Abstract: Underwater connecting apparatuses include a flexible diaphragm that at least in part defines a wall of a chamber configured to contain a fill material, the wall having a perimeter with a non-circular profile when the chamber is viewed in cross-section. The non-circular profile of the perimeter is configured to allow a volume of the chamber to change without substantially changing a length of the perimeter.

Abstract: Embodiments of a jumper tube connection assembly generally include a retention clip having beveled and locking surfaces, a retention clip frame, and a biasing means, wherein the clip is restrained partially within the frame and is pivotable in response to a jumper connector contacting the beveled surface during shunt tube engagement therewith, and wherein the biasing means positions the locking surface to prevent jumper connector reverse movement. Other embodiments generally include a retention clip having a locking component, a retention clip support, and a biasing means, wherein the clip is restrained partially within the support and is pivotable in response to force biasing the locking component away from a shunt tube during jumper connector engagement therewith, wherein upon force cessation the biasing means positions the locking component in engagement with a jumper connector orifice, thereby preventing disengagement thereof from the shunt tube. Methods of utilizing the embodiments are also provided.

Abstract: Provided are a computer-implemented method and system for triggering an online transaction in response to a physical activity of a user. The method comprises monitoring the physical activity of the user via at least one sensor; and authorising an online transaction from at least one source account to a recipient account in response to the monitored physical activity matching at least one predetermined characteristic.

Abstract: A method for conditioning at least a section of a mating member of a connector unit having the mating member and a corresponding receiving chamber with a cavity wall partially encasing a receiving cavity, including at least the steps of: using a mating force caused by a mate of the mating member and the receiving chamber to force an insulation medium housed in the receiving cavity of the receiving chamber to travel along a distribution path for the insulation medium, wherein the insulation medium exits the receiving cavity and re-enters the receiving cavity along the distribution path and conditioning at least the section of the mating member with the insulation medium while the insulation medium is bypassing the section of the mating member due to the mate of the mating member and the receiving chamber.

Abstract: An underwater connecting apparatus is provided. The underwater connecting apparatus includes a flexible diaphragm defining a wall of a chamber for receiving therein an electrical conductor and for containing an electrically insulating material around the conductor. The flexible diaphragm includes an electrically conductive material.

Abstract: A monitoring device wearable by a person to be monitored, comprising: one or more sensing means for sensing cardio, respiratory, physiological and/or other information from the person; processing means for analysing the sensed information; memory means for storing the sensed and/or analysed information; and communication means for transmitting at least the analysed information. At least one waveform acquired from the sensed cardio, respiratory, physiological and/or other information is digitised in real time; analysis of the sensed and/or digitised information is performed in real-time and a welfare indication of the person computed in real-time; and the computed welfare indication of the person is transmitted by the communication means and/or stored in the memory means.

Abstract: Embodiments of a jumper tube connector assembly generally include a jumper tube, one or more fasteners affixed to and biased toward the exterior thereof, and two connectors slideable thereon, wherein each fastener is biased against a connector exterior, whereby upon slidably engaging each connector with a shunt tube, biases cease and a fastener end surface prevents connector backsliding. Embodiments of a jumper tube connection assembly generally include a retention clip having a locking surface, or a pin-locking retention clip having a pin, wherein the retention clip/pin-locking retention clip is affixed to a shunt tube, wherein upon slidably engaging a connector therewith, reverse axial connector movement is prevented by the locking surface/pin. Embodiments of a leak-off tube retention system generally include a leak-off tube having one or more spring-loaded buttons and adapted to releasably engage upper and lower retainer fittings via orifices therein. Methods of using these embodiments are also provided.

Abstract: A method of operating a compressed air energy storage (CAES) system includes operating a compressor train of the CAES system, thereby compressing air. The method further includes, while operating the compressor train: inter-cooling a first portion of the compressed air; further compressing the inter-cooled first portion; after-cooling the further compressed first portion; supplying the after-cooled first portion to a storage vessel; supplying a second portion of the compressed air to a combustor; combusting the second portion; and operating a turbine train of the CAES system using the combusted second portion.

Abstract: A method for analysing microbial growth on a solid culture medium, the method including obtaining image data of the solid culture medium and any microbial growth, generating an associated feature vector of values obtained by applying one or more filters to the image data, using a classifier to classify each pixel in a plurality of pixels in the image data based on the associated feature vector, analysing results of pixel classifications of each said pixel to derive a microbiological assessment of the solid culture medium and any microbial growth, and outputting the microbiological assessment.

Abstract: A monitoring device wearable by a person to be monitored, comprising: one or more sensing means for sensing cardio, respiratory, physiological and/or other information from the person; processing means for analysing the sensed information; memory means for storing the sensed and/or analysed information; and communication means for transmitting at least the analysed information. At least one waveform acquired from the sensed cardio, respiratory, physiological and/or other information is digitised in real time; analysis of the sensed and/or digitised information is performed in real-time and a welfare indication of the person computed in real-time; and the computed welfare indication of the person is transmitted by the communication means and/or stored in the memory means.

Abstract: An underwater connecting apparatus is provided. The underwater connecting apparatus includes a flexible diaphragm defining a wall of a chamber for receiving therein an electrical conductor and for containing an electrically insulating material around the conductor. The flexible diaphragm includes an electrically conductive material.

Abstract: A method for preserving a polypeptide comprising: (a) providing an aqueous solution of (i) the polypeptide, (ii) one or more sugars, and (iii) a compound of formula (I) or a physiologically acceptable salt or ester thereof and/or a compound of formula (II) or a physiologically acceptable salt or ester thereof; and (b) drying the solution to form a composition incorporating the polypeptide.

Abstract: A method for analysing microbial growth on a solid culture medium, the method including obtaining image data of the solid culture medium and any microbial growth, generating an associated feature vector of values obtained by applying one or more filters to the image data, using a classifier to classify each pixel in a plurality of pixels in the image data based on the associated feature vector, analysing results of pixel classifications of each said pixel to derive a microbiological assessment of the solid culture medium and any microbial growth, and outputting the microbiological assessment.

Abstract: A method for generating a three dimensional (3D) model of an object from a series of two dimensional (2D) images is described. The series of 2D images depict varying views of the object and have associated camera parameter information. The method includes the steps of tracing the object in a first 2D image selected from the series of 2D images to provide a first set of tracing information, then tracing the object in a second 2D image selected from the series of 2D images to provide a second set of tracing information. The 3D model of the object is then generated based on the camera parameter information and the first and second sets of tracing information.

Abstract: A method for generating a three dimensional (3D) model of an object is depicted in a two dimensional (2D) image is disclosed, The 2D image includes associated 3D information. The method includes an operator determining a geometric primitive corresponding to shape characteristics of the object and then the generation of the 3D model based on the determined geometric primitive, the 2D image, and the associated 3D information.

Abstract: Underwater connecting apparatuses include a flexible diaphragm that at least in part defines a wall of a chamber configured to contain a fill material, the wall having a perimeter with a non-circular profile when the chamber is viewed in cross-section. The non-circular profile of the perimeter is configured to allow a volume of the chamber to change without substantially changing a length of the perimeter.

Abstract: A method of operating a compressed air energy storage (CAES) system includes operating a compressor train of the CAES system, thereby compressing air. The method further includes, while operating the compressor train: inter-cooling a first portion of the compressed air; further compressing the inter-cooled first portion; after-cooling the further compressed first portion; supplying the after-cooled first portion to a storage vessel; supplying a second portion of the compressed air to a combustor; combusting the second portion; and operating a turbine train of the CAES system using the combusted second portion.

Abstract: A monitoring device wearable by a person to be monitored, comprising: one or more sensing means for sensing cardio, respiratory, physiological and/or other information from the person; processing means for analysing the sensed information; memory means for storing the sensed and/or analysed information; and communication means for transmitting at least the analysed information. At least one waveform acquired from the sensed cardio, respiratory, physiological and/or other information is digitised in real time; analysis of the sensed and/or digitised information is performed in real-time and a welfare indication of the person computed in real-time; and the computed welfare indication of the person is transmitted by the communication means and/or stored in the memory means.

Abstract: A process for treating a gas stream comprising hydrogen sulphide, the process comprising the steps of: (i) mixing a first gas stream comprising hydrogen sulphide with a second stream comprising sulphur dioxide to produce a combined stream, whereby elemental sulphur is produced by a reaction between the hydrogen sulphide and the sulphur dioxide; (ii) removing elemental sulphur, and optionally water, from the combined stream; and (iii) oxidizing at least some of the elemental sulphur to form sulphur dioxide for use in the second stream, wherein, the reaction is conducted at a temperature of from 15 to 155° C. and a pressure of at least 3 MPa.

Abstract: A process for treating a gas stream comprising hydrogen sulphide, the process comprising the steps of: (i) mixing a first gas stream comprising hydrogen sulphide with a second stream comprising sulphur dioxide to produce a combined stream, whereby elemental sulphur is produced by a reaction between the hydrogen sulphide and the sulphur dioxide; (ii) removing elemental sulphur, and optionally water, from the combined stream; and (iii) oxidising at least some of the elemental sulphur to form sulphur dioxide for use in the second stream, wherein, the reaction is conducted at a temperature of from 15 to 155° C. and a pressure of at least 3 MPa.