Abstract: A controller for controlling a motor of a drill comprising an output of a signal for controlling a speed of rotation of the motor, a processor for producing the signal, wherein the signal is automatically varied according to a waveform, wherein one or more characteristics of the waveform is determined by a material to be drilled and a diameter of the bit.

Abstract: In one aspect, a heat exchange apparatus is disclosed having a liquid distribution system configured to distribute liquid onto a liquid absorbent material and an airflow generator operable to cause air to flow through the liquid absorbent material and toward an indirect heat exchanger. The heat exchange apparatus includes a controller configured to operate in a dry mode where the controller inhibits the liquid distribution system from distributing liquid onto the liquid absorbent material and a wet mode where the controller causes the liquid distribution system to distribute liquid onto the liquid absorbent material. The controller is further configured to operate at least one of the liquid distribution system and the airflow generator to inhibit drift of liquid from the liquid absorbent material toward the indirect heat exchanger in response to the controller switching from the dry mode to the wet mode.

Abstract: This application relates to compounds of Formula (I): [targeting peptide]-N(R1)—X1(R2)L1-[linker]-RXn1 (I). The targeting peptide is cyclo[L-Phe-L-Tyr-L-Lys(iPr)-D-Arg-L-2-Nal-Gly-D-Glu]-L-Lys(iPr). R1 is H or methyl. X1 is an optionally substituted C1-C15 hydrocarbon optionally comprising heteroatoms. R2 is C(O)OH or C(O)NH2. L1 is a linkage (thiolether, amide, maleimide-thiol, triazole). The linker has a net negative charge at physiological pH and is a linear or branched chain of 1-10 units of X2L2 and/or X2(L2)2, wherein: each X2 is, independently, an optionally substituted C1-C15 hydrocarbon optionally comprising heteroatoms; and each L2 is a linkage. The linker optionally further comprises an albumin binder bonded to an L2. Each RX is a radiolabelling group linked through a separate L2, selected from: a metal chelator; a prosthetic group containing trifluoroborate (BF3); or a prosthetic group containing a silicon-fluorine-acceptor moiety.

Abstract: Electric arc, and ladle, furnaces 10 have components 14 with a high-emissivity/high reflectivity layer 18 disposed on the hot face 16. The component 14 includes a water-cooled panel 40, a duct 34, roof 12 frame 38, pipes, dry delta 36, water-cooled delta 28, fourth hole elbow 32, fourth hole roof 42, side walls 26 and combinations thereof. The high-emissivity/high-reflectivity layer 18 comprises, in dry admixture, from about 5% to about 40% of an inorganic adhesive, from about 45% to about 92% of a filler, and from about 1% to about 25% of one or more emissivity agents.

Abstract: A leaf removal apparatus for removing one or more wrapper leaves of a harvested produce and its method of use is provided. The apparatus includes a framework, a conveyor comprising a set of parallel rods having a space therebetween, a stripping roller, and a plurality of flexible members. The methods of using the apparatus include feeding a harvested produce onto a conveyor comprising a set of parallel rods having a space therebetween; transporting the harvested produce on the conveyor towards a stripping roller connected to a framework of the leaf removal apparatus; contacting the harvested produce with a plurality of flexible members connected to the framework, and the stripping roller, and loosening or removing one or more wrapper leaves of the harvested produce, wherein one or more of the removed wrapper leaves fall through the space between the rods of the conveyor.

Abstract: A leaf removal apparatus for removing one or more wrapper leaves of a harvested produce is provided. The leaf removal apparatus includes a framework, a conveyor, a stripping roller, and a plurality of flexible members. The conveyor is configured to transport the harvested produce in a forward direction to the stripping roller. The stripping roller is connected to the framework and rotates in a direction opposite to the moving direction of the conveyor. The stripping roller applies a friction force on the harvested produce. The plurality of flexible members are connected to the framework and are configured to loosen or remove one or more wrapper leaves of the harvested produce and prolong the duration of contact between the harvested produce and the stripping roller. The flexible members may also cause the harvested produce to rotate, helping to remove one or more wrapper leaves.

Abstract: A mechanical harvester for harvesting produce with a core planted in a field is provided. The mechanical harvester includes a chassis, a positioning apparatus, a decoring device, and a transport assembly. The positioning apparatus is connected to the chassis and configured to position the produce in the ground for harvesting and decoring. The decoring device is connected to the positioning apparatus and configured to sever the core of the produce while the produce is in the ground. The transport assembly is connected to the chassis and configured to lift the cut produce from the ground and transport the cut produce to a processing unit or a storage container.

Abstract: Wrapper leaves of a harvested produce can be removed using a leaf removal apparatus. The leaf removal apparatus includes a framework, a conveyor, a stripping roller, and a plurality of flexible members. The method of using the leaf removal apparatus includes feeding a harvested produce onto a conveyor; transporting the harvested produce on the conveyor towards a stripping roller connected to a framework of the leaf removal apparatus; and contacting the harvested produce with a plurality of flexible members connected to the framework, and the stripping roller.

Abstract: A mechanical harvester for harvesting produce with a core planted in a field is provided. The mechanical harvester includes a chassis, a positioning apparatus, a decoring device, and a transport assembly. The positioning apparatus is connected to the chassis and configured to position the produce in the ground for harvesting and decoring. The decoring device is connected to the positioning apparatus and configured to sever the core of the produce while the produce is in the ground. The transport assembly is connected to the chassis and configured to lift the cut produce from the ground and transport the cut produce to a processing unit or a storage container.

Abstract: A leaf removal apparatus for removing one or more wrapper leaves of a harvested produce is provided. The leaf removal apparatus includes a framework, a conveyor, a stripping roller, and a plurality of flexible members. The conveyor is configured to transport the harvested produce in a forward direction to the stripping roller. The stripping roller is connected to the framework and rotates in a direction opposite to the moving direction of the conveyor. The stripping roller applies a friction force on the harvested produce. The plurality of flexible members are connected to the framework and are configured to loosen or remove one or more wrapper leaves of the harvested produce and prolong the duration of contact between the harvested produce and the stripping roller. The flexible members may also cause the harvested produce to rotate, helping to remove one or more wrapper leaves.

Abstract: A leaf removal apparatus for removing one or more wrapper leaves of a harvested produce is provided. The leaf removal apparatus includes a framework, a conveyor, a stripping roller, and a plurality of flexible members. The conveyor is configured to transport the harvested produce in a forward direction to the stripping roller. The stripping roller is connected to the framework and rotates in a direction opposite to the moving direction of the conveyor. The stripping roller applies a friction force on the harvested produce. The plurality of flexible members are connected to the framework and are configured to loosen or remove one or more wrapper leaves of the harvested produce and prolong the duration of contact between the harvested produce and the stripping roller. The flexible members may also cause the harvested produce to rotate, helping to remove one or more wrapper leaves. The friction force applied by the stripping roller removes one or more wrapper leaves of the harvested produce.

Abstract: Produce with a core planted in a field can be harvested and decored using a mechanical harvester. The mechanical harvester includes a chassis, a positioning apparatus, a decoring device, and a transport assembly. The method includes moving the mechanical harvester through the row in the field; positioning the produce in the ground using the positioning apparatus; severing a substantial portion of the core of the produce while the produce is in the ground using the decoring device; lifting the produce from the ground; and transporting the produce to a processing unit or a storage unit using the transport assembly.

Abstract: A mechanical harvester for harvesting produce with a core planted in a field is provided. The mechanical harvester includes a chassis, a positioning apparatus, a decoring device, and a transport assembly. The positioning apparatus is connected to the chassis and configured to position the produce in the ground for harvesting and decoring. The decoring device is connected to the positioning apparatus and configured to sever the core of the produce while the produce is in the ground. The transport assembly is connected to the chassis and configured to lift the cut produce from the ground and transport the cut produce to a processing unit or a storage container.

Abstract: An improved exhaust system and catalytic converter element for a diesel engine wherein the improvement comprises: holding means for restricting the movement of catalytic converter elements in an overhead exhaust manifold; an improved catalytic converter element having at least one retaining rod extending through the catalyst substrate and/or having at least one retaining lip projecting into the substrate; a stabilizer projecting from the cover for the element insertion slot for receiving an end portion of the catalytic converter element to restrict the movement of the converter element in the exhaust manifold; perforated flow distribution elements provided upstream of the catalytic converter elements; and/or vertical coupling manifolds which each receive exhaust from a pair of engine cylinders and then deliver the combined exhaust stream to a separate one of the inlet openings in the bottom of the overhead exhaust manifold.

Abstract: An improved exhaust system and catalytic converter element for a diesel engine wherein the improvement comprises: holding means for restricting the movement of catalytic converter elements in an overhead exhaust manifold; an improved catalytic converter element having at least one retaining rod extending through the catalyst substrate and/or having at least one retaining lip projecting into the substrate; a stabilizer projecting from the cover for the element insertion slot for receiving an end portion of the catalytic converter element to restrict the movement of the converter element in the exhaust manifold; perforated flow distribution elements provided upstream of the catalytic converter elements; and/or vertical coupling manifolds which each receive exhaust from a pair of engine cylinders and then deliver the combined exhaust stream to a separate one of the inlet openings in the bottom of the overhead exhaust manifold.

Abstract: A dental care kit assembly having a plurality of operative components such as one or more dental floss assemblies and a cleaning implement located within separated areas or compartments of a container. The container has a substantially flat, predetermined, reduced size configuration, closely corresponding to the size of a conventional credit card thereby enabling it to be conveniently carried on the person of a user. The reduced size container and the various components contained therein may be structured to be disposable after a single or a limited number of uses or alternatively may be of a more permanent structure capable of being used over a more extended period of time.

Abstract: A process for recovering thermoplastic polymer particles from an expanded thermoplastic polymer material includes grinding the expanded thermoplastic polymer material in a grinding chamber under elevated temperature while feeding ionized gas through the grinding chamber during the grinding. An apparatus for recovering the thermoplastic polymer particles from the expanded thermoplastic polymer material includes a grinding chamber into which the expanded thermoplastic polymer material is introduced, the grinding chamber having grinding components therein, one or more inlet passages at a bottom potion of the grinding chamber for entry of ionized gas, and optionally also for entry of hot gas, and one or more outlet passages at a top portion of the grinding chamber for exit of gases from the grinding chamber.