Abstract: Methods for detecting the presence of a pathogen infection are described. In particular, this document provides a method of detecting target nucleic acids, such as pathogen-specific RNA, in a biological sample obtained from a subject, where the method comprises using one or more toehold switch sensors and an isothermal amplification step to detect the target nucleic acid. Methods specific for detecting and identify the presence of a virus such as Zika virus are also provided.

Abstract: An unmanned vehicle (20) for relaying radio frequency signals in a tactical communications network is described. The unmanned vehicle comprises a processor (22) arranged to receive the location of a first asset (40a); select a relay site (30) from at least one relay site; and control the unmanned vehicle to move to the selected relay site, wherein at the selected relay site, communication between the first asset and the unmanned vehicle is enabled. The unmanned vehicle also comprises a receiver for receiving data from the first asset; and a transmitter for transmitting the data to a second asset (40b, 20, 10). A control unit (60) for an unmanned vehicle, a tactical communications network comprising a plurality of unmanned vehicles, and a method of relaying signals in a tactical communications network using an unmanned vehicle are all also described.

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with the present disclosure include techniques for predicting an accident, comprising: receiving monitoring data from a user device associated with a user, the monitoring data indicative of movement of the user; determining a user action based on the monitoring data using a first artificial intelligence model; and determining a probability of occurrence of one or more potential accidents based on the determined user action and the monitoring data using a second artificial intelligence model.

Abstract: A computer system generates a tactile force model for a tactile force sensor by performing a number of calibration tasks. In various embodiments, the calibration tasks include pressing the tactile force sensor while the tactile force sensor is attached to a pressure gauge, interacting with a ball, and pushing an object along a planar surface. Data collected from these calibration tasks is used to train a neural network. The resulting tactile force model allows the computer system to convert signals received from the tactile force sensor into a force magnitude and direction with greater accuracy than conventional methods. In an embodiment, force on the tactile force sensor is inferred by interacting with an object, determining the motion of the object, and estimating the forces on the object based on a physical model of the object.

Abstract: A flotation cell for separating hydrophobic particles from hydrophilic particles uses a mixer (1) with an air inlet (8) and slurry feed (7) to form a bubbly mixture in a u-tube mixer (4, 5, 6) and feed the mixture into a separation vessel (2). Plant cost and operating efficiencies are optimised by gravity feed of slurry and admitting air at atmospheric pressure. The separation vessel (2) has an upper inclined plate (9) which guides the froth layer (33) containing the hydrophobic particles to an overflow launder (11) without any significant turbulence or change in direction optimising the retention of hydrophobic particles in the froth, while the hydrophilic particles drop down in the liquid layer (34) guided along a lower inclined plate (24) to a tailings outlet (14).

Abstract: The present invention provides a device (10) for detecting the frothing ability of a fluid, said device including: an inlet (11) for receiving a portion of said fluid; means (12) for entraining air into said fluid portion; a mixing chamber (13) for receiving said air entrained fluid portion, said mixing chamber (13) being adapted for mixing said fluid portion and said air; and a detector (15) for detecting the amount of froth (18) generated in said mixing chamber (13). The invention also provides a method for detecting the frothing ability of a fluid.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of online analysis of mineral waste content of a slurry in a mineral separation process, said method including the steps of: measuring the density of said slurry (10); measuring the concentration of solids in said slurry (12); calculating the density of solids in said slurry from said slurry density and said solids concentration (20); and calculating said mineral waste content from said solids density (22). The present invention also provides an online analyzer for mineral waste content of a slurry in a mineral separation process.

Abstract: A flotation cell for separating hydrophobic particles from hydrophilic particles uses a mixer (1) with an air inlet (8) and slurry feed (7) to form a bubbly mixture in a u-tube mixer (4, 5, 6) and feed the mixture into a separation vessel (2). Plant cost and operating efficiencies are optimised by gravity feed of slurry and admitting air at atmospheric pressure. The separation vessel (2) has an upper inclined plate (9) which guides the froth layer (33) containing the hydrophobic particles to an overflow launder (11) without any significant turbulence or change in direction optimising the retention of hydrophobic particles in the froth, while the hydrophilic particles drop down in the liquid layer (34) guided along a lower inclined plate (24) to a tailings outlet (14).

Abstract: The present invention provides a device (10) for detecting the frothing ability of a fluid, said device including: an inlet (11) for receiving a portion of said fluid; means (12) for entraining air into said fluid portion; a mixing chamber (13) for receiving said air entrained fluid portion, said mixing chamber (13) being adapted for mixing said fluid portion and said air; and a detector (15) for detecting the amount of froth (18) generated in said mixing chamber (13). The invention also provides a method for detecting the frothing ability of a fluid.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of online analysis of mineral waste content of a slurry in a mineral separation process, said method including the steps of: measuring the density of said slurry (10); measuring the concentration of solids in said slurry (12); calculating the density of solids in said slurry from said slurry density and said solids concentration (20); and calculating said mineral waste content from said solids density (22). The present invention also provides an online analyser for mineral waste content of a slurry in a mineral separation process.

Abstract: Selective, irreversible removal of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and other sulfhydryl compounds from a gas stream, such as sour natural gas and sour hydrocarbon liquids is achieved with a scavenging agent having hydroxyalkyl functionality and alkylamine functionality. This scavenger possesses a higher capacity for H2S removal compared with a scavenger having only hydroxyalkyl functionality. The scavenging agent is made by reacting at least one alkanolamine and at least one alkyl amine with an aldehyde, such as formaldehyde.

Abstract: Selective, irreversible removal of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and other sulfhydryl compounds from a gas stream, such as sour natural gas and sour hydrocarbon liquids is achieved with a scavenging agent having hydroxyalkyl functionality and alkylamine functionality. This scavenger possesses a higher capacity for H2S removal compared with a scavenger having only hydroxyalkyl functionality. The scavenging agent is made by reacting at least one alkanolamine and at least one alkyl amine with an aldehyde, such as formaldehyde.

Abstract: A froth flotation process typically used to separate particulate materials such as coal, has a mixed size feed (1) separated in a sieve bend (2) into a stream of relatively fine particles (3) and a stream of relatively coarse particles (14). The fine particles are fed to a flotation cell (7) in the normal manner, while the coarse particles are mixed with wash water (16) and distributed onto or into the froth layer (10) by wash water distribution apparatus (19, 20). Alternative variations of wash water distribution apparatus able to handle coarse particles are also described.

Abstract: A froth flotation process typically used to separate particulate materials such as coal, has a mixed size feed (1) separated in a sieve bend (2) into a stream of relatively fine particles (3) and a stream of relatively coarse particles (14). The fine particles are fed to a flotation cell (7) in the normal manner, while the coarse particles are mixed with wash water (16) and distributed onto or into the froth layer (10) by wash water distribution apparatus (19, 20). Alternative variations of wash water distribution apparatus able to handle coarse particles are also described.