Abstract: Enzymatic phenoxazinone substrates of formula (I): in reaction media containing the same are used for detecting, identifying and/or quantifying microorganisms expressing at least one peptidase activity.

Abstract: A method of operating a data processing system comprises executing a batch application, the executing comprising reading one or more inputs from one or more data files, performing updates on one or more records according to the or each input read from a data file, and issuing a syncpoint when said updates are completed. During the execution of the batch application, syncpoints are periodically issued and checkpoints are less frequently issued. Following detection of a failure of the batch application, the batch application is restarted with the last issued checkpoint, and the batch application is executed by reading one or more inputs from one or more data files, but not performing updates on said records, until the last issued syncpoint is reached.

Abstract: A contactor/separator is formed from a vessel; an inlet for receiving a vapor/liquid mixture; an inlet for receiving a superheated vapor; a hub located within the vessel, the hub including a plurality of vanes for imparting a centrifugal motion to the vapor/liquid mixture or the superheated vapor; an outlet in a bottom of the vessel for removing liquid; and an outlet for removing vapor from the vessel. A method is also provided for heating and separating liquid and vapor from a hydrocarbon feedstock comprising introducing a hydrocarbon feedstock into a contactor/separator: introducing a superheated vapor into the contactor/separator such that it contacts and vaporizes a portion of the feedstock within the contactor/separator; separating unvaporized feedstock from vaporized feedstock in the contactor/separator; removing the vaporized feedstock and the superheated vapor through a first outlet; and removing the unvaporized feedstock through a second outlet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for receiving digital information transmitted via an optical signal over an optical channel wherein the optical signal includes an optical carrier (402) and at least one information-bearing optical sideband (404) in the optical frequency domain. The transmitted optical power is distributed between the optical carrier (402) and the optical side band (404). The received optical signal is processed in order to increase the received power in the optical carrier (402) relative to the power in the optical side-band (404). The processed optical signal is detected in order to produce a corresponding electrical signal. The electrical signal is then processed in order to recover the digital information.

Abstract: A contactor/separator is formed from a vessel; an inlet for receiving a vapor/liquid mixture; an inlet for receiving a superheated vapor; a hub located within the vessel, the hub including a plurality of vanes for imparting a centrifugal motion to the vapor/liquid mixture or the superheated vapor; an outlet in a bottom of the vessel for removing liquid; and an outlet for removing vapor from the vessel. A method is also provided for heating and separating liquid and vapor from a hydrocarbon feedstock comprising introducing a hydrocarbon feedstock into a contactor/separator: introducing a superheated vapor into the contactor/separator such that it contacts and vaporizes a portion of the feedstock within the contactor/separator; separating unvaporized feedstock from vaporized feedstock in the contactor/separator; removing the vaporized feedstock and the superheated vapor through a first outlet; and removing the unvaporized feedstock through a second outlet.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for receiving an optical signal having an optical carrier component and at least one information-bearing optical sideband. In general, an optical filter arrangement (110) is used to separate the optical carrier component from the information-bearing optical sideband. First and second optical splitters (126, 128) divide the optical power in the optical carrier and the optical sideband, respectively, into corresponding sub-components. The sub-components of the optical carrier have substantially orthogonal polarisation states, which is an optional characteristic of the sideband sub-components. First and second optical coupling devices (142, 144) respectively each combine one of the optical carrier sub-components with a corresponding one of the optical sideband sub-components. Optical detectors (158, 160) detect the outputs of the combiners (142, 144).

Abstract: A system for forming a wellbore includes a drill tubular. A drill bit is coupled to the drill tubular. One or more cutting structures are coupled to the drill tubular above the drill bit. The cutting structures remove at least a portion of formation that extends into the wellbore formed by the drill bit.

Abstract: A process for making lower olefins from a heavy hydrocarbon feed by use of a combination of thermal cracking and vapor-liquid separation, and, then, pyrolytically cracking the light fraction of the thermally-cracked heavy hydrocarbon feed to thereby produce a lower olefin product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an enzyme substrate for detecting nitroreductase activity of formula (I) below: in which X is S, NX1, O or NX1-CO; R1 is nothing or a substituent selected from Cl, CH3, Br, F, I, alkyl, aryl and carboxyl; R2 is nothing or a substituent selected from Cl, O—CH2—O, O—CH3, F, diethylenediamine-CH3, NR3R4, Br, I, alkyl, aryl, carboxyl, NO2 and R3 and R4 are independently H or an alkyl group containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and X1 is selected from H, CH3, C2H4Ph, OH, alkyl and aryl.

Abstract: A tilt or acceleration sensing apparatus and method that allows a tilt or acceleration sensing device of a vehicle to determine: 1) a maximum fall angle of the vehicle, regardless of the orientation of the vehicle and the vehicle's tilt sensor(s) to the incline; or 2) the downward acceleration of the vehicle. In one embodiment, a method of determining a maximum fall angle of a vehicle includes sensing tilt angles of two sensing axes of the vehicle relative to a horizontal reference plane and calculating the maximum fall angle of the vehicle based on the tilt angles. The apparatus and method may also include comparing the maximum fall angle to predetermined values and generating output signals when the maximum fall angle exceeds the predetermined values. In another embodiment, a method of determining when a vehicle is sliding downhill includes sensing the accelerations of three sensing axes.

Abstract: A radiation or thermal curable coating composition contains a cycloaliphatic epoxide resin, a carbinol functional silicone resin or an anhydride functional silicone resin, and a thermal or photoactivated acid catalyst. An organic polyol may also be included in the composition as an optional component. The composition is useful as a radiation curable coating, as an adhesive, a photodefinable coating, or as a thermal cure coating. The cycloaliphatic epoxide resin adds toughness and adhesion to the composition, whereas either of the carbinol functional silicone resin or the anhydride functional silicone resin provides the composition with water resistance, weatherability, thermal stability, and flexibility.

Abstract: A process for making lower olefins from a heavy hydrocarbon feed by use of a combination of two vapor-liquid separation devices, and, then, pyrolytically cracking the light fraction of the heavy hydrocarbon feed to thereby produce a lower olefin product.

Abstract: A tilt sensor arrangement and method that allows a tilt angle sensor of a vehicle to be tested without tilting the vehicle. In one embodiment, a tilt angle sensor of a vehicle is tested when the vehicle is positioned in a generally horizontal position. The tilt angle sensor is rotated from an operating position to a test position while the vehicle remains in the generally horizontal position and the tilt angle sensor is tested.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an enzyme substrate for detecting peptidase activity in microorganisms, of formula (I) below: in which X is S; NX1; O; or NX1-CO; R1 is nothing or one of the following substituents: Cl, Br, F, I, OH, or an alkyl, aryl or carboxyl group; R2 is nothing or one of the following substituents: Cl; O—CH2—O; O—CH3; F, diethylenediamine-CH3, NR3R4, Br, I, OH, an alkyl, aryl or carboxyl group, NO2, or X1 is selected from: H, C2H4Ph, OH, an alkyl group and an aryl group; R3 and R4 are independently H or an alkyl group containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and P is a peptide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the detection, identification and/or quantification of microorganisms with peptidase activity using enzymatic substrates with the following general formula:

Abstract: A method of transmitting digital information over a dispersive optical channel includes encoding the digital information into a series of data blocks, wherein each block comprises a plurality of substantially orthogonal frequency domain subcarriers. Each data block is then divided into at least two frequency bands, each band comprising a plurality of contiguous subcarriers. A frequency/time transformation is then performed, in order to form a corresponding plurality of transformed bands, each transformed band comprising a sequence of time domain data samples. A time delay is applied to at least one of the transformed bands relative to at least one other of the transformed bands. The bands are then combined to produce an electrical signal waveform embodying the digital information. Finally, an optical source is modulated using the electrical signal waveform, to produce a corresponding optical signal for transmission over the dispersive optical channel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medium for detecting and/or identifying microorganisms present in a sample, comprising a culture medium and at least one substrate that can be hydrolysed to a labelled product by at least a first enzyme not free in the sample, and specific for the microorganisms, characterized in that it also comprises at least one inhibitor of at least a second enzyme, different from the first enzyme or identical to it, but free in said sample and not originating from a microorganism. The present invention also finds a preferred application in the field of biomedical diagnosis or in food microbiology, and more particularly in bacteriology and mycology.

Abstract: A method of operating a gas turbine is provided, wherein the gas turbine engine is coupled to an electrical grid operating at a standardized grid frequency value, and the gas turbine includes a combustor coupled in flow communication with a plurality of independent fuel circuits and a compressor. The method includes determining a deviation of a grid frequency from the standardized grid frequency value and adjusting fuel flow from a portion of the plurality of fuel circuits while maintaining a substantially constant air flow from the compressor to facilitate controlling a fuel to compressor discharge pressure ratio such that a combustor state does not lag changes in airflow when the combustor responds to the grid frequency deviation.

Abstract: Novel enzymatic substrates of the general formula below: reaction media containing the same, and their use for detecting, identifying, and/or quantifying microorganisms expressing at least one peptidase activity.

Abstract: Novel enzymatic substrates of the general formula below: reaction media containing the same and their use for detecting and/or identifying and/or quantifying microorganisms expressing at least one peptidase activity.