Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include a tubing deployment system. In one embodiment, the tubing deployment system includes a first tubing string having a first weightable collar. The tubing deployment system also includes a second tubing string having a second weightable collar. The first weightable collar and the second weightable collar each includes an interlocking locking member and a plurality of receivers spaced radially about an external surface of the respective weightable collar, where each of the plurality of receivers is configured to receive a weight.

Abstract: A bend stiffener is operable to be installed on site in a collapsed state and expanded upon installation to provide increased coverage of a tubing string to be reinforced by the bend stiffener. The bend stiffener is expandable upon the tripping of tubing through the bend stiffener. The bend stiffener includes a flexible sleeve having an outer flange at an upper end and sized to receive the tubing. The bend stiffener also includes an intermediary sleeve and an external sleeve. The intermediary sleeve has a cylindrical body and an internal flange for engaging and supporting the outer flange of the flexible sleeve. Similarly, the external sleeve has an internal flange for supporting an external flange of the intermediary sleeve. When installed, the flexible sleeve slides from the intermediary sleeve and the intermediary sleeve slides from the external sleeve so that each sleeve encloses and reinforces a segment of tubing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new method of determining in a sample the presence, absence or concentration of one or more target analytes, such as micro-ribonucleic acids (microRNAs or miRNAs). The invention may therefore relate to a multiplex assay for determining the presence or absence of each target analyte in a group of multiple analytess. The invention uses one or more probes comprising a quadruplex and transmembrane pores.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tea-based beverage precursor comprising tea solids and at least 0.01% w/w water-dispersible biopolymer, wherein the water-dispersible biopolymer has a Trouton ratio of at least 300, preferably 400, more preferably 450 measured as a 0.2% w/w aqueous solution at 20 degrees Celsius, wherein the weight ratio of tea solids to water-dispersible biopolymer is at least 2:1, preferably at least 3:1. The invention also relates to a tea-based beverage comprising water and the tea-based beverage precursor of the first aspect of the invention, wherein the tea-based beverage comprises 0.0001 to 0.1% w/w of the water-dispersible biopolymer.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a composition comprising an active chemical agent adsorbed into a non-water-soluble carrier composed, at least in part, of com grit. The present composition is useful for inhibiting scale or other undesirable formations. The composition may be introduced into the target during the stimulation or production treatment of an oil or gas well. The composition may be formed by adsorbing a liquid chemical agent onto a solid substrate of com-based material called com grit. The crush resistance and liquid-insolubility of com grit help enable the composition to release the treatment chemical into the well over time. The liquid chemical combined with the solid substrate can be used as a well treatment agent for scale inhibitors, corrosion inhibitors, surfactants, non-emulsifiers, halite inhibitors, wettability modifiers, paraffin and asphaltene inhibitors, and water and oil-soluble tracers.

Abstract: This invention provides a system (10) for generating energy from waste material. The system comprises a first batch processing oven (12) for generating syngas and a second batch processing oven (14) for generating syngas. At least one thermal treatment chamber (20) heats the syngas after it is produced, and an energy converter (22) converts energy from the syngas to electrical energy.

Abstract: A remote control framework enables a plurality of target devices to be controlled by a plurality of remote control devices irrespective of bearer types. In a preferred embodiment any target device may also act as a control device and any control device may also act as a target device. The framework also enables any application running on any target device to be controlled by any controller device.

Abstract: An aspect of the present disclosure is a photoelectrochemical device that includes a first cell that includes a first semiconductor alloy, a capping layer that includes a second semiconductor alloy, and a passivating layer that includes a third semiconductor alloy, where the passivating layer is positioned between the first cell and the capping layer, and at least a portion of the capping layer is configured to be in direct contact with an electrolyte.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for minimal-latency tracking and display for matching real and virtual worlds in head-worn displays are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method for minimal-latency tracking and display for matching real and virtual worlds in head-worn displays includes calculating a desired image, calculating an error image as the difference between the desired image and an image currently being perceived by a user, identifying as an error portion a portion of the error image having the largest error, updating a portion of a projected image that corresponds to the error portion, and recalculating the image currently being perceived by a user based on the updated projected image.

Abstract: Disclosed are nickel-containing complexation precursors having high complexation activity for bidentate processed under various conditions phosphite ligands. Also disclosed are methods of making the complexation precursors. The disclosed method of generating the nickel-containing complexation precursor includes including contacting a nickel starting material with a reductant under conditions sufficient to generate a nickel-containing complexation precursor having at least about 1,500 ppmw sulfur in the form of sulfide.

Abstract: A resource pooling system and method for multi-pillar triggered risk transfer associated with prolonged independent living under elderly illness occurrence by providing dynamic self-sufficient risk protection for a variable number of risk exposure components by the resource pooling system. The risk exposure components are connected to the resource pooling system by a plurality of payment receiving devices configured to receive and store payments from the risk exposure components for the pooling of their risks and resources. The resource pooling system includes a filter device configured to capture age-related parameters of risk exposure components and filter risk exposure components associated with an age-related parameter greater than a predefined age-threshold value by the predefined age-threshold value.

Abstract: A coiled tubing deployment system includes an offshore rig having a reel positioned thereon and coiled tubing wound on the reel. A guide arch receives the coiled tubing from the reel and a monitoring support guide fixed to the offshore rig receives and directs the coiled tubing into water. The monitoring support guide has a frame and at least two hydraulic rams. A depth counter measures the coiled tubing deployed from the reel and generates length measurement signals, and sensors coupled to the at least two hydraulic rams measure real-time lateral movement of the coiled tubing with respect to the monitoring support guide as the coiled tubing is deployed into the water and thereby generate sensor signals. A data acquisition system receives and processes the length measurement and sensor signals to provide an output signal indicative of real-time bending fatigue of the coiled tubing at select locations along the coiled tubing.

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: The invention relates to a new method of characterising FIG. 3 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: Analysis Of A Polymer 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: Apparatus for pyrolyzing or gasifying the organic content of material, including organically coated waste, biomass, industrial waste, municipal solid waste and sludge, having organic content; the apparatus comprising: an oven having a rotatable portion comprising a treatment chamber adapted to receive material for treatment; a plurality of gas inlets in at least one wall (5) of the treatment chamber through which hot gases are introduced to the treatment chamber to heat the material therein so as to cause the organic components thereof to pyrolyze or gasify; and a plurality of pockets (8) having open faces turned inwardly towards the inside of the treatment chamber on at least one wall of the rotatable portion such that, in use, material being pyrolyzed or gasified can be received from the treatment chamber into the plurality of pockets (8) via said open faces, and be substantially retained therein through an initial rotation of the oven of less than 90 degrees.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate generally to herbal smoking blends and methods for preparing and using herbal smoking blends, and relate more particularly to herbal smoking blends having terpenoids added thereto. In one aspect, a method of preparing an herbal smoking blend comprises providing a smoking herb preparation. The method additionally comprises providing a terpenoid solution comprising a terpenoid. The terpenoid solution may be added to the smoking herb preparation to, for example, provide a smoking herb preparation that achieves a desired effect on a consumer of the preparation.

Abstract: A coiled tubing deployment system includes an offshore rig having a reel positioned thereon and coiled tubing wound on the reel. A guide arch is positioned on the offshore rig to receive the coiled tubing from the reel, and a tubing guide receives the coiled tubing from the guide arch and directs the coiled tubing into water. A depth counter measures a length of the coiled tubing deployed from the reel and generate one or more length measurement signals, and a set of bend sensors is positioned on the tubing guide to measure real-time strain assumed by the coiled tubing as deployed into the water and thereby generate one or more bend sensor signals. A data acquisition system receives the length measurement signals and the bend sensor signals and provides an output signal indicative of real-time bending fatigue of the coiled tubing at select locations along the coiled tubing.

Abstract: A programmable logic device (“PLD”) is augmented with programmable clock data recover (“CDR”) circuitry to allow the PLD to communicate via any of a large number of CDR signaling protocols. The CDR circuitry may be integrated with the PLD, or it may be wholly or partly on a separate integrated circuit. The circuitry may be capable of CDR input, CDR output, or both. The CDR capability may be provided in combination with other non-CDR signaling capability such as non-CDR low voltage differential signaling (“LVDS”). The circuitry may be part of a larger system.

Abstract: A motor housing for enclosing a first stator module and a second stator module of a motor is provided. The motor housing includes a stator housing. The stator housing has a first module portion coupled to the first stator module, wherein the first module has a first contoured shape complimentary to the first stator module. A second module portion is coupled to the second stator module, wherein the second module has a second contoured shape complimentary to the second stator module. The housing also includes a base portion having a first side coupled to the first module portion and a second side coupled to the second module portion. The base portion further includes a third side coupled to and extends between the first side and the second side. A rotor housing is coupled to the stator housing and has a fastener coupled to the third side.