Abstract: A system and method for predictive disease identification via simulations improved using machine learning. A method includes applying a plurality of machine learning models including a plurality of first machine learning models and a second machine learning model to features extracted from data including animal characteristics data of at least one animal, wherein the second machine learning model is a combiner model, wherein outputs of the plurality of machine learning models include a plurality of disease predictor values, wherein each disease predictor value corresponds to a respective disease type of a plurality of disease types; running a plurality of disease contraction simulations based on the plurality of disease predictor values; and generating at least one display element based on results of the plurality of disease contraction simulations.

Abstract: Scratching apparatus 1 comprising a plurality of scratchable sacrificial elements 7 that can be assembled together to form a tower 5, and a base 3 having a first surface on which the tower 5 can be mounted so that the tower 5 is generally upstanding from the base 3 when the apparatus 1 is in use.

Abstract: A modular animal bed 1 comprising a base 3 that is attachable to any of a plurality of different toppers 5 that each have a different configuration, the base and each said topper carrying respective parts of a multi-part fastening mechanism 15 that can be fastened together to couple a selected one of said plurality of toppers to said base.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of a meat analogue, comprising the steps of: a) introducing a meat batter comprising protein into a heating unit and heating the meat batter to a temperature above the melting point of the protein to produce a heat-treated product, wherein the heating unit optionally heats the meat batter by Ohmic heating, b) cooling the heat-treated product by moving through a cooling unit, so that the heat-treated product has a temperature below water boiling temperature at ambient pressure when exiting the cooling unit, and c) dividing the cooled heat-treated product into pieces and optionally d) tearing the pieces by passing the pieces through a roll nip (14) between a pair of counter-rotating cylindrical rolls (2, 4) having parallel axes of rotation (10, 12), a plurality of projections (16) being arranged on an outer surface of at least one of the rolls (2, 4).

Abstract: An animal house includes an impermeable hollow-moulded structure having at least one convex surface. The structure includes a first flat surface extending in a first direction and a second flat surface extending in a second direction. The convex surface connects the first flat surface to the second flat surface. The structure further includes a rib defining a sharp edge. The rib is configured to be releasably attached proximate to or on the convex surface such that the rib diverts a liquid flowing over the convex surface away from the structure. An impermeable hollow-moulded panel with protruding ridges is also provided to prevent water ingress.

Abstract: A system and method for predictive disease identification via simulations improved using machine learning. A method includes applying at least one machine learning model to features extracted from data including animal characteristics data of an animal, wherein outputs of the at least one machine learning model include a plurality of disease predictor values, wherein each disease predictor value corresponds to a respective disease type of a plurality of disease types; running a plurality of disease contraction simulations based on the plurality of disease predictor values; generating disease contraction statistics based on results of the plurality of disease contraction simulations; and determining, based on the disease contraction statistics, at least one disease prediction for the animal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the production of a meat analogue, comprising the steps of: a) introducing a meat batter comprising i) animal protein other than egg powder, ii) plant fiber and/or starch, and iii) egg powder, into a heating unit and heating the meat batter to a temperature above the melting point of the protein to produce a heat-treated product, b) cooling the heat-treated product by moving through a cooling unit, so that the heat-treated product has a temperature below water boiling temperature at ambient pressure when exiting the cooling unit, and c) dividing the cooled heat-treated product into pieces.

Abstract: A first implementation provides a clamp (10; 110; 210; 310) for connecting a plurality of wire mesh panels together, the clamp comprising a base (14; 114; 214; 314), a cap (12; 112; 212; 312) releasably attachable to the base, and a plurality of arms (18, 118, 218, 318) provided between the base and the cap to define a plurality of channels (500) within the clamp; wherein each said channel is configured to accommodate a portion of a loop of a respective one of said plurality of panels to connect the panels together.

Abstract: A lock (21) for an animal cage (11), the lock (21) being configured for locking a first wire mesh panel (13) of the cage to an adjacent second wire mesh panel (14), the lock comprising: a fastener (29, 31) for coupling the lock (21) to said first panel (13) in the vicinity of a peripheral edge of said first panel; a panel support (36) for supporting a peripheral edge portion of said adjacent second wire mesh panel (14), and a two-part locking mechanism (39, 41) reconfigurable between a first position in which said peripheral edge portion of said adjacent second wire mesh (14) panel is retained in said panel support (36) and a second position where said peripheral edge portion of said adjacent second wire mesh panel (14) can be moved out of said support (36).

Abstract: Scratching apparatus (1, 107, 133) comprising a support for a scratchable cover (5, 101), wherein the support comprises a plurality of support members (13, 15; 113, 115; 135, 137), the support being reconfigurable between first and second states, wherein in said first state a scratchable cover (5, 101) supported by said support is loosely mounted on said support and in said second state said scratchable cover (5, 101) is tensioned around the support, the arrangement being such that reconfiguring said support from said first state to said second state causes at least one of said support members (13, 15; 113, 115; 135, 137) to move relative to another support member to tension the scratchable cover around the support, and reconfiguring said support from said second state to said first state causes at least one of said support members (13, 15; 113, 115; 135, 137) to move relative to another support member to loosen the scratchable cover mounted on the support.

Abstract: The invention provides an animal house comprising an impermeable hollow-moulded structure 210 having at least one convex surface 219. The structure comprises a first flat surface 214 extending in a first direction and a second flat surface 213 extending in a second direction. The convex surface 219 connects the first flat surface 214 to the second flat surface 213. The structure 210 further comprises a rib 230 defining a sharp edge. The rib 320 is configured to be releasably attached proximate to or on the convex surface 219 such that the rib 230 diverts a liquid flowing over the convex surface 219 away from the structure 210. The invention also provides an impermeable hollow-moulded panel 810 with protruding ridges 800, 801 to prevent water ingress.

Abstract: A waste receptacle (1) for animal excreta, the waste receptacle (1) comprising: a housing having a base and at least one sidewall (3) upstanding from the base so as to define an internal housing void (7) in which a liner (9) can be provided; and a liner (9) insertable into said internal housing void, the housing liner (9) having a liner base and at least one liner sidewall supportable in use so as to be generally upstanding from said liner base, the liner base and said at least one liner sidewall cooperating to define an internal liner void for the receipt of animal litter; wherein the housing (1) and the liner (9) each comprise access ports that cooperate with one another when the liner is received (9) within said internal housing void (7) to allow an animal to enter the housing (1) and access litter provided within said liner void, the at least one liner sidewall further comprising a pocket (27) for the storage of a litter scoop, said pocket (27) being provided on an external face of the at least one liner

Abstract: A waste receptacle (4) for animal excreta, the waste receptacle comprising: a base and at least one sidewall upstanding from the base, the base and at least one sidewall cooperating to define a housing having an internal void, a periphery of said at least one sidewall remote from said base defining an opening to said void; a platform support (41) coupled to said at least one sidewall in the vicinity of said sidewall periphery; and a platform (11) supportable by said platform support to partly obstruct said opening, said platform comprising first (13) and second (15) platform parts that are pivotally coupled to one another, neighbouring peripheral walls of said first and second platform parts each comprising a recess (202, 204), the recess in the peripheral wall of said first platform part cooperating with the recess in the peripheral wall of said second platform part to define an access port (5) for enabling an animal to access the internal void of the housing via said access port, said neighbouring walls of

Abstract: Systems for operating a microfluidic device are described. The systems comprise a first surface configured to interface and operatively couple with a microfluidic device and a lid configured to retain the microfluidic device on the first surface. The lid comprises a first portion having a first fluid port configured to operatively couple with and flow fluidic medium into and/or out of a first fluid inlet/outlet of the microfluidic device and a second portion having a second fluid port configured to operatively couple with and flow fluidic medium into and/or out of a second fluid inlet/outlet of the microfluidic device. The second portion of the lid is separable from the first portion and movable between a closed position in which the second fluid port of the second portion of the cover is operatively coupled with the second fluid inlet/outlet of the microfluidic device and an open position in which a portion of the microfluidic device that contains the second fluid inlet/outlet is exposed.

Abstract: An arrangement of at least two adjacently arranged layer structures is provided for a magnetoresistive magnetic field sensor. Each layer structure has at least one antiferromagnetic layer, and a first ferromagnetic layer with a first magnetic moment. Exchange coupling is present between the antiferromagnetic layer and the first ferromagnetic layer. A second ferromagnetic layer with a second magnetic moment is included, wherein the second ferromagnetic layer is antiparallel coupled to the first ferromagnetic layer via a non-magnetic coupling layer arranged between the first and second ferromagnetic layers. The magnetisation of the corresponding first and corresponding second ferromagnetic layers of the adjacently arranged layer structures differs from one another, and in particular is of substantially mutually opposed orientation.

Abstract: End effectors and systems including end effectors including embedded batteries and auxiliary components powered by the batteries are described. In an example, the end effector includes a base portion coupleable to a motor carried by an appliance that is separate from the end effector; and a battery disposed in the base portion configured to power an auxiliary component of the end effector.

Abstract: A litter box liner comprises a base and at least one sidewall. Peripheral regions of the base and the at least one sidewall are coupled to one another to form an open-ended bag-like structure that defines a void for receiving litter. The base and the at least one sidewall are each of a fluid-impervious material and couplings between the peripheral regions of the base and the at least one sidewall are continuous and fluid impermeable.

Abstract: A kit for converting an animal bed having a core and a cover into a raised animal bed includes a support surface insertable into the animal bed so as to lie between the core and a part of the cover that forms the underside of the bed in use. The kit also includes a plurality of legs and fixings for coupling the legs to the support surface through part of the cover.

Abstract: Processes for the production of a meat analogue, comprising: a) introducing a meat batter comprising protein into a heating unit and heating the meat batter to a temperature above the melting temperature of the protein to produce a heat-treated product; b) transferring the heat-treated product to a cooling unit and cooling the heat-treated product to a temperature below water boiling an temperature at ambient pressure when exiting the cooling unit; and c) dividing the cooled heat-treated product into pieces, in which the pieces are at least partly re-introduced into the process; as well as a meat analogue prepared thereby.