Abstract: An improved lid for a small animal enclosure is disclosed. To supply liquid to an interior of the animal enclosure, the disclosed lid may include a receptacle feature configured to accommodate, in a first instance, a bottle and, in a second instance, a soft-bodied container. The disclosed lid also may include one or more bottle retention features configured to facilitate retention of a bottle within the receptacle feature. The disclosed lid further may include a ramp feature adjoining the receptacle feature such that a bottom of the ramp feature transitions to an interior of the receptacle feature. The ramp feature may be configured to have at least a portion of a soft-bodied container laid thereon and to direct (e.g., funnel) liquid contents thereof to the receptacle feature.

Abstract: An improved animal drinking valve is disclosed. The valve may be configured to penetrate a penetrable container containing a liquid for consumption by an animal. The valve also may include an internal actuator assembly including a spring member that biases an actuator member into liquid-tight interfacing with a sealing member situated within a bore of the valve. In this arrangement, the actuator assembly may provide the valve with two-way actuation; that is, the valve may be openable to allow liquid to flow therethrough when sufficient force is applied in directions perpendicular and/or parallel to a distal end of the actuator member. Also, the valve may be of dual-material construction, having a plastic body and a metal actuator member, improving resistance to chewing by animals and other physical degradation. Furthermore, the valve optionally may include one or more exterior fin-like projections that facilitate installation of the valve in a host platform.

Abstract: An improved animal drinking valve is disclosed. The valve may be configured to penetrate a penetrable container containing a liquid for consumption by an animal. The valve also may include an internal actuator assembly including a spring member that biases an actuator member into liquid-tight interfacing with a sealing member situated within a bore of the valve. In this arrangement, the actuator assembly may provide the valve with two-way actuation; that is, the valve may be openable to allow liquid to flow therethrough when sufficient force is applied in directions perpendicular and/or parallel to a distal end of the actuator member. Also, the valve may be of dual-material construction, having a plastic body and a metal actuator member, improving resistance to chewing by animals and other physical degradation. Furthermore, the valve optionally may include one or more exterior fin-like projections that facilitate installation of the valve in a host platform.

Abstract: A method of creating hydrocolloid beads includes forcing a hydrocolloid gel suspension through a plurality of nozzles, wherefrom the hydrocolloid gel forms into a plurality of gel drops and fall into a reactant bath. The drops are exposed to the reactant bath for a predetermined period of time, wherein the drops form firm or semi-firm beads as they remain in the reactant bath. The firm or semi-firm beads are removed from the reactant bath, rinsed, and dried.

Abstract: An improved animal drinking valve is disclosed. The valve may be configured to penetrate a penetrable container containing a liquid for consumption by an animal. The valve also may include an internal actuator assembly including a spring member that biases an actuator member into liquid-tight interfacing with a sealing member situated within a bore of the valve. In this arrangement, the actuator assembly may provide the valve with two-way actuation; that is, the valve may be openable to allow liquid to flow therethrough when sufficient force is applied in directions perpendicular and/or parallel to a distal end of the actuator member. Also, the valve may be of dual-material construction, having a plastic body and a metal actuator member, improving resistance to chewing by animals and other physical degradation. Furthermore, the valve optionally may include one or more exterior fin-like projections that facilitate installation of the valve in a host platform.

Abstract: A high throughput process for delivering a semi-firm gel for supplying vaccines, nutritive substances and other similar material to animals, such as poultry chicks. The material is delivered in a non-absorbent semi-firm gel that is easily consumable which results in higher material uptake. The semi-firm gel is formed by interactions occurring between a solution containing an alginic acid crosslinking agent with a gel containing alginic acid.

Abstract: A method of creating hydrocolloid beads includes forcing a hydrocolloid gel suspension through a plurality of nozzles, wherefrom the hydrocolloid gel forms into a plurality of gel drops and fall into a reactant bath. The drops are exposed to the reactant bath for a predetermined period of time, wherein the drops form firm or semi-firm beads as they remain in the reactant bath. The firm or semi-firm beads are removed from the reactant bath, rinsed, and dried.

Abstract: Methods of high throughput hydrocolloid bead production and related apparatuses are described herein. In the disclosed methods, drops of a hydrocolloid gel suspension are dropped into a reactant bath. The drops of hydrocolloid gel are exposed to the reactant bath for a predetermined period of time, during which the drops form firm or semi-firm beads. The beads are then removed from the reactant bath. The resulting hydrocolloid beads are advantageously resistant to syneresis and can provide high nutritional and water content.

Abstract: Methods of high throughput hydrocolloid bead production and related apparatuses are described herein. In the disclosed methods, drops of a hydrocolloid gel suspension are dropped into a reactant bath. The drops of hydrocolloid gel are exposed to the reactant bath for a predetermined period of time, during which the drops form firm or semi-firm beads. The beads are then removed from the reactant bath. The resulting hydrocolloid beads are advantageously resistant to syneresis and can provide high nutritional and water content.

Abstract: Alginate beads and methods of producing said beads, the beads being able to contain hydration, nutritional additives, medications, colorants, sweeteners and/or flavorings, and that are particularly advantageous for use as top dressing for poultry feed.

Abstract: A high throughput process for delivering a semi-firm gel for supplying vaccines, nutritive substances and other similar material to animals, such as poultry chicks. The material is delivered in a non-absorbent semi-firm gel that is easily consumable which results in higher material uptake. The semi-firm gel is formed by interactions occurring between a solution containing an alginic acid crosslinking agent with a gel containing alginic acid.

Abstract: A high throughput process for delivering a semi-firm gel for supplying vaccines, nutritive substances and other similar material to animals, such as poultry chicks. The material is delivered in a non-absorbent semi-firm gel that is easily consumable which results in higher material uptake. The semi-firm gel is formed by interactions occurring between a solution containing an alginic acid crosslinking agent with a gel containing alginic acid.

Abstract: A method and device for delivering one or more solutions onto a container of animals, such as poultry hatchings, that is being transported along a conveyor line. The method and device are capable of delivering highly viscous gels, having viscosities in the range of 5000 to 10,000 centipoise, and also of delivering multiple solutions to a single container of hatchlings.

Abstract: A high throughput process for delivering a semi-firm gel for supplying vaccines, nutritive substances and other similar material to animals, such as poultry chicks. The material is delivered in a non-absorbent semi-firm gel that is easily consumable which results in higher material uptake. The semi-firm gel is formed by interactions occurring between a solution containing an alginic acid crosslinking agent with a gel containing alginic acid.

Abstract: A high-power ceramic discharge metal halide (CDM) lamp with a shroud-type containment assembly is disclosed. The lamp includes: a first shroud (138) with a first wall which forms a cylinder and which defines a first cavity; a second shroud (136) situated within the first cavity and which includes a second wall which forms a cylinder and which defines a second cavity situated within the first cavity of the first shroud; a first coil portion (140, 142) is situated about at least the one or the first and second shrouds (respectively); a ceramic arc tube (102) is situated in the second cavity and includes first and second openings, first and second leads (104, 106) with electrodes, and a lamp cavity (103) for containing a fill.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns methods for inhibition of STAT biological functions using platinum complexes.

Abstract: A ceramic gas discharge metal halide (CDM) lamp (23) exhibiting a high color temperature (above 4500K) has a prolate spheroid-shaped PCA discharge vessel (12) containing a fill of an inert gas, mercury and a metal halide salt mixture of at least about 62 mole percent of calcium iodide (CaI2); up to about 8 mole percent of cerium iodide (CeI3); up to about 15 mole percent of cesium iodide (CsI); and up to about 15 mole percent of other halides selected from the halides of lithium (Li), sodium (Na), indium (In), manganese (Mn), lead (Pb), praseodymium (Pr), europium (Eu), gallium (Ga) and thallium (Tl), with the amount of sodium (Na) halides being less than about 5 mole percent, and the amount of thallium (Tl) halides being less than about 5 mole percent. Such lamps are particularly useful in horticultural applications, as well as in sports lighting, aquarium lighting and other specialty lighting applications.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns platinum complexes that exhibit antitumor cell and/or antiparasitic activity. The subject invention also concerns the use of platinum complexes of the invention to treat oncological and inflammatory disorders. The platinum complexes of the invention can also be used to treat or prevent infection by a virus or a bacterial or parasitic organism in vivo or in vitro.

Abstract: Several compositions of matter have been discovered that can be used in the manufacture of slow-release fertilizers that contain all of the essential elements needed by plants and humans. Slow-release fertilizers manufactured with these formulations can be used on mineral stressed soils to increase the quality and production of food crops grown on them. Additives, including phosphogypsum, silica sand, natural gypsum, clay, and coal dust, facilitate the timing of the release of the essential elements into the soil.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns platinum complexes that exhibit antitumor cell and/or antiparasitic activity. The subject invention also concerns the use of platinum complexes of the invention to treat oncological and inflammatory disorders. The platinum complexes of the invention can also be used to treat or prevent infection by a virus or a bacterial or parasitic organism in vivo or in vitro.