Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for analyzing the maturity of one or more supply chain entities according to competencies of an omni-channel retailer. The one or more supply chain entities including a retail manager that assesses the one or more supply chain entities according to one or more competencies and determines one or more maturity gaps associated with the one or more competencies. The retail manger further identifies one or more transition projects that fill the one or more maturity gaps and roadmaps one or more transition activities that generate the one or more identified transition projects. The one or more supply chain entities further adjusts an inventory of one or more products at least partially based on the one or more roadmapped transition activities.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for analyzing the maturity of one or more supply chain entities according to competencies of an omni-channel retailer. The one or more supply chain entities including a retail manager that assesses the one or more supply chain entities according to one or more competencies and determines one or more maturity gaps associated with the one or more competencies. The retail manger further identifies one or more transition projects that fill the one or more maturity gaps and roadmaps one or more transition activities that generate the one or more identified transition projects. The one or more supply chain entities further adjusts an inventory of one or more products at least partially based on the one or more roadmapped transition activities.

Abstract: The invention provides a single colorimetric reagent for the measurement of oxidizing agents such as free chlorine in a liquid sample which contains a food dye, whereby the oxidizing agent undergoes a reaction with said food dye. A preferred food dye is Brilliant Blue FCF. There is also provided a control system for regulating the volume of reagent added to a fixed volume of sample according to a control algorithm to give a chosen excess of a reagent compound beyond that required to stoichiometrically react with the target analyte in the sample. Also disclosed are single reagents for colorimetric determination of total alkalinity and calcium hardness.

Abstract: A chemical analyzer analyzes a sample for a target chemical. The sample and reagent are added to a measurement cell until a detectable change is observed. A reference compound, which does not take part in the reaction between the target chemical and reagent, is added to the reagent. By measuring the concentration of the reference compound, the amount of reagent used may be determined. In one embodiment, a mechanism introduces the sample, adds reagent, mixes, cleans, and flushes the measurement cell, which incorporates a longitudinal chamber having inlets for the sample and reagent and an outlet for measured sample/reagent mixtures. A detector located in or adjacent to the chamber between the inlets and outlet and a piston movable in the chamber carries seals such that movement of a piston sequentially opens the inlets and expels the fluid. The analyzer also includes a device that delivers reagent to a measurement cell.

Abstract: The invention provides a single colorimetric reagent for the measurement of oxidising agents such as free chlorine in a liquid sample which contains a food dye, whereby the oxidising agent undergoes a reaction with said food dye. A preferred food dye is Brilliant Blue FCF. There is also provided a control system for regulating the volume of reagent added to a fixed volume of sample according to a control algorithm to give a chosen excess of a reagent compound beyond that required to stoichiometrically react with the target analyte in the sample. Also disclosed are single reagents for colorimetric determination of total alkalinity and calcium hardness.

Abstract: A chemical analyser analyses a sample for a target chemical. The sample and reagent are added to a measurement cell until a detectable change is observed. A reference compound, which does not take part in the reaction between the target chemical and reagent, is added to the reagent. By measuring the concentration of the reference compound, the amount of reagent used may be determined. In one embodiment, a mechanism introduces the sample, adds reagent, mixes, cleans, and flushes the measurement cell, which incorporates a longitudinal chamber having inlets for the sample and reagent and an outlet for measured sample/reagent mixtures. A detector located in or adjacent to the chamber between the inlets and outlet and a piston movable in the chamber carries seals such that movement of a piston sequentially opens the inlets and expels the fluid. The analyzer also includes a device that delivers reagent to a measurement cell.

Abstract: A horticultural system which consists of a container for a plant which sits within a reservoir for irrigation liquid to allow flow of irrigation liquid between the container and reservoir. Irrigation liquid may be to said container and/or said reservoir. Sensor means are located in said reservoir to measure the volume of liquid in said reservoir and a second sensor means in said reservoir measures the electrical conductivity of liquid in said reservoir. A controller is programmed to control the supply of irrigation liquid to the container and/or reservoir using the measurement of liquid height and electrical conductivity in said reservoir.

Abstract: A liquid sample is analysed for a target chemical. A sample solution is added to a measurement cell of known volume and a reagent is incrementally added to the cell until a detectable change is observed. A reference compound, of a known concentration, that does not take part in the reaction between the target chemical and reagent, is added to the reagent and by measuring the concentration of the reference compound the amount of reagent used may be determined. A single mechanism introduces a sample, adds reagent mixes cleans and flushes the measurement cell which incorporates a longitudinal chamber having a number of fluid inlets for sample and reagent and an outlet for measured sample/reagent mixtures, a detector being located in or adjacent to said chamber between the inlets and said outlet and a piston movable in said chamber carrying a series of seals such that movement of the piston sequentially opens the inlets and expels the fluid.

Abstract: An incubation condition monitoring device has at least one reader unit (10) to measure selected characteristics with an incubator (2). The reader unit transmits the information to a receiver/transmitter (12) within the incubator to receive the measurements and to transmit the measurements of the selected characteristics to a data logger (14) outside the incubator. A monitor and display system (16) monitors and displays the measurements of the selected characteristics. The selected characteristics within the incubator can be temperature and pH.

Abstract: A soil moisture sensor which includes a processor to derive soil moisture values and a memory store associated with said processor to store measured values on a periodic basis, wherein the processor scales the stored moisture values to establish a moisture range for the sensor that can be used to calibrate each new reading. The sensor includes a capacitive sensor. In one embodiment the processor measures the capacitance at a single frequency and also measures the phase and amplitude to derive measures of soil impedance due to moisture content and conductivity. In another embodiment the soil sensor capacitor is part of a resonant circuit and the resonant frequency of the circuit is measured as an indication of soil moisture. The sensor is constructed on a single substrate, which also functions as its own insertion stake into the soil.

Abstract: An ion detection arrangement 140 for a time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometer 10 includes a beam splitter formed as a mesh 150 at the end of the TOF acceleration and detection chamber 110. Ions enter the detection arrangement through a common entrance window and are then divided by the beam splitter. Those ions striking the mesh 150 generate secondary electrons 160 which are detected by a microchannel plate forming a first detector 170. Those ions passing through the ion beam splitter are detected directly by a second detector 190 also formed from a microchannel plate. The two detectors are each connected to a corresponding data acquisition system 180, 200 and the data obtained by each are combined to generate a mass spectrum. The problems of detector saturation are thus avoided.

Abstract: A time-of-flight mass spectrometer, for example, a MALDI-TOF spectrometer, measures the characteristics of the charge to mass ratio of ionized particles by measuring the time taken for the particles to travel a pre-determined distance. The spectrometer comprises an accelerator (14) which accelerates the particles along at least two paths, which may be contained in a single beam of charged particles. Two detectors (26 and 30) mark the ends of the paths and are operable to detect the particles travelling therealong. The length of the path leading to the first detector (26) differs from that of the path leading to the second detector (30) to a sufficient extent to enable the difference in detection times of corresponding particles at the two detectors to be used to provide a measurement of said characteristics.

Abstract: An ion detection arrangement 140 for a time-of-flight (TOF)mass spectrometer 10 includes a beam splitter formed as a mesh 150 at the end of the TOF acceleration and detection chamber 110. Ions enter the detection arrangement through a common entrance window and are then divided by the beam splitter. Those ions striking the mesh 150 generate secondary electrons 160 which are detected by a microchannel plate forming a first detector 170. Those ions passing through the ion beam splitter are detected directly by a second detector 190 also formed from a microchannel plate.