Abstract: A laboratory system for analyzing biological samples is presented. The laboratory system comprises a plurality of laboratory instruments configured to receive and identify biological samples and to query a laboratory control unit for a processing order indicative of processing steps to be carried out on the biological sample. The laboratory control unit is configured to validate sequence of queries from the plurality of laboratory instruments against a valid query sequence pattern.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for depositing solid waste into a waste bin in an automated analyzer having a transport mechanism for transporting solid waste to a waste bin. The method includes providing a transport mechanism including a sliding mechanism, a parking position, and an opening that is proximal to the waste bin. The sliding mechanism includes a slider and an extendable ramp and the slider pushes the solid waste along the ramp into the waste bin. The method also includes placing solid waste into the parking position, contacting the solid waste with the slider, and pushing said solid waste towards the waste bin along the ramp until the solid waste moves along the extendable ramp into the waste bin.

Abstract: A method of operating a slurry phase apparatus includes feeding one or more gaseous reactants into a slurry body of solid particulate material suspended in a suspension liquid contained inside a vessel. The one or more gaseous reactants are fed into the slurry body through a gas distributor having downward facing gas outlets and are fed towards a fluid impermeable partition spanning across the vessel below the gas distributor. The partition divides the vessel into a slurry volume above the partition and a bottom volume below the partition. A differential pressure is maintained over the partition between predefined limits by manipulating or allowing changes in the pressure in the bottom volume by employing a pressure transfer passage establishing flow or pressure communication between the bottom volume and a head space above the slurry body.

Abstract: An analyzer is disclosed. The analyzer comprises a rack slot configured to receive at least one rack, wherein the rack slot comprises a front end, at which the rack is manually loadable into the rack slot, and a rear end, which is opposite to the front end and at which the rack is fully receivable in the rack slot, and a spring device arranged at the rear end, wherein the spring device is configured to provide a biasing force towards the front end, wherein the biasing force is adapted to move the rack towards the front end if not fully received in the rack slot, wherein the spring device is configured to fix the rack in a final position if the rack is fully received in the rack slot. Further, a method for loading a rack into a rack slot of an analyzer and a system comprising an analyzer and a computer controller are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of operating a laboratory instrument (100, 1000), wherein the laboratory instrument is configured for receiving a sample rack (112) with one or more sample tubes (126), wherein the laboratory instrument comprises a robotic head (106) for bringing a pipettor (108) into fluidic contact with the one or more sample tubes when the sample rack is in an operating position (122), wherein the robotic head is configured for loading the sample rack into the operating position, and wherein the method comprises the steps of: receiving (200) the sample rack by the laboratory instrument; and loading (202) the rack into the operating position using the robotic head.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved process for removing heat from an exothermic reaction. In particular, the present invention provides a process wherein heat can be removed from multiple reaction trains using a common coolant system.

Abstract: A system for generating a query includes a term unit (1) for extracting a term from at least one input document (51), to obtain an extracted term. A category unit (2) is arranged for associating the extracted term with a category that is semantically related with the extracted term. A query unit (3) is arranged for generating a query in dependence on the extracted term and the category. The query unit (3) includes an additional term unit (4) for generating at least one additional search term based on the category, and the query unit (3) is arranged for including the additional search term in the query. A submit unit (5) is arranged for submitting the query to at least one search engine (50), to obtain a plurality of found documents.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved process for removing heat from an exothermic reaction. In particular, the present invention provides a process wherein heat can be removed from multiple reaction trains using a common coolant system.

Abstract: A method is provided of shutting down an operating three-phase slurry bubble column reactor (10) having downwardly directed gas distribution nozzles (30) submerged in a slurry body (19) of solid particulate material suspended in a suspension liquid contained inside a reactor vessel (12), with the gas distribution nozzles (30) being in flow communication with a gas feed line (26) through which gas is fed to the gas distribution nozzles (30) by means of which the gas is injected downwardly into the slurry body (19). The method includes abruptly stopping flow of gas from the gas feed line (26) to the gas distribution nozzles (30) to trap gas in the gas distribution nozzles (30) thereby to inhibit slurry ingress upwardly into the gas distribution nozzles (30).

Abstract: Systems and methods recommending edibles for consumption after considering a user's edible intake over a period of time. Each edible item, consumed or recommended, is associated with a set of parameters (or parameter ranges) that represent the various nutrients contained in that edible item (e.g., vitamins, minerals, calories, fat, etc.). The consumed items can be aggregated in various ways (simple averages, moving averages, weighted averages) to yield an overall indicator of the user's nutritional state and, given a goal nutritional state, edibles can be recommended for consumption that advance the user's nutritional state towards a goal nutritional state.

Abstract: A method of operating a slurry phase apparatus includes feeding one or more gaseous reactants into a slurry body of solid particulate material suspended in a suspension liquid contained inside a vessel. The one or more gaseous reactants are fed into the slurry body through a gas distributor having downward facing gas outlets and are fed towards a fluid impermeable partition spanning across the vessel below the gas distributor. The partition divides the vessel into a slurry volume above the partition and a bottom volume below the partition. A differential pressure is maintained over the partition between predefined limits by manipulating or allowing changes in the pressure in the bottom volume by employing a pressure transfer passage establishing flow or pressure communication between the bottom volume and a head space above the slurry body.

Abstract: A method of operating a slurry phase apparatus includes feeding one or more gaseous reactants into a slurry body of solid particulate material suspended in a suspension liquid contained inside a vessel. The one or more gaseous reactants are fed into the slurry body through a gas distributor having downward facing gas outlets and are fed towards a fluid impermeable partition spanning across the vessel below the gas distributor. The partition divides the vessel into a slurry volume above the partition and a bottom volume below the partition. A differential pressure is maintained over the partition between predefined limits by manipulating or allowing changes in the pressure in the bottom volume by employing a pressure transfer passage establishing flow or pressure communication between the bottom volume and a head space above the slurry body.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved process for removing heat from an exothermic reaction. In particular, the present invention provides a process wherein heat can be removed from multiple reaction trains using a common coolant system.

Abstract: A cooking appliance includes a cooking chamber with cooking chamber wall, a microwave heat source configured to heat food, and a support device configured to hold a food-supporting member. The cooking chamber wall includes an opening and a lead-through device, and the lead-through device includes a through-hole configured to receive a fastening element of the support device. A tubular guide portion is formed at the through-hole of the lead-through device, and the tubular guide portion includes a safety portion configured to shield against microwave radiation and such that no part of the fastening element is located within the safety portion when the fastening element is in an installed condition in the lead-through device.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved process for removing heat from an exothermic reaction. In particular, the present invention provides a process wherein heat can be removed from multiple reaction trains using a common coolant system.

Abstract: A solid waste bag unit for solid waste of an analyzer is disclosed. The solid waste bag unit comprises a bag, and an insert, wherein the insert is arranged within the bag. Further, an analyzer and a method for removing solid waste of an analyzer are disclosed.

Abstract: An analyzer is disclosed. The analyzer comprises a rack slot configured to receive at least one rack, wherein the rack slot comprises a front end, at which the rack is manually loadable into the rack slot, and a rear end, which is opposite to the front end and at which the rack is fully receivable in the rack slot, and a spring device arranged at the rear end, wherein the spring device is configured to provide a biasing force towards the front end, wherein the biasing force is adapted to move the rack towards the front end if not fully received in the rack slot, wherein the spring device is configured to fix the rack in a final position if the rack is fully received in the rack slot. Further, a method for loading a rack into a rack slot of an analyzer and a system comprising an analyzer and a computer controller are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of caramelized sugar as a liquefier for mineral binding agent compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treating a substance mixture comprising an aromatic amine, wherein the aromatic amine is aniline or 2,4-diaminotoluene, preferably aniline. The substance mixture comprises an aromatic amine and compounds having a higher boiling point than the aromatic amine. The method for treating the substance mixture requires I) separating the first substance mixture by means of distillation in a first distillation unit (110, 1130), to at least partially remove some of the aromatic amine in the process, and to obtain a first bottom product which is removed from the first distillation unit (110, 1130). After removal from the first distillation unit (110, 1130), the bottom product is diluted with a condensed top product from a distillation unit that is different from the first distillation unit and/or with a composition that comprises methanol.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of operating a laboratory instrument (100, 1000), wherein the laboratory instrument is configured for receiving a sample rack (112) with one or more sample tubes (126), wherein the laboratory instrument comprises a robotic head (106) for bringing a pipettor (108) into fluidic contact with the one or more sample tubes when the sample rack is in an operating position (122), wherein the robotic head is configured for loading the sample rack into the operating position, and wherein the method comprises the steps of: receiving (200) the sample rack by the laboratory instrument; and loading (202) the rack into the operating position using the robotic head.