Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for extracting cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from a biological sample without the need for pretreatment with proteases prior to binding of the cfDNA to a solid substrate and without a heated elution step. The methods comprise contacting the biological sample with a chelating agent and an oxidizing agent prior to eluting the cell-free DNA from a solid substrate.

Abstract: System and methods are provided for processing a multi-dimensional data structure represented as multi-dimensional cubes. A first multi-dimensional cube and a second multi-dimensional cube are received, the first multi-dimensional cube including first cube property data and first user data, the second multi-dimensional cube including second cube property data and second user data. A virtual multi-dimensional cube including virtual cube property data for accessing and performing computer-based operations upon the first user data and the second user data are generated, the virtual cube property data including a first mapping from the first cube property data to the virtual cube property data and a second mapping from the second cube property data to the virtual cube property data.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a device includes: a transceiver operable to transmit packets to and receive packets from a modem; and a logic engine configured to transmit first packets at a rate through an upstream path for a modem to an Internet node such that no throttling is triggered in the modem, the logic engine being further configured to transmit second packets through the upstream path for the modem to the Internet node at a rate sufficient to trigger throttling in the modem if the modem implements throttling, the logic engine being further configured to compare an average transmission time for first packets to an average transmission time for the second packets to determine whether the modem implements throttling.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a device includes: a transceiver operable to transmit packets to and receive packets from a modem; and a logic engine configured to transmit first packets at a rate through an upstream path for a modem to an Internet node such that no throttling is triggered in the modem, the logic engine being further configured to transmit second packets through the upstream path for the modem to the Internet node at a rate sufficient to trigger throttling in the modem if the modem implements throttling, the logic engine being further configured to compare an average transmission time for first packets to an average transmission time for the second packets to determine whether the modem implements throttling.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a device includes: a transceiver operable to transmit packets to and receive packets from a modem; and a logic engine configured to transmit first packets at a rate through an upstream path for a modem to an Internet node such that no throttling is triggered in the modem, the logic engine being further configured to transmit second packets through the upstream path for the modem to the Internet node at a rate sufficient to trigger throttling in the modem if the modem implements throttling, the logic engine being further configured to compare an average transmission time for first packets to an average transmission time for the second packets to determine whether the modem implements throttling.

Abstract: A method for generating a permutation index vector includes receiving a condition vector and performing an index generation function using the condition vector in order to generate the permutation index vector. An index vector generation circuit is also disclosed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a device includes: a transceiver operable to transmit packets to and receive packets from a modem; and a logic engine configured to transmit first packets at a rate through an upstream path for a modem to an Internet node such that no throttling is triggered in the modem, the logic engine being further configured to transmit second packets through the upstream path for the modem to the Internet node at a rate sufficient to trigger throttling in the modem if the modem implements throttling, the logic engine being further configured to compare an average transmission time for first packets to an average transmission time for the second packets to determine whether the modem implements throttling.

Abstract: A biological sample processing apparatus having a central processing unit, a display in communication with the central processing unit and a selector for selecting a personality type of the apparatus, the selector being in communication with the central processing apparatus. The selection of a personality type prompts the central processing unit to cause the display to show a list of preprogrammed protocols for biological sample processing that correspond to the selected personality type.

Abstract: A method for generating a permutation index vector includes receiving a condition vector and performing an index generation function using the condition vector in order to generate the permutation index vector. An index vector generation circuit is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system comprising a memory, an RFID tag, a memory reading unit that is configured to read information that is stored by the memory, an RFID reading unit that is configured to read information that is stored by the RFID tag, and a decryption unit that is configured to decrypt the information read from the memory by the memory reading unit in accordance with the information read from the RFID tag by the RFID reading unit.

Abstract: A telephone answering system for use in conjunction with a PBX/CENTREX system for answering incoming calls directed to any of the extension lines within the system. The telephone answering system includes an operator control station and a line detection system. The line detection system monitors the telephone lines within the PBX/CENTREX system. This detection system includes a plurality of ring/hook interfaces each of which is connected in parallel across one of the telephone lines in the PBX/CENTREX system being monitored. Each of the interfaces has a ring detector for detecting a ring signal on the associated telephone line for providing a ring count when there is an incoming call and a hook detector for detecting the on/off hook condition on the associated telephone line.

Abstract: The series connected interceptor is a control system for assisting in providing improved service operations for a PBX system. This control system is connected in series in a DID trunk between a TELCO central office and a PBX. By the nature of where it is connected and its function, the control system enables a telephone answering service to sense when an incoming DID call has rung on an extension for a predefined number of rings and to answer such call with the identity of the extension being called. The control system also can provide incoming DID call screening or call forwarding.