Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a liquid chromatography system including: a first solvent manager configured to dispense various ratios of a first solvent and a second solvent; a first column in fluid communication with the first solvent manager; a mixer in fluid communication with the first column; a first valve in fluid communication with the mixer; a second column having a first end in fluid communication with a first port of the first valve and a second end in fluid communication with a second port of the first valve; a second solvent manager adapted and configured to dispense various ratios of a third solvent and a fourth solvent; and a second valve in fluid communication with the second solvent manager, the first valve, and the mixer. The first valve and the second valve are adapted and configured for actuation between and a second position.

Abstract: A tool head for a machine tool comprising a plurality of tool spindles with each tool spindle being rotatable about a respective tool axis. The plurality of tool spindles comprises at least a first tool spindle rotatable about a first tool axis, a second tool spindle rotatable about a second tool axis and a third tool spindle being rotatable about a third tool axis with the first, second and third tool axes being parallel to one another. The first, second and third tool spindles are arranged on the tool head whereby one of the first, second and third tool spindles faces a first direction and the other two of the first, second and third tool spindles face a second direction with the first and second directions being 180 degrees apart. The tool spindles are preferably grinding spindles on a machine for grinding bevel gear cutting tools.

Abstract: A method of estimating the soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks for a grassland based on the plant-derived SOC plus the dung-derived SOC minus the carbon lost through microbial maintenance respiration. The plant-derived SOC, dung-derived SOC, and microbial maintenance respiration are estimated by considering the effect of one or more of the lignin and cellulose content of the plant material, the estimated annual aboveground and belowground plant production, the grazing intensity, the number of fires per year, the mean annual rainfall, the belowground net primary production, and the soil texture. The method thus provides an allowance of plants to compensate for grazing without losing leaf area, and the diversion of carbon through grazing animals and into soil through the deposit of dung.

Abstract: A tool head for a machine tool comprising a plurality of tool spindles with each tool spindle being rotatable about a respective tool axis. The plurality of tool spindles comprises at least a first tool spindle rotatable about a first tool axis, a second tool spindle rotatable about a second tool axis and a third tool spindle being rotatable about a third tool axis with the first, second and third tool axes being parallel to one another. The first, second and third tool spindles are arranged on the tool head whereby one of the first, second and third tool spindles faces a first direction and the other two of the first, second and third tool spindles face a second direction with the first and second directions being 180 degrees apart. The tool spindles are preferably grinding spindles on a machine for grinding bevel gear cutting tools.

Abstract: A multi-axis computer controlled machine tool for relief grinding of single and multiple start threaded hobs (46). The machine comprises an angular oriented spindle (65) that can be angularly (swivel) positioned thereby providing the flexibility to utilize both cup-shaped grinding wheels (55) and pencil-shaped grinding wheels (52) for grinding of hob and milling cutter relieved tooth geometry without exchanging grinding spindles assemblies or modifying the machine construction to accommodate two types of grinding methods or utilizing an additional machine axis for the spindle re-orientation.

Abstract: A self-locking safety pin comprising a tubular body which extends in circular fashion in a plane between opposed, spaced ends, the ends disposed to form a gap in the circular body, and an elongated curved tongue slidably mounted to extend, under bias, between a closed position extending across the gap from one end of the body into the other, and an open position in which the tongue is withdrawn into said one end of the body. The free end of the tongue is tapered to a fabric-piercing point. An actuator, by which the tongue may be moved to open position, extends from the tongue through an elongated slot on the body to the exterior surface of the body. An anchor is also positioned on the exterior surface of the body, spaced from the actuator. The actuator, anchor and slot are located on the side surface of the body, opposite from the gap.