Abstract: Apparatus for manipulating the shape of hair using dielectric heating is provided. Typically, the apparatus comprises opposing first and second electrodes respectively provided on first and second arms that are movable towards and away from one another; and drive circuitry for supplying electrical energy to the first and second electrodes, to cause an alternating electric field to be produced in the vicinity of the electrodes in use, and thereby cause dielectric heating of hair placed between the electrodes in use. Sensing circuitry may also be provided for sensing a change in coupling of energy from the alternating electric field to the hair during heating of the hair; and control circuitry for controlling the drive circuitry to vary the electrical energy supplied to the first and second electrodes in dependence upon the sensed change in coupling. A related method of manipulating the shape of hair using dielectric heating is also provided.

Abstract: Training at the proper level of effort is important for athletes whose objective is to achieve the best results in the least time. In running, for example, pace is often monitored. However, pace alone does not reveal specific issues with regard to running form, efficiency, or technique, much less inform how training should be modified to improve performance or fitness. A sensing system and wearable sensor platform described herein provide real-time feedback to a user/wearer of his power expenditure during an activity. In one example, the system includes an inertial measurement unit (IMU) for acquiring multi-axis motion data at a first sampling rate, and an orientation sensor to acquire orientation data at a second sampling rate that is varied based on the multi-axis motion data.

Abstract: An apparatus manipulates the shape of hair using dielectric heating. Typically,the apparatus includes opposing first and second electrodes respectively provided on first and second arms that are movable towards and away from one another. Drive circuitry supplies electrical energy to the first and second electrodes, to cause an alternating electric field to be produced in the vicinity of the electrodes in use, and thereby cause dielectric heating of hair placed between the electrodes in use. Sensing circuitry senses a change in coupling of energy from the alternating electric field to the hair during heating of the hair. Control circuitry controls the drive circuitry to vary the electrical energy supplied to the first and second electrodes in dependence upon the sensed change in coupling. A related method manipulates the shape of hair using dielectric heating.

Abstract: A rotary sampling valve for a multi-point aspirated gas or smoke detection system, the rotary sampling valve including multiple sets of inlet ports, whereby, in a first operation mode, air is drawn via all inlet points simultaneously and, in a second operation mode, air is drawn via one inlet port from each set of inlet ports simultaneously. A multi-point aspirated gas or smoke detection system including a rotary sampling valve is also described.

Abstract: A multi-channel particle and/or gas detector including an array of detector elements held in a housing structure, the structure configured to provide each detector element with an inlet and an outlet, wherein each inlet, detector element and outlet form a dedicated detector channel which operatively communicates with a sampling tube.

Abstract: According to one broad aspect of this disclosure, a method is provided for producing polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) from organic waste. The method comprises homogenizing organic waste to obtain a feedstock that has about 0.01% to about 99.99% (w/w) dry mass solids. The feedstock is inoculated with an inoculum of acidogenic fermentative bacteria in order to obtain an inoculated feedstock. The inoculated feedstock is incubated for at least 1 day to obtain a fermentation broth. The fermentation broth comprises volatile fatty acids (VFAs) and undigested organic waste. The fermentation broth is filtered with a filter with a pore size ranging from 0.2 ?m to 500,000 NMWC to remove the acidogenic fermentative bacteria and undigested organic waste, to obtain a clarified broth comprising concentrated VFAs. The clarified broth and high-PHA producing bacteria are incubated to produce intracellular PHA granules in the high-PHA producing bacteria. PHA polymers are extracted from the intracellular PHA granules.

Abstract: A pod for storing and dispensing a beverage preparation ingredient during a dispensing operation. The pod comprises a body defining a cavity for storing the beverage preparation ingredient, said body comprising a dispensing side and a closed side, and at least one side wall extending from the closed side to the dispensing side; and an actuation member contained within said cavity. The actuation member is configured to cause an opening to be formed between said cavity and a region outside the pod when actuated. The opening is formed around a perimeter of a dispensing surface of the pod at a junction formed between the at least one side wall and the dispensing surface, the dispensing surface being provided at the dispensing side of the body.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus for dispensing a beverage preparation ingredient from a pod. The dispensing apparatus comprises a pod support region configured to support a pod, an actuator configured to engage with a corresponding actuator engagement region of the pod, and a rotation mechanism for rotating the pod. The apparatus is configured to cause the actuation member to cause an opening to be formed in a pod supported by the pod support region. The apparatus is further configured to cause the rotation mechanism to cause the pod to rotate about an axis of rotation during a dispensing operation, so as to cause the beverage preparation ingredient to be released from the pod via said opening.

Abstract: According to one broad aspect of this disclosure, a method is provided for producing polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) from organic waste. The method comprises homogenizing organic waste to obtain a feedstock that has 1:1 to 3:1 (w/w) water to organic waste ratio. The feedstock is inoculated with an inoculum of acidogenic fermentative bacteria in order to obtain an inoculated feedstock. The inoculated feedstock is incubated for 5 to 10 days, 3 to 10 days, optionally 7 days, optionally 3 days, to obtain a fermentation broth. The fermentation broth comprises volatile fatty acids (VFAs) and undigested organic waste. The fermentation broth is filtered with a filter with a pore size ranging from 0.2 ?m to 500,000 NMWC to remove the acidogenic fermentative bacteria and undigested organic waste, to obtain a clarified broth comprising concentrated VFAs. The clarified broth and high-PHA producing bacteria are incubated to produce intracellular PHA granules in the high-PHA producing bacteria.

Abstract: A method for determining correct performance of a sampling pipe in an aspirated particle and/or gas sampling system. The method includes causing a change in airflow in a sampling pipe of the aspirated particle and/or gas sampling system that induces a change in at least one airflow property within the sampling pipe, and detecting an effect of the change in said airflow property. Also disclosed is a method for determining correct performance of an aspirated particle gas sampling system. The method includes determining correct performance of a sampling pipe in the aspirated particle and/or gas sampling and determining correct performance of a detector in the aspirated particle and/or gas sampling system, wherein a test fluid is introduced to the aspirated particle and/or gas sampling system at or near the detector.

Abstract: There is described a duct detector (1) and components (2, 3, 6) for duct detectors. In one form the duct detector (1) includes: a port unit (3) and detector unit (2). The port unit (3) is mountable to a duct in use so as to position one or more ports in the duct. The detector unit (2) includes a detection region. The port unit (3) and detector unit (2) are reconfigurable between a close coupled configuration and a separated configuration in which the units (2,3) are mountable with a variable separation between them and coupled by one or more elongate conduits (12A, 12B) to provide fluid communication between the units (2,3).

Abstract: A method of particle detection in an aspirated particle detection system having a sampling pipe network and a particle detector. The method includes drawing sample air to the particle detector through the air sampling network; analyzing the sample air with the particle detector; entering an amplification phase, in the event that a concentration of particles in the sample air greater than a predetermined threshold is detected, to create a plurality of sample air packets in the sampling pipe, wherein each sample air packet corresponds to a sampling inlet and includes an amplified concentration of air drawn from the corresponding sampling inlet; transporting the sample air including the plurality of sample air packets through the sampling pipe to the particle detector; and determining through which sampling inlet any particles entered the particle detection system.

Abstract: A sampling point assembly for an aspirating particle detection system is described. The sampling point assembly is configured to be mounted to a mounting structure associated with a volume to be sampled, the sampling point assembly being further configured to be coupled to a conduit to deliver an air sample from the volume being sampled to the conduit, the sampling point assembling including removable cartridge carrying an elastomeric valve mounted to a sampling point body.

Abstract: A particle detection system including a particle detector in fluid communication with at least two sample inlets for receiving a sample flow from a monitored region. The particle detector includes detection means for detecting the level of particles within the sample flow and outputting a first signal indicative of the level of particles within the sample flow. A flow sensor is located downstream of the sample inlets for measuring the flow rate of the sample flow and outputting a second signal indicative of the flow rate of the sample flow. At least a first sample inlet is normally open to the monitored region for receiving at least part of the sample flow. At least a second sample inlet is normally closed to the monitored region but is openable to the monitored region in response to a change in environmental conditions in the monitored region.

Abstract: Training at the proper level of effort is important for athletes whose objective is to achieve the best results in the least time. In running, for example, pace is often monitored. However, pace alone does not reveal specific issues with regard to running form, efficiency, or technique, much less inform how training should be modified to improve performance or fitness. A sensing system and wearable sensor platform described herein provide real-time feedback to a user/wearer of his power expenditure during an activity. In one example, the system includes an inertial measurement unit (IMU) for acquiring multi-axis motion data at a first sampling rate, and an orientation sensor to acquire orientation data at a second sampling rate that is varied based on the multi-axis motion data.

Abstract: A system and method of providing virtualized connectivity in a cloud services environment. A service provider network defines at least a first virtual private network and a second virtual private network for a respective first customer network and a second customer network. The service provider network includes at least one physical connection with a cloud services provider network where the at least one physical connection includes a first private virtual connection between the first virtual private network and the cloud services provider and a second private virtual connection between the second virtual private network and the cloud services provider.

Abstract: Training at the proper level of effort is important for athletes whose objective is to achieve the best results in the least time. In running, for example, pace is often monitored. However, pace alone does not reveal specific issues with regard to running form, efficiency, or technique, much less inform how training should be modified to improve performance or fitness. A sensing system and wearable sensor platform described herein provide real-time feedback to a user/wearer of his power expenditure during an activity. In one example, the system includes an inertial measurement unit (IMU) for acquiring multi-axis motion data at a first sampling rate, and an orientation sensor to acquire orientation data at a second sampling rate that is varied based on the multi-axis motion data.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for detecting the presence of gases is described. The gas detection apparatus includes, a housing adapted to be in fluid communication with a duct of a particle detection system, and at least one gas detector sensitive to a target species arranged in fluid communication with the housing to detect the presence of the target species in at least part of the air sample flowing in a duct. In one form the gas detection apparatus forms part of a system for detecting a condition in an environment that includes, a particle detector; a duct system in fluid communication with the environment and the particle detector and an aspirator to draw an air sample flow from the environment to the particle detector.

Abstract: A multi-channel particle and/or gas detector including an array of detector elements held in a housing structure, the structure configured to provide each detector element with an inlet and an outlet, wherein each inlet, detector element and outlet form a dedicated detector channel which operatively communicates with a sampling tube.

Abstract: Various technologies described herein pertain to performing time travel debugging. A computer-executable program can be executed. The computer-executable program can be executable under control of a virtual machine. The virtual machine can interact with a browser system during execution of the computer-executable program. Moreover, nondeterministic events can be logged via an interrogative virtual machine interface (VMI) during the execution of the computer-executable program. The nondeterministic events can be logged as part of event logs. Moreover, the interrogative VMI is between the virtual machine and the browser system. Further, snapshots of the virtual machine can be captured during the execution of the computer-executable program. The snapshots can be captured via the interrogative VMI. At least a portion of the execution of the computer-executable program can be replayed based at least in part on a snapshot and at least a portion of the event logs.