Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to mitigate flaring of natural gas. A natural gas processing system may process raw natural gas into a fuel gas stream that may be used to power any number of on-site power generation modules. In turn, the power generation modules may convert the fuel gas stream into an electrical output, which may be employed to power any number of distributed computing units housed within one or more mobile data centers. In certain embodiments, the distributed computing units may be adapted to mine cryptocurrency or perform other distributed computing tasks to generate revenue.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to mitigate flaring of natural gas. A natural gas processing system may process raw natural gas into a fuel gas stream that may be used to power any number of on-site power generation modules. In turn, the power generation modules may convert the fuel gas stream into an electrical output, which may be employed to power any number of distributed computing units housed within one or more mobile data centers. In certain embodiments, the distributed computing units may be adapted to mine cryptocurrency or perform other distributed computing tasks to generate revenue.

Abstract: A clutch and handle for applying rotation to a lockable mechanism is disclosed. In particular, the handle is adapted to prevent damage to the handle or a lockable mechanism when excess pressure or torque is applied to the handle. The torque limiting clutch mechanism limits the torque which can be applied by the handle such as to a lockable mechanism for securing a leaf within a frame. The torque limiting clutch mechanism comprises first and second rotors in confrontation to transmit rotational drive from the handle to the lockable mechanism. The first and second rotors are arranged to slip against each other beyond a maximum transferred torque.

Abstract: A lock system for controlling access, for example to a room or building, is disclosed. The lock system comprises a bolt module in which control of the bolt can be configured differently on the two sides of a leaf or door. Control of the bolt module may be provided by various locking modules, which are also disclosed herein. The bolt module is reversible for left handed or right handed operation. In one embodiment the bolt module comprises: a bolt moveable between a thrown position and a retracted position; and a first rotor assembly capable of accepting a drive element, the first rotor assembly arranged to drive the bolt. The bolt module may also comprise a second rotor assembly. The bolt module may comprise an anti-thrust member obstructing driving back of the bolt under action of an external force on the bolt. The bolt module may comprise a lockable cover.

Abstract: A method for identifying microorganisms by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry includes acquiring a MALDI mass spectrum of a microorganism, detecting peaks in the acquired MALDI spectrum, generating a peak list comprising mass and intensity from the detected peaks in the acquired MALDI spectrum, acquiring a database of protein sequences deduced from DNA sequences for microorganisms, generating a sub-database of ribosomal proteins from the protein sequences and their masses in the database, matching masses of the detected peaks in the acquired MALDI spectrum to masses of the ribosomal proteins in the generated sub-database, scoring the matches obtained above for each represented microorganism, generating a peak list of accurate masses of matched ribosomal proteins, recalibrating the peak list comprising mass and intensity with the peak list of accurate masses of matched ribosomal proteins, identifying a microorganism with the highest score, and repeating until a desired improvement in the recalibrated peak list or a v

Abstract: A method for organism identification using MALDI TOF mass spectrometry includes generating a searchable database. A mass spectrum is acquired from a sample. Peak detection of the acquired mass spectrum is performed, binned, and a vector is generated. Dot products are computed between the generated vector of peak detected mass spectrum and averaged binned spectrum for each isolate. A relative probability that acquired mass spectrum matches a spectrum from each isolate in the searchable database is computed. A logarithmic score for matching the acquired mass spectrum with the mass spectrum is computed from each isolate. The logarithmic score for matching the acquired mass spectrum is compared with the mass spectrum from each isolate to a predetermined minimum passing score. A list of isolates is generated with greater than the predetermined minimum score. The probability rank and logarithmic score are then reported for each isolate with a minimum passing score.

Abstract: A method for assaying an analyte in a bodily fluid from a subject includes collecting a sample of the bodily fluid comprising an analyte of interest from a subject. A sample with the bodily fluid comprising the analyte of interest suitable for analysis by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF) is then prepared. Mass spectrometry is then performed to determine mass-to-charge ratios and ion abundances of the bodily fluid or its components. The mass-to-charge ratio values and the ion abundance of each of these ratios are then analyzed using calibration standards to interpret a resulting mass spectrum and to provide quantitative information.

Abstract: A clutch and handle for applying rotation to a lockable mechanism is disclosed. In particular, the handle is adapted to prevent damage to the handle or a lockable mechanism when excess pressure or torque is applied to the handle. The torque limiting clutch mechanism limits the torque which can be applied by the handle such as to a lockable mechanism for securing a leaf within a frame. The torque limiting clutch mechanism comprises first and second rotors in confrontation to transmit rotational drive from the handle to the lockable mechanism. The first and second rotors are arranged to slip against each other beyond a maximum transferred torque.

Abstract: A member, for example a bolt of a bolting mechanism, has a direction of translation. A plurality of blades are arranged to slide progressively across an arrest of the member, in a direction transverse to the simultaneous movement of the member in the direction of translation, to thereby prevent reverse movement of the member over a continuous range of member positions. In particular, each blade prevents return movement over a different range of member positions than the other blades.

Abstract: A lock system for controlling access, for example to a room or building, is disclosed. The lock system comprises a bolt module in which control of the bolt can be configured differently on the two sides of a leaf or door. Control of the bolt module may be provided by various locking modules, which are also disclosed herein. The bolt module is reversible for left handed or right handed operation. In one embodiment the bolt module comprises: a bolt moveable between a thrown position and a retracted position; and a first rotor assembly capable of accepting a drive element, the first rotor assembly arranged to drive the bolt. The bolt module may also comprise a second rotor assembly. The bolt module may comprise an anti-thrust member obstructing driving back of the bolt under action of an external force on the bolt. The bolt module may comprise a lockable cover.

Abstract: Techniques for forming a smooth silicide without the use of a cap layer are provided. In one aspect, a FET device is provided. The FET device includes a SOI wafer having a SOI layer over a BOX and at least one active area formed in the wafer; a gate stack over a portion of the at least one active area which serves as a channel of the device; source and drain regions of the device adjacent to the gate stack, wherein the source and drain regions of the device include a semiconductor material selected from: silicon and silicon germanium; and silicide contacts to the source and drain regions of the device, wherein an interface is present between the silicide contacts and the semiconductor material, and wherein the interface has an interface roughness of less than about 5 nanometers.

Abstract: Techniques for forming a smooth silicide without the use of a cap layer are provided. In one aspect, a cap layer-free method for forming a silicide is provided. The method includes the following steps. A semiconductor material selected from: silicon and silicon germanium is provided. At least one silicide metal is deposited on the semiconductor material. The semiconductor material and the at least one silicide metal are annealed at a temperature of from about 400° C. to about 800° C. for a duration of less than or equal to about 10 milliseconds to form the silicide. A FET device and a method for fabricating a FET device are also provided.

Abstract: Techniques for forming a smooth silicide without the use of a cap layer are provided. In one aspect, a FET device is provided. The FET device includes a SOI wafer having a SOI layer over a BOX and at least one active area formed in the wafer; a gate stack over a portion of the at least one active area which serves as a channel of the device; source and drain regions of the device adjacent to the gate stack, wherein the source and drain regions of the device include a semiconductor material selected from: silicon and silicon germanium; and silicide contacts to the source and drain regions of the device, wherein an interface is present between the silicide contacts and the semiconductor material, and wherein the interface has an interface roughness of less than about 5 nanometers.

Abstract: A valve timing control apparatus for a combustion engine according to which a rotational member, such as a sprocket, is driven by said combustion engine, a rotor is mechanically coupled with a camshaft for controlling opening and closing of cylinder valves of said combustion engine, a first configuration is provided in which the rotor is locked to the rotational member; and a second configuration is provided in which the rotor is unlocked from said rotational member. In another aspect an operating method of said valve timing control apparatus for adjusting a valve timing of a combustion engine is provided. The apparatus controls a relative rotation between a camshaft and an output shaft, which can either be prevented or permitted.

Abstract: A push plate assembly (10) that may be used for driving a bolting mechanism is disclosed. The push plate assembly (10) may be included as part of a push pad assembly or panic bar assembly, such as may be fitted to single or multipoint bolt mechanisms, for example, those fitted to emergency exit doors. The push plate assembly comprises a housing (32), a push plate (36), a slide plate (45) and a drive cam (55). The drive cam (55) is arranged to rotate within the housing so as to rotationally drive a bolt mechanism.

Abstract: A method is disclosed that includes providing a semiconductor substrate having one or more device levels including a number of devices, and forming a number of wiring levels on a top surface of the one or more device levels, wherein one or more of the number of wiring levels includes one or more alpha particle blocking shields situated between at least one of the number of devices and a predetermined first location where a terminal pad will be formed in one of the wiring levels, the one or more alpha particle blocking shields placed at a second location, having one or more widths, and occupying a predetermined number of the wiring levels, sufficient to prevent a predetermined percentage of alpha particles of a selected energy or less expected to be emitted from an alpha particle emitting metallization to be formed adjacent and connected to the terminal pad from reaching the one device.

Abstract: A valve timing control apparatus for a combustion engine according to which a rotational member, such as a sprocket, is driven by said combustion engine, a rotor is mechanically coupled with a camshaft for controlling opening and closing of cylinder valves of said combustion engine, a first configuration is provided in which the rotor is locked to the rotational member; and a second configuration is provided in which the rotor is unlocked from said rotational member. In another aspect an operating method of said valve timing control apparatus for adjusting a valve timing of a combustion engine is provided. The apparatus controls a relative rotation between a camshaft and an output shaft, which can either be prevented or permitted.

Abstract: Architecture that generates a companion window in combination with a source application experience to enable the accomplishment of a side task yet not switch away from the context of the source application. The companion window experience is a window that is rendered proximate (e.g., beside) a user's source application experience, in a predictable location, and with a predictable user model for invocation and dismissal. The companion window allows the user to retain full visual context of the associated source application experience, while rendering activities that directly pertain to the source application experience or activities that allow the user to interact with two applications.

Abstract: A method is disclosed that includes providing a semiconductor substrate having one or more device levels including a number of devices, and forming a number of wiring levels on a top surface of the one or more device levels, wherein one or more of the number of wiring levels includes one or more alpha particle blocking shields situated between at least one of the number of devices and a predetermined first location where a terminal pad will be formed in one of the wiring levels, the one or more alpha particle blocking shields placed at a second location, having one or more widths, and occupying a predetermined number of the wiring levels, sufficient to prevent a predetermined percentage of alpha particles of a selected energy or less expected to be emitted from an alpha particle emitting metallization to be formed adjacent and connected to the terminal pad from reaching the one device.

Abstract: A push plate assembly (10) that may be used for driving a bolting mechanism is disclosed. The push plate assembly (10) may he included as part of a push pad assembly or panic bar assembly, such as may be fitted to single or multipoint bolt mechanisms, for example, those fitted to emergency exit doors. The push plate assembly comprises a housing (32), a push plate (36), a slide plate (45) and a drive cam (55). The drive cam (55) is arranged to rotate within the housing so as to rotationally drive a bolt mechanism.