Abstract: Linear peristaltic pumps for use with fluidic cartridges. An apparatus includes a reagent cartridge configured to be received within a cartridge receptacle of a system. The reagent cartridge includes a reagent reservoir and a body including a surface that forms depressions. Each depression has a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet and is fluidly coupled to at least one other depression. The reagent cartridge also includes a deformable material coupled to the surface of the body and includes portions. Each portion covers one of the depressions to define chambers. The portions of the deformable material are movable relative to the depressions between a first position outside of a dimensional envelope of the body and a second position within the dimensional envelope of the body.

Abstract: Calibration of laser pulse powers used to form subsurface optical structures in an ophthalmic lens is accomplished via generation of a feedback signal indicative of pulse energy absorption. A system for forming subsurface optical structures within an ophthalmic lens includes a laser pulse source, a laser pulse power control assembly, a scanning assembly, a detector, and a control unit. The laser pulse power control assembly is operable to selectively control an energy of respective laser pulses. The detector is configured to generate a feedback signal indicative of an energy absorbed by the ophthalmic lens from a first laser pulse. The control unit is configured to control operation of the laser pulse power control assembly to selectively control an energy of a second laser pulse based on a selected energy of the second laser pulse, a selected energy of the first laser pulse, and the feedback signal.

Abstract: Frozen un-proofed dough pieces are produced by pinching an upper skin of an un-proofed dough body to a lower skin and producing a score through the upper skin prior to freezing. The un-proofed dough pieces are formed by mass production, with an un-proofed dough sheet being cut to form dough strips which are then cut into the un-proofed dough pieces, with the score for each un-proofed dough piece being formed either before, during or after the individual un-proofed dough pieces are actually created, but before freezing.

Abstract: Frozen un-proofed dough pieces are produced by pinching an upper skin of an un-proofed dough body to a lower skin and producing a score through the upper skin prior to freezing. The un-proofed dough pieces are formed by mass production, with an un-proofed dough sheet being cut to form dough strips which are then cut into the un-proofed dough pieces, with the score for each un-proofed dough piece being formed either before, during or after the individual un-proofed dough pieces are actually created, but before freezing.

Abstract: A method of operating a heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC) monitoring system includes, at a remote monitoring apparatus, receiving and storing frames of data from a local monitoring device installed at a building. Each of the frames includes time domain current data based on a measured aggregate current supplied to a plurality of components of an HVAC system of the building and frequency domain data based on the measured aggregate current. The method includes, based on the frequency domain current data and exclusive of individual current data from a plurality of individual current sensors, determining an individual contribution of a first component of the HVAC system to the measured aggregate current. The method includes transmitting information based on the stored current data to an HVAC manufacturer. The method includes, if a problem is identified with the first component using the determined individual contribution, transmitting an alert message.

Abstract: A method of operating a heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC) monitoring system includes, at a remote monitoring apparatus, receiving and storing frames of data from a local monitoring device installed at a building. Each of the frames includes time domain current data based on a measured aggregate current supplied to a plurality of components of an HVAC system of the building and frequency domain data based on the measured aggregate current. The method includes, based on the frequency domain current data and exclusive of individual current data from a plurality of individual current sensors, determining an individual contribution of a first component of the HVAC system to the measured aggregate current. The method includes transmitting information based on the stored current data to an HVAC manufacturer. The method includes, if a problem is identified with the first component using the determined individual contribution, transmitting an alert message.

Abstract: A mechanical seal includes an elastomeric member, a spring biasing device, a longitudinally floating first member having a seal face, a longitudinally non-floating second member and a longitudinally floating third member. The elastomeric member is in sealing engagement with the first member, second member and third member and the spring biasing device is longitudinally positioned between the first member and the second member. One of either the first member or the second member is provided with at least one protruding male portion and the other member of either the first member or the second member is provided with corresponding female portion into which the male portion locates.

Abstract: The present invention shows that CB plasma contains soluble NKG2D ligands and that the incubation of PBMCs with CB plasma results in decreased cytotoxicity, decreased proliferation and inhibition of IFNy production by NKG2D bearing cells, in particular, NK cells. Interaction of NKG2D with soluble NKG2D ligand leads to blocking of the NKG2D receptor, and renders NKG2D bearing cells refractory to activation and inhibits cell functions. Notably, this is a mechanism naturally employed by tumor cells or viruses such as CMV to escape the immune system.

Abstract: A method of operating a heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC) monitoring service is described. The method includes: providing a local device for installation in an HVAC system of a residential or commercial building; periodically receiving data from the local device across a wide area network, wherein the received data includes electrical sensor data including at least one of current or power; and storing the received data. The method further includes: analyzing the stored data to selectively identify problems and selectively predict faults of the HVAC system; receiving a subscription fee corresponding to the building, the subscription fee applying to a calendar period; and during the calendar period, providing information on the identified problems and the predicted faults to a customer corresponding to the building.

Abstract: A method of monitoring network communications originating in monitored jurisdictions includes a step of identifying a monitored jurisdiction within a computer network based on predetermined criteria. The computer network includes at least one monitored jurisdiction and at least one unmonitored jurisdiction. A database is queried to identify at least one communication identifier associated with the monitored jurisdiction. The method also includes a step of storing a list including the at least one communication identifier. Only network communication having communication identifiers included in the list are monitored.

Abstract: A system and method include a monitoring system that monitors operating parameters of an HVAC system at a customer location and that generates an alert or service request based on the operating parameters. A server is in communication with the monitoring system and receives the alert or service request from the monitoring system, compares the alert or service request to a listing of alerts and service requests covered under a service plan associated with the HVAC system at the customer location, determines whether the alert or service request is covered under the service plan based on the comparison, and schedules and dispatches a contractor to perform service under the service plan when the alert or service request is covered under the service plan.

Abstract: A mechanical seal includes an elastomeric member, a spring biasing device, a longitudinally floating first member having a seal face, a longitudinally non-floating second member and a longitudinally floating third member. The elastomeric member is in sealing engagement with the first member, second member and third member and the spring biasing device is longitudinally positioned between the first member and the second member. One of either the first member or the second member is provided with at least one protruding male portion and the other member of either the first member or the second member is provided with corresponding female portion into which the male portion locates.

Abstract: A modular mechanical seal assembly for use in hygienic and aseptic application having few, if any, cavities in which bacteria and pathogens could grow, includes a longitudinally floating first seal face member, a longitudinally static second seal face member, a biasing device for urging the first seal face member to contact with the second seal face member, a longitudinally static shaft location member, a first sealing member and a second sealing member. The second sealing member is formed as an elastomeric member positioned between the static seal face and the equipment housing and the first sealing member is formed as an elastomeric member and positioned between an item of rotating equipment and the shaft location member, in which the elastomeric members substantially seal off at least one cavity of the seal assembly.

Abstract: A system and method for a contractor locator and dispatch service is provided. A customer device is associated with an HVAC system at a customer location. Contractor devices are each associated with a contractor at a contractor location and stores contractor information including contractor location data corresponding to the contractor location and contractor availability data corresponding to an availability of the associated contractor. A server receives a service request for the HVAC system from the customer device and contractor information from each of the contractor devices. The server applies selection criteria to the received contractor information and determines potential contractors for the service request based on the selection criteria.

Abstract: A system and method includes a database storing faults, each fault having an indicator corresponding to whether the associated fault is designated for self-maintenance. A monitoring system is in communication with the database and monitors operating parameters of an HVAC system at a customer location, detects or predicts a fault in the HVAC system, determines whether the fault is designated for self-maintenance, and communicates an alert corresponding to the fault to a customer device. When the alert received by the customer device indicates that the fault in the HVAC system is designated for self-maintenance, the customer device displays an identification of a replacement component associated with maintenance for the fault and a first interface to receive at least one of a first selection for a contractor to deliver the replacement component and a second selection for purchasing the replacement component through a commercial retailer.