Abstract: A milking robot includes a movable arm having a first end that couples to a frame and a free extremity at a second end that extends telescopically in a longitudinal direction. The milking robot further includes at least one gripper coupled to the free extremity of the movable arm at the second end, wherein the gripper is extendable away from the movable arm in the longitudinal direction based at least in part upon the telescopic extension of the free extremity.

Abstract: An environment-friendly piggery comprises at least one circular or polyhedral piggery building. Each polyhedron has five sides or more, and a ventilation shaft is provided in the middle of each floor of each piggery building; each floor tilts from high to low towards the ventilation shaft from the outer edge; the top of each piggery building is provided with a exhaust gas collecting and treatment device communicating with the ventilation shaft; and the bottom of the buildings are provided with pig excreta collecting devices corresponding to the opening of the ventilation shaft. The piggery occupies a small area, has strong wind and snow resistant functions, and is sturdy and durable. The culturing process is pollution-free, and piglets, pigs, and sows can be accommodated appropriately.

Abstract: A multi-pet locking-head-and-locking-tail-push-rod pet crate comprises: a handle bridge, a handle channel molded inside the handle bridge for containing grooming tools, handle clasps respectively molded in the handle bridge for fastening poop bags thereto, a top panel, a bottom panel, a left panel, a right panel, a front panel, a rear panel, at least one divider, panel-locking hooks and clamps for hooking and clamping the panels together, a slanted tray for draining urine, urine-storing gutters and ridges molded around the tray for supporting pet paws and for keeping pets away from urine, top and bottom low-friction rails welded to the front panel, multi-position door-glider-locking recesses formed in the bottom low-friction rail for locking the auto-indexing multi-position door gliders and for adjusting horizontal or slanted and stationary or moving positions of the auto-indexing multi-position doors, first and second auto-indexing multi-position doors inserted between the top and bottom low-friction rails,

Abstract: An adjustable vehicle pet platform assembly and method of use prevents inadvertent or intentional activation of an air bag sensor incorporated in a seat portion of a vehicle seat by supporting the pet on a platform body. The platform body extends and retracts longitudinally to accommodate variously sized pets. The platform body is suspended in a spaced-apart disposition from the seat portion. A length and angle-adjustable front leg support elevates the platform body above the seat portion from the floor surface of vehicle. An angle-adjustable rear leg support supports the platform body from the rear portion of the seat.

Abstract: A bed cover to be placed on a pet bed having a frame body and a block body detachably inserted into the frame body includes: a sheet-like member which has, in a plan view in an extended state, a center section located at the center of the bed cover and an extending section extending from the center section in a direction towards the outer edge of the sheet-like member; a holding member which is provided on a first surface or a second surface of the center portion of the sheet-like member and holds the block body; and an attachment member which is provided at the extending section of the sheet-like member and allows the bed cover to be detachably attached to the frame body.

Abstract: An enhanced ground stake provides a ground stake for restraining a dog or other animal that improves ability to relocate and find an unattended stake in wooded or grassy areas after returning from a walk or hunt, alerts others to the location of an unattended stake in the ground and potential tripping hazard, and provides an indication of whether a dog is still attached to the stake.

Abstract: A portable electric fence kit for the erection of a temporary electric fence comprising: a primary fence section which is portable and non-electrified having two or more poles, a secondary fence section having two or more insulated poles secured to the poles of the primary fence section and having the ability to be electrified using a plurality of wires spanning the distance between the insulated poles, a plurality of wires spanning the distance between the insulated poles, system controls operationally associated with the fence sections, a power source operationally associated with the fence sections and the system controls, the power source providing electricity to the secondary fence sections and a coupling means which allows for one section of the fence kit and its wires to be coupled to another section of the fence kit and its wires.

Abstract: A system and method for recommending and providing food to an animal which includes a computer and server system usable in conjunction with a feeder and a collar. The computer system being configured to receive input data from the following sources: food consumption information associated with an animal; activity information associated with the animal; profile data associated with the animal; environmental data associated with the animal; an animal profile database; an animal feed database. The system and methods then utilize data input so as to compares profile data associated with the animal to the animal profile database to determine an initial baseline for a given animal, and then compares food consumption information or activity information with the animal feed database so as to determine a type and quantity of food to be fed to the animal, as selected from the animal feed database.

Abstract: A pet monitoring and feeding system including having a dispenser, the dispenser having: a main body; a bowl provided about a base portion of the main body; a cavity configured to selectively receive the bowl; one or more dispenser sensors being configured to provide proximity data regarding environmental or pet parameters about the dispenser; and one or more food receptacles. The system further including a wireless transponder that could worn as a pendant or incorporated into a collar having one or more collar sensors that is configured to interact with the one or more sensors of the dispenser and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry being configured to receive sensor data from both the dispenser sensors and the collar sensors, the processing circuitry being configured to determine an appropriate portion size of a particular food being contained in the one or more food receptacles and activate the dispenser so as to dispense a selectively measured portion of the particular food.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multifunctional intelligent breeding and rearing system. Functional modules such as a radio-frequency ear tag and identification device, a central controller (1), an isolation and dislodging device (2), a multifunctional feeding trough (3), an automatic feeding device (4), a quantitative water supply device, a feeding trough automatic flushing and a remaining feed detection are utilized to form a basic automatic feeding unit. Through the feeding unit, an identity and eating information of a pig is identified; for a pig that does not eat during a feeding time period, feed and water are injected into a feeding trough simultaneously according to a feed amount and a mixing ratio preset by the system, for precise feeding; a pig that has eaten up is dislodged in real time; and the feeding trough is automatically flushed at an end of feeding. The system realizes automatic and intelligent feeding of a livestock.

Abstract: The present invention provides a container, insert, and top assembled to form a pet paw washer. An animal's paw is then inserted through the opening in the top and moved back and forth relative to the bristles within the container.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a reduced-pull leash device includes a first extendible leash section and a second leash section. The second leash section is longer than the unextended first leash section. The first leash section's first end is configured to couple to or near the second leash section's first end. The first leash section's second end is configured to couple to a harness at a location on top of a dog. The second leash section's second end is configured to couple to a harness at a front location of the dog. The lengths of the first and second leash sections are configured so the first leash section extends when a dog pulls on the leash until the second leash section becomes taut. Once the second leash section becomes taut, a lateral force is generated on the dog to pull the dog laterally. Numerous other embodiments are provided.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer code products for monitoring the behavior, health, and/or characteristics of an animal are disclosed herein. In one implementation, the animal is positioned inside a waste container placed on a system that is adapted to determine, record and communicate over a network various animal health parameters. These parameters can be processed to determine trends, statistics and changes of animal physiological functions. The results can be used to access animal health conditions and issue warnings, alarms, messages, and other notifications to designated caretakers. These notifications may be displayed using various means such as computers and/or mobile devices. Data retrieval and review capability can provide improved understanding of an animal's health conditions and facilitate early illness detection.

Abstract: A hinged water valve (26) for use in a watering (38, 46) system (50) of a poultry house includes rigid sight tubes (20) connected with hinged water valves (26). Each hinged valve (26) includes a valve body (28) with a valve cap (30) hinged to the valve body (28) with at least one hinge pin. The valve (26) permits flow of water into the sight tube (20) when the sight tube (10) is in its upright operational condition but prohibits flow of water toward the sight tube (20) when the sight tube (20) is pivoted to a substantially horizontal cleaning condition. An internal plunger (32) interacts with an internal seat (36) of the valve body (28) in a sealing manner. A biasing spring (40) urges the plunger (32) into contact with the internal seat (36) of the valve body (28) but with the valve cap (30) in the upright condition, the stem (50) forces the plunger (32) away from the internal seat (36) opening a flow passage (41).

Abstract: The invention provides a device, a system and a method for handling, grading and vaccinating living birds, wherein the device comprises a main member; a receiving member rotatably attached to the main member and configured to receive and hold the birds by their scapula-humeral joints in a first position and to release the birds in a second position; and a locking member movably attached to the main member and configured to lock the receiving member in the first position and to release the receiving member to rotate from the first position to the second position to release the birds.

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: Spore forming bacteria and Lactic Acid Bacteria for application in poultry hatcher cabinets to alter the bacterial bloom towards a more beneficial microbiota, positively affecting performance parameters such as mortality, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio throughout production.

Abstract: Large capacity fish and seafood growing aquaculture comprises multiple floating at sea concentric transparent torus tubes with central barge equipped with air compressor, electronic controller and anchored to seabed. Floating level above sea level of aquaculture torus tube is controlled by floating level sensor input triggering compressor to inflatable helical balloon wrapped around aquaculture tube and commanded by electronic controller. Water level in each tube is controlled by air pressure actuated valves. Each tube consists of four torus tube segments which are constructed of strong molded structural helical pipe wrapped into torus shape with molded resilient helical strip wall and with sealed helical inflatable balloon to control tube buoyancy level with connection to four vertical pipes for external rapid insertion and removing fish and food into and from the tubes. Cabled means connected to seabed.

Abstract: Breeding system (1) for fish belonging to the Cyprinidae family, and more particularly for zebra fish of the species Danio rerio, the said system comprising a breeding tank (2) having a bottom (2a) and side walls (2b), a spawning support (3) placed in the breeding tank (2) and comprising a platform (4) forming a spawning zone positioned a distance away from the bottom (2a) of the breeding tank (2), and a water circulating system (17) configured to modify the water level in the breeding tank (2) and at least partially flood the platform (4) of the spawning support (3), in which breeding system the spawning support (3) comprises a funnel (7) comprising a truncated conical wall (8) having a lower orifice (9) extending near the bottom (2a) of the breeding tank (2) and in fluidic communication with the water circulating system (17) by means of a pipe (11), and an upper orifice (10) extending some distance away from the bottom (2a), the platform (4) being fixed near the upper orifice (10) of the funnel (7), and the

Abstract: A fish rearing tank has an egg-shaped shell with a vertical long axis and gradually narrowing shape towards a tip portion. The egg-shaped shell holds a water volume for the contained fish in a major wider, lower portion, and encloses air in the minor, upper, tip portion. The shell forms a closed, rigid tank and has one or more water inlets, and one or more water outlets. A ring-shaped buoyancy collar is mounted on the egg-shaped shell. The shell has a fixed ballast in the lower end of said wider, lower portion of the egg-shaped shell.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to imaging for determination of crustacean physical attributes. An image of a shell of a live crustacean is captured and processed to determine a physical attribute of the live crustacean. In an embodiment a characteristic of a pattern indicative of moult stage of the live crustacean is detected, from the captured image. Multiple images may be used in some embodiments, including images of different types such as visible spectrum images, infrared spectrum images, and/or ultraviolet spectrum images.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure encompass systems that utilize chick chorioallantoic membranes (CAM) as models for cancer xenografts, including at least patient-derived xenografts (CAM-PDX). In particular embodiments, the system employs the CAM-PDX to graft and culture different types of tumor tissue on a single or multiple eggs. In specific embodiments multiple tumor regions of a single tumor are cultured on a single egg. Frozen tissue is successfully revived, in specific embodiments. Downstream applications following successful establishment of CAM-PDX models are encompassed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of gender determination and identification in avian subjects. More specifically, the invention provides non-invasive methods using transgenic avian animals that comprise at least one reporter gene integrated into at least one gender chromosome Z or W. The transgenic avian animals of the invention are used for gender determination and selection of embryos in unhatched avian eggs.

Abstract: A genetically modified non-human animal is provided, wherein the non-human animal expresses an antibody repertoire capable of pH dependent binding to antigens upon immunization. A genetically modified non-human animal is provided that expresses human immunoglobulin light chain variable domains derived from a limited repertoire of human immunoglobulin light chain variable gene segments that comprise histidine modifications in their germline sequence. Methods of making non-human animals that express antibodies comprising histidine residues encoded by histidine codons introduced into immunoglobulin light chain nucleotide sequences are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a transgenic mouse and an animal model that is used to assay for the inhibition or activation of the Cnr2 gene and methods for screening drugs to treat or prevent psychosis, anxiety, depression, autism disorders, drug addiction, Parkinson's disease and/or Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, inflammation, stroke, osteoporosis, scleroderma or cancer.

Abstract: A blade body of a fishing lure comprises a first protruding side and a second protruding side, creating a gap, and a jig body connected to the blade body such that when the blade body and jig body are connected and pulled through water, the blade body moves in a side to side motion limited by contact between the jig body and the first and second protruding sides.

Abstract: One object is to provide a fishing line guide including a high-hardness guide ring and a fishing rod provided with said fishing line guide. A fishing line guide according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a guide body with a through hole formed therein and a guide ring fitted into the through hole of the guide body. In one aspect, the guide ring includes a base material layer and a surface layer formed on a surface of the base material layer. In one aspect of the present invention, the base material layer is formed of an alloy having an Fe content of 3 wt % or less or 2 wt % or less. In one aspect of the present invention, the surface layer is formed of chromium carbide, titanium carbide, or vanadium carbide.

Abstract: A reel for fishing line or the like provides for extremely rapid payout by releasing the line to unwind by sliding rapidly around a guide surrounding the line spool and by rotation of the line spool itself. A handle extending rearwardly from the reel controls a line guide preventing sliding of the fishing line around the guide and providing controllable friction and locking of rotation of the line spool only when actuated by the user to permit retraction of the line or controlled tensioning of the line.

Abstract: A roller clutch includes an outer ring, an inner ring, a rollers, a torsion spring, and a housing member. The roller is disposed between the inner ring and the outer ring. The roller i configured to move between a transmitting position and a non-transmitting position. The spring biases the roller to the transmitting position. The housing member has a housing hole and an inner wall surface. The housing hole houses the torsion spring. The inner wall surface defines the housing hole and is configured to support the torsion spring.

Abstract: A chum delivery device having a body with a plurality of openings, at least one open end, at least one removable cap, and one or more hook attachments. The plurality of openings of the body are configured to allow chum housed within the body to be released. The removable cap(s) is/are configured to seal the open end(s) of the body.

Abstract: There is herein described an insect and animal trapping device. More particularly, there is described an insect and/or animal trapping device such as a rat-trapping device wherein there is a receptacle which is capable of trapping the insect and/or animal and thereafter having the air inside the receptacle at least partially removed thereby killing the insect and/or animal.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to a base chamber closed by a cover having a support that receives a liquid-repellent refill of any commercially available model, which separates the chamber at the bottom for accommodating the reservoir from the upper part for the wick which, duly heated by a PTC heating device, has the stream of air directed to the release windows where negative pressure conveys the repellent towards the blades of the fan. In further exemplary embodiments, the device aims to optimize steam releasing from the repellent contained in the refill into the chamber to the environment by way of a hose connected to a tube projecting from said chamber to an oblique support located at the front of the top finish of the column of the fan, where the negative pressure is more pronounced.

Abstract: An enclosure-type electronic rat trap having an interior accessed through a trap entrance and a rat pathway that leads from the entrance to a baited end opposite the entrance is provided. At least three killing plates coupled to a high voltage circuit are positioned along the pathway in spaced relationship and a barrier extends into and constricts the pathway at a specified distance from a center plate in order to reduce the ability of the rat to escape the trap once the rat has traveled along the pathway sufficiently to initiate a killing cycle.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for cryopreserving a plurality of cellular samples are disclosed. The apparatus may include a cooling chamber and a cooling device that may include a mechanism to cool an interior of the cooling chamber. The cooling device may further include cooling tubes that are separate from the mechanism to cool the interior of the cooling chamber and that are arranged within the cooling chamber. The cooling device may provide a flow of refrigerant through the cooling tubes and a support for supporting a plurality of vials for storing cellular samples. The support may be movable relative to the cooling tubes such that the plurality of vials may be engageable with the cooling tubes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for freezing a biopharmaceutical fluid which is hold in a disposable container. The method includes the steps of arranging the container on the heat transfer surface area, cooling the heat transfer surface area to cool the bottom surface of the container until freezing and forming a layer of ice or an ice block of biopharmaceutical fluid inside the container; dislodging the ice layer or ice block frozen to the container. The steps of cooling the heat transfer surface area and dislodging the ice layer or ice block are repeated until the container is filled with a matrix of frozen biopharmaceutical fluid and liquid biopharmaceutical fluid, the liquid biopharmaceutical fluid occupying interstitial passages between ice layers or ice blocks of biopharmaceutical fluid. The cooling is then maintained until the freezing of the entire biopharmaceutical fluid held in the container.

Abstract: A defoaming adjuvant comprises a solid particulate carrier and a polyalkylene glycol adsorbed on to the solid particulate carrier, where the polyalkylene glycol is a reaction product of an alkyl alcohol initiator with 1,2-butylene oxide and, optionally, propylene oxide.

Abstract: This new Rhamnolipid discovery eliminates disease in plants and trees by breaking down the cells walls of bacteria such as Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus also known as the Huanglongbing “HLB” yellow dragon disease, and Xanthomonas Axonopodis. Because Rhamnolipid has both hydrophilic and hydrophobic components, Rhamnolipid facilitates its entry into cell membranes by breaking down the cell wall of bacteria. Bacteria Cell permeability is created by using this application. Citrus Greening and Citrus Canker are diseases caused by bacteria. Citrus Greening also known as the Huanglongbing disease (abbreviated as HLB), or Yellow Dragon Disease is caused by the bacteria Candidatus Liberibacter also known as Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus. Citrus Canker is also a bacterial disease caused by the bacteria Xanthomonas axonopodis. Citrus Greening and Citrus Canker are diseases that affect citrus trees and may also be found on non-citrus trees, plants and bushes.

Abstract: The present invention provides for compositions and methods for producing crop plants by using that are resistant to herbicides, and treatment with herbicide safener compositions. In particular, the present invention provides for wheat plants, plant tissues and plant seeds that contain altered acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCase) genes and proteins treatment with one or more acetyl-CoA carboxylase herbicides preferably form the aryloxyphenoxypropionate (FOP) and cyclohexanedione (DIM) chemical families and a cloquintocet acid safener.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a herbicide-tolerant protein, wherein the method for controlling weeds comprises applying a herbicide containing an effective dose of tribenuron-methyl to a plant growth environment where at least one transgenic plant is present, wherein the transgenic plant comprises a nucleotide sequence encoding a thifensulfuron hydrolase in its genome, and compared to other plants without the nucleotide sequence encoding the hydrolase, the transgenic plant has reduced plant damage and/or an increased plant yield. The present invention discloses for the first time that a thifensulfuron hydrolase can show a high tolerance to a tribenuron-methyl herbicide, plants containing a nucleotide sequence encoding the thifensulfuron hydrolase are strongly tolerant to the tribenuron-methyl herbicide and can at least tolerate 1-fold field concentration, and thus the hydrolase has broad application prospects in plants.

Abstract: Formulations of pesticides are disclosed, specifically pesticidal blends of essential oils and other ingredients, that have been found to enhance the activity of the active pesticidal ingredients. The formulations may be, for example, emulsions or dust formulations. For example, a composition for controlling a target pest is disclosed that comprises at least one active agent and a formulation agent, wherein: the active agent is capable of interacting with a receptor in the target pest; the active agent has a first activity against the target pest when applied without the formulation agent and the composition has a second activity against the target pest; and the second activity is greater than the first activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions of perillic acid compounds, therapeutic and non-therapeutic uses of the compounds and compositions as well as a method of preparing the composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fungicidal N-cycloalkyl-N-{[2-(1-substituted cycloalkyl)phenyl]methylene} carboxamide derivatives and their thiocarbonyl derivatives, their process of preparation and intermediate compounds for their preparation, their use as fungicides, particularly in the form of fungicidal compositions and methods for the control of phytopathogenic fungi of plants using these compounds or their compositions.

Abstract: The present invention provide chemical modulators of insect olfactory receptors. In particular, compounds and compositions are provided that can inhibit host targeting functions in insects such as mosquitos. Method of employing such agents, and articles incorporating the same, are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a herbicide-tolerant protein, wherein the method for controlling weeds comprises applying a herbicide containing an effective dose of halosulfuron-methyl to a plant growth environment where at least one transgenic plant is present, wherein the transgenic plant comprises a nucleotide sequence encoding a thifensulfuron hydrolase in its genome, and compared to other plants without the nucleotide sequence encoding the hydrolase, the transgenic plant has reduced plant damage and/or an increased plant yield. The present invention discloses for the first time that a thifensulfuron hydrolase can show a high tolerance to a halosulfuron-methyl herbicide, plants containing a nucleotide sequence encoding the thifensulfuron hydrolase are strongly tolerant to the halosulfuron-methyl herbicide and can at least tolerate 1-fold field concentration, and thus the hydrolase has broad application prospects in plants.

Abstract: Advantageously, para-chloroaniline (PCA) is minimal in antimicrobial articles prepared according to the method of the invention. A method of forming an antimicrobial article according to the invention comprises steps of: providing a polymerizable composition; incorporating an antimicrobially effective amount of at least one chlorhexidine-containing antimicrobial agent into the polymerizable composition; and, polymerizing the polymerizable composition to form chlorhexidine-containing polymer of the antimicrobial article, wherein processing temperature during the method is less than about 80° C.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing an antimicrobially effective composite material (10), in which at least one molybdenum and/or tungsten containing inorganic compound is bound to at least one further material. Furthermore, the invention relates to an antimicrobially effective composite material (10), which includes at least one molybdenum and/or tungsten containing compound, which is bound to at least one further material.

Abstract: An antimicrobial article that includes: an antimicrobial composite region that includes a matrix comprising a polymeric material, and a first plurality of particles within the matrix. The particles include a phase-separable glass with a copper-containing antimicrobial agent. The antimicrobial composite region can be a film containing the first plurality of particles that is subsequently laminated to a bulk element. The first plurality of particles can also be pressed into the film or a bulk element to define an antimicrobial composite region. An exposed surface portion of the antimicrobial composite region can exhibit at least a log 2 reduction in a concentration of at least one of Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter aerogenes, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria under a Modified EPA Copper Test Protocol.

Abstract: Aspects of this disclosure pertain to a colorless material that includes a carrier, copper-containing particles, and quaternary ammonium. In one or more embodiments, the material exhibits, in the CIE L*a*b* system, an L* value in the range from about 91 to about 100, and a C* value of less than about 7, wherein C* equals ?(a*2+b*2). In some embodiments, the material exhibits a greater than 3 log reduction in a concentration of Staphylococcus aureus, under the EPA Test Method for Efficacy of Copper Alloy as a Sanitizer testing conditions.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides stable inoculant compositions and methods for enhancing the survival and/or stability of microorganisms in an inoculant composition. In some embodiments, the microorganisms in an inoculant compositions are stabilized by the presence of one or more maltodextrins having a dextrose equivalent value of about 15 to about 20.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are microbial consortia and compositions including microbes for example for use in agricultural or biodegradation applications. In some embodiments, soil, plants, and/or plant parts (such as seeds, seedlings, shoots, roots, leaves, fruit, stems, or branches) are contacted with a disclosed microbial consortia or composition including microbes. The microbial consortia or microbe-containing compositions may be applied to soil, plant, and/or plant parts alone or in combination with additional components (such as chitin, chitosan, glucosamine, amino acids, and/or liquid fertilizer). In additional embodiments, the disclosed microbial consortia or compositions including microbes are used in methods of degrading biological materials, such as chitin-containing biological materials.