Aspects of the present invention relate to systems and methods for device-independent portable session synchronization between multiple devices connected to a server system. Projected data values are then obtained for the exogenous variables, and a measure of the tendency of the value of the asset to change based on a change in at least one of the exogenous variables is estimated using the formula and the input projected data values. The present invention also relates to kits containing the MEMS devices of the present invention. The paper handling apparatus further includes a stack flexing mechanism for pivoting the hinged portion of the tray to flex the stack of paper without bringing the paper into contact with the feed roller. The method further include calculating a distance between the signal region of increasing amplitude and the signal region of decreasing amplitude, and determining a peak of the received signal that is one half the distance from the signal region of increasing amplitude.