Abstract: The invention relates to methods, compositions and kits for improving the raising of pre-adult anadromous fish, or preparing pre-adult anadromous fish for transfer to seawater. The methods involve adding at least one Polyvalent Cation Sensing Receptor (PVCR) modulator to the freshwater in an amount sufficient to increase expression and/or sensitivity of at least one PVCR; and adding feed for fish consumption to the freshwater, wherein the feed comprises an amount of NaCl sufficient to contribute to a significantly increased level of the PVCR modulator in serum of the pre-adult anadromous fish.

Abstract: A plant packaging and covering system comprising a floral sleeve having a base portion and skirt portion. The sleeve may have an upper protective sleeve portion which can surround a plant disposed in a pot and which can be detached once the protective function of the sleeve has been completed thereby allowing the skirt portion to extend angularly from the base portion. The sleeve has a plurality of folds, some constricted by constriction elements, the folds comprising expansion elements for allowing portions of the base portion to expand, and portions of the skirt portion to extend angularly, when a pot is disposed within the sleeve.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods, compositions and kits for improving the raising of pre-adult anadromous fish, or preparing pre-adult anadromous fish for transfer to seawater. The methods involve adding PVCR modulators (e.g., calcium and/or magnesium) to the freshwater in an amount sufficient to increase expression and/or sensitivity of at least one PVCR; and adding feed for fish consumption to the freshwater, wherein the feed contains an amount of NaCl sufficient to contribute to a significantly increased level of the PVCR modulator in serum of the pre-adult anadromous fish.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods, compositions and kits for improving the raising of pre-adult anadromous fish, or preparing pre-adult anadromous fish for transfer to seawater. The methods involve adding at least one Polyvalent Cation Sensing Receptor (PVCR) modulator to the freshwater in an amount sufficient to increase expression and/or sensitivity of at least one PVCR; and adding feed for fish consumption to the freshwater, wherein the feed comprises an amount of NaCl sufficient to contribute to a significantly increased level of the PVCR modulator in serum of the pre-adult anadromous fish.

Abstract: A skinning blade assembly with a blade, clamp, and shoe where the blade is frictionally received in a recess formed in the bottom surface of the clamp, the clamp having a slot that extends from the top of the clamp through the bottom of the clamp such that a tool can be inserted in the slot to apply sufficient force against the back edge of the blade to overcome the frictional force of the clamp acting on the blade to remove the blade from the receiving recess.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel method and system for dehairing an animal, providing a system for recycling and safely disposing of chemical and biological wastes produced during such dehairing method. Included in such method are processes for handling sodium production in waste materials, reducing and handling production of H2S, removing sulfides from animal hides, safely disposing of sulfide waste, removing solids from the waste materials, and reducing water and reagent use and disposal.

Abstract: A method of enhancing coffee bean production including the steps of providing a trellis, planting coffee tree shoots along the trellis, and utilizing the trellis to open up the coffee tree in order to increase sun exposure thereon. The trellis includes aligned end assemblies spaced from one another and posts positioned between the end assemblies. At least one wire is interconnected between the end assemblies and attached to the posts in order to serve as an attachment to branches of the coffee trees planted along the trellis. Preferably, multiple wires are interconnected between the end assemblies and vertically spaced from one another along the length of the post. A drip hose may be attached to and extend along a length of one of the wires. Additional portions of the coffee tree are attached to the vertically spaced wires as the coffee tree grows.

Abstract: A cutting implement particularly useful for manually deveining shrimp or other crustaceans includes a blade with a cutting edge, a handle attached to the cutting implement, and a vein-removal brush mounted on the cutting implement. The user exposes the intestinal cavity of the crustacean with the cutting edge, and then laterally rotates the cutting implement such that the vein-removal brush is adjacent to the cavity. The user then sweeps the intestinal cavity with the vein removal brush such that the crustacean is cleaned of intestinal debris.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for loading poultry into containers (6). Via a supply track (7, 7′) and buffers (19, 20), animals are gathered to form groups and brought into containers (6). A distributing conveyor (33) groups animals alternately in the one and the other one of the buffers (19, 20) and extends from the one buffer to the other buffer. The downstream end (14) of the supply track (7, 7′) links up with the distributing conveyor (38) at a point between the buffers (19, 20). The conveying direction of the distributing conveyor (33) is reversed for switching from the conveyance of animals to the one buffer (19, 20) to the conveyance of animals to the other buffer (19, 20). The moment at which a switch is made from transferring animals to the other one of the buffers can be accurately determined, while the supply of animals is continued uninterruptedly. The apparatus can be made of short and compact design.

Abstract: In detail, the system includes at least one first pulley mounted on the first structural member and at least one-second pulley mounted on the second structural member. A cable is attached by one end to the first structural member and wound about the first and second pulleys and is attached by its second end to the second structural member. Preferably there are two or more first and second pulleys with the cable alternately wound between said first and second pulleys with one end of cable attached to the first structural member and the opposite end attached to the second structural member. Thus the cable holds the first and second structural members together. A system to sever the cable is included, which upon actuation will sever the cable allowing the two structural members to separate.

Abstract: An ammunition magazine for beltless fed ammunition is disclosed. The magazine includes at least one endlessly guided ammunition guide chain to transport ammunition, and a chain tightener to tighten the ammunition guide chain with a predetermined chain tension. The chain tightener carries out a clamping movement in the direction of tightening to increase the chain tension and carries out a clamping movement against the direction of tightening to reduce the chain tension. To prevent slack from developing, (for example, during acceleration of the ammunition guide chain), the chain tightener is provided with a brake to influence the spring constant of the chain tightener as a function of the direction of tightening and the speed of the clamping movement.

Abstract: An arrangement for adjustably attaching an article, such as a fishing reel, to a rod. The adjustable attachment arrangement of the present invention comprises at least one mounting zone located above and/or below a rod handle and at least one securement arrangement adapted for attaching at least one article to a rod at one of the mounting zones. For each article, a corresponding securement arrangement is adapted to mount the article to the rod at a mounting zone. Each securement arrangement is configured for longitudinal displacement along at least a portion of said mounting zone allowing a user to at least adjust the weight balance and feel of said rod.

Abstract: A flower bud wrapper includes a semi-rigid, perforated, expandable tube, preferably containing a longitudinal slit. The wrapper can be expanded by pushing the tube down a flared delivery tube having a key disposed in the slits by a set of expandable prongs pushing on a lip connected to the top end of each wrapper.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for aseptically separating and removing the hide of an animal from its carcass wherein the hide is separated from the carcass prior to marking of the hide using at least one cutting implement inserted between the hide and the carcass for cutting the connecting tissue attaching the hide and carcass. The hide, once separated, is then marked and removed from the carcass.

Abstract: A retaining-wall system has a plurality of substantially identical wall elements each having an elongated and downwardly open body with opposite ends each formed with a connection having an upwardly directed connection formation and at least one splice element having a body engageable between the wall elements above the connections and having a pair of downwardly directed connection formations complementarily interfittable with the upwardly directed connection formations of the wall elements.

Abstract: An ammunition feed device is disclosed for feeding beltless fed ammunition to a self-loading weapon. The disclosed device includes an endlessly guided ammunition feed chain to feed ammunition into the weapon. It also includes at least two deflection units to guide the ammunition feed chain. Additionally, the disclosed device includes a drive for intermittently driving one of the deflection units in order to intermittently feed ammunition to the weapon in the ammunition feed direction. To reduce the acceleration forces applied by the drive of the ammunition feed chain without changing the operating speeds of the ammunition feed chain, the undriven deflection unit is connected to a blocking device that substantially blocks movement of the deflection unit opposite the ammunition feed direction.

Abstract: A leg protection apparatus for steers in the roping industry. The apparatus has an upper and a lower portion. The lower portion has a VELCRO closure alongside the entire edge so that a secure complete cylindrical portion can be fit over the lower part of the hind leg of the steer. The upper portion is of a generally rectangular shape of material and has a series of complimentary VELCRO portions on each end. The upper portion goes above the hock of the same leg. The interior sections of the apparatus use a padding such as an open cell foam padding to further protect the steer.

Abstract: The present invention is a lawn edging made of plastic material and comprising a ridge extending along a length thereof. A soil covering portion extends from and along the ridge. A soil penetrating portion also extends from and along the ridge at an angle from the soil covering portion. The soil penetrating portion has an anchoring projection along an edge thereof. A lip extends from and along the ridge, along a median of the angle mentioned above, away from the soil covering portion and the soil penetrating portion. The angle mentioned above is less than a right angle such that when the soil covering portion is bent at a right angle with the soil penetrating portion, the lip extends away from a plane defined by the soil penetrating portion. The lawn edging is also collapsible and bendable to form a coil having parallel coil layers.

Abstract: A sleeve used to wrap items such as potted plants. The sleeve may have an open or closed bottom. When closed, the bottom may have a gusset for allowing expansion upon the depositing of the pot into the sleeve. The sleeve has a detachable upper portion. The sleeve may have a bonding material disposed upon an inner or outer portion of the sleeve for attaching the sleeve to the pot or item.

Abstract: A hand held skinner having a handle portion, a base portion and a neck portion connecting the handle portion to the base portion. The base portion has finger portions extending from the neck portion toward a first and second tip respectively. The fingers are angularly spaced apart to define a channel therebetween. A cutting member is mounted so as to transverse the channel.