Abstract: The invention relates to a new method of determining the presence, absence or one or more characteristics of multiple analytes. The invention concerns coupling a first analyte to a membrane containing a detector and investigating the first analyte using the detector. The invention also concerns coupling a second analyte to the membrane and investigating the second analyte. The first analyte is uncoupled form the membrane prior to investigating the second analyte. The invention also relates to polynucleotide sequencing.

Abstract: A beverage system and methods for preparing flavored beverages are provided. In one embodiment, the beverage system includes a housing, a flavorant system, and a processor. The housing includes a mixing chamber configured to operably couple to a fluid reservoir and pressurized gas source. The processor is disposed in the housing and can be configured to cause, in response to at least one input, the separate dispensing of a fluid and a flavorant into a receptacle. The processor can also cause the delivery of gas from the pressurized gas source to the mixing chamber, where it can be used to form a carbonated fluid.

Abstract: A suction tool for a vacuum cleaner includes an outlet for connection to a vacuum cleaner; a main inlet in fluid communication with the outlet via a main suction passage; and an auxiliary inlet in fluid communication with the outlet via an auxiliary suction passage. The auxiliary suction passage includes a flow limiting device which is movable between first and second configurations, the flow limiting device obstructing air flow through the auxiliary suction passage to a greater extent when in the second configuration than when in the first configuration. The flow limiting device is configured to move to the second position in response to the pressure within the main suction passage dropping beneath a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new method of delivering an analyte to a transmembrane pore in a membrane. The method involves the use of microparticles.

Abstract: A multi-stage process for reducing the production of a Product Heavy Marine Fuel Oil from Distressed Fuel Oil Materials (DFOM) involving a pre-treatment process that transforms the DFOM into Feedstock HMFO which is subsequently sent to a Core Process for removing the Environmental Contaminates. The Product Heavy Marine Fuel Oil complies with ISO 8217 for residual marine fuel oils and has a sulfur level has a maximum sulfur content (ISO 14596 or ISO 8754) between the range of 0.05 mass % to 1.0 mass. A process plant for conducting the process is also disclosed.

Abstract: A multi-stage process for reducing the Environmental Contaminants in a Feedstock Heavy Marine Fuel Oil that is compliant with ISO 8217: 2017 Table 2 as a residual marine fuel except for the concentration of Environmental Contaminants, the process involving a core hydrotreating process and either a pre-treating step or post-treating step to the core process that is selected from a) a sulfur absorption process unit; b) an oxidative desulfurizing process unit; and c) a microwave treatment process unit. The Product Heavy Marine Fuel Oil is compliant with ISO 8217 Table 2 as residual marine fuel and preferably has a sulfur level has a maximum sulfur content (ISO 14596 or ISO 8754) between the range of 0.05% wt. to 0.5% wt. A commercial scale process plant for conducting the process is disclosed.

Abstract: According to certain embodiments, a system comprises an outer box and an inner box suspended within the outer box by one or more vibration isolators. The inner box comprises a mounting system adapted to facilitate mounting one or more objects within the inner box.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of selectively characterising polynucleotides of a desired property, such as length, using a nanopore, based on the translocation of the polynucleotide through or across the nanopore. Kits and systems for use in such methods are also provided. The methods of the invention are particularly suitable for sequencing polynucleotides such as DNA.

Abstract: A method for determining the presence, absence or amount of two or more target polynucleotides in a sample comprising additional components, the method comprising: (i) contacting the sample with a panel of two or more probes under conditions suitable for hybridisation of the target polynucleotides to the probes, wherein: (a) each probe comprises a non-hybridisation region and a hybridisation region that specifically hybridises to one of the target polynucleotides to form a hybridised probe; and (b) the hybridisation region of a probe of the panel comprises one or more non-natural nucleotides; (ii) contacting the sample prepared in step (i) with a transmembrane pore through which a single stranded polynucleotide but not a double stranded polynucleotide can pass and applying a potential difference to the transmembrane pore such that the hybridised probes in the sample interact with the pore; (iii) measuring current blockades having a duration within a defined window, wherein: (a) the one or more non-natu

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a cooking system for cooking food, the system including a housing defining a hollow chamber configured to receive a food container. The housing has an upper portion defining an opening to the hollow chamber. A food container having a hollow container interior is positionable within the hollow chamber. An end of the food container extends above the upper portion of the housing when the container is installed within the hollow chamber. A lid is moveably attached to the housing and is moveable between a first position that covers the upper portion of the housing and the opening to the hollow chamber when the food container is installed within the hollow chamber and a second position where the lid does not cover the opening to the hollow chamber. At least one heating element is associated with at least one of said lid and said housing.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a cooking system for cooking food, the system including a housing having a hollow interior, a lid movable relative to the housing, at least one heating element associated with one of the housing and the lid, wherein the cooking system is operable in a plurality of modes including a conductive cooking mode and a convective cooking mode, wherein in the conductive cooking mode the cooking system is operable as a conductive cooker and in the convective cooking mode the cooking system is operable as a convection cooker.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing device and methods for dispensing beverages are provided. In one embodiment, the beverage dispensing device includes a housing, a carbonation assembly, a carriage assembly, and one or more flavorant containers. The beverage dispensing device can also include a controller with a UI to allow a user to customize aspects of a beverage. These customizable aspects can include fluid volume, carbonation level, flavorant type, and/or flavorant amount. Based on the customized aspects of the beverage, the beverage dispensing device can dispense an amount of carbonated or uncarbonated water, and can dispense a type and amount of flavorant. Illustrative embodiments of flavorant containers are also provided.

Abstract: A real time aiming assembly includes a firearm that has a barrel and a grip. A firearm motion sensor is integrated into the firearm and the firearm motion sensor is calibrated to sense a firing axis of the barrel to determine the target of the firearm. A pair of glasses is wearable on a user's face and a glasses motion sensor is integrated into the pair of glasses. The glasses motion sensor is calibrated to sense a viewing axis of the pair of glasses to determine the line of the user. A display unit is integrated into the glasses and the display unit is in communication with the glasses motion sensor. The display unit projects a dot onto a respective one of the lenses to display precisely where the bullet fired from the firearm will strike.

Abstract: The invention relates to improving the movement of a target polynucleotide with respect to a transmembrane pore when the movement is controlled by a polynucleotide binding protein. The invention also relates to improved transmembrane pores and polynucleotide binding proteins.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of detecting a target polynucleotide in a sample comprising: (a) contacting the sample with a guide polynucleotide that binds to a sequence in the target polynucleotide and a polynucleotide-guided effector protein, wherein the guide polynucleotide and polynucleotide-guided effector protein form a complex with any target polynucleotide present in the sample; (b) contacting the sample with a membrane comprising a transmembrane pore; (c) applying a potential to the membrane; and (d) monitoring for the presence or absence of an effect resulting from the interaction of the complex with the transmembrane pore to determine the presence or absence of the complex, thereby detecting the target polynucleotide in the sample.

Abstract: A method for issuing a personalized financial transaction card including receiving customer information and card information from a customer at the branch location, the card information including a card PIN, inputting the customer information and at least some the card information into a data processing terminal at the branch, communicating the customer information and the card information across a network to a card services provider, entering the PIN into a PIN database, generating a reference number, storing the reference number and at least some of the customer data and card data in a card file, retrieving the PIN from the PIN database, using the retrieved PIN to apply calculations to the card file, securely sending the card file from the card services provider across the network to the branch location, and using information from the card file, printing the financial transaction card for the customer at the branch location.

Abstract: A method of amplifying a target polynucleotide, comprising: providing a template polynucleotide comprising a 5? hairpin, a target polynucleotide and a 3? hairpin, wherein the 5? hairpin comprises one or more non-canonical nucleotides; and contacting the template polynucleotide with a polymerase and canonical nucleotides, wherein the polymerase extends, using the canonical nucleotides, the target polynucleotide from its 3? end to form a first extended polynucleotide comprising the 5? hairpin at its 5? end and the complement of the 5? hairpin at its 3? end, wherein the complement of the 5? hairpin forms a 3? hairpin; and the polymerase extends the first extended polynucleotide from its 3? end to form a second extended polynucleotide comprising the 5? hairpin at its 5? end and the complement of the 5? hairpin at its 3? end, wherein the complement of the 5? hairpin forms a 3? hairpin.

Abstract: The invention relates to new methods of attaching one or more polynucleotide binding proteins to a target polynucleotide. The invention also related to new methods of characterising target polynucleotides.

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: Embodiments described herein generally relate to devices, systems and methods for measuring the dose remaining in a drug delivery device that is used for delivering a dose to a patient. In some embodiments, a dose measurement system for measuring the liquid volume in a container includes a plurality of light sources which are disposed and configured to emit electromagnetic radiation toward the container. A plurality of sensors are located in the apparatus that are optically coupleable to the plurality of light sources and are disposed and configured to detect the electromagnetic radiation emitted by at least a portion of the light sources. The apparatus also includes a processing unit configured to receive data representing the portion of the detected electromagnetic radiation from each of the plurality of sensors. The processing unit is further operable to convert the received data into a signature representative of the electromagnetic radiation detected by the plurality of sensors.