Abstract: A method of collecting and loading a plurality of insects of a particular type into respective insect holders includes extracting a plurality of insects from an insect habitat to a storage chamber which is operable to allow access to a plurality of exit holes and allowing access to the exit holes, followed by luring and/or compelling the insects to leave the storage chamber via the exit holes for subsequent loading into an insect holder.

Abstract: This invention is a two-part device for suspending a ring around a wearer's neck in the form of a pendant. The two-part device has a cover and an interior ring holding assembly where the interior ring holding assembly is suspended from a neck chain that also supports the cover. The device is structured so that the interior ring holding assembly may be readily removed from the cover and the ring thereby removed at will. Various configurations allow the ring to be either suspended with the stone down or suspended with the stone in an upward position. The device is intended to provide a secure means of transport and displaying a ring from a neck chain.

Abstract: In the use of ethylene oxide as a sterilizing agent, toxic chemicals known as chlorohydrins may be formed in the sterilized materials. Chlorohydrins are difficult to remove using the normal pressure vacuum air purge cycles specified in the ethylene oxide sterilization process. Introduction of ammonia vapors in one or more of the pressure vacuum purge cycles provides a means to reduce chlorohydrin concentration in the sterilized materials.

Abstract: An insect holder for holding an insect of a particular type, e.g. a forager honey bee, comprises a housing with a chamber adapted to receive an insect of the particular type, an inlet to the chamber through which an insect of the particular type can pass to enter the chamber, a head opening to the chamber adapted to permit the head of an insect of the particular type in the chamber to pass therethrough to the exterior of the housing while retaining the insect in the housing, and retaining means for retaining an insect of the particular type in the chamber with the head of the insect protruding through the head opening to the exterior of the housing, such that the insect is unable to turn around in the chamber. In use, an insect of the particular type enters the chamber via the inlet, and is then retained in the holder by the retaining means. The insect is retained in the chamber, with its head protruding through the head opening of the chamber.

Abstract: Monitoring apparatus comprises a support device for receiving a plurality of items to be monitored in an array, each item having a unique machine-readable identifying reference associated therewith, the arrangement being such that the items are movable to different positions in the array; a sensor device for intermittently and repeatedly monitoring each item in the array to monitor changes in a variable associated with each item and to read the reference associated with each item; device for supplying data to the monitored variable and machine-readable reference of each item to a computer, wherein the computer relates the monitored variable to the reference to each item independently of the position of the item in the array.