Abstract: The invention relates to the soybean variety designated 01083631. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety 01083631. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety 01083631 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety 01083631 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to the soybean variety designated 01077974. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety 01077974. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety 01077974 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety 01077974 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.

Abstract: The invention provides seeds and plants of tomato line FIR-XM18-4501. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds, plant parts, and tissue cultures of tomato line FIR-XM18-4501 and to methods for producing a tomato plant produced by crossing such plants with themselves or with another plant, such as a tomato plant of another genotype. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to plants, seeds, plant parts, and tissue cultures of tomato line FIR-XM18-4501 comprising introduced beneficial or desirable traits.

Abstract: A milking device for milking a dairy animal includes a teat cup with a cup wall and a teat liner and a pulsation space situated in between, the pulsation space being connected to a pulsation device that is configured to apply a pressure that varies in pulsations to the pulsation space in order to open and close the teat liner. The pulsation device includes a supply line controllable by a first operable valve for supplying a first pressure, a supply line controllable by a second operable valve for supplying a second pressure lower than the first pressure, and a control unit configured to generate control signals for operating the first and second valves. At least the first valve is a controllable valve having a passage that is adjustable during at least one pulsation phase by the control unit.

Abstract: A base platform with a plurality of platform legs mounted to said base platform for raising said base platform. A bedding tray is carried by said base platform with a plurality of tray legs mounted to said bedding tray raising said bedding tray above said base platform to define an air channel between said base platform and said bedding tray. A blower unit is carried by said base platform with an air duct disposed on a perimeter of said base platform receiving air from said blower unit. An air suction gap is disposed between said air duct and said bedding tray with at least one air discharge port disposed in said air duct directing air into said air channel underneath said bedding tray and drawing air downward through said air suction gap around said bedding tray.

Abstract: A feeding apparatus, disposed in a detecting room having therein a target object, includes a fixing element, at least one target sensing unit, a rotating element, a driving module, and a control unit. The fixing element includes at least one lens disposed on a sidewall of the fixing element. The lens converges an infrared radiation in the detecting room onto the target sensing unit which then generates a position signal corresponding to the target object. The rotating element is disposed on one side of the fixing element. The rotating element includes a discharge channel. The driving module is connected to the rotating element. The control unit is coupled to the target sensing unit and the driving module to receive a position signal from the target sensing unit and control the driving module to drive the rotating element according to the position signal.

Abstract: A system for maintaining inter-object separation between different objects such as animals, machinery, or people, that uses distance signaling to provide and maintain separation via correction activities that may also be used to keep the first two objects at a prescribed distance from a third object.

Abstract: A system for notifying occupants of a structure that a pet is proximate to an opening of a structure. The system may include a pet unit wearable on the pet's body and including a transmitter configured to transmit a wireless proximity signal from the pet unit. The system may further include an exit unit positionable at an exit of the structure. The exit unit may include a receiver configured to receive a said wireless proximity signal transmitted by a pet unit, with the receiver being configured to produce an alert signal when a said wireless proximity signal is received. The exit unit my also include an alerting assembly configured to provide a presence alert when the receiver receives a said wireless proximity signal. T alerting assembly may comprise a perceptible alerting mechanism configured to produce a perceptible presence alert which is perceptible to a sense of a human.

Abstract: A retractable leash assembly for a pet animal, such as a dog, is provided. The leash assembly includes a casing body with a handle attached to the body by an at least one hinge joint, a braking device, and a spool arrangement with an extendable lead line wound thereabout and configured attachable to the pet animals' collar or harness, wherein in the leash assembly the handle is configured to articulate about the joint with regard to the casing body, the articulation movement of the handle being triggered by the pulling force exerted on the lead line by the animal kept on the leash, and wherein, by virtue of the articulation movement the braking device actuates a braking action causing the lead line to reduce unwinding speed proportionally with an increase in the pulling force.

Abstract: A base for supporting a piezoelectric sensor which includes a generally planar support frame having an opening and a housing mounted in the opening. The housing has an upper portion including a sensor and a lower portion including a biasing member in contact with the sensor. The sensor is biased by the biasing force of the biasing member against the upper portion of the housing, whereby the upper portion is in turn biased by the biasing force against a floor of a cage positioned on the upper side of the support frame.

Abstract: The feed leveler on a poultry feeder has a plurality of feet provided on an inward facing surface of the feed skirt. A feed pan has a pedestal extending up from a pan floor configured to engage with one of the plurality of feet. Each foot is positioned at a different vertical position along a longitudinal axis of the feed leveler. The pan floor has a central core, wherein a lower portion of a drop tube extends through the central core and a retainer is fastened to a bottom end of the drop tube to mount the feed pan and feed leveler on the drop tube such that the feed pan and the feed leveler can slide along a vertical axis of the drop tube so the poultry feeder engages a ground surface on which the feed pan is received in a telescoping manner.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for promoting production of female embryos in fertilized eggs, comprising steps of: incubating said eggs; generating at least one type of energy with a predetermined energy profile; and simultaneously generating a pre-determined profile of a non-energy parameter by means of an energy generation device, applying both energy profile and the non-energy parameter to the eggs; and, collecting the eggs; wherein said method is non-toxic to the embryos, the application of both the energy profile and the non-energy parameter increases the fraction of females in the hatched chicks.

Abstract: Mice, tissues, cells, and genetic material are provided that comprise a humanized heavy chain immunoglobulin locus, a humanized light chain locus that expresses a universal light chain, and a gene encoding an ADAM6 or ortholog or homolog or functional fragment thereof. Mice are provided that express humanized heavy chains comprising human variable domains, and that express humanized light chains comprising human variable domains wherein the light chains are derived from no more than one, or no more than two, light chain V and J or rearranged V/J sequences. Fertile male mice that express antibodies with universal light chains and humanized heavy chains are provided. Methods and compositions for making bispecific binding proteins are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a breeding system for the breeding of crawling insects, comprising a drum, a shuffling device and a feeding device. The drum comprises at least one wall, defining a drum interior, to house the insects, and the shuffling device is arranged at least partially in the drum interior, to shuffle the insects. The feeding device id configured to feed nutrients into the drum interior. The system comprises a cooling device having a cooling fluid circuit that is, by means of a flow of coolant in the circuit, configured to withdraw heat from the drum interior. The invention further relates to a protein production system, for the on-site production of protein-rich insect larvae as animal feed, and to a method for the breeding of crawling insects, comprising the step of cooling the insects in the interior of the drum with a cooling device.

Abstract: In one aspect, a trap for capturing a marine animal, e.g., a lobster, is disclosed, which includes a housing having an inlet port for receiving a marine animal, said inlet port being configured to prevent the marine animal from leaving the container, and a sensor coupled to the housing for detecting the presence of the marine animal in the housing. In some embodiments, a stretchable netting is coupled to the inlet port such that the marine animal passes through the netting before entering the housing via the inlet port. A stretch detector can be coupled to the netting to register the passage of a marine animal via the netting into the housing. The passage of a marine animal through the netting can result in a stretch of the netting, which is registered by the stretch signal. The stretch signal indicates the passage of the marine animal into the housing.

Abstract: A dip net provided with lockable hoops capable of being folded leftwards and rightwards comprises a net rod, a hoop mounting base mounted on the net rod, and hoops including a left hoop and a right hoop, wherein mounting plates are arranged on the left side and the right side of the hoop mounting base, and two rotary bases are arranged at the rear end of the left hoop and the rear end of the right hoop and are hinged to the mounting plates through rotary shafts. The left hoop and the right hoop can be folded and are independently connected to the hoop mounting base, so that assembly is convenient; and the size can be reduced for transportation and carrying, so that carrying storage are facilitated.

Abstract: The oscillating fishing lure is a fishing lure comprising a jig having a body with a longitudinal axis, an uppermost surface, a rearward surface, at least one hook, said first hook including a shank and a hook end, said shank being surrounded by and protruding rearwardly from said body, and said hook end being spaced rearwardly behind said rearward surface of said body along said longitudinal axis of said body; a blade having an edge proximal said jig body; and a joining mechanism placed between said body and said blade, wherein at least a first portion of the joining mechanism is mechanically affixed to said body and at least one other portion is mechanically coupled to said blade, whereby retrieval of the lure causes the blade to oscillate. The oscillating-blade action imparts a natural swimming motion to the lure, emulating prey species movements.

Abstract: A fish measurement device including a hinged rigid bump board in combination with a slidably engageable cradle and a method for verification of fish measurement when using the device. The device having a QR tag used during the verification method authenticating fish size during a Catch, Photo, Release fishing tournament using a Tournament Management System.

Abstract: Hoof care kits suitable for treating an animal's hoof are disclosed. Methods of making and using hoof care kits are also disclosed.

Abstract: An agricultural product application implement includes a system and method for indicating an amount of fluid stored. A pressure transducer installed at the sump of a fluid tank electronically measures and displays a fluid depth. Instrumentation, such as an instrument cluster unit for the implement, is programmed via software to convert the voltage output of the pressure transducer to a volume measurement displayed in the operator's line of sight. Software within the instrument cluster unit for self-calibrating accounts for varying densities of different chemical solutions. The pressure transducer is used in conjunction with a transfer medium to prevent corrosive chemical solutions from contacting the pressure transducer.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for viable preservation of biomaterials including both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells/materials such as human cells and tissues at subzero and suprazero temperatures. One embodiment provides a method wherein initial desiccation and subsequent cooling of the biological samples is below their glass transition temperature (Tg) to achieve a stable glassy state without exposing the biomaterials to excessive osmotic/chemical stresses for long periods of time. Another embodiment provides a method that includes combining the initial desiccation with subsequent freeze-drying to achieve a glassy state of biomaterials. Another embodiment provides a desiccation medium with low salt, high osmolyte/glass former content and desiccation of biomaterials in a spherical droplet to avoid the edge effect.

Abstract: Provided are transplant preservation solutions comprising a polyglycerol wherein the polyglycerol is of a molecular weight between about 0.15 kDa and about 3.99 kDa, methods and uses thereof as well as kits providing said transplant preservation solutions.

Abstract: A frame includes a ring-shaped body part locatable to surround the periphery of an organ, and at least one tube clamp part mounted on the body part. Each tube clamp part includes a tube holder that holds a tube. The tube clamp part is mounted so as to be movable in the circumferential direction of the body part. Thus, a tube connected to the organ can be fixed at an appropriate position to the tube clamp part. This stabilizes the relative positions of the organ and the tube. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the probability of the organ becoming damaged due to a strain on the organ.

Abstract: Herbicidal compositions comprising mixed amine oxides and aminophosphate or aminophosphonate salts, in particular, to herbicidal compositions comprising mixed amine oxides and high-load aminophosphate or aminophosphonate potassium salts, wherein the composition has low temperature stability (i.e., no or unobservable crystal formation) among other beneficial properties.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition comprising a plant growth regulator and/or fungicide and/or insecticide and/or acaricide and the preparation process thereof. Additionally, the present invention discloses the use of a plant growth regulator and/or fungicide and/or insecticide and/or acaricide to prepare a composition and the use of a composition to ensure high yield per area of a corn crop. Furthermore, the present invention provides methods to reduce excessive growth of corn plants, to strengthen stems, the root system and adventitious roots of corn plants, to combat diseases and pests and to confer resistance to pest control, as well as a method to identify a composition that ensures high corn crop yield.

Abstract: Disclosed are compounds of Formula 1, including all stereoisomers, N-oxides, and salts thereof wherein W, R1, J, Q1, R7, R8, Y, R9 and are as defined in the disclosure. Also disclosed are compositions containing the compounds of Formula 1 and methods for controlling undesired vegetation comprising contacting the undesired vegetation or its environment with an effective amount of a compound or a composition of the invention.

Abstract: Compounds of formula III wherein R1, R2, L, Y1, Y2, Y3, and Y4 are defined in claim 1.

Abstract: This invention provides low-dose, low-concentration formulations of phytotoxic trace inorganic compounds for use in methods and systems for selectively and effectively controlling invasive plants.

Abstract: The current invention provides for a microbial consortium comprising one or more ammonium-oxidizing strains which are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) and which are selected from the group of Nitrosomonas, Nitrosospira, Nitrosopumilus, Cenarchaeum, Nitrosoarchaeum, Nitrosocaldus, Caldiarchaeum; and one or more GRAS strains which are commensal to the one or more ammonium-oxidizing strains, and which are selected from the group of Acinetobacter, Alcaligenes, Arthrobacter, Azospirillum, Azotobacter, Bacillus, Beijerinckia, Enterobacter, Erwinia, Flavobacterium, Rhizobium, Serratia and Deinococcus.

Abstract: A food safety quality and performance monitoring system is provided, which is part of Industry 4.0 factory monitoring, including: a slaughter production line monitoring module recording a first monitoring information including quantity, voltage, temperature and humidity, time, and the like; a processing line monitoring module recording a second monitoring information including quantity, temperature and humidity, time, metal detection, and the like; an intelligent central monitoring server storing the first monitoring information and the second monitoring information and allowing a user to register and log in; and a human-machine interface facilitating the security and performance monitoring of the food production line. A food safety quality and performance monitoring method is further provided.

Abstract: A novel pig body scalding system, includes a scalding pool body. A separating fence in the middle of a scalding region in the scalding pool body divides the scalding region into a high-speed scalding and constant-speed scalding region; moreover, the two sides of the separating fence has a high-speed and a constant-speed scalding track corresponding to the to the high-speed and constant-speed scalding region respectively. The starting end of the high-speed scalding and that of the constant-speed scalding track can be connected with the same wobbling track, and wobbling track is located at the tail end of a pig body hanging track; an infrared thermometer and pressure sensor connected with a control system is provided below the pig body hanging track. The scalding system can perform targeted scalding on each pig body according to the condition of each pig body, thereby greatly reducing the influence of scalding on pork quality.

Abstract: A machine for forming rissoles (2) has a hopper (3) for a food (4); a dispensing element (5) of at least a portion (6) of said food (4) taken from the hopper (3); a forming element (10) of each portion (6) having a shaped element (11) and a facing contrast element (12). The shaped element (11) includes a motor roller (13) provided with a pair of circumferential grooves (14) and the contrast element (12) includes a fixed guide (15) provided with two grooves (16) facing the recesses (14). Each recess (14) and each groove (16) form a channel (21) and internally have respectively a series of reliefs or notches (22) and a series of protrusions or cavities (23). The reliefs or notches (22) and the protrusions or cavities (23) interact with each portion (6) to help rototranslational movement thereof within the channel (21) to form a spherical shaped rissole (2).

Abstract: This disclosure relates to apparatuses and methods for processing and grading food articles. For example, provided herein is a system for grading a portioned food article, in which the system includes: a first conveyor; a first receiving conveyor and a second receiving conveyor, defining a space therebetween; at least one spray-removal robot; and a third receiving conveyor. The spray-removal robot may include at least one valve with a nozzle, in which the valve ejects fluid through the nozzle to impact a food article being moved on the first conveyor toward the third receiving conveyor, such that at least one portion of the food article is moved by the impact through the space between the first receiving conveyor and the second receiving conveyor, and such that at least one portion of the food article is moved by the first receiving conveyor and the second receiving conveyor to the third receiving conveyor.

Abstract: A method for brewing and chilling a brewed beverage such as tea includes brewing the beverage; combining the brewed beverage with a chilling medium; and covering the combined brewed beverage and chilling medium with an air-tight lid assembly to form an airtight seal. The combined brewed beverage and chilling medium may then be agitated. The airtight seal traps vapor generated from the beverage during the chilling, thereby causing the vapor to re-enter the beverage to maintain optimum flavor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composition comprising cocoa butter, said composition having an improved whiteness. Further, the invention relates to a composition comprising cocoa butter having improved whiteness and anhydrous milk fat having improved whiteness.

Abstract: The present invention relates to amorphous porous particles comprising sugar, a bulking 940 agent and surfactant, having a closed porosity of between 20 to 60% a sphericity of at least between 0.8 and 1. In a further aspect the present invention relates to a process of making said amorphous porous particles and their use as bulk sugar replacers in food products such as fat based confectionery products for example, chocolate.

Abstract: The equipment of the invention comprises a toroidal channel-shaped freezing tank containing coolant superimposed on a circular crown-shaped rotary mold holder, formed by a plurality of sectors affixed to the periphery of one traction disc driven by a stepper motor, said sectors having rectangular openings into which molds engage, whose lower portions are immersed in the coolant. At the bottom of the channel there is a rigid pipe provided with a plurality of holes through which jets of coolant are released under pressure. The popsicle release means comprise a radially oriented niche within said tank and a vertically displaceable housing which, in the upper position, accommodates a mold and a perforated horizontal pipe which releases jets of heated fluid against the mold cups.

Abstract: A soft semi-moist composition, for example semi-moist extruded kibbles, is formulated to substantially maintain softness through storage in a blend with dry food compositions. Softness is maintained by hindering formation of protein-starch complexes during storage. In an embodiment, the soft semi-moist food composition comprises at least 0.5% of a free amino acid, such as glutamate, and the soft semi-moist composition has a pH at which the free amino acid is charged. In some embodiments, hydrolyzed animal or vegetable substrates are included to provide one or more free amino acids that are charged at the pH of the semi-moist food composition and maintain softness of the semi-moist food composition.

Abstract: A system and method for the electromagnetic energization of packed content, in which the system includes at least one container filled with at least one fluid, at least one energization element, at least one grounding element, at least one containment element, one or more alignment elements, one or more contact elements, at least one grounding connection element, at least one grounding element, and optionally at least one movement element. Additionally, a corresponding apparatus is provided.

Abstract: The substrates, systems, and methods described herein relate to textured substrates for preparing a comestible meat product. Substrates and methods are described herein for controlling one or more of growth, adhesion, retention, and/or release of cells (e.g., of a cell sheet) on or from the surface of the substrate. A method of preparing a comestible meat product may include applying a plurality of non-human cells to at least one patterned texture substrate, growing the cells on the patterned texture substrate to form the comestible meat product, and separating the comestible meat product from the patterned texture substrate. The patterned texture allows for improved growth, adhesion, retention, and/or release of cells as compared to another surface not comprising the patterned texture. In some embodiments, the cell culture substrate surfaces include a plurality of regions corresponding to a plurality of patterned textures.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus (100) for preparing a food puree comprising a chamber (102) for containing food ingredients and a steam supply (104) for supplying steam to the chamber for steaming the food ingredients. A liquid supply (106) supplies a liquid to the chamber and an agitator (108) purees the steamed food ingredients in the presence of the liquid to obtain the food puree. A user interface (110) permits user selection of a texture of the food puree. A controller determines a steam parameter and a liquid amount to be supplied by the liquid supply according to the user selection. The controller further controls the steam supply and the liquid supply according to the determined steam parameter and liquid amount. Further provided is a method for preparing the food puree.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compounds having structural Formula (I), or salts thereof. These compounds are useful as sweet tasting agents and/or sweetness enhancers. Also disclosed are compositions comprising the present compounds and methods of increasing the sweet taste of ingestible compositions. Furthermore, methods for preparing the compounds are also disclosed.

Abstract: An eggless mayo is provided that is heat stable or that is heat stable as well as freeze-thaw stable and that is all natural. In addition a mayonnaise composition is provided that has increased heat stability as well as freeze-thaw stability. A low-salt version of the eggless mayo is provided as well as compositions for various butters and creams that have enhanced heat stability as well as freeze-thaw stability.

Abstract: The invention concerns synthetic nutritional formulations, particularly milk based compositions, for infants and children. The compositions are especially adapted to the age of the child. They are adapted to fulfill the nutritional needs of the child, ensuring balanced growth and development and thereby reducing the risk of obesity.

Abstract: The invention concerns synthetic nutritional formulations, particularly milk based compositions, for infants and children. The compositions are especially adapted to the age of the child, younger or older than three months. The invention further relates to administration of these compositions for promoting the healthy establishment of cognitive function in infant boys and girls and in young boys and girls up to the age of thirty-six months.

Abstract: The invention encompasses compositions and methods for effectively treating and/or preventing diabetes and/or obesity. This is accomplished by totally addressing the multiple mechanisms that lead to such conditions. The invention includes compositions comprising a combination of agents that effectively suppress, regulate or interfere with the various biochemical processes and mechanisms that lead to diabetes and obesity.

Abstract: A micronutrient dosage unit which comprises two or more micronutrients selected from vitamin A, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin B9, vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, calcium, magnesium, zinc, boron and chromium in one or more specified ratios.

Abstract: Synthetic nutritional compositions for infants and young children up to the age of thirty-six months, particularly infant formulae and growing-up milks, vary according to gender and the age of the infant or young child. The compositions have been designed to ensure balanced growth and to prevent obesity in in-fancy and later in life.

Abstract: The invention provides a citrus juicer (100) comprising: an enclosure (20) defining a cavity (24) for produce for pressing (10) containing a fluid, and an opening for introducing the produce for pressing into the cavity; a cannula (50) for engaging in the produce for pressing, a second portion (54) arranged outside the cavity, and a through opening (58) extending between the first and second portions; an inflatable extensible membrane (80) for compressing the produce for pressing engaged on the first end of the cannula in order to extract the fluid out from the cavity; and an ejector device for discharging the pressed produce.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of automated food preparation. Specifically, the present invention is a system and method for processing sub style sandwich breads and sandwiches.