Abstract: This application is directed to methods of driving customer engagement on ecommerce platforms by using games as an incentive after a purchase. The inventive subject matter involves assigning tokens to a user who completes a purchase, granting the user access to a set of games, receiving a game selection, granting user entry to the game, and enabling the user to redeem the tokens to play the game. Embodiments also involve defining a prize pool structure and a prize distribution structure for each game and adjusting them based on the number of entrants. Some embodiments further involves using customer tracking and analytics tools, artificial intelligence, and social features to enhance the customer experience and loyalty.

Abstract: System and methods of the inventive subject matter are directed to improving ecommerce platform efficiencies. By creating incentive structures for ecommerce platforms that account for realities of shipping various quantities of goods, shoppers can be encouraged to purchase more goods, and businesses can be encouraged to promote more efficient shipping practices. Thus, embodiments facilitate application of discounts and the like when users entirely fill capacity-based shipping units in the course of shopping. For example, if a user purchases enough goods to fill a shipping pallet, then the user could be given a discount accordingly. Because an entire pallet is filled, shipping costs can be minimized for the business as shipping logistics are simplified. This efficiency can be passed on to the end user as cash back, discounts, rebates, and so on.

Abstract: An irrigation apparatus for dispersing liquid through a plant growing medium is disclosed. The apparatus includes a geometrically shaped container of variable size. The container has an outer wall with an inner surface, an open top, and a base portion configured to cover the plant growing medium. The base portion is configured with a plurality of holes for receiving liquid therethrough. The plurality of holes are configured as raised half-circles to block light and receive air, water, and nutrients. The container is configured with at least one center opening therethrough having an inner wall for receiving a plant. The center opening has at least one longitudinal opening extending therefrom to outer wall to allow placement of container on plant or to allow removal of container from plant. The container is configured with a plurality of geometrically shaped stakes of variable size extending therefrom the base portion for providing stability for apparatus to be secured in plant growing medium.

Abstract: An irrigation apparatus for dispersing liquid through a plant growing medium is disclosed. The apparatus includes a container. The container has an outer wall with an inner surface, an open top, and a base portion configured to cover the plant growing medium. The base portion is configured with a plurality of holes for receiving liquid therethrough. The plurality of holes are configured as raised shields to block light and receive air, water, and nutrients. The container is configured with at least one center opening therethrough having an inner wall for receiving a plant. The center opening has at least one longitudinal opening extending therefrom to outer wall to allow placement of container on plant or to allow removal of container from plant. The container is configured with a plurality of stakes extending therefrom the base portion for providing stability for apparatus to be secured in plant growing medium.

Abstract: An irrigation apparatus for dispersing liquid through a plant growing medium is disclosed. The apparatus includes a geometrically shaped container of variable size. The container has an outer wall with an inner surface, an open top, and a base portion configured to cover the plant growing medium. The base portion is configured with multiple holes for receiving liquid therethrough, The holes are configured as raised half-circles to block light and receive air, water, and nutrients. The container is configured with at least one center opening therethrough having an inner wall for receiving a plant. The center opening has at least one longitudinal opening extending therefrom to outer wall to allow placement of container on plant or to allow removal of container from plant. The container is configured with multiple stakes of variable size extending therefrom the base portion for providing stability for apparatus to be secured in plant growing medium.

Abstract: A ventilated plant propagation assembly provides a propagation tray that supports plant life, and a dome that covers the plants. The assembly allows for selective control between a ventilated position that allows aeration inside the dome, and a sealed position that restricts aeration inside dome. The dome laterally slides, so that depressions at the dome edges selectively interlock with ribs at the tray edges. Thus, when the dome edge slides offset from the tray edge, the dome depression engages the tray ribs, creating a seal at the junction of tray and dome. Conversely, slidably aligning the dome with the tray urges the tray ribs against the dome flange. This pushes the dome up to create a gap between the tray flange and the flat surface of the dome flange. The gap enables aeration inside dome by creating a passageway for air to flow through the edges between dome and tray.

Abstract: A ventilated plant propagation assembly provides a propagation tray that supports plant life, and a dome that covers the plants. The assembly allows for selective control between a ventilated position that allows aeration inside the dome, and a sealed position that restricts aeration inside dome. The dome laterally slides, so that depressions at the dome edges selectively interlock with ribs at the tray edges. Thus, when the dome edge slides offset from the tray edge, the dome depression engages the tray ribs, creating a seal at the junction of tray and dome. Conversely, slidably aligning the dome with the tray urges the tray ribs against the dome flange. This pushes the dome up to create a gap between the tray flange and the flat surface of the dome flange. The gap enables aeration inside dome by creating a passageway for air to flow through the edges between dome and tray.

Abstract: An irrigation apparatus and feeding system for dispersing liquid through a plant growing medium is disclosed. The apparatus includes a first and a second geometrically shaped container each having an outer wall with an inner surface, an open top, and a base portion configured to cover the plant growing medium. Second container is configured to be positioned within first container such that base portion of second container sets atop base portion of first container and is secured therein from an open position to a closed position thereby forming a single unit. Each base portion is configured with a plurality of elongated holes for receiving liquid therethrough such that holes of first and second container are offset from one another for blocking light from penetrating therethrough when second container is secured within first container in closed position.

Abstract: A top dripping and bottom wicking assembly and method of operation feeds a reservoir that controllably drips liquid nutrient solution from above a plant, and also uses capillary action of a planar wick member to draw the liquid nutrient solution into a plant growing medium and plant roots. The assembly works to controllably drip the liquid nutrient onto the plant through sized and dimensioned drip holes that form in the reservoir, while simultaneously dispersing the liquid nutrient solution through a planar wick member to disperse liquid nutrient solution to a plant growing medium and the roots of the plant. Stakes hold the reservoir above the plant. The wick member is flat and forms a central opening to allow passage of the plant. A plant support member retains the plant in an upright position. The plant support member forms wicking holes to enable passage of liquid nutrients from the wick.

Abstract: A plant incubator apparatus and method of growing plants includes a sloped lower plant housing. The lower plant housing has multiple lower depressions and a lower locking periphery. An upper plant housing is coplanar to the lower plant housing, and has multiple upper depressions that receive a plant growing medium. The depressions are in communication to enable flow of liquid and air. An upper locking periphery detachably mates with the lower locking periphery to form a slot for air circulation. A light guard fits over the upper plant housing to block light from striking a plant from at least one direction. A valve assembly is at the drainage end of the lower plant housing. The valve assembly is in communication with the upper depressions of the upper plant housing to indicate liquid levels and drain excess liquid. A liquid regulation device having a timer automatically controls drainage of liquid.

Abstract: A top feeding wicking apparatus and system for dispersing liquid through plant growing medium is disclosed. The apparatus includes a geometrically shaped container having a bottom, an inner wall, and an outer wall forming a channel therearound for receiving liquid therethrough. Container has a center opening for receiving a plant and container bottom is configured with at least one hole for receiving liquid therethrough. A geometrically shaped lid having a top, an inner wall, and an outer wall forming a channel therearound from an underside of lid is configured to be adjoined to container. A geometrically shaped base layer and wicking layer each having an inner wall and an outer wall and a center opening for receiving plant with a longitudinal opening extending therefrom to outer wall to allow placement of base and wicking layers on plant or to allow removal of base and wicking layers from plant.

Abstract: Provided herein are FDC-SP polypeptides and methods of using such polypeptides. Methods include, but are not limited to, altering IgA concentration in a subject, treating a subject having signs of a disorder that includes excessive IgA production, identifying a compound that decreases the concentration of IgA in an animal, and identifying a compound that treats a condition associated with increased levels of IgA. Also provided herein is an animal that has decreased expression of an endogenous FDC-SP coding sequence. The animal may develop pathophysiological features of IgA nephropathy, and/or may display increased IgA in serum, saliva, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, or a combination thereof; increased IgA expressing B lymphocytes in circulation, lymphoid tissue, or a combination thereof; or increased IgA production in vitro by isolated B lymphocytes.

Abstract: A plant incubator apparatus and method of growing plants comprises a sloped lower plant housing. The lower plant housing has multiple lower depressions and a lower locking periphery. An upper plant housing is coplanar to the lower plant housing, and has multiple upper depressions that receive a plant growing medium. The depressions are in communication to enable flow of liquid and air. An upper locking periphery detachably mates with the lower locking periphery to form a slot for air circulation. A light guard fits over the upper plant housing to block light from striking a plant from at least one direction. A valve assembly is at the drainage end of the lower plant housing. The valve assembly is in communication with the upper depressions of the upper plant housing to indicate liquid levels and drain excess liquid. A liquid regulation device having a timer automatically controls drainage of liquid.

Abstract: A resealable container with bayonet locking mechanism and method of use seals articles inside an enclosed region, and restrict access to the enclosed region with a bayonet locking mechanism that rotatably locks and unlocks to selectively release a handle. The handle carries a slider device across a pair of interlocking strips on open edges of the resealable container. The resealable container comprises a body portion having walls joined together to define an enclosed region. An elongated closure portion extends across open edges of body portion to regulate access inside. The elongated closure comprises a first and second interlocking strip that detachably mate for fastening and separating the open edges. A handle carries a slider device in a first direction along the elongated closure portion to fasten the interlocking strips, and a second direction to separate the strips. A bayonet locking mechanism locks and releases the handle to inhibit movement.

Abstract: An irrigation apparatus and feeding system for dispersing liquid through a plant growing medium is disclosed. The apparatus includes a first and a second geometrically shaped container each having an outer wall with an inner surface, an open top, and a base portion configured to cover the plant growing medium. Second container is configured to be positioned within first container such that base portion of second container sets atop base portion of first container and is secured therein from an open position to a closed position thereby forming a single unit. Each base portion is configured with a plurality of elongated holes for receiving liquid therethrough such that holes of first and second container are offset from one another for blocking light from penetrating therethrough when second container is secured within first container in closed position.

Abstract: A top feeding wicking apparatus and system for dispersing liquid through plant growing medium is disclosed. The apparatus includes a geometrically shaped container having a bottom, an inner wall, and an outer wall forming a channel therearound for receiving liquid therethrough. Container has a center opening for receiving a plant and container bottom is configured with at least one hole for receiving liquid therethrough. A geometrically shaped lid having a top, an inner wall, and an outer wall forming a channel therearound from an underside of lid is configured to be adjoined to container. A geometrically shaped base layer and wicking layer each having an inner wall and an outer wall and a center opening for receiving plant with a longitudinal opening extending therefrom to outer wall to allow placement of base and wicking layers on plant or to allow removal of base and wicking layers from plant.

Abstract: An irrigation apparatus for dispersing liquid through a plant growing medium is disclosed. The apparatus includes a geometrically shaped container of variable size. The container has an outer wall with an inner surface, an open top, and a base portion configured to cover the plant growing medium. The base portion is configured with a plurality of holes for receiving liquid therethrough. The plurality of holes are configured as raised half-circles to block light and receive air, water, and nutrients. The container is configured with at least one center opening therethrough having an inner wall for receiving a plant. The center opening has at least one longitudinal opening extending therefrom to outer wall to allow placement of container on plant or to allow removal of container from plant. The container is configured with a plurality of geometrically shaped stakes of variable size extending therefrom the base portion for providing stability for apparatus to be secured in plant growing medium.

Abstract: A top dripping and bottom wicking assembly and method of operation feeds a reservoir that controllably drips liquid nutrient solution from above a plant, and also uses capillary action of a planar wick member to draw the liquid nutrient solution into a plant growing medium and plant roots. The assembly works to controllably drip the liquid nutrient onto the plant through sized and dimensioned drip holes that form in the reservoir, while simultaneously dispersing the liquid nutrient solution through a planar wick member to disperse liquid nutrient solution to a plant growing medium and the roots of the plant. Stakes hold the reservoir above the plant. The wick member is flat and forms a central opening to allow passage of the plant. A plant support member retains the plant in an upright position. The plant support member forms wicking holes to enable passage of liquid nutrients from the wick.

Abstract: An irrigation apparatus and feeding system for dispersing liquid through a plant growing medium are disclosed. The apparatus includes a geometrically shaped container of variable size. Container has an outer wall with an inner surface, an open top, and a base portion configured to cover the plant growing medium. Base portion is configured with a plurality of holes for receiving liquid therethrough. Container is configured with at least one center opening therethrough having an inner wall for receiving a plant. Center opening has at least one longitudinal opening extending therefrom to outer wall to allow placement of container on plant or to allow removal of container from plant. The plurality of holes have at least one dripper for receiving liquid extending therethrough base portion such that the at least one dripper feeds plant growing medium at variable flow rates and intervals and provides stability for apparatus to be secured in plant growing medium.

Abstract: A plant irrigation dispenser and method controllably dispenses nutritional compositions to a plant. The dispenser comprises a housing defined by a first end and a second end that forms a channel. Impaling members form at the second end of the housing. The housing encloses multiple chambers that contain the nutritional composition. The chambers have a filling end and a dispensing end that forms an opening. A membrane seals the opening. Rotatably manipulating and axially displacing the chambers in relation to the housing allows the impaling members to tear the membrane, so that the nutritional compositions flows through the openings, and onto the plant. A press is in communication with the chamber cavities, so that axially displacing the press in a downward direction forces the nutritional compositions through the openings. A valve assembly retains and manipulates plugs in alignment with the openings to selectively couple and decouple the respective openings.