Abstract: The invention relates to a device for use in large-scale industrial insect farming. More in particular, the invention relates to an insects transport device for transporting live insects from a first location to a predetermined second location, the insects transport device comprising a gas guiding unit, a gas discharge member and a feeder arrangement, wherein the insects transport device is configured to receive live insects such as freshly hatched neonate larvae, for example of black soldier fly, or mites, wherein the live insects are directly taken up in a laminar flow of gas after exiting the feeder arrangement in a free fall under influence of gravitation such that the live insects do not contact any surface of the insects transport device, and while in said gas are transported to a predetermined location in the insects transport device. Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of the device in industrial insect farming, such as large-scale farming of black soldier flies or mites.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for use in large-scale industrial insect farming. More in particular, the invention relates to an insects transport device for transporting live insects from a first location to a predetermined second location, the insects transport device comprising a gas guiding unit, a gas discharge member and a feeder arrangement, wherein the insects transport device is configured to receive live insects such as freshly hatched neonate larvae, for example of black soldier fly, or mites, wherein the live insects are directly taken up in a laminar flow of gas after exiting the feeder arrangement in a free fall under influence of gravitation such that the live insects do not contact any surface of the insects transport device, and while in said gas are transported to a predetermined location in the insects transport device. Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of the device in industrial insect farming, such as large-scale farming of black soldier flies or mites.

Abstract: A wireless power transmitter (101) an output circuit (203, 103) comprises a transmitter coil (103) for which generates the power transfer signal a drive signal generated by a driver circuit (201) is applied. A power loop controller (209) implements a power control loop for controlling the drive signal to adjust a power level of the power transfer signal in response to power control error messages received from the power receiver (105). A mode store (213) stores a plurality of power level modes for the power receiver where each power level mode is associated with a reference power level for the power transfer signal. A mode circuit (211) adapts the drive signal to set the power level of the power transfer signal to a first reference value in response to receiving a mode request message where the first reference value corresponds to a reference power level for a first power level mode indicated in the mode request message.

Abstract: A method of operating an ultra-high pressure liquid jet system includes positioning, relative to a rail, a translatable frame having a liquid jet processing head fluidly connected to an ultra-high pressure liquid pump. The method also includes providing, to the liquid jet processing head, via the ultra-high pressure liquid pump, a pressurized fluid forming a liquid jet that contacts the rail such that the pressurized fluid is at least 20,000 PSI during a rail cutting operation or a re-profiling operation. Steps of the method include providing an abrasive feed system coupled to the liquid jet processing head to provide an abrasive to the liquid jet and translating the liquid jet processing head relative to the rail, thereby performing a processing operation on a linear length of the rail along a direction of translation of the rail.

Abstract: Described herein are systems, methods and computer-readable media for maintaining a configurable project hierarchy. The method includes establishing a project hierarchy with multiple hierarchy levels including first and second hierarchy levels. The first level has an associated issue type. The method further includes receiving a request to change the hierarchy level of the first issue type to the second level. In response to receiving this request, the method includes: accessing from a data store, a hierarchy-issue type association record of the first issue type including an identifier of the first issue type and a current hierarchy level identifier; creating a new hierarchy-issue type association data record including the identifier of the first issue type and a new hierarchy level identifier corresponding to the second hierarchy level; and associating the first issue type with the second hierarchy level by storing the new hierarchy/issue type association data record in the data store.

Abstract: Method and contact lens (3) for measuring a subject's three dimensional eye movement including torsional movement. A video camera (1) is provided for recording an image of the subject's eye (2). The contact lens (3) is provided for placement over the subject's eye (2). The contact lens (3) comprises one or more markers (3a,3b) that are detectable by the video camera (1) and are positioned at a lateral offset (D) with respect to a central part (3p) of the contact lens (3). The one or more markers (3a,3b) are configured for detecting torsional rotation (R) of the subject's eye (2) around a line of sight axis (C) of the subject's eye (2) by using the video camera (1) to track a position of the one or more markers (3a,3b).

Abstract: A feeding system for feeding animals, in particular cows, at a feeding place feed from a feed supply including at least one autonomous feeding device having a container for accommodating a batch of feed from the feed supply. The autonomous feeding takes feed held in the container to the feeding place and dispenses it. The feeding system further includes a feed-quantity measuring device for repeatedly measuring a feed-quantity value for the quantity of feed for consumption by the animals at the feeding place, and a control system which receives feed-quantity values from the feed-quantity measuring device measured different measurement instants. The control system stores a plurality of the feed-quantity values in a memory. The control system calculates at least one value of a feed variable at at least one point in time after the last measurement instant, on the basis of the feed-quantity values stored in the memory.

Abstract: A feeding system for feeding animals, in particular cows, at a feeding place that includes at least one autonomous feeding device with a container for accommodating a batch of feed from a feed supply. The autonomous feeding device takes feed held in the container to the feeding place and dispenses it at that feeding place. The feeding system includes a feed-quantity measuring device for measuring a feed-quantity value for the quantity of feed at the feeding place, and a control system receives feed-quantity values from the feed-quantity measuring device. The control system stores a plurality of feed-quantity values received from the feed-quantity measuring device in a memory. The control system determines at least one value of a variable which is representative of a relation between the feed-quantity values and time, at least at and/or after the last measurement instant, based on the feed-quantity values stored in the memory.

Abstract: A communication apparatus is disclosed with a communication controller that has a host-side communication interface for communicating with a host and a plurality of slave-side communication interfaces. Each slave-side communication interface has a plurality of electrical pins that are configurable to define a communication port that implements a selected communication protocol thereon. Each pin is in electrical communication with a slave socket having a predetermined layout. Each slave socket is configured to receive a protocol adapter that corresponds to the selected communication protocol and that is configured to facilitate communication between an external slave device and the relevant communication port.

Abstract: A feeding system for feeding animals, in particular cows, includes a feed supply system with feed for the animals. The feed includes one or more feed types. An autonomous feeding device is configured to automatically feed the animals with feed from the feed supply system. A feed supply observation system measures the quantity of feed of each feed type in the feed supply system, while a feed consumption observation system observes the consumption of feed of each feed type from the feed supply system. A control system is connected to the feed supply observation system in order to receive values of the observed quantity of feed of each feed type in the feed supply system. The control system is further connected to the feed consumption observation system in order to receive values of the observed consumption of feed of each feed type from the feed supply system. The received values of the observed consumption of feed are stored as historical data in a memory of the control system.

Abstract: A communication apparatus is disclosed with a communication controller that has a host-side communication interface for communicating with a host and a plurality of slave-side communication interfaces. Each slave-side communication interface has a plurality of electrical pins that are configurable to define a communication port that implements a selected communication protocol thereon. Each pin is in electrical communication with a slave socket having a predetermined layout. Each slave socket is configured to receive a protocol adapter that corresponds to the selected communication protocol and that is configured to facilitate communication between an external slave device and the relevant communication port.

Abstract: The invention relates to a software defined device interface system 10, a software defined device interface, gateway and a method of defining an interface for a device which uses a specific communication protocol for communication purposes. The system 10 includes a microprocessor/processing unit 12.1, 12.2 with a plurality of communication pins and software/firmware. The software/firmware is configured, based on a specific communication protocol which is used by a particular device 30.1-30.4 for communication purposes, to, in runtime, assign/select one or more of the communication pins to form a virtual port to which the particular device 30.1-30.4 can be connected, upon receiving a configuration instruction from a user to implement the specific communication protocol. The software/firmware is further configured to implement the specific communication protocol through the virtual port, to thereby allow for communication between the microprocessor/processing unit 12.1, 12.2 and the device 30.1-30.

Abstract: Method and contact lens (3) for measuring a subject's three dimensional eye movement including torsional movement. A video camera (1) is provided for recording an image of the subject's eye (2). The contact lens (3) is provided for placement over the subject's eye (2). The contact lens (3) comprises one or more markers (3a,3b) that are detectable by the video camera (1) and are positioned at a lateral offset (D) with respect to a central part (3p) of the contact lens (3). The one or more markers (3a,3b) are configured for detecting torsional rotation (R) of the subject's eye (2) around a line of sight axis (C) of the subject's eye (2) by using the video camera (1) to track a position of the one or more markers (3a,3b).

Abstract: The invention relates to a software defined device interface system 10, a software defined device interface, gateway and a method of defining an interface for a device which uses a specific communication protocol for communication purposes. The system 10 includes a microprocessor/processing unit 12.1, 12.2 with a plurality of communication pins and software/firmware. The software/firmware is configured, based on a specific communication protocol which is used by a particular device 30.1-30.4 for communication purposes, to, in runtime, assign/select one or more of the communication pins to form a virtual port to which the particular device 30.1-30.4 can be connected, upon receiving a configuration instruction from a user to implement the specific communication protocol. The software/firmware is further configured to implement the specific communication protocol through the virtual port, to thereby allow for communication between the microprocessor/processing unit 12.1, 12.2 and the device 30.1-30.

Abstract: An apparatus for use combined cooking and water heating, the apparatus including a combustion chamber for burning a fuel to generate heat, a cooking support positioned above the combustion chamber in use to allow cooking to be performed, a heat exchanger in thermal communication with the combustion chamber, a water reservoir coupled to the heat exchanger via delivery and return fluid paths, allowing water from the reservoir to be circulated through the heat exchanger to thereby heat the water in the reservoir, a separator provided in the return path to separate steam from heated water and a condenser element for condensing steam to thereby provide distilled water to a distilled water outlet.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus including a barrier system and a device manufacturing method using such a lithographic apparatus. The barrier system is used to maintain a protected volume of gas within a barrier. The protected volume may be maintained when different components of the lithographic apparatus move relative to each other. The barrier system may be used in different locations within the lithographic apparatus. The geometry of the barrier affects how efficiently the protected volume is maintained, especially at high speeds. The geometry reduces the amount of ambient gas entering the protected volume from outside the barrier.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for purifying mixtures comprising 4,4?-methylenediphenyl diisocyanate, which comprises purifying by distillation a mixture I comprising 4,4?-methylenediphenyl diisocyanate having a hydrolyzable chlorine content as specified in ASTM D4663-10 of greater than 100 ppm by means of a column K1, wherein the gaseous stream comprising the mixture I is brought into contact in the column K1 with at least one liquid compound A which has the same or higher boiling point than 4,4?-methylenediphenyl diisocyanate and which has a hydrolyzable chlorine content as specified in ASTM D4663-10 of a maximum of 100 ppm, and wherein the gaseous stream O obtained at the top of the column comprises 4,4?-methylenediphenyl diisocyanate has a hydrolyzable chlorine content as specified in ASTM D4663-10 of a maximum of 100 ppm.

Abstract: Apparatus for performing electrolysis and generating heat, the apparatus including an electrolysis cell including, a cell housing defining an electrolyte cavity, the electrolyte cavity containing an electrolyte in use, a plurality of substantially parallel spaced apart electrode plates provided within the electrolyte cavity, the electrode plates defining at least one anode and at least one cathode at least partially submersed within the electrolyte in use, at least two connectors, which in use are connected to an electrical power supply thereby allowing an electrical current to be supplied to the electrolyte to thereby perform electrolysis and heating of the electrolyte, at least one cell outlet in fluid communication with the electrolyte cavity, the at least one cell outlet being coupled to a heat recovery module in use and at least one cell inlet allowing electrolyte to be supplied to the electrolyte cavity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing isocyanates by reacting the corresponding amines with phosgene in the liquid phase, if appropriate in the presence of at least one inert medium, in which the amine and the phosgene are first mixed in a mixing chamber (1) to give a reaction mixture and the reaction mixture is fed to a reactor, the amine being added through an orifice (3) arranged coaxially to the mixing chamber (1) and the phosgene being added through feed orifices (5) in at least two planes (7, 9) arranged at right angles to the axis (11) of the mixing chamber (1), or the phosgene being added through the orifice (3) arranged coaxially to the mixing chamber and the amine through the feed orifices (5) in at least two planes (7, 9) arranged at right angles to the axis (11) of the mixing chamber (1). At least one plane (9) is arranged upstream and at least one plane (7) downstream of the orifice (3) arranged coaxially to the mixing chamber (1) in main flow direction of the reaction mixture.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a disinfectant or antimicrobial composition for use in dental treatment, such as treatment and/or prevention of periodontitis, gingivitis or other forms of oral infection. The present Inventor found that microorganisms that infect the dental tissues and cause inflammation thereof, are susceptible to osmotic stress, to such extent that the application of a hypertonic composition is effective in curing or preventing infection and/or inflammations. It was furthermore found that these microorganisms are also susceptible to acidic stress. The present invention therefore provides compositions that induce osmotic stress in microorganisms causing infection of dental tissue when topically applied thereto, preferably osmotic as well as acidic stress. The present invention also concerns the methods and uses involving the compositions of the invention.