Abstract: To form a layer separating two volumes of aqueous solution, there is used an apparatus comprising elements defining a chamber, the elements including a body of non-conductive material having formed therein at least one recess opening into the chamber, the recess containing an electrode. A pre-treatment coating of a hydrophobic fluid is applied to the body across the recess. Aqueous solution, having amphiphilic molecules added thereto, is flowed across the body to cover the recess so that aqueous solution is introduced into the recess from the chamber and a layer of the amphiphilic molecules forms across the recess separating a volume of aqueous solution introduced into the recess from the remaining volume of aqueous solution.

Abstract: A sequence of polymer units in a polymer (3), eg. DNA, is estimated from at least one series of measurements related to the polymer, eg. ion current as a function of translocation through a nanopore (1), wherein the value of each measurement is dependent on a k-mer being a group of k polymer units (4). A probabilistic model, especially a hidden Markov model (HMM), is provided, comprising, for a set of possible k-mers: transition weightings representing the chances of transitions from origin k-mers to destination k-mers; and emission weightings in respect of each k-mer that represent the chances of observing given values of measurements for that k-mer. The series of measurements is analysed using an analytical technique, eg. Viterbi decoding, that refers to the model and estimates at least one estimated sequence of polymer units in the polymer based on the likelihood predicted by the model of the series of measurements being produced by sequences of polymer units.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a water-resistant gypsum board including a gypsum core with a first major surface and a second, opposing major surface; a first liner having a first major surface and a second, opposing major surface, the first liner comprising at at least the first major surface thereof a condensation product of a polysiloxane comprising at least one silanol, the first major surface of the first liner being disposed against the first major surface of the gypsum core; and a second liner having a first major surface and a second, opposing major surface, the first major surface of the second liner being disposed against the second major surface of the gypsum core.

Abstract: To form a layer separating two volumes of aqueous solution, there is used an apparatus comprising elements defining a chamber, the elements including a body of non-conductive material having formed therein at least one recess opening into the chamber, the recess containing an electrode. A pre-treatment coating of a hydrophobic fluid is applied to the body across the recess. Aqueous solution, having amphiphilic molecules added thereto, is flowed across the body to cover the recess so that aqueous solution is introduced into the recess from the chamber and a layer of the amphiphilic molecules forms across the recess separating a volume of aqueous solution introduced into the recess from the remaining volume of aqueous solution.

Abstract: A time-ordered series of measurements of a polymer made during translocation of the polymer through a Nanopore are analysed. The measurements are dependent on the identity of k-mers in the Nanopore, a k-mer bring k polymer units of the polymer, where k is a positive integer. The method involves deriving, from the series of measurements, a feature vector of time-ordered features representing characteristics of the measurements; and determining similarity between the derived feature vector and at least one other feature vector.

Abstract: Various implementations include a frame for supporting a bimini top. The frame includes base, forward, and aft assemblies. The forward assembly has a first portion and a second portion rotatably coupled to a forward portion of the base assembly. The aft assembly has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the aft assembly is slidably coupled to an aft portion of the base assembly. The forward and aft assemblies are movable between collapsed and extended positions. The forward or aft assembly is operatively coupled to a drive assembly such that rotation of a pulley of the drive assembly relative to the base assembly causes the forward or aft assembly to move between the collapsed and extended positions. Movement of the forward assembly from the collapsed position to the extended position causes the aft assembly to move from the collapsed position to the extended position.

Abstract: A verification probe system is configured to verify an automated test platform and includes: an integrated circuit test probe assembly; and a moveable platform configured to position the integrated circuit test probe assembly proximate one of more conductive pins included within a test socket assembly of the automated test platform.

Abstract: To form a layer separating two volumes of aqueous solution, there is used an apparatus comprising elements defining a chamber, the elements including a body of non-conductive material having formed therein at least one recess opening into the chamber, the recess containing an electrode. A pre-treatment coating of a hydrophobic fluid is applied to the body across the recess. Aqueous solution, having amphiphilic molecules added thereto, is flowed across the body to cover the recess so that aqueous solution is introduced into the recess from the chamber and a layer of the amphiphilic molecules forms across the recess separating a volume of aqueous solution introduced into the recess from the remaining volume of aqueous solution.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a method of producing a fire-resistant gypsum board comprising a gypsum core, the method comprising providing a calcium sulfate slurry comprising a silicone oil having a hydride content of no more than 0.01 equivalents of Si—H per equivalent of silicon in an amount of 0.5 to 1.5 wt % of the mass of the gypsum core; allowing the calcium sulfate slurry to set; and drying the set gypsum material to provide the gypsum core. The disclosure also relates to a fire-resistant gypsum board comprising a gypsum core that shrinks by less than 6% by volume when heated to 850° C., wherein the gypsum core comprises a silicone oil having a hydride content of no more than 0.01 equivalents of Si—H per equivalent of silicon, present in an amount in the range of 0.05 to 1.5 wt % based on the mass of the gypsum core.

Abstract: A time-ordered series of measurements of a polymer made during translocation of the polymer through a Nanopore are analysed. The measurements are dependent on the identity of k-mers in the Nanopore, a k-mer bring k polymer units of the polymer, where k is a positive integer. The method involves deriving, from the series of measurements, a feature vector of time-ordered features representing characteristics of the measurements; and determining similarity between the derived feature vector and at least one other feature vector.

Abstract: A sequence of polymer units in a polymer (3), eg. DNA, is estimated from at least one series of measurements related to the polymer, eg. ion current as a function of translocation through a nanopore (1), wherein the value of each measurement is dependent on a k-mer being a group of k polymer units (4). A probabilistic model, especially a hidden Markov model (HMM), is provided, comprising, for a set of possible k-mers: transition weightings representing the chances of transitions from origin k-mers to destination k-mers; and emission weightings in respect of each k-mer that represent the chances of observing given values of measurements for that k-mer. The series of measurements is analysed using an analytical technique, eg. Viterbi decoding, that refers to the model and estimates at least one estimated sequence of polymer units in the polymer based on the likelihood predicted by the model of the series of measurements being produced by sequences of polymer units.

Abstract: To form a layer separating two volumes of aqueous solution, there is used an apparatus comprising elements defining a chamber, the elements including a body of non-conductive material having formed therein at least one recess opening into the chamber, the recess containing an electrode. A pre-treatment coating of a hydrophobic fluid is applied to the body across the recess. Aqueous solution, having amphiphilic molecules added thereto, is flowed across the body to cover the recess so that aqueous solution is introduced into the recess from the chamber and a layer of the amphiphilic molecules forms across the recess separating a volume of aqueous solution introduced into the recess from the remaining volume of aqueous solution.

Abstract: A method for non-custodial backup of a secret (1021) by the owner of said secret, assisted by a multiplicity n of recovery agents, each having individual public keys and private keys, and the owner having a first value (1013), comprising providing the owner with a first computer program, which at rest will reside on a computer readable medium, configured to enroll the secret by computing a public data set (1023), as a function of the owner's first value, each of the n recovery agents' public keys (1011), and a nonce (1015). A method for recovery of the secret (1021) is also disclosed.

Abstract: A biochemical analysis system analyses polymers by taking measurements of a polymer from a sensor element comprising a nanopore during translocation of the polymer through the nanopore. When a polymer has partially translocated, the series of measurements is analysed using reference data derived from a reference sequence to provide a measure of similarity. Responsive to the measure of similarity, the sensor element may be selectively operated to eject the polymer and thereby make the nanopore available to receive a further polymer. Where the biochemical analysis system comprises an array of sensor elements and is takes measurements from sensor elements selected in a multiplexed manner, responsive to the measure of similarity, the biochemical analysis system ceases taking measurements from the currently selected sensor element and to starts taking measurements from a newly selected sensor element.

Abstract: A verification probe system is configured to verify an automated test platform and includes: an integrated circuit test probe assembly; and a moveable platform configured to position the integrated circuit test probe assembly proximate one of more conductive pins included within a test socket assembly of the automated test platform.

Abstract: A biochemical analysis system analyses polymers by taking measurements of a polymer from a sensor element comprising a nanopore during translocation of the polymer through the nanopore. When a polymer has partially translocated, the series of measurements is analysed using reference data derived from a reference sequence to provide a measure of similarity. Responsive to the measure of similarity, the sensor element may be selectively operated to eject the polymer and thereby make the nanopore available to receive a further polymer. Where the biochemical analysis system comprises an array of sensor elements and is takes measurements from sensor elements selected in a multiplexed manner, responsive to the measure of similarity, the biochemical analysis system ceases taking measurements from the currently selected sensor element and to starts taking measurements from a newly selected sensor element.

Abstract: The invention resides in a method of determining a sequence of a target polymer, or part thereof, comprising polymer units comprising canonical and non-canonical polymer units. The method comprises taking a series of measurements of a signal relating to the target polymer wherein a measurement of the signal is dependent upon a plurality of polymer units, and wherein the polymer units of the target polymer modulate the signal, and wherein a non-canonical polymer unit modulates the signal differently from a corresponding canonical polymer unit. The series of measurements are analysed using a machine learning technique that attributes a measurement of a non-canonical polymer unit to being a measurement of a respective corresponding canonical polymer unit. The sequence of the target polymer, or part thereof, is determined from the analysed series of measurements. A non-canonical polymer unit identified from the analysis can be additionally or alternatively determined.

Abstract: A target polynucleotide is expanded. In respect of each nucleotide in the target polynucleotide, the target polynucleotide comprises clock nucleotides and at least one signal nucleotide in a predetermined order. The clock nucleotides have a predetermined sequence common to each nucleotide in the target polynucleotide. The at least one signal nucleotide is characteristic of the identity of the respective nucleotide in the target polynucleotide. During translocation of the expanded polynucleotide through a nanopore, electrical measurements dependent on the polynucleotide within the pore are made, to derive an analysis signal. Clock signals derived from the clock nucleotides are identified. Relative to the positions of the identified clock signals, nucleotide signals derived from the least one signal nucleotide are derived to analyse the target polynucleotide.

Abstract: Provided herein, in some embodiments, are methods of determining whether a target nucleic acid comprises a particular barcode sequence.

Abstract: A target polynucleotide is expanded. In respect of each nucleotide in the target polynucleotide, the target polynucleotide comprises clock nucleotides and at least one signal nucleotide in a predetermined order. The clock nucleotides have a predetermined sequence common to each nucleotide in the target polynucleotide. The at least one signal nucleotide is characteristic of the identity of the respective nucleotide in the target polynucleotide. During translocation of the expanded polynucleotide through a nanopore, electrical measurements dependent on the polynucleotide within the pore are made, to derive an analysis signal. Clock signals derived from the clock nucleotides are identified. Relative to the positions of the identified clock signals, nucleotide signals derived from the least one signal nucleotide are derived to analyse the target polynucleotide.