Abstract: A method for determining an optimal operating point for a plant using a gain matrix of a flowsheet model for one or more of a plurality of manipulated variables using limits set for the at least one of the plurality of controlled variables and the plurality of manipulated variables; wherein the flowsheet model includes a plurality of models that represent a plurality of process units or routing elements in the plant, wherein each gain in the gain matrix relates a change in one of the plurality of manipulated variables to a corresponding change in one of the plurality of controlled variables, wherein each gain is generated as a product of individual, analytical gains for each process unit and routing element; and causing the at least one process controller to control the plurality of process units in accordance with the optimal operating point.

Abstract: Processes and systems are disclosed for converting animal manure into useful energy and materials. Some variations provide a process for converting animal manure into a purified thermal gas, comprising: drying a starting animal manure in a manure dryer; pelletizing the dried animal manure to generate manure pellets; thermally reacting the manure pellets in a thermal reactor to generate an intermediate thermal gas and a solid biochar; separating out the solid biochar; condensing the intermediate thermal gas to generate a cooled thermal gas; compressing the cooled thermal gas to generate a compressed thermal gas; catalytically reacting the compressed thermal gas in a water-gas shift reactor to generate a shifted thermal gas having an adjusted H2/CO ratio; treating the shifted thermal gas using an acid-gas removal unit to generate a purified thermal gas; removing water and/or light gases from the purified thermal gas; and recovering or further processing the purified thermal gas.

Abstract: A gaming system including a plurality of tiles enclosed in at least two bags with each bag containing tile s having a different color, a racking system configured to hold at least fourteen tiles with the rack having at least two tiers each configured to hold tiles where each of the tile includes a letter and a number and the tiles are separated by color and placed into separate bags.

Abstract: A combination for transforming a gasoline powered Chevrolet V8 engine into an electrically powered Chevrolet V8 engine is provided, the combination comprising: a faux transmission housing; a bell housing attached to a front end of the faux transmission housing; a faux engine attached to a front of the bell housing; and an electric motor, wherein the combination is free-standing and comprises a plurality of castings assembled to provide a faux transmission case in which the electric motor is housed, and a faux engine case configured to house a plurality of rechargeable batteries.

Abstract: A combination for transforming a gasoline powered Chevrolet V8 engine into an electrically powered Chevrolet V8 engine is provided, the combination comprising: a faux transmission housing; a bell housing attached to a front end of the faux transmission housing; a faux engine attached to a front of the bell housing; and an electric motor, wherein the combination is free-standing and comprises a plurality of castings assembled to provide a faux transmission case in which the electric motor is housed, and a faux engine case configured to house a plurality of rechargeable batteries.

Abstract: A field device, method, and non-transitory computer readable medium provide for cost of lost opportunity to operators in real-time using an advance process control. The field device includes a memory and a processor operably connected to the memory. The processor receives current values and average values for controlled variables and manipulated variables; determines costs of lost opportunity for each of controlled variable variance issues, limit issues, model quality issues, inferential quality issues, and variable model issues based on the current values and the average values of the controlled variables; and stores the costs of lost opportunity for the field device.

Abstract: A field device, method, and non-transitory computer readable medium provide for cost of lost opportunity to operators in real-time using an advance process control. The field device includes a memory and a processor operably connected to the memory. The processor receives current values and average values for controlled variables and manipulated variables; determines costs of lost opportunity for each of controlled variable variance issues, limit issues, model quality issues, inferential quality issues, and variable model issues based on the current values and the average values of the controlled variables; and stores the costs of lost opportunity for the field device.

Abstract: The present technology provides a kit for shrouding a stock engine to make it appear as a flathead engine, the kit comprising a timing cover casting, a front casting, a pair of exhaust manifold panel castings, a pair of valve cover castings, a pair of support bars, an intake manifold casting, a rear casting, and instructions. Also provided are a method of manufacturing the kit, a method of assembling the kit and a faux flathead engine.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for rapidly identifying and distinguishing between different DNA sequences utilizing short tandem repeat (STR) analysis and DNA microarrays. Specifically, these methods facilitate the deduction of a target molecule's identity, length, and number of STRs. In an embodiment, a labeled STR target sequence is hybridized to a DNA microarray carrying complementary probes. These probes vary in length to cover the range of possible STRs. The labeled single-stranded regions of the DNA hybrids are selectively removed from the microarray surface utilizing a post-hybridization enzymatic digestion. The number of repeats in the unknown target is deduced based on the pattern of target DNA that remains hybridized to the microarray. The DNA profiling techniques described herein are useful for performing forensic analysis to uniquely identify individual humans or other species.

Abstract: Magnetic nanoparticles and methods for their use in detecting biological molecules are disclosed. The magnetic nanoparticles can be attached to nucleic acid molecules, which are then captured by a complementary sequence attached to a detector, such as a spin valve detector or a magnetic tunnel junction detector. The detection of the bound magnetic nanoparticle can be achieved with high specificity and sensitivity.