Abstract: The invention is a system and method for the reduction of stress and anxiety responses by animals to unfamiliar events or circumstances such as veterinary visits. The method includes progressive scent identification conditioning. An animal associates one or more pleasing fragrances or scents with pleasure and safety and thus a reduced level of stress/anxiety. This association persists for a sufficient period of time so the animal is able to better handle unfamiliar events/circumstances by maintaining a lower level of stress/anxiety. Scent association conditioning is achieved by presentation of a reward such as edible treats of different sizes and effective taste intensities when scent exposure occurs. The time between scent exposure and receipt of a treat is gradually increased during conditioning to reach an optimal or maximum period in which the animal can maintain a low level of stress/anxiety.

Abstract: A trap for spiders and other insects is provided. The trap is especially useful for catching brown recluse (Loxosceles reclusa) spiders, whose bites are extremely harmful. The trap need not utilize chemical attractants or other behavior-modifying environmentally harmful chemicals, or food bait or lights to attract the spiders. The internal volume of the trap can be shaped as a triangular prism with open triangular faces and openings in the front. At least a portion of the floor is coated with bug adhesive. The trap can be packaged as a kit including a flat sheet that can be folded a three-dimensional shape. The fronts can include spaced vertical struts. Methods and kits for making using the traps are also provided.

Abstract: A plant incubator apparatus and method of growing plants includes a sloped lower plant housing. The lower plant housing has multiple lower depressions and a lower locking periphery. An upper plant housing is coplanar to the lower plant housing, and has multiple upper depressions that receive a plant growing medium. The depressions are in communication to enable flow of liquid and air. An upper locking periphery detachably mates with the lower locking periphery to form a slot for air circulation. A light guard fits over the upper plant housing to block light from striking a plant from at least one direction. A valve assembly is at the drainage end of the lower plant housing. The valve assembly is in communication with the upper depressions of the upper plant housing to indicate liquid levels and drain excess liquid. A liquid regulation device having a timer automatically controls drainage of liquid.

Abstract: System and methods for monitoring the growth of an aquatic plant culture and detecting real-time characteristics associated with the aquatic plant culture aquatic plants. The systems and methods may include a control unit configured to perform an analysis of at least one image of an aquatic plant culture. The analysis may include processing at least one collected image to determine at least one physical characteristic or state of an aquatic plant culture. Systems and methods for distributing aquatic plant cultures are also provided. The distribution systems and methods may track and control the distribution of an aquatic plant culture based on information received from various sources. Systems and methods for growing and harvesting aquatic plants in a controlled and compact environment are also provided. The systems may include a bioreactor having a plurality of vertically stacked modules designed to contain the aquatic plants and a liquid growth medium.

Abstract: Examples of the disclosure provide for an apparatus for actively promoting marine life. The apparatus includes a datacenter implemented in a body of water and coupled to a network, a pressure vessel that houses the datacenter, and one or more components coupled to the pressure vessel and adapted to actively promote reef life and sustain a surrounding ecosystem.

Abstract: A kennel includes a plurality of vertical wire members, and a decorative panel extending between first and second vertical wires of the plurality of vertical wire members, the decorative panel having first and second edges, the decorative panel being attached to first and second wires at the first and second edges.

Abstract: A modular aeroponic growing column has an elongated first body, a fluid receiving cap, a fluid draining base cap, and a plurality of growing receptacles. The elongated first body includes a fluid receiving end, an opposite fluid draining end, an interior receiving space extending between the fluid receiving end and the fluid draining end, and a plurality of growing receptacle receiving openings positioned on the first body. The plurality of growing receptacles is positioned in the growing receptacle receiving openings.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for the cultivation of perennial artichoke plants. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to methods of cultivating artichoke plants to increase the uniformity and yield of marketable products (e.g. edible mature buds), and to accurately program and condense the harvest interval of artichoke plants grown as perennials in a planting field in order to reduce production and harvesting costs.

Abstract: A method is provided. In this method, a first tray positioned at a first end of a trough assembly at a selected tier is engaged. The first tray is then lifted and removed. A second tray is then engaged and moved vertically to the selected tiers. It is placed in the trough assembly at a second end. Other trays—which are positioned within the trough assembly between the first and second ends of the selected tier—are moved toward the first end of the trough assembly.

Abstract: An egg processing apparatus is provided. Such an apparatus includes a plurality of egg processing devices configured to interact with a plurality of eggs carried by an egg carrier. An egg support assembly is positioned beneath the egg processing devices such that an egg carrier is capable of being moved between the egg processing devices and the egg support assembly. The egg support assembly includes a plurality of pedestals, with each pedestal having a plurality of discrete egg support members cooperating to form a seating arrangement portion for contacting and supporting an end of an egg in the egg carrier. An associated assembly and method are also provided.

Abstract: A method includes positioning a robotic attacher under a dairy livestock located in a milking stall, wherein the robotic attacher comprises a nozzle. The method continues by rotating the robotic attacher such that the nozzle is positioned generally on the top of the robotic attacher and performing a spraying operation using the nozzle. The method concludes by retracting the robotic attacher from under the dairy livestock.

Abstract: A teat cup liner is provided that includes a comparatively thick-walled rear wall and a comparatively thin-walled massage wall. These two walls together from a tube part around a teat-receiving chamber. Preferably, at least two stabilizing strips are provided on the massage wall.

Abstract: A retractable leash device (e.g., for pets, children, or the like) having a length control system for limiting the extendable length of a main line is provided. The device includes a cover plate mounted on a wind-up spool and having at least one ridged channel that interacts with a length control switch during line extension to control the extendable length of the main line while simultaneously maintaining the retractability of the main line.

Abstract: A pet collar (10) includes a first elongate strap (14) and a plurality of retainers (13) which are carried by the strap (14). The retainers (13) receive a second elongate strap (12) which can be of a material such as found in a conventional flea collar. When positioned on the pet, the first strap (14) hides the second strap (12) so that it is not apparent that the pet is wearing the second strap (12).

Abstract: A process where materials are applied to a plastic fishing lure surface, producing a lure that possesses chromatic vicissitude as a result of water temperature fluctuations. A non-thermochromatic base layer of one or more colors is applied to the plastic fishing lure. This layer acts as the visual appearance of the fishing lure in the absence of temperature fluctuations. Clear extender is then used as an additive to the thermochromatic ink. This addition to the ink then allows the ink to be sprayed onto the surface of the lure. This ink-extender amalgam can be applied in multiple layers however the bottom layer must have the least amount of hue saturation. Each layer thereafter would increase in hue saturation. Multiple hue combinations can be utilized. Once the desired number of thermochromatic layers has been applied, an ultra-clear super high gloss lacquer finish is sprayed on to the exterior of all layers.

Abstract: The invention provides a lighting device (100) with light emitting diodes (10) configured to generate light (11) having a wavelength selected from the range of 400-475 nm, wherein the lighting device (100) comprises at least two light emitting parts (100a, 100b). The first light emitting part (100a) comprises a first subset (10a) of light emitting diodes (10), and is configured to provide a first light (111a) having the first spectral light distribution substantially in the range of 400-475 nm. The second light emitting part (100b) comprises a second subset (10b) of light emitting diodes (10) and comprising a light conversion element (20) configured to convert at least part of the light (11) generated from the second subset (10b) of the plurality of light emitting diodes (10) into the second light (111b), with the second spectral light distribution substantially in the range of 625-800 nm.

Abstract: A pot for containing a plant having a bottom peripheral edge adapted for insertion or installation into a garden bed. In one embodiment, the pot is a normal truncated conical shape and the lower peripheral edge is irregular so as to use that bottom edge to more securely position the pot within a hole in the ground. The irregularity of the lower peripheral edge can be a plurality of teeth that bite into the ground and position the pot in the hole when the user rotates the pot while forcing it downwardly toward the ground. The bottom edge is thus used to cause the pot to settle firmly within the hole dug in the ground. In another embodiment, the pot is empty and is installed in the garden to provide decoration, by positioning the pot against the garden bed, and then pushing the pot into place. The upper rim of the pot may be decorative and may be located above the level of the ground.

Abstract: A greenhouse is disclosed having a light-transmitting barrier and a floor surface. The barrier and floor surface are connected to define an enclosure within the greenhouse for plant cultivation. The barrier includes an inner layer delimiting the enclosure and an outer layer. The inner and outer layers are impermeable to air to substantially prevent air from entering the enclosure through the inner layer. The outer layer is spaced apart above the inner layer to define an air passage therebetween. The air passage is in fluid communication with at least one air inlet in a bottom portion of the outer layer and with an air outlet in a top portion of the outer layer. Air within the air passage flows passively from the at least one air inlet to the air outlet upon being heated.

Abstract: A hunting decoy having two pairs of receiver slots for receiving a wire wing attachment which is flexible and moves gently when wind or air passes over a cloth clover of the wing attachment. A hook ring attached to the bottom of the wing allows a string to connect the wing to the ground or underneath of the body of the decoy to the other wing to provide a gentle bend to the wings and to prevent them from flying upwards.

Abstract: An aviary includes a cage and a resilient platform coupled to the cage. The resilient platform is resilient such that movement of a bird on the resilient platform causes the resilient platform to flex and then rebound to loosen a deposit from the resilient platform but not permit the deposit to pass through the resilient platform.