Abstract: A method for controlling a power distribution system having a number of nodes and controllable grid assets associated with at least some of the node includes acquiring observations via measurement signals associated with respective nodes and generating a graph representation of a system state based on the observations and topological information of the power distribution system. The topological information is used to determine edges defining connections between nodes. The observations are used to determine nodal features of respective nodes, which are indicative of a measured electrical quantity and a status of controllable grid assets associated with the respective node. The graph representation is processed using a reinforcement learned control policy to output a control action for effecting a change of status of one or more of the controllable grid assets, to regulate voltage and reactive power flow in the power distribution system based on a volt-var optimization objective.

Abstract: A test strip for paper based assay, the test strip comprising a substrate addition zone for receiving a substrate and a test zone, the test zone comprising a capture agent, wherein the substrate addition zone is located upstream of the test zone. The invention also relates to a paper-based enzyme assay comprising a test strip of the invention and methods of detecting the presence of an analyte in a sample using a test strip of the invention.

Abstract: A device for processing a sample in a liquid droplet containing a hydrophilic liquid is described. The device includes: a circumferential wall and a base including an immobilisation member. The circumferential wall and the base define a reservoir adapted to accommodate a hydrophobic medium immiscible with the liquid droplet. The medium is of a lower surface energy than a liquid of the liquid droplet. The immobilisation member includes a surface with a plurality of hydrophilic immobilisation areas and a hydrophobic area. The plurality of hydrophilic immobilisation areas is: (a) of a higher surface energy than the medium, (b) of a higher surface energy than the hydrophobic area, and (c) of a sufficient surface energy and a sufficient width to allow, in the medium, immobilisation of liquid droplets on the hydrophilic immobilisation areas via interfacial interactions. Methods of using and rinsing the device are also described.

Abstract: This invention relates to a test strip for paper based assay, the test strip comprising a substrate addition zone for receiving a substrate and a test zone, the test zone comprising a capture agent, wherein the substrate addition zone is located upstream of the test zone. The invention 5 also relates to a paper-based enzyme assay comprising a test strip of the invention and methods of detecting the presence of an analyte in a sample using a test strip of the invention.

Abstract: A device for processing a sample in a liquid droplet containing a hydrophilic liquid is described. The device includes: a circumferential wall and a base including an immobilisation member. The circumferential wall and the base define a reservoir adapted to accommodate a hydrophobic medium immiscible with the liquid droplet. The medium is of a lower surface energy than a liquid of the liquid droplet. The immobilisation member includes a surface with a plurality of hydrophilic immobilisation areas and a hydrophobic area. The plurality of hydrophilic immobilisation areas is: (a) of a higher surface energy than the medium, (b) of a higher surface energy than the hydrophobic area, and (c) of a sufficient surface energy and a sufficient width to allow, in the medium, immobilisation of liquid droplets on the hydrophilic immobilisation areas via interfacial interactions. Methods of using and rinsing the device are also described.

Abstract: A bearing lubricating housing (100) comprising a lubricating housing body (110). The bearing housing (100) is designed to retain a rolling element bearing assembly (200) while providing axial motion when the housing (100) is assembled within an interior of a guiding tube (310). The bearing housing (100) includes a series of channels (118) and/or passageways (114, 116) forming a lubrication matrix for collecting a lubricant from an interior surface (312) of the guiding tube (310) to the rolling element bearing assembly (200).

Abstract: An anti-rotation device prevents relative rotation between first and second members, one member being telescopingly disposed about the other and at least one member being linearly displaceable along a central axis. First and second guide surfaces are provided on the first member and extend generally parallel with each other and the central axis. First and second rollers are connected with the second member and are each rotatable about an adjustably fixed axis on the second member. The first roller is rollable along the first guide surface to prevent angular displacement between the two members when the displaceable member moves in a first direction and the second roller is rollable along the second guide surface to prevent angular displacement between the two members when the displaceable member moves in an opposing direction. The contact between the rollers and guide surfaces provide a radial degree of freedom to the anti-rotation device.

Abstract: A bearing lubricating housing (100) comprising a lubricating housing body (110). The bearing housing (100) is designed to retain a rolling element bearing assembly (200) while providing axial motion when the housing (100) is assembled within an interior of a guiding tube (310). The bearing housing (100) includes a series of channels (118) and/or passageways (114, 116) forming a lubrication matrix for collecting a lubricant from an interior surface (312) of the guiding tube (310) to the rolling element bearing assembly (200).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treating a porous membrane, said method comprising contacting said porous membrane with at least one alcohol to reduce the pore size of said porous membrane relative to an untreated porous membrane. The invention further relates to an apparatus comprising the treated porous membrane.

Abstract: A device for processing a sample in a liquid droplet containing a hydrophilic liquid is described. The device includes: a circumferential wall and a base including an immobilisation member. The circumferential wall and the base define a reservoir adapted to accommodate a hydrophobic medium immiscible with the liquid droplet. The medium is of a lower surface energy than a liquid of the liquid droplet. The immobilisation member includes a surface with a plurality of hydrophilic immobilisation areas and a hydrophobic area. The plurality of hydrophilic immobilisation areas is: (a) of a higher surface energy than the medium, (b) of a higher surface energy than the hydrophobic area, and (c) of a sufficient surface energy and a sufficient width to allow, in the medium, immobilisation of liquid droplets on the hydrophilic immobilisation areas via interfacial interactions. Methods of using and rinsing the device are also described.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and a method of processing a biological and/or chemical sample in a liquid droplet. The apparatus comprises a processing compartment, which is defined by a reservoir and an immobilization member. The processing compartment is further adapted to accommodate a medium, which is immiscible with the liquid droplet, and of a lower surface energy than the liquid of the liquid droplet. The reservoir is defined by a circumferential wall and a base. The immobilization member is arranged within the reservoir and comprises a surface that is patterned in such a way that it comprises at least one predefined immobilization area. The predefined immobilization area within the patterned surface is of a higher surface energy than the medium. The liquid droplet is disposed onto the predefined immobilization area, whereby the liquid droplet is immobilized thereon via hydrophilic-hydrophilic or hydrophobic-hydrophobic interactions.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a biological and/or chemical sample in a liquid droplet is provided. The apparatus includes a processing compartment, a base and at least one circumferential wall. The processing compartment is defined by at least a part of the base, at least a part of the circumferential wall and an inlet member. The inlet member is located on top of the processing compartment, and includes at least one droplet inlet channel, which extends through the inlet member and includes a contraction between the inlet opening of the droplet inlet channel to the environment and the outlet opening to the processing compartment.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a biological and/or chemical sample in a liquid droplet (1) is provided. The apparatus includes a processing compartment (20), a base (21) and at least one circumferential wall (25). The processing compartment (20) is defined by at least a part of the base (21), at least a part of the circumferential wall (25) and an inlet member (4). The inlet member (4) is located on top of the processing compartment (20), and includes at least one droplet inlet channel (3), which extends through the inlet member (4) and includes a contraction (2) between the inlet opening (28) of the droplet inlet channel (3) to the environment and the outlet opening (27) to the processing compartment (20). There is furthermore provided a method of processing a biological and/or chemical sample in a liquid droplet (1).

Abstract: A leadframe strip production process provides encapsulated semiconductor chips with more than two annular rows of exposed leads by utilizing two types of frames, a leadframe to which IC devices are mounted, and a ring frame strip that is attached to the leadframe with a non-conductive adhesive. The leadframe includes die pads that receive the IC chip devices, and each die pad is positioned within multiple rows of connecting pads for connection with bonding pads of the device to be encapsulated. The connecting pads of the leadframe are arranged in an annular fashion, with inner rows being closer to the die pad and outer rows being farther from the die pad.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and a method of processing a biological and/or chemical sample in a liquid droplet. The apparatus comprises a processing compartment, which is defined by a reservoir and an immobilisation member. The processing compartment is further adapted to accommodate a medium, which is immiscible with the liquid droplet, and of a lower surface energy than the liquid of the liquid droplet. The reservoir is defined by a circumferential wall and a base. The immobilisation member is arranged within the reservoir and comprises a surface that is patterned in such a way that it comprises at least one predefined immobilisation area. The predefined immobilisation area within the patterned surface is of a higher surface energy than the medium.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a biological and/or chemical sample in a liquid droplet (1) is provided. The apparatus includes a processing compartment (20), a base (21) and at least one circumferential wall (25). The processing compartment (20) is defined by at least a part of the base (21), at least a part of the circumferential wall (25) and an inlet member (4). The inlet member (4) is located on top of the processing compartment (20), and includes at least one droplet inlet channel (3), which extends through the inlet member (4) and includes a contraction (2) between the inlet opening (28) of the droplet inlet channel (3) to the environment and the outlet opening (27) to the processing compartment (20). There is furthermore provided a method of processing a biological and/or chemical sample in a liquid droplet (1).

Abstract: A content management system including an audience profile is disclosed. The content management system includes a database having a plurality of records. At least one record of the plurality of records includes a plurality of fields storing a plurality of grammatical syntax elements associated with a content subject. Each of the plurality of grammatical syntax elements has a rhetorical structure to facilitate selective assembly into at least one sentence. The content management system also includes an audience profile stored in a memory, the audience profile including a plurality of audience factors related to desired presentation of the content subject.

Abstract: A leadframe strip production process provides encapsulated semiconductor chips with more than two annular rows of exposed leads by utilizing two types of frames, a leadframe to which IC devices are mounted, and a ring frame strip that is attached to the leadframe with a non-conductive adhesive. The leadframe includes die pads that receive the IC chip devices, and each die pad is positioned within multiple rows of connecting pads for connection with bonding pads of the device to be encapsulated. The connecting pads of the leadframe are arranged in an annular fashion, with inner rows being closer to the die pad and outer rows being farther from the die pad.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for analyzing, deconstructing, reconstructing, and repurposing rhetorical content. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a content management system (400) having a database (404), and a controller (402) for managing the database. The controller can be programmed to retrieve (702) at least one of a first plurality of records, each including content, retrieve (706) rhetorical libraries, identify (714) patterns between the rhetorical libraries and the content of each record, and deconstruct (718) the content into one or more rhetorical topics according to the patterns identified. Additional embodiments are disclosed for analyzing, deconstructing, reconstructing, and repurposing content.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for constructing and repurposing rhetorical content. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a content management system (400) having a database (404), and a controller (402) for managing the database. The controller can be programmed to construct (606) one or more rhetorical and structural elements from a rhetorical library and rhetorical content associated with the rhetorical library by functional attributes, and generate (610) a schematic expression from a combination of the one or more rhetorical and structural elements. Additional embodiments are disclosed.