Abstract: Mechanisms are provided for optimization of a collective communication operation. A network graph data structure for a network of computing devices is generated that includes nodes representing computing devices of the network and edges comprising communication links between the computing devices. Each edge of the network graph data structure is weighted based on a multi-dimensional weight comprising network performance characteristics collected from the network. For a specified collective communication operation, and for participant devices of the network that are participating in the specified collective communication operation, a collective communication pattern is determined based on the multi-dimensional weights of the network graph data structure and a type of the collective communication operation. The determined collective communication pattern is returned to one or more of the participant devices which perform the collective communication operation based on the collective communication pattern.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for steaming animal fodder comprising a body defining a chamber in which the animal fodder may be placed. The body comprises an upper part and a lower part configured to be placed together to form the chamber. The apparatus further comprises a conduit configured to carry steam to an aperture configured to allow the steam to pass into the chamber. The body is formed from an expanded polymer foam.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for steaming animal fodder comprising a body defining a chamber in which animal fodder may be placed. The body comprises an upper part and a lower part configured to be placed together to form the chamber. The lower part includes a floor on which the animal fodder is supported. The apparatus further comprises an aperture provided in the floor of the lower part, a conduit configured to carry steam to the aperture thereby allowing steam to pass into the chamber, and a controller arranged to control passage of steam to and through the aperture in at least one combined cycle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for metering the flow of a fluid. A fluid-metering device for a hose or pipe, comprises: a body (10) having an inlet (12) and an outlet (11); an impeller (20) drivable by a flow of fluid through the device; a barrel (40), having an inlet (42) and an outlet (43), slidably mounted in the body (10) such that the barrel (40) is slidable between an open position wherein the barrel inlet (42) and outlet (43) are aligned with the body inlet (12) and outlet (11) such that a fluid can flow through the device and drive the impeller (20), and a closed position wherein the barrel inlet (42) and outlet (43) are offset from the body inlet (12) and outlet (11) such that a fluid cannot flow through the device, the barrel (40) being biased towards the closed position; and latching means (50) arranged to hold the barrel (40) in the open position, wherein a predetermined number of rotations of the impeller (20) will release the barrel (40).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for metering the flow of a fluid. A fluid-metering device for a hose or pipe, comprises: a body (10) having an inlet (12) and an outlet (11); an impeller (20) drivable by a flow of fluid through the device; a barrel (40), having an inlet (42) and an outlet (43), slidably mounted in the body (10) such that the barrel (40) is slidable between an open position wherein the barrel inlet (42) and outlet (43) are aligned with the body inlet (12) and outlet (11) such that a fluid can flow through the device and drive the impeller (20), and a closed position wherein the barrel inlet (42) and outlet (43) are offset from the body inlet (12) and outlet (11) such that a fluid cannot flow through the device, the barrel (40) being biased towards the closed position; and latching means (50) arranged to hold the barrel (40) in the open position, wherein a predetermined number of rotations of the impeller (20) will release the barrel (40).

Abstract: A drinking vessel comprises a generally cylindrical container (10) for containing liquid, and a lid (20). The lid comprises a generally cylindrical inner member (21) and a generally cylindrical sealing element (30) which surrounds the inner member (21). The container 10 further comprises a rim (14) and an inner circumferential sealing surface (15). The lid (20) is fixedly insertable into the container 10 in order, when the lid (20) is inserted, to cause the sealing element (30) to lie against the sealing surface so as normally to form a seal with the sealing surface (15). The seal is deformable by suction at the rim (14) such that under the action of the suction liquid within the container (10) is caused to flow from a chamber (13) inside the container out past the rim (14).

Abstract: A drinking vessel comprises a generally cylindrical container (10) for containing liquid, and a lid (20). The lid comprises a generally cylindrical inner member (21) and a generally cylindrical sealing element (30) which surrounds the inner member (21). The contained 10 further comprises a rim (14) and an inner circumferential sealing surface (15). The lid (20) is fixedly insertable into the container 10 in order, when the lid (20) is inserted, to cause the sealing element (30) to lie against the sealing surface so as normally to form a seal with the sealing surface (15). The seal is deformable by suction at the rim (14) such that under the action of the suction liquid within the container (10) is caused to flow from a chamber (13) inside the container out past the rim (14).

Abstract: A ventilable portable structure arrangement is transformable between a collapsed state and an erected state. The assembly comprises a first portion (102) of foldable material arranged to define, when in the erected state, an interior chamber (106). A second portion (104) of foldable material is also provided and arranged to define, when in the erected state, a thermal chimney having an inlet (116) at one end thereof and an outlet (118) at another end thereof. The first and second portions (102, 104) are arranged so as to permit, when in the erected state, flow of air through the interior chamber (106) into the thermal chimney via the inlet (116) in response to heating of air substantially passing through the thermal chimney, the air entering the thermal chimney being expelled from the thermal chimney via the outlet (118).

Abstract: Protective eyewear, for example swimming goggles, is known to possess a nose bridge. Known adjustment mechanisms for the nose bridge either require a mechanism that cannot be adjusted in situ, i.e. when the goggles are in use, and so is inconvenient, or that does not reliably maintain the eyepieces over the eyes of a wearer, for example when the wearer dives into water. The present invention therefore provides eyewear (100) comprising a first eyepiece (102) and a second eyepiece (104). The first eyepiece (102) is coupled to the second eyepiece (104) by a cord (114). At least one of the first and second eyepieces (102, 104) is translatable, when in use, relative to the cord (114) upon overcoming a translation resisting force.

Abstract: According to the invention a drinking vessel (10) comprises a generally cylindrical container (11) adapted to contain liquid and a generally cylindrical lid (12) adapted to close the container. The lid comprises a generally cylindrical outer member (20), a generally cylindrical inner member (22) located within the outer member so as to define a generally cylindrical aperture (50) between the outer surface of the inner member and the inner surface of the outer member, and a generally cylindrical sealing element (21) located in the aperture. The sealing element normally forms a seal between the outer surface of the inner member and the inner surface of the outer member but is deformable by suction at the end of the aperture remote from the container so as to cause liquid within the container to flow, from the end of the aperture adjacent to the container, out through the aperture under the action of the suction.