Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of producing a non-human mammal having one or more pathological characteristics of retinal degeneration and/or age-related macular degeneration. In particular, the invention provides a method of producing a non-human mammal having age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The invention is also directed to non-human animals produced by the methods described herein. Methods of identifying an agent for use in inhibiting one or more pathological characteristics of retinal degeneration and/or AMD is also encompassed by the invention. Also provided is a method of treating AMD in an individual in need thereof comprising, administering to the individual an agent identified herein.

Abstract: Provided herein are transgenic non-human animals whose genomes comprise two or more human genes selected from CD33, Siglec-5, Siglec-7, Siglec-9, Siglec-11, Siglec-14, and Siglec-16, to methods of screening candidate agents that bind to and/or modulate the function and/or activity of at least one of the human genes in the transgenic non-human animals, and to methods of screening candidate agents to determine their effect on one or more activities and/or functions associated with expression of at least one of the human genes in the transgenic non-human animals Further provided herein are methods of recapitulating a human Siglec immune system in a non-human animal, and methods of generating a non-human animal disease model comprising a human Siglec repertoire.

Abstract: The present invention provides a transgenic mouse which comprises a deficiency for murine T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes and NK cells, a deficiency for murine MHC class I and MHC class II molecules, and a functional xenogenic SIRP? transgene. This mouse is useful for in vivo screening of various compounds, including immuno-therapeutic agents and vaccines. The said mouse is also useful for testing the in vivo metabolism of xenobiotic compounds.

Abstract: Non-human animals, methods and compositions for making and using the same, are provided, wherein said non-human animals comprise a humanization of a Cluster of Differentiation 274 (CD274) gene. Such non-human animals may be described, in some embodiments, as having a genetic modification to an endogenous CD274 gene so that said non-human animals express a Programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) polypeptide that includes a human portion and an endogenous portion (e.g., a non-human portion).

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to fishing lures with interchangeable scents and methods of embedding scents in fishing lures. In an embodiment, a fishing lure configured to be customized with different scents includes a body, and a plurality of attachments configured to be attached to and detached from the body, wherein a first attachment of the plurality of attachments includes a first scent, and a second attachment of the plurality of attachments includes a second scent, and wherein the first attachment and the second attachment can be interchangeably attached to and detached from the body at a same location of the body.

Abstract: A reciprocating mechanism includes a first supporting member, a second supporting member, and a biasing member. The worm shaft includes a shaft portion, a first shaft supporting portion having a spherical portion formed in a convex spherical shape at a distal end, and a second shaft supporting portion. The first supporting member includes a first bottom portion abutting the spherical portion. The second supporting member includes a second bottom portion abutting a distal end of the second shaft supporting portion. The biasing member biases at least one of the first supporting member and the second supporting member in an axial direction.

Abstract: A simple device that enables twisted fishing line to be easily untwisted is disclosed. The device comprises a shaft surrounded with a helical groove or channel around which fishing line passes while being loaded onto a fishing reel. The helical grooves or channels remove twist from the fishing line caused by a rotating bail on a fixed spool reel. The device can be used with any reel, but is particularly well adapted for fixed spool spinning or fixed spool spin-cast reels.

Abstract: The leader line spooling device is an apparatus that allows the length of a leader line to be adjusted while accommodating a variety of fishing line accessories such as ornaments, fishing bobbers, and weights. The apparatus includes a flexible wire, a cap, a spool, an eyelet hook, and a fishing line hole. The flexible wire contains the variety of fishing line accessories while allowing the fishing line accessories to slide and increase the chances of visually attracting nearby fish. The cap connects the flexible wire to the spool. The spool contains extra additional leader line that may or may not be used. The eyelet hook contains and secures leader line that is most likely going to be used. The fishing line hole allows the leader line to be connected to the spool. The apparatus preferably includes a notch that secures the leader line to the eyelet hook.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods and apparatuses for embedding a scent in a fishing lure. In a general example embodiment, a device for adding a scent to a fishing lure includes a body including an inner space configured to be isolated from an outside environment and a container for a scented liquid, an attachment mechanism configured to suspend the fishing lure within the inner space of the body, a heating mechanism configured to raise the temperature of the scented liquid to create steam, and a control unit configured to cause at least one of: (i) a pressurization mechanism to increase pressure within the inner space to cause the steam to add a scent to the fishing lure; or (ii) a charge to be applied to the fishing lure to cause the steam to add the scent to the fishing lure.

Abstract: The invention provides a fishing chair for use in sea fishing; the fishing chair having pivotably mounted thereon a gimbal 2 comprising a socket structure for receiving a butt of a fishing rod; wherein a releasable restraining device is provided which can be set so as to prevent the gimbal from pivoting in a first direction, whereby pivoting movement of the gimbal in an opposite direction to the first direction serves to release the restraining device so that the gimbal can pivot in the said first direction. Also provided is a restraining device for use in the fishing chair of the invention.

Abstract: Disclosed is a spraying unit intended for spraying a liquid onto vegetation and including: a nozzle formed by a tube, a rotatable atomizer, and a fan generating a carrying air flow around the atomizer, a drive system, and a transport unit for transporting the liquid to the atomizer, which is capable of breaking the liquid up into droplets. The nozzle encloses a body surrounded by the carrying air flow and including a rotatable portion formed by the rotatable atomizer, the rotation of which causes droplets in the carrying air flow to be propelled, preferably in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. Also disclosed is a compact spraying module including such a unit and to a spraying and control system including a plurality of such modules.

Abstract: A spray device for spraying a fluid may include a reservoir to hold the fluid; a hose connected to the reservoir to convey the fluid; a handle to connect to the hose; a telescoping dispensing shaft connected to the handle to convey the fluid; and a dome connected to the telescoping dispensing shaft to encapsulate the excess drift. The dome may be formed from one of translucent or clear material.

Abstract: A robotic orchard spraying system having an autonomous delivery vehicle (ADV), autonomously delivering an amount of a premixed solution over path, the path identified by a forward-looking sensor. The ADV uses GPS to sense an area containing the path, and LiDAR as the forward-looking sensor. Also, a mobile control center, configured to wirelessly inform the autonomous delivery vehicle of the path within the areas and to confirm that the autonomous delivery vehicle is following the path within the area. Additionally, a mapper vehicle generates the path within the area, the mapper vehicle being configured to communicate information about the path and the area to the command center. The mapper vehicle senses the path with a forward-looking LiDAR sensor, and senses the area with a GPS sensor. Moreover, a nurse truck has a reservoir of premixed solution for replenishing a tank of the ADV.

Abstract: A device for damaging weeds, the device having a pressure-conveyance unit, which is designed to convey a fluid under pressure, and a fluid-dispensing unit, which is fluidically connected to the pressure-conveyance unit and is furthermore developed to dispense the pressurized fluid to the weed in order to damage the weed, the fluid-dispensing unit including at least one valve that has a piezo-actuator or an electroactive polymer actuator or a magnetoresistive actuator.

Abstract: A deadfall device for capturing targeted animals. The device is a manually set survival tool that can be selective used to capture or crush a small animal.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a device for detecting the presence of insects and bioaerosols comprising, a base and a shell, where the shell is affixed to the base forming a chamber, wherein an agent is contained with said chamber, and at least one channel, the channel(s) provides access to the chamber, the shell can be actuated by a person causing the device to expel air and optionally one or more agents from the chamber to the exterior and to draw in air and bioaerosols from the exterior into the chamber.

Abstract: Provided are a vitrification stabilizer for animal cell cryopreservation fluid, and an animal cell cryopreservation fluid that exhibits superior vitrification capacity due to containing said vitrification stabilizer for animal cell cryopreservation fluid. The vitrification stabilizer for animal cell cryopreservation fluid contains an amphoteric polymer compound selected from the group consisting of: (a) an amphoteric polymer compound obtained by reacting ?-poly-L-lysine with butyl succinic acid anhydride and performing carboxylation; (b) an amphoteric polymer compound obtained by reacting ?-poly-L-lysine with butyl succinic acid anhydride and succinic acid anhydride, and performing carboxylation; and (c) an amphoteric polymer compound obtained by reacting ?-poly-L-lysine with a compound represented by formula (I) and performing carboxylation.

Abstract: The present invention belongs to the technical field of embryo cryopreservation. In particular, the present invention relates to an in-vitro embryonic culture medium for improving the thawed recovery rate of an embryo, comprising an inhibitor of Cathepsin L inhibitor, for example, E-64d. The present invention also relates to a method for improving the freezing resistance and the thawing recovery rate of an embryo and a method for freezing an embryo. With the present invention, the freezing resistance and the thawing recovery rate of an embryo are significantly improved.

Abstract: The disclosure provides for methods for reducing dust by treating a seed with a dust reducing composition described herein. The disclosure also provides for methods of reducing exposure to vacuum planter dust released during seed planting by applying a composition described herein to a seed. Methods for increasing seed lubricity by coating a seed with a composition described herein are also provided for. Compositions and seeds useful in these methods are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fungicide composition in the form of a concentrated suspension including at least two active ingredients in the form of solid particles, at least one bark penetrating agent, the median diameter D50 of the solid particles being from 0.1 to 1 ?m, the composition having a depth of penetration of at least one of the active ingredients into the wood, in particular the ligneous parts of at least 0.1 mm, its use for treating diseases of the wood, in particular of the ligneous parts of perennial plants and a method for treating perennial plants.

Abstract: A method is provided for reducing the frequency of mis-directed output of hydroalchoholic gel from a dispenser. A method of reducing the formation of coagulated gel deposits, and dispensable hydroalchoholic gel compositions are also provided.

Abstract: A method is provided for reducing the frequency of mis-directed output of hydroalchoholic gel from a dispenser. A method of reducing the formation of coagulated gel deposits, and dispensable hydroalchoholic gel compositions are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cleaning liquid, in particular a cleaning liquid for cleaning surfaces and/or for sanitising water.

Abstract: Herbicidal and pest-control compositions are variously described, including soaps as well as free fatty acids as active ingredients. The disclosed compositions may be constituted in a concentrated form, or the composition may be further diluted for application. Herbicidal compositions of the disclosure may be employed to selectively target unwanted vegetation without a systemic mode of action, and may be used to control a wide variety of unwanted plants, e.g., weeds, woody brush, trees, and/or grasses, in a locus that contains or is susceptible to emergence thereof.

Abstract: There are provided a fungicide composition containing, as active ingredients, (a) valifenalate or a salt thereof and (b) at least one fungicide selected from the group consisting of isofetamid, pyriofenone, and azole-based compounds; and a method for controlling a plant disease, which includes applying the fungicide composition to a plant or soil.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for enhancing plant growth and crop yield in legumes and non-legumes are described. The compositions include lipo-chitooligosaccharides in combination with chitins/chitosans or in combination with flavonoid compounds or in combination with a herbicide. The method includes applying the compositions to seeds and/or plants either concomitantly or sequentially.

Abstract: The present invention provides a compound represented by formula (I), (in the formula, A1 and A2 each independently represents a carbon atom or a nitrogen atom; X1 represents an unsubstituted or substituted C1-6 alkyl group or the like; n represents an integer of 0 to 4; R1 represents an unsubstituted or substituted C1-6 alkylthio group or the like; B1 and B4 each independently represent a carbon atom, a nitrogen atom or the like; R2 and R3 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a halogeno group or the like; Ar represents an unsubstituted or substituted C6-10 aryl group or the like) or a salt thereof, and a harmful organism control agent including thereof.

Abstract: There is provided an agrochemical formulation with an enhanced efficacy of the agrochemical active ingredient, even when a farmer does not perform a mixing operation. Agrochemical active ingredient particles that are solid at 25° C. and zinc oxide particles are mixed to form a layer comprising the zinc oxide particles on the surface of the agrochemical active ingredient particles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mite composition, the rearing thereof and to the use of the composition for controlling crop pests. The invention provides a mite composition comprising: —a rearing population of a phytoseiid predatory mite species, —a population of at least one species from the order Astigmata, and —optionally a carrier, wherein the population of the species from the order Astigmata is not alive. In particular the population of the species from the order Astigmata is in fast frozen fom1. The composition is used for controlling crop pests, such as thrip species. The crops may be greenhouse grown crops and open field crops.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus, designed and configured for stunning live poultry animals which are intended for slaughter and are located in containers, by means of a gas mixture comprising a stunning gas, which apparatus comprises a stunning chamber having at least two stunning zones, an introduction station, arranged on the inlet side of the stunning chamber, for the or each container containing live poultry animals and a discharge station, arranged on the outlet side of the stunning chamber, for the or each container containing stunned poultry animals, at least one transport conveyor for transporting the or each container in the transport direction T through the stunning zones from the introduction station to the discharge station, as well as means for delivering the gas mixture into the stunning zones of the stunning chamber, which apparatus is characterised in that the means for delivering the gas mixture comprises at least one injection pipe which is designed and configured to be movable relativ

Abstract: Vent cutter including a rotatable cutter with forward cutting edge for cutting tissue around a vent of poultry. A centering pin can be inside the cutter with a thickened end portion for insertion into the vent prior to cutting. A clamping sleeve can be inside of the cutter and surround the centering pin. The centering pin and the clamping sleeve can be movable with respect to each other and arranged to cooperate for clamping tissue of the poultry. The clamping sleeve can be movable with respect to the cutter.

Abstract: An air pressure regulator for a dehider includes a valve to open and close the flow of pressurized air in an air inlet, a first spring urging the valve in the direction of air flow through the inlet to close the valve, a plunger operable to move the valve from a closed to an open position against the direction of air flow, a piston connected to the valve exposed to the air flow, and a second spring between the piston and the plunger. Upon depressing the plunger, the second spring urges the piston to open the valve against the air flow direction to permit pressurized air to flow through the regulator. The maximum allowable air pressure through the regulator is determined by spring forces of the first and second springs and resistance of the piston to the flow of air through the valve.

Abstract: A fish feed-in device (1) for feeding fish (9) to a fish processing device (7) comprises a delivery conveying means (3) which is equipped with a controllable positioning drive (35) and a controllable conveying drive (36). The delivery conveying means (3) can be moved by the controllable positioning drive (35) into a first state (301) released by the fish (9) in a deposit space (11), into a second state (302) for grasping, centred holding and conveying of the fish (9) accessing said fish in the deposit space (11) and, in cooperation with the controllable conveying drive (36), into a third state (303) which releases the fish (9) after conveying at a fish delivery point (42) which is defined by a controlled delivery time with associated controlled fish delivery speed.

Abstract: A device includes a body and a plurality of holes located on the body, and each of the plurality of holes defining a cavity therein. The device may be a wood block made from a wood material. Further, the device is useful for providing an improved means for efficiently and quickly smoking food-items.

Abstract: A substance is treated using a device having: (a) a volute or cyclone head, (b) a throat connected to the volute or cyclone head, (c) a parabolic reflector connected to the throat, (d) a first wave energy source comprising a first electrode within the volute or cyclone head that extends through the outlet into the opening of the throat along the central axis, and a second electrode extending into the parabolic reflector and spaced apart and axially aligned with first electrode, and (e) a second wave energy source disposed inside the throat, embedded within the throat or disposed around the throat. The substance is directed to the inlet of the volute or cyclone head and irradiated with one or more wave energies produced by the first and second wave energy sources as the substance passes through the device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a food product which food product is frozen and thawed before consumption as well as to methods for preparing such a food product. The invention further describes production of an ice structuring protein (ISP) in high amounts.

Abstract: A concentrated coffee composition comprising the following components (A), (B) and (C); (A) chlorogenic acids, (B) total sugar, and (C) caffeine, in which a mass ratio of the component (A) and the component (B), [(B)/(A)], is from 1.2 to 5, and a mass ratio of the component (A) and the component (C), [(C)/(A)], is 0.5 or less, and (F) Brix is 5% or more.

Abstract: The invention herein contemplates a nutritional additive composition providing health benefits and improved dissolution, appearance, and taste when added to solid food and liquids.

Abstract: A seed particle product is disclosed, the seed particle product comprises a fat phase, said fat phase comprising 60.0-99.9% by weight of triglycerides, and 40.0-99.0% by weight of triglycerides having C16-C24 saturated fatty acids in the sn-1 and sn-3 positions of the triglyceride and oleic acid in the sn-2 position of the triglyceride, wherein said seed particle product exhibits a first endotherm melt peak position below a temperature T intermediate, wherein said seed particle product exhibits a second endotherm melt peak position above said temperature T intermediate, wherein said temperature T intermediate is at least 39.5 degrees Celsius, wherein said endotherm melt peak positions are measured by differential scanning calorimetry by heating samples of 10+/?1 mg of said seed particle product from 20 degrees Celsius to 65 degrees Celsius at a rate of 3 degrees Celsius/min to produce a melting thermogram defining said first and second endotherm melt peak positions.

Abstract: A process for producing a seed slurry (SSY) in a seed slurry apparatus (SSA) from solid seed particles (SSP) is disclosed, the seed slurry apparatus (SSA) comprising an input zone (IZ) and a heating zone (HZ), the input zone (IZ) feeding the heating zone (HZ) and the heating zone (HZ) comprising a heating arrangement (HA), said process comprising the steps of feeding the solid seed particles (SSP) from the input zone (IZ) into the heating zone (HZ), the solid seed particles having a seed composition, the seed composition comprising triglycerides, heating said seed composition in said heating zone (HZ) by means of said heating arrangement (HA) to obtain a seed slurry (SSY) at least partly on the basis of partly melted seed composition, wherein said heating involves measuring a seed slurry temperature representation of the seed slurry and said heating is at least partly controlled on the basis of the measured seed slurry temperature representation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a candy product in the sense of hard or soft candy of a new candy material, comprising at least two components (a) and (b), which may have at least one interface to each other in the candy product and therewith may form a composition of alternating compositions (a)/(b)/(a) etc. in the candy product, and which contains alcohol or alcoholic liquids in this candy material, wherein the alcohol or alcoholic liquids in the component (b) is bound in a carrier matrix and substantially homogeneous distributed throughout the solid candy material. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a process for producing such candy products.

Abstract: There is provided a frozen food product, such as frozen juice, and the method of providing same. This involves cooling the food product, such as a juice, to a slurry temperature within a freezing temperature range for the juice to provide a slurry, the juice slurry comprising a liquid juice component and a frozen juice component; providing the juice slurry to a container; and freezing the juice slurry within the container.

Abstract: A sealed pack (440) contains quantities of ingredients to make an individual smoothie portion. The ingredients comprise a flavour ingredient (410) such as pieces of fruit (strawberries, raspberries, mango), a frozen portion of liquid (420) such as water, fruit juice, milk, coffee or tea; and a consistency ingredient (430) such as ice-cream, sorbet and yoghurt. The pack may be subjected to a temperature sufficiently low to maintain the frozen state of some of the ingredients in the pack (440). Also disclosed is a method of packaging the ingredients into the pack, or into first and second containers, or into a container with compartments for different ingredients in frozen and unfrozen states; and a method of preparing an individual smoothie using the sealed pack wherein the ingredients are blended with additional liquid; and an apparatus that uses sealed pack for automatically vending an individual smoothie portion.

Abstract: A frozen confection which is essentially free of ingredients of animal origin, such as milk ingredients, yet which includes good quality protein. Notwithstanding the minimized or absent animal derived ingredients, the product provides the sensory experience of ice cream. The experience is reflected in texture, mouth feel and melt profile. The compositions of the invention is a frozen confection comprising: 1-20 wt % triglyceride oil, 0.5-15 wt % total protein, 10-40 wt % sugar solids and 0-1 wt % emulsifier and 0-1 wt % stabilizer wherein the protein comprises at least one cereal protein such as oat protein and at least one pulse protein such as pea protein.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dry-expanded food product comprising at least the following ingredients: a food-grade protein concentrate made of animal or plant protein; a food-grade texturizer selected from the group consisting of plant-derived hydrocolloids and gelling agents, proteolytic additives and the hydrolysis products thereof, and acidifying agents and the salts thereof; and residual water. The invention also relates to a thermally expandable precursor able to shape this dry-expanded food product, as well as the corresponding preparation methods.

Abstract: Cranberry is a typical fruit from North America having a very high acidity that makes raw juice hardly acceptable for consumers. Electrodialysis with bipolar membrane (EDBM), an ecofriendly technology, allows the deacidification of cranberry juice and the production of pure acids without any chemical consumption due to the bipolar membrane in-situ generation of proton and hydroxyl species from water. Different levels of deacidification by electrodialysis was carried out to study the impact of the deacidification level on intestinal cell integrity. In the presence of deacidified cranberry juice, the integrity of Caco-2 cell monolayers measured by the ?TEER was increased by 56% in comparison with raw cranberry juice.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing dry ice with a beverage is provided. Providing dry ice with the beverage includes causing a vessel containing pressurized carbon dioxide to expel the pressurized carbon dioxide into a trap, thereby forming dry ice and opening the trap. Opening the trap exposes the dry ice formed to a liquid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing cup-type non-fried dry instant noodles. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method for producing cup-type dry instant needles, comprising the steps of: (a) mixing and kneading a raw material to make a noodle sheet; (b) making noodle strands from the noodle sheet, and waving the noodle strands; (c) steaming the waved noodle strands to make steamed noodles; (d) cutting and weighing the steamed noodles, and placing the weighed steamed noodles in a drying box; and (e) drying the placed steamed noodles in the drying box at a high temperature of 140 to 180° C. for 2 to 5 minutes.

Abstract: The dried products of the present invention provide snacks (so-called crispy smoothies) having a particularly high proportion of fruit, which, owing to their production at low temperatures with extensive exclusion of oxygen, are distinguished by a high level of preservation of oxidation- and temperature-sensitive, but valuable, fruit constituents and which have an intense flavor and also a homogeneous appearance which is attractive in terms of color.

Abstract: The current invention relates to a gargle dosage formulation and a method for removing the bitter taste in oral medication or food. Particularly, this bitter-removal formulation comprises at least one of two preparations, the first preparation and the second preparation. The current invention also discloses a method of using the preparations before and after taking oral medication or food. Right before taking oral medication or food, the first preparation is used to gargle the user's oral cavity. After it is spat out, the first preparation forms a thin layer on the surface of the oral mucosa to cover, shield, and protect taste buds from the direct contact with oral medication or food. Immediately after oral medication or food is taken, the second preparation is used to gargle and clean the user's taste buds, which effectively elutes mucosa-binding bitter ingredients from the oral cavity.