Abstract:
Exploration algorithms are relevant to the industrial practice of generating test cases from an abstract state machine whose runs define the predicted behavior of the software system under test. Here, a new exploration algorithm allows multiple state groupings to simultaneously guide the search for states that are interesting or relevant for testing. In some cases, the algorithm allows exploration to be optimized from exponential to linear complexity. An extended example is included that illustrates the use of the algorithm.
Abstract:
A method of removal of hydrocarbons from soils using solids-loaded polymer foam. A first step involves providing a solids-loaded polymer foam consisting of an open-celled polymer foam matrix with zeolite dispersed and bound throughout the foam matrix. A second step involves mixing soils containing hydrocarbons, solids-loaded polymer and water. It has been found that hydrocarbons are adsorbed by the solids-loaded polymer foam. The order of mixing can be altered to suit particular applications. A recovery step can be added to recover the hydrocarbons from the solids-loaded polymer foam.
Abstract:
There is disclosed a process and apparatus for reading electrical current of electrodes on a microarray of electrodes. Those electrodes having binding events are detected by a difference in electrical current flow. Enzymes on targets catalyze the conversion of substrate to product, which is detectable by electrochemical reduction at each electrode on the microarray of electrodes. The apparatus has an integration circuit that provides a voltage output that is measured and recorded over time and used to calculate an average current flow. A potentiometer equalizes voltage at electrodes undergoing measurement compared to grounded electrodes.
Abstract:
An apparatus includes an inverter including a high-side switch coupled to a low-side switch, the inverter generating a time-varying drive current from a plurality of drive control signals, a positive rail voltage, and a negative rail voltage wherein controlling the switches to generate the time-varying drive current produces a potential transitory overshoot condition for one of the switches of the inverter; a drive control, coupled to the inverter, to generate the drive control signals and to set a level of each of the rail voltages responsive to a plurality of controller signals; and a controller monitoring one or more parameters indicative of the potential transitory voltage overshoot condition, the controller dynamically adjusting, responsive to the monitored parameters, the controller signals to reduce a risk of occurrence of the potential transitory voltage overshoot condition.
Abstract:
A solid dispersion of pigment for an aqueous composition includes a pigment and an ethoxylated alcohol. The solid dispersion of pigment is adapted for being directly incorporated into the aqueous composition with reduced shear for coloration. A method of preparing a solid dispersion of pigment for an aqueous composition with reduced shear mixing includes heating the mixture of an ethoxylated alcohol and a pigment, and cooling the mixture to obtain the solid dispersion of pigment.
Abstract:
The invention relates, in various aspects, to systems and methods for linking content stored on a computer network with content broadcast over a television network. The system includes a database, a trigger mechanism, a communications interface, and a packet generator. The database stores tokens representative of links to the stored content and delivery information representative of at least a duration for delivering the token. The trigger mechanism indicates an instruction to deliver a token over the television network, generating a signal indicating a respective one of the stored tokens and a time for starting the delivery of the respective token. The communications interface has a channel in communication with a television set top box device for transferring the respective token to the television set top box device. The packet generator generates packets within a stream of television content to be broadcast over the television network.
Abstract:
Provided is a method for detecting an analyte, wherein the analyte is labelled with one or more labels relatable to the analyte, which method comprises: a) performing an optical detection method on the labelled analyte to obtain optical data from the one or more labels; b) performing an electrical detection method on the labelled analyte to obtain electrical data from the one or more labels; and c) determining the identity and/or quantity of the analyte from both the optical and electrical data. Further provided is a method for detecting a plurality of analytes, wherein the each different analyte is labelled with one or more different labels relatable to the analyte, which method comprises: a) performing an optical detection method on a plurality of labelled analytes to obtain optical data from the labels; b) performing an electrochemical detection method on the plurality of labelled analytes to obtain electrical data from the labels; and c) determining the identity and/or quantity of the plurality of analytes from both the optical and electrical data.
Abstract:
A focussing device for a lens, including a frame, a lens carrier movable relative to the frame from a first position along an optical axis, a motor for driving the lens carrier along the optical axis, and at least one biasing member adapted to bias the lens carrier towards the first position. The biasing member may include one or more bending members.
Abstract:
There is provided a method of nucleic acid analysis which allows analysis of genetic diversity in multiple populations to be performed rapidly and simultaneously. The method comprises (a) isolating nucleic acid from said sample; (b) providing at least two pairs of labelled primers, wherein each said primer pair is complementary to a marker sequence in a nucleic acid of at least one member; (c) amplifying the nucleic acid; (d) digesting the labelled amplified nucleic acid with at least one restriction enzyme to produce restriction fragments, and size sorting said fragments to produce a restriction fragment length profile, and (e) analysing said restriction fragment length profile so obtained; wherein the primer pairs provided for each marker have a different sequence to the sequence of the primer pairs for each other marker, and wherein each said primer pair is uniquely labelled relative to the other primer pair(s). In one embodiment each primer pair is uniquely labelled at the 5′ end with a fluorophore. The restriction fragments can be conveniently analysed by a DNA sequencer. The method of the invention has the advantage that it allows nucleic acid amplified using multiple marker sequences to be simultaneously analysed.
Abstract:
The invention is directed to a method or use of 2,9-dichloro-quinacridone as an alpha crystal phase inhibitor and optionally, 4,11-dichloroquinacridone during the beta-quinacridone or gamma-quinacridone crude pigment particle size reduction processes. The invention is also directed to solid solutions of quinacridone comprising about 98 to about 80 weight % gamma or beta-quinacridone, about 0.1 to about 10 weight % 2,9-dichloroquinacridone and about 0.1 to about 10 weight % 4,11-dichloroquinacridone.