Abstract: A greenhouse has an exterior curtain wall structure formed by spaced tubular posts carrying external transparent panels and bottom non-transparent wall panels below a sill with the panels spanning the posts. A plurality of elongate benches is located within the interior at spaced positions along one side wall with the width of the benches being equal to the post spacing to form an expandable construction. Each bench has associated with it a respective air handling system for conditioning including a duct which is located partly under the respective bench and a fan in a fan housing at the side wall. From the fan a vertical duct section extends to a flexible tube extending over the bench. Air dehumidification, fogging, heating and cooling are provided in the duct under the bench. An alley is arranged along the opposite wall containing electrical controls mounted in cabinets forming panels for mounting in the span between posts.

Abstract: The invention describes a HF-reducing green roof. This green roof comprises a support construction consisting of a layer of textile fibers and/or a substrate (12), a vegetation layer (14) of low plants, and a flat or three-dimensional structure of electrically conductive filaments. This structure supplements the support construction or forms part thereof. The intermediate spaces between adjacent electrically conductive filaments (10) are smaller than one quarter of the wavelength of the electromagnetic HF-radiation to be shielded.

Abstract: A method for in-season macro and micronutrient application based on predicted yield potential, coefficient of variation, and a nutrient response index. The inventive method includes the steps of: determining a nutrient response index for a field; determining the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) of an area to fertilize; determining the coefficient of variation of NDVI over a plot; determining a predicted crop yield for the area without additional nutrient; determining an attainable crop yield for the area with additional nutrient; determining the nutrient requirement for the area as the difference between the nutrient removal at the attainable yield minus the nutrient removal at the predicted yield, adjusted by the efficiency of nutrient utilization in the particular crop as indicated by the coefficient of variation.

Abstract: A container (1) for the cultivation of plants is described, the container (1) comprising an inner container (2) for housing a plant cultivation medium (C), an outer container (3) fixed around the inner container (2) and provided with a bottom wall (5) arranged at a predetermined distance (df) from the bottom wall (5) of the inner container (2), the outer container (3) defining with the inner container (2) an airspace (7) substantially sealed in a fluid-tight manner, wherein a storage zone (A) of an irrigation liquid (L) is defined, and an elongated element (10) for the capillary upwelling of the irrigation liquid (L) towards said cultivation medium (C). The container (1) of the invention enables to provide the plant housed in the cultivation medium (C) with the proper quantity of irrigation liquid (L) as a function of the plant needs.

Abstract: An artificial surface for the growing of turf forming grasses and other plants, comprising a mixture of rubber, a polymer modified bitumen emulsion and slow release, plant nutrient containing particles, mixed in sufficient proportions and to a substantially even distribution of each of the rubber, emulsion and particles throughout the mixture so that, when laid and cured, the mixture uniformly produces a water permeable, heat conductive surface having air pockets through which a root system of the turf forming grasses and other plants can penetrate, the plant nutrient containing particles being trapped within the surface for slow release of plant nutrient to the root system.

Abstract: This invention provides methods of enhancing plant growth or yield, comprising exposing soil to hydrogen gas (H2), and growing plants in the soil. The H2 gas employed can be generated by electrolysis of water, produced by H2 evolving microorganisms, and/or produced by legumes. In accordance with the invention, soil can be exposed to H2 and plants then grown in it, or H2 can be applied directly to soil in which plants are already growing. In one embodiment, the invention comprises obtaining an aqueous extract from H2-treated soil, and applying the extract to soil, seeds, and or plant roots.

Abstract: A wrapper for wrapping a flower pot and/or floral grouping. The wrapper is constructed of a sheet of material having an extension attached to a portion of the sheet of material. Preferably the extension has a lace pattern thereon. When the wrapper is formed about a flower pot to form a decorative cover, upper edges of the sheet of material and extension cooperate to form a skirt portion preferably having at least two separate edges providing a “two-sheet” effect in the decorative cover. The wrapper may have extensions on opposing ends of the sheet of material and may having one or more additional overlapping extensions.

Abstract: A system and method for transferring live objects, such as chickens, to a shackle line are presented. The system and method include introducing a plurality of live objects to a singulator. The singulator isolates the individual live objects and places them in a pallet on a conveyor. The system may detect and remove cadavers from amongst the live objects. The conveyor leads the live objects to a grasper. The grasper positions the legs of the live objects so that a shackler can secure the legs of the live objects with a shackle. The live objects and the shackle are then inverted and passed on to a shackle line. The shackle line may be a kill line buffer or a kill line.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for applying liquids to foliage with a roller and adjustable spray nozzle apparatus. A large heavy roller is pulled or pushed across a field of plants, thereby forcing the plants very close to the ground. A height adjustable applicator nozzle directly following the roller can be adjusted very close to the compacted plants. The combination of an adjustable roller and adjustable applicator nozzles allows the fluid to be released very near the plants, thereby increasing the amount of fluid transferred to the plants' surface and lowering the amount of fluid sprayed into the atmosphere. This reduces the amount of fluid required to treat a given area. The result of the invention is a savings in the cost of fluids, improved effectiveness of the treatment and an improved environmental impact where the selected fluid has a negative environmental impact.

Abstract: Certain farmed and/or breeding fish such as tilapia are filleted after the fish have been beheaded, slaughtered and had their ventral cavity opened. Cuts are made in the dorsal region and on the ventral side in the caudal region for exposing the dorsal spokes and ventral spokes, respectively. Then, separating cuts are made over the vertebral column connecting the dorsal and ventral cuts. Before peeling separation in the region of the ventral cavity, the ventral lobes are trimmed by separation of the ends of their ventral lobe portions projecting beyond the ribs. Peeling separation is completed by peeling cuts adapted to the rib contour and made with at least two degrees of freedom.

Abstract: The present invention involve a method for severance of materials made of polycarbonate, polycarbonate laminate and aciylic/polycarbonate laminate, a canopy fracturing system and a conopy having the canopy fracturing system. The present invention utilizes a linear shaped explosive charge placed at a predetermined distance or stand off from the polycarbonate material to be severed. The coreload of the charge is determined such that the minimum coreload necessary to effect severance of a given thickness of polycarbonate material is utilized. A retainer is placed around the charge and affixed to the material such that the charge is at the proper stand off from the material. The retainer surrounds the back side of the charges but leaves open space between the charge and the material to be severed. Upon detonation, the charge creates an explosive cutting force, or jet blast, that severs the polycarbonate material.

Abstract: An aircraft thickness/camber control device mounts to the lower surface of a airfoil configuration, for example on a fuselage, and extends along a longitudinal axis. The device, when deployed, generates expansions ahead of compressions generated by off-design conditions, inlet spillage for example, and enables maintenance of a low boom signature. The device, when positioned at appropriate locations, may also be used as a drag reduction device. The thickness/camber control device comprises a structural member capable of coupling to the airfoil at a position forward of the concentrated source of added compression and a control element. The control element is coupled to the structural member and controls the structural member to adjust thickness/camber of the configuration to cancel the far-field effect of the extra compression or concentrated pressure source.

Abstract: A vertical stabilizer (38) is supported by and projects upwardly and rearwardly from the tail portion (14) of a helicopter fuselage (12). A tail rotor (TSR) is mounted on the vertical stabilizer (38) for rotation about a horizontal axis (C). The tail rotor (TSR) is positioned laterally outwardly from one side of the vertical stabilizer (38). The vertical stabilizer (38) has an upper end, a lower end and a rear edge recess (44) located between the upper end and the lower end. The recess (44) has a laterally convex rear edge (50). The tail portion (14) of fuselage (12) has a rear end extension (40) that extends rearwardly from the vertical stabilizer (38) and narrows in width as it extends rearwardly. The rear end extension (40) of the fuselage (12) provides vertical area to replace vertical area that was removed by placement of the recess (44) in the vertical stabilizer (38).

Abstract: An agronomic system is disclosed for the commercial production of green Cicer beans wherein a relative risk of caramelization is determined based on geographical data, macro climate data, and micro climate data for a given locale. Relative risk of caramelization helps select acreage to be planted. Additionally, an agronomic system and method for cultivation and commercial production of the green Cicer bean is described herein for preferred row spacing and variety selections that are usable for the commercial production of the green Cicer bean. Prior to the present invention there were no agronomic methods or systems adapted for commercial production of the green Cicer bean. The agronomic systems and methods disclosed herein also help to adjust planting times based on growing degree day calculations for given parcels wherein harvesting of the green Cicer bean is in rhythm with processing plant capacity.

Abstract: The present invention describes a new substrate comprising olive oil waste as the nutrient for growing edible and medicinal shiitake mushrooms (Lentinus edodes) in aseptic plastic bags. The invention further provides the strain Ile-1, a new and distinct variety of the species Lentinus edodes, that grows very efficiently in the olive oil waste-containing substrate.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a single pull horn with a control arm that may be used to control the movement of a component of a remote or radio-controlled vehicle having a center line. The control arm includes a threaded rod as well as a base member. The base member is positionable on the side of the component.

Abstract: A flower supporting device. A plurality of rotatable beads are connected by connection means having elasticity so that a support body is formed. A plurality of support bodies are arranged to be staggered up and down with each other so that a stem of a flower can be inserted between adjoining supporting bodies to be supported by them.

Abstract: A method of treating a distressed tree includes the steps of: creating a mixture comprising a fertilizer and a growth hormone and applying the mixture to a root area of the distressed tree.

Abstract: A method and compositions for increasing ectomycorrhizal colonization of the roots of trees using an alkali metal formononetinate, formononetin or mixtures thereof is described. The method enhances the growth of healthy and impaired trees.

Abstract: Methods for treating plants and fields in agricultural applications are provided by selective delivery of superheated steam. Particularly preferred applications include delivery adjacent to grape vine leaves in order to defoliate basal leaves and to kill localized insect pests, and by injecting superheated steam in strawberry beds prior to planting to kill nematodes. The superheated steam is delivered at temperatures in excess of about 250° F.