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 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 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: An apparatus for measuring liquid volume in a container includes a plurality of light sources for emitting electromagnetic radiation (EMR) toward the container, a plurality of sensors optically coupleable to the plurality of light sources, each sensor of the plurality of sensors for detecting the EMR emitted by at least a portion of the plurality of light sources, a temperature sensor for measuring at least one temperature associated with a liquid in the container, and at least one processor for receiving data representative of the portion of the detected EMR from each of the plurality of sensors, comparing the at least one measured temperature to a temperature guideline to identify any temperature events associated with the received data; normalizing the received data based on any temperature events associated with the received data; and converting the normalized data into a signature representative of the EMR detected by the plurality of sensors.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new method of characterising a target polynucleotide using a pore. The method involves controlling the formation of secondary structure by the target polynucleotide after the polynucleotide has moved through the pore.

Abstract: In some examples, a water recovery system is configured to extract water from an exhaust of a fuel cell assembly. The water recovery system includes a condenser configured to transfer heat from the exhaust, an extractor configured to extract water from the exhaust, and a turbine configured to extract energy from the exhaust. The condenser is configured to transfer the heat to a turbine exhaust of the turbine and provide the exhaust to the extractor. The extractor is configured to provide the exhaust to the turbine. In examples, a compressor is configured to compress the exhaust prior to the heat transfer by the condenser.

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: An asymmetric device for regulating blood volume distribution across a patient's atrial septum having a first expandable end region and a second expandable end region. The first expandable end region is transitionable from a contracted delivery state to an expanded deployed state in which the first expandable end region extends into the patient's left atrium and an inlet end of the first expandable end region is in a first plane. The second expandable end region is transitionable from a contracted delivery state to an expanded deployed state in which the second expandable end region extends into the patient's right atrium and an outlet end of the second expandable end region is in a second plane, such that the first plane intersects the second plane. The device further includes a neck region joining the first expandable end region to the second expandable end region, wherein the neck region is sized and shaped for placement in the patient's atrial septum.

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 computer implemented method that enables artificial intelligence based demulsifier control for AC or modulated AC/DC electrostatic coalescers is described. The method includes monitoring parameters associated with the GOSP facility and inputting the parameters to a trained machine learning model that outputs a minimum HPPT separation efficiency. The method includes determining a target HPPT separation efficiency based on the minimum HPPT separation efficiency. Additionally, the method includes adjusting a demulsifier dosage being injected into the HPPT apparatus to separate dry oil at the target HPPT separation efficiency.

Abstract: A filter for filter air for an internal combustion engine and methods of operation are described herein. The air precleaner is configured to use electrostatic attraction or repulsion to move ionized particles towards an inner wall of the air precleaner, where the particles eventually exit the air precleaner through a particle exhaust. The particles are ionized using a positive charge plate and a negative charge plate. The positive charge plate creates a positive charge field, creating positive ions that ionize particles in the air with a positive charge. The negative charge plate creates a negative charge field, creating negative ions that ionize particles in the air with a negative charge. The air precleaner can also include a cyclonic section that causes the air to rotate about a central axis of the air precleaner, imparting a centripetal force on the particles. The centripetal force and the electrostatic force act together to filter the air.

Abstract: In some examples, an exhaust system of a fuel cell system includes a flow device configured to discharge a first portion of a fuel cell exhaust as an exhaust flow and a second portion of the fuel cell exhaust as a second flow. A turbine of the exhaust system is configured to receive at least a portion of the exhaust flow and discharge a turbine exhaust. An ejector configured to receive the turbine exhaust at a first inlet and receive the second flow from the flow device. The ejector is configured to provide a suction on the turbine exhaust using the second flow. The exhaust system includes control circuitry configured to cause the flow device to alter the second flow.

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 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: 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: The invention relates to a new method of characterising a target polynucleotide using a pore. The method involves controlling the formation of secondary structure by the target polynucleotide after the polynucleotide has moved through the pore.

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: 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: Various systems, devices, and methods of detecting liquid temperature for a beverage carbonation system are provided. A carbonation system is one example of a treatment system to which the systems, devices, and methods described herein apply. In general, a carbonation system is configured to form a carbonated fluid by mixing a liquid and a gas and dispensing the carbonated fluid into a container. A temperature of the liquid can be detected, e.g., using a temperature sensor, before the liquid and the gas are mixed together to form the carbonated fluid. A user of the carbonation system can be informed of the liquid's temperature before the mixing begins.

Abstract: A method for automatically and autonomously comparing and updating the equipment and structure of a facility and one or more drawings representing the facility. The method includes obtaining a drawing from a drawing management system representing, at least, a portion of a facility and dispatching an autonomous vehicle (AV) to a location of the facility corresponding to the drawing. The method further includes collecting one or more visual images of the facility using the AV once it has reached the location and identifying discrepancies between the facility and the drawing using the one or more visual images and the drawing. The method further includes generating an updated drawing that corrects the identified discrepancies and accurately represents the facility and replacing the drawing with the updated drawing in the drawing management system upon review and approval by a user.