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: 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: 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: 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 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 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: 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: 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 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.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing consumables such as feed and water to animals, such as cows, which comprises a framework, on which a plurality of troughs are disposed, and a weighing device. The weighing device is provided with at least one weighing unit for selectively weighing the troughs and thus the amount of consumables in each trough. The weighing unit is movable around a central axis along a guide. A drive unit is provided for the weighing unit which may be a stepper motor. The weighing unit also includes a weighing sensor such as a load cell or a strain gauge. An identification sensor identifies the animal at the feeding trough and the weighing device is moved thereto which may weigh the trough to determine the amount of feed or water therein before the animal begins to eat or drink which is taken into account in metering further feed or water to the relevant trough. The weighing device may continue to weigh the feed or drink before, during and/or after the animal eats or drinks from the relevant trough.

Abstract: A fish is scaled, and its internal organs removed, by continuously advancing the fish along a treatment path while simultaneously exposing the fish body to high-pressure water jets. During treatment the fish is positioned vertically, with the belly downwards. The forces required for holding and transporting the fish are applied laterally to the upper part of the fish body, which is harder, without touching the belly area, which is soft and therefore is left free. The descaled fish proceeds to a position for cutting the belly area and removing the internal organs. The treatment is carried out in the same devices efficiently and without deterioration of the gustatory properties.

Abstract: A device for protecting furniture from pet damage for preventing pets from chewing on covered areas of the furniture covered by the panels of the invention. The device for protecting furniture from pet damage includes a plurality of protective panels comprising side edges, end edges, faces and a connector system; and an anchoring panel comprising an anchor edge and T-shaped protrusions.

Abstract: A method of deflowering a sweet gum tree by injecting a solution containing indolebutyric acid into vascular tissue of the tree is disclosed for preventing undesirable seed and fruit debris.