top detection, a detector will image from above the upper plate. Analysis features, including capture antibody features or antigen features, can be printed on the coating surface for forward-phase assays or reverse-phase assays, respectively. Methods for making and using the same are disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosed systems and methods allow composite images with enhanced dynamic range to be generated that result in more accurate, reliable, and efficient chemical and/or biological analyses. The disclosed systems include an image detector; a timer for tracking exposure time of the image detector; and computer readable medium, including instructions that when executed cause a computer system to generate a composite image using the multiple images of pixels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the provision of interest management in peer-to-peer networks that provide a virtual environment for multiple users. One example of such an environment is an online gaming environment. The invention includes a switching algorithm (FIG. 9) that efficiently switches (902) the interest management provided by a peer to an entity between three protocols (cell, interest bounded and gossip) in response to the processing load on the relevant peer. This makes the interest management service scalable and reliable. The gossip protocol (FIG. 8) sends interest management information to the neighbours of the an entity, and also reduces the frequency of sending requests for interest management information to an interest management service for that entity.

Abstract: Systems and methods for adaptive bitrate streaming of media including subtitles utilizing HTTP in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. One embodiment of the invention includes selecting a portion of the source media using the source encoder, transcoding the selected portion of the source media into a plurality of alternative portions of encoded video, where each alternative portion is encoded using a different set of encoding parameters and commences with an intra frame at the start of a closed group of pictures (GOP), writing each of the alternative portions of encoded video to a separate container file using the source encoder, writing a subtitle stream segment from each subtitle track corresponding to the selected portion of the source media to a separate container file using the source encoder, and associating a font file with at least one of the container files containing subtitle stream segments.

Abstract: Systems and methods for adaptive bitrate streaming of media including subtitles utilizing Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. One embodiment of the invention includes requesting and buffering portions of video from at least one of the alternative streams using a playback device, requesting information indicative of a font utilized by a font-rendering engine to render text from a selected subtitle stream, downloading at least one font file when the font is not present on the playback device, requesting and buffering at least a portion of the selected subtitle stream, decoding the buffered portions of video using a decoder on the playback device, rendering the portions of the subtitle stream corresponding to the buffered portion of video using a font-rendering engine configured by the at least one downloaded font file, and performing synchronized playback of the decoded video and rendered subtitles using the playback device.

Abstract: In a decentralised multi-user online virtual environment, object responsibility is efficiently allocated to a controlling peer. The virtual environment is divided into a plurality of cells, and control of each cell is allocated to a responsible peer. Each responsible peer participates in a distributed hash table (DHT) to effect integration of the cells to effect the virtual environment. When a communications and processing load on the responsible peer controlling a cell exceeds a threshold, a second peer creates and takes control responsibility for an object comprising a bounded interest management region covering a region of load. Within the bounded interest management region, objects are removed or de-associated from the associated cell and instead associated with the bounded interest management region.

Abstract: Protocols for facilitating a peer-to-peer real time network in which network state information and data processing is delegated to user nodes. A virtual space is recursively divided into a plurality of sub-regions represented by a logical tree, with responsibility for leaf nodes delegated to multiple user nodes. A distributed hash table can be used to store leaf node state and identity information. A discovery index protocol is provided for user nodes to effectively identify a user node responsible for a sub-region of interest. Further, a semantic filtering protocol limits communications primarily to other user nodes deemed relevant, so as to constrain bandwidth usage. A broadcast control protocol is provided to increase the number of simultaneous interactions for each user node. A security protocol is also provided to prevent any illegal activity by malicious nodes.

Abstract: A discrete solid orally deliverable pharmaceutical dosage form comprises a plurality of zones, wherein (a) at least one zone comprises an NSAID; (b) at least one zone, other than a zone comprising the NSAID, comprises HPMC having dispersed therein a prostaglandin type compound in a form of a substantially water-free solid dispersion; (c) the plurality of zones are spatially arranged such that, if there is only one NSAID-containing zone and one prostaglandin-containing zone, these zones are arranged other than as a core and mantle respectively separated by an enteric coating layer; and (d) the HPMC comprises a fraction having particle size smaller than about 53 ?m, said fraction exhibiting, upon dissolution in C02-free purified water to form a 1% weight/volume solution, a pH not lower than about 4. An assay method is also provided for selecting suitable lots of HPMC for use in preparing such a dosage form.

Abstract: An automatic deliming process for a steam oven cooker is described. The process initiates a deliming procedure after a predetermined time of normal operation, which period of time is determined by the hardness of the water in the local area. Upon the expiration of this period of time a microprocessor signals an operator to shut down normal operation of the oven, and initiate the deliming process. The microprocessor then activates a peristaltic pump which injects a predetermined quantity of deliming liquid from an external reservoir into the generator. After the deliming time has passed and the generator contents have cooled to 140° F. the microprocessor automatically activates a drain pump to drain the deliming solution from the generator. Subsequently the microprocessor activates a fill-solenoid opening and inlet from a reservoir of rinse water into the generator to rinse the same. The microprocessor then again opens the drain to drain the rinse water, and normal operation is resumed.

Abstract: An improvement for a combination steamer and convection oven is described. The improvement includes double access doors in the front of the oven for controlling access to the cooking cavity within. The doors are cam actuated between a closed position, a first open position wherein the doors are cracked to release hot gases from within the cavity and a second open position wherein the doors are fully open. The admission of steam to the cavity is controlled by a positive displacement flapper valve and one or a pair of the ovens can be used, and if a pair is used a single steamer provides steam for either or both cooking cavities.

Abstract: A control system for steam production in a oven combination is described. The control is adapted for use with a single source of steam and a plurality of oven cavities wherein cooking is achieved by a combination of convection oven and steam heat or by steam alone. The control system activates steam production in response to a temperature requirement for a particular oven and opens a valve permitting the inflow of steam into that oven alone. The control system can also be used to admit steam simultaneously to all oven cavities if required.