Abstract: Substrates comprising dual functional polymer layered surfaces and the preparation thereof by using UV nano-imprinting processes are disclosed. The substrates can be used as flow cells, nanofluidic or microfluidic devices for biological molecules analysis.

Abstract: Some embodiments described herein relate to a substrate with a surface comprising a silane or a silane derivative covalently attached to optionally substituted cycloalkene or optionally substituted heterocycloalkene for direct conjugation with a functionalized molecule of interest, such as a polymer, a hydrogel, an amino acid, a nucleoside, a nucleotide, a peptide, a polynucleotide, or a protein. In some embodiments, the silane or silane derivative contains optionally substituted norbornene or norbornene derivatives. Method for preparing a functionalized surface and the use in DNA sequencing and other diagnostic applications are also disclosed.

Abstract: A high throughput system for depositing seed into germination wells of a germination tray. The system comprises a seed distribution subsystem, and an individual seed transfer subsystem structured and operable to transfer individual seeds from wells in a seed storage tray to the seed deposition subsystem. The system additionally comprises a bulk seed transfer subsystem structured and operable to singulate a plurality of bulk seeds and transfer each singulated seed to the seed deposition subsystem, wherein the seed distribution subsystem structured and operable to receive seeds from the individual seed transfer subsystem and the bulk seed transfer subsystem, and deposit the seeds into wells of the seed germination tray.

Abstract: This disclosure provides, for example, double stranded DNA (dsDNA) molecules comprising a chemically modified cytosine nucleotide. In some embodiments, the dsDNA molecules comprise a therapeutic payload sequence. In some embodiments, the dsDNA molecules are resistant to endonuclease digestion and/or resistant to immune sensor recognition, and supports expression of a therapeutic payload encoded in the dsDNA molecules. The disclosure also provides, for example, pharmaceutical compositions comprising dsDNA molecules comprising a chemically modified cytosine nucleotide.

Abstract: This disclosure provides, for example, double stranded DNA (dsDNA) molecules comprising a chemically modified uridine nucleotide. In some embodiments, the dsDNA molecules comprise a therapeutic payload sequence. In some embodiments, the dsDNA molecules are resistant to endonuclease digestion and/or resistant to immune sensor recognition, and supports expression of a therapeutic payload encoded in the dsDNA molecules. The disclosure also provides, for example, pharmaceutical compositions comprising dsDNA molecules comprising a chemically modified uridine nucleotide.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides compositions and methods that permit detection of nucleic acids in samples (e.g., biological and/or environmental samples). The present disclosure describes “split reporter” sensor system technologies.

Abstract: A converter for electrical connection to a three-phase electrical grid and a single-phase electrical grid is provided. The converter includes three DAB modules, each for converting a respective alternating current of a three-phase electrical grid. When connected to a single-phase electrical grid, the third DAB module is bi-directional such that it is operable to filter the power output of the first and second DAB modules. The converter further includes a filter capacitor in electrical communication with the third DAB module through a relay, wherein the relay is responsive to a controller to couple the third DAB module to the filter capacitor when the single-phase electrical grid is detected and to couple the third DAB module to a grid rectifier when the three-phase electrical grid is detected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assisting in removing a wheels-on-ground type daughter cart from a mother cart, and a mother cart incorporating such a method and apparatus, utilize a daughter cart ejector apparatus mounted on a mother cart and having a selectively actuatable ejector element for urging the daughter cart to move out of engagement with the mother cart in an unloading direction. The ejector element is configured and operatively connected to bear against the daughter cart and apply force in a manner that assists in initiating movement of the daughter cart in the unloading direction and reorienting casters supporting the daughter cart on an underlying surface from a rolling orientation that is generally parallel to a transport direction of the mother cart, to a rolling orientation that is generally transverse to the transport direction and parallel to the unloading direction.

Abstract: An improved method for zero-voltage switching (ZVS) of a voltage-fed half-bridge using a variable dead band is provided. The duration of the dead band is determined dynamically and is precisely long enough to ensure the absence of shoot-through events while also minimizing or eliminating switching losses and reverse conduction losses. The method generally includes: (a) calculating the equivalent capacitance as seen by the current source charging the midpoint of the half-bridge; (b) calculating the ZVS charge requirement based on the link voltage and the equivalent capacitance; (c) calculating the charge delivered by the current source over time during a dead band vector, equating the result to the ZVS charge requirement, and solving for the ZVS time requirement at each commutation point over the switching cycle; and (d) updating the dead bands for each commutation of each half-bridge in the switched-mode power converter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new immunogenic compositions comprising conjugated Streptococcus pneumoniae capsular saccharide antigens (glycoconjugates), kits comprising said immunogenic compositions and uses thereof. Immunogenic compositions of the present invention will typically comprise at least one glycoconjugate from a S. pneumoniae serotype not found in PREVNAR®, SYNFLORIX® and/or PREVNAR 13®. The invention also relates to vaccination of human subjects, in particular infants and elderly, against pneumococcal infections using said novel immunogenic compositions.

Abstract: A seed sampling system is provided comprising an automated seed loading assembly operable to singulate seeds from a plurality of seeds or enable loading of individually stored seeds and an automated seed sampling assembly comprising at least one sampling module operable to remove tissue samples from one of the singulated seeds. The system also includes an automated seed transport assembly comprising at least one retention member operable to transfer the singulated seeds from at least one elevator unit of the seed loading assembly to the at least one sampling module of the seed sampling assembly. In connection therewith, the at least one sampling module includes multiple sampling locations, each associated with a sampler, where the at least one sampling module is operable to remove tissue samples from seeds at one of sampling locations while another one of the sampling locations is cleaned to remove residual seed tissue therefrom.

Abstract: Methods, processes and devices are described for measuring a volatile content of a process stream that comprises volatile species, such as light hydrocarbons and/or H2S. The method can include introducing a stripping gas into a sample of the process stream to strip the volatiles therefrom and produce a gas phase comprising vaporized volatiles; detecting the vaporized volatiles in the gas phase to obtain a sample volatile content; and determining the volatile content of the process stream based on the sample volatile content. The method and device can be used to measure a light hydrocarbon content of froth treatment tailings in the context of removing such light hydrocarbons prior to flocculating and dewatering the tailings.

Abstract: A seed sampling system is provided comprising an automated seed loading assembly operable to singulate seeds from a plurality of seeds or enable loading of individually stored seeds and an automated seed sampling assembly comprising at least one sampling module operable to remove tissue samples from one of the singulated seeds. The system also includes an automated seed transport assembly comprising at least one retention member operable to transfer the singulated seeds from at least one elevator unit of the seed loading assembly to the at least one sampling module of the seed sampling assembly. In connection therewith, the at least one sampling module includes multiple sampling locations, each associated with a sampler, where the at least one sampling module is operable to remove tissue samples from seeds at one of sampling locations while another one of the sampling locations is cleaned to remove residual seed tissue therefrom.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes technologies that permit sensitive detection of nucleic acids of interest (i.e., nucleic acids whose nucleotide sequence is or includes a target sequence). Among other things the disclosure provides a system comprising: a plurality of nucleic acid molecules having different nucleotide sequences; a set of ligation oligonucleotides, comprising: a first ligation oligonucleotide whose nucleotide sequence includes a templating element and a first target hybridization element; and a second ligation oligonucleotide whose nucleotide sequence includes a second target hybridization element and optionally a second templating element; wherein the target hybridization elements bind to different portions of a common target site, to form a gapped nucleic acid strand susceptible to ligation with a ligase to generate a ligated strand that is amenable to lateral flow assessment.

Abstract: A power converter is provided. The power converter includes two or more hybrid switching circuits electrically connected to a source or storage element. Each switching circuit includes a wide bandgap device that is parallel-connected to a silicon-based device. The converter further includes a controller that is operatively coupled to each device of the first and second switching circuits. The controller is configured to operate each hybrid switching circuit by (i) activating the silicon-based device for an activation period, (ii) activating the wide bandgap device for a predetermined duty cycle less than the activation period, (iii) deactivating the silicon-based device while the wide bandgap device is activated, and (iv) deactivating the wide bandgap device. The hybrid switching circuits are sequentially operated to convert an alternating current of a power supply into a link voltage for a power converter, for example.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assisting in removing a wheels-on-ground type daughter cart from a mother cart, and a mother cart incorporating such a method and apparatus, utilize a daughter cart ejector apparatus mounted on a mother cart and having a selectively actuatable ejector element for urging the daughter cart to move out of engagement with the mother cart in an unloading direction. The ejector element is configured and operatively connected to bear against the daughter cart and apply force in a manner that assists in initiating movement of the daughter cart in the unloading direction and reorienting casters supporting the daughter cart on an underlying surface from a rolling orientation that is generally parallel to a transport direction of the mother cart, to a rolling orientation that is generally transverse to the transport direction and parallel to the unloading direction.

Abstract: Methods, processes and devices are described for measuring a volatile content of a process stream that comprises volatile species, such as light hydrocarbons and/or H2S. The method can include introducing a stripping gas into a sample of the process stream to strip the volatiles therefrom and produce a gas phase comprising vaporized volatiles; detecting the vaporized volatiles in the gas phase to obtain a sample volatile content; and determining the volatile content of the process stream based on the sample volatile content. The method and device can be used to measure a light hydrocarbon content of froth treatment tailings in the context of removing such light hydrocarbons prior to flocculating and dewatering the tailings.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes technologies that permit sensitive detection of nucleic acids of interest (i.e., nucleic acids whose nucleotide sequence is or includes a target sequence).

Abstract: Multi-phase-shift control of a power converter is provided. The power converter includes a dual-active-bridge (DAB) converter having a transformer, a first H-bridge coupled to the primary winding of the transformer, and a second H-bridge coupled to the secondary winding of the transformer. The DAB converter is operable to generate two-level and three-level voltage waveforms on the primary winding and on the secondary winding to yield a system which ensures zero-voltage switching and unity power factor over a wide range of input and output voltage levels and power throughputs. In a multi-phase shift (MPS) mode of operation, the DAB converter changes from a two-level voltage in at least one of the windings to a three-level voltage in both windings in response to the instantaneous load being below a predetermined level, resulting in more efficient performance of the DAB converter in light load conditions.

Abstract: A high throughput system for depositing seed into germination wells of a germination tray. The system comprises a seed distribution subsystem, and an individual seed transfer subsystem structured and operable to transfer individual seeds from wells in a seed storage tray to the seed deposition subsystem. The system additionally comprises a bulk seed transfer subsystem structured and operable to singulate a plurality of bulk seeds and transfer each singulated seed to the seed deposition subsystem, wherein the seed distribution subsystem structured and operable to receive seeds from the individual seed transfer subsystem and the bulk seed transfer subsystem, and deposit the seeds into wells of the seed germination tray.