Abstract: Treat dispensing devices are presented including: a base, where the base includes a bowl portion and a compartment portion, where the compartment portion is positioned under the bowl portion; a dome-shaped covering removably coupled along a top edge of the bowl portion, where the dome-shaped covering includes a dome surface having at least one opening along the dome surface; a pair of drive wheels connected by a crankshaft; a dispensing mechanism actuated by rotation of the crankshaft; and a pair of stabilizing wheels. In some embodiments, the bowl portion includes: a central recessed portion; and a bottom surface surrounding the central recessed portion and sloped toward the central recessed portion.

Abstract: Disclosed is a drop feed line device for automatically controlling flow of feed through a feed drop. The drop feed line device includes a drop body with an electrical box and a feed tube, as well as two planar circuit boards within respective sleeves removably positioned on opposite sides of the feed tube and in electrical communication with electronic components within the electrical box. In certain embodiments, the planar circuit boards include infrared emitters and receivers to electrically communicate across an interior channel of the feed tube. The electronic components are configured to transmit a signal to cease operation of an auger motor filling a drop feed line upon determining that all of the emitters cease to communicate with all of the receivers. The drop feed line device is cost effective and serviceable through the use of easily removable planar circuit boards, among other features and components.

Abstract: A watering bowl for small animals includes a reservoir having a base and a wall extending from the base to an opening. The wall is tapered between the base and the opening, such that the opening has a diameter that is smaller than the base. The watering bowl includes an air conduit for conveying pressurized air into the reservoir and aerating the water within the reservoir to create a mist that rises to the opening and then onto an outer surface of the watering bowl to create water droplets for drinking.

Abstract: A dosing system for dosing a liquid additive into a water supply line for livestock, the dosing system comprising: a first connector configured to be fluidly coupled with a liquid additive supply line to a supply of the liquid additive; a second connector configured to be fluidly coupled with a dosage line for dosing the liquid additive into the water supply line, a pump unit coupled with the first connector for pumping the liquid additive from the supply line, the pump being fluidly coupled with a dosage outlet for dosing the pumped liquid additive into the water supply line via the first connector; and a control unit being operatively coupled with the pump unit for controlling a dosage rate of the liquid additive being dosed through the dosage outlet; and a flow sensor for sensing water flow rate in the water supply line and transmitting data associated with the sensed water flow rate to the control unit to control operation of the pump unit thereby controlling the dosage rate of the liquid additive in resp

Abstract: A wall-mounted scratch post assembly for cats includes a mounting plate affixed to a vertical surface, the mounting plate including a wall-facing surface mounted against the vertical surface, a post-facing surface facing away from the vertical surface, a first attachment mechanism affixing the mounting plate to the vertical surface, and a second attachment mechanism attached to the post-facing surface. The assembly includes a scratch post, wherein the scratch post includes a proximal end attached to the mounting plate, wherein the proximal end includes a proximal surface formed to fit against the post-facing surface and a third attachment mechanism that attaches to the second attachment mechanism, a distal end opposite the proximal end and facing away from the vertical surface, a support structure connecting the proximal end to the distal end, and a fibrous covering coating the support structure.

Abstract: A pet furniture apparatus that includes a first set of vertical support elements extending from a base portion to a first level of platforms. The vertical support elements extending from the base portion to the first level of platforms creates at least one compartment and a first floor. The pet furniture apparatus also includes at least one obstacle disposed in the at least one first level compartment to facilitate certain body movements of pets. At least one engagement element for the pet to engage can be incorporated into the pet furniture apparatus to induce interaction of the pet with the pet furniture apparatus. An end table or coffee table having a dual purpose as a pet furniture apparatus. The table includes a plurality of sides wherein each side has at least one access opening disposed therein. Each side of the table can be the top, bottom or side of the table. The table can also include a plurality of platform levels that creates multiple levels of compartments in a horizontal and vertical direction.

Abstract: A self-exercise device that provides resistance to tugging, and is operable to intermittently change the resistance so as to mimic an actual tug-of-war game. The device includes ball gallery and ratchet structures that cooperate to provide additional intermittent resistance to provide action to the device that mimics an actual tug-of-war experience wherein the opposing resistance is randomly changing.

Abstract: A pet collar has an adjustable length strap and a buckle. The buckle has a receiver and a clip releasably coupled to the receiver. The receiver includes a catch portion coupleable to the clip and a tension indicator portion. The tension indicator portion has two side walls defining a shuttle channel. Each side wall has a top surface having a first mark, a second mark, a third mark, and a fourth mark which have color coding. The shuttle channel is configured to slidably receive a reciprocating tensioning shuttle therein. The tensioning shuttle includes two side wall and a compression spring. Each side wall also includes a top flange overlaying the receiver side walls that includes a first viewing window and a second viewing window. The viewing windows alignment with the underlying marks indicated the tension of the collar upon the pet.

Abstract: Described herein are animal collars and methods of using animal collars. Also described herein are buckles for animal collars.

Abstract: A pet tag that offers a display head with imprinted owner information that is attached directly to a collar by a bolt running through an existing eyelet on a collar. It is an inclusive tag comprising the means to attach in addition to providing pet identification information on the display head surface.

Abstract: An image capture device with processors can execute a set of instructions stored in the system memory to: receive a plurality of time-sequenced images of the animal from the digital image sensor; determine, using an artificial intelligence module, a first birth in process from a first subset of images of the plurality of time-sequenced images of the animal; and determine an interval of time lapse between the first birth in process from the first subset of images of the plurality of time-sequenced images of the animal and a next birth in process from the next subset of images of the plurality of time-sequenced images of the animal, as determined using the artificial intelligence module, and when the interval of time lapse between the first birth in process and the next birth in process exceeds a predetermined amount trigger an action from an alert trigger.

Abstract: In a method and system for managing a social group, the method includes determining a group member behavior from a member position relative to the social group, and inferring a member state from the member behavior. Spatial, spatio-temporal, and biometric data may be used. A social group management system includes an inference engine that infers a member state from the behavior of a monitored member. Another social group management method includes characterizing a first monitored member of the social group as a first discrete element; characterizing at least a second monitored member of the social group as at least a second discrete element; and determining a characteristic displacement between the first monitored member and at least the second monitored member in accordance with a discrete element method.

Abstract: Proposed is a technique for performing sexing of a fertilized egg with a high sexing rate at a high speed, based on image data obtained by photographing a contour of the egg. In particular, a fertilized egg sexing method, a fertilized egg sexing apparatus and a program for making a female/male judgment of a fertilized egg according to a contour of the fertilized egg by a computer are proposed. The fertilized egg sexing method includes: extracting the contour based on image data obtained by photographing the fertilized egg at different angles, calculating a short radial from the contour, calculating short radial phase differences corresponding to photographing at the angles, and making a female/male judgment using the short radial phase differences.

Abstract: A board which can be used to form a beehive for solitary bees and/or wasps, the board including a first surface and a second surface which is opposite to the first surface, wherein the first surface having a plurality of holes defined therein, wherein the board further includes a plurality of individual tube members which project from the second surface and wherein each tube member is aligned with a respective hole defined in the first surface so that a bee can pass via a hole into the tube member which is aligned with the hole and wherein the plurality of tube members are arranged such that there are voids between adjacent tube members. There is further provided a device (beehive) which includes a plurality of the boards; and a method of forming a device (beehive) which includes a plurality of the boards.

Abstract: A Murder Hornet excluder is described. The excluder is made from a mesh that has openings large enough to let both queen and worker bees in and out, but too small to allow the much larger hornets to invade. It has a stepped top, two sides and a bottom that “wrap around” the entrance to a beehive. The stepped top extends the front several inches in front of the opening to the hive to give honeybees a “safe cage”, with adequate room to begin flight and descend after passing through the excluder. In a preferred embodiment, the mesh is between 6 mm and 10 mm on a side.

Abstract: An insulated honeybee hive assembly with an integrated monitoring system, the system including software and wiring contained in a wall assembly of the modular hive. The system includes sensors and other device(s) for monitoring temperature, humidity, weight, geographical location, and power generation of the hive. The system also includes a video and/or audio component, with connectivity to remote server(s), that allows for remote data collection, video and/or audio analysis and can provide hive command(s) such as heat treatments, ventilation, and similar. Sensors, wiring, buses, and other hardware are confined within the wall assemblies of the hive box and connect to one another once stacked upon each other.

Abstract: A protective system is provided for insect living enclosures such as beehives. The protective system includes a listening subsystem and a spray subsystem. The spray subsystem is positionable to enable an agent to be dispensed from an outlet in a desired location relative to an entrance of the insect living enclosure. The listening subsystem is further operable to acoustically detect a threat about the entrance. Further, in response to detecting the threat, the listening subsystem is operable to control the spray subsystem to dispense the agent from the outlet.

Abstract: An offshore farming system comprising an elongated vertical support column floating vertically in water with a larger extension below sea surface than above the sea surface, and a rigid cage structure enclosing the elongated vertical support column in circumferential direction and arranged movable in longitudinal direction of the elongated vertical support column.

Abstract: A coral holder which either resides in an aquarium or in a transport container. The coral holder may be either a fixed object or an insert. The coral holder has one or more coral channels, preferably elongated channels, which accept corals or coral plug(s) held securely in place anywhere along the channel(s) until the user desires to adjust or remove the coral plug.

Abstract: A water quality converter includes: a container having an oval hollow, where the container is a plastic body of a mixture in which 10% to 30% by weight of aventurine, 5% to 20% by weight of sodalite, 2% to 10% by weight of amethyst, 1% to 10% by weight of Chungito, 5% to 20% by weight of germanium, 2% to 10% by weight of Shungite, 3% to 10% by weight of elvan, 2% to 10% by weight of rose crystal, 1% to 5% by weight of seven-colored gemstone, and 1% to 5% by weight of wooden stone are mixed, and a weight ratio of aventurine to sodalite ranges from 3:1 to 1:1, a weight ratio of aventurine to germanium ranges from 2:1 to 1:1, a weight ratio of germanium to Shungite ranges from 4:1 to 1:2, and a weight ratio of amethyst to germanium ranges from 1:2 to 1:5.

Abstract: A method for adjusting an aquarium water temperature through direct heat exchange by a water temperature adjustment apparatus for an aquarium includes: a first step of allowing a smart sensor unit to measure the temperature of the water; a second step of controlling a heat exchange adjuster that sunk in the water to adjust the temperature of the water based on the temperature of the water measured by the smart sensor unit; and a third step of allowing the heat exchange adjuster to adjust direct heat exchange with the water.

Abstract: A method for constructing a lung cancer animal model. According to the method, a pathogenic substance of a lung cancer is atomized into atomized particles, and an animal inhales the atomized particles in an inhaling mode, so as to construct a required lung cancer animal model.

Abstract: Provided are a patient-derived amyloid xenograft (PDAX) non-human animal model, uses and production methods thereof as well as methods comprising the model to determine/obtain anti-amyloid drugs suitable for the treatment of an amyloidosis or amyloid-related disease and methods and processes to characterize, validate, develop and/or quality control and manufacture such drugs.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to genetically modified animals that express a canine or chimeric (e.g., caninized) programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: A transgenic animal having a genome including a humanized immunoglobulin locus for securing the diversity of an antibody repertoire and a method of producing the same are disclosed. The transgenic non-human animal has two alleles of a humanized immunoglobulin gene, wherein the two alleles are hetero-alleles.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus which houses and facilitate insect breeding, including but not limited to the breeding of black soldier flies (Hermetia Illucens). Embodiments of the invention house insects before, during, and after the mating process. Insects are inserted into the invention usually in a pre-sexually mature state (e.g. the larvae, prepupae, or pupae state). After a period of time, the insects become sexually mature and are able to mate. After mating, the insects are attracted to lay eggs (oviposit) onto egg collection substrates within the invention. Embodiments of the invention allow for the insect eggs to be collected periodically, and/or allows for the insect eggs to hatch in which case the newly emerged insects (e.g. larvae) are retrieved as frequently as desired.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, compositions, and systems for transforming silkworms to produce spider silk and analogs of spider silk. In certain embodiments, the method may include inserting a DNA sequence coding for at least a portion of a spider silk fibroin polypeptide, or an analog of a spider silk fibroin polypeptide, positioned between at least a portion of the 5? and 3? ends of a silkworm fibroin gene to generate a fusion gene construct having a sequence that encodes for a polypeptide comprising both spider silk fibroin and silkworm silk fibroin sequences. In certain embodiments, the fused gene is able to replace a native gene present in the silkworm such that the transformed silkworm expresses a polypeptide comprising a spider silk fibroin polypeptide, or an analog thereof, and expresses significantly less of the native silkworm silk.

Abstract: A fishing device includes a net disposed in a body of water containing fishes. A plurality of posts, wherein each post further includes a stem, a bottom cross disposed at a lower portion of the stem; a cross bar disposed at a top end of the stem; and a cord. The stem is an upright elongated protrusion extending from under a bottom to above a surface of the body of water. The cord is slidably secured to the cross bar. A first end of the cord is secured to a weight. A second end of the cord is secured to the net. The fishing device includes a release mechanism. The release mechanism grabs a portion of the cord to hold the weight in a first position adjacent to the cross bar. A bait system is disposed at or adjacent to a center of the net.

Abstract: A fishing line float adapter incorporating a ring having a peripheral inner wall and an outer edge; a bottleneck receiving space defined by the peripheral inner wall; an arm having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end of the arm being fixedly attached to the ring's outer edge; and a fishing line engaging aperture extending through the distal end of the arm.

Abstract: The sinker has a swivel that contains an opening to allow the insertion and attachment of fishing line. The sinker contains beads confined within a tube internally affixed to the swivel.

Abstract: This present invention relates to an ice fishing hole cover. The cover features a hinged door attached to the cover through mechanical attachments. The ice fishing hole cover includes a fishing line hole to allow a user to setup a fishing bait line through the cover. The hinged door enables the user to open a portion of the cover, and not the entire cover, to set up the fishing bait line or to access and land a fish caught while ice fishing. The ice fishing hole cover enhances the overall ice fishing experience of the users and eliminates the inconvenience of maintaining an open ice hole while fishing.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved holder for a fishing rod. typical fishing rod holders are difficult to quickly and accurately adjust. Some even require the use of a tool to adjust. The claimed invention teaches a rod holder with a convenient adjustment mechanism that allows a user to adjust the angle of the rod holder in two planes without the use of a tool and with only one hand.

Abstract: An equine shoe assembly, comprising a dual density polymer shoe having a relatively soft bottom patterned section and a base section of harder polymer capable of holding nails and maintaining the shoe is relatively rigid and structurally intact during use on equine hooves fitted in a conventional metal equine shoe supporting the harder polymer base section.

Abstract: It is important to trap and identify mosquitos to ensure the safety of the population where mosquitos gather. The classification of a type of mosquito is typically accomplished by a unique wingbeat signature that is characteristic of different types of mosquitos. One of the goals of the trap is to quickly identify the mosquito and then quickly release the mosquito. This application will allow the user to obtain an approximate population so that the appropriate type and amount of insecticide can be applied to control the population to insure the health of the human and animal population while at the same time minimizing danger to the environment or surrounding ecosystem.

Abstract: An insect trap includes: a light source for emitting light which attracts insects; a blower disposed adjacent to the light source; a housing including an air inlet and an air outlet and receiving the blower; a trap fastened to the housing on the side of the air outlet; a cover which covers the light source and is fastened to the housing; and a first waterproof member provided between the housing and the cover.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes an apparatus, system, and method for trapping and exterminating arthropods, particularly red mites. The apparatus includes an opaque housing and a heat strip configured to have separate temperature zones. The method includes warming the heat strip to lure the mites into the trap, heating outer heat strip segments to drive the mites toward the center of the trap, and then raising the entire heat strip to a temperature sufficient to exterminate the mites. The system includes placing one or more of the traps in animal hold structures, including nesting boxes in poultry houses.

Abstract: A sprayer nozzle assembly includes a control valve configured to control a flow rate of agricultural product according to a duty cycle having valve open and valve closed positions. The assembly includes a sprayer tip having a tip orifice for spraying the agricultural product. A throttled interface duct interconnects the control valve and the sprayer tip. The throttled interface duct includes an interface duct profile. The interface duct profile is configured to decrease a flow characteristic of the agricultural product while the control valve is in the valve closed position.

Abstract: An electrical energy processing unit of an apparatus to kill a plant or at least attenuate plant growth is disclosed. The electrical energy processing unit includes a converter and a control circuit. Also disclosed are an apparatus that includes the electrical energy processing unit and a method of utilizing the apparatus. Further disclosed are a computer program for a processor of the control circuit of the electrical energy processing unit and a non-transitory computer readable medium that includes the computer program.

Abstract: An animal trap (1) that provides ramped entryways for cane toads to pass through and a hands-free touchless method of disposing of cane toads captured in the animal trap that allows individuals to empty the animal trap without coming into contact with captured cane toads and/or the poison the captured cane toads secrete.

Abstract: A nuisance animal trapping assembly for controlling a population of nuisance animals includes a box, which defines an interior space. The box has a top, which is open. A lid is hingedly engaged to the box and is positioned to selectively close the top. The box has a hole positioned in a side thereof proximate to a bottom thereof. A closure is engaged to the box proximate to the hole and selectively closes the hole. A bait station is selectively positionable in the interior space and attracts a nuisance animal through the hole into the interior space. The closure retains the nuisance animal within the interior space to trap the nuisance animal.

Abstract: Embodiments of a rodent trap bait cage, and associated systems and methods, are disclosed. The bait cage may comprise a barrier portion and a mounting portion. The barrier portion may define a bait cavity therein and include a multiplicity of bait access apertures extending between the bait cavity and an ambient environment. The bait cage may be mountable to a treadle plate of a rodent trap by way of the mounting portion. The mounting portion may include a bait pin detent portion. The barrier portion may include a roof disposed oppositely of the mounting portion. A bait pin aperture may be defined between the roof and the bait pin detent portion and configured to receive a bait pin of the treadle plate to secure the mounting. The bait pin detent portion may have a ramped surface to facilitate wedging of the bait pin detent portion under the bait pin.

Abstract: The present application discloses a bird-repelling method, a bird-repelling apparatus, and a bird-repelling system. The bird-repelling method includes steps of: controlling a light-emitting device to emit blue light; controlling a sound producing device to emit sound waves; and repelling birds by the bird-repelling apparatus integrating blue light irradiation and sound wave emission. The blue light bird-repelling mode and the sound wave bird repelling mode complement each other. Light waves and sound waves generate a resonance effect, which can repel birds more effectively without causing harm to humans or birds. The present application can be widely applied to various fields requiring bird repelling, such as aviation, high-speed railways, electric power, agriculture, and the like.

Abstract: Systems and methods of the invention generally relate to prolonging viability of bodily tissue, especially lung tissue, through the use of an expandable accumulator to maintain a constant pressure within the lumen of the organ even during external pressure fluctuations due to, for example, flight. Systems and methods may include prolonging donor organ viability in storage through the use of an organ container that mimics the geometry and orientation of the organ in vivo.

Abstract: Systems and methods of the invention generally relate to prolonging viability of bodily tissue, through the use of pressurizer element operable in a sealed organ transport system purged of air and filled with preservation fluid. The pressurizer element is operable to capture and maintain pressure from a fluid-fill line during set-up of the container. Increased pressure within the container reduces edema in the organ during storage and transport by providing a compressive force on the organ.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pesticidal emulsions comprising an aqueous continuous phase comprising paraquat and at least one polyvinylalcohol or polyvinylalcohol derivative; a dispersed oil phase; a pesticidal active ingredient; and at least two polymeric surfactants selected from a sorbitan ester and an ethoxylated sorbitan ester. It also relates to the use of a pesticidal emulsion to control undesired vegetation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the technical field of crop protection. More specifically, the invention relates to combinations of (I) polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and (II) a composition comprising one or more water soluble herbicidal active ingredients and certain further constituents, said combination having improved properties, in particular regarding rainfastness and/or herbicidal efficacy. The invention also relates to the use of such combinations.

Abstract: There is provided a core-shell composite comprising a core which comprises zinc metal and a shell that at least partially encapsulates the core, wherein the shell comprises a salt of the zinc metal as a cation with a sulphur-containing anion. There is also provided a method of forming a core-shell composite comprising the step of heating a mixture of zinc metal particle with elemental sulphur to form the core-shell composite, wherein the zinc metal particle forms the core of the core-shell composite, and wherein the shell of the said core-shell composite at least partially encapsulates the core and comprises a salt of the zinc metal as a cation with a sulphur-containing anion. There is also provided a method of killing or inhibiting the growth of a microbe, comprising the step of subjecting the microbe to the as-disclosed core-shell composite.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to aqueous herbicidal compositions comprising a glufosinate component comprising L-glufosinate and/or a salt thereof and an auxin herbicide component. The present disclosure further relates to methods of preparing these compositions and methods of controlling unwanted plants using these compositions. The present disclosure is also directed to methods of reducing the volatility and/or driftable spray fines of a tank mixture comprising an auxin herbicide component.

Abstract: An antimicrobial article includes a flexible substrate; and a plurality of first protrusions which is formed on at least one surface of the substrate, includes a crosslinked polymer resin and antimicrobial materials dispersed in the polymer resin, and is formed with first grooves in which at least one of bacteria, fungi, and viruses may be received. According to the present disclosure, in the antimicrobial article and the manufacturing method thereof, it is possible to greatly improve the antimicrobial effect of the antimicrobial article by minimizing a distance between bacteria, fungi, or viruses attached to the antimicrobial article and antimicrobial materials of the antimicrobial article to maximize the quantity of the antimicrobial materials that affect the bacteria, fungi, or viruses.

Abstract: A disinfecting composition for killing pathogens on various surfaces is provided. The disinfecting composition is environmentally friendly and is certified natural according to the ECOCERT certification for detergents. The disinfecting composition generally includes one or more C1-8 alcohols and at least three surfactants. The disinfecting composition passes one or more of the following European standards at a contact time of less than or equal to about 1 minute: EN 13697, EN 13727, EN 1275, EN 1650, and EN 13624.