Abstract: The invention relates to an improved method for characterising a template polynucleotide. The method involves using a polymerase to prepare a modified polynucleotide which makes it easier to characterise than the template polynucleotide.

Abstract: An oxide dispersion strengthened refractory-based alloy is provided, along with methods of its formation and use. The oxide dispersion strengthened refractory-based alloy may include a refractory-based alloy comprising two or more refractory elements and forming a continuous phase; and a rare earth refractory oxide comprising at least one rare earth element and at least one of the two or more refractory elements. The rare earth refractory oxide forms discrete particles within the continuous phase, and the oxide dispersion strengthened refractory-based alloy comprises 0.1 volume % to 5 volume % of the rare earth refractory oxide.

Abstract: Droplet interfaces are formed between droplets in an electro-wetting device comprising an array of actuation electrodes. Actuation signals are applied to selected actuation electrodes to place the droplets into an energised state in which the shape of the droplets is modified compared to a shape of the droplets in a lower energy state and to bring the two droplets into proximity. The actuation signals are then changed to lower the energy of the droplets into the lower energy state so that the droplets relax into the gap and the two droplets contact each other thereby forming a droplet interface. The use of sensing electrodes in the device permit electrical current measurements across the droplet interface. The sensing electrodes can be used for either (i) applying a reference signal during droplet actuation or (ii) recording electrical current measurements.

Abstract: A fluid connector, including a tubular member, a connector body, including an exterior opening groove, and a retainer clip to lock the tubular member to the connector body, an assurance cap including one or more latch fingers engaged with the exterior opening groove, and a tool, including an annular collar mountable over the tubular member, and a plurality of fingers carried on and extending axially from the annular collar, the plurality of fingers operatively arranged to engage the latch fingers when the collar and the plurality of fingers are engaged with the assurance cap to disengage the latch fingers from the exterior opening groove to disconnect the assurance cap from the connector body.

Abstract: Systems with indium application to heat transfer surfaces and related methods are described. A system includes a chassis, arranged inside a housing, having at least one slot for receiving a blade. The blade, arranged in a slot of the chassis, includes a first circuit board having a plurality of components mounted on a substrate. The blade further includes a first heat spreader comprising a metal. The first heat spreader including metal is arranged to transfer heat from the first circuit board to a cooling system via a first interface between a first surface of the first heat spreader and a second surface of the chassis, and where indium is permanently bonded to either the first surface of the first heat spreader, or the second surface of the chassis, or both the first surface of the first heat spreader and the second surface of the chassis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of forming a sensing device for supporting a plurality of nanopores upon an array of wells. The method involves providing a substrate, said substrate having a surface having an array of electrodes located thereon for connecting to or for configuring upon an electronic circuit. Separately, a well array structure is provided, which has an array of walls defining through-holes for defining wells. The substrate and well array structures are aligning said array of electrodes define, at least in part, a portion of the bases of respective wells at the bottom of the through holes. The resulting sensing device overcomes problems with known sensing devices by employing a substrate and/or well array structure, or hybrid thereof, that employs alternative materials or manufacturing processes.

Abstract: Implementing a firmware watchdog timer. A system presents a data structure over a bus which exposes, to software executing at a central processing unit (CPU), a hardware resource that is associated with a watchdog timer, attribute(s) of the watchdog timer, and (iii) commands available to the software executing at the CPU for managing the watchdog timer via one or more native CPU instructions that target the hardware resource. The system listens on the bus for a data value written to the hardware resource (i.e., by a native CPU operation issued by the software executing at the CPU), and identifies a particular command for managing the watchdog timer based on the data value written. Based on identifying the particular command, the system performs at least one of: initializing the watchdog timer, starting the watchdog timer, resetting the watchdog timer, or stopping the watchdog timer.

Abstract: Polymerizable compositions comprising a radically polymerizable resin can be polymerized in the absence of a peroxide initiator and other undesirable components. The polymerizable compositions and methods employ a manganese- or iron-containing salt or organic complex and a 1,3-dioxo compound with one or more other components. The polymerizable compositions have better storage stability and reduced gel time-drift.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of alleviating symptoms of ocular surface discomfort, the method comprising: topically applying a cold slurry adjacent to a corneal limbus of an eye of a patient, wherein the cold slurry comprises water and a freezing point depressant, wherein the topical application of the cold slurry is configured to cause a degree of numbing of a cornea of the eye for a period of time, and wherein an ocular sensation of the eye is restored following the period of time.

Abstract: A system comprises a first member, a second member, and a third member, wherein the first and second members are rotatable relative to the third member, wherein the first and second members are coupled to one another by a dead-angle follower coupling, wherein the dead-angle follower coupling is configured such that the first and second members are rotatable relative to one another, wherein the second and third members are rotationally coupled to one another by a switchable coupling mechanism, wherein the switchable coupling mechanism is switchable between two different states, a locked state and a non-locked state, wherein the maximum torque transferable between the second and third members via the switchable coupling mechanism in the locked state is greater than in the non-locked state, wherein the switchable coupling mechanism is in the locked state when the first member is in a locking position relative to the second member.

Abstract: A directional input device includes a base and a head selectively connected to the base by a twist-lock mechanism. The head and base define a center axis of the directional input device. The twist-lock mechanism includes a post oriented in an axial direction of the center axis, at least one flange protruding in a radial direction from the post, a receiver configured to receive the post and the flange, and an angularly oriented channel in the receiver configured to allow the post and flange to rotate into the channel and capture the flange in the axial direction.

Abstract: A ladder for a user to climb and which holds a rag includes a first rail having a top and a second rail and rungs attached to the first rail and second rail. The ladder includes an end cap that is attached adjacent to the top of the first rail. The end cap having an attachment portion which attaches to the first rail and a cover portion which covers over the first rail, and extends from the attachment portion. The cover portion having a rag holder. The ladder includes a pad attached to the back of the cover portion which contacts a surface against which the first rail leans against so as not to mar or scratch or damage the surface. An end cap. A method.

Abstract: A cigarette tube or cone filling device includes a tray for holding a supply of, tobacco, smokable herbs or other material, with an outlet opening, and a cartridge for holding a cigarette tube or cone in a vertical orientation with the cigarette having an open end beneath the outlet opening. A cap can be fit over the cartridge and above the open end of the cigarette tube or cone with a nozzle for fitting into the open end to hold the open end open during filling. The tray has a slide retainer that receives horizontal top flanges or plates of the cartridge and the cap to hold both cartridge and cap tightly together and tightly to the tray, with the nozzle in registry with the outlet opening.

Abstract: A solvent containment and solvent handling process interlocking system is described that can be used as a ventilation and spill management system for the storage and use of hazardous and volatile chemicals and solvents in an ordinary or non-hazardous location. The vented solvent containment system has a containment tray for secondary solvent containment and air regulatory to supply negative air pressure to draw in any evaporated solvent from the containment tray to a safe exhaust location. A safety sensor in the solvent containment system is interlocked with the solvent handling and solvent control system to slow or stop solvent flow in the event of a potentially hazardous solvent leak.

Abstract: Provided herein are adeno-associated virus (AAV) compositions that can restore F8 gene function in cell. Also provide are packaging systems for making the adeno-associated virus compositions.

Abstract: A mounting bracket for an electrical box can be configured for use with a support that has a first and a second rail. The mounting bracket can include a first attachment device that is secured to mounting body and a second attachment device that is secured to the mounting body opposite the first attachment device. To secure the mounting bracket to the support, the first attachment device can be configured to engage one of the first rail or the second rail and the second attachment device can be configured to engage the other of the first rail or the second rail. Each of the first and second attachment devices can include a first arm configured to extend on a first side of the corresponding first or second rail, and a second arm configured to extend on a second side of the corresponding rail, opposite the first arm.

Abstract: Provided herein are adeno-associated virus (AAV) compositions that can restore phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) gene function in cell. Also provided are methods of use of the AAV compositions, and packaging systems for making the AAV compositions.

Abstract: The absorbance or emission wavelength of composite materials comprising a transition metal doped shell disposed over a rare earth doped core and a functionalizable group on the surface of the transition metal doped shell can change upon subjection to a carboxylic acid. This method of changing the absorbance or emission wavelength of a composite material can be used to identify counterfeit currency using an ink comprising a composite material.

Abstract: This disclosure describes compounds of Formula (I), stereoisomers, side compounds thereof, pharmaceutical compositions and methods of manufacturing such compounds, using silylation reagents and producing compositions and products made using such methods. More particularly, this disclosure describes manufacture of trofinetide and side products, compositions and products containing such compounds, for pharmaceutical uses to treat neurodegenerative or neurodevelopmental disorders.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for bias switching of power amplifiers are provided herein. In certain configurations, a power amplifier system includes a power amplifier that provides amplification to a radio frequency (RF) signal and a bias control circuit that biases the power amplifier. The power amplifier includes an amplification transistor that receives the RF signal at an input, and a first bias network and a second bias network each connected to the input. The bias control circuit includes a first switch, a first reference current source that provides the first reference current to the first bias network through the first switch, a second switch, and a second reference current source that provides the second reference current to the second bias network through the second switch.