32277 results about "Zoology" patented technology

A computer-controlled, automated checkout store outlet comprises at least one bay. A normally locked door is associated with each bay, and provides access to items within the bay by customers approved by a computer of the automated store outlet. At least one tray is disposed within at least one bay, and adapted to hold items to be stocked by the bay. A sensor system is configured to detect the removal of an item from the bay and identify the removed item, such as when a customer is removing the item for purchase.

Methods of using tetanus toxin to modulate or control neural functions or nonneural cellular activities at selected sites in animals, particularly in mammals, and more particularly in humans, are provided. Pharmaceutical formulations to modulate neural functions or non-neural cellular activities of an animal at selected sites in animals, particularly in mammals, and more particularly in humans are also provided. Uses of tetanus toxin in preparation of medicaments for methods of treating clinical disorders or symptoms of animals, particularly mammals and more particularly humans are also provided.

The present invention provides genetically modified animals and cells comprising edited chromosomal sequences encoding proteins that are associated with trinucleotide repeat expansion disorders. In particular, the animals or cells are generated using a zinc finger nuclease-mediated editing process. Also provided are methods of using the genetically modified animals or cells disclosed herein to screen agents for toxicity and other effects.

In an automatic milking installation including a robot arm (2) with a gripper (3) for attaching teat cups (4) to the teats of an animal, e.g. a cow, to be milked, for applying a teat dip to the teats after milking different members, such as spray nozzles (5a, 5b), dipping cups (5c, 5d) and sponge or cloth rollers (5e), are provided for applying different teat dip compositions. Under the control of a computer, the robot arm collects the member (5) appropriate for supplying the selected composition and takes it to a position appropriate for application of that composition. The selection can e effected in dependence upon the teat skin condition, e.g. detected by a camera (15) and / or environmental conditions.

A method and apparatus for measuring the physical characteristics of livestock animals such as cattle and hogs. The apparatus of the invention includes a plurality of strategically positioned cameras that are used to obtain data concerning volumetric, curvilinear (surface) and linear measurements of livestock animals such as cattle and hogs and the full carcasses thereof. In accordance with the method of the invention, the data is analyzed to provide information that substantially assists the commercial producer of livestock animals in producing a high-quality end product for the consumer while adding profitability to the enterprise.

A rotary parlour for milking of animals includes an annular rotary platform (20) adapted to form a support surface (18) for the animals (22), positioning elements (19, 23) for arranging the animals (1) in milking positions on the platform (20), a drive mechanism (30) adapted to supply a rotational motion to the platform (20), and teat cup storing devices (11) for holding parked teat cups (2, 2′) in predetermined storing positions. The teat cup storing devices (11) are mounted in positions such that the teat cups (2, 2′) are located vertically above the platform (20) in their storing positions.

An apparatus for monitoring at least a part of an animal related space (18) comprises a controllable device (2, 22) and at least one image capturing device (14, 15) for generating and supplying captured image data regarding said animal related space. According to the invention, the image capturing device (14, 15) is associated with a communications port (24) connectible to a telecommunications network (26), a remote control device (28) is associated with a further communications port (30) connectible to said telecommunications network (26). The image capturing device (14, 15) is connectable to said remote control device (28) via said telecommunications network (26) and the remote control device (28) is adapted to receive said captured image data. The remote control device (28) is provided with a display unit (32) for allowing viewing of said captured image data. A data input means (34) is associated with said remote control device (28), for entering a control instruction. The remote control device (28) is adapted to output said control instruction via said further communications port (30), and the controllable device (2, 22) is arranged to be interactively manipulated by said remote control device (28) in response to said control instruction.

A lancing device has a carousel of lancets removably received in a housing. In exemplary embodiments, the lancing device includes a sterility cap positioning mechanism that removes sterility caps from the lancets for actuation and afterwards replaces the sterility caps onto the lancets. Preferably, the lancing device includes a lancet advancing mechanism that automatically advances sequential lancets of the lancet carousel for charging and actuating, and a drive mechanism for actuating the lancets. Also provided are replacement lancet carousels, which include a cylindrical carrier with axial openings and a plurality of the lancets axially oriented in the openings.

A teat preparation station(1) for preparation of teats of milking animals prior to being milked in a milking system (11) equipped with at least one milking stall(13) is provided. The teat preparation station (1) includes a teat preparation area (2) housing at least one milking animal at a time; an exit (4) leading to the milking system; pre-milking equipment (5) provided for automatically pre-milking milking animals in the teat preparation area; and milk quality analyzing equipment (6) provided for automatically analyzing pre-milk from the milking animals.

An insect monitoring and trapping device is provided according to the invention. The device includes a base and a lid for covering the base, and is constructed to provide a trap interior and an insect opening for insects to access the trap interior. The device includes a heating device provided within the trap interior for attracting insects, and an adhesive surface provided within the trap for trapping insects.

Disclosed are compounds of Formula 1,whereinR1 is halogen, C1-C2 haloalkyl or C1-C2 haloalkoxy;R2 is H, halogen or cyano;R3 is H, halogen or CF3;R4 is H, C2-C7 alkylcarbonyl or C2-C7 alkoxycarbonyl; andR5 is C1-C6 alkyl or C1-C6 haloalkyl, each substituted with one substituent independently selected from hydroxy, C1-C6 alkoxy, C1-C6 alkylthio, C1-C6 alkylsulfinyl, C1-C6 alkylsulfonyl, C2-C7 alkylaminocarbonyl, C3-C9 dialkylaminocarbonyl, C2-C7 haloalkylaminocarbonyl and C3-C9 halodialkylaminocarbonyl.Also disclosed are compositions containing the compounds of Formula 1 and methods for controlling an invertebrate pest comprising contacting the invertebrate pest or its environment with a biologically effective amount of a compound or a composition of the invention.

A system and method for monitoring the condition of a human, companion animal, or livestock animal in an extreme environment is disclosed. In particular, a system and method to process at least one environmental measurement and at least one physiological measurement to assess at least one condition of a human, companion animal, or livestock animal in an extreme environment is disclosed.

Methods and systems are provided for managing non-beef livestock subjects in order to maximize their individual potential performance and the value of a product from the non-beef livestock subjects, and to maximize profits obtained in marketing the non-beef livestock subjects. The methods and systems draw an inference of a trait of a non-beef livestock subject by determining the nucleotide occurrence of at least one non-beef livestock SNP that is determined to be associated with the trait. The inference is used in methods of the present invention to establish the economic value of a non-beef livestock subject, to improve profits related to selling beef from a non-beef livestock subject; to manage non-beef livestock subjects, to sort non-beef livestock subjects; to improve the genetics of a non-beef livestock population by selecting and breeding of non-beef livestock subjects, to clone a non-beef livestock subject with a specific trait, to track meat or another commercial product of a non-beef livestock subject; and to diagnose a health condition of a non-beef livestock subject. Certain embodiments of the present invention provide methods, systems, and kits are directed to inferences of a trait related to milk or a dairy product in a livestock subject.

This invention is for a reader / writer device (terminal) for accessing item-related data in rewritable tags of the "RF-ID" type wherein each tag includes non-volatile memory. In a farm animal application each animal is implanted with an identified tag. From time to time, the terminal can be given a selected security level by reading password-like and individual identity data from a special tag held by an individual. As a result the individual can gain "read" and / or "write" to selected fields in the data record held within the tag. Further information may be added from time to time by empowered individuals. Schemes are enabled for the enhanced management of animals having such tags include accurate descriptors, proving ownership, showing compliance with disease control programmes and withholding periods after possible treatments, traceability of meat products from the shop to the farm, breeding schemes and performance recording. The use of security levels and the traceability of entries adds to the reliability of the stored information.

A method and apparatus for measuring target animals, including livestock animals and full carcasses, and more specifically livestock animals such as cattle and hogs using a single camera system. More particularly, the method of the invention is directed toward obtaining key measurements of the target animal, such as animal weight, animal hip height and animal hip width.

A chemostat that includes a growth chamber having a plurality of compartments, where each of the compartments may be fluidly isolated from the rest of the growth chamber by one or more actuatable valves. The chemostat may also include a nutrient supply-line to supply growth medium to the growth chamber, and an output port to remove fluids from the growth chamber. Also, a method of preventing biofilm formation in a growth chamber of a chemostat. The method may include the steps of adding a lysis agent to a isolated portion of the growth chamber, and reuniting the isolated portion with the rest of the growth chamber.

The invention provides compositions and methods for the breeding, production, processing and use of specialty cannabis.

A culture cell for growing animal cells in vitro has sides and a bottom forming a volume. The volume contains a layer of nanofiber upon which animal cells can be cultured. The layer of nanofiber can be oriented or non-oriented. Multiple layers can be placed in the volume, where the layers have different composition and / or different porosity. The nanofiber can be, for example, surface treated or of a core-shell construction.

An electronic animal trap with a CPU-controlled, rearming, high voltage output circuit for trapping and exterminating pests. The high-voltage output circuit is connected to a pair of killing plates which are activated with a high-voltage pulse train for a period of time constituting a killing cycle when a known impedance is sensed across the plates. If, upon conclusion of the killing cycle, the impedance remains across the plates, the circuit activates a visual indicator to alert a user that the trap contains a dead mouse. However, if the impedance increases to that of an open circuit, likely meaning the animal has escaped, the circuit automatically rearms itself and no visual indicator is initiated.

The invention belongs to the field of environmental protection, relating to a method for processing food waste by using black soldier fly larvae and comprising the following steps: coarse crushing the food waste and then adding auxiliary materials to obtain culture materials for the black soldier fly larvae; and grafting black soldier fly spawn on the surface of the culture materials for the black soldier fly larvae so that the larvae hatched by the black soldier fly spawn acquires the culture materials for the black soldier fly larvae, thereby processing and cleaning the food waste. Before the black soldier fly larvae ages, a polypide collecting container is externally connected to the area for piling up the culture materials for the black soldier fly larvae and is filled with dry rice bran powder so as to guide to collect the aged black soldier fly larvae; and the rest of the processed culture materials for the black solider fly larvae is dried and then prepared into microbial organic fertilizer. The invention has strong processing capability, rapid processing speed compared with the common compost, the processing period is 4-5 days; after being processed, the volume of the food waste is reduced by 10-30%, the peculiar smell of the waste is lightened; and the invention can obtain excellent microbial organic fertilizer and insect bioprotein at the same time.

A fishing rod holder system, for holding a fishing rod and securing to a deck rail or ground surface, using a fishing rod holder having a threaded rod, a fixed clamp attached to one end of the threaded rod, a u-shaped rod support bracket attached to the other end of the threaded rod, a movable clamp, and an adjustment wheel for holding the fixed clamp against the movable clamp. A rod support tube mounts in the u-shaped rod support bracket and has an open end for holding the fishing rod. A ground adapter has a cylindrical body that selectively inserts between the fixed clamp and movable clamp and has a pair of stakes for attaching to the ground surface. The holder may be secure to the deck rail by extending the deck rail between the fixed clamp and movable clamp and tightening the adjustment wheel thereagainst.

Methods and apparatus for processing eggs based upon a characteristic such as gender are provided. Material is extracted from each of a plurality of live eggs, the extracted material is assayed to identify eggs having the characteristic, and then eggs identified as having the characteristic are processed accordingly.

The disclosed invention is a bicyclo[4.2.1]nonane and its pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug, and its composition and method of use to treat Flaviviridae (Hepacivirus, Flavivirus, and Pestivirus) infections in a host, including animals, and especially humans.

Apparatus and methods for animal control and restraint. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a retractable tether (e.g., leash) having a single-handed grip handle which include a built-in chemical repellent. The handle further includes a mechanism for quickly dispensing chemical repellent directionally by initiating a safety and actuating a trigger mechanism. The repellant can be used to rapidly spray one or more animals (such as during a dogfight) so as to minimize physical trauma to the dogs, and emotional trauma to the owner(s). Also, the handle is optionally equipped with a built in light for effective use of the handle (and repellant) in the dark, as well as a retractable mechanism to manage the dispensing and storage of a leash that can be attached to an animal collar.

Screening methods and instrumentation for candidate pharmacological agents are applied to discover compounds with muscular and / or neurological activity. The method comprises the use of teleost fish, such as the medaka (Oryzias latipes), which may be stimulated with chemical agents or an electric field to produce, for example, seizure activity and / or convulsive activity. The convulsive behavior may be recorded optically and electrically. Antagonism of the convulsive behavior is produced by application of candidate pharmacological agents to the well containing the fish. The method may include stimulation and antagonism in a plurality of sample wells with a repetitive or simultaneous application of threshold electric fields. The methods and instrumentation can be applied to the study of other serious neurological diseases such as neuropathic pain. In addition the process of assaying the protection of animals to convulsant agents the assay measures pharmacological safety parameters including sedation and cognitive impairment.

The invention discloses a feed for pigs in different growth stages and a feeding method of the feed, which belong to the field of feeds. The feed with a new formula consists of sucking pig milk powder, a sucking pig feed, a piggy feed, a middle pig feed and an adult pig feed. Sucking pigs are fed with 4kg of sucking pig milk powder from the third day after the birthday to the age of 37-40 days of the sucking pigs; then the sucking pigs are fed with 20kg of sucking pig feed from the 37th-40th day after the birthday to the age of 59-65 days; the pigs can get out of a fence after being fed with a bag of piggy feed, two bags of middle pig feed and three bags of adult pig feed, the weight of each pig is more than 120kg when the pigs get out of the fence, and the specification of the piggy feed, the middle pig feed and the adult pig feed is 40kg / bag. The feed is designed and developed according to the growth characteristics of the pigs in different growth stages; the feeding method simplifies a complex pig culturing process through simple and effectively digitalization, so that the transition of different growth stages is stable and effective; therefore, the growth speed of the pigs is obviously improved, and the pig culturing benefit is effectively improved.

Provided are ectoparasite control compositions, a method of controlling an ectoparasite and uses of a composition for controlling an ectoparasite. The ectoparasite control compositions comprise a solvent and 1-methyl-2-nitro-3-[(3-tetrahydrofuryl)methyl]guanidine, wherein said solvent contains mainly N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone. The methods of controlling an ectoparasite, comprise applying to a host animal, an ectoparasite control composition which comprises a solvent and 1-methyl-2-nitro-3-[(3-tetrahydrofuryl)methyl]guanidine, wherein said solvent contains mainly N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone.