Abstract: The invention relates to compounds, methods and compositions for improving on nucleic acid polymerization, including DNA replication by in vitro primer extension to generate, for example, polymers for nanopore-based single molecule sequencing of a DNA template. A nucleic acid polymerase reaction composition is provided with polymerization enhancement moieties, which allows enhanced DNA polymerase activity with nucleotide analogs, resulting in improved length of primer extension products for sequencing applications.

Abstract: A protective helmet having an impact-resistant outer shell with an impact liner disposed within. The impact liner encloses a substantial portion of a wearer's head. A fan assembly having at least one fan and preferably a fan cowling is disposed between the impact liner and the outer shell. In operation, the fan assembly is connected through a connecting assembly to a source of power. The connecting assembly may optionally include power conditioners. When connected, the fan assembly extracts air or other respiration gases from around a wearer's head, through channels in the impact liner, and exhausts it out of the helmet through vents. The vents and the outer shell feature covering the fan assembly are designed for shell integrity and resistance to impacts and entry by flames or foreign objects. A gas inlet connector may optionally be provided for connecting an external source of respiration gases to the helmet, as may ducting to guide such gas to a wearer's face for respiration.