Abstract: A slat arrangement for a wing of an aircraft. The arrangement has a movable leading-edge slat and a connection section. The leading-edge slat includes a slat leading edge and a slat trailing edge. The connection section includes a receiving opening for receiving the slat trailing edge. The connection section includes an overhang having a free end. The slat trailing edge is configured to be translated under the overhang. A trailing region of the slat is configured to be elastically deformed by the overhang when the slat trailing edge is moved into the receiving opening.

Abstract: Plant growth structures and components of plant growth structures. The vertically-oriented plant growth structures include a plurality of growth basket receptacles that are in fluid communication with a fluid conduit to provide water to growth baskets placed within the growth basket receptacles. The plant growth structures provide water flow to the plants and a high density of plants in a relatively small growing area.

Abstract: Breeding of insects and the separation of insect eggs from other constituents of an egg-laying medium. An egg-laying medium for insects, comprising at least 80% by weight of a solid substrate in the form of particles, at least 85% by weight of said particles having a size of less than 0.5 mm, wherein the weight percentage is given in relation to the total weight of the insect egg-laying medium. Also a laying tray and uses thereof, particularly in a method for collecting insect eggs.

Abstract: An eco-friendly netting for soil erosion control includes a netting body portion forming a pattern of netting apertures, the netting body portion being formed from a material that is at least partially biodegradable. The eco-friendly netting is provided as part of an erosion control blanket, where the erosion control blanket further comprises a layer of another material that is attached to the eco-friendly netting. A soil erosion control method includes providing the erosion control blanket with the eco-friendly netting.

Abstract: A high-speed vertical take-off and landing aircraft has a lifting structure, a first rotor with a first and second blade, a second rotor with a first and second blade, an auxiliary propulsion unit for providing forward thrust, and a control system for controlling the pitch of each of the rotor blades. The aircraft has a first, rotor-only, flight mode for hovering and low speed maneuvering. It also has a second flight mode where the rotors are held in at fixed azimuth angles and forward thrust is provided by the auxiliary propulsion unit. Three axis control is provided during the second flight mode by adjusting the attack angles of the fixed rotor blades. Between these two flight modes, there is an intermediate flight mode covering a fully controlled transition between the first two flight modes.

Abstract: Methods of marking living leaf tissue and apparatuses for effecting such marking are disclosed, and may include orienting a plant such that the living leaf tissue is in a marking position, retaining the living leaf tissue in the marking position, and marking the living leaf tissue with a mark applicator, wherein marking the living leaf tissue introduces a permanent deformation in the living leaf tissue.

Abstract: A tree stand includes a projection comprising a plurality of ribs for insertion into the cut end of a tree trunk to thereby engage and support the tree, wherein the projection is upwardly-orientated, and the ribs are upwardly-orientated. A method of securing a cut tree within a tree stand includes providing the tree stand and using mechanical force to insert the projection of the tree stand into the cut end of the tree.

Abstract: A mushroom grow assembly, comprising a top cover, a base assembly, a post, a transparent cover, and an extractor fan. The top cover includes a concave wall with a peripheral edge, a top opening, through openings and an upper receiving housing. The base assembly includes a lateral wall, a bottom wall and lower receiving housing. The post has a bottom wall that is mounted to the lower receiving housing and a top edge that is introduced inside the upper receiving housing. The transparent cover is mounted to the edges of base assembly and the top cover, surrounding said post. The top cover further includes a light assembly and a water chamber disposed inside said upper receiving housing. The post is filled with mushroom inoculated substrate. The base assembly, in an upside down disposition, can replace the top cover to allow at least one additional mushroom grow assembly be stacked below.

Abstract: A pet treat holder having a flexible outer housing with a center opening. A channel is disposed through a thickness of the flexible outer housing and radially bisects the center opening. An inner sleeve is fixed within the channel. A threaded fastener is movably disposed within the inner sleeve and adapted to be moved in a forward and reverse directions. When the threaded fastener is moved forward through the inner sleeve by twisting in a first direction, an end of the fastener secures and restricts movement of an object. The object is tightly held under compression between the fastener and the flexible outer housing. When the threaded fastener is moved in reverse through the inner sleeve by twisting in a second direction, the end of the fastener is moved away from and releases the object being tightly held under compression between the fastener and the flexible outer housing.

Abstract: A body-worn structure includes a support enclosure provided with a front harness, the front harness is provided with a first traverse belt and a second transverse belt, the first traverse belt is connected with the second traverse belt. Two ends of the first traverse belt are respectively fitted with left and right female buckles. Two ends of the second traverse belt are respectively fitted with a second traverse belt male buckle and a corresponding second traverse belt female buckle to facilitate clasping each other together; either side of the second traverse belt male buckle or the second traverse belt female buckle is provided with at least a fixing ring; the second traverse belt female buckle is replaceable alternatively by the second traverse belt male buckle and vise versa.

Abstract: A beetle powder including a percentage by weight of vitamin D3 greater than or equal to at least 0.00001% and a percentage by weight of calcium greater than or equal to at least 0.1%, the percentages by weight being given on the total weight of the beetle powder. Additionally, a method for rearing beetles for preparing the beetle powder, which includes a light treatment phase during which a UV source emits ultraviolet rays towards the beetles.

Abstract: A rearing composition comprising: predatory mite population comprising at least one mite species of the genus Phytoseiulus, and a prey mite population comprising at least one species from the order Astigmata or from the family Phytoseiidae.

Abstract: A grain delivery device of a bird feeder, including a feeding tray and a driver, wherein the feeding tray is provided with an assembly hole, the bottom of the feeding tray is provided with a grain storage cylinder, the grain storage cylinder is provided with a grain outlet connected with the assembly hole, and the grain storage cylinder is provided with a pushing piece; the driver is used for driving the pushing piece to push out the bird feed contained in the grain storage cylinder from the grain outlet.

Abstract: A fully air-powered, n-way redundant aquaponic system for integrated cultivation of various fish, plant, and mushroom species, off-grid, with each grow bed including a respective DC air pump, solar panel, and battery to ensure self-sufficiency, redundancy, and enhanced resilience. Each mushroom grow bed also includes an evaporative cooling system for year-round mushroom production.

Abstract: An arbor stake stabilization member and erosion control system using the same include a tapered stake and a stake stabilization member work in tandem to secure and stabilize the soil. The stabilization member features an annular ring made from a biodegradable material, an axial passageway for stake placement, and a non-biodegradable locking member for secure stake connection.

Abstract: A sitting type automatic cleaning machine for pets, comprising a cleaning machine housing; the cleaning machine housing further comprises frame profiles and metal guards; one inner side of the frame profiles is provided with a cleaning drum, the inside of the cleaning drum is clamped with an air blow frame, and the upper edge of the air blow frame near the bottom is snapped with a placement bracket; a blower is fixedly installed on the other inner side of the frame profiles near the upper position, and the bottom end of the air blow frame is provided with an air injection pipe, and the blower and the air injection pipe are connected by a hose; the top of the cleaning drum is covered with a transparent protective cover.

Abstract: An apparatus, systems, and methods of providing enrichment to poultry during raising or maintaining of the poultry. One or more light sources project beams to generate laser spots at and around the poultry. A control regimen moves the light spots relative the poultry in generally random fashion during timed sessions for each given time period (e.g. each day). The spot movement is designed to promote benefits to poultry and producer in correlation to experimental data related to animal welfare, health, and commercial value.

Abstract: An automated mushroom harvesting system for mounting to a vertical mushroom rack comprises a robot having a frame mounted to a vertical carriage assembly. A SCARA arm is slidably mounted to the vertical carriage assembly by a vertical stage, operable to move the SCARA arm along a vertical mast. The SCARA arm moves the end effector in a horizontal plane for harvesting mushrooms, above the surface of the mushroom bed and into and out of the confines of the mushroom rack, and the vertical stage moves the SCARA arm in a vertical direction so as to access the mushrooms in a bed and to access mushroom beds on different levels of the vertical mushroom rack. An end effector having a helically reinforced neck and a graduated elasticity modulus, with a lower elasticity modulus in the neck and a higher elasticity in the cup, is also provided.

Abstract: A temperature regulation system including a first body forming a first interior cavity and a second body forming a second interior cavity. The first body includes a first opening defined in a wall of the first body. The first interior cavity is in fluidic communication with the first opening and the first interior cavity is configured to contain a liquid. The second body includes a second opening defined within a wall of the second body. A first temperature control module can be disposed within the second body and can include a fan. The first temperature control module is in fluidic communication of a fluid comprising air with the first interior cavity via the first and second openings. The fan is configured to direct a flow of air from the second interior cavity to the first interior cavity at a location adjacent the liquid.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transporting live insects in a secure and environmentally controlled manner. The systems include containers and packaging for transporting the live insects at a controlled temperature and pressure.