Abstract: Provided herein is technology relating to detecting and identifying nucleic acids and particularly, but not exclusively, to compositions, methods, kits, and systems for detecting, identifying, and quantifying target nucleic acids with high confidence at single-molecule resolution.

Abstract: A method includes providing a production line configured for continuous fabrication of polymer or predominantly polymer roofing boards by setting and expansion of precursor materials on a conveyor. A first polymer or predominantly polymer material foam precursor is dispensed to the production line, and allowed to rise and at least partially set to form a foam core layer for an insulation board, the foam core layer for the insulation board having a first density. A second polymer or predominantly polymer material foam precursor is dispensed to the production line and allowed to rise and set to form a core layer for a cover board, the foam core layer for the cover board having a second density greater than the first density. The combined thickness of the foam core layer for the insulation board and the core layer for the cover board is set by constraining the expansion of the combined foam precursors using a downstream forming conveyor disposed above the rising foam precursors.

Abstract: There is provided an adherent cell-culture support comprising gold nanoparticles on the surface where the cells attach to, wherein the size of the nanoparticles is from 5 nm to 2 microns, the distance between the nanoparticles is from 2 nm to 30 nm and the anisotropy aspect ratio is greater than 1. These substrates have improved properties for allowing the culturing and subsequent detachment of cells, with potential applications in a wide range of fields such as stem cell research and tissue engineering. There is also provided a process for their preparation and several uses thereof.

Abstract: The present invention addresses deficiencies of the art with respect to collaborative computer networks consisting of mixed data, control functions, analysis functions, and sensors in complex systems of systems. The method involves a database framework for representing complex heterogeneous characteristics of processes, systems, and systems of systems that feature many to many interrelationships. The homoiconic graph framework takes the form of an executable graph database, which is often faster for associative data sets, and maps more directly to object-oriented computer applications for large-scale operations. The invention provides a method to execute the graph database, in that the graph comprises nodes that are both data fragments and executable components. The graph is characterized as one or more homoiconic or executable graph frameworks, to distinguish this unique feature from the concept of a graph database, which generally is a repository of connected data only.

Abstract: A method includes providing a production line configured for continuous fabrication of polymer or predominantly polymer roofing boards by setting and expansion of precursor materials on a conveyor. A first polymer or predominantly polymer material foam precursor is dispensed to the production line, and allowed to rise and at least partially set to form a foam core layer for an insulation board, the foam core layer for the insulation board having a first density. A second polymer or predominantly polymer material foam precursor is dispensed to the production line and allowed to rise and set to form a core layer for a cover board, the foam core layer for the cover board having a second density greater than the first density. The combined thickness of the foam core layer for the insulation board and the core layer for the cover board is set by constraining the expansion of the combined foam precursors using a downstream forming conveyor disposed above the rising foam precursors.

Abstract: A magnetometer containing a crystal sensor with solid-state defects senses the magnitude and direction of a magnetic field. The solid-state defects in the crystal sensor absorb microwave and optical energy to transition between several energy states while emitting light intensity indicative of their spin states. The magnetic field alters the spin-state transitions of the solid-state defects by amounts depending on the solid-state defects' orientations with respect to the magnetic field. The optical read out, reporting the spin state of an ensemble of solid-state defects from one particular orientation class, can be used to lock microwave signals to the resonances associated with the spin-state transitions. The frequencies of the locked microwave signals can be used to reconstruct the magnetic field vector.

Abstract: The present invention addresses deficiencies of the art with respect to collaborative computer networks consisting of mixed data, control functions, analysis functions, and sensors in complex systems of systems. The method involves a database framework for representing complex heterogeneous characteristics of processes, systems, and systems of systems that feature many to many interrelationships. The homoiconic graph framework takes the form of an executable graph database, which is often faster for associative data sets, and maps more directly to object-oriented computer applications for large-scale operations. The invention provides a method to execute the graph database, in that it comprises nodes that are both data fragments and executable components. It is characterized as a homoiconic or executable graph framework to distinguish this unique feature from the concept of a graph database, which generally is a repository of connected data only.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a roofing system comprises a plurality of insulation boards adapted for overlying a roof deck to form a layer of insulation. Each of the plurality of insulation boards has opposing planar surfaces and has a facer on at least one planar surface, and each of the plurality of insulation boards comprises polyisocyanurate foam having a first polyisocyanurate foam density. The roofing system further comprises a plurality of cover boards adapted for overlying the layer of insulation. Each of the plurality of cover boards has opposing planar surfaces and has a facer on at least one planar surface, and each of the plurality of cover boards comprises polyisocyanurate foam having a second polyisocyanurate foam density greater than the first polyisocyanurate foam density. The greater polyisocyanurate foam density provides for a compressive strength to resist deformation.

Abstract: Unique insulation articles including corrosion inhibitors and methods of producing the same are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment is an article of manufacture comprising an insulation mat comprising a cured combination of a plurality of randomly oriented fibers and a binder, the insulation mat extending between a first surface and a second surface, a veil attached to the first surface, the veil structured to inhibit physical movement of the cured combination through the veil, a metal sheet attached to the second surface by a water-containing adhesive contacting the metal sheet and the second surface, and a corrosion inhibitor composition deposited on the cured combination of the insulation mat, the corrosion inhibitor composition being effective to modify toward neutral a pH of the cured combination in contact with water from the water-containing adhesive.

Abstract: A torque fastening system and method for applying torque to secure a fastener, includes actuating a torque tool to provide an initial command torque value to the servo drive of an electric motor for applying torque to a fastener. The initial command torque value is less than a target command torque value corresponding to a desired maximum target torque value entered by an operator. The torque fastening system operates at the initial command torque value to rotate a threaded fastener. Thereafter, in response to a spike in torque that corresponds to a decrease in motor speed, the torque tool output changes from the initial command torque value to a jump command torque value having a greater power value to increase torque applied by the torque tool to a fastener. The command torque value is ramped from the jump command torque value toward the target command torque value to increase the torque provided by the torque tool.

Abstract: Unique insulation articles including corrosion inhibitors and methods of producing the same are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment is an article of manufacture comprising an insulation mat comprising a cured combination of a plurality of randomly oriented fibers and a binder, the insulation mat extending between a first surface and a second surface, a veil attached to the first surface, the veil structured to inhibit physical movement of the cured combination through the veil, a metal sheet attached to the second surface by a water-containing adhesive contacting the metal sheet and the second surface, and a corrosion inhibitor composition deposited on the cured combination of the insulation mat, the corrosion inhibitor composition being effective to modify toward neutral a pH of the cured combination in contact with water from the water-containing adhesive.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a roofing system comprises a plurality of insulation boards adapted for overlying a roof deck to form a layer of insulation. Each of the plurality of insulation boards has opposing planar surfaces and has a facer on at least one planar surface, and each of the plurality of insulation boards comprises polyisocyanurate foam having a first polyisocyanurate foam density. The roofing system further comprises a plurality of cover boards adapted for overlying the layer of insulation. Each of the plurality of cover boards has opposing planar surfaces and has a facer on at least one planar surface, and each of the plurality of cover boards comprises polyisocyanurate foam having a second polyisocyanurate foam density greater than the first polyisocyanurate foam density. The greater polyisocyanurate foam density provides for a compressive strength to resist deformation.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a roofing system includes a plurality of insulation boards adapted for overlying a roof deck to form a layer of insulation. Each of the plurality of insulation boards includes a first polyisocyanurate foam having a first foam density. The roofing system further includes a plurality of cover boards adapted for overlying the layer of insulation. Each of the plurality of cover boards includes a second polyisocyanurate foam having a second foam density, and the second foam density is greater than the first foam density. Each of the insulation boards and cover boards may have a facer on at least one major surface. The second foam density may be selected to provide the cover boards with a compressive strength to resist deformation.

Abstract: Unique insulation articles including corrosion inhibitors and methods of producing the same are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment is an article of manufacture comprising an insulation mat comprising a cured combination of a plurality of randomly oriented fibers and a binder, the insulation mat extending between a first surface and a second surface, a veil attached to the first surface, the veil structured to inhibit physical movement of the cured combination through the veil, a metal sheet attached to the second surface by a water-containing adhesive contacting the metal sheet and the second surface, and a corrosion inhibitor composition deposited on the cured combination of the insulation mat, the corrosion inhibitor composition being effective to modify toward neutral a pH of the cured combination in contact with water from the water-containing adhesive.

Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) system can include a plurality of PV modules and circuitry configured to receive an indication of a status of the PV system and to, in response to the indication, determine whether to switch between a first state in which the PV modules output DC power and a second state in which the PV modules do not output power.

Abstract: Provided herein is technology relating to detecting and identifying nucleic acids and particularly, but not exclusively, to compositions, methods, kits, and systems for detecting, identifying, and quantifying target nucleic acids with high confidence at single-molecule resolution.

Abstract: The present invention addresses deficiencies of the art with respect to collaborative computer networks consisting of mixed data, control functions, analysis functions, and sensors in complex systems of systems. The method involves a database framework for representing complex heterogeneous characteristics of processes, systems, and systems of systems that feature many to many interrelationships. The homoiconic graph framework takes the form of an executable graph database, which is often faster for associative data sets, and maps more directly to object-oriented computer applications for large-scale operations. The invention provides a method to execute the graph database, in that it comprises nodes that are both data fragments and executable components. It is characterized as a homoiconic or executable graph framework to distinguish this unique feature from the concept of a graph database, which generally is a repository of connected data only.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a roofing system includes a plurality of insulation boards adapted for overlying a roof deck to form a layer of insulation. Each of the plurality of insulation boards includes a first polyisocyanurate foam having a first foam density. The roofing system further includes a plurality of cover boards adapted for overlying the layer of insulation. Each of the plurality of cover boards includes a second polyisocyanurate foam having a second foam density, and the second foam density is greater than the first foam density. Each of the insulation boards and cover boards may have a facer on at least one major surface. The second foam density may be selected to provide the cover boards with a compressive strength to resist deformation.

Abstract: A composite code is created from an image and a tag that is searchable by an Internet search engine. The composite code is dynamically linked to one or more of a plurality of Internet addresses. When data about a composite code is received from a user computing device, one of the linked Internet addresses is selected based on a predetermined rule and sent back to the user computing device.

Abstract: The invention provides improved methods and apparatus for control using field and control devices that provide a virtual machine environment and that communicate via an IP network. By way of non-limiting example, such field device can be an “intelligent” transmitter or actuator that includes a low power processor, along with a random access memory, a read-only memory, FlashRAM, and a sensor interface. The processor can execute a real-time operating system, as well as a Java virtual machine (JVM). Java byte code executes in the JVM to configure the field device to perform typical process control functions, e.g., for proportional integral derivative (PID) control and signal conditioning. Control networks can include a plurality of such field and control devices interconnected by an IP network, such as an Ethernet.