Abstract: A microfluidic sensor is disclosed that has a first inlet channel for a first fluid, a second inlet channel for a second fluid, and a measurement channel intersecting with both first inlet channel and the second inlet channel. A signal source system is provided for receiving a signal from a signal emitter, as is a signal detection system for receiving the signal from the signal source system. The signal source system and the signal detection system are for recording physical characteristics of at least one of the droplets in the measurement channel. A corresponding method is also disclosed.

Abstract: The process for preparing metal-based materials for magnetic cooling or heat pumps comprises the following steps: a) reacting chemical elements and/or alloys in a stoichiometry which corresponds to the metal-based material in the solid phase and/or liquid phase, b) if appropriate converting the reaction product from stage a) to a solid, c) sintering and/or heat treating the solid from stage a) or b), d) quenching the sintered and/or heat treated solid from stage c) at a cooling rate of at least 100 K/s.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for large scale manufacturing of polymeric micro fuel cells using a metallic mold. The method includes creating a Gaussian-shaped channel on a first substrate using a laser; sputtering a metallic seed layer over the first substrate using a first metal; electroplating a second metal over the seed layer to create a negative mold; releasing the negative mold from the first substrate; fabricating a plurality of second substrates, each having a Gaussian-shaped channel, and using the negative mold to fabricate multiple fuel cells. The method provides lower cost and greater flexibility as compared with conventional ablation and etching processes of manufacturing of polymeric micro fuel cells.

Abstract: A reward program that includes identifying a seller from a plurality of sellers in a network-based marketplace based on a set of criteria. When a seller is identified to qualify for a reward program, one or more listings of the seller may be promoted. The set of criteria may include seller's rating information. The set of criteria may also include other information relating to volume or activities.

Abstract: There is provided a method and system for qualification testing in a social network service. Qualification testing provides access control into a social network, wherein qualification is based on answers to questions related to a topic. In one example, members admitted to the network provide guidance, notes and research assistance to another member. The social network members access the social network from an external networked computing service, such as another social network, to facilitate easy connection to potential members. The social network may be implemented as an application overlay to the external service, or may access connections in the external network.

Abstract: A system and method for providing product research help to a consumer doing internet shopping. A consumer helper application for internet commerce has been designed to integrate the techniques that are currently used by many internet consumers into a single application program. For example, the consumer helper application allows a user to take notes, store web site links, store web site annotations, obtain collaborative input, and perform other tasks commonly used by web site consumers. The consumer helper application stores all of the information gathered in a single place. Information provided by other consumers may be shared using the consumer helper application. The consumer helper application will suggest specific items for a consumer to purchase based up on the information gathered by the consumer into the consumer helper application.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for processing electronic payment transaction information. A transaction software engine operating in a server at a merchant's site effectuates the authorization of electronic payment requests and the settlement of authorized electronic payments. Authorization requests are sent by a terminal at the merchant's site to the server as each transaction occurs. Batches of settlement requests are processed after a predetermined time, although the transactions are processed on a transaction-by-transaction basis. The transaction software engine is capable of accepting data of varying formats and re-encoding such data so that it can be processed by a host associated with a data transaction provider. Accordingly, the transaction software engine processes data received from a variety of terminals as well as data sent to and received from a variety of data transaction providers.

Abstract: In one example embodiment, a method is illustrated as retrieving a plurality of search queries and defining relationships between search queries in the plurality of search queries based on semantic data associated with the search queries. A visual representation of the of the plurality of search queries may be generated and the visual representation may be partitioned into a plurality of tiles, each title representing a predefined portion of the visual representation.

Abstract: A microfluidic network provides active control of characteristics of at least one micro-droplet. The microfluidic network includes at least one junction of at least one first channel and at least one second channel; and an electrically controlled actuator at or adjacent the junction to induce a change in the characteristics of the at least one micro-droplet. A corresponding method employs an electrically controlled actuator at or adjacent a junction to induce a change in the characteristics of a micro-droplet.

Abstract: In one example embodiment, a system and method is shown that includes receiving a selected feature wherein the selected feature includes a feature to be included on a webpage. Further, the system and method includes retrieving coefficient data to be used in determining a profit value generated by including the selected feature on the webpage. Additionally, the system and method includes transmitting optimized suggestion data that includes the profit value generated by including the selected feature on the webpage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling multi-fluid flow in a micro channel is disclosed. The apparatus has a first inlet for a first fluid; a second inlet for a second fluid; a first outlet; and a second outlet. The micro channel is operatively and fluidically connected to the first inlet, the second inlet, the first outlet and the second outlet. The micro channel is for receiving the first fluid and the second fluid under pressure-driven flow; there being an interface between the first fluid and the second fluid when in the micro channel. The apparatus also includes a pair of electrodes for having a first electric field applied thereto for a controlling the fluid flow velocity of the first fluid along the micro channel.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a computer-implemented system and method providing a user interface framework for viewing large scale graphs. An example embodiment includes obtaining graph data including information related to a plurality of nodes, the plurality of nodes corresponding to top search queries; assigning an absolute position in a graph for each of the nodes of the plurality of nodes; constructing a plurality of sub-graphs related to one or more of the plurality of nodes, the sub-graphs corresponding to search result clusters related to the top search queries corresponding to the one or more of the plurality of nodes; rendering the graph and generating a plurality of tiles representing sub-graph images of the plurality of sub-graphs at each of a plurality of zoom levels; and displaying a sub-graph image corresponding to a selected position and zoom level.

Abstract: A microfluidic sensor is disclosed that has a first inlet channel for a first fluid, a second inlet channel for a second fluid, and a measurement channel intersecting with both first inlet channel and the second inlet channel. A signal source system is provided for receiving a signal from a signal emitter, as is a signal detection system for receiving the signal from the signal source system. The signal source system and the signal detection system are for recording physical characteristics of at least one of the droplets in the measurement channel. A corresponding method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for microfluidic mixing having a first fluid inlet for a first fluid operatively connected to a first fluid channel. A second fluid inlet is provided for a second fluid operatively connected to a second fluid channel. The second fluid channel operatively intersects the first fluid channel for introduction of the second fluid into the first fluid channel. The first fluid channel has an outlet end remote from that of the first fluid inlet, and at least one contraction intermediate the intersection of the first fluid channel with the second fluid channel and the at least one outlet end, or intermediate the first fluid inlet and the intersection of the first fluid channel with the second fluid channel. A corresponding method is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel depsipeptide compounds. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions of these compounds and methods of using these compounds as antibacterial compounds. The invention also relates to methods of producing these novel depsipeptide compounds and intermediates used in producing these compounds.

Abstract: A hermetic pressure connector which provides a pressure-tight, electrically conductive connection through a hole in a bulkhead. The connector includes a transverse support member having a high pressure side and an opposite low pressure side. A passage extends through the transverse support member between the opposite sides. A conductor pin having an axial portion extends through the passage. An insulating sleeve surrounds at least the axial portion of the conductor pin, thereby electrically insulating the transverse support member from the conductor pin. A molded connected body surrounds at least a central portion of the conductor pin at least at one of the high and low pressure sides to thereby mechanically support the conductor pin in the passage. The molded connector body is directly sealingly engaged with the conductor pin, the insulating sleeve and the transverse support member.

Abstract: An apparatus, program product and method propagate errors detected in an IO fabric element from an IO fabric that is used to couple a plurality of endpoint IO resources to processing elements in a computer. In particular, such errors are propagated to the endpoint IO resources affected by the IO fabric element in connection with recovering from the errors in the IO fabric element. By doing so, a device driver or other program code used to access each affected IO resources may be permitted to asynchronously recover from the propagated error in its associated IO resource, and often without requiring the recovery from the error in the IO fabric element to wait for recovery to be completed for each of the affected IO resources. In addition, an IO fabric may be dynamically configured to support both recoverable and non-recoverable endpoint IO resources.

Abstract: A glass-to-meal seal for use in high temperature and high pressure environments is described. The glass-to-metal seals includes an optical fiber having a metallized portion, the metallized portion having an outer dimension; an object having a high strength, corrosion-resistant alloy, the object having an outer surface and an inner surface defining a bore, the bore having a dimension larger than the outer dimension of the metallized portion of the optical fiber; and a hardened solder material disposed between the metallized portion of the optical fiber and the inner surface of the bore, such that a hermetic seal is provided between the metallized portion of the optical fiber and the inner surface of the bore; wherein the solder includes a substance having a melting temperature greater than about 250° C.