Abstract: A nephelometer that measures turbidity of low volume suspensions using measurements of light transmitted through and/or scattered by the sample. The sample suspension is placed in a tiered cuvette adapted to facilitate measuring the turbidity of low volume samples. The lower portion of the cuvette has smaller dimensions, in horizontal cross section, than the top portion. Both lower and upper portions have angled surfaces. The lower, smaller portion of the cuvette is interrogated by the nephelometer.

Abstract: A method and automated apparatus for locating and selecting a colony of microorganisms on a culture dish and subjecting the obtained sample to a plurality of downstream tests including a test to identify the microorganism and a test to identify the susceptibility of the microorganism to antibiotics. The method includes the automated steps of locating and selecting a colony of microorganisms on a culture dish; obtaining a sample of the selected colony of microorganisms; preparing a suspension of a sample of microorganisms automatically by submerging the pick tool with the sample in a suspension, after which the pick tool is vibrated in at least the vertical direction to release the sample from the pick tool in the suspension. The turbidity of the suspension is monitored to ensure that the concentration of microorganism in suspension is sufficient so that the suspension is used a source for sample for both identification and antibiotic susceptibility of the microorganisms in the sample.

Abstract: In a multiphase electrical power construction and assignment, a processor: determines a phase and voltage configuration for bi-directional power device pairs; determines a given bi-directional power device pair is to be coupled to a given phase connection based on the configuration; determines whether the given bi-directional power devices in the given bi-directional power device pair are to be coupled to each other; confirms that the given bi-directional power device pair is not coupled to any of the plurality of phase connections; couples the given bi-directional power device pair to the given phase connections, where power signals of the given bi-directional power device pair are synchronized with a power signal of the given phase connection; and in response to determining that the given bi-directional power devices are to be coupled to each other, couples each of the bi-directional power devices to a short bus.

Abstract: A system and method with increased sensitivity to microorganism growth. The system includes signal processing electronic circuit connected to a consumable or vessel through two or more electrodes that fully penetrate the vessel and are in contact with the fluid contents. The electronic circuit is configured to detect a component of the total impedance of the sample, specifically the “out-of-phase” or imaginary reactance component, which has a sensitive response to organism growth in a frequency-dependent manner. The system detects changes in both the composition of charged molecules in the liquid matrix and the number of microorganisms based on monitoring the sample for change in this parameter. This results in a 5-70% reduction in time-to-detection (TTD). The system and method detect organisms in a plurality of vessel shapes, volumes, and matrix (or media) formats. The electrodes are fully immersed in a continuous body of liquid sample.

Abstract: A system and method with increased sensitivity to microorganism growth. The system includes signal processing electronic circuit connected to a consumable or vessel through two or more electrodes that fully penetrate the vessel and are in contact with the fluid contents. The electronic circuit is configured to detect a component of the total impedance of the sample, specifically the “out-of-phase” or imaginary reactance component, which has a sensitive response to organism growth in a frequency-dependent manner. The system detects changes in both the composition of charged molecules in the liquid matrix and the number of microorganisms based on monitoring the sample for change in this parameter. This results in a 5-70% reduction in time-to-detection (TTD). The system and method detect organisms in a plurality of vessel shapes, volumes, and matrix (or media) formats. The electrodes are fully immersed in a continuous body of liquid sample.

Abstract: The invention provides a bidirectional converter that operates under an AC generation mode or a charge mode. The bidirectional converter may be a single component or circuit, which may include a DC-DC conversion stage using a unique “Smith 2 Stage conversion” technique and a DC-AC conversion stage or AC-DC conversion stage using a switchable filter depending on the mode. During the charge mode, the converter may be able to control the voltage and current of the DC output using a software algorithm, to match the battery being charged, or the DC receiver. This may enable the converter to control the nature of the DC output so it can be adapted to any energy storage technology. The controllable output voltage and synchronizable frequency may allow the converter to be used in series combinations to achieve a variety of high voltage outputs from simpler building blocks.

Abstract: Various examples are directed to systems and methods for authentication transactions. A mobile computing device may send to a financial institution system, an access request message. The mobile computing device may receive from a second server system, a transaction request message requesting authorization for a transaction on an account associated with the mobile computing device, the transaction request including a transaction amount. The mobile computing device may prompt a user of the mobile computing device to authorize the transaction. The mobile computing device may receive, from the financial institution system, summary data describing the transaction amount.

Abstract: Systems and methods that facilitate dynamic directory service object creation and certificate management are discussed. One such method can include discovering a device deployed on a network, creating and deploying a corresponding directory services object, automatically creating and deploying a certificate to the device and updating attributes associated with the device. The disclosed system and method reduce the time involved in deploying and configuring directory services and public key infrastructure (PKI), increase efficiency, improve network availability and lessen the chances for errors associated with manual configuration.

Abstract: A composition and method for using seawater as a treatment fluid is provided. The treatment fluid comprises N-(phosphonomethyl)iminodiacetic acid and seawater. The provided treatment fluid is stable and viscous, even at high temperatures and a high pH.

Abstract: Systems and methods of the present disclosure are directed to efficiently editing data requests sent from devices, allowing for an improved database information delivery system. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, an administrator device limits an amount of data requested based on a number of factors prior to sending the request to a server. In some embodiments, a server, after receiving a request for refreshed data, reduces the amount of data requested based on a number of factors prior to retrieving the requested data from a source and delivering the requested data to an administrator device.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to compositions for treatment of a subterranean formation, and methods and systems including the same. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of treating a subterranean formation that can include obtaining or providing a substantially solid composition. The substantially solid composition can include a hydrogen fluoride precursor salt and an amide hydrochloride salt. The method includes combining the substantially solid composition with a carrier fluid to form a mixture. The method includes placing the mixture in a subterranean formation downhole.

Abstract: Vehicle monitoring systems and methods are described. According to one aspect, a vehicle monitoring system includes a plurality of vehicle monitoring devices individually configured to communicate with circuitry of a respective one of a plurality of vehicles being monitored by the vehicle monitoring system, to receive vehicle information regarding the one vehicle from the circuitry of the one vehicle at a plurality of moments in time, and to output a plurality of messages externally of the vehicle monitoring device at a plurality of moments in time, wherein the messages from the vehicle monitoring devices include the vehicle information being monitored by the vehicle monitoring system, and a management device configured to receive the messages and the vehicle information included within the messages, to store the vehicle information, to process the vehicle information, and to generate and output a communication regarding the vehicles to a recipient party.

Abstract: A USB Type-C audio-visual adapter system includes a base module and an expansion module. The base module has a first housing with a first face and a second face, where the first face includes USB and A/V connectors and the second face includes a first expansion connector. The second face is offset inwardly from an edge of the first housing defined by a lip extending about the second face. The expansion module has a second housing with a first face that includes a second expansion connector, where the first face of the second housing is configured to be received within a recessed area formed by the lip of first housing to facilitate mechanical and electrical coupling of the first and second expansion connectors.

Abstract: Methods for reducing a defective area in a strengthened substrate to produce a non-defective substrate are provided. The methods include contacting a strengthened defective substrate with a heated salt bath containing at least one monovalent salt, and removing the strengthened substrate from the bath. The strengthened substrate, before being contacted with the salt bath, is a defective substrate having at least one defective area and one or more non-defective area. Upon removal from the salt bath, at least one defective area has been reduced or substantially removed to produce a non-defective substrate.

Abstract: Methods for reducing a defective area in a strengthened substrate to produce a non-defective substrate are provided. The methods include contacting a strengthened defective substrate with a heated salt bath containing at least one monovalent salt, and removing the strengthened substrate from the bath. The strengthened substrate, before being contacted with the salt bath, is a defective substrate having at least one defective area and one or more non-defective area. Upon removal from the salt bath, at least one defective area has been reduced or substantially removed to produce a non-defective substrate.

Abstract: The efficiency of ion exchange processes is increased by increasing the concentration of nitrite salts in the molten salt bath. The increase in nitrite salt concentration may be achieved by adding a nitrite salt to a molten nitrate salt bath, aging a molten nitrate salt bath, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel GOAT inhibitors and their salts and pharmaceutical compositions thereof.

Abstract: Certain metal surfaces are often unable to be effectively contacted with fluids containing hydrofluoric acid due to significant corrosion issues. Titanium and titanium alloy surfaces represent but one example. Corrosion inhibitor compositions comprising boric acid and an N-(phosphonoalkyl)iminodiacetic acid or any salt thereof can be used to suppress metal corrosion, including that taking place on titanium and titanium alloy surfaces.

Abstract: Methods for reducing viscosifying tendencies of crude oil in subterranean formations using solid acid chelating agents are described. The methods include combining a solid acid chelating agent and an aqueous acid solution to form a treatment fluid, and introducing the treatment fluid into the subterranean formation. The solid acid chelating agent includes at least one aminopolycarboxylic acid functional group and at least one phosphonic acid functional group.