Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to apparatus and methods for mechanized pollination. Grow towers vertically disposed on a grow line are moved into a pollination chamber and mechanized pollination is performed utilizing pneumatic, acoustic, or mechanical methods to pollinate plants growing in the grow towers. In one embodiment, a plurality of rotatable brush towers are disposed on opposite sides of the grow line and bristles from the brush towers are rotated over the plants to facilitate pollination as the grow towers traverse along the grow line. In another embodiment, a plurality of conduits internal to the grow towers are coupled to one or more nozzles on a face of the grow towers. Pollen is delivered through the nozzles toward the plants utilizing pressurized gas.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to apparatus and methods for mechanized pollination. Grow towers vertically disposed on a grow line are moved into a pollination chamber and mechanized pollination is performed utilizing pneumatic, acoustic, or mechanical methods to pollinate plants growing in the grow towers. In one embodiment, a plurality of rotatable brush towers are disposed on opposite sides of the grow line and bristles from the brush towers are rotated over the plants to facilitate pollination as the grow towers traverse along the grow line. In another embodiment, a plurality of conduits internal to the grow towers are coupled to one or more nozzles on a face of the grow towers. Pollen is delivered through the nozzles toward the plants utilizing pressurized gas.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to apparatuses for plant harvesting. More specifically, apparatuses for harvesting vertically grown fruit (620), plants, or vegetables are described herein. In one embodiment a harvesting system includes a grow line (100, 102) and one or more grow towers (150) coupled to and moveable along the grow line (100, 102). A plurality of platforms (306) are disposed adjacent to the grow towers (150) and include one or more robots (302) disposed on the platforms (306). Embodiments of the disclosure also provide for harvesting tools (600), such as robot (203, 302, 508) end effectors (304) for harvesting one or more types of produce.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to apparatus and methods for mechanized pollination. Grow towers vertically disposed on a grow line are moved into a pollination chamber and mechanized pollination is performed utilizing pneumatic, acoustic, or mechanical methods to pollinate plants growing in the grow towers. In one embodiment, a plurality of rotatable brush towers are disposed on opposite sides of the grow line and bristles from the brush towers are rotated over the plants to facilitate pollination as the grow towers traverse along the grow line. In another embodiment, a plurality of conduits internal to the grow towers are coupled to one or more nozzles on a face of the grow towers. Pollen is delivered through the nozzles toward the plants utilizing pressurized gas.

Abstract: A valve assembly, includes a valve body having an inlet portion, an outlet portion, and a constriction portion; a shaft positioned within the valve body and extending along a longitudinal axis of the valve body; a cone provided within the inlet portion and configured to move along the shaft; a spring configured to bias the cone away from the constriction and positioned between a first piston fixed to the cone and a second piston fixed to the shaft; and an adjustable spacer positioned between a fixed position on the shaft and the second piston. The adjustable spacer is adjustable in length to change an effective length of the adjustable spacer and change a position of the second piston on the shaft.

Abstract: There are provided PVP-PLA block copolymers as defined in Formula (1): I wherein, x is an initiator alcohol having a boiling point greater than I 45° C., n is, on average, from 20 and 40, and m is, on average, from 10 and 40, wherein the block copolymers have a number average molecular weight (Mn) of at least 3000 Da. Polymers demonstrating flexibility in formulating multiple low solubility active pharmaceutical ingredients (APis) are described. Liquid and dry pharmaceutical formulations comprising an API are described, along with delivery methods, uses, and kits. APis may include, e.g. 11urbiprofon, celecoxib, acetaminophen, or propofol. Also provided is a method of synthesizing the PVP-PLA block copolymers by (i) initiating polymerization of D,L-Lactide from the initiator alcohol x to form poly(lactic acid), adding a xanthate to form a PLA macroinitiator, and polymerizing NVP onto the PLA macroinitiator, by controlled polymerization, to form the block copolymer compound of Formula (I).

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for weight measurement of grow towers and/or grow lines with grow towers disposed thereon. In various embodiments, compression type, tension type, and/or beam type load cells may be positioned at various locations within the apparatus to facilitate weight measurement. In one embodiment, a hook, which couples a grow tower to a grow line, includes a tension type load cell disposed between two portions of the hook. The load cell measures force applied thereto which can provide or be translated into a weight measurement.

Abstract: A valve assembly, includes a valve body having an inlet portion, an outlet portion, and a constriction portion; a shaft positioned within the valve body and extending along a longitudinal axis of the valve body; a cone provided within the inlet portion and configured to move along the shaft; a spring configured to bias the cone away from the constriction and positioned between a first piston fixed to the cone and a second piston fixed to the shaft; and an adjustable spacer positioned between a fixed position on the shaft and the second piston. The adjustable spacer is adjustable in length to change an effective length of the adjustable spacer and change a position of the second piston on the shaft.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for weight measurement of grow towers and/or grow lines with grow towers disposed thereon. In various embodiments, compression type, tension type, and/or beam type load cells may be positioned at various locations within the apparatus to facilitate weight measurement. In one embodiment, a hook, which couples a grow tower to a grow line, includes a tension type load cell disposed between two portions of the hook. The load cell measures force applied thereto which can provide or be translated into a weight measurement.

Abstract: Herein is described a pharmaceutical composition for agonizing CB2 receptor activity, medical kits, therapeutic applications thereof, and methods of making and using such compositions. The composition comprises a combination of: —a first compound of Formula I: (E1) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; and —a second compound of Formula II: (E2) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to apparatuses for plant harvesting. More specifically, apparatuses for harvesting vertically grown fruit (620), plants, or vegetables are described herein. In one embodiment a harvesting system includes a grow line (100, 102) and one or more grow towers (150) coupled to and moveable along the grow line (100, 102). A plurality of platforms (306) are disposed adjacent to the grow towers (150) and include one or more robots (302) disposed on the platforms (306).

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to apparatus and methods for mechanized pollination. Grow towers vertically disposed on a grow line are moved into a pollination chamber and mechanized pollination is performed utilizing pneumatic, acoustic, or mechanical methods to pollinate plants growing in the grow towers. In one embodiment, a plurality of rotatable brush towers are disposed on opposite sides of the grow line and bristles from the brush towers are rotated over the plants to facilitate pollination as the grow towers traverse along the grow line. In another embodiment, a plurality of conduits internal to the grow towers are coupled to one or more nozzles on a face of the grow towers. Pollen is delivered through the nozzles toward the plants utilizing pressurized gas.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to plant propagation weight measurement apparatus and methods. Load cells are utilized to measure one or more of seedling trays, flood tables, support systems, and combinations thereof. The load cells are integrated in weight measurement systems and configured to enable weight detection of various system components. In certain embodiments, load cells are utilized to measure stationary system components. In other embodiments, load cells are utilized to measure conveyed system components.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to apparatus and methods for pollination within a controlled agricultural environment. In one example, a pollination system (300) includes a pollination chamber (322) having air curtains (302, 304) and walls (402, 404, 406) defining a volume, a grow tower conveyance system, and ultra-violet light sources (314, 318, 330, 334) for illuminating the pollination volume. Pollinators, such as bees or the like, are positioned within the volume of the pollination chamber (322) and the light sources (314, 318, 330, 334) are utilized to control and encourage pollination and pollinator movement with the pollination chamber (322).

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to apparatus for growing plants. More specifically, apparatus described herein relate to an inverted controlled irrigation grow pot (100). In one embodiment, a plant pot includes a multi-walled tube which defines a plurality of volumes therein to facilitate inverted growth of a plant while accounting for the geotropic nature of root proliferation. Embodiments of the disclosure also provide for controlled irrigation of a plant grown in an inverted orientation. Further embodiments of the disclosure provide for plant propagation systems which include multiple plant pots. In certain embodiments, load cells (802, 1002, 1101, 1102, 1202) are incorporated in to the systems to enable detection and measurement of plant pot weights.

Abstract: There is provide an extended release dosage form comprising a release modifying excipient comprising high amylose starch, cross-linked hydroxypropylated amylopectin, and a pre-gelatinized common starch; wherein the release modifying excipient is substantially free of crosslinks between amylose and amylopectin and substantially free of crosslinks between amylose and amylose. It has been found that the extended release properties of conventional cross-linked high amylose starches (e.g., Contramid®) can be reproduced by intimately mixing i) cross-linked chemically modified amylopectin; ii) a high amylose, non-chemically modified starch and; iii) a pre-gelatinized common starch. Producing a release modifying excipient in this way means that no chemical cross linking between (a) amylose and amylopectin or (b) amylose and amylose has occurred—properties heretofore considered vital for Contramid® function.

Abstract: There are provided PVP-PLA block copolymers as defined in Formula (1): I wherein, x is an initiator alcohol having a boiling point greater than I 45° C., n is, on average, from 20 and 40, and m is, on average, from 10 and 40, wherein the block copolymers have a number average molecular weight (Mn) of at least 3000 Da. Polymers demonstrating flexibility in formulating multiple low solubility active pharmaceutical ingredients (APis) are described. Liquid and dry pharmaceutical formulations comprising an API are described, along with delivery methods, uses, and kits. APis may include, e.g. 11urbiprofon, celecoxib, acetaminophen, or propofol. Also provided is a method of synthesizing the PVP-PLA block copolymers by (i) initiating polymerization of D,L-Lactide from the initiator alcohol x to form poly(lactic acid), adding a xanthate to form a PLA macroinitiator, and polymerizing NVP onto the PLA macroinitiator, by controlled polymerization, to form the block copolymer compound of Formula (I).

Abstract: There are provided PVP-PLA block copolymers as defined in Formula (I): I wherein, x is an initiator alcohol having a boiling point greater than 145° C., n is, on average, from 20 and 40, and m is, on average, from 10 and 40, wherein the block copolymers have a number average molecular weight (Mn) of at least 3000 Da. Polymers demonstrating flexibility in formulating multiple low-solubility active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) are described. Liquid and dry pharmaceutical formulations comprising an API are described, along with delivery methods, uses, and kits. APIs may include, e.g. flurbiprofen, celecoxib, acetaminophen, or propofol. Also provided is a method of synthesizing the PVP-PLA block copolymers by (i) initiating polymerization of D,L-Lactide from the initiator alcohol x to form poly(lactic acid), adding a xanthate to form a PLA macroinitiator, and polymerizing NVP onto the PLA macroinitiator, by controlled polymerization, to form the block copolymer compound of Formula (I).

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to plant propagation weight measurement apparatus and methods. Load cells are utilized to measure one or more of seedling trays, flood tables, support systems, and combinations thereof. The load cells are integrated in weight measurement systems and configured to enable weight detection of various system components. In certain embodiments, load cells are utilized to measure stationary system components. In other embodiments, load cells are utilized to measure conveyed system components.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for weight measurement of grow towers and/or grow lines with grow towers disposed thereon. In various embodiments, compression type, tension type, and/or beam type load cells may be positioned at various locations within the apparatus to facilitate weight measurement. In one embodiment, a hook, which couples a grow tower to a grow line, includes a tension type load cell disposed between two portions of the hook. The load cell measures force applied thereto which can provide or be translated into a weight measurement.