Abstract: This disclosure provides a droplet thermal cycling reaction (DTCR) device comprising a helical tubing through which a colloid flows; a pump that drives the flow of the colloid; and one or more temperature control sheets (TCS). The pump is configured to drive the colloid to flow through the helical tubing. Optionally, the pump is connected to either the inlet or the outlet of the helical tubing. The TCS sheets, configured to control temperatures for reactions occurring on the device, can be placed either outside or inside helical tubing, and contain at least two temperature zones so that the colloid flows through the different temperature zones along inside the helical tubing. The DTCR of this disclosure has technical benefits of reducing device complexity, enabling device miniaturization, reducing PCR reaction volume, dropletizing PCR reactions, and reducing the cost of digital PCR.

Abstract: A modern business enterprise will have a large number of heterogeneous assets. The risk associated with a selected asset from the heterogeneous assets can be assessed. In one embodiment, the present invention includes selecting the asset from a plurality of heterogeneous assets for risk analysis, and collecting a plurality of risk factors associated with the selected asset. The risk associated with the asset can be determined by providing the plurality of risk factors to a non-linear statistical data model to derive a risk score associated with the asset.

Abstract: Simulating risk circumstances can reveal new information to risk assessment personnel about how to mitigate risk. In one embodiment, the present invention includes selecting an asset from a plurality of heterogeneous assets of a business enterprise. The user can then input a plurality of simulated risk factors for the selected asset into the system which receives this input. The risk assessment system can then generate a non-determinative simulated risk score using the simulated risk factors, the simulated risk score being a simulated measure of risk associated with the selected asset if the selected asset were to be associated with the plurality of simulated risk factors.

Abstract: Protective overlayers for magnetic recording media are described. The overlayers, composed of a transition metal-silicon or transition metal-germanium interlayer and a carbon overcoat, provide good wear resistance and corrosion resistance at thicknesses of less than 100 Å.