Abstract: A device for growing plants above a selected surface includes a bottom member disposed upon a selected surface; a top member disposed upon and secured to said bottom member via two longitudinal securing seams, whereby, said top member includes two outer longitudinal flap portions and a longitudinal center portion, which ultimately receives a growing material in which plants and/or seeds are disposed. The longitudinal flap portions are ultimately folded above the growing material whereby longitudinal edge portions of the flap portions are separated a predetermined distance for allowing water and light to engage the growing material. Pipe members are removably secured to longitudinal edge portions of each longitudinal side of the bottom member, thereby enabling the manual lifting and transport of the device for disposal upon a selected surface.

Abstract: A dog toilet includes: a receptacle in which a dog urinates; a urination detection sensor that includes a first electrode and a second electrode; and an operating device that operates based on a conducting state of the first electrode and the second electrode of the urination detection sensor. At least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is spaced apart from the receptacle. The dog toilet further includes an insulating member arranged between the receptacle and at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: A system comprising a first transmitter for transmitting a first signal at a first frequency and a second transmitter for transmitting a second signal at a second frequency. The system includes a collar unit comprising a filter for receiving a combined signal, wherein the combined signal comprises the first signal and the second signal, wherein the filter includes a first antenna for detecting the first signal and a second antenna for detecting the second signal. The collar unit includes at least one signal analysis component configured to analyze the first signal and the second signal. The collar unit is configured to instruct a stimulus delivery unit to deliver a stimulus to the animal when the first signal voltage falls below a first value and the second signal voltage exceeds a second value.

Abstract: A system and associated methods use an animal harness attached to an animal to improve security at a location (e.g., a home, office, warehouse, etc.). The animal harness collects health status data of the animal, and the health status data is processed using one or more algorithms that detect changes in one or more of excitement, agitation, stress, and/or anxiety in the animal. These changes are interpreted, using a behavioral model of the animal, to determine whether the animal is witnessing a security event at the location, and when the health status data indicates the security event, the system may generate an alert. The behavioral model may be updated over time to improve performance of the algorithms to detect security events.

Abstract: Disclosed are an intelligent separation and drying system for maggots and a method of operating the same. The intelligent separation and drying system includes an intelligent light control unit, an intelligent scraping unit, a separation unit, a drying unit, a travelling unit and a central control unit. The central control unit is connected to other units through signals. Multidisciplinary techniques, including spectrum analysis, machine learning algorithm and artificial neural network, are combined to automatically, systematically, intelligently and continuously separate maggots and maggot feed as well as dry the maggots with high efficiency in a clean manner.

Abstract: A portable, handheld, unit for extracting scorpion venom is disclosed. The unit includes body and tail restraints for restraining a scorpion such that the scorpion is held safely and humanely. When restrained, the scorpion's tail extends beyond an end of the unit and over a retractable venom receptacle. The unit also includes a chamber for holding a reservoir of cleaning fluid and a mechanical switch for expelling fluid from the reservoir onto the scorpion's stinger. The unit also includes a fan for drying the cleaned scorpion's stinger. The unit also includes a wire for delivering an electrical current to the scorpion's tail to cause the scorpion to express its venom into the venom receptacle.

Abstract: A tile has interlockable edges for forming a mat assembly customizable for different cat litter box arrangements. The tile includes a rectangular base; prongs; and respective peripheral walls protruding away from the base at its sides. The base also includes: primary male interlocking edge structure on first and third sides, each capable of respectively interlocking with primary female interlocking edge structure on the second and fourth sides, to inhibit relative movement therebetween in a first direction; secondary male interlocking edge structure on the first and third sides, each capable of respectively interlocking with secondary female interlocking edge structure on the second and fourth sides, to inhibit relative movement in a second direction; and tertiary female interlocking edge structure on the first and third sides, each capable of respectively interlocking with tertiary male interlocking edge structure on the second and fourth sides, to inhibit relative movement in a third direction.