Abstract: A ring interconnect system comprises a plurality of nodes. Each node is connected to two other nodes to form a ring interconnect. Every pair of nodes is connected by an inter-node path for that pair of nodes distinct from the ring interconnect. Each of the nodes comprises a message buffer to buffer messages received from at least one device associated with the node. Each of the nodes also comprises activity level circuitry to transmit an activity indication, when a number of the messages in the message buffer is equal to or above a threshold, to each other node of the plurality of nodes via the respective inter-node paths. Each of the nodes also comprises arbitrator circuitry to receive the activity indications from each other node and from the activity level circuitry, and to allow ingress of a message from the message buffer onto the ring interconnect in dependence on the activity indications. Also provided is a method of operating a node of a ring interconnect system.

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: A method is provided. The method includes obtaining an enhanced state graph. The enhanced state graph represents a set of objects within an environment and a set of positions of the set of objects. The enhanced state graph includes a set of object nodes, a set of property nodes and a set of goal nodes to represent a set of objectives. The method also includes generating a set of instructions for a set of mechanical systems based on the enhanced state graph. The set of mechanical systems is configured to interact with one or more of the set of objects within the environment. The method further includes operating the set of mechanical systems to achieve the set of objectives based on the set of instructions.

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 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: The invention relates to a new method of determining in a sample the presence or absence of one or more analyte members of a group of two or more analytes. The invention therefore relates to a multiplex assay for determining the presence or absence of each analyte in a group of multiple analytes. The assay uses aptamers and transmembrane pores.

Abstract: A non-contact unitary device for hand cleansing and monitoring hand hygiene comprises means for delivery of hand cleansing material containing a light activatable marker and a space for the placement of hands after washing and provided with means for shining light onto the hands when within the space for activation of any marker remaining on the hands after washing.

Abstract: A biochemical analysis system analyses polymers by taking measurements of a polymer from a sensor element comprising a nanopore during translocation of the polymer through the nanopore. When a polymer has partially translocated, the series of measurements is analysed using reference data derived from a reference sequence to provide a measure of similarity. Responsive to the measure of similarity, the sensor element may be selectively operated to eject the polymer and thereby make the nanopore available to receive a further polymer. Where the biochemical analysis system comprises an array of sensor elements and is takes measurements from sensor elements selected in a multiplexed manner, responsive to the measure of similarity, the biochemical analysis system ceases taking measurements from the currently selected sensor element and to starts taking measurements from a newly selected sensor element.

Abstract: Technology is described for an electron gun driver including a half bridge driver circuit and a drive controller. The half bridge driver circuit includes a drive circuit configured to generate a grid drive voltage for a grid connection of an electron gun, and a cutoff circuit configured to generate a grid cutoff voltage for the grid connection of the electron gun, and a gate driver configured to switch between the grid drive voltage and the grid cutoff voltage. The drive controller is configured to generate a pulse input to the drive circuit and cutoff circuit and grid switching signals for the gate driver.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new method of characterising a target ribonucleic acid (RNA) involving forming a complementary polynucleotide. The method uses a transmembrane pore.

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 method of forming an inorganic oxide coating on a monolith article is disclosed. The coated monolith article is suitable for the treatment of an exhaust gas. The method comprises spraying, as a dry particulate aerosol, inorganic particles and a silicone resin to form a coating layer. The present invention also provides an uncalcined porous monolith article for use in forming a monolith article for the treatment of an exhaust gas. The uncalcined monolith article comprises a dry particulate composition comprising inorganic particles and a silicone resin.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method of forming a coated monolith article for the treatment of an exhaust gas. The method comprises the steps of: retaining a porous monolith article in a coating apparatus, the porous monolith article comprising a plurality of channels for the passage of an exhaust gas, each channel having a gas-contacting surface; depositing cementitious particles as a dry powder onto the gas-contacting surface of at least some of the channels; and reacting the cementitious particles with a liquid or gaseous reagent in situ within the porous monolith article to provide the coated monolith article.

Abstract: A method is provided. The method includes obtaining sensor data indicative of a set of objects detected within an environment. The method also includes generating a state graph based on the sensor data. The state graph includes a set of object nodes and a set of property nodes. The method further includes obtaining user input data generated based on a natural language input. The method further includes updating the state graph based on the user input data to generate an enhanced state graph. The enhanced state graph includes additional nodes generated based on the user input data. The method further includes generating a set of instructions for a set of mechanical systems based on the enhanced state graph. The method further includes operating the set of mechanical systems to achieve a set of objectives based on the set of instructions.

Abstract: A method is provided. The method includes obtaining a state graph that represents a set of objects within an environment and a set of positions of the set of objects within the environment. The state graph includes a set of object nodes and a set of property nodes. The method also includes obtaining user input data. The user input data is generated based on a natural language input. The method further includes updating the state graph based on the user input data to generate an enhanced state graph. The enhanced state graph includes additional nodes generated based on the user input data. The method further includes providing the enhanced state graph to a planning module. The planning modules generates instructions for operating a mechanical system based on the enhanced state graph.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method is provided. The method includes obtaining sensor data indicative of a set of objects detected within an environment. The method also includes determining a set of positions of the set of objects and a set of properties of the set of objects based on the sensor data. The method further includes generating a state graph based on the sensor data. The state graph represents the set of objects and the set of positions of the set of objects. The state graph includes a set of object nodes to represent the set of objects and a set of property nodes to represent the set of properties of the set of objects. The state graph is provided to a graph enhancement module that updates the state graph with additional data to generate an enhanced state graph.

Abstract: A method is provided. The method includes obtaining an enhanced state graph. The enhanced state graph represents a set of objects within an environment and a set of positions of the set of objects. The enhanced state graph includes a set of object nodes, a set of property nodes and a set of goal nodes to represent a set of objectives. The method also includes generating a set of instructions for a set of mechanical systems based on the enhanced state graph. The set of mechanical systems is configured to interact with one or more of the set of objects within the environment. The method further includes operating the set of mechanical systems to achieve the set of objectives based on the set of instructions.

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: An apparatus and method for operating a ring interconnect are disclosed. The ring interconnect has a plurality of nodes that are used to connect to associated components, and is arranged to transport a plurality of slots around the ring interconnect between the nodes in order to transfer items of traffic allocated into those slots between components connected to the nodes. For each item of traffic, one of the components acts as a source to allocate that item of traffic into a slot, and another components acts as destination to seek to remove that item of traffic from the slot. In a default mode of operation, the ring interconnect is arranged to allow all of the slots to be available for transfer of any items of traffic.

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.