Abstract: A device comprising a rigid substrate, a flexible cover element at least partially covering the substrate, a first structure formed in the substrate, adapted for accommodating liquids and adapted for releasing contents of one or more cells, spores, or viruses, the contents including the target molecules, a second structure formed in the substrate, adapted for accommodating liquids and comprising at least one binding member adapted for capturing the target molecules and for determining a value indicative for the presence and/or amount of the target molecules, a microfluidic network interconnecting at least the first structure and the second structure, and an actuator member adapted for effecting a fluid flow between the first structure and the second structure by pressing the flexible cover element against the substrate to selectively close a portion of the microfluidic network.

Abstract: System and method for providing services to a user with one or more user devices in a communication network are disclosed. The system includes a server for communicating with the one or more user devices, where the server includes a connected-data-set and the one or more user devices share portions of the connected-data-set, a configuration database for storing configurations and settings of the one or more user devices, where the configuration database includes type descriptions, transcodings, account templates, service descriptions, and settings of the connected-data-set, and logic for providing services to the one or more user devices using the connected-data-set and the configuration database.

Abstract: A system and method for servicing user accounts are disclosed. The system includes one or more blades for servicing the user accounts, where each blade includes software components and hardware components, and each blade serves a group of user accounts, a blade manager for managing states of the one or more blades, logic for detecting a failed blade among the one or more blades, and logic for recovering the failed blade using the states of the one or more blades managed by the blade manager.

Abstract: A method for assaying a sample for each of multiple analytes is described. The method includes contacting an array of spaced-apart test zones with a liquid sample (e.g., whole blood). The test zones disposed within a channel of a microfluidic device. The channel is defined by at least one flexible wall and a second wall which may or may not be flexible. Each test zone comprising a probe compound specific for a respective target analyte. The microfluidic device is compressed to reduce the thickness of the channel, which is the distance between the inner surfaces of the walls within the channel. The presence of each analyte is determined by optically detecting an interaction at each of multiple test zones for which the distance between the inner surfaces at the corresponding location is reduced. The interaction at each test zone is indicative of the presence in the sample of a target analyte.

Abstract: A dispenser device (100) for dispensing a substance (101) onto a substrate (102), the dispenser device (100) comprising a gripper unit (103) adapted for gripping a container (104) including the substance (101), a first motion mechanism (116, 117) adapted for moving the gripper unit (103) and the substrate (102) relative to each other within a planar region (106), and a second motion mechanism (115, 201 and 209) adapted for moving the gripper unit (103) and the substrate (102) relative to each other in a direction (108) essentially perpendicular to the planar region (106) to thereby dispense the substance (101) to a surface portion (109) of the substrate (102), wherein the first motion mechanism (115) and the second motion mechanism (116, 117) are decoupled from one another.

Abstract: A method for assaying a sample for each of multiple analytes is described. The method includes contacting an array of spaced-apart test zones with a liquid sample (e.g., whole blood). The test zones are disposed within a channel of a microfluidic device. The channel is defined by at least one flexible wall and a second wall which may or may not be flexible. Each test zone comprising a probe compound specific for a respective target analyte. The microfluidic device is compressed to reduce the thickness of the channel, which is the distance between the inner surfaces of the walls within the channel. The presence of each analyte is determined by optically detecting an interaction at each of multiple test zones for which the distance between the inner surfaces at the corresponding location is reduced. The interaction at each test zone is indicative of the presence in the sample of a target analyte.

Abstract: In one aspect a device such as a mobile device includes logic operable to display an email message received from a remote location, the email message having associated data (e.g., an attachment) located remotely to the device (e.g., with a server or the like). The system further includes logic operable to receive a request for the associated data, and initiate an asynchronous fetch of the associated data, wherein the associated data is fetched in the background of the device. The system may further include logic operable to initiate a notification after receiving the request for the data that the associated data will be fetched, and/or initiate a notification that the associated data has been fetched. The associated data may include an attachment, media object, or other data associated with the email message.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes multiple cylinders. A partial set of the cylinders may be temporarily shut off. Fuel is introduced briefly into at least one of the shut off cylinders and combusted in an at least essentially torque-neutral way during the cylinder shut off period.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and methods for the detection of analytes. In particular, the invention relates to methods for the qualitative and/or quantitative detection of analytes, comprising a microarray on a substrate, onto which probe molecules are immobilized on array elements, said microarray being disposed on a first surface of the device; and a detection chamber formed between the first surface including the microarray disposed thereon and a second surface, wherein the distance between the microarray and the second surface is variable, and wherein the second surface has a displacement structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and methods for the qualitative and/or quantitative detection of particles. In particular, the invention relates to devices for the detection of particles, comprising a reaction chamber formed within a chamber body between a first surface and a second surface, wherein the second surface is located opposite to the first surface, and one or more displacers, wherein the distance between the first surface and the second surface is variable via the one or more displacers at least in one or more parts of the surface area of the first surface and/or the second surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices for the simultaneous performance of microarray experiments for detecting specific interactions between probe and target molecules in a microtiter plate as well as to methods for manufacturing such devices. Furthermore, the present invention relates to the use of such devices in a method for qualitatively and/or quantitatively detecting specific interactions between probe and target molecules.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the site-specific synthesis of biopolymers such as nucleic acids or peptides and their respective derivatives on solid supports, wherein the local discrimination of the synthesis is performed by using masks that guide aqueous activating reagents for cleaving off protecting groups to predetermined regions on the support.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes multiple cylinders. A partial set of the cylinders may be temporarily shut off. Fuel is introduced briefly into at least one of the shut off cylinders and combusted in an at least essentially torque-neutral way during the cylinder shut off period.

Abstract: The invention relates to devices and methods for the detection of specific interactions between probe and target molecules. In particular, the invention relates to methods for the qualitative and/or quantitative detection of targets, including: introducing a sample containing targets into a reaction chamber formed between a first surface of the device and a second surface of a device, which is preferably located opposite to the first surface, wherein the distance between the first and the second surface is variable; and detecting the targets.

Abstract: Access to external service providers is provided through portlets, where each portlet accessible by a user is represented on the display of the user device. Through use of a dynamic content channel, e.g., a portlet, a highly customizable content page may be produced for any individual client system. When a portlet is selected on a user device, the content associated with the portlet is retrieved and automatically transformed into data that can be displayed by that user device. Thus, a particular user device is not limited to accessing content in a format identical to that associated with the user interface in use on the user device. Consequently, the user's ability to access a wide variety of content sources independent of the characteristics of the particular user device is further enhanced.

Abstract: A device is provided for determining at least one parameter of a medium flowing in a line in a main flow direction, e.g., a parameter of the intake air mass of an internal combustion engine. The device includes a part, which is inserted into the line at a predetermined alignment with respect to the main flow direction in such a way that a partial flow of the medium flowing in the line in the main flow direction flows through at least one measuring channel provided in the part in a first direction from an intake of the measuring channel to an outlet of the measuring channel. The device further includes a measuring element situated in the measuring channel for determining the at least one parameter.

Abstract: In one example, a content navigation interface apparatus includes display logic for displaying selections for accessing a first entry of a content structure and a second entry of the content structure, wherein the second entry is a sub-entry of the first entry. The apparatus further including selection logic for determining the second entry for display based on a user characteristic (e.g., history, user profile, etc.). The first entry may be associated with a first level of a hierarchical content structure, and the second entry associated with a second level of the hierarchical content structure. In one example, the first entry is associated with a broad content category and the second entry associated with content, such as a media object.

Abstract: An exemplary interface apparatus having navigation logic for navigating multiple instant messaging conversations is described. The navigation logic includes display logic for displaying indicia associated with at least two conversations, selection logic for initiating the display of a conversation associated with each of the indicia in response to a selection thereof, wherein the conversation associated with each indicia is displayed in a common window, and navigation logic for navigating between two conversations within the common window. In one example, the indicia are associated with active instant messaging conversations (e.g., in which the user is engaged). Further, the conversations may be displayed mutually exclusively within the common window.

Abstract: In one aspect provided herein, a content navigation interface is described. In one example, the content navigation interface includes display logic for displaying a plurality of icons, each icon associated with content (e.g., services, applications, content, etc.). The interface further including selection logic for moving an icon to a selection position in response to user input, and content logic for displaying content associated with the icon in response to the icon being positioned at the selection position. The user may select the icon positioned in the selection position to access or view additional content associated with the icon.

Abstract: For providing synchronization of image data among diverse devices and applications, exemplary systems include a direct client application providing a user interface operable to allow a user to organize image data according to albums, and to select one or more albums for synchronization with one or more server interfaces that provide various image data manipulation, sharing, and features related thereto. Systems also include an intermediary system to assist in synchronization of select albums with handheld devices, and a notification server to provide scalable notifications of album updates made at server interfaces by users. Exemplary methods include steps providing for selection, from direct client applications, of albums to synchronize with devices, including handheld devices, and various steps of providing updates and notifications among appropriate system components.