Abstract: An electrode for use in a electrochemical sensor comprises carbon modified with a chemically sensitive redox-active compound, excluding an electrode based on carbon having derivatized thereon two redox-active species wherein at least one of said species is selected from anthraquinone, phenanthrenequinone and N,N?-diphenyl-p-phenylenediamine (DPPD). The invention further provides a pH sensor comprising: a working electrode comprising carbon modified with a chemically sensitive redox active material; and a counter electrode, wherein the ratio of the surface area of the working electrode to the surface area of the counter electrode is from 1:10 to 10:1. Also provided is a pH sensor comprising: a working electrode comprising carbon modified with a chemically sensitive redox active material, and a counter electrode, wherein the area of the working electrode is from 500 ?m2 to 0.1 m2. The uses of these electrodes and sensors are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices and methods for the detection, quantification and/or monitoring of analytes. The systems and methods can be used, for example, to rapidly monitor gases downhole in a well.

Abstract: A technique for context-dependent annotations to database views may include receiving a query including a data selection criterion for retrieving data from a commercial data store, identifying a first view containing a first data set based on the query, displaying a result from the query to a user, and receiving annotation content from the user linked to data in the first view including view-related information to reconstruct the result as displayed to the user when the annotation content was received. The technique may also include receiving a query for a second view of the commercial data from a second user, where the second view includes at least a portion of the first data set, and presenting the second view of the commercial data to the second user, together with any of the annotation content associated with the portion of the first data set included in the second view.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for monitoring a gas source for a gas analyte. The gas source can be monitored for release of the gas analyte, for example, during a given gas source state. A sensor signal can be generated characterizing an amount of the gas analyte being released by the gas source. The gas sensor signal can be evaluated relative to a threshold. An alert signal can be generated based on a result of the comparison to provide a warning that unwanted and/or hazardous amounts of gas is being released by the gas source.

Abstract: A brick laying system where an operator such as a mason works proximate a moveable platform having a robotic arm assembly, a mortar applicator with a mortar transfer device, and a brick transfer device to build structures. The robotically assisted brick laying system may also contain a stabilizer having a disturbance sensing and a disturbance correcting component that provides compensation for disturbances caused by load shifting, movement of the platform, wind, operator movement, and the like. In addition, the robotically assisted brick laying system has a sensing and positioning component for controlling placement of the moveable platform and robotic arm assembly. The interoperability of the system with a mason or skilled operator removes much of the manual labor component of brick laying, allowing the mason more time to focus on craftsmanship and quality, thus improving the end product and the overall working conditions of the mason.

Abstract: A sensor for monitoring a hydrate inhibitor dissolved in a liquid. The sensor includes an internal reflection window for contacting with the liquid. The sensor further includes a mid-infrared light source for directs a beam of mid-infrared radiation into the window to provide for attenuated internal reflection at an interface between the window and the liquid. The internally reflected mid-infrared beam is passed through a narrow bandpass filter which preferentially transmits mid-infrared radiation over a band of wavelengths corresponding to an absorbance peak of the dissolved hydrate inhibitor to filter internally reflected mid-infrared radiation received from the window. The intensity of the reflected mid-infrared beam transmitted through the filter is measured and used to determine an amount of hydrate inhibitor ion the liquid.

Abstract: Generating hydrogen peroxide in situ in a water environment to mitigate biofouling of a water sensor. A hydrogen peroxide generator submerged in the water environment generates hydrogen peroxide to remove/mitigate biofouling of the water sensor. The water sensor may be an electrochemical sensor and the hydrogen peroxide generator may be an electrochemical system that is integrated with the sensor. The water sensor may be able to operate without interference from the generated hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: A pin may be arranged in a hole located on an outer diameter surface of a cylinder of a rotary die cutting arrangement. The pin proximal end may be received in the hole and the pin distal end may project from an outer surface of the cylinder. The pin proximal end has a boss. The pin has a longitudinal slit extending from the proximal end toward the distal end. The slit has a width and length dimensioned to provide the proximal end with sufficient resiliency to allow the proximal end to be compressed to a position where the boss of the pin proximal end has a diameter less than the diameter of the hole to allow the boss to pass through the hole, and release to a position where the diameter of the boss is greater than the hole diameter to retain the pin in the hole.

Abstract: A Mortar Delivery System is described. The Mortar Delivery System provides precise control of the delivery and application of mortar in addition to the mixing and tempering of mortar. Such control eliminates the use of a hand trowel in brick, block and stone laying applications. Sensing and control are integrated with the Mortar Delivery System to make it an important element of a robotic brick laying system. The Mortar Delivery System contains sensors to measure mortar viscosity and workability, mortar flow rate, and mortar nozzle pressure. The data from the Mortar Delivery System sensors can be used to change the rotational speed of the shear blades, change the amount of water being used for mixing or tempering, and change the delivery speed of the mortar. Such changes result in precise control of mortar that is in turn suitable for automated or semi-automated building processes.

Abstract: A laser positioning system is described. The laser positioning system provides a positioning and guidance system that is suitable for environments that have external disturbances such as those caused by wind, equipment movement, vibration, and the like. The laser positioning system of the present invention uses at novel laser line beacon positioning system in optical communication with a novel laser line receiver to achieve accurate positioning in environments with external disturbances, something that has previously not been attainable. In some embodiments, a target or series of targets are used to create a reference by which the laser line receiver and an associated moveable assembly such as a robotic arm assembly are able to accurately place building elements such as bricks. Exemplary applications of the laser positioning system include, but are not limited to, accurate positioning of bricks in a wall under construction by a robotic brick laying system.

Abstract: A technique for context-dependent annotations to database views may include receiving a query including a data selection criterion for retrieving data from a commercial data store, identifying a first view containing a first data set based on the query, displaying a result from the query to a user, and receiving annotation content from the user linked to data in the first view including view-related information to reconstruct the result as displayed to the user when the annotation content was received. The technique may also include receiving a query for a second view of the commercial data from a second user, where the second view includes at least a portion of the first data set, and presenting the second view of the commercial data to the second user, together with any of the annotation content associated with the portion of the first data set included in the second view.

Abstract: A first view of commercial data is presented to a first user. A data selection criterion is received from the user. A first data set is identified based on the selection criterion. Annotation content is received from the user. The annotation content and the first view of the commercial data is associated with the first data set. A query is received for a second view from a second user, in which the second view includes at least a portion of the first data set. The second view is presented to the second user, together with the annotations associated with the portion of the first data set included in the second view.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices and methods for the detection, quantification and/or monitoring of analytes. The systems and methods can be used, for example, to rapidly monitor gases downhole in a well.

Abstract: A tissue monitoring device for selecting, administering or adjusting a treatment based on information obtained by monitoring the tissue. The device includes a substrate for applying to the tissue, for example, a human or an animal external, or internal tissue, including vascular tissue; a light source supported by the substrate, the light source emitting light of a first frequency for directing the emitted light onto a surface of the tissue; a photodetector carried by the substrate spaced from the light source for detecting scattered light, wherein the scattered light is the emitted light scattered by the tissue; and a controller in communication with the photodetector and the light source.

Abstract: An entity having anti-nematodal activity derived from Bacillus firmus bacteria selected from the group consisting of isolated biosurfactant, isolated protease enzyme, isolated amylase, isolated lipase, and isolated cellulase, is disclosed. The disclosure also provides for compositions comprising the same, methods of making the same, methods of controlling plant-parasite nematode, and methods of protecting plants.

Abstract: A sensor for hydrogen in a fluid medium has a chamber for electrolyte with a window which is selectively permeable to hydrogen to allow hydrogen to pass from the fluid medium under test into the electrolyte in the chamber. A plurality of electrodes in contact with the ionic liquid electrolyte are used to observe hydrogen concentration by voltammetry. The electrolyte is an ionic liquid. Applications where such a sensor may be used include a wellbore tool for measuring the content of hydrogen in a subterranean fluid, monitoring of fiber-optic cables for damage by hydrogen, corrosion monitoring, and small-scale process plant where hydrogen is part of a gas stream.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method of densifying a lanthanide chromite ceramic or a mixture containing a lanthanide chromite ceramic. The method comprises mixing one or more lanthanide chromite ceramics with one or more sintering aids, and sintering the mixture. The one or more lanthanide chromite ceramics are represented by the formula (Ln1-xAEx)zCr1-yByO3-?, wherein Ln is a lanthanide element or yttrium, AE is one or more alkaline earth elements, B is one or more transition metals, x is a value less than 1, y is a value less than or equal to 0.5, and z is a value from 0.8 to 1.2. The sintering aids comprise one or more spinel oxides. The one or more spinel oxides are represented by the formula AB2O4 or A2BO4 wherein A and B are cationic materials having an affinity for B-site occupancy in a lanthanide chromite ceramic structure, e.g., ZnMn2O4, MgMn2O4, MnMn2O4 and CoMn2O4. This disclosure also relates in part to products, e.g., dense ceramic structures produced by the above method.

Abstract: An electrode for use in a electrochemical sensor comprises carbon modified with a chemically sensitive redox-active compound, excluding an electrode based on carbon having derivatised thereron two redox-active species wherein at least one of said species is selected from anthraquinone, phenanthrenequinone and N,N?-diphenyl-p-phenylenediamine (DPPD). The invention further provides a pH sensor comprising: a working electrode comprising carbon modified with a chemically sensitive redox active material; and a counter electrode, wherein the ratio of the surface area of the working electrode to the surface area of the counter electrode is from 1:10 to 10:1. Also provided is a pH sensor comprising: a working electrode comprising carbon modified with a chemically sensitive redox active material, and a counter electrode, wherein the area of the working electrode is from 500 ?m2 to 0.1 m2. The uses of these electrodes and sensors are also described.

Abstract: A mobile integrated continuous processing system for mixing and distributing hydrated construction materials having a system frame, including a coupling mechanism for selective engagement with an associated vehicle for transport to a worksite and selective disengagement from the vehicle for stand-alone operation, a mixing assembly including components for mixing dry construction materials with water of a temperature selected by a user to produce a hydrated construction material, a lifting mechanism for hoisting dry construction materials into a loading position in proximity to the mixing assembly, and a distribution assembly to expel hydrated construction materials from the mobile integrated continuous processing system.

Abstract: A Self-Aligning Zipper is disclosed that allows for one handed operation by anyone who would, otherwise use a zipper or use of the Self-Aligning Zipper by those with physical and developmental limitations or equipment such, as cold weather gloves or mittens. The proper alignment of each half of the Self-Aligning Zipper is accomplished by way of magnets of opposite polarity along with structural guide elements to ensure proper alignment and operation of the zipper.