Abstract: Sequences for detection of SARS-CoV-2 are provided and include example, SEQ ID NOs:4-8. The sequences are useful for amplifying the SARS-CoV-2 nsp8 gene in a sample, using Reverse Transcriptional Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (RT-LAMP) and it is preferably used in combination with a Cas enzyme/sgRNA pair and a reporter nucleic acid. The disclosed sequences can be use in methods of detecting SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acids in a sample. Generally, the specific gene sequence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA, herein nsp8, is amplified using RT-LAMP. The RT-LAMP products are scanned by the Cas12a-gRNA ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex. The RNP binds to the specific complementary to gRNA, activating the transcleavage activity of Cas12a. The active Cas12a system cleaves a short ssDNA reporter that is labeled preferably, with a fluorophore and a quencher on either end. Cleavage of the reporter separates the quencher from the fluorophore, and fluorescence that is detectable with the naked eye is generated.

Abstract: The disclosure deals with a system and method for improved general task-oriented virtual assistants (VAs). The presently disclosed framework incorporates discovery of knowledge from online sources to accomplish tasks (open world), user-specific knowledge for personalization, and domain-specific knowledge for context adaptation to recommend and assist the users over procedural tasks such as cooking and Do-it-Yourself (DIY) tasks. The approach also focuses on content curation for fault-tolerant execution to ensure the end goal is reached despite common failures.

Abstract: A tubing-illumination apparatus for illuminating oxygen supply tubing. The apparatus includes an electroluminescent wire that is wrapped around an oxygen supply tubing in a spiraling configuration to extend along the length thereof. Clips with a minor and a major channel extending therethrough are provided for retaining the arrangement of the wire and the tubing. The minor channel receives and retains the wire and the major channel receives and retains the tubing in a parallel, side-by-side relation. The electroluminescent wire provides illumination of the tubing continuously along the length thereof. The clips are removable from the tubing to enable replacement of the tubing. The electroluminescent wire may be coupled to a control module such that the wire may be illuminated in relation to operational conditions of an oxygen supply apparatus.

Abstract: A system for data storage including a removable memory element having a data storage device, and a docking station in communication with a host device and configured for receiving the removable memory cartridge so as to put the host system in communication with the data storage device.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a perpendicular pole head for creating a perpendicular magnetic moment in a concentrated pattern for writing the pattern on perpendicular magnetic media, such as BaFe based media. The pole head can have flux concentrators in the shape of the written pattern, which can be repeatedly applied to a moving magnetic medium to create a timing pattern on the media, e.g., a servo timing pattern.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a perpendicular pole head for creating a perpendicular magnetic moment in a concentrated pattern for writing the pattern on perpendicular magnetic media, such as BaFe based media. The pole head can have flux concentrators in the shape of the written pattern, which can be repeatedly applied to a moving magnetic medium to create a timing pattern on the media, e.g., a servo timing pattern.

Abstract: The invention is directed to techniques for erasing data storage tape for reuse. In an embodiment, an erase head module for erasing data storage tape comprises a set of erase gaps and one or more servo read elements. The set of erase gaps is configured to coincide with data bands of the data storage tape to allow erasure of only the data bands of the data storage tape while not erasing servo bands of the data storage tape. The one or more servo read elements detect one of the servo bands of the data storage tape when the set of erase gaps are proximate the data bands of the data storage tape to allow the erase head module to accurately track the data bands with the set of erase gaps.

Abstract: A dongle is provided for coupling a data storage cartridge with a host computing device. The data storage cartridge includes a data storage medium and an electrical connection providing access to the data storage medium. The dongle includes a first plug and a second plug. The first plug includes a first electrical data connector configured for insertion into a receptacle of the host computing device. The second plug includes a second electrical data connector and a clamp mechanism sized to grasp a portion of the data storage cartridge to maintain the second electrical data connector in a position to communicate with the electrical connection of the data storage cartridge. The second plug is in electrical communication with the first plug. As such, the dongle is configured to provide an electrical communication link between the host device and the data storage cartridge.

Abstract: The invention is directed to techniques for erasing data storage tape for reuse. In an embodiment, an erase head module for erasing data storage tape comprises a set of erase gaps and one or more servo read elements. The set of erase gaps is configured to coincide with data bands of the data storage tape to allow erasure of only the data bands of the data storage tape while not erasing servo bands of the data storage tape. The one or more servo read elements detect one of the servo bands of the data storage tape when the set of erase gaps are proximate the data bands of the data storage tape to allow the erase head module to accurately track the data bands with the set of erase gaps.

Abstract: A dongle is provided for coupling a data storage cartridge with a host computing device. The data storage cartridge includes a data storage medium and an electrical connection providing access to the data storage medium. The dongle includes a first plug and a second plug. The first plug includes a first electrical data connector configured for insertion into a receptacle of the host computing device. The second plug includes a second electrical data connector and a clamp mechanism sized to grasp a portion of the data storage cartridge to maintain the second electrical data connector in a position to communicate with the electrical connection of the data storage cartridge. The second plug is in electrical communication with the first plug. As such, the dongle is configured to provide an electrical communication link between the host device and the data storage cartridge.

Abstract: A docking system for interfacing with a host computing device and for receiving a plurality of data storage components including a non-tape data storage media and an electrical contact. The docking system includes a primary station and an auxiliary station. The primary station includes an electrical connection device configured to interface with the host computing device and a primary station electrical coupling element. The auxiliary station includes a corresponding electrical coupling element selectively coupled with the primary station electrical coupling element and further includes at least one socket configured to selectively receive one of the plurality of data storage components.

Abstract: A data storage system includes a computer and a USB device insertable into the computer. The computer includes a housing having an exterior surface that defines a recessed USB port. The recessed USB port includes an internal wall separated from the exterior surface, a USB receptacle formed in the internal wall, and a well extending between the internal wall and the exterior surface of the housing. The USB receptacle is in electrical communication with the central processing unit. The USB device includes a case defining a first end and an opposing second end and a USB connector extending from the first end of the case. In this regard, the well of the recessed USB port is configured to receive substantially an entirety of the case of an inserted USB device such that the second end of the case is substantially coplanar with the exterior surface of the housing.

Abstract: An electronic data storage device tracing system includes at least one data storage device and a reader system. The data storage device includes a housing having an optical label and a device RFID tag coupled to the housing. In this regard, the optical label is printed with a VOLSER number and the device RFID tag includes a chip that electronically stores the VOLSER number. The reader system is configured to read the VOLSER number from the chip and trace the at least one data storage device entering/exiting the reader system.

Abstract: An electronic data storage device tracing system includes at least one data storage device and a reader system. The data storage device includes a housing having an optical label and a device RFID tag coupled to the housing. In this regard, the optical label is printed with a volser number and the device RFID tag includes a chip that electronically stores the volser number. The reader system is configured to read the volser number from the chip and trace the at least one data storage device entering/exiting the reader system.

Abstract: An RFID enabled data storage device configured to be traced by an electronic data storage device tracing system includes a housing defining an enclosure, data storage media disposed within the enclosure, a label coupled to the housing, and an RFID tag coupled to the housing. The label includes a VOLSER number configured to identify the contents of the data storage media, and the RFID tag is programmed with a unique identification number and at least the label VOLSER number. In this regard, the label and the RFID tag combine to uniquely identify an in-transit data storage device to the system.

Abstract: The invention provides a system comprising a non-linear array of magnetoresistive (MR) heads arranged in a two-dimensional matrix for reading information stored on magnetic media. The non-linear array of MR heads may comprise a planar array formed by a plurality of linear arrays of MR heads stacked to define a plurality of layers. Each of the linear arrays may share at least one shield element with another linear array of the non-linear array. In general, each layer is offset by one written track pitch and the number of layers of the invention is equal to the number of written track pitches in a channel pitch. The invention can also be used in a system for reading and writing information to magnetic media at improved track pitches relative to conventional read/write systems.

Abstract: A data storage cartridge is equipped with write-once-read-many (WORM) write-protection. The cartridge is compatible with an existing cartridge docking station with a modification to the control logic of the docking station's control module. Specifically, the control logic is altered to recognize that sensing magnets with both sensors requires the docking station to allow data to be written to, but not erased or altered on the cartridge. In this manner, a third possibility of write-protection status is added to the two existing possibilities of full write-protection and no write-protection. Some embodiments of the invention also provide redundant indications of the WORM write-protection status of the cartridge. For example, embodiments of the invention may incorporate a radio-frequency identification (RF) tag within the cartridge and/or a status bit written into a designated WORM register within a media information header during pre-format of the cartridge media.

Abstract: A data storage cartridge is equipped with write-once-read-many (WORM) write-protection. The cartridge is compatible with an existing cartridge docking station with a modification to the control logic of the docking station's control module. Specifically, the control logic is altered to recognize that sensing magnets with both sensors requires the docking station to allow data to be written to, but not erased or altered on the cartridge. In this manner, a third possibility of write-protection status is added to the two existing possibilities of full write-protection and no write-protection. Some embodiments of the invention also provide redundant indications of the WORM write-protection status of the cartridge. For example, embodiments of the invention may incorporate a radio-frequency identification (RF) tag within the cartridge and/or a status bit written into a designated WORM register within a media information header during pre-format of the cartridge media.

Abstract: A thin film servo head apparatus is described that provides verification of time-based servo marks on a magnetic tape. The thin film servo head apparatus includes a plurality of thin film servo heads formed in a substrate. The substrate is canted such that servo gaps included in each of the thin film servo heads are substantially parallel to the time-based servo marks. Thin film servo heads eliminate the high labor, low yield machining process associated with conventional ferrite composite servo heads. Thin film servo heads may be fabricated in bulk on substrate wafers to reduce manufacturing time and cost. The invention described herein enables thin film servo heads to be used with time-based servo markings by defining a servo gap spacing such that when the substrate is canted, the servo gaps of the thin film servo heads substantially align with the time-based servo markings.

Abstract: A servo head comprising a write gap with a non-uniform width is described. It allows non-uniform width servo marks to be recorded on magnetic media. A servo head having a non-uniform width gap may create servo marks that facilitate servo position error signal calculations using time-based methods, amplitude-based methods, or both. This invention provides alternative methods for positioning servo heads and may increase reliability and precision by allowing redundant calculations.