Abstract: Essential genes coding for the metabolic pathway of solventogenic autotrophic Clostridia were sequenced, and functionality was confirmed. The present invention utilizes a comparative inter-species approach to develop the minimum set of essential genes for metabolic function and estimate productivity in species of suspected solventogenic capability.

Abstract: This invention provides isolated polynucleotides encoding DNA Type I methyltransferase and uses thereof for improving transformation efficiencies of exogenous and endogenous plasmid DNA into Clostridial hosts.

Abstract: Gene sequences of key acetogenic clostridial species were sequenced and isolated. Genes of interest were identified, and functionality was established. Key genes of interest for metabolic catalyzing activity in clostridial species include a three-gene operon coding for CODH activity, a two-gene operon coding for PTA-ACK, and a novel acetyl coenzyme A reductase. The promoter regions of the two operons and the acetyl coA reductase are manipulated to increase ethanol production.

Abstract: A method of operating a fermentation zone for the production of ethanol from syngas uses a crotonate-like compound to prevent or reverse the effects of butyrogen contamination. The crotonate-like compound works in continuous fermentation processes to reduce or eliminate contamination from butyrate and butanol in the syngas derived ethanol product.

Abstract: Processes are disclosed for the anaerobic bioconversion of syngas to oxygenated organic compound that use an in situ method for protecting the microorganisms from hydrogen cyanide contained in the syngas that passes to the fermentation broth. The fermentation broth is maintained at a pH of between about 4 and 6, and dissolved metal cation of one or more of iron, cobalt, nickel and zinc is provided to the fermentation broth in an amount sufficient to form, under the conditions of the fermentation broth, a substantially insoluble metal complex with the metal cation and cyanide anion. The rate of formation of the insoluble complex is sufficiently high that that the amount of cyanide that is taken up by microorganisms does not result in an undue adverse effect on the population of microorganisms.

Abstract: A networked probe system for a communications network (28) comprising at least one user device and at least one network device, comprises a plurality of probes (25). A probe (25) is provided in each path between the or each user device and the or each network device. Each probe (25) stores one or more parameters of interest. The probes (25) monitor communication from the user device for a subset of the communication satisfying the one or more parameters. On determining the presence of the one or more parameters in the subset of the communication, the probe (25) provides a notification to all other probes in the network (28).

Abstract: Essential genes coding for the metabolic pathway of solventogenic autotrophic Clostridia were sequenced, and functionality was confirmed. The present invention utilizes a comparative inter-species approach to develop the minimum set of essential genes for metabolic function and estimate productivity in species of suspected solventogenic capability.

Abstract: This invention provides isolated polynucleotides encoding DNA Type I methyltransferase and uses thereof for improving transformation efficiencies of exogenous and endogenous plasmid DNA into Clostridial hosts.

Abstract: Processes are disclosed for the anaerobic bioconversion of syngas to oxygenated organic compound that use an in situ method for protecting the microorganisms from hydrogen cyanide contained in the syngas that passes to the fermentation broth. The fermentation broth is maintained at a pH of between about 4 and 6, and dissolved metal cation of one or more of iron, cobalt, nickel and zinc is provided to the fermentation broth in an amount sufficient to form, under the conditions of the fermentation broth, a substantially insoluble metal complex with the metal cation and cyanide anion. The rate of formation of the insoluble complex is sufficiently high that that the amount of cyanide that is taken up by microorganisms does not result in an undue adverse effect on the population of microorganisms.

Abstract: Gene sequences of key acetogenic clostridial species were sequenced and isolated. Genes of interest were identified, and functionality was established. Key genes of interest for metabolic catalyzing activity in clostridial species include a three-gene operon coding for CODH activity, a two-gene operon coding for PTA-ACK, and a novel acetyl coenzyme A reductase. The promoter regions of the two operons and the acetyl coA reductase are manipulated to increase ethanol production.

Abstract: This invention provides compositions for the production of butanol. Specifically, the compositions of the present invention use syntrophic co-cultures for the production of butanol from syngas.

Abstract: Technologies pertaining to compressing time-series signals are described herein. Groups of time-series signals are generated based upon similarities between time-series signals. Each group of time-series signals includes a respective base time-series signal. Ratio signals that are representative of time-series signals are computed, wherein the ratio signals are based upon the base time-series signal and other respective time-series signals in a group of time-series signals.

Abstract: Gene sequences of key acetogenic clostridial species were sequenced and isolated. Genes of interest were identified, and functionality was established. Key genes of interest for metabolic catalyzing activity in clostridial species include a three-gene operon coding for CODH activity, a two-gene operon coding for PTA-ACK, and a novel acetyl coenzyme A reductase. The promoter regions of the two operons and the acetyl coA reductase are manipulated to increase ethanol production.

Abstract: Process and facility for treating an aqueous solution containing substantial concentrations of a variety of contaminants, including solids, semi-solids, colloids, complexes, oligomers, polyvalents, organics and monovalents, and which tend to form gels and scale precipitates when their concentration levels are increased during treatment of the aqueous solution, the process comprising the steps of: a) feeding the aqueous solution to an ultrafiltration (UF) plant and recovering therefrom an UF permeate reduced in such suspended solids, semi-solids and colloids; b) feeding the UF permeate obtained from step (a) to a nanofiltration (NF) plant and recovering therefrom an NF permeate reduced in such complexes, oligomers, polyvalents and organics; and feeding the NF permeate obtained from step (b) to a first reverse osmosis (RO) plant and recovering therefrom an RO permeate reduced in such monovalents. The process and facility may be used for treating process water from wet process phosphate acid production.

Abstract: A method of operating a fermentation zone for the production of ethanol from syngas uses a crotonate derivative to prevent or reverse the effects of butyrigen contamination. The crotonate compound works in continuous fermentation processes to reduce or eliminate contamination from butyrate and butanol in the syngas derived ethanol product.

Abstract: A system for determining if a time period after a sensing node has sensed an event exceeds a threshold value, including establishing means for establishing a plurality of reference threshold values, wherein each reference threshold value is associated with a set of reference inter-event time intervals or metrics statistically derived therefrom, calculating means for calculating a set of preliminary time intervals or metrics statistically derived therefrom, based on events sensed by the sensing node, comparing means for comparing the set of preliminary inter-event time intervals or metrics statistically derived therefrom, with each set of reference inter-event time intervals or metrics statistically derived therefrom, identifying means for identifying the reference threshold value associated with the set of reference inter-event time intervals or metrics statistically derived therefrom, being the closest match to the set of preliminary inter-event time intervals or metrics statistically derived therefrom, and

Abstract: A membrane treatment plant having at least two stages (53), (69), (75) arranged serially is disclosed. Each stage (53), (69), (75) comprises at least four membrane units (55) arranged in parallel, with each membrane unit (55) having an inlet (57), a feed/concentrate outlet (59) and a permeate outlet (61). Each stage (53), (69), (75) has a common inlet header (51), (67), or (73) and a common outlet header (65), (71), or (77), with the common outlet header (65) (71) of an upstream stage connecting to has the common inlet header (67) (73) respectively of an immediately downstream stage. Each membrane unit (55) has an inlet flow control valve (93) connecting between its inlet (57) and the common inlet header of the stage in which it is located, and an outlet flow control valve (63) connecting between its outlet (59) and the common outlet header of the stage in which it is located.

Abstract: An imaging system and method is provided with transition in depth of field, the system comprising: an array of selectably activated sensors comprising first sensors receiving light of a first wavelength and second sensor receiving light of a second wavelength, the first wavelength corresponding to a short effective focal length and the second wavelength corresponding to a long effective focal length; an aperture common to both the first and second sensors configured with chromatic distortion such that a focal plane of light of the first wavelength is different from light of the second wavelength; a controller, the controller digitally between outputs of the first and second sensors based on the focal length required.

Abstract: Gene sequences of key acetogenic clostridial species were sequenced and isolated. Genes of interest were identified, and functionality was established. Key genes of interest for metabolic catalyzing activity in clostridial species include a three-gene operon coding for CODH activity, a two-gene operon coding for PTA-ACK, and a novel acetyl coenzyme A reductase. The promoter regions of the two operons and the acetyl coA reductase are manipulated to increase ethanol production.

Abstract: A method of operating a fermentation zone for the production of ethanol from syngas uses a crotonate derivative to prevent or reverse the effects of butyrigen contamination. The crotonate compound works in continuous fermentation processes to reduce or eliminate contamination from butyrate and butanol in the syngas derived ethanol product.