Abstract: A dual handled utility apparatus, such as a shovel, is provided. The utility apparatus includes an elongated shaft having a first end and a second end. A first handle is affixed to the first end, and a utility head is affixed to the second end. The present invention further includes a secondary shaft. The secondary shaft includes a first end and a second end. The second end of the secondary shaft is affixed to the elongated shaft in about the middle between the first end and the second end of the elongated shaft. A second handle may be affixed to the first end of the secondary shaft.

Abstract: The invention is based on a rotor device with at least one rotor that is supported rotatably about a rotor axis, and with a drive unit which is provided for driving the at least one rotor and which comprises at least one drive shaft with at least one section that extends, in at least one operating position of the at least one rotor, at least substantially parallel with respect to the rotor axis. It is proposed that the rotor device comprises a compensation unit which is provided to permit a change of an orientation of the rotor axis with respect to the at least one section.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a two-position quick-connect mounting system for mounting a farm implement to a toolbar in an operating configuration, the mounting assembly including a toolbar bracket and an implement bar, the implement bar being mounted to the toolbar bracket by: i) raising the implement bar into a downward facing cavity of the toolbar bracket; and ii) longitudinally translating the implement bar such that lateral projections on either side of the implement bar are received into operating slots in the toolbar bracket, and a spring-biased locking member automatically engages a securing member. In an illustrative embodiment, the implement bar may be mounted to the toolbar bracket in a stowage configuration by sliding the projections into stowage slots separate from the operating slots. In some embodiments, the implement may advantageously be mounted in one of two mounting configurations, without requiring tools.

Abstract: Perforated rotating attraction drum of a general cylindrical shape and featuring openings, this drum being fitted for being mounted on a leaf-stripping head of the leaves of a foliage wall such as a row of vine-stock, characterized in that it features the superposition of a plurality of rings presenting an outside cylindrical surface, and of a plurality of annular openings made between two successive rings, these openings allowing the passage of a suction air flow across and towards the inside of the perforated rotating attraction drum featuring, internally, means of rigid assembly of the plurality of stacked rings and a coupling means to a motorization for its rotational drive.

Abstract: An agricultural vehicle has an implement connection hitch including means for controllably moving the same relative to a rear axle of the vehicle. A control system controlling movement of the connection hitch is coupled with position determining means such as a GPS receiver and determines a location for the vehicle. During turning manoeuvres, the control system moves the hitch relative to the rear axle of the vehicle until it reaches an offset position such as to reduce the turning circle of the vehicle and a connected implement. The extent of offset may be determined automatically by the control system on identification of a connected implement.

Abstract: A control system for a tractor having a transmission with a hydraulic drive circuit in which a hydraulic pump supplies pressurised fluid to a hydraulic motor. The control system controls an operating condition of an implement attached to the tractor and said control system comprises a pressure sensing means which senses the pressure in the hydraulic drive circuit and provides a signal which is indicative of the current pull force necessary to pull the implement. The control system further comprises a control means which receives the pressure signal and a second signal relating to the speed of the tractor and adjusts the current position of the implement to a new position when said pressure signal varies. The new position lies within a pre-determined position range dependent on the second signal in order to maintain an optimal, yet safe operating condition of the implement.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for mixing the contents of manure storage lagoons. Remotely controlled floating agitation vessels are provided. Some have one or more propellers which are located on the ends of agitator arms where the propellers are driven by motors located at the opposite ends of the arms and having a drive shaft extending through the agitator arms. The agitator arms can be lowered and raised varying degrees and have the propeller speeds varied; both under remote control. Some apparatus are steered using a steering arm coupled to a land secured cable where the orientation of the boat is changed by pivoting the steering arm angle with respect to the cable. Some apparatus are remotely steered by remotely and individually controlling the speed of the propellers. Propeller motors and actuators can be hydraulically driven with the hydraulic fluid and driving engine air cooled using a radiator.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for monitoring and controlling an agricultural implement, including seed planting implements. Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for detecting seeds being conveyed by seed conveyor.

Abstract: A seeding machine with a seed meter and a seed delivery system for moving seed from a seed meter to a furrow formed in the soil. The delivery system has an endless member moving in a housing about pulleys to move seed from an upper opening in the housing to a lower discharge opening. In one embodiment, a loading wheel at the upper opening to the housing engages seed on a metering disk to move seed into the housing. The metering disk and housing can be arranged in planes parallel to one another.

Abstract: A transplanting device performing transplanting between a plurality of culture medium boards cultivating a plurality of plants planted in an aligned manner, characterized of comprising a transplanting mechanism transplanting the plants, wherein the transplanting mechanism performs alternately a one step of arranging plants having been arranged in a grid form on a culture medium board of transplanting source, into a zigzag form on a culture medium board of transplanting destination and a other step of arranging plants having been arranged in a zigzag form on a culture medium board of transplanting source, into a grid form on a culture medium board of transplanting destination.

Abstract: A spray assembly includes a support element by which the spray assembly is attached to a vehicle, a first load carrying arm selectively extendable from the support element, and a first nozzle carrying arm attached to the first load carrying arm and having at least two sections connected at a first joint. At least one of the two sections is selectively extendable from the first load carrying arm. A crop sprayer including a vehicle and an attached spray assembly is also disclosed. A method of deploying a spray boom system is disclosed, wherein a support element of the spray boom system is attached to a vehicle. The method includes selectively extending a first load carrying arm from the support element and selectively extending at least one of two sections of a first nozzle carrying arm from the first load carrying arm.

Abstract: The invention relates to a separation system for a potato harvesting machine or a preparation machine for separating potatoes, or similar crops, from a mixture of clods, stones, and similar solid bodies. A conveying assembly is thereby utilized to feed the essentially compact mixture as a delivery flow, from where the mixture displaced into the area of at least one drop stage, and thereby influenced by way of a conveying means in the form of an air stream, can be separated. Thereafter, at least the harvested material and the solid bodies, respectively, can be moved on as individual separated goods, and can be moved out of the separation system. The system according to the invention is characterized in that subsequently to the drop stage bringing about a loosening of the mixture, at least one retaining element located opposite the falling separated goods and interacting with the at least one air stream is provided.

Abstract: A brush attachment is provided. The brush attachment includes a mounting frame configured to mount to the front of a greens mower. A pair of arms may be pivotally attached to the mounting frame and may extend downwards towards a surface in which the mower is resting. A brush frame having bristles may be attached to the arms. Therefore, a user may cut the grass on the putting green of a golf course so that the brush fluffs the grass uniformly and then the mower cuts the grass evenly.

Abstract: A method for defining boundaries for a work area of a robotic vehicle may include receiving map data descriptive of a parcel of land and receiving information indicative of at least one reference object disposed on the parcel. The at least one reference object may have corresponding information for defining boundaries for a work area on the parcel associated therewith. The work area may define an area to be worked by a robotic vehicle. The method may further include determining the boundaries responsive to detection of the at least one reference object, and operating the robotic vehicle to remain within the area defined by the boundaries.

Abstract: A lawn mower includes: a mower unit having a plurality of blades for performing lawn mowing work, the plurality of blades being driven by rotational power; a blade motor configured to transmit rotational power to each of the plurality of blades, and be capable of optionally changing the rotation number of the rotational power transmitted to each of the plurality of blades; and a controller configured to detect respective speeds of the plurality of blades to the ground and perform energy-saving control of increasing and decreasing the rotation number of the rotational power transmitted to each of the plurality of blades in accordance with increase and reduction in the detected speed of each of the plurality of blades.

Abstract: A rotary head assembly apparatus, and a cutting blade for use on trimmer rotary head assemblies are disclosed. The rotary head assembly apparatus is configured to easily replace cutting members necessary to cut unwanted plants. The cutting blade is for use on trimmer rotary head assemblies configured to cut unwanted vegetation.

Abstract: Granule conveying apparatus (12) comprising two screw conveyors (21,22) are provided. Each screw conveyor comprises flighting (26,36) mounted to a shaft (27,37) and a cylindrical volume (61,62) associated therewith. Each cylindrical volume (61,62) has a length defined by the associated shaft (27,37) and a diameter defined by the associated flighting (26,36). One end of each of said two screw conveyors meet at an elbow or junction (52) where the direction of material conveyance is changed. The conveyor shafts (27,37) are supported independently from one another. The shaft of one of said two screw conveyors intersects the cylindrical volume associated with the other one of said two screw conveyors at the elbow. The close proximity of the two screw conveyors at the elbow region reduces power consumption.

Abstract: The working invention featuring power lawn mower augmented with a core assembly of a rotating disk, a contact wheel and pulley wheels offers a grass cutting operator the option of simultaneously edging or weed whacking while at all times refining the actual grass clippings in service to our environment. The invention is noteworthy by the absence of the plethora of mechanical and electrical devices necessitated by prior art.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to the drive and rotation speed adjustment for a threshing rotor of rotary grain harvesters. The technical result, intended to be achieved by the invention, is an improvement in the reliability of the rotor drive due to its design simplification, an increase of torque transferred from the engine to the rotor and assured regulation of the speed of the stepless rotor. The technical result is obtained by including a hydraulic cylinder, ratchet wheel and lock, wherein the hydraulic cylinder installed on the rotor drive gearbox housing controls lock blocking of the ratchet wheel by a mechanical linkage, and the ratchet wheel is fixed with a shall of the inside planetary gear. Selection of transfer ratios for gearbox gears allows the harvester weight to be reduced by excluding the transmission gear box from the rotor drive gearbox.

Abstract: A continuous-operation baler assembly is provided which includes a separate and leading surge bin followed by a baler. The surge bin and baler each comprise a separate pick up mechanism for collecting agricultural material. When the baler has collected material and is ready to finish a bale the surge bin receives a signal and begins collecting agricultural material. Once the bale nears finish, the material collected by the surge bin is metered out into the path of or otherwise transferred to the baler during the next bale formation cycle, where it is picked up and formed into a bale.

Abstract: An improved method to produce artificial light for plant cultivation, an illumination device with a semiconductor light emission solution and device suited for plant cultivation in a greenhouse and/or dark growth chamber environment are described. The best mode is considered to be a lighting device with LEDs that produces an emission spectrum similar to the photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) spectrum in a dark growth chamber. The methods and arrangements allow more precise spectral tuning of the emission spectrum for lights used in plant (310, 311) cultivation. Therefore unexpected improvements in the photomorphogenetic control of plant growth, and further improvements in plant production, especially in dark growth chambers, such as basements, are realized.

Abstract: The present invention provides a planting box device composed of at least a modular frame, which further comprises a frame set, a connecting rod group, wherein the frame set includes a first frame and a second frame; the first frame has a bearing plate, four corners of which are positioned by first openings and first posts and which also forms a plurality of positioning openings; the second frame having a sink forms second openings and second posts on its four corners, wherein the second posts are accommodated with the first openings in size and the sink has an inlet and an outlet; the connecting rod group comprises a plurality of connecting rods, each of which has rod openings and rod posts, so that the composition of the planting box device described above has function of structural expansion in horizontal and vertical direction and thus provides convenience in assembly and disassembly.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hydroculture pot that can store an optimum amount of water at which a water level is appropriate for a depth of roots. A soil culture pot, having a supply and drainage hole that enables supplying and draining of water in a bottom portion, is used and a partitioning wall, vertically partitioning an interior of the pot main body in a watertight manner to store an optimum amount of water at which a water level is appropriate for a depth of roots of a spider plant, is disposed at an inner circumferential surface of a pot main body. An interior of the pot main body is filled with hydroculture soil and the optimum amount of water is stored in the pot main body so that the water level appropriate for the depth of roots of spider plant planted in the pot main body is a maximum level.

Abstract: A canopy comprises a sheet material that forms a main portion of the canopy having a greater length than width. The canopy comprises vent apertures in the sheet material. The vent apertures are spaced apart along the length of the canopy. The vent apertures may have vent covers. The vent cover restricts water from flowing or entering the vent aperture and passing from outside the canopy to inside the canopy but allows air to move upwards though the vent, or relieves pressure from beneath the canopy.

Abstract: A tree harvester includes a body and a harvesting system coupled to the body. The tree harvester further includes a control system coupled to the body. The control system is configured to receive data from the harvesting system regarding a characteristic of a harvested tree and control operation of the harvesting system based on the data. The harvesting system is configured to remove an intermediate portion of the harvested tree below a tree crown and graft the tree crown to a tree stump.

Abstract: An adapter (10) for a power drill (12) having a threaded rod for receiving a chuck. The adapter (10) includes an adapter plate (14) for securing the adapter (10) to the drill (12); a connector rod (16) having one end connectable to the threaded rod of the drill (12) through the adapter plate (14) and another end for receiving a drill bit (17); a first sleeve (20) mountable on the connector rod (16); a second sleeve (28) slidable with respect to the first sleeve (20); a coiled spring (18) mountable around on the connector rod (16) for biasing the second sleeve away from the first sleeve; gripping pins (32, 34) at an end of the second sleeve (28) for contacting a surface to be drilled.

Abstract: An integral, discrete, drip irrigation emitter that comprises means for facilitating spreading of its water exit “pool” U configured, in cross section, “legs”, so that after affixing the drip emitter onto the inner wall surface of the hose, and following water pressure increase within the hose, an elastic movement of a sector of the hose's wall that is framed and delineated as a consequence of affixing the circumferential rim of the exit pool onto the inner wall of the hose, will take place onto opening a water outlet opening, and from the time the water pressure in the hose decreases, closing of the water outlet opening would occur, and a drip irrigation hose embedding at least one such emitter in it, and a general method for opening and closing water outlet openings in such hose, wherein the opening and closing is performed in accordance with and in correlation to the water pressure prevailing in the hose.

Abstract: A system includes pipes, each of which has a pipe passageway for fluid to pass therethrough and electrical conductors insulated from the pipe passageway. At least one fluid connector has a connector passageway for fluid to pass therethrough and electrical conductors insulated from the connector passageway. The pipes are fluidly and electrically connected to the at least one fluid connector. An irrigation controller and a power source are electrically connected to the pipes.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of controlling watering by monitoring soil moisture, including the steps of: determining a control moisture and a measuring frequency; measuring a soil moisture according to the measuring frequency by a moisture sensor; implementing a watering process when the ratio of the soil moisture to the control moisture is lower than a first control value; implementing a waiting process after the watering process; measuring the soil moisture using the moisture sensor after finishing the waiting process; and implementing the step of measuring the soil moisture according to the measuring frequency by the moisture sensor when the ratio of the soil moisture to the control moisture is higher than a second control value, and implementing the watering process and the step of the waiting process when the ratio of the soil moisture to the control moisture is lower than the second control value.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of Daucus carota, in particular to a new variety of carrot designated NUN 89847 CAC as well as plants, seeds and carrot roots thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of Daucus carota, in particular to a new variety of carrot designated NUN 89848 CAC as well as plants, seeds and carrot roots thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of Daucus carota, in particular to a new variety of carrot designated NUN 89849 CAC as well as plants, seeds and carrot roots thereof.

Abstract: Novel lettuce cultivars, designated SCARAMANGA, GIMLET, SPRITZER and/or MOJITO, are disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of lettuce cultivars SCARAMANGA, GIMLET, SPRITZER and/or MOJITO, to the plants of lettuce lines SCARAMANGA, GIMLET, SPRITZER and/or MOJITO and to methods for producing a lettuce plant by crossing the cultivars SCARAMANGA, GIMLET, SPRITZER and/or MOJITO with itself or another lettuce line, respectively. The invention further relates to methods for producing a lettuce plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic plants produced by that method and to methods for producing other lettuce lines derived from the cultivars SCARAMANGA, GIMLET, SPRITZER and/or MOJITO.

Abstract: Novel lettuce cultivars, designated SCARAMANGA, GIMLET, SPRITZER and/or MOJITO, are disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of lettuce cultivars SCARAMANGA, GIMLET, SPRITZER and/or MOJITO, to the plants of lettuce lines SCARAMANGA, GIMLET, SPRITZER and/or MOJITO and to methods for producing a lettuce plant by crossing the cultivars SCARAMANGA, GIMLET, SPRITZER and/or MOJITO with itself or another lettuce line, respectively. The invention further relates to methods for producing a lettuce plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic plants produced by that method and to methods for producing other lettuce lines derived from the cultivars SCARAMANGA, GIMLET, SPRITZER and/or MOJITO.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method of managing a group of dairy animals. More particularly, the invention relates to measuring one or more milk parameters, comparing this parameter to a criterion, and allowing an animal access to a pasture based on this comparison. The milk parameter is related to the composition of milk obtained from a dairy animal in as far as the composition is defined by at least one of the amount of protein and the energy intake of the dairy animal. The measured milk parameter is, for example, urea. Access to the pasture will be completely or partly blocked for a dairy animal having a high content of urea. This dairy animal is thus prevented from taking in an undesirably large amount of protein.

Abstract: There is provided a distributor device (22) for distributing treatment fluid to the teat cups of a milking cluster. The distributor device has at least one distributer inlet (18) for treatment fluid, at least one distributor outlet (20) for connection to a teat cup, and a safety valve The safety valve is selectively operable to permit flow between the at least one inlet (18) and the at least one outlet (20) and, in a rest position, to shut off flow between the at least one inlet and the at least one outlet and vent the at least one inlet to atmosphere.

Abstract: A homogenizer valve seat member comprising a valve seat plate is disclosed. The valve seat plate has two end surfaces perpendicular to the central axis, and the seat plate has a peripheral seat zone for sitting in a homogenizer housing. The valve seat member comprises a plurality of holes extending axially through the valve seat plate, wherein at least one hole of the plurality of holes forming a continuous mouth edge on one of the end surfaces. The central axis of the valve seat member is positioned outside the mouth edge. A forcer, a homogenization device, and a method for homogenization are also provided.

Abstract: An absorbent sheet for pets, having a fluid-permeable surface sheet that receives pet excrement, a fluid-impermeable rear sheet, and an absorbent body that absorbs fluid that has penetrated the surface sheet. The surface sheet is configured so as to receive pet excrement, in a state in which the rear sheet is placed in a placement location; the absorbent body is configured as a non-embossed area having a surface-side covered sheet, a rear-side covered sheet, and an absorbent layer; a main absorbent section for excrement is provided in the center area of the absorbent body; and the basis weight in at least the main absorbent area in the absorbent body is set so as to be substantially uniform at a prescribed value.

Abstract: An apparatus used for the transportation of a pet comprising a housing for a pet, with a transparent true dome shaped porthole window molded from a piece of glass, plastic, or other suitable transparent material, having an outwardly directed lip at the base of the dome which is then used to be attach to the apparatus. The transparent true dome shaped porthole window is of a size slightly larger than that of the pet's head and provides a place for the pet to place its head, and allows a greater degree of visibility and protection for the pet. Almost automatically the pet will place its head into the transparent true dome shaped porthole window upon being placed into the apparatus for transportation.

Abstract: An animal cage includes a removable, suspended interior floor provided with a plurality of perforations formed therein. The floor creates a plenum inside the cage allowing air to flow laminarly through the perforations and liquids or liquid waste to substantially fall through the perforations in the raised floor.

Abstract: A pet or human battery operated grooming apparatus having a housing, a number of tines formed in the housing, each tine having a slot, and a number of disk shaped blades mounted to a shaft, the shaft mounted in the housing and the blades disposed in the tine slots. A protective cover encloses most of each blade leaving only a slit open to the blade. The tines direct knots or tangles in the hair or fur of the pet, or hair of a human, to the slits and the blades. The user may then rotate the blades to cut the knots. This process occurs without any undue pulling of the associated skin of the animal or human.

Abstract: A method and system that incorporates spraying logic onto the sensor mat to detect and apply various liquids onto the feet of an animal. Each sensor in the sensor mat actuates a specific valve for application of the medicinal fluid without the use of relays and associated wiring. The medicinal fluid is a topical anti-inflammatory/vaso dilator to prevent swelling, hemorrhaging, and further tissue elimination, commonly known as laminitis, abscess, ulcers and white line disease. The application of the medicinal fluid can be administered to only specific animals by tagging the animals that require treatment.

Abstract: A pet amusement device provides a moving play object within a cage structure with apertures that provide intermittent visual and tactile interaction of the pet with the play object. The motion of the play object is unpredictable and visually interesting to the pet. Motion of the play object may be caused by a play object driving assembly, which exerts magnetic forces on the pay object and causes it to move on a gliding surface of a floor member within the cage structure in an unpredictable manner. The magnetic forces may be provided by a rotating carriage member driven by a motor and gear assembly beneath the gliding surface. The play object may also be provided with a magnetic element, such that the carnage member magnets exert repulsive forces on the play object as the carriage member rotates. A spacing disk on the play object may maintain the play object magnet a predetermined distance above the gliding surface.

Abstract: A dental care product for a pet, such as a dog, includes at least one chew strand having a fragrance and at least one flossing strand. The flossing strand is formed from rawhide and has a thickness less than a thickness of the chew strand. The chew strand and the flossing strand are interwoven with each other along a length of the dental care product to define an interwoven portion of the dental care product. The flossing strand is wrapped around and binds free ends of the chew strand in a wrapped portion of the dental care product. The free ends extend outwardly from the wrapped portion of the dental care product on a side of the wrapped portion opposite the interwoven portion of the dental care product. Advantageously, the dental care product permits the strands to abrade with the pet's teeth in various ways to deliver cleaning benefits.

Abstract: A lure chasing system comprises: a motorized pulley unit disposed at a first location, the motorized pulley unit including a drive housing enclosing a motor and a drive pulley connected to the motor; a transfer pulley unit disposed at a second location, the transfer pulley unit including a transfer housing enclosing a transfer pulley; a lure line engaging the drive pulley and the transfer pulley so as to form a loop configuration for the lure line; and a lure attached to the lure line.

Abstract: A cow retrieval system including one or more elevated rails and one or more trolleys translational along the rail and carrying at least one cow stimulating device operative to stimulate a cow to walk towards a desired location. The cow retrieval system could also include a cow tag localization system so to be operative to localize a tag attached to a cow, identify and retrieve the cow based on information input from the localization system.

Abstract: Disclosed is an autologous non-human mammalian model system derived from induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. Also disclosed are methods of differentiating non-human primate iPS cells, which can result in populations of cells enriched for SOX2+ or PDX1+ foregut-like cells, for CDX2+ hindgut-like cells, for CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor-like cells, or epithelial-like cells. Also disclosed is a non-human primate containing an autologous cell type of interest, which is differentiated in vitro from an induced pluripotent stem cell reprogrammed from a primary somatic cell. Methods of monitoring exogenously introduced cells within a non-human mammal are also disclosed.

Abstract: Mice are provided that comprise a reduction or deletion of ADAM6 activity from an endogenous ADAM6 locus, or that lack an endogenous locus encoding a mouse ADAM6 protein, wherein the mice comprise a sequence encoding an ADAM6 or ortholog or homolog or fragment thereof that is functional in a male mouse. In one embodiment, the sequence is an ectopic ADAM6 sequence or a sequence that confers upon a male mouse the ability to generate offspring by mating. Mice and cells with genetically modified immunoglobulin heavy chain loci that comprise an ectopic nucleotide sequence encoding a mouse ADAM6 or functional fragment or homolog or ortholog thereof are also provided.

Abstract: Described herein is an aquatic electrical barrier that has the electrodes configured in a matrix array configuration, where each electrode element of the matrix array is mounted either directly on the bottom of a water channel or on extendable rods; the matrix array is controlled so that aquatic species may be physically moved by the aquatic species physiological response to a time-varying and spatially-varying electrical field.

Abstract: A soft-plastic fishing lure having a contoured round, elongated body portion (1) of circular units (7) of varying diameters, arrangements, and spacing's (5) to mimic natural bait silhouettes and natural sounds. The soft-plastic lure has a ¼ inch continuous interior core (6) and has a head portion (2) attached at one end of the elongated body portion (1) and has a forward facing contoured bulbous head (4) of varying lengths and diameters. A tail portion (3) is attached to the opposite end of the elongated body portion (1) by the continuous ¼ inch core (6) and has an oval appearance (8) when viewed from the top, and a designed hump (9, 13) the full width of the oval with corresponding concave contour (10, 12) on the bottom of the oval. The combination of the various head (2), body (1), and hydro dynamic tail (3) portions creates unique soft-plastic baits which mimic natural baits in appearance, sounds, and hydro dynamic pressure waves.