Abstract: The present invention discloses a poultry selection method to improve the egg production rate, the method comprises steps of collecting protein samples and egg productivity information of multiple poultry groups, transforming these information into multiple scores, ranks, and their corresponding codes; the next step is to combine the corresponding codes to form regional codes, and compare the matching rate; and select the poultry with the required egg production.

Abstract: The invention provides for an apparatus (1) for growing aquatic animals comprising at least two securing members (3, 6) adapted to be removably fixed together such that a feed substrate (7) can be reversibly sandwiched between the securing members. The invention also provides for modular assemblies of the apparatus, and further provides methods of culturing aquatic animals and methods of increasing roe content of aquatic animals.

Abstract: A fluid connection comprised of a first fitting having a body with a first end and a second end. A passage extends through the body from the first end to the second end. A bracket is mounted to the second end of the body. The bracket defines a space adjacent the second end. A mounting element is provided for mounting the first end of the body to a fluid inlet line. A piston is movable within the passage. The piston has an outer surface, an inlet side facing the first end of the body and an outlet side facing the second end of the body. An aperture through the piston fluidly connects the inlet side of the piston to the outlet side of the piston. A second fitting, having a fluid opening therethrough, is dimensioned to be slidably received within the space adjacent the second end of the fitting. The piston is movable into engagement with the second fitting with the aperture in the piston communicating with the fluid opening in the second fitting.

Abstract: A method for treating wastewater wherein the wastewater is introduced in prescribed doses of wastewater to a first treatment zone, establishing a negative pressure gradient using mechanical ventilation within said zone causing exhaust air flow to remove gases and promote evaporation in the zone. Excess wastewater passing through the zone is collected and reintroduced. The zone contains particulate material with a large wetted surface area covered in a microbiological slime layer.

Abstract: A transfer device for transferring an apparatus from one support to another support. The transfer device is comprised of a housing and two movable clamping elements that are mounted to the housing. Each of the clamping elements is movable between a support-clamping position and a non-clamping, release position. An actuator is in operative engagement with the two clamping elements to move each of the clamping elements between the support-clamping position and the release position. The actuator has a first actuator position wherein one of the clamping elements is in the support-clamping position and another of the clamping elements is in the release position. In a second position, one of the clamping elements is in the release position and the other of the clamping elements is in the support-clamping position.

Abstract: A spark plug including a ground electrode which has an excellent heat sinking ability. The ground electrode includes a core material therein. Heat received from a combustion chamber during a drive of an internal-combustion engine can be conducted to the core material. More effective heat sinking ability can be achieved because of the core material.

Abstract: In a transfer system used for transferring articles that are conveyed on a main conveying path to branching conveying paths, change-over guiding sections of change-over units have an upper guiding body and a lower guiding body and the change-over action of the upper guiding body is caused by the motion force of an article side-push body in the direction of a main conveying path, and the change-over action of the lower guiding body is caused integrally in the second half of this change-over action. As a result, a sufficient change-over guiding length in the change-over unit can be ensured and change-over can be performed smoothly via both guiding bodies at all times.

Abstract: A cardiovascular valve system including a permanent base unit that is affixed to the patient using conventional sutures or staples, and a collapsible valve having a collapsible frame that mates with the permanent base unit, and supports valve leaflets. An installed collapsible frame may be re-collapsed and disengaged from the permanent housing. A new collapsible valve is then installed, to resume the function of the prosthesis.

Abstract: A plasma-jet spark plug comprising an insulator and a ground electrode which are disposed apart from each other in an axial direction (O) to prevent a damage of the insulator. The spark plug is capable of reducing an energy loss of the ejected plasma by defining a dimension of a clearance between the insulator and the ground electrode whereby deterioration of the ignitability of the plasma-jet spark plug is prevented.

Abstract: A cardiovascular valve assembly comprising a base member that is affixed to a patient using conventional sutures or staples, and a replaceable valve member including a valve frame that supports a plurality of valve leaflets. The valve member mates with the base member, and can be detached from the base member for convenient replacement.

Abstract: A refractory composition comprising at least 50 weight percent chromic oxide (Cr2O3), as measured by chemical analysis. The composition includes fused chromia-containing grain, powdered chromic oxide and sintered chromia-containing grain. The fused chromia-containing grain and the sintered chromia-containing grain comprise at least 50 weight percent chromia oxide, as measured by chemical analysis.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display, the method includes steps of depositing a transparent conductive layer, forming a pixel electrode, and four bottom layers, depositing a semiconductor insulation layer on the pixel electrode and the four bottom layers, defining the semiconductor insulation layer to form two contact openings two of the bottom layers, depositing and defining two top layers and two scanning lines both with an indentation at an edge thereof, and the indentations face the first pixel electrode by an opposite direction, and forming four metal-insulation-metal (MIM) diodes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optimizing air flow to a boiler of a power generating unit using advanced optimization, modeling, and control techniques. Air flow is optimized to maintain flame stability, minimize air pollution emissions, and improve efficiency. An optimizer determines optimal setpoint values for manipulated variables associated with the power generating unit by using a model to minimize the value of a cost function while observing at least one constraint associated with operation of the power generating unit.

Abstract: A multi-chamber instrument container for microbially deactivating medical, dental, veterinary and mortuary instruments and articles. A pressure differential between chambers causes fluid flow therebetween, thus flowing fluid through internal passages of instrument extending between the chambers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a percussion hammer for enlarging drilled holes. The hammer comprises an external outer wear sleeve (5), an inner cylinder (7) mounted co-axially within the outer wear sleeve (5), a tubular torque shaft (3) disposed axially and centrally of the hammer assembly, and extending longitudinally through the assembly. The hammer further comprises a sliding piston (6) mounted for reciprocating movement within the inner cylinder (7) and outer wear sleeve (10) and about the tubular torque shaft (3) to strike a hammer bit (1) for reciprocal movement in a chuck (4) adjacent a forward end of the hammer assembly. The hammer bit (1) has a central bore (46) through which the torque shaft (3) extends, such that the torque shaft (3) protrudes forwardly of the hammer.

Abstract: A non-contact power supply system is provided in which current phases of induction lines are matched. According to the output current of a power supply unit (21) and the power consumption of induction lines (19), a lead time corresponding to a phase difference between the output currents of the induction lines is determined. A signal for driving transistors (52) is advanced ahead of a drive synchronization signal (?) according to the lead time.

Abstract: A cable management system for managing at least one cable extending through a support arm and through a hub, comprised of a spool disposed in a hub. The spool has an opening extending through a wall of the spool. A cable carrier is disposed within the support arm. The cable carrier is dimensioned to contain at least one cable extending through the support arm, a first end fixed relative to the support arm and a second end extending towards the hub. The cable carrier is disposed in the support arm such that the cable carrier replicates upon itself to define a first run and a second run. The second end of the cable carrier is movable relative to the hub when the support arm rotates about the hub, wherein the first run shortens and the second run lengthens when the support arm rotates in a direction about the hub.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for imprinting and/or embossing substrates (7), in particular semiconductor substrates or wafers, having: a receiving unit (5) for receiving the substrate (7) in a working space (13), an adjusting device (2, 3, 4) for adjusting the substrate (7) in relation to an embossing and/or printing punch (10), whereby for a process that is as contamination-free as possible and for a manufacture of the apparatus that is as favorable as possible the receiving unit (5) is designed so as to separate the working space (13) from the environment.

Abstract: A plurality of pickup coils 2A and 2B are provided, resonance capacitors 3A and 3B forming resonance circuits 4A and 4B resonating at the frequency of an inductive path 1 are respectively connected in series with the pickup coils 2A and 2B, and the resonance circuits 4A and 4B are connected in series. Further, the resonance circuits 4A and 4B are respectively provided with rectifier circuits 6A and 6B for rectifying voltages generated by the resonance circuits 4A and 4B. The rectifier circuits 6A and 6B are connected in parallel and feed power to a load 10. Moreover, a switch 5 is provided to switch a connected state and an open state between the resonance circuits 4A and 4B, and a voltage controller 11 is provided to control an output voltage applied to the load 10, by controlling the switch 5.