Abstract: Systems and methods for autonomously operating an antenna assembly. The methods comprise: obtaining, by a processor of the antenna assembly, first information comprising at least one of a value for a variable altitude of the antenna assembly, a value for a variable height of the antenna assembly above ground, a value for a variable height of the antenna assembly above sea level, a value for a variable distance of the antenna assembly from a reference object, and a first value for a variable signal frequency of a communication device; using, by the processor, the information to obtain a desired length of an antenna of the antenna assembly; and controlling, by the processor, an actuator to adjust a length of the antenna until the length reaches the desired length.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treating a sample using glow-discharge plasma comprising one or more treatment steps, in which the sample for treatment is subject to plasma treatment in a treatment vessel provided with a temperature control system, wherein during the one or more treatment steps the treatment vessel is rotated about an axis in order to agitate the sample and the temperature control system is used to cool or heat the sample. The present invention also relates to an apparatus for use in such a method.

Abstract: The present application relates to methods and apparatus for delivering liquid or solid feedstocks into a plasma treatment vessel. More specifically, the invention provides a method for treating a sample using glow discharge plasma in an apparatus comprising a treatment vessel, the method comprising (i) delivering a gaseous plasma forming feedstock into the treatment vessel through a gas supply line under the control of a gas flow controller, and causing formation of a glow discharge plasma in the treatment vessel from the gaseous plasma forming feedstock; and simultaneously (ii) delivering a reagent into the treatment vessel under the control of a reagent dosing controller, wherein the reagent is a liquid or a solid; and (iii) contacting the sample with the glow discharge plasma and the reagent; wherein the gas flow controller and the reagent dosing controller allow independent control of the rate of delivery of the gaseous plasma forming feedstock and the reagent.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method receives usage data that is based on a delivery of content by a plurality of content delivery network entities. A first value of a selection parameter is used to determine whether to select a content delivery network entity from the plurality of content delivery network entities to process a first request for content. The method allocates the usage data in a first distribution to the plurality of content delivery network entities. The allocating does not use a condition to determine the first distribution. The usage data is allocated in a second distribution to the plurality of content delivery network entities. The allocating uses the condition to determine the second distribution. The method adjusts the first value of the selection parameter to a second value based on the first distribution and the second distribution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treating a sample using glow-discharge plasma, in an apparatus comprising a treatment vessel, an electrode, a counter-electrode, and a power supply comprising one or more transformers and having a first transformer setting and a second transformer setting, the method comprising: (i) a loading step, involving loading the sample into the treatment vessel; (ii) a first treatment step involving treating the sample in a glow-discharge plasma formed within the treatment vessel by applying an electric field between the electrode and counter-electrode at the first transformer setting; (iii) a second treatment step involving treating the sample in a glow-discharge plasma formed within the treatment vessel by applying an electric field between the electrode and counter-electrode at the second transformer setting; and (iv) a removal step, involving removing treated sample from the treatment vessel. The method can be used to functionalize a sample.

Abstract: Wireless communication device (WCD) for use in an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes a multi-purpose WCD accessory. The accessory is comprised of a first plate having opposed first and second major faces. The first major face includes a heat transfer surface configured to contact a body of the WCD interior of the UAV when the WCD is secured to the first major face. A second plate is attached to the second major face in a cantilever configuration and extends exterior of the fuselage in a direction away from the second major surface. The second plate comprises at least a portion of a ground plane for an antenna system utilized by the WCD, and together with the first plate forms a heat sink for the WCD.

Abstract: Systems and methods for locating UAV. The methods comprise: causing a physical joining of a payload with a fuselage of the UAV without any modification to the fuselage (where the payload comprises a communication relay configured to perform relay operations to extend a range between users of a communication relay link for voice and data communications and a first locator configured to perform location operations to determine and report a location of the UAV to the users of the communication relay link); using a power source to supply power to the payload that is independent from a main power source used to supply power to avionic electronics of the UAV; and continuing to perform the relay operations by the communication relay and the location operations by the first locator, when power is no longer being supplied to the avionic electronics by the main power source of the UAV.

Abstract: A housing for a laboratory appliance with a floor, ceiling, rear wall, side walls and front wall, which together enclose a work space. The front wall is movable between closed position and open positions. A work area in which liquids can be handled is provided in the work space. A filter device for ambient air is connected to the work space via at least one air outlet. At least one air inlet is connected to the environment, and a fan and an air filter are located downstream from the air inlet and upstream from the air outlet. An outflow opening is also located on the housing. The at least one air outlet and the at least one outflow opening are arranged on the housing such that, during operation of the filter device, the filter air stream flows substantially parallel to and along the work area.

Abstract: A control unit for controlling a pipetting machine a pipetting machine, and a method for controlling a pipetting machine, wherein the control unit controls at least one actuator for moving a pipetting device between receptacle units for liquids to be pipetted and for receiving or dispensing liquids to be pipetted. The control unit, by selecting one or more graphic receptacle unit equivalents which correspond to receptacle units, assigns at least one transfer parameter to the receptacle unit equivalents. The transfer parameter corresponds to a transfer volume, which is to be received from the receptacle unit corresponding to the respective receptacle unit equivalent or is to be dispensed into the receptacle unit corresponding to the respective receptacle unit equivalent. The control unit is additionally designed so that selected source receptacle unit equivalents are simultaneously assignable to multiple target receptacle unit equivalents.

Abstract: Systems and methods for routing debit transactions. In one embodiment, a method for routing debit transactions can be provided. The method can include obtaining, by a routing determination system comprising one or more computers, information associated with a proposed debit transaction. The method can also include identifying, by the routing determination system based at least in part upon the obtained information, one or more merchant parameters associated with a merchant on whose behalf the proposed debit transaction will be submitted to a transaction processor. Further, the method can include determining, by the routing determination system based at least in part upon the one or more merchant parameters, a debit transaction network for routing the proposed debit transaction to the transaction processor, wherein the debit transaction network is included in a plurality of available debit transaction networks.

Abstract: A housing for a laboratory appliance with a floor, ceiling, rear wall, side walls and front wall, which together enclose a work space. The front wall is movable between closed position and open positions. A work area in which liquids can be handled is provided in the work space. A filter device for ambient air is connected to the work space via at least one air outlet. At least one air inlet is connected to the environment, and a fan and an air filter are located downstream from the air inlet and upstream from the air outlet. An outflow opening is also located on the housing. The at least one air outlet and the at least one outflow opening are arranged on the housing such that, during operation of the filter device, the filter air stream flows substantially parallel to and along the work area.

Abstract: A control unit for controlling a pipetting machine a pipetting machine, and a method for controlling a pipetting machine, wherein the control unit controls at least one actuator for moving a pipetting device between receptacle units for liquids to be pipetted and for receiving or dispensing liquids to be pipetted. The control unit, by selecting one or more graphic receptacle unit equivalents which correspond to receptacle units, assigns at least one transfer parameter to the receptacle unit equivalents. The transfer parameter corresponds to a transfer volume, which is to be received from the receptacle unit corresponding to the respective receptacle unit equivalent or is to be dispensed into the receptacle unit corresponding to the respective receptacle unit equivalent. The control unit is additionally designed so that selected source receptacle unit equivalents are simultaneously assignable to multiple target receptacle unit equivalents.

Abstract: A method for sealing through-holes in a material via material diffusion, without the deposition of a sealant material, is disclosed. The method is well suited to the fabrication and packaging of microsystems technology-based devices and systems. In some embodiments, the method comprises forming sacrificial material release through-holes through a structural layer, removing the sacrificial material via an etch that etches the sacrificial material through the release through-holes, and sealing of the release through-holes via material diffusion.