Abstract: The invention features devices and kits for capturing and culturing microorganisms (e.g., bacteria, fungi, or protists) and methods of using the devices and kits to detect microorganisms in environmental and other samples. The device includes a nutrient media having a flat growth area on which microorganisms can grow. Samples are collected by contacting the device with any environmental sample, e.g., rolling device on a work surface or exposing device to air, or by filtering a sample through a membrane. Microorganisms deposited on the membrane derive nutrients from the underlying media and grow into colonies that can then be detected using methods known in the art. The detected colonies can be imaged digitally or with film.

Abstract: Exchanging information via a designated application includes establishing a voice communication link with a client device; sending a launch command associated with a designated application to the client device via the voice communication link, wherein upon receiving the launch command, the client device is caused to launch the designated application; and exchanging information with the client device through the designated application.

Abstract: A system detects a transaction outcome by obtaining video data associated with a transaction area and analyzing the video data to obtain at least one video transaction parameter concerning transactions associated with the transaction area. The transaction area can be a video count of items indicated in the video data as detected by an automated item detection algorithm applied to the video data. The system obtains at least one expected transaction parameter concerning an expected transaction that occurs in the transaction area, such as a scan count of items scanned at a point of sale terminal. The system automatically compares the video transaction parameter(s) to the expected transaction parameter(s) to identify a transaction outcome that may indicate fraudulent activity such as sweethearting in a retail environment.

Abstract: A system detects a transaction outcome by obtaining video data associated with a transaction area and analyzing the video data to obtain at least one video transaction parameter concerning transactions associated with the transaction area. The transaction area can be a video count of items indicated in the video data as detected by an automated item detection algorithm applied to the video data. The system obtains at least one expected transaction parameter concerning an expected transaction that occurs in the transaction area, such as a scan count of items scanned at a point of sale terminal. The system automatically compares the video transaction parameter(s) to the expected transaction parameter(s) to identify a transaction outcome that may indicate fraudulent activity such as sweethearting in a retail environment.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to electronic system and methods for switching a driving mode of a vehicle. The electronic system may include at least one sensor configured to connect to a driving system of a vehicle; at least one gateway module connected to the at least one sensor through a controller area network; and processing circuits connected to the at least one gateway module. During operation, the processing circuits may receive at least one trigger signal from the at least one sensor; determine that the at least one trigger signal meets a predetermined condition; and send at least one switching signal to the gateway module to switch the vehicle from a current driving mode to a target driving mode.

Abstract: The present disclosure identifies RNAs (including mRNAs and miRNAs) that are bound by LIN-28 in C. elegans. Many of these RNAs have clear human orthologs, and many of these human orthologs are common druggable targets in cancer and/or other diseases, such as kinases, phosphatases, methyltransferases, phosphodiesterases, etc. Accordingly, the present disclosure provides biological targets for LIN-28 expressing cancers, and which are thus useful for selecting chemical and/or biological agents for cancer treatment.

Abstract: A system includes a first scanner having an inflatable membrane configured to be inflated with a medium to conform an exterior surface of the inflatable membrane to an interior shape of a cavity. The medium attenuates, at first rate per unit length, light having a first optical wavelength, and attenuates, at a second rate per unit length, light having a second optical wavelength. An emitter is configured to generate light to illuminate the interior surface and a detector is configured to receive light from the interior surface. The scanner further includes a processor configured to generate a first electronic representation of the interior shape based on the light. A design computer is configured to modify the first electronic representation into a three-dimensional shape corresponding to at least a portion of the interior shape and a fabricator configured to fabricate, based at least on the modified first electronic representation, an earbud.

Abstract: A system includes a first scanner having an inflatable membrane configured to be inflated with a medium to conform an exterior surface of the inflatable membrane to an interior shape of a cavity. The medium attenuates, at first rate per unit length, light having a first optical wavelength, and attenuates, at a second rate per unit length, light having a second optical wavelength. An emitter is configured to generate light to illuminate the interior surface and a detector is configured to receive light from the interior surface. The scanner further includes a processor configured to generate a first electronic representation of the interior shape based on the light. A design computer is configured to modify the first electronic representation into a three-dimensional shape corresponding to at least a portion of the interior shape and a fabricator configured to fabricate, based at least on the modified first electronic representation, an earbud.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a method and an apparatus of account login to solve the problem of low efficiency of account login in existing technologies. A client of the method captures an image of a first credential of a user, recognizes user information of the user that is included in the captured image, includes the recognized user information into a login request, and sends the login request to a server for logging into an account that corresponds to the user information. Through this method, a user does not need to input his/her username when using a client for account login, but perform the account login by directly capturing an image of a first credential using an image capturing device of the client, thus effectively improving the efficiency of account login.

Abstract: Disclosed is an identification method for a Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) network cell soft switching band. The method includes that: a data collection server performs positioning calculation of a mobile station according to Round Trip Time (RTT) data, collected by a Radio Network Controller (RNC), of each of cells in an active set, performs grid statistics according to a positioning calculation result, and stores a statistical result; and a client calculates and displays a soft switching band of a cell in an active set to be queried according to the statistical result corresponding to the cell. Also disclosed are a system corresponding to the method, a data collection server and a storage medium.