Abstract: A hybrid grass support structure (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 710) comprising a growth medium layer (102), a stone wool layer (104) positioned below the growth medium layer, and a plurality of synthetic grass fibers (106). The growth medium layer comprises a growth medium. The synthetic grass fibers are incorporated at least into the growth medium layer.

Abstract: A hybrid grass support structure (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 710) comprising a growth medium layer (102), a stone wool layer (104) positioned below the growth medium layer, and a plurality of synthetic grass fibers (106). The growth medium layer comprises a growth medium. The synthetic grass fibers are incorporated at least into the growth medium layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a graft element (1) for joining together plant stem sections. The graft element is made of a resilient material and takes the form of a tubular structure having a hollow center that extends in a longitudinal direction so as to form a cylinder (2). The graft element further comprises a side opening (3) along its length and two elongated members. The side opening is connected to the hollow center over the entire length of the graft element. The two elongated members are located at opposite sides of the side opening and oriented substantially parallel thereto. The elongated members are provided with cutouts for receiving a gripping unit. The invention further relates to systems and methods for joining plant stem sections using the graft element. Finally, the invention relates to a system and a method for preparing the graft element.

Abstract: A hybrid grass support structure (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 710) comprising a growth medium layer (102), a stone wool layer (104) positioned below the growth medium layer, and a plurality of synthetic grass fibers (106). The growth medium layer comprises a growth medium. The synthetic grass fibers are incorporated at least into the growth medium layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for placing cuttings of plants in a cultivation medium. The apparatus has a cuttings supply system for supplying a plurality of cuttings, a camera system for identifying cuttings among the plurality of cuttings that are suitable for individual pick up using pattern recognition, a pick-up tool for picking up cuttings identified by the camera system, and a planting system for simultaneously planting multiple cuttings in the cultivation medium. The planting system and the pick-up tool are separate entities. Furthermore, the pick-up tool is arranged for suitably placing picked-up cuttings in the planting system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for placing cuttings of plants in a cultivation medium. The apparatus has a cuttings supply system for supplying a plurality of cuttings, a camera system for identifying cuttings among the plurality of cuttings that are suitable for individual pick up using pattern recognition, a pick-up tool for picking up cuttings identified by the camera system, and a planting system for simultaneously planting multiple cuttings in the cultivation medium. The planting system and the pick-up tool are separate entities. Furthermore, the pick-up tool is arranged for suitably placing picked-up cuttings in the planting system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a graft element for joining together plant stem sections. The graft element is made of a resilient material and takes the form of a tubular structure having a hollow center that extends in a longitudinal direction so as to form a cylinder. The graft element further comprises a side opening along its length and two elongated members. The side opening is connected to the hollow center over the entire length of the graft element. The two elongated members are located at opposite sides of the side opening and oriented substantially parallel thereto. The elongated members are provided with cutouts for receiving a gripping unit. The invention further relates to systems and methods for joining plant stem sections using the graft element. Finally, the invention relates to a system and a method for preparing the graft element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for placing cuttings of plants in a cultivation medium. The apparatus has a cuttings supply system for supplying a plurality of cuttings, a camera system for identifying cuttings among the plurality of cuttings that are suitable for individual pick up using pattern recognition, a pick-up tool for picking up cuttings identified by the camera system, and a planting system for simultaneously planting multiple cuttings in the cultivation medium. The planting system and the pick-up tool are separate entities. Furthermore, the pick-up tool is arranged for suitably placing picked-up cuttings in the planting system.

Abstract: A variable displacement pump having an inner rotor (gerotor) and an outer rotor is disclosed. Advantageously, the pump provides a movable outer rotor capable of changing the amount of fluid transferred from an inlet to an outlet. Optionally, a biasing member is connected to the outer rotor for preventing movement of the outer rotor below a predetermined amount of pressure at the outlet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of breeding domestic animals, particularly pigs. In particular, it relates to genotypic and/or phenotypic traits that need to be selected for in-breeding animals or animals intended for slaughter. The invention provides for the use of well-defined imprinted and x-linked markers for quality directed crossbreeding in pig breeding programs, in particular the use of new QTL's or markers on chromosomes X, 2, 6 and 7 of pigs is provided.

Abstract: In order to accurately control the cutter head of a cutter head suction dredger anchored by means of ropes, the tension in at least one of the two longitudinal ropes is measured and the winch of at least one of the two longitudinal ropes is actuated in dependence upon the tension measured in the one longitudinal rope.

Abstract: A suction dredger, comprising a vessel and a suspension conveying conduit provided with a pump and having a nozzle suspended by means of at least one cable of a lifting device on the vessel, is improved for preventing breaking of the cable or damage of other dredger parts. To this aim the lifting device comprises a cable length variator having a piston movable in a cylinder, a pick-up system for picking up the travel of the piston, a fluid conduit communicating with the cylinder for supplying and discharging fluid and control circuitry for controlling the supply and discharge of the fluid so in dependence on the travel picked up by the pick-up system, that the piston is pushed backwards into a prescribed stretch.

Abstract: In a method of loading the hold of a suction dredger vessel, in which a sension of sand and water is pumped into the hold during loading which is carried out in a first stage and a subsequent second stage for avoiding that a siphon effect is not possible and that the last quantity of water cannot be replaced by a sand-water mixture, the effluent means are kept, after the suspension level in the hold has reached the external water level, under the action of a suction pump for lowering the suspension level to below the external water level.

Abstract: A dragged suction dredger, comprising a suction pipe provided with a dragged suction head having a housing with a recessed suction nozzle and a cutting tool extending, in the cutting position, into the ground and being pivotally mounted on the housing and being held in the cutting position by holding mechanism which will deflect at the transgression of a predetermined load of the cutting tool, has the object to avoid loss of time during the dredging operations and inefficient dredging. For this purpose the holding mechanism comprise at least one fluid cylinder for pushing the cutting tool after a deflection back into the cutting position or into the holding position respectively, the fluid pressure of said fluid cylinder being subjected to the action of a gas cushion.

Abstract: Rigid pipe sections of a dredger are pivotally connected to allow universal movement therebetween and a flexible, elastic bellows communicates the adjacent ends of the pipe sections. The bellows in its free state is prestressed so as to be under compression and is further compressed when in place between the ends of the pipe sections.

Abstract: A cutting-head suction-dredger comprises a floating body, a ladder and a cutting-head carried by the lower end of the ladder. The ladder supports against the floating body through a rail guide which is adapted to tilt with respect to the floating body and which extends in the direction of length of the ladder. This prevents that the engagement of the cutting-head upon the ground is disturbed during heaving movements of the floating body.

Abstract: In a suction dredger, the connection between the water tube flange and the water duct flange is more reliable in operation, if the slush tube is adapted to turn by means of a rotary gland with respect to the slush tube flange to be rigidly coupled with the floating body, with the slush tube flange being connected through an arm with a water tube piece, while the water tube piece is connected through a flexible tubing with the water tube.