Abstract: The invention relates to a plant cultivating environment comprising: an oxygen sensing arrangement for sensing an oxygen level in said environment. According to the invention, said oxygen sensing arrangement comprises a base plate for underlying a substrate; and a plurality of oxygen sensors each positioned on said base plate at a predetermined position for sensing a local oxygen level in said substrate. In this way, a water irrigation strategy can be based on sensed levels at a plurality of positions.

Abstract: The invention provides an infra-red decoy flare comprising a pyrotechnic composition which comprises an extrudable and energetic binder in an amount in the range of from 4-35 wt %, which binder comprises a nitrocellulose, an oxidator in an amount in the range of from 40-80 wt %, a pyrotechnic fuel in an amount in the range of from 15-35 wt %, and a carbon source in an amount of up to and including 10 wt %, all amounts based on total pyrotechnic composition. The invention further provides a process for preparing said infra-red decoy flare.

Abstract: System for processing a communication session to be set up via a communication path from an originating location (ASD) to a destination location (TYO) through a communication network. A common Service Level Agreement (SLA) registry contains Quality-of-Service (QoS) related parameters representative for the QoS valid for the domains between the originating location and the destination location. A QoS processor is adapted for processing QoS related parameters which are retrieved from the SLA registry, for predicting the end-to-end QoS values for one communication path between the originating and destination location and for ranking or selecting or both ranking and selecting, based on the predicted end-to-end QoS values, one or more recommended communication paths between the originating location and the destination location.

Abstract: A device for actively reducing sound transmission, provided with a first and second wall (3, 5) enclosing an inner space (1, 2), wherein at least the second wall (5) is provided with actuators (6), for instance eletromagnetic actuators and/or piezoeleteric elements, wherein the said inner space is provided with at least one inner wall (4) to divide this space into at least two layers of air (1, 2), which inner wall (4) is arranged such that the layers of air (1, 2) are in fluid connection with each other.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing insulating and/or fire-resistant material, wherein the potato steam peels are subjected to a treatment for recovering a cork fraction, at least a non-calorific part, from those peels, while the insulating and/or fire resistant material is manufactured at least from the recovered cork fraction and a binding agent. The invention further provides insulating and/or fire-resistant material containing at least a cork fraction recovered from potato steam peels. Further, the invention provides a construction element, provided with such insulating and/or fire-resistant material.

Abstract: Glass infiltrated metal oxide infrastructures are formed by providing a glass which is suitable for infiltration and compatible with the metal oxide infrastructure; heating the glass in a nitrogen rich environment; and infiltrating the metal oxide infrastructure with the glass. Stress corrosion in a glass infiltrated metal oxide infrastructure is avoided or reduced by heating a glass composition under a nitrogen gas atmosphere before infiltrating the metal oxide infrastructure.

Abstract: With a Coriolis mass flow meter a mass flow through a pipe is determined by exerting a force and/or moment on at least one location on the pipe, such that vibrations of several vibration modes are excited. The magnitude is determined of the force and/or the moment with which the pipe is excited. The response of the pipe is measured at multiple locations between two clamping points of the pipes, at excitations with several different frequencies. The sensitivity of the response to the mass flow is calculated on the basis of a model which comprises as free parameters the mass flow and model parameters which determine the sensitivity, wherein the mass flow and the model parameters are estimated that correspond with the combination of the force and/or the moment and the response measured for the different frequencies.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for indicating direction using a screen, wherein a pattern of relatively dark and relatively bright sections is moved over a screen, in a direction in which an observer is to be directed. The invention further relates to an apparatus for indicating information on a screen, comprising at least one screen and image information-generating means, wherein the image information-generating means comprise at least one algorithm for displaying, on said screen, at least one first image in the form of a moving pattern of first and second sections, wherein the first sections are relatively bright compared to the second sections, wherein the screen has longitudinal edges and said image information-generating means are preferably arranged for at least temporarily moving said pattern in the direction of at least one of the longitudinal edges.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nanocomposite material on the basis of a clay having a layered or fibrous structure and a cation exchange capacity of from 5 to 250 milliequivalents per 100 gram, a polymeric matrix and a block copolymer or graft copolymer, which block copolymer or graft copolymer includes one or more first structural units (A), which are compatible with the clay, and one or more second structural units (B), which are compatible with the polymeric matrix. Methods of making and using the same are also disclosed.

Abstract: System for conditioning crops e.g. in a greenhouse, comprising climate control means which are arranged for providing a local microclimate area around the relevant crop, which climate control means comprising first means at a first location close to the crop, which are arranged for local humidification and simultaneous cooling or heating the local microclimate area, as well as second means at a second location close to the crop, which are arranged for dehumidification and simultaneous cooling or heating the local microclimate area.

Abstract: Sulphur oxides are generated from a liquid stream of hydrogen sulphide by feeding the liquid stream to a vacuum stripper where the stream is contacted with a stripping gas including steam under reduce pressure. Hydrogen sulphide is transferred to the stripping gas, whereby a loaded stripping gas is obtained. Water in the loaded stripping gas is condensed producing a H2S rich stream. The H2S is then burned in the stream to produce a stream rich in oxides of sulphur.

Abstract: A device for measuring the tack of materials, comprising a first cylinder (1) included in a fixed frame (2) and a second cylinder (3) included in a movable yoke (4), whose outer surfaces contact each other via a layer of the material to be tested for tack (8). The yoke (4) is connected with the frame (2) via a connecting element (5) movable about a center. A force sensor (6) is included between the yoke and the movable connecting element or between the frame and the movable connecting element. The output of the force sensor (6) is connected with processing means (7) for processing the measuring signal delivered by the force sensor into a material-specific tack value. In a first calibration step, the first cylinder is coupled with a static mass (11) via coupling means (10). A first correction value, based on the measuring signal delivered by the force sensor, is stored in the processing means.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for the conversion of cellulosic biomass, in particular lignocellulose-containing biomass into fermentable sugars. The invention is further directed to apparatus suitable for carrying out such processes. According to the invention biomass is converted into fermentable sugars by contacting in a reactor said biomass with an acid, while passing an inert gas stream capable of taking up water through said reactor, by which the pH in said reactor can be controlled.

Abstract: Transglutaminase inhibitor containing composition obtainable from milk, in particular from a whey fraction obtainable from skimmed milk by forming a curd from the milk, separating the curd from the whey in a centrifugation step followed by subjecting the whey to an ultrafiltration step or, alternatively, by subjecting the skimmed milk to a diafiltration step, a method for the production of a transglutaminase inhibitor and the use of the transglutaminase inhibitor in the production of food or pharmaceutical compositions and to the use in the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of pathologies.

Abstract: A method of obtaining an image of buried structures in an object, comprising partially irradiating said object by light of a wavelength that images said buried structure; and obtaining a complementary partial image of said buried structure by light diffused from a non-irradiated image area. According to the method, an image can be obtained while discarding specular reflections of the object. Thus, deeper structures will be better visible. In a further aspect, the invention offers a method of enhancing imaging of buried structures in an object, comprising: analysing said image as a first image in order to detect the edges of said buried structure; obtaining a second image by irradiating said object with a second light that visually images said object; and combining said first and second images for defining edges of said buried structure in said visual image.

Abstract: A method for determining whether a urine sample has been obtained from a subject suffering from a kidney disorder involving kidney damage. The method is based on determining the level of a proteolytic enzyme in urine from the subject. Sample and optionally comparing this level with a reference value. The proteolytic enzyme preferably is a matrix metalloproteases, in particular MMP-2 or MMP-9. The method is particularly suitable for subjects with a condition or disorder that is associated with an increased risk of kidney disorders, such as diabetes. The method may adavnatageously be applied for early detection of kidney damage, in particular when the subject does not yet show any sign of microalbuminuria. The method may also be applied to a subject undergoing dialysis for determining whether the subject is suffering from remodelling of the peritoneal membrane. Thus, the method is particularly suited for patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

Abstract: System comprising at least one ultrasonic transducer (3) outside a room like a tube or vessel. The transducer is fit for transmitting and/or receiving an ultrasonic beam (6) into respectively from the interior of said room through the room's wall (2). The system comprises a matching element (5) at the interior's side of the wall, fit for matching the acoustic impedance and/or the sound speed of the wall material (2) and the those of the medium residing (1) within said room. The matching element may be mounted within a cavity in said wall, and may have a shape, at the side of the room, conforming to the room's inside shape. The matching element may have, at the side of the transducer, an arbitrarily curved shape, designed to obtain a certain desired beam directivity and/or to compensate for diffraction effects.

Abstract: System for giving intelligibility feedback to a speaker (1), speaking for an audience (2), comprising a first microphone (3) at the speaker's side and a second microphone (4) at the audience's side. Both microphones are connected to processing means (5) which are arranged to compute an intelligibility value based on both microphones' signals. Signalling means (6), preferably at the side of the audience, are arranged to generate an intelligibility feedback signal depending on the calculated intelligibility value. The signalling means being arranged to generate said intelligibility feedback signal in an optical form, visible for the speaker concerned. Wireless connection means (19) may interconnect the microphones, the processing means and the signalling means.

Abstract: A method for measuring a contour variation of a measuring area on an object. The method includes the steps of: irradiating the measuring area with a light beam, wherein reflection or transmission of the beam occurs; splitting the transmitted or reflected beam; combining the split beams with each other and observing a fringe pattern representing a differential phase between the split beams; varying the phase of the split beams relative to each other, such that the differential phase is kept within the range of 2 pi; calculating an optical path length difference from the differential phase; and relating the optical path length difference to the contour variation of the object.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for the production of a jacketed penetrator having a tungsten, tungsten alloy or depleted uranium core and a metallic jacket, which process comprises placing the core inside the jacket and explosively welding the jacket on the core.