Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices and methods for the chemical-based thermal control of pests, particularly bed bugs. Disclosed herein are devices capable of heat generation for thermal-based pest control within an enclosed body, typically an item of luggage. Disclosed herein are components for minimizing heat loss associated with thermal-based pest control. Disclosed herein are methods of chemical-based heat generation for thermal-based pest control.

Abstract: An insect elimination device has an outer grid with an inner grid disposed within the outer grid. A voltage source powers the inner grid, the outer grid or both. A warming tube is disposed within the inner grid and provides a thermal lure. A UV light source is disposed within the warming tube to provide a first optical lure. A control circuit controls the duty cycle, which is greater than 0% and less than 100%, of the UV light source while the voltage source is powering the elimination zone of the inner grid and the outer grid to keep the thermal lure within a predetermined temperature range.

Abstract: An animal restraining device and method provide dual capability for restraining an animal and administering medications. A first embodiment provides an administration tube connected to a body with handles which can be grasped by user to position the device either for restraining or administering medications. A second embodiment is a continuous hook-shaped member having a hollow passageway in order to introduce medications. The second embodiment is reversible to place either end of the device in the animal's mouth for restraining or administering medications, depending upon the size of the particular animal. The method of restraint includes positioning the device in the animal's mouth and applying a force to elicit a natural response by the animal which causes the animal to pause or remain motionless for a period of time while a caregiver may treat or examine the animal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a planting container capable of sufficiently and stably supply planting water to a rhizosphere where roots of a plant grow, securing as large a space as possible for the rhizosphere, and further accelerating the growth of the stem or leaves of the plant. The planting container comprises a planting container body 1 including a planting space 2 having an opening at a front portion thereof to allow a plant to grow, a reservoir 8 for planting water that is provided in a lower part of the planting space 2, and a water-absorbing planting bed placed within the planting space 2 with a bottom portion thereof being positioned in the reservoir 8 for absorbing planting water retained in the reservoir 8 to cultivate the plant, wherein the container further comprises a receiving surface 10 for receiving the planting bed within the planting space 2 formed as an inclined surface that is raised progressively toward the opening and is lowered progressively away from the opening.

Abstract: A method for facilitating the delivery of water to a plurality of cage level barrier-type cages, for housing animals for an animal study, the method including; providing a plurality of cage level barrier-type cages for an animal study at a laboratory facility site, and disposing a bag forming apparatus at a clean side of a laboratory washroom at the laboratory facility site, wherein the bag forming apparatus is capable of providing sealed bags of water for use in the cage level barrier-type cages. The method can further include providing bag material to the laboratory facility site.

Abstract: A milk pump that is connected to, but electrically isolated from dairy lines, pipes, and other electrically conductive components using insulators in the milk pump between a motor and a pump.

Abstract: A growing medium for use in plugging pest orifices includes a bulking agent and a water-retentive polymer blended together and compressed at a volume-to-volume ratio greater than 3:1, wherein the growing medium is at least 50% superabsorbing polymer.

Abstract: A method for encouraging maturation and growth of a plant includes a provision of at least one stroboscopic lamp disposed adjacent the plant. The stroboscopic lamp is cycled through at least one on-period and at least one off-period for a predetermined cycling time. The plant is exposed to strobed high-intensity light during the at least one on-period, and not exposed to strobed high-intensity light during the at least one off-period. A maturation rate and the growth of the plant are thereby encouraged. A related system includes the at least one stroboscopic lamp and a controller for controlling the stroboscopic lamp according to the method, for encouraging maturation and growth of the plant.

Abstract: Differential illumination systems and methods selectively provide light having different spectrums in an aviary system for housing animals located within an enclosure, and in the enclosure. A first light source produces light with a first spectrum, and illuminates an internal volume of the aviary system. A second light source produces light with a second spectrum different from the first spectrum, and illuminates the enclosure outside of the aviary system. The first spectrum can have a higher red component than the second spectrum to encourage chicken to lay eggs inside of the aviary system, and the second spectrum can have a higher blue component than the first spectrum to discourage chicken from laying eggs outside of the aviary system.

Abstract: A method of making animal litter from a tree nuts, such as from a walnut composition of shells, pelica and membrane, by grinding or crushing the walnut composition, removing all or almost all of the shells from the walnut composition by vibration and aspiration to form muller, adding any desired additives to the muller (e.g. fragrances, fillers and extenders, clumping agent such as guar bean, mold inhibitor agent such as calcium propionate, etc.), and pelletizing the muller by heating and compressing the muller through small apertures and cutting the muller exiting the apertures at desired lengths. The heating and compression of the muller results in pellets that have odor absorbing characteristics that outperform commercial animal litters.

Abstract: A fishing lure representing a typical fish is formed from plastic or polymer. Embedded therein is provided a dynamic motion actuator utilized to attract fish by the continuous or random motion effected thereby. The device is powered by an onboard battery connected to a vibrational motor. A control circuit detects the water activation of the fishing lure and enables the motor and a lighting system for a predetermined sequence of activation and deactivation. An auxiliary control circuit senses connection of a USB to barrel connector power wire through a charging dock mounted in the frame of the fishing lure. Checking both a charging state and the number of times the device has been charged, the auxiliary control circuit enables a steady state light for signaling charging and a flashing light if the number of charges is above a certain level by using a counter.

Abstract: An adjustable fishing float having a novel securing mechanism for attaching the float to a fishing line. In a preferred embodiment, the fishing float includes a housing formed into a spherical shape. A vertical slot is disposed on a side of the housing, extending inwardly to a central, vertical axis of the sphere. A securing mechanism may be disposed within the housing, and provides a spring biased clamp that is in operative communication with the slot, so that a fishing line may be positioned within the slot and the float may be clamped to the fishing line in a desired position. A button on the side of the housing may be used to open the clamp, in order to affix the float to the line, remove the float from the line, or to adjust the float and move it upwardly or downwardly along the fishing line.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing a fishing rod proximate to the arm of a user comprises a strap sized to extend around an arm of a user, a block extending from the strap and a finger extending substantially tangentially from the strap proximate to the block, the finger having a free distal end overlying the block wherein the protrusion and the block form a void sized to retain a fishing rod therein substantially parallel to the arm of the user.

Abstract: A composition for coating seeds and related methods of manufacture are provided; and the composition comprises: at least one foaming agent and at least one color indicator.

Abstract: Pallet box assembly configured as planter box or workman's utility box is disclosed. The pallet box assembly includes a pallet base, two side panels, a front panel, and a rear panel, which are collapsible and reusable. Pallet base has tenon joint parts with locking mechanisms that extend out. Pallet base has an opening extending therethrough for ease of handling by pallet jack or hand truck. The side panels include grooves. Front and rear panels include tenon joint part with locking mechanism. The side panels are identical and interchangeable, the front panel is identical and interchangeable with the rear panel. Each locking mechanism includes a winged bolt threadedly inserted and engaged into the tenon joint part, and a wing which is rotated by about 45 to 135 degrees to engageably and securely attach the corresponding tenon joint part in the corresponding groove, so that the pallet box assembly is securely installed.

Abstract: A plant growing device includes an envelope made of a vacuum formed film and having substantially planar first and second walls interconnected by a surrounding wall. A plant growing medium is enclosed by the envelope. The first and second walls each has a plurality of micro-holes, and a network of interconnected ribs that are indented from an outer surface of the first or second wall to define a plurality of flow guide channels. The second wall further has openings to receive plants. The first wall further has drain holes. The envelope has high air permeability due to the micro-holes while still possessing a relative high strength due to the network of ribs.

Abstract: A rodent immobilizing apparatus for use during experimental procedures, dissection, and sample procurement. The apparatus has two (2) points of adherence to the dissection board, one at the head/jaw region and one at the tail region. Generally, the rodent immobilizing apparatus includes a base, a bed positioned atop the base, a bank disposed along one side of the bed, another bank disposed along the opposite side of the bed, a string/wire hook affixed to each bank with string/wire therebetween, and a tail clip/clamp positioned at an inferior portion of the bed. The bed is slidable along the banks to accommodate different sized rodents. In operation, an anesthetized/euthanized rodent is positioned supine on the bed. The bed slides along the banks, so that the string/wire is hooked within the rodent's jaw. The tail is clamped to the bed, and the bed is pulled back to stretch out the rodent, thus immobilizing the rodent completely and rapidly.

Abstract: An animal trap may include a source of compressed gas; a trigger mechanism configured to be actuated by an animal, and a kill mechanism powered by compressed gas. The trap may include two or more trigger valves connected in series. At least one trigger valve may include an opening, a valve seat surrounding the opening, a valve member having a sealing surface, and an O-ring arranged to seal between the sealing surface and the valve seat. One or more flow paths may allow gas to flow along at least part of an internal periphery of the O-ring. The trigger may include a trigger rod extending in a rest position from a mount at or near a first end thereof. The trigger rod may be mounted for pivoting movement about the mount, and may have two rotational degrees of freedom. Pivoting movement of the trigger rod in any direction away from the rest position may result in actuation of the trigger.

Abstract: Described is a mechanically compliant stimulus delivery probe for delivering an electrical stimulus to an animal. The stimulus delivery probe is mechanically secured to an animal training device that is adapted to be carried by the animal and to generate the electrical stimulus. When the animal training device is carried by the animal, the stimulus delivery probe is positioned in physical contact with the animal such that the stimulus delivery probe delivers the electrical stimulus to the animal. The stimulus delivery probe is also mechanically compliant to the extent that the force applied by the animal training device against the stimulus delivery probe is substantially absorbed by the stimulus delivery probe, reducing the localized force realized by the animal. The reduction of the force realized by the animal promotes safety and comfort for the animal.

Abstract: A system for monitoring vital signs of a pet animal comprises an annular band, an accelerometer configured to measure at least one of resting patterns, activity patterns, movement patterns, position patterns relating to, for example the pet animal relieving itself, lameness and scratching, and a non-accelerometer sensor configured to measure at least one of the following non-accelerometer-measured bioparameters of the pet animal: temperature, pulse rate, respiration rate. One or more processors are configured to receive sensor output data and reference data concerning the measured bioparameters of the pet animal or of a population of the pet animal, and determine a suspicion of a specific medical condition by: (i) scoring at least two bioparameters and comparing a cumulative score to a threshold cumulative score or to a threshold cumulative range; or (ii) identifying an abnormal pattern. The processor(s) may send an alert if at least one specific medical condition is suspected.