Abstract: The invention relates to a device for use in large-scale industrial insect farming. More in particular, the invention relates to an insects transport device for transporting live insects from a first location to a predetermined second location, the insects transport device comprising a gas guiding unit, a gas discharge member and a feeder arrangement, wherein the insects transport device is configured to receive live insects such as freshly hatched neonate larvae, for example of black soldier fly, or mites, wherein the live insects are directly taken up in a laminar flow of gas after exiting the feeder arrangement in a free fall under influence of gravitation such that the live insects do not contact any surface of the insects transport device, and while in said gas are transported to a predetermined location in the insects transport device. Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of the device in industrial insect farming, such as large-scale farming of black soldier flies or mites.

Abstract: A work surface for a vehicle includes a first section, a central section, and a first lock assembly. The first section includes a proximal edge and a distal edge. The first section defines a channel therein. The central section includes a first end and a second end. The first end of the central section is positioned adjacent to the proximal edge of the first section. The proximal edge of the first section is pivotably coupled to the first end of the central section. The first section is movable between a stowed position and a fully-deployed position relative to the central section. The first lock assembly is coupled to the central section. The first lock assembly includes a post that is operable between a retracted position and an extended position. The fully-deployed position of the first section arranges the channel defined by the first section to receive the post.

Abstract: A breast pump device is provided, and a controller for operating a pressure source of the breast pump device. A degree of stretching of the nipple is determined during use of the breast pump device. A maximum under-pressure level to be applied during use of the breast pump is determined in dependence on the degree of stretching. This provides automatic pressure level adjustment to provide improved comfort for the user while enabling successful milk expression.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mask-shaped skin treatment device and system. The device comprises one or more coupling agent detectors configured to detect presence of coupling agent on one or more skin portions of a user and one or more heating elements configured to cause local heating of one or more skin portions of the user. The one or more heating elements are configured to cause heat selectively based on the presence of coupling agent measured by the one or more coupling agent detectors.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting scale comprises adding to a fluid that causes scale formation a polycarboxylic acid or a salt thereof which has a star structure and at least 5 arms. A star polymer comprising a core based on 2,2?-[Oxybis(methylene)]bis[2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-propanediol] and 6 arms comprising linear polycarboxylic acids of degree of polymerization (DP) of the arm of at least 2 and in some embodiments up to 15 or more is useful in inhibiting scale formation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for inhibiting scale comprising adding to a fluid that causes scale formation a polycarboxylic acid having a polymer backbone and a plurality of branches from the polymer backbone.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for inhibiting scale comprising adding to a fluid that causes scale formation a polycarboxylic acid or a salt thereof which has a star structure and at least 5 arms. Also, disclosed is a specific star polymer useful in scale inhibition which comprises a core based on 2,2?-[Oxybis(methylene)]bis[2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-propanediol] and 6 arms comprising linear polycarboxylic acids of degree of polymerization (DP) of the arm of at least 2 and in some embodiments up to 15 or more.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for inhibiting scale comprising adding to a fluid that causes scale formation a polycarboxylic acid having a polymer backbone and a plurality of branches from the polymer backbone.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting silica and silicate scale formation via treating an aqueous system containing silica with an effective amount of a chelating agent blended with a polymeric dispersant in a weight ratio range from greater than 1.0:0.5 to less than 1.0:3.0, agent to dispersant, including blends in a weight ratio of 1:1. Specifically, the chelating agent is either EDTA or DTPA, while the polymer dispersant is an acid and alkylene oxide derived dispersant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mask-shaped skin treatment device and system. The device comprises one or more coupling agent detectors configured to detect presence of coupling agent on one or more skin portions of a user and one or more heating elements configured to cause local heating of one or more skin portions of the user. The one or more heating elements are configured to cause heat selectively based on the presence of coupling agent measured by the one or more coupling agent detectors.

Abstract: Detecting nucleic acid sequences in a sample, such as the detection of pathogenic organisms in clinical samples. More specifically, detecting an infection caused by a pathogenic organism such as a virus or a bacterium in a clinical specimen by means of amplifying and detecting specific nucleic acid sequences from said pathogenic organism. A multiplex assay with the possibility to determine about 30 different target nucleic acid sequences in a single one-tube assay combined with real-time probe detection.

Abstract: The invention is in the technical field of detecting nucleic acid sequences in a sample, such as the detection of pathogenic organisms in clinical samples. More specifically, the invention relates to the field of detecting an infection caused by a pathogenic organism such as a virus or a bacterium in a clinical specimen by amplifying and detecting specific nucleic acid sequences from the pathogenic organism. It provides a multiplex assay with the possibility to determine about 30 different target nucleic acid sequences in a single one-tube assay combined with real-time probe detection. The method employs multiplex ligation dependent Probe Amplification (MLPA) employing labelled primers in combination with labelled, probes and detection of the fluorescence.

Abstract: Detecting nucleic acid sequences in a sample, such as the detection of pathogenic organisms in clinical samples. More specifically, detecting an infection caused by a pathogenic organism such as a virus or a bacterium in a clinical specimen by means of amplifying and detecting specific nucleic acid sequences from said pathogenic organism. A multiplex assay with the possibility to determine about 30 different target nucleic acid sequences in a single one-tube assay combined with real-time probe detection.

Abstract: The invention is in the technical field of detecting nucleic acid sequences in a sample, such as the detection of pathogenic organisms in clinical samples. More specifically, the invention relates to the field of detecting an infection caused by a pathogenic organism such as a virus or a bacterium in a clinical specimen by means of amplifying and detecting specific nucleic acid sequences from said pathogenic organism. It provides a multiplex assay with the possibility to determine about 30 different target nucleic acid sequences in a single one-tube assay combined with real-time probe detection. The method employs multiplex ligation dependent Probe Amplification (MLPA) employing labelled primers in combination with labelled, probes and detection of the fluorescence.

Abstract: A heat-sensitive apparatus includes a substrate with a top surface, one or more bars being rotatably joined to the surface and having bimorph portions, and a plate rotatably joined to the surface and substantially rigidly joined to the one or more bars. Each bimorph portion bends in response to being heated. The one or more bars and the plate are configured to cause the plate to move farther away from the top surface in response to the one or more bimorph portions being heated.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical actuator includes a comb drive and a deformable connector. The comb drive has a first capacitor plate and a second capacitor plate. The capacitor plates have teeth capable of inter-digitating. The deformable connector is configured to apply a mechanical restoring force to the first capacitor plate. The deformable connector is configured to restore the first capacitor plate to be at an equilibrium rest position in response to no control voltage being applied across the capacitor. The comb drive is more engaged at the equilibrium rest position than at a mechanical stability threshold of the comb drive. The capacitor plates are disengaged at the equilibrium rest position.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a substrate and a MEM device. The MEM includes a comb capacitor and a magnetic element physically connected to one electrode of the comb capacitor. The magnetic element is capable of moving the one electrode in a manner that alters a capacitance of the comb capacitor. The apparatus also includes at least one spring physically connecting the magnetic element to the substrate.

Abstract: Nucleotide sequences coding signal transduction components in durable and broad-range resistance strategies based on plant defense. The invention relates to nucleotide sequences derived from a plant genorne, capable of encoding a polypeptide product which can be activated as a signaling molecule in the signal transduction pathway of resistance to a plant pathogen which resistance results from the interaction between polypeptide products encoded by a resistance gene and elicitors encoded by an avirulence gene in said soil pant pathogen wherein the polypeptide product encoded by the nucleotide sequence interacts with a polypeplide product encoded by said resistance gene. The invention further relates to the use of these sequences and/or polypeptide products in the establishment of durable and broad range resistance strategies based on plant defense.

Abstract: Multiple drives are coupled together to cause rotation about a single axis by an arrangement in which two moveable electrode plates flank a fixed electrode plate such that the opposite direction rotations of the two moveable electrode plates are combined. To this end, at least one arm from at least one of the moveable electrode plates is connected to at least one arm of a moveable electrode plate on the opposite side of the fixed electrode plate, e.g., by a spring. The electrode plates may have comb projections. A post may be coupled at one of its ends to the top of one of the moveable electrode plates, and the post's other end is coupled to a plate, e.g., a mirror or other structure to be moved.

Abstract: A MEMS device achieves a large angle of rotation of a plate about 2 independent axes by employing a handle portion of the plate which is isolated by respective springs coupling the handle portion to each of two actuators. A first actuator, which rotates the mirror about the same axis as done in U.S. Pat. No. 6,781,744 is essentially the same structure disclosed therein, but with the mirror plate thereof shrunken in size. This shrunken plate is coupled by a spring to the mirror plate of the instant invention. Movement of the shrunken plate causes corresponding movement of the handle portion, and hence the mirror. A second actuator, coupled by another spring to the mirror plate of the instant invention, rotates about a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis and parallel to the substrate. The second actuator includes an actuator plate and an electrode thereunder.