Abstract: An improved pre-hydrolysis step involving exposing water insoluble pre-treated ligno-cellulosic biomass to vacuum conditions, with and without enzymes is disclosed. After exposing the water insoluble pre-treated ligno-cellulosic biomass to vacuum conditions, enzymatic hydrolysis is conducted on the pre-treated material. The result is an increased yield of glucose and often xylose after the enzymatic hydrolysis when compared to a composition which has not been exposed to vacuum conditions.

Abstract: A tunable delay line for radiofrequency or microwave frequency applications consists of at least one ridge waveguide in which the ridge is movable in the waveguide body so as to vary the width of an air gap defined between the longitudinal end surface of the ridge and a confronting member of the waveguide. The ridge is moved by an actuator external to the waveguide body.

Abstract: A system for diversity processing two signals transmitted and/or received via two diversity antennas includes at least four respective propagation paths coupling the signals to the two diversity antennas. Diversity processing is primarily in the form of decorrelation achieved by means of time variable delay elements that apply time variable delays to the signals propagating over at least two of the propagation paths in the system. The related processing may take place either at RF or IF, or at baseband, whereby the time variable delays are applied by subjecting the baseband signals to multiplication by a complex signal.

Abstract: A system for diversity processing a signal propagated via two diversity antennas includes: respective propagation paths for propagating two replicas of the signal, these propagation paths being coupled to the two diversity antennas so that the replicas are propagated via different antennas; a time variable delay element for subjecting at least one of the replicas to a time variable delay; and a level adjusting element, such as an asymmetric splitter, to produce a level imbalance between the power levels of the replicas propagated via the two diversity antennas.

Abstract: A differential delay element for use, e.g., in selectively delaying RF signals in telecommunication systems includes a first microstrip circuit and a second microstrip circuit arranged side-by-side in a facing relationship. The first microstrip circuit defines a first delayed travel path for a first signal from a first input port to a first output port and the second microstrip circuit defines a second delayed travel path for a second signal from a second input port to a second output port. A perturber is arranged between the first and second microstrip circuits, displaceable toward and away from the first and second microstrip circuits, so that when the distance of the perturber to one of the microstrip circuits increases, the distance of the perturber to the other of the microstrip circuits decreases and viceversa.

Abstract: A sun tracker device includes a base frame provided with a track that is at least in part circular; a support structure, of at least one photoreceiver module, the support structure being slidably associated with the track and including a reference plane for the coupling to the at least one photoreceiver module; a first motor group for controlling the movement of the support structure on the track around a substantially vertical axis; and at least one movement member of the at least one photoreceiver module around a respective substantially horizontal axis. The reference plane is tilted, with respect to a support plane of the device, by an angle of predetermined amplitude. An optimal compromise is achieved between maximisation of the energy yield and minimisation of the device size, at the same time ensuring an easy access to the components of the device for the maintenance operations.

Abstract: A tunable delay line for radiofrequency or microwave frequency applications consists of at least one ridge waveguide in which the ridge is movable in the waveguide body so as to vary the width of an air gap defined between the longitudinal end surface of the ridge and a confronting member of the waveguide. The ridge is moved by an actuator external to the waveguide body.

Abstract: A system for diversity processing two signals transmitted and/or received via two diversity antennas includes at least four respective propagation paths coupling the signals to the two diversity antennas. Diversity processing is primarily in the form of decorrelation achieved by means of time variable delay elements that apply time variable delays to the signals propagating over at least two of the propagation paths in the system. The related processing may take place either at RF or IF, or at baseband, whereby the time variable delays are applied by subjecting the baseband signals to multiplication by a complex signal.

Abstract: A differential delay element for use, e.g., in selectively delaying RF signals in telecommunication systems includes a first microstrip circuit and a second microstrip circuit arranged side-by-side in a facing relationship. The first microstrip circuit defines a first delayed travel path for a first signal from a first input port to a first output port and the second microstrip circuit defines a second delayed travel path for a second signal from a second input port to a second output port. A perturber is arranged between the first and second microstrip circuits, displaceable toward and away from the first and second microstrip circuits, so that when the distance of the perturber to one of the microstrip circuits increases, the distance of the perturber to the other of the microstrip circuits decreases and viceversa.

Abstract: A system for diversity processing a signal propagated via two diversity antennas includes: respective propagation paths for propagating two replicas of the signal, these propagation paths being coupled to the two diversity antennas so that the replicas are propagated via different antennas; a time variable delay element for subjecting at least one of the replicas to a time variable delay; and a level adjusting element, such as an asymmetric splitter, to produce a level imbalance between the power levels of the replicas propagated via the two diversity antennas.