Abstract: An automated plant cultivation system is provided having multi-tiered vertically arranged horizontal magazine structures each employing seed or plant capsules with a fluid circulation and illumination and communication network controlled by an on-board processor. Particularly, the system includes a magazine structure having seed/plant capsules within seed/plant reservoirs alternately arranged between at least one of a light source substantially concealed from direct viewing. A fluid channel extends across a long axis of the magazine structure, wherein the magazine structure is adapted for use of seed/plant capsules with nutrient composite plant growth cultivation, hydroponic plant growth cultivation, aeroponic plant growth cultivation methods or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A fishing rod according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a rod body, and a fitting mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the rod body via a mounting portion of the fitting. A first fixing layer is formed to encircle the mounting portion and the rod body, and a second fixing layer is formed on the outer side of the first fixing layer. A coating layer made of a resin is formed on an outer side of the second fixing layer. In an embodiment, the coating layer is formed of a resin having a tensile elongation of 40% or more and a yield strain of 7% or more, both measured in conformity to JIS K 7161:2014, and the coating layer has a thickness of 1.3 mm or smaller.

Abstract: One variation of a method includes: accessing a video feed recorded at a training apparatus configured to dispense primary reinforcer units; dispensing a first primary reinforcer unit toward a first location; in response to detecting the animal at the first location, dispensing a second primary reinforcer unit toward a second location intersecting a pathway extending from the first location; in response to detecting movement of the animal along the pathway, collecting a timeseries of position data representing changes in position of a set of anatomical features of the animal; based on the timeseries of position data, deriving a movement profile representing movement of the animal along the pathway; based on a difference between the movement profile and a baseline movement profile defined for the animal, interpreting an abnormality and predicting a causal pathway for the abnormality; and selecting a mitigation protocol based on the causal pathway.

Abstract: A toy that can be placed on an animal crate as an on-crate treat delivery system. The toy can encourage low-energy positive reinforcement for animals acclimating to a new crate. The toy can be supported by a mesh network of the crate to provide an off-the-ground design that provides a treat to an animal inside the crate and helps keep an animal bed clean by not encouraging licking or chewing the bed. The toy can also be used facing outward from the crate, utilizing the crate as an elevated post for treat consumption.

Abstract: A fishing line guide member may include a line contacting surface that is in contact with a fishing line. The line contacting surface may have an arithmetic mean roughness Ra of 0.4 ?m or less, the arithmetic mean roughness Ra being obtained from a roughness profile. Further, the line contacting surface may have a core roughness depth Rk of 0.3 ?m or more and 1.5 ?m or less, the core roughness depth Rk being obtained from the roughness profile.

Abstract: A water cooling and salt aerosols removal system for cooling roots of a plant includes a salt water module configured to cool a salt water and to remove salt aerosols from an air stream, and a fresh water module configured to further remove salt aerosols from the air stream by using fresh water. The air stream exits the salt water module and enters the fresh water module, and wherein the salt water has a higher content of salt than the fresh water.

Abstract: A dog collar-leash combination including a collar (1) and a leash (2) in a housing (20), which leash is made available by means of a rolling and unrolling mechanism (21). The leash (2) in the housing (20) can be unwound against a spring force. An outer end of the leash (2) has a grip (22). The collar (1) has first and second free ends (11, 12) and the housing (20) for the leash (2) is provided on the first end (11) and a loop (13), through which the leash (2) is fed, is provided on the second end (12).

Abstract: Proposed is a pet exercise apparatus including a rotary body which is formed in an erected cylindrical shape, has at least one open side surface, and is disposed to be rotatable, so as to stimulate a pet's curiosity and induce spontaneous exercise thereof without harming the pet's emotions or health. The rotary body includes a tube and a movable ball. The tube has a transparent tubular shape, is partially filled with liquid, and is disposed along the inner circumference thereof. The movable ball is positioned near the surface of the liquid filling the tube. The rotary body rotates according to the movement of the pet who chases after the movable ball, so that the position of the movable ball is changed by a change in the position of the surface of the liquid so as to continuously stimulate the pet's curiosity.

Abstract: A detector for detecting a signal from one or more feeders. A processor is in communication with the can be configured with an artificial intelligence module and a library of pre-recorded action events and for comparing the signal with the library of pre-recorded action events and determining a likely action event. A warning device can be in communication with the processor for providing an output in response to the likely action event. At least one false positive sensor in communication with either the processor or the warning device or both of the processor and the warning device can be used for stopping the output from the warning device upon a predetermined condition.

Abstract: A box for safe chick transportation comprises a truncated or frusto-section of a rectangular pyramid structure, with a greater lineal dimension at the base of the compartment than at its top such that when grouped in any number in excess of two, they provide a V-shaped passageway for adequate ventilation between the plurality of boxes. A vertically aligned cylindrical insert placed within the rectangular pyramid structure encompassing at least a portion of the internal area thereby eliminating corners to decrease chick mortality. The rectangular pyramid structure a base compartment operable to receive a temperature control element therein for temperature control of the box contents.

Abstract: One object is to provide a grip having an improved nibble conductivity and a fishing rod having the grip. A grip according to an embodiment of the present invention is, e.g., a grip for a fishing rod. This grip includes a core layer externally mounted on a rod element, and a fiber-reinforced resin layer that covers the outer surface of the core layer. In an embodiment of the present invention, the fiber-reinforced resin layer contacts with an outer surface of the rod element. In an embodiment, the fiber-reinforced resin layer has a smaller damping ratio than the core layer.

Abstract: A smart fishing rod device that fits on the tip of any fishing rod. The line passes through the device, and the device senses tension on the line. A processor in the device is configured to interpret increases in tension as the presence of fish. The device can signal wirelessly to a smart device that there is a fish present. The device can also have one or more LEDs that flashes when a fish is present. The smart device can run an application (APP) that displays or signals the presence of a fish on one or more rods equipped with the device.

Abstract: A portable animal loading chute includes a floor and side walls for transferring animals from the ground to a higher semi-trailer and smaller lower trailer for transportation. The whole chute including both the base and side walls move upwardly and downwardly to the height of the vehicle. What we did is make the angle of the loading chute is designed at half way between both heights so that a triangular gap is formed as the end faces of the side walls are not vertical and do not meet the vertical walls at the ground and trailer. Thus a small rectangular panel is mounted at each end of each side wall that can pivot to adjust to give the final required angle for to meet the vertical walls at the respective height.

Abstract: A moving decoy support system for easy placement of decoys on stakes, and natural motion. The moving decoy support system generally includes a motion cone for the decoy, in which the motion cone has a first end, a second end, and a cavity extending into the first end toward the second end. The cavity has an opening at the first end and an upper surface at the second end which supports the decoy on a stake. The motion cone is mountable in the bottom of the decoy body. The motion cone may also have an upper, cylindrical portion and a funnel-shaped portion at the opening, so that the opening is larger than the inside, top of the cone. This allows for easier placement of the decoy on the stake. The motion cone allows the decoy to rotate and rock on the stake, giving the appearance of natural motion.

Abstract: A fishing rod holder is described. The fishing rod holder may be used in a variety of manners, including on land and at sea (on a boat). The fishing rod holder may be used in a recess or a sleeve built into the boat, used in a fighting chair, or even held by the fisherman as needed. The rod holder may further allow the fishing rod to rotate during, for example, trolling or other types of fishing. The fishing rod holder also includes a structure that supports the fishing rod when the fishing rod begins to bend or flex under the weight of a fish.

Abstract: One variation of a method for autonomously training animals to respond to oral commands includes: prompting a user to select a training protocol; prompting the user to record a first audio clip of the user reciting a voice command associated with a target pose within the training protocol, the user affiliated with the animal; accessing a video feed recorded by an optical sensor during a first training session; in the video feed, detecting the animal within a working field; while the animal is detected in the working field, playing back the first audio clip; in the video feed, detecting a current pose of the animal; calculating a deviation between the current pose of the animal and the target pose; in response to the deviation falling within a threshold: playing an audio clip of a secondary reinforcer; and dispensing a unit of a primary reinforcer via an integrated dispenser.

Abstract: A planting pot and tray system comprises a plurality of pots and a tray having multiple receptacles configured to receive the pots. Each pot includes at least one rounded side, and at least one generally flat side, with each receptacle including at least one curved wall and at least one generally straight wall. The receptacles are configured to receive the pots with the rounded and flat sides of the pot engaging with respective walls of the receptacle to whereby the respective shapes of the receptacles and pots orient the pots within the receptacles. A front wall of the receptacle is shorter than the pot whereby a portion of side of the pot is exposed and directed outwardly from the tray.

Abstract: A combined adjustable pet ball-throwing rod includes a rod body. A front ball socket is fixed to a first end of the rod body. The front ball socket has a hollow connecting tube. A rear ball socket is detachable and slidably sleeved on the connecting tube. The front ball socket and the rear ball socket form an elastic ball socket. The connecting tube is provided with a retaining portion, the first end of the rod body is provided with a buckling portion, and the buckling portion is buckled in the retaining portion. The quantity of the retaining portions is two, and the two retaining portions are respectively located on two opposite side walls of the connecting tube. The quantity of the buckling portions is two, and one buckling portion is buckled in one retaining portion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a colony system for growing poultry includes a rack system including vertically and horizontally oriented support members, where the support members can be beams that are structurally interconnected forming multiple vertically tiered channels through which a poultry basket can be conveyed, and where each channel formed by the support members has an entry end and an exit end. The system further includes an entry end pulley having multiple side-by-side entry end pulley grooves around an entry end circumference of the pulley. The system further includes an exit end pulley, and the exit end pulley has multiple side-by-side exit end pulley grooves around an exit end circumference of the exit end pulley, where the exit end pulley is rotatably mounted on an exit end bearing axle where the exit end bearing axle has opposing ends fixedly positioned.

Abstract: A waterfowl decoy converter system is disclosed. The waterfowl decoy converter system enables floating waterfowl decoys normally used to float in bodies of water to be converted for use in a field setting or attached to a ground surface to attract and lure waterfowl. The system includes a keel adapter assembly that is adjustable in height and is usable to hold a variety of waterfowl decoys even if the keels of the decoys have different shapes and sizes. A keel adapter assembly fits around the keel of the decoy which is then positioned within a keel trench, and the keel trench is attached to a stake that can be mounted where needed. The system allows for wind powered swivel motion and movement of the decoy when positioned on top of the decoy converter over a limited range of degrees to ensure realistic movement of the decoy.