Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a sensing instrument capable to detect a substance existing in a very small quantity, such as environmental pollutants, instantly with a high degree of precision. As a specific means for solving the problem, a frequency signal from a crystal oscillator is sampled using a frequency signal from a reference clock generating part, the sampling value is outputted in a digital signal, quadrature detection is conducted with the digital signal for a frequency signal corresponding to the output signal, the rotational vector rotating at a frequency corresponding to the difference between the frequency of the frequency signal and the frequency of a sinusoidal wave used for the quadrature detection is taken out, and the variation of the frequency is detected by detecting the velocity of the rotational vector based on the respective sampling values.

Abstract: The discovery that apolipoprotein B exhibits spectral features in the mid IR spectrum that make it identifiable within blood serum leads to the invented use of a statistical correlation between a concentration of apolipoprotein-B (apoB) in a sample of blood serum and infrared spectral features of the blood serum sample to produce a test for apoB. A method for providing such a test, and tests produced by the method are taught.

Abstract: A method includes the phases of measuring the quantity of a given gas in the gases extracted from a calibration sample of a calibration mud, in at least two stages for extraction under predetermined conditions. A family of curves representing the extraction, under the predetermined conditions, of the given gas from the drilling mud, is established on the basis of the measurements carried out. The method also includes the phases of measuring the quantity of given gas in the gases extracted from an analysis sample of the drilling mud in an extraction stage, under the predetermined conditions; and computing the given gas content of the drilling mud on the basis of the measured quantity of given gas and of a curve of the family.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method that determines the necessary and sufficient tests to relate a variety of apparently non-related tests to desired final test results. The present invention also provides a method to determine those tests which, having been shown capable to be used in a high-throughput environment, are able to predict end-use qualification test results for lubricants, greases or industrial fluids. As a corollary, the present invention provides a method to select lubricant formulations and components based on apparently non-related, but predictive tests. In an applied example, the present invention is directed to a device and method that produces and evaluates formulated lubricants, functional fluids, and greases by determining previously unknown relationships between Intermediate Tests and End-use Tests.

Abstract: Representations of data inversions are generated by alternate forms of maximum likelihood estimating and associated least-squares and regression analysis which are rendered in correspondence with either single component residual deviations or projections between data samples and inversion-conforming data sets. Deficiencies in representing likelihood as related to errors-in-variables data and heterogeneous precision are compensated by composite weighting of likelihood elements. Composite weight factors employ both normalization to establish non-skewed homogeneous likelihood elements and fundamental weighting to compensate for associated non-linearly and establish common units for combining orthogonal coordinate-oriented data-point projections. Respective weight factors are related to alternately considered fundamental variables.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a fluid cut measurement of a multi-liquid mixture includes a first device configured to sense at least one parameter of the mixture to determine a fluid cut of a liquid in the mixture. A second device is configured to determine a concentration of gas in the mixture in response to a speed of sound in the mixture; and a signal processor is configured to adjust the fluid cut of the liquid using the concentration of the gas to determine a compensated fluid cut of the liquid. The parameter of the mixture sensed by the first device may include a density of the mixture (e.g., by way of a Coriolis meter), a permittivity of the mixture (e.g., by way of a resonant microwave oscillator), or an amount of microwave energy absorbed by the mixture (e.g., by way of a microwave absorption watercut meter). The signal processor may employ different correction factors depending on the type of fluid cut device used. The second device may include a gas volume fraction meter.

Abstract: A handheld device provides for measuring the concentration of dialdehyde in a dialdehyde solution. The device comprises (a) an optically transparent first container being under vacuum whereby to draw in a first predetermined quantity of the dialdehyde solution; (b) a first light source positioned to transmit light in the range of 420 nm to 620 nm through the optically transparent first container; (c) a first sensor positioned to receive the transmitted light, wherein the first sensor is configured to measure an optical absorbance of the transmitted light and configured to transmit an electronic signal proportional to the optical absorbance; and (d) a microprocessor in electronic communication with the first sensor, wherein the microprocessor is configured to indicate the concentration of the dialdehyde in the dialdehyde solution based on the electronic signal received from the first sensor.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are described that permit an analyte concentration to be estimated from a measurement in the presence of compounds that interfere with the measurement. The method reduces the error in the analyte concentration in the presence of interferents. The method includes the use of a set of measurements obtained for a large population having a range of known analyte and interfering compound concentrations. From a sample measurement, which may or may not be one of the population, interferents likely to be present are identified, and a calibration coefficient is calculated. The calibration coefficient may be applied to the measurement to estimate the analyte concentration. In some implementations, the calibration coefficient may be determined as a weighted average of single interferent calibration coefficients. In some embodiments, the sample measurement includes a spectroscopic measurement.

Abstract: An electronic circuit for ion sensor with the body effect reduction includes a bridge-type floating source circuit provided with an input terminal, an output terminal reflecting the change in the potential dependent on ion concentration, and an ion-sensitive field effect transistor (ISFET) wherein one terminal of the ISFET is coupled with the output terminal; a current mirror for providing a current to the bridge-type circuit; a third transistor for receiving the operating current provided by the current mirror, identical to the current provided to the ISFET; a differential amplifying circuit, wherein one input terminal of the amplifying circuit is input with a reference voltage, and the other input terminal is coupled with the output of the bridge-type readout circuit; and a third amplifier to generate a differential output voltage compensated for the body effect, temperature and time drift effects.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring compositional parameters of solid, liquid, and gas components of a mixture flowing in a pipe is presented. The apparatus combines three different compositional measurements (e.g., the speed of light (microwave), the speed of sound (sonar), and mass loading of vibrating tubes or absorption of radiation) simultaneously to provide a real time, multi parameter, compositional measurement of gas-entrained mixtures.

Abstract: An apparatus 10,70 and method is provided that includes a spatial array of unsteady pressure sensors 15-18 placed at predetermined axial locations X1-XN disposed axially along a pipe 14 for measuring at least one parameter of a solid particle/fluid mixture 12 flowing in the pipe 14. The pressure sensors 15-18 provide acoustic pressure signals P1(t)-PN(t) to a signal processing unit 30 which determines the speed of sound amix of the particle/fluid mixture 12 in the pipe 14 using acoustic spatial array signal processing techniques. The primary parameters to be measured include fluid/particle concentration, fluid/particle mixture volumetric flow, and particle size. Frequency based sound speed is determined utilizing a dispersion model to determine the parameters of interest.

Abstract: Methods of correcting on-line analyzer measurements of the content of a first component, e.g., water, in a multiple-component fluid, e.g., petroleum, are provided. The first component content measurements in a flowing multiple-component fluid may be taken using an on-line analyzer. Mixture density measurements that correspond to the first component content measurements may also be taken using a densitometer. Next, an offset value for each first component content measurement may be calculated based on the following equations: if the first component content measurement is ? a predetermined content set point, offset=slope correction factor×(the corresponding mixture density measurement?a calibration density); and ??(a) if the first component content measurement is > the predetermined content set point, offset=the offset value calculated at the predetermined content set point. ??(b) The first component content measurements may then be corrected based on the respective offset values.

Abstract: An apparatus 10,70 and method is provided that includes a spatial array of unsteady pressure sensors 15-18 placed at predetermined axial locations x1-xN disposed axially along a pipe 14 for measuring at least one parameter of a saturated vapor/liquid mixture 12, such as steam, flowing in the pipe 14. The pressure sensors 15-18 provide acoustic pressure signals P1(t)-PN(t) to a signal processing unit 30 which determines the speed of sound amix propagating through of the saturated vapor/liquid mixture 12 in the pipe 14 using acoustic spatial array signal processing techniques. The primary parameters to be measured include vapor/liquid concentration (i.e., steam wetness or steam quality), vapor/liquid mixture volumetric flow, mass flow, enthalpy, density and liquid droplet size. Frequency based sound speed is determined utilizing a dispersion model to determine the parameters of interest.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for the automatic determination of selected physical and colloidal chemistry parameters (for example, the grain size, the distribution of grain sizes, the hindrance function and indices of structural stability) by means of the determination of the attenuation of radiated waves through monodisperse or polydisperse dispersion samples subjected to gravitation or centrifugation, characterised in that during the segregation by means of centrifugation or gravitation, the instantaneous transmission IT(t, r) characterising the current segregation status of the waves radiated with the intensity Io(t, r) and/or the instantaneous scattering IS(t, r) as a function of the position within the samples is repeatedly determined and recorded at high resolution at any arbitrary time for one or more wavelengths over the entire length of the sample or in selected partial sections of it, simultaneously for multiple and even concentrated samples with known and/or unknown physical and c

Abstract: A coating for sensor transducers that transmit a signal to—and/or receive a signal from—a fluid, either liquid or gas, in contact with the transducer. In particular the coating minimizes or eliminates fouling of the transducer surface by the fluid, reducing the need for transducer maintenance, while not interfering with the transducer's ability to send and/or receive signals.

Abstract: A sensor interface system and a sensor integration module support individual sensors and sensor arrays, with network connectivity and critical functions required for analog and digital sensors when deployed in field applications used for chemical, biological, radiation, nuclear and explosives (CBRNE) material identification. The sensor integration module enables efficient integration of a single sensor or for multiple sensors into an array using a modular sensor interface unit and provides individual TCP/IP addresses for each detector element, signal processing for the sensor data and communications capabilities establishing each detector and the sensor array as network elements on a distributed network.

Abstract: The preparative liquid chromatograph uses a plurality of detectors including a mass spectrometer, and a chromatogram generator is provided for generating a plurality of chromatograms each corresponding to each of the plurality of detectors. The plurality of chromatograms are converted into a respective binary signal by comparing the chromatogram with a predetermined threshold, and a logical operator performs a binary operation on the plurality of respective binary signals, whereby a resultant binary signal is generated. A separation controller controls the fraction collector of the preparative liquid chromatograph based on the resultant binary signal to separate components from a sample. When “AND” is used as the binary operation, the resultant binary signal is “1” only when all the respective binary signals are “1”. This assures a high precision, high purity separation where an impurity mingling is minimized.

Abstract: A circuit chip is disclosed. The circuit chip includes analog-to-digital processing circuitry that is capable of interfacing with a sensor and host electronics. The analog-to-digital processing circuitry includes a frequency generator configured for providing stimulus to the sensor and signal detection circuitry that is configured for identifying amplitude data of a response signal. Further included is analog-to-digital conversion circuitry that is configured for converting the detected amplitude data into digital form. A memory that is capable of holding data characterizing the sensor is also provided. The digital form of the response signal is capable of being processed to generate fluid characteristics of fluids under-test.

Abstract: A system and a method for screening of nucleation tendency of a molecule, such as a macromolecule, based on acoustic, electrostatic or hybrid acoustic/electrostatic levitation of a droplet for optimizing crystallization conditions for said molecule. This allows for a controlled approach to determination of supersaturation and allows for screening of crystal nucleation conditions within minutes and hours instead of months and years with a minute amount of starting material compared to conventional crystallization methods.

Abstract: A computer implemented process for producing a representation of a reference spectrum for a hypothetical solution having a first pH condition, for use in determining the composition of a test sample, is disclosed, The process involves producing a position value for at least one peak of the reference spectrum in response to a measured pH condition of the test sample and a property of at least one peak in a base reference spectrum for the hypothetical solution, the base reference spectrum being associated with a pH condition of the hypothetical solution that is different from the measured pH condition.

Abstract: The intensity of an odour can be quantified by determining what is the response of an odour sensing device to that odour, then transforming the response data to an odour intensity value based on transformation data relating to a set of selected reference odours. The transformation data includes organoleptic data indicating how odour intensity values assigned to the set of reference odours by a sensory panel depend upon the concentration of the reference compounds and includes data indicating how the response data of the odour sensing device when exposed to the set of reference odours depends upon the concentration of the reference compounds. The reference odours may be basic odours defining the dimensions of a multi-dimensional space in which odours can be defined.

Abstract: A method for quantitative determination of hydrocarbon species in a hydrocarbon sample is disclosed. The method uses Townsend Discharge Nitric Oxide Chemical Ionization Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the sensing of analytes and in particular, to methods of determining, resolving, identifying, or quantitating such analytes once detected. This invention provides systems and methods for identifying analytes, comprising using an importance index to give greater weight to the responses from sensors that measure characteristics most useful for identification of analytes. In other aspects, the systems and methods are useful for increasing the stability of electronic nose systems by prolonging the predictive capability of the training set of known analytes. In still other aspects, the systems and methods are useful for detecting and responding to events correlated with the presence of an analyte.

Abstract: The present invention is directed generally toward the field of spectral analysis and, more particularly, toward an improved method of identifying unknown components of a mixture from a set of spectra collected from the mixture using a spectral library including potential candidates. For example, the present method is directed to identifying components of a mixture by the steps which comprise obtaining a set of spectral data for the mixture that defines a mixture data space; ranking a plurality of library spectra of known elements according to their angle of projection into the mixture data space; calculating a corrected correlation coefficient for each combination of the top y ranked library spectra; and selecting the combination having the highest corrected correlation coefficient, wherein the known elements of the selected combination are identified as the components of the mixture.

Abstract: Impedance spectroscopy is used to determine values associated with properties of a substance such as a fluid. In some embodiments, the present invention is applied to engine lubricants. A spectral matrix is constructed that comprises data taken from spectral plots. Also constructed is a result matrix comprising known quantities of a plurality of fluid constituents. A known analytic technique is performed on the spectral matrix to identify at least one principal component having significant influence on the spectral matrix. A reduced spectral matrix, wherein each column in the reduced spectral matrix is associated with a principal component having significant influence on the spectral matrix, is next created. A statistical technique uses the reduced spectral matrix and the result matrix to create at least one prediction equation. The prediction equation is used to predict at least one property in a second substance in situ.

Abstract: A flow cytometry apparatus and methods to process information incident to particles or cells entrained in a sheath fluid stream allowing assessment, differentiation, assignment, and separation of such particles or cells even at high rates of speed. A first signal processor individually or in combination with at least one additional signal processor for applying compensation transformation on data from a signal. Compensation transformation can involve complex operations on data from at least one signal to compensate for one or numerous operating parameters. Compensated parameters can be returned to the first signal processor for provide information upon which to define and differentiate particles from one another.

Abstract: An in-line hot-wire sensor for monitoring the mixing and the flow rate of slurry is disclosed. The hot-wire sensor may include a number of resistors organized into a Wheatstone bridge, as well as a frequency-domain transform mechanism. The resistors include a hot-wire resistor that is placed in-line with the slurry after substances have been mixed to become the slurry. The Wheatstone bridge thus yields a signal that is transformed to the frequency domain by the frequency-domain transform mechanism, such as by performing a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) of the signal. The frequency-domain transform is used to monitor the mixing of the substances into the slurry, and the flow rate of the slurry. The signal may be amplified prior to transformation to the frequency domain.

Abstract: An inverse analysis method for characterizing diffusion of vapor from an underground source of volatile contaminant using data taken by an in-situ sensor. The method uses one-dimensional solutions to the diffusion equation in Cartesian, cylindrical, or spherical coordinates for isotropic and homogenous media. If the effective vapor diffusion coefficient is known, then the distance from the source to the in-situ sensor can be estimated by comparing the shape of the predicted time-dependent vapor concentration response curve to the measured response curve. Alternatively, if the source distance is known, then the effective vapor diffusion coefficient can be estimated using the same inverse analysis method. A triangulation technique can be used with multiple sensors to locate the source in two or three dimensions. The in-situ sensor can contain one or more chemiresistor elements housed in a waterproof enclosure with a gas permeable membrane.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the water content of a water-containing liquid mixture contained in a tight chemistry tank includes a heating device for controlling the temperature of the liquid mixture to a temperature near the boiling point of the liquid mixture, a cooling medium system disposed at the top of the tight chemistry tank having a cooling medium inlet and a cooling medium outlet, a temperature measurement system for determining the temperature difference between the cooling medium inlet and outlet, and a computing device for calculating the water content of the liquid mixture from the temperature difference. Also provided is a tank for supplying water to the liquid mixture, and a control system for adjusting the amount of water supplied from the tank based upon the water content measured by the measuring apparatus. Also provided is a method for measure the water content.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for management of chemical materials comprising the steps of providing a first data set containing which substances comprise the materials, providing a second data set containing which of the substances are to be controlled, providing a third data set containing a ratio of discharge of the controlled substances in a process, analyzing a preset amount of the materials in the process and determining a quantity of the controlled substances utilizing the first and second data sets, determining an emissions quantity of the controlled substances utilizing the ratio and the quantity of the controlled substances and maintaining the third data set according to a preset interval of time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for formulating and controlling concentrations of deactivating chemicals in a gas mixture inside a chamber. The gas mixture may include chemical components that are deactivating chemicals, as well as chemical components that are base chemicals, acting as a dilutant for the deactivating chemical, or as a vehicle or carrier for the deactivating chemical. A capacitor is exposed to the gas mixture, wherein the gas mixture comprises a dielectric material between the plates of the capacitor. Permittivity of the dielectric is affected by the relative concentrations of the chemical components, and thus a measurement of the capacitance is used to determine the concentration levels of multiple chemical components in the gas mixture.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for formulating and controlling concentrations of deactivating chemicals in a solution inside a chamber. The solution may include chemical components that are deactivating chemicals, as well as chemical components that are base chemicals, acting as a diluent for a deactivating chemical, or as a vehicle or carrier for a deactivating chemical. A capacitor is exposed to the solution, wherein the solution comprises a dielectric material between the plates of the capacitor. Permittivity of the dielectric is affected by the relative concentrations of the chemical components, and thus a measurement of the electrical properties of the capacitor can be used to determine the concentration levels of multiple chemical components in the solution.

Abstract: The invention is a method and a device for measuring the filtering or purifying capacity of a purifier. The invention allows the use of a single analyzer for sampling the inlet and outlet streams. This is accomplished by sampling the inlet stream only at some times when the change in the inlet stream is expected to occur. At other times the outlet stream is sampled to monitor its composition. A computer system on the basis of the accumulated data decides when it is time to replace or to regenerate the purifier or the filter bed. The computer system also determines the strategy of when to sample the inlet stream. Various system sensors may be used to make this determination, such as pressure sensors and level sensors. The data from other sensors, such as flow sensors, may be used in the calculations performed by the computer system.

Abstract: A circuit for determining characteristics of a fluid under-test is provided. The circuit includes analog-to-digital processing circuitry for interfacing with a sensor and host electronics. The analog-to-digital processing circuitry includes a frequency generator for providing stimulus to the sensor and receiving a response signal from the sensor. Conditioning circuitry for reducing analog signal offsets in the response signal and signal detection circuitry for identifying amplitude data of the response signal are provided. Further provided is analog-to-digital conversion circuitry for converting the detected amplitude data into digital form. Memory for holding calibration data and approximated fluid characteristics of the fluid under-test is included in the circuitry. The digital form of the response signal is processed in conjunction with the calibration data and approximated fluid characteristics to generate fluid characteristics of the actual fluid under-test.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for detecting an impurity in a sample where an index can be calculated to assess purity in the presence of n major components with signal averaging or noise-filtering automatically built-in. The method and apparatus can be applied to liquid chromatography impurity detection using UV-VIS spectrophotometry based on robust matrix algebra representing the entire spectral space generated by the sample.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for estimating the initial level of an analyte in a sample based on an actual level observed, a time of storage of the sample, a storage temperature, and a type of container in which said sample is stored. Equations are generated for a particular analyte based on observations of actual analyte levels initially after a sample is drawn, as well as at various times thereafter. The time of storage, the temperature of storage, and the type of container are observed along with actual analyte level in each observation. The equations generated are considered useful if the estimated initial values are more accurate than the actual observed final values.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for determining entrained and/or dissolved gas content of gas-liquid mixtures. Data generated is used to control the True (air-free) or Apparent (air-containing) Density or Entrained Air content of liquids within optimum ranges, e.g. in paper coating processes and in the manufacture of food products, personal care products, pharmaceutical products, paints, petroleum blends, etc.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for formulating and controlling concentrations of deactivating chemicals in a solution inside a chamber. The solution may include chemical components that are deactivating chemicals, as well as chemical components that are base chemicals, acting as a diluent for a deactivating chemical, or as a vehicle or carrier for a deactivating chemical. A capacitor is exposed to the solution, wherein the solution comprises a dielectric material between the plates of the capacitor. Permittivity of the dielectric is affected by the relative concentrations of the chemical components, and thus a measurement of the electrical properties of the capacitor can be used to determine the concentration levels of multiple chemical components in the solution.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for the on-line analysis of liquid substance mixtures by means of NIRS. For evaluation by spectral data comparison, merely the binary mixtures of the possible components in quantitative graduations are used as calibration spectra. In order to accelerate the evaluation, all data points of a spectrum are summated, and each spectrum is characterized by only one characteristic number.

Abstract: A novel methodology for rapid, cost-efficient discovery, identification, or improvement of additives and/or admixtures for hydratable cementitious compositions. Multiple formulations comprising hydratable cementitious compositions are deposited into a plurality of receptacles. A first assay output is obtained, such as through x-ray diffraction, which is then correlated to provide a second assay output value corresponding to physical or chemical properties of the cementitious compositions.

Abstract: A method of removing abnormal data in a blood component analysis system using spectroscopy to estimate a concentration of a blood component by analyzing a photo-plethysmographic (PPG) signal obtained by radiating light of first and second wavelengths reacting to the blood component on a subject and detecting light corresponding to the first and second wavelengths output from the subject, includes collecting the PPG signal corresponding to the first and second wavelengths for a predetermined unit period of time, calculating “n” parameters, with respect to “n” pulse data included in the collected PPG signal, where n is a positive integer, calculating an average of the “n” parameters, and comparing a ratio of a number of parameters whose deviation from the average is greater than a predetermined standard deviation to the “n” parameters with a predetermined removal reference value to determine whether the “n” pulse data is valid.

Abstract: Signals obtained in High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) are notoriously noisy. The signal can be improved by increasing the path length of the light passing through the sample, but increased path length also invites greater refraction and reflection of that light. A novel approach is to utilize a number of photocell sensors lined up along a capillary through which the solution passes. Through careful measurement and calculation, a signal for a single fluid particle can be produced by all the photocell sensors. By incorporating an appropriate delay between each signal, to take into account the finite speed of the fluid, the resulting plurality of noisy signals can be summed or statistically correlated. The signal, containing the important information about the fluid, will increase with the number of photocells used, while the noise increases by the square root of the number of photocells used. The signal to noise ratio, then, increases as the square of the number of photocells used.

Abstract: Signals obtained in capillary High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) are notoriously noisy. The signal can be improved by increasing the path length of the light passing through the sample stream, but increased path length decreases resolution (resolving N closely spaced peaks in the actual separation into N peaks of almost equal separation on the chromatogram. A novel approach is to utilize a number of photocell sensors lined up along a capillary through which the solution passes. In one embodiment of this invention, the flow of the solution is stopped with the solvent spike oriented with a particular photocell sensor. Then a single, continuous scan or multiple scans of a section of the quiescent solution may be taken and integrated, summed, or statistically correlated. In another embodiment, a solvent spike is detected and tracked. A set of photocell sensors is chosen at increments of time such that the leading photocell is at the solvent spike. The set of photocells is scanned repeatedly.

Abstract: Signals obtained in capillary High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) are notoriously noisy. The signal can be improved by increasing the path length of the light passing through the sample stream, but increased path length decreases resolution (resolving N closely spaced peaks in the actual separation into N peaks of almost equal separation on the chromatogram. A novel approach is to utilize a number of photocell sensors lined up along a capillary through which the solution passes. In one embodiment of this invention, the flow of the solution is stopped with the solvent spike oriented with a particular photocell sensor. Then a single, continuous scan or multiple scans of a section of the quiescent solution may be taken and integrated, summed, or statistically correlated. In another embodiment, a solvent spike is detected and tracked. A set of photocell sensors is chosen at increments of time such that the leading photocell is at the solvent spike. The set of photocells is scanned repeatedly.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for conducting dissolution tests. The apparatus includes two or more chambers connected in series; a supply of one or more media that can be continuously passed into the chambers; an analyzer of the effluent from the chambers for substances of interest in the test; and, a temperature controller for controlling the temperature of the medium in the chambers. The first chamber is capable of transferring solid particles to the second chamber. The second chamber is capable of retaining solid. The chambers have a means of adding test materials. The chambers have a means of mixing the sample and medium; and a means of analyzing the effluent can be carried out at multiple times during the operation of the test equipment.

Abstract: Methods for producing a substantially paraffinic Fischer-Tropsch product or a blended Fischer Tropsch product comprising a selected oxygenate concentration, and if required, a selected oxygenate concentration of specific individual oxygenates, are disclosed. The methods of the present invention measure oxygenate concentration using GC-AED. The oxygenate measurements obtained using the GC-AED may be used to adjust and control various processes used to produce, upgrade, or finish Fischer Tropsch products to provide Fischer Tropsch products with a selected oxygenate concentration, and if required, a selected oxygenate concentration of specific individual oxygenates.

Abstract: A multiple fan monitoring circuit for use with a plurality of fans, wherein each of the fans operates at a different frequency and generates a tach signal indicative of the fan operation, including a number of waveform shaping networks coupled to a corresponding one of the fans and utilized to waveshape a tach signal generated by its corresponding fan. The multiple fan monitoring circuit also includes a frequency processing circuit, coupled to the waveform shaping networks, that receives the waveshaped tach signals at a single sense node. The frequency processing circuit includes a summing circuit, coupled to the single sense node, that combines the waveshaped tach signals into a single combined signal, and a frequency discriminator, coupled to the summing circuit, that separates the single combined signal into multiple components, wherein each of the multiple components corresponds to a particular fan.

Abstract: A circuit for determining characteristics of a fluid under-test is provided. The circuit includes analog-to-digital processing circuitry for interfacing with a sensor and host electronics. The analog-to-digital processing circuitry includes a frequency generator for providing stimulus to the sensor and receiving a response signal from the sensor. Conditioning circuitry for reducing analog signal offsets in the response signal and signal detection circuitry for identifying amplitude data of the response signal are provided. Further provided is analog-to-digital conversion circuitry for converting the detected amplitude data into digital form. Memory for holding calibration data and approximated fluid characteristics of the fluid under-test is included in the circuitry. The digital form of the response signal is processed in conjunction with the calibration data and approximated fluid characteristics to generate fluid characteristics of the actual fluid under-test.

Abstract: Molecular structures, computer representations thereof, and methods of analysis are provided for the hepatitis C virus internal ribosome entry site (HCV IRS). Novel features of the structure include the tetaloop fold in domain IIIe, including the array of three major groove exposed Watson-Crick faces (G295, A296, and U297), which loop has been found to be a point of direct contact with the 40S subunit; and the structure comprising the domain IIId loop E and hairpin loop backdone reversion, which places two S turns on the same side of hairpin loop structure.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system, the method comprising receiving a request indication representing a request for an item, receiving a provided indication representing providing said item, and signalling an operator when the request indication has no corresponding provided indication. The apparatus includes a request indication receiver for receiving the request indication, a provided indication receiver for receiving the provided indication, a processing circuit for determining when the request indication has no corresponding provided indication, and a signal device in communication with the processing circuit for signalling the operator when the request indication has no corresponding provided indication.