Abstract: The disclosure provides a method of monitoring a flow rate of a liquid additive comprising measuring the flow rate of the liquid additive with a flow meter; transmitting the measurements of the flow rate to a controller; transmitting, from a variable frequency drive (VFD), measurements of a rotational speed of a motor to the controller, wherein the VFD is coupled to the motor; transmitting measurements from a level sensor to the controller; determining whether the flow rate of the liquid additive is a non-zero rate; utilizing the measurements transmitted to the controller as feedback to compare against a designated set point; calculating an error between the feedback and the designated set point to calculate an updated output; and transmitting the updated output to the VFD to change the flow rate of the liquid additive.

Abstract: The present provides a Positional Isotopomer NMR Tracer Analysis (PINTA) method that can be used to noninvasively assess rates of hepatic mitochondrial oxidation (VCS) and/or pyruvate carboxylase (VPC) flux in a subject. In certain embodiments, the methods utilize a combined NMR/gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of plasma following infusion of [3-13C]lactate and glucose tracer. The method of the invention provides investigators with a tool to non-invasively examine the role of altered hepatic mitochondrial metabolism and study the effects of therapeutic interventions for the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Abstract: The disclosure provides a method of monitoring a flow rate of a liquid additive comprising measuring the flow rate of the liquid additive with a flow meter; transmitting the measurements of the flow rate to a controller; transmitting, from a variable frequency drive (VFD), measurements of a rotational speed of a motor to the controller, wherein the VFD is coupled to the motor; transmitting measurements from a level sensor to the controller; determining whether the flow rate of the liquid additive is a non-zero rate; utilizing the measurements transmitted to the controller as feedback to compare against a designated set point; calculating an error between the feedback and the designated set point to calculate an updated output; and transmitting the updated output to the VFD to change the flow rate of the liquid additive.

Abstract: The present provides a Positional Isotopomer NMR Tracer Analysis (PINTA) method that can be used to noninvasively assess rates of hepatic mitochondrial oxidation (VCS) and/or pyruvate carboxylase (VPC) flux in a subject. In certain embodiments, the methods utilize a combined NMR/gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of plasma following infusion of [3-13C]lactate and glucose tracer. The method of the invention provides investigators with a tool to non-invasively examine the role of altered hepatic mitochondrial metabolism and study the effects of therapeutic interventions for the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Abstract: A conveyor belt for use with a merge or diverge conveying apparatus and a method of providing a new conveyor belt to the conveying apparatus. Polymeric loops attached to each end of the conveyor belt attach the ends of the conveyor belt to each other. Visible wear and tear to the nose bar of the merge or diverge conveying apparatus is reduced when compared to prior art conveyor belts for merge or diverge conveyors.