Abstract: A gateway for connection to a host processor and multiple slaves, which are organized in a point-to-point (P2P) topology, is provided. The gateway has an independent channel for each of the slaves, and the gateway can receive multiple control signals, each including at least one control signal for a particular predetermined slave from the multiple slaves, from the host processor. The host processor determines whether the slaves for which the at least one control signal has been received are in an operational state; and to simultaneously output the control signals received from the host processor to the slaves for which the at least one control signal has been received only when all of the slaves for which the at least one control signal has been received are in the operational state.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and products for generating diverse libraries of genetic material. The products include libraries and constructed nucleic acids as well as kits and databases and systems thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a construction machine for introducing a displacement tube into the ground, wherein the displacement tube comprises a tube base body and, at its lower end, a closure device which comprises at least one closure flap which is adjustable between a closed position, in which the displacement tube is closed downwards by the at least one closure flap, and an open position, in which filling material is discharged from the displacement tube into the ground for forming a filling material column, wherein the construction machine comprises a feed drive for introducing and retracting the displacement tube into and out of the ground, respectively.

Abstract: Various embodiments are provided to implement an attachment for a firearm that operates as a flash hider, a muzzle brake, and/or to mount, e.g., a sound suppressor, to the firearm. In one example, a firearm attachment includes a base adapted to couple to a muzzle end of a barrel of a firearm. The firearm attachment includes a plurality of longitudinal tines that extend forward from the base. The base includes a plurality of apertures disposed rearward of the tines and that extend from a bore within the base through an outer circumfery of the firearm attachment. The apertures exhibit a first diameter at the bore and a second larger diameter at the outer circumfery. The apertures are adapted to impart thrust to the firearm attachment in response to combustion gases passed from the bore through the apertures to compensate for muzzle rise associated with the firearm.

Abstract: Various embodiments are provided to implement an attachment for a firearm that operates as a flash hider, a muzzle brake, and/or to mount, e.g., a sound suppressor, to the firearm. In one example, a firearm attachment includes a base adapted to couple to a muzzle end of a barrel of a firearm. The firearm attachment includes a plurality of longitudinal tines that extend forward from the base. The base includes a plurality of apertures disposed rearward of the tines and that extend from a bore within the base through an outer circumfery of the firearm attachment. The apertures exhibit a first diameter at the bore and a second larger diameter at the outer circumfery. The apertures are adapted to impart thrust to the firearm attachment in response to combustion gases passed from the bore through the apertures to compensate for muzzle rise associated with the firearm.

Abstract: A method of producing from particles of a layered material platelets comprising the layered material, the method comprising the steps of: mixing the particles of the layered material in a liquid medium; and exposing said mixed-in particles to a mechanical grinding treatment, thereby exfoliating at least some of the particles of the layered material to produce platelets from the layered material. Moreover, a method of producing from particles of a layered material platelets comprising the layered material, wherein the particles are exposed to a mechanical grinding treatment using grinding media, the stress energy of the grinding media SEGM being smaller than 10 ?Nm.

Abstract: A muzzle brake for a firearm, in accordance with one or more embodiments, may provide structural features that affect the flow characteristics of the combustion gases for reducing concussion to the shooter and/or to personnel to the sides of the shooter, as well as for directionally countering upward and sideward movement of the firearm's muzzle upon the firing of the firearm.

Abstract: A muzzle brake for a firearm, in accordance with one or more embodiments, may provide structural features that affect the flow characteristics of the combustion gases for reducing concussion to the shooter and/or to personnel to the sides of the shooter, as well as for directionally countering upward and sideward movement of the firearm's muzzle upon the firing of the firearm.

Abstract: A muzzle brake for a firearm, the muzzle brake including structural features that affect the flow characteristics of the combustion gases for reducing concussion to the shooter and to personnel to the sides of the shooter, as well as for directionally countering upward and sideward movement of the firearm's muzzle upon the firing of the firearm.

Abstract: A shipping container system for shipping pastries, especially adapted for shipping cupcakes, is provided. The system includes an outer box having a detachable outer lid, a receiving divider tray snugly insertable into the outer box and having therein an array of spaced-apart apertures into which pastries are placed for shipping, and a plurality of small posts, the number of which corresponds to the number of pastries, the proximal end of one of each post being inserted into each pastry in vertical orientation prior to shipping. An inner retaining lid encloses the pastries in the outer box, the inner lid being sized to seal the pastries within the outer box, the inner lid having integrally fabricated therein a plurality of outwardly oriented frustum-shaped protrusions, also corresponding in number to the number of pastries, with the protrusions being in concentric registry with the tray apertures on assembly of the system.

Abstract: A muzzle brake for a firearm, the muzzle brake including structural features that affect the flow characteristics of the combustion gases for reducing concussion to the shooter and to personnel to the sides of the shooter, as well as for directionally countering upward and sideward movement of the firearm's muzzle upon the firing of the firearm.

Abstract: A pump-motor unit (35) including a swashplate (95) having a neutral position (FIG. 3) and first and second displaced positions and comprising first (87) and second (89) pressure actuators associated with the swashplate. Displacement of the swashplate is proportional to substantially only the difference in fluid pressure between a high pressure source (41) and a low pressure source (39). The first pressure actuator includes a first control piston (121) having a first effective area (A1), and the second pressure actuator includes a second control piston (127) having a second effective area (A2), the second effective area being at least somewhat greater than the first effective area. If the high and low pressure sources are at substantially the same pressure, the pressure acting on both of the first and second effective areas will displace the swashplate from neutral toward the second displaced position.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining microorganisms in liquid test specimens includes a specimen providing station (10) with a transport apparatus (32, 36) for the continuous provision of cuvettes (26) containing specimens to be investigated, a dosing station (12) with a pipetting apparatus (14) for removing specimens from cuvettes (26) and for filling the specimens into measuring chambers formed in a measuring chamber plate (86) in matrix arrangement, a measuring station (16) with a measuring apparatus (146) for optically measuring the specimens in the measuring chambers and an endless conveyor (18) for serially receiving the measuring chamber plates (86) and for transporting the same through a dosing station (12), a measuring station (16) and through a temperature controllable waiting zone (22).

Abstract: Polyether ester amides having high water vapor permeability are disclosed. The amides which are prepared simply and reliably, crystallize quickly, are biodegradable and/or compostable, and are suitable in the manufacture of films by extrusion.

Abstract: A device for use in a rotary printing machine having at least one printing mechanism including a plate cylinder which can be releasably mounted on a shaft carrying the plate cylinder. The plate cylinder and the shaft can be oriented both axially and also in the peripheral direction relative to the shaft and thus relative to the article to be printed. When the plate cylinder and the shaft are oriented as desired, the plate cylinder is capable of being fixedly attached to the shaft. The plate cylinder can be fixed in the peripheral direction and in the axial direction.

Abstract: An UV-radiating apparatus for irradiating printing ink on items such as individual articles or portions of material comprises a reflector housing divided into first and second parts in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the radiation source of the apparatus. The two parts are each mounted pivotably about a respective axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the radiation source between a first limit position in which the reflector housing is open at its side towards the item to be irradiated and a second limit position in which the parts of the reflector housing, with their regions towards the item, form between the radiation source and the path of transportation movement of the item a shield which shields the item from the radiation source. Upon stepwise transportation movement of individual items or a web of material the period of action of the rays on the respective item can be controlled by suitable actuation of the parts of the reflector housing.