Abstract: Methods are provided for evaluating a subject for graft survival, e.g., in terms of predicting graft survival, identifying the presence of a deleterious graft condition, such as CAN and DT, identifying the severity and class of acute rejection, etc, in a subject are provided. In practicing the subject methods, the expression of at least one gene in a sample from the subject, e.g., a blood or biopsy sample, is assayed, e.g., at the nucleic acid and/or protein level, to evaluate the subject. Also provided are compositions, systems and kits that find use in practicing the subject methods. The methods and compositions find use in a variety of applications.

Abstract: A vehicle can be controlled in a first autonomous mode of operation by at least navigating the vehicle based on map data. Sensor data can be obtained using one or more sensors of the vehicle. The sensor data can be indicative of an environment of the vehicle. An inadequacy in the map data can be detected by at least comparing the map data to the sensor data. In response to detecting the inadequacy in the map data, the vehicle can be controlled in a second autonomous mode of operation and a user can be prompted to switch to a manual mode of operation. The vehicle can be controlled in the second autonomous mode of operation by at least obtaining additional sensor data using the one or more sensors of the vehicle and navigating the vehicle based on the additional sensor data.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods and computer program products wherein a user's reviewing of select text in a synchronized news story, article, or electronic book generates a changed presentation of associated multimedia content, including photographs, videos, and computerized graphics. User's reviewing of select text is detected automatically or managed manually, with select embodiments integrating touch-screen controls. This process of changing multimedia continues with the user's reviewing of additional select text segments. Select multimedia is modified instead of completely replaced as the user advances to an additional select text segment, leading to uniquely flowing presentations. Multimedia is visually modified through zooming, panning, resizing, highlighting, and/or other approaches. Select embodiments include similarly modified holographic imagery, advertisements, securities charts, and shifted text. In select embodiments, the user's reading speed adjusts visual modifications.

Abstract: Traders in an electronic trading system are provided an opportunity to improve prices for an item trading in an active market are provided. After a trader hits a bid or lifts an offer, a market becomes active. When the market is active, traders can submit orders that improve on the price of the current market price of an item. Whenever a price improvement order is currently available for use in a transaction order, a price improvement indicator is displayed to indicate to other traders that price improvement is occurring. When a price improvement order is used to fill a transaction order, a portion of the difference between the market price and the price improvement price may be divided between the trader associated with the price improvement order, the trader associated with the transaction order, and the system host.

Abstract: An electrical fitting to secure multiple non-metallic electrical cables has a body having a first end for insertion into an electrical panel box or to receive conduit, and a second end having an opening with apertures formed near a periphery thereof, the body having a hollow interior for passage of cables, and a cable securing device having a plate dimensioned to mount to the body and clamping devices, each having a pair of resilient clamp fingers to secure at least one cable, each finger having a terminating end adjacent the terminating end of the other finger, a pair of squeezable arms extending to facilitate cable insertion and removal, and a pair of anchoring fingers extending from the first surface of the plate, each anchoring finger having a protruding member to snap into one of the apertures so as to secure the cable securing device especially when the arms are squeezed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus which can restore, from a color and sensitivity mosaic image acquired using a CCD image sensor of the single plate type or the like, a color image signal of a wide dynamic range wherein the sensitivity characteristics of pixels are uniformized and each of the pixels has all of a plurality of color components. A sensitivity uniformization section uniformizes the sensitivities of pixels of a color and sensitivity mosaic image to produce a color mosaic image, and a color interpolation section interpolates color components of the pixels of the color mosaic image M to produce output images R, G and B. The present invention can be applied to a digital camera which converts a picked up optical image into a color image signal of a wide dynamic range.

Abstract: A hearing aid includes a microphone to convert sounds into electrical signals, a transceiver configured to communicate with a computing device through a wireless communication channel, and a processor coupled to the microphone and the transceiver. The hearing aid further includes a memory accessible to the processor and configured to store a table including plurality of hearing aid profile identifiers (IDs). Each of the plurality of hearing aid profile IDs corresponds to a respective one of a plurality of hearing aid profiles. The memory stores instructions that, when executed by the processor cause the processor to identify a hearing aid profile ID from the table based on a sound sample, retrieve a hearing aid profile from the computing device using the hearing aid profile ID, and apply the hearing aid profile to modulate an audio output signal.

Abstract: The use of self-powered, autonomous vehicles in agricultural and other domestic applications is provided. The vehicles include a self-propelled drive system, tracks or wheels operatively connected to the drive system, a power supply operatively connected to the drive system, an attachment mechanism for attaching equipment to the vehicle, and an intelligent control operatively connected to the drive system, power supply, and attachment mechanism. The vehicle is configured to connect to the equipment to perform agricultural operations based upon the equipment. Multiple vehicles can be used in a field at the same time. Furthermore, the invention includes the ability to move one or more of the autonomous vehicles from field to field, home to field, or from generally any first location to a second location.

Abstract: A flexible cultivator implement frame includes a center section and two wing sections. The center section has a main portion and two side portions supported at opposing sides of the main portion for pivotal movement relative to the main portion about respective flexing axes. The flexing axes of the center section are sloped to extend forwardly and laterally outwardly relative to the forward working direction. Each wing section has an inner portion and an outer portion pivotally coupled to the inner portion about a respective flexing axis. The flexing axes of the wing sections are sloped to extend forwardly and laterally inwardly relative to the forward working direction so as to be oriented transversely to the flexing axes of the center section of the frame such that the flexible frame follows ground contours while minimizing undesirable stresses in and twisting of various pivots and frame members.

Abstract: An agricultural planter having sensors for measuring multiple soil properties adjusts planting depth and seeding rate in real time based on the measured soil properties. An optical module is carried by the planter for collecting soil reflectance data. A pair of soil contact blades protrude from or are embedded in the optical module for collecting soil EC data and soil moisture data. A switching circuit or phase lock loop allows the same soil contact blades to feed signals to both a soil EC signal conditioning circuit and a soil moisture signal conditioning circuit. The soil moisture data can be used to calibrate the soil EC data and the soil reflectance data to compensate for effects of changing soil moisture conditions across a field. The sensor module can be positioned behind a seed tube and used as a seed firmer, or incorporated into a seed tube guard.

Abstract: A mobile air cart includes a metering assembly configured to receive particulate from a tank and to deliver particulate to pneumatic conveying lines. The metering assembly includes wall structure that defines a unitary, common metering chamber. The metering assembly further includes a plurality of meter units. The meter units are configured to meter and separate particulate within the chamber into respective particulate flows corresponding to the conveying lines.

Abstract: An overlap control system includes an agricultural vehicle control system operable to utilize a product delay (PD) value in seconds, a start early (SE) distance, and/or a stop late (SL) distance to determine at least one offset edge from a location of an agricultural implement. The agricultural vehicle control system is operable to look ahead along a guidance swath or at least one predicted path of the agricultural implement, and to determine that an intercept will occur between the at least one offset edge and a boundary along the guidance swath or predicted path. The agricultural vehicle control system is further operable to calculate a distance or time to the intercept, and to send a command to change an on/off state of the agricultural implement in the calculated distance or time.

Abstract: In an apparatus for controlling operation of a utility vehicle that runs a working area to perform work by a work unit, there provided with a set mowing height inputting unit configured to input a mowing height of lawn mowing work set by a user, a desired mowing height setting unit configured to set a desired mowing height based on the set mowing height inputted by the set mowing height inputting unit, and a mowing height regulating unit configured to regulate height from ground surface of the work unit based on the desired mowing height set by the desired mowing height setting unit.

Abstract: A drive system includes a first transmission, a second transmission and at least one flexible driving member. The first transmission is operably coupled to a first set of wheels to provide drive power to the first set of wheels responsive to engagement of the first transmission. The second transmission is operably coupled to a second set of wheels to provide drive power to the second set of wheels responsive to engagement of the second transmission. The at least one flexible driving member is operably coupled to a remote actuator and a drive shaft of the walk-behind outdoor power equipment device. The at least one flexible member selectively engages one of the first transmission or the second transmission to switch a walk-behind outdoor power equipment device between all wheel drive operation and another drive mode via the remote actuator.

Abstract: A self-propelled mower includes a rotary cutter bar that feeds cut crop to a driven crop conveying arrangement which delivers the crop to a windrow forming arrangement. The speed at which the crop conveying arrangement delivers crop to the windrow forming arrangement is controlled so as to be a predetermined ratio of the ground speed.

Abstract: An agricultural harvester includes a grain processing section having a sieve assembly. The sieve assembly is connected to mechanism for producing a side to side oscillation by a single cast structural link having an input through slotted openings to the drive mechanism to accommodate misalignment. The link has vertical and horizontal flanges connected to a main body for interconnection between the right and left frames and structural supports interconnecting the right and left frames. The main body of the link extends through a slot in a rubber wall to accommodate the movement and seal against loss of grain.

Abstract: An agricultural harvester has a chassis carrying a header removably attached to a feeder housing for gathering a type of crop and feeding it into the agricultural harvester. The feeder housing is connected to a threshing and separating system for separating grain from MOG, which leads to a grain cleaning system for cleaning the separated grain. The grain cleaning system has at least one sieve operable to oscillate fore and aft, and at least one cleaning fan. The grain cleaning system also has a side shaker mechanism operable to produce a side to side shaking motion. A control system is connected to the side shaker mechanism and is operable to automatically adjust the amount of side to side shaking motion on the basis of the type of crop and on the basis of the amount of side slope upon which the agricultural harvester is situated.

Abstract: A baling roller for a round agricultural baler includes a roller body with a jacket surface, which encloses the circumference and the length of the roller body. Furthermore, radially extending elevations are located, on the jacket surface, over the circumference and the length of the roller body. In order to optimize the pressing effect of the baling roller, the elevations on the jacket surface have a greater radial extension on the end areas of the roller body than in an area of the roller body, lying between the end areas.

Abstract: A self-sealing dripper apparatus for controlling liquid flow from a main irrigation pipe is provided. The dripper apparatus comprises a dripper base having an attachment end and an open end with the attachment end capable of being releasably connected to the liquid carrying pipe and the attachment end fluidly connected to the open end. A hollow piston casing is provided having a first open end and a second open end with the first open end positionable over the open end of the dripper base. A piston is slidably movable within the piston casing with the piston having a first end and a second end. Upon fluid flowing from the main irrigation pipe, the fluid forces the second end of the piston against the second open end of the piston casing thereby sealing the second open end of the piston casing.

Abstract: A method for hydroponic cultivation of crops by using mycorrhizal fungi and their partner bacteria includes growing a partner plant between rows of the crops, and inoculating a mycorrhizal fungal strain and a partner bacterial strain to infect the partner plant or the crop with the mycorrhizal fungal strain, wherein the partner bacterial strain is compatible and coexists with the mycorrhizal fungal strain, and the partner plant facilitates growth of the mycorrhizal fungal strain and the partner bacterial strain.

Abstract: An ecological hydroponics control system includes an ecological hydroponics house, wherein: the ecological hydroponics house is provided with ecological control system, smart host system, sensing system and planting system, the smart host system is connected to the ecological control system, the sensing system and the planting system, the ecological control system includes: water supplying and draining system, lighting system, air conditioning system, ventilating system, humidifying system and gas supplying system.

Abstract: A device, system, and method are provided for growing, transporting, displaying, and storing produce. The grow ring device may allow produce to grow in a hydroponic growth apparatus. It may then secure the produce in a bowl. The bowl may have an attachable base that can supply water to the produce.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to aquaponics system. The aquaponics system may be comprised of a pole assembly comprising a pole having one or more pole cups affixed to the pole in a vertical orientation; an aquaculture assembly comprising a tank having a pole anchor centered therein, wherein the pole anchor is configured to receive a bottom portion of the pole, a plurality of struts configured to stabilize the pole within the tank, and at least one tank cover positioned at an opening of the tank; and a hydroponic assembly comprising one or more grow pans, wherein the one or more grow pans are removably coupled with the pole assembly, and at least one tray positioned within at least one grow pan.

Abstract: The invention provides seed and plants of tomato line PSQ9Z12-9059. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of tomato line PSQ9Z12-9059 and to methods for producing a tomato plant produced by crossing such plants with themselves or with another tomato plant, such as a plant of another genotype. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of such plants, including the fruit and gametes of such plants.

Abstract: The invention provides seed and plants of tomato hybrid 840701782 and the parent lines thereof. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of tomato hybrid 840701782 and the parent lines thereof, and to methods for producing a tomato plant produced by crossing such plants with themselves or with another tomato plant, such as a plant of another genotype. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of such plants, including the fruit and gametes of such plants.

Abstract: The invention provides seed and plants of tomato hybrid PS 02353389 and the parent lines thereof. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of tomato hybrid PS 02353389 and the parent lines thereof, and to methods for producing a tomato plant produced by crossing such plants with themselves or with another tomato plant, such as a plant of another genotype. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of such plants, including the fruit and gametes of such plants.

Abstract: According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH894945. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH894945, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH894945 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH894945.

Abstract: The invention provides seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated 36083497. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety 36083497, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety 36083497 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety 36083497.

Abstract: The invention provides seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated 10265675. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety 10265675, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety 10265675 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety 10265675.

Abstract: A pet monitoring system includes a pet activity server having a pet database defining preliminary schedule for a variety of pets. A pet owner can obtain the preliminary schedule via an owner device and customize configuration settings for one or more pet devices based on the preliminary schedule and one or more modifications made thereto by the owner. The modifications may be based on modifications made to the preliminary schedule by additional owners and stored within the pet activity server within a community database. In certain aspects, the pet devices may automatically control one another based on the pet's interaction with a given device.

Abstract: Provided are: a sheet for pets which contains carbon and has a superior appearance, and a method of manufacturing the sheet for pets. A sheet for pets is provided with a liquid-permeable front surface sheet, a liquid-impermeable back surface sheet, an absorbent layer that contains carbon and organic acid and is positioned between the front surface sheet and the back surface sheet, and a front surface-side liquid-permeable sheet that is black and is positioned on the front surface sheet-side of the absorbent layer. The front surface-side liquid-permeable sheet is preferably formed from pulp fibers that have been dyed black.

Abstract: A method of disinfecting or cleaning a body part of an animal including the steps of: impregnating a web of material with a disinfectant liquid and capable of generating a foam; causing the liquid within the web to foam; applying foaming liquid to the body part with the web including wiping the animal body part with the impregnated web; allowing the foaming liquid thus applied to the body part to evaporate from the body part.

Abstract: A look-up table is defined by at least one reference point, and rows and columns that are offset from the reference. The table rows and columns correspond to ordinate and abscissa data points representing geographic locations. Each data point offset in the table corresponds to a predefined geographic offset. The look-up table contains machine-stored values at each table location, with each value representing a particular one of several guidance zones. The real-time determination of the guidance zone is made by first determining present location using GPS or other wireless location signals. The corresponding table location is identified by calculating latitudinal and longitudinal offsets from a reference point, and using these offsets as the two indices to access a double-indexed array. The value retrieved from the indexed array identifies the guidance zone. Each guidance zone has an associated set of characteristics used to provide behavioral guidance to an animal.

Abstract: A disposable diaper to be fit around the waist of the pet, having: a rear-side waist area; a stomach-side waist area; a crotch area; end sections in the diaper longitudinal direction; end sections in a diaper longitude-intersecting direction; a tail insertion opening; an absorbent core; an area not having the absorbent core arranged therein; an attachment section in the stomach-side waist area; an attachment area that receives the attachment section; and an expandable/contractible elastic member for a leakage-prevention sheet arranged, in an extended state, in the leakage-prevention sheet. The expandable/contractible elastic member is arranged in a prescribed area in the diaper longitudinal direction, between the absorbent core and the end section in the diaper longitude-intersecting direction. A standing-up section in which the end section in the diaper longitudinal direction stands up is formed as a result of the contraction of the expandable/contractible elastic member for the leakage-prevention sheet.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to sensor apparatuses for attachment to an animal that include a housing and a sensor assembly. The housing can be attachable to the animal and includes an internal cavity formed therein. The sensor assembly can be disposed within the internal cavity of the housing. The sensor assembly includes a force sensor and an accelerometer arranged to detect force data and accelerometer data representative of a physiological state of the animal. Exemplary embodiments are also directed to method and sensor systems for detecting a physiological state of an animal.

Abstract: Mounting behavior or the like by domestic animals or the like is easily detected. Included are a mounting-side apparatus attached to the neck of a first domestic animal and configured to emit a transmission signal, and a mounted-side apparatus attached at any position from the back to the tail of a second domestic animal. A communication interface of the mounted-side apparatus emits a response signal to a communication interface of the mounting-side apparatus.

Abstract: A swift let breeding facility, for use in creating and harvesting edible bird's nests. The facility includes sub-systems for injecting live insect and worm prey, and water, into an aerial enclosure to provide a feeding system imitative of a natural swift let feeding environment.

Abstract: A colony basket and method of using the same for handling poultry from DOC through the growing process and on to a production facility comprising a harvesting system, a loading system, a transport system, an unloading and storing system, hanging system and cleaning system. The system and method performs the steps of harvesting and colonizing live poultry into a singly stackable and transportable colony basket, stacking and loading the trays on a transport, unloading and temporarily storing the poultry for subsequent processing.

Abstract: A surface filter for aquarium water purification is placed on the bottom of the aquarium that sucks the waste out of the tank to the canister filter. Small plastic pieces make and connect the main stream channels. Each plastic piece is composed of a couple of inverted pyramids that acts like a funnel. Water flows through the main channels sucked by an external filter. In the base of each inverted pyramid a small hole opens to the drainage channel, which has a hollow inverted V shape. Water, particles and fish waste are passed through the channels to the external filter. At the end of the assembly a cross channel collects the drained water. Collected water is transferred to the external filter outside the aquarium. A hose connects the external filter with the collector. Another hose is connected to the same filter to return the filtered water back to the aquarium.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to genetically modified swine wherein at least one allele of a SIGLEC1 gene has been inactivated and/or at least one allele of a CD163 gene has been inactivated. Genetically modified swine having both alleles of the SIGLEC1 gene and/or both alleles CD163 gene inactivated are resistant to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV). Methods for producing such transgenic swine are also provided.

Abstract: Described herein are nucleic acid constructs, hematopoietic stem cell identifier animals, and methods of using thereof for isolating hematopoietic stem cell populations. Also provided are methods of using the identifier animals and cells isolated from them to screen for agents that affect the growth, proliferation, potency, expansion, or maintenance of the stem cells. Such agents can be used for promoting growth of stem cells in vitro or in vivo, and also for inhibiting cancer cells that have been determined to resemble a stem cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing an inducible animal model of stress comprising genetically modifying a non-human vertebrate to express one or more protein(s) that can be activated by light in (a) cell(s) of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, wherein the protein(s) that can be activated by light are capable of inducing the release of (i) corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) and/or arginine-vasopressin (A VP) from neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of the rostral hypothalamus; (ii) adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) from corticotroph cells in the anterior pituitary; and/or (iii) glucocorticoids from cells in the adrenal cortex. The present invention further relates to an animal model of stress obtained by the method of the invention and the use of said animal model for screening for a compound for preventing, ameliorating or treating stress and/or stress-associated diseases.

Abstract: Provided is a bait casting reel including braking magnets that provide braking force against rotation of a spool using magnetic force to prevent backlash of the spool in casting. The bait casting reel allows a user to minimally space a spool and an anti-backlash unit to set the maximum braking force of a braking magnet by bringing the spool and the anti-backlasher in contact with each other when a braking dial for moving the anti-backlasher left and right in the longitudinal direction of the spool is turned to the maximum, in order to prevent the braking magnet from being worn or damaged by coming in contact with the spool due to deformation of the rotary shaft of the spool or a friction washer and to allow the user to freely and easily adjust the braking force of the braking magnet without replacing a part.

Abstract: In an insect pest attraction lighting system which irradiates a field with attraction light for attracting insect pests to keep the insect pests away from a plant, an effect of protection against diurnal insect pests is improved. An insect pest attraction lighting system 1 includes: a setting unit 2 which sets, as an operating time zone, an arbitrary time zone during nighttime; an artificial sunlight source unit 3 which irradiates the entirety of an interior of a plastic greenhouse H1 with artificial sunlight which does not include wavelength components of 500 to 600 nm, in the operating time zone; and an attraction light source unit 4 which irradiates a portion of the interior of the plastic greenhouse H1 with attraction light in the operating time zone.

Abstract: An animal trap has a fixed jaw that serves as a base, and an opposed moveable jaw that operatively closes down upon the base. A trigger is provided between the base and moveable jaw. A bait holder is provided within the moveable jaw, most preferably at a location that requires a rodent or other animal to step upon the trigger while both raising their head and twisting their neck to try to reach the bait. The trigger may be covered with a set of posts that are sized and spaced from each other to prohibit any flat placement of paws onto the trigger, thereby forcing the animal to grasp the post tops, while allowing a paw to slip between and potentially be trapped by adjacent posts if the animal tries to move suddenly.

Abstract: A fowl management system is provided. The fowl management system includes a protected surface; a wire mesh at least partially suspended above the protected surface; wherein at least a portion of the wire mesh conducts an electrical current; a fence charger attached to the wire mesh; and a power source attached to the protected surface.

Abstract: A game alert system includes a device mountable on a game feeder that detects motion in a target area and automatically sends an electronic signal to a user, or a hunter, in a remote location to notify the hunter of movement in the area, without alerting or startling animals that triggered the device.

Abstract: An animal call which generally includes a housing having a first portion rotatably combined with a second portion. An opening is formed in a wall of the housing between a mouthpiece and an outlet end. A reed is disposed within the opening and is adapted to vibrate in response to passing air. The reed is combined with the first housing portion. A helical member is formed inside the second housing portion. An adjustment member has a helical engagement member that engages the helical member. The adjustment member includes an adjustment arm in frictional engagement with the reed. The helical member acts as an auger to move the adjustment member along the length of the reed as the second housing portion is rotated relative to the first housing portion.

Abstract: A treestand platform adjustment mechanism adjusts the angle of a treestand platform with respect to a vertical support. The treestand's vertical support extends between a seat and a platform, the platform extending generally perpendicularly from the support, the support generally aligned with a tree. The support comprises openings extending through a tree-facing side of the support. A captive bracket substantially surrounds the support. A fixing bolt extends through the captive bracket and is received by the openings to set the position of the platform with respect to the support.

Abstract: A method for producing fibers with improved color and anti-microbial properties is described. One embodiment includes a method for generating a halogen stable antimicrobial synthetic fiber, the method comprising creating a mixture that includes a polymer, an anti-microbial agent, and a non-halogen pigment, and extruding the mixture to form an anti-microbial synthetic fiber.