Abstract: A cover assembly for covering a container of pollen substitute comprises a lid member for engaging the container of pollen substitute. The lid member has an opening for bees to access the container contents and a removable cap element covers the lid member opening to divert water from entering the lid member opening while leaving a gap for bees to enter between the cap element and the lid member. A combination nectar feeder and pollen feeder is also provided. The cover assembly may be configured with ornamental shapes to approximate the design of a flower.

Abstract: A cover assembly for covering a container of pollen substitute comprises a lid member for engaging the container of pollen substitute. The lid member has an opening for bees to access the container contents and a removable cap element covers the lid member opening to divert water from entering the lid member opening while leaving a gap for bees to enter between the cap element and the lid member. A combination nectar feeder and pollen feeder is also provided. The cover assembly may be configured with ornamental shapes to approximate the design of a flower.

Abstract: A dipping station is provided for coating bee hive frame members with a coating of wax. The dipping station comprises a housing having a reservoir for receiving a supply of melted wax. The reservoir approximates the dimension of a frame member. The dipping station is provided with a heating element to melt the wax placed in the reservoir. Water is added to the reservoir to avoid overheating the wax. Individual frame members are dipped into the reservoir containing the melted wax whereby they are coated with melted wax as they are dipped into and removed from the reservoir.

Abstract: The present invention provides a specific set of gene expression markers from peripheral blood leukocytes that are indicative of a host response to exposure, response, and recovery infectious pathogen infections. The present invention further provides methods for identifying the specific set of gene expression markers, methods of monitoring disease progression and treatment of infectious pathogen infections, methods of prognosing the onset of an infectious pathogen infection, and methods of diagnosing an infectious pathogen infection and identifying the pathogen involved.

Abstract: A hydraulic mechanism for driving a vehicle, and having right and left laterally spaced hydraulic motors which drive respective ground engaging wheels, an axle structure extending laterally between the right and left hydraulic motors for receiving operating loads from the ground engaging wheels, the right and left hydraulic motors being coupled with the axle structure for generally enclosing and sealing the axle structure, said generally sealed axle structure being adapted for containing hydraulic fluid and serving as a fluid reservoir, a hydraulic pump which drives the hydraulic motors, said pump being in operative fluid communication with the interior of the axle structure for drawing fluid therefrom, the pump being positioned outside the axle structure. The motors include input and output ports which are positioned within the axle structure, and hydraulic lines extend between the pump and the input and output ports.

Abstract: A hydraulic mechanism for driving a vehicle, and having right and left laterally spaced hydraulic motors which drive respective ground engaging wheels, an axle structure extending laterally between the right and left hydraulic motors for receiving operating loads from the ground engaging wheels, the right and left hydraulic motors being coupled with the axle structure for generally enclosing and sealing the axle structure, said generally sealed axle structure being adapted for containing hydraulic fluid and serving as a fluid reservoir, a hydraulic pump which drives the hydraulic motors, said pump being in operative fluid communication with the interior of the axle structure for drawing fluid therefrom, the pump being positioned outside the axle structure. The motors include input and output ports which are positioned within the axle structure, and hydraulic lines extend between the pump and the input and output ports.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for treating a flowing water stream with a chemical treatment agent. In particular, the apparatus includes a hopper for containing the chemical treatment agent, an auger for discharging the chemical treatment agent from the hopper into the flowing water stream, and a water wheel which provides an adjustable amount of mechanical energy for driving the auger to discharge the chemical agent into the flowing water stream at a rate proportional to the amount of mechanical energy provided by the water wheel. The apparatus is relatively light in weight with minimal dimensions to provide portability for locating the apparatus in remote locations. Further, the apparatus requires minimal human supervision because it uses the flowing water stream as an energy source and is mechanically simple.

Abstract: A V-belt guide is provided for the drive belt of a vehicle-implement combination wherein the implement is capable of vertical up and down floating movement relative to the vehicle. The guide is positioned above the strands of the belt, just ahead of the drive pulley, and serves to restrict the angle at which the belt strands can enter into and exit from the drive pulley. The guide takes the form of a plate having a gently curving surface around which the belt is guided into or out of the drive pulley. Vertically projecting members are attached to the guide plate and restrict excessive lateral movement of the belt strands.

Abstract: A fluidized combustion bed is divided by a hollow baffle into two regions which are fluidized at respectively higher and lower fluidizing velocities. Exhaust gases and elutriated particles leaving the larger region pass into the freeboard and around the baffle, the particles being deposited after such passage into the smaller region and the gases flowing into the baffle for exhaust.