Abstract: The present invention relates generally to peptides, polypeptides or proteins having one or more amino acids or one or more amino acid sequences which exhibit color-facilitating properties, either on their own or following interaction with one or more other amino acids and to nucleic acid molecules encoding same. Such peptides, polypeptides and proteins are referred to herein as “color-facilitating molecules” or “CFMs”. The present invention further provides genetic constructs for use in genetically modifying eukaryotic or prokaryotic cells and more particularly eukaryotic tissue so as to alter their visual characteristics or capacity for exhibiting same to a human eye in the absence of excitation by an extraneous non-white light or particle emission.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to peptides, polypeptides or proteins having one or more amino acids or one or more amino acid sequences which exhibit color-facilitating properties, either on their own or following interaction with one or more other amino acids and to nucleic acid molecules encoding same. Such peptides, polypeptides and proteins are referred to herein as “color-facilitating molecules” or “CFMs”. The present invention further provides genetic constructs for use in genetically modifying eukaryotic or prokaryotic cells and more particularly eukaryotic tissue so as to alter their visual characteristics or capacity for exhibiting same to a human eye in the absence of excitation by an extraneous non-white light or particle emission.

Abstract: The growth container is formed of two pots that interfit within each other to define an enclosed space. A heater disposed in the space supplies heat via a reservoir of water for heating the inner pot and the soil in the inner pot to keep the roots of an aquatic plant embedded within the soil warm. A thermostat(s) is provided for maintaining the temperature of the soil at a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: The de-icer apparatus uses the warmer water below an ice cap on a fishpond to maintain an opening in the ice cap for venting gases generated below the ice cap. The de-icer apparatus uses a low voltage heater to warm the water entering the lower end of the apparatus and moves the water by convection to the upper end of the apparatus. In one embodiment, the heated water is moved out of the upper end of the housing to prevent the formation of ice. In another embodiment, the housing provides a chimney effect for venting gas and melting snow.

Abstract: A method of transferring a plurality of digital images captured by a digital camera to a computer and for processing such digital images includes using the digital camera to capture a plurality of digital images of one or more scenes; transferring such captured digital images to the computer wherein they are stored in a memory; and continuing the capture and transfer of digital images to the memory while simultaneously processing other digital images stored in the memory which were previously captured by the cam era wherein such processing produces digital images which are suitable for subsequent use.

Abstract: Adaptive interpolation is performed by apparatus operating upon a digitized image signal obtained from an image sensor having color photosites that generate a plurality of color values, but only one color per photosite. A digital processor obtains gradient values from the differences between chrominance values in vertical and horizontal image directions. The gradient values are compared with each other in order to select one of the directions as the preferred orientation for the interpolation of additional luminance values. The interpolation is then performed upon values selected to agree with the preferred orientation.