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: 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: 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: A system described herein includes a receiver component that receives a query that pertains to a raw time-series signal. A query executor component selectively executes the query over at least one of multiple available compressed representations of the raw time-series signal, wherein the query pertains to at least one of one of determining a trend pertaining to the raw time-series signal, generating a histogram pertaining to the raw time-series signal, or determining a correlation pertaining to the raw time-series signal.

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: Recombinant acetogenic Clostridia are engineered to modulate production of aliphatic C2-C6 alcohols and aliphatic C2-C6 organic acids from synthetic gases. One aspect of the invention provides a method of producing an aliphatic C2-C6 alcohol using an acetogenic Clostridium micro-organism having at least one genetic modification that reduces or eliminates C2-C6 carboxylic acid production by the modified organism. Another aspect of the invention provides a method of producing an aliphatic C2-C6 alcohol using an acetogenic Clostridium micro-organism having one or more genetic modifications that cause increased enzyme activity of carbon monoxide dehydrogenase, aldehyde ferredoxin oxidoreductase, NADPH-dependent alcohol dehydrogenase, or alcohol dehydrogenase.

Abstract: A network resilient to at least two points of failure comprises a plurality of nodes. A first path between a source node and a destination node is determined and a second path between a source node and a destination node is determined. The first and second paths are node-disjoint.

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 system described herein includes a receiver component that receives a query that pertains to a raw time-series signal. A query executor component selectively executes the query over at least one of multiple available compressed representations of the raw time-series signal, wherein the query pertains to at least one of one of determining a trend pertaining to the raw time-series signal, generating a histogram pertaining to the raw time-series signal, or determining a correlation pertaining to the raw time-series signal.

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: Whether a person suffering dementia has left their flat unaccompanied can be determined by identifying an event indicating opening of the front door of the flat, determining whether the flat was occupied by more than one person prior to the door opening, determining whether there is inactivity in the flat following the door opening and sending a notification to a communications terminal of a caretaker if the flat was occupied by only one person and if there is inactivity in the flat.

Abstract: Recombinant acetogenic Clostridia are engineered to modulate production of aliphatic C2-C6 alcohols and aliphatic C2-C6 organic acids from synthetic gases. One aspect of the invention provides a method of producing an aliphatic C2-C6 alcohol using an acetogenic Clostridium micro-organism having at least one genetic modification that reduces or eliminates C2-C6 carboxylic acid production by the modified organism. Another aspect of the invention provides a method of producing an aliphatic C2-C6 alcohol using an acetogenic Clostridium micro-organism having one or more genetic modifications that cause increased enzyme activity of carbon monoxide dehydrogenase, aldehyde ferredoxin oxidoreductase, NADPH-dependent alcohol dehydrogenase, or alcohol dehydrogenase.

Abstract: A method for determining the presence of a contaminating organism in a fermentation process includes initiating the fermentation process using a syngas and obtaining a first aliquot from the fermentation process. The method further includes subjecting said first aliquot to a polymerase chain reaction using at least one oligonucleotide primer capable of hybridizing to a target sequence of a genomic nucleic acid from a suspected contaminating organism, producing a first amplified product based on the polymerase chain reaction, separating the first amplified product based on size, and determining the presence of the suspected contaminating organism based on the first separated amplified product.

Abstract: A method determining whether a person suffering dementia has left their flat unaccompanied is described. The method includes identifying an event indicating opening of the front door of the flat, determining whether flat was occupied by more than one person prior to the door opening, determining whether there is inactivity in the flat following the door opening and sending a notification to a communications terminal of a carer if the flat was occupied by only one person and if there is inactivity in the flat.

Abstract: Consumable biotech strain improvement products are presented, as well as methods of preparation and using them. The technology is based on reversible, single-crossover insertion vectors, such as plasmids or phage. Because the single crossover event is reversible in the absence of drug selection, the products cannot be maintained in a useful form without knowledge of the drug selection agent. Consumable strain improvement products can be constructed with 1st generation reverse engineering protections, having at least 25%-75% of the effectiveness of the equivalent traditional (permanent) strain improvement product under laboratory condition.

Abstract: A process of increasing the cellular production of secondary metabolites, such as antibiotics, is provided. The process is particularly useful for increasing antibiotic production by bacterial cells, especially erythromycin. The process includes the step of increasing the activity of methylmalonyl-CoA mutase.

Abstract: The present invention comprises method and an apparatus for finding a path for routing a call from a source-node (SN) to a destination-node (DN) through a communication network. According to the invention the source-node (SN) generates a random-number and depending on the generated random-number at least one path between the source-node (SN) and the destination-node (DN) will be selected from the source-node (SN).

Abstract: A network resilient to at least two points of failure comprises a plurality of nodes. A first path between a source node and a destination node is determined and a second path between a source node and a destination node is determined. The first and second paths are node-disjoint.

Abstract: In a first aspect, the invention provides a system for monitoring and auditing data in one or more spreadsheets. The system comprises a file store within which files containing spreadsheet data can be stored, a database, and monitoring means. The monitoring means is operative to detect changes in spreadsheet data within the file store and to record the changes in the database. Changes in a spreadsheet over time may thus be monitored and recorded. In another aspect the system comprises an entity selector for selecting one or more entities in a spreadsheet, and a tracker for tracking the shift in position of the selected entities between two time points. An offset determinator is arranged to derive one or more offset values from information received from the tracker, the offset values representing the shift in position of the entities in the spreadsheet.

Abstract: A router device has a plurality of ingress line interface cards (LICs), a plurality of egress LIC's, a backplane and a controller. Transmission of signals from the ingress LICs to the controller, and from the controller to each of the ingress and egress LICs takes place across the backplane. Each ingress LIC is provided with a dedicated timeslot in which it can send information to the controller via connection. Information is sent in a slice within the dedicated timeslot and each egress LIC ignores data sent by a given ingress LIC within the timeslot assigned to said ingress LIC. A similar system is used for transmission of communications from the controller to the LICs. It is thus possible to avoid provision of additional, dedicated communications paths between the LICs (ingress and egress) and the controller.