Abstract: Bioreactors and methods for growing a chemoautotrophic culture of a microorganism, such as a hydrogen-oxidizing or carbon monoxide-oxidizing microorganism, are provided. The bioreactors and methods provide for enhanced growth and productivity of microorganisms that use gaseous sources of carbon and energy and provide an environment for carbon fixing to produce organic molecules of interest and/or biomass. The present bioreactors and methods achieve enhanced growth with respect to cell density, culture duration and/or growth rate, while maintaining safe operating conditions.

Abstract: Bioreactors and methods for growing a chemoautotrophic culture of a microorganism, such as a hydrogen-oxidizing or carbon monoxide-oxidizing microorganism, are provided. The bioreactors and methods provide for enhanced growth and productivity of microorganisms that use gaseous sources of carbon and energy and provide an environment for carbon fixing to produce organic molecules of interest and/or biomass. The present bioreactors and methods achieve enhanced growth with respect to cell density, culture duration and/or growth rate, while maintaining safe operating conditions.

Abstract: A method for producing a cannabinoid precursor by contacting a substrate and geranyl pyrophosphate or farnesyl pyrophosphate with an NphB orthologue. The NphB orthologue is from an organism other than Cannabis sativa, and the substrate can be 2,4-dihydroxy-6-pentylbenzoic acid or 2,4-dihydroxy-6-propylbenzoic acid. Also disclosed is a recombinant cell of Yarrowia lipolytica, carrying in its genome a nucleic acid encoding an NphB orthologue from an organism other than Cannabis sativa such that the NphB orthologue is expressed in the recombinant cell.

Abstract: There is provided a computer-implemented method for controlling operation of a plurality of devices of a facility that consume energy. The method comprises obtaining parameters of an energy model representing the energy consumed by the plurality of devices of the facility, the energy model including a first plurality of variables for operating the plurality of devices and a second plurality of variables for scheduling activities to be conducted in the facility; receiving requests for the activities to be conducted in the facility, the requests including requirements in relation to the activities; and automatically determining, based on the energy model, values of the first plurality of variables to control the operation of the plurality of devices, and values of the second plurality of variables that meet the requirements in relation to the activities.

Abstract: Disclosed are modular chemical reaction systems and methods of using such chemical reaction systems. The disclosed systems can have a substrate layer and a plurality of modules selectively mounted to an outer surface of the substrate layer. The substrate layer can include flow connectors that cooperate with the modules to form a fluid flow pathway for performing at least one step of a chemical reaction. At least one of the modules can be a process module, such as a reactor or separator. The modules can also include at least one regulator module. The system can also include at least one analysis device that analyzes at least one characteristic of the chemical reaction as the reaction occurs. The system can also include processing circuitry that monitors and/or optimizes the chemical reaction based on feedback received from the analysis device or other system components.

Abstract: A flow cell apparatus including a channel plate having a channel recessed into a surface of the channel plate, and a groove recessed into the surface of the channel plate, the groove configured to surround the channel and preferably along a boundary of the channel. The flow cell apparatus further includes a seal shaped and receivable in the groove, a substrate, a backing plate, and a fastening element configured to removably attach the channel plate to the backing plate with the substrate sandwiched between the channel plate and the backing plate to bear the seal against the channel plate with the substrate.

Abstract: A catheter assembly includes a catheter hub having an elastomeric septum that divides the catheter hub into a distal chamber and a proximal chamber. The septum also includes at least one slit that is closed and sealed when the septum is in an at-rest state. A septum activator is proximal the septum. When an external force pushes the activator against the septum, the activator deforms the septum so as to break the seal and create a flow path through the septum. A portion of the septum activator can be collapsible when subjected to the outside force. When the outside force is removed, the collapsible portion springs back to its at-rest shape, helping to pull the activator out of deforming engagement with the septum so that the septum can reseal. The activator can also be spring-biased away from engagement with the septum so that when the outside force is removed, the spring urges the activator out of engagement with the septum. With the activator removed, the septum slit can reseal.

Abstract: An imaging system with real-time digital testing capabilities verifies the functionality of image processing circuitry used to process pixel data signals read out from a pixel array during imaging operations. Image processing circuitry may process a data frame read from an imaging array that includes multiple regions of imaging and non-imaging data. Digital test patterns may be generated to test the functionality of specific image processing blocks. Test patterns may correspond to or represent imaging data or non-imaging data from regions of the output readout frame. A checksum generator generates a test pattern checksum for output of a subset of the image processing blocks that were provided with a given test pattern. The test pattern checksum may be compared to a predetermined checksum of the output of properly functioning image processing blocks provided with test patterns equivalent to the given test pattern.

Abstract: There is provided a computer-implemented method for controlling operation of a plurality of devices of a facility that consume energy. The method comprises obtaining parameters of an energy model representing the energy consumed by the plurality of devices of the facility, the energy model including a first plurality of variables for operating the plurality of devices and a second plurality of variables for scheduling activities to be conducted in the facility; receiving requests for the activities to be conducted in the facility, the requests including requirements in relation to the activities; and automatically determining, based on the energy model, values of the first plurality of variables to control the operation of the plurality of devices, and values of the second plurality of variables that meet the requirements in relation to the activities.

Abstract: Safety needle assemblies that include a needle having a sharp distal tip and a needle tip cover mounted on the needle are disclosed. The needle tip cover includes a first portion having a channel receiving the needle and a second portion attached to the first portion. The second portion has a proximal wall, an opening in the proximal wall receiving the needle, a sidewall extending distally from the proximal wall, first and second spring arms extending transversely from opposite edges of the sidewall, and a third spring arm extending distally from the sidewall. The first spring arm and the second spring arm extend at least partially around the first portion. The third spring arm includes a flange extending radially inward and configured to bear against the needle to deflect the third spring arm radially outward against a spring restoring force in a ready to use position.

Abstract: Needle devices are disclosed in which a needle having a wall defining a needle lumen has a notch (120) formed through the wall. A transparent or semi-opaque window cover (130) made from a biocompatible material is provided over the notch. Blood flow through the needle lumen can be viewed through the notch with the window cover. The needle with the notch and window cover may be used with a variety of needle applications, including as catheter assemblies, indwelling assemblies, and most if not all over-the-needle type devices.

Abstract: An imaging system with real-time digital testing capabilities verifies the functionality of image processing circuitry used to process pixel data signals read out from a pixel array during imaging operations. Image processing circuitry may process a data frame read from an imaging array that includes multiple regions of imaging and non-imaging data. Digital test patterns may be generated to test the functionality of specific image processing blocks. Test patterns may correspond to or represent imaging data or non-imaging data from regions of the output readout frame. A checksum generator generates a test pattern checksum for output of a subset of the image processing blocks that were provided with a given test pattern. The test pattern checksum may be compared to a predetermined checksum of the output of properly functioning image processing blocks provided with test patterns equivalent to the given test pattern.

Abstract: A catheter assembly includes a catheter hub having an elastomeric septum that divides the catheter hub into a distal chamber and a proximal chamber. The septum also includes at least one slit that is closed and sealed when the septum is in an at-rest state. A septum activator is proximal the septum. When an external force pushes the activator against the septum, the activator deforms the septum so as to break the seal and create a flow path through the septum. A portion of the septum activator can be collapsible when subjected to the outside force. When the outside force is removed, the collapsible portion springs back to its at-rest shape, helping to pull the activator out of deforming engagement with the septum so that the septum can reseal. The activator can also be spring-biased away from engagement with the septum so that when the outside force is removed, the spring urges the activator out of engagement with the septum. With the activator removed, the septum slit can reseal.

Abstract: It is an object to provide a communication terminal capable of determining a cluster formation so as to promptly perform addition of a participant terminal, while maintaining the quality of a stream relay path. Cluster monitoring terminal (430) is an apparatus to determine a cluster formation in a network performing packet transfer according to terminal relay-type multipoint communication, and includes: a cluster quality calculation section (432) for acquiring cluster quality representing a small loss in a packet to be received, per a cluster; a cluster sustainability calculation section (433) for acquiring cluster sustainability representing ease of acceptance of a participant terminal, per a cluster; and cluster division/integration analysis section (434) for determining cluster division with respect to a cluster having low cluster quality, and determining integration with other cluster with respect to a cluster having high cluster quality and low cluster sustainability.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for synthesizing low nitrogen concentration organic liquids from biomass, such as algae, the organic liquids being suitable for refining into fuels and other chemicals. The biomass together with a solvent that is immiscible with water at room temperature are subjected to a subcritical hydrothermal treatment to disrupt cell structure and transform the biomass into a gas phase, a bio-oil phase, an aqueous phase and a solid phase. The aqueous phase contains most of the nitrogen. The resulting multi-phasic mixture can be separated into four phases, including an aqueous phase and the organic liquid which consists of bio-oil dissolved in the solvent. Refined organic liquid can be recycled into the hydrothermal treatment as the solvent. The subcritical hydrothermal treatment can be performed at a generally low temperature and followed by a second hydrothermal treatment at a higher temperature.

Abstract: A network delay estimation apparatus capable of creating a metric tree with high accuracy and in a short time. Network delay estimation apparatus (302) includes first-round measurement target node selection section (306) that selects one pair or a plurality of pairs of nodes located at a long distance from each other from a known metric tree as first-round measurement target nodes and measures a distance from an arbitrary node, second-round measurement target node selection section (310) that selects a node whose distance from the arbitrary node is estimated to be short as a second-round measurement target based on the distance and a known metric tree and measures a distance from the arbitrary node, and an optimum tree processing section (314) that creates a network metric tree including the arbitrary node based on the distance and the known metric tree.

Abstract: A new and distinct hybrid tea Rosa cultivar named ‘Lim10’ is disclosed, characterized by distinctive fully double red-orange flowers with a peppery fragrance. Plants are vigorous and can be grown on their own roots. Plants are upright, flower continuously and exhibit good resistance to blackspot diseases. The new variety is a Rosa, normally produced as an outdoor garden or container plant.

Abstract: A new and distinct Rosa cultivar named ‘LimKiss’ is disclosed, characterized by a vigorous, climbing plant habit and flowers colored deep magenta. Flowers have a strong, spicy scent. Plants can be grown on their own roots and are strongly resistant to black spot. The new variety is a Rosa, normally produced as an outdoor garden or container plant.

Abstract: A new and distinct garden floribunda Rosa cultivar named ‘LIMbird’ is disclosed, characterized by distinctive apricot colored flowers. Plants are dwarf, vigorous and can be grown on their own roots. Plants exhibit good resistance to blackspot diseases. The new variety is a Rosa, normally produced as an outdoor garden or container plant.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of climbing rose plant, referred to by its cultivar name, ‘BAISIKOMIK’, is described. The new variety forms nice turbinated shaped flowers with true color gradation. The flowers emit a strong, sweet licorice/anise fragrance. Improved reblooming is exhibited. Additionally, the new variety is particularly well suited for growing as distinctive ornamentation in the landscape.