Abstract: Methods of characterizing an analyte using a nanopore. One aspect features methods for characterizing a double-stranded polynucleotide using a nanopore, e.g., without using a hairpin connecting a template and a complement of the double-stranded polynucleotide. Another aspect features methods for characterizing an analyte using a tag-modified nanopore with increased sensitivity and/or higher throughput. Compositions and systems including, e.g., adaptors for attachment to double-stranded polynucleotides and tag-modified nanopores, which can be used in the methods are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for modifying a template double stranded polynucleotide, especially for characterisation using nanopore sequencing. The method produces from the template a plurality of modified double stranded polynucleotides. These modified polynucleotides can then be characterised.

Abstract: In particular embodiments, a treadmill may comprise one or more lifting mechanisms configured to lift and lower a treadmill belt (e.g., adjust an angle of the treadmill belt relative to a support surface) by adjusting a height of the front and rear of the treadmill about a pivot point. In particular embodiments, the pivot point may be positioned somewhat centered along a length of the belt. In particular embodiments, a seesaw arrangement may provide a central pivot point, providing a moment arm to the motor while decreasing a moment arm caused by the load (e.g., a runner). In this way, an apparent load on a motor providing incline and decline to the running surface may be reduced.

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.

Abstract: The invention relates to new methods of moving helicases past spacers on polynucleotides and controlling the loading of helicases on polynucleotides. The invention also relates to new methods of characterising target polynucleotides using helicases.

Abstract: A multi-stage process for reducing the environmental contaminants in an ISO8217 compliant Feedstock Heavy Marine Fuel Oil involving a core desulfurizing process and a Detrimental Solids removal unit as either a pre-treating step or post-treating step to the core process. 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 and a Detrimental Solids content less than 60 mg/kg. A process plant for conducting the process is also disclosed.

Abstract: Various approaches for exposing a virtual Non-Uniform Memory Access (NUMA) locality table to the guest OS of a VM running on NUMA system are provided. These approaches provide different tradeoffs between the accuracy of the virtual NUMA locality table and the ability of the system's hypervisor to migrate virtual NUMA nodes, with the general goal of enabling the guest OS to make more informed task placement/memory allocation decisions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new method of characterising a target RNA polynucleotide by taking one or more measurements as the target RNA polynucleotide moves with respect to a transmembrane pore. The movement is controlled by a DNA helicase. The invention also relates to a modified RNA construct wherein the RNA polynucleotide has been modified to increase DNA helicase binding thereto.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a cooking system for cooking food, the cooking system being functional in a plurality of cooking modes. The cooking system includes 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. The cooking system includes a first lid configuration for use in at least a first cooking mode, a second lid configuration for use in at least a second cooking mode. A first lid detection sensor is configured to detect a closed condition of said first lid configuration and a second lid detection sensor is configured to detect a closed condition of said second lid configuration.

Abstract: A cooking system for cooking food includes a housing defining a hollow chamber configured to receive a food container. The housing has an upper portion defining an opening to said hollow chamber. A lid is movable relative to said housing. The lid contacts the housing in a closed position about the upper portion of the housing to close the opening to the hollow chamber. At least one heating element is associated with at least one of said housing and said lid. The cooking system is operable in a plurality of cooking modes including a pressure cooking mode and a convective cooking mode. In said pressure cooking mode, the cooking system is operable as a pressure cooker and in said convective cooking mode, the cooking system is operable as a convection cooker.

Abstract: A multi-stage process for the production of an ISO 8217 compliant Product Heavy Marine Fuel Oil from ISO 8217 compliant Feedstock Heavy Marine Fuel Oil involving a Reaction System composed of one or more reactor vessels selected from a group reactor wherein said one or more reactor vessels contains one or more reaction sections configured to promote the transformation of the Feedstock Heavy Marine Fuel Oil to the Product Heavy Marine Fuel Oil. The Product Heavy Marine Fuel Oil has a Environmental Contaminate 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 for conducting the process is disclosed that can utilize a modular reactor vessel.

Abstract: Selecting an active one of a plurality of screen areas of one or more applications presented to a user on a screen includes determining properties of the screen areas corresponding to brightness, playing audio, displaying an avatar, transparency of an avatar, timing of new content, intensity of content change, number of objects, number of objects in an intersection of multiple areas, and/or speed of objects in a particular area, setting one or more rules for choosing one of a plurality of the screen areas for a plurality of applications based on at least one of the properties, and selecting a particular one of the screen areas to be the active one of the plurality of screen areas based on the rules, the properties, and location of a pointer or touch area. The avatar may be located, at least partially, within an intersection of different ones of the screen areas.

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: 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 method of preparing a nucleic acid construct for single molecule characterisation, comprising contacting a target polynucleotide with: a polynucleotide-guided effector protein, a guide polynucleotide; a transposase; and a transposable element comprising a modified polynucleotide, wherein the polynucleotide-guided effector protein directs said transposase to a region of interest within the target polynucleotide and the transposase inserts the transposable element into the polynucleotide, thereby producing a nucleic acid construct for single molecule characterisation.

Abstract: A multi-stage process for transforming a high sulfur ISO 8217 compliant Feedstock Heavy Marine Fuel Oil involving a core desulfurizing process that produces a Product Heavy Marine Fuel Oil that can be used as a feedstock for subsequent refinery process such as anode grade coking, needle coking and fluid catalytic cracking. The Product Heavy Marine Fuel Oil exhibits multiple properties desirable as a feedstock for those processes including 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: The invention relates to a new method of characterising a target polynucleotide. The method uses a pore and a Dda helicase. The helicase controls the movement of the target polynucleotide through the pore. The invention also relates to modified Dda helicases which can be used to control the movement of polynucleotides and are particularly useful for sequencing polynucleotides.

Abstract: A method of controlling a demulsifier dosage to an AC/DC modulated coalescer is described. The method includes monitoring a characteristic of an electric current drawn by an electrical component of the AC/DC modulated coalescer, determining if the characteristic of the electric current lies outside a predetermined stable range, and increasing the demulsifier dosage if the characteristic of the electric current lies outside the predetermined stable range. A system for controlling a demulsifier dosage to an AC/DC modulated coalescer with an adjustable dosing mixing valve is also described. The system includes a current sensor arranged to monitor an electric current drawn by an electrical component of the AC/DC modulated coalescer, and a processor configured to determine if a characteristic of the electric current lies outside a predetermined stable range.

Abstract: A multi-stage process for the production of an ISO 8217 Table 2 residual marine fuel Product Heavy Marine Fuel Oil from a Feedstock Heavy Marine Fuel Oil that is ISO 8217:2017 Table 2 compliant except for the Environmental Contaminants involves a Reaction System composed of one or more reactor vessels selected from a group reactor wherein said one or more reactor vessels contains one or more reaction sections configured to promote the transformation of the Feedstock Heavy Marine Fuel Oil to the Product Heavy Marine Fuel Oil. The Product Heavy Marine Fuel Oil has an Environmental Contaminant level less than 0.5 wt % and preferably a maximum sulfur content (ISO 14596 or ISO 8754) between the range of 0.05 mass % to 0.5 mass %. A process plant for conducting the process for conducting the process is also disclosed.

Abstract: A polysulfone-urethane copolymer is disclosed, which can be used as a membrane polymer, e.g., a matrix polymer, a pore forming agent, or both, while enhancing a membrane's blood compatibility. Methods are disclosed for forming the copolymer and incorporating the copolymer in membranes (e.g., spun hollow fibers, flat membranes) and other products.