Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve may include a collapsible and expandable frame that, in an expanded condition, includes a central portion, an atrial portion flaring radially outwardly from the central portion, and a ventricular portion flaring radially outwardly from the central portion. A tube positioned within the frame may have a lumen extending along a longitudinal axis of the frame, wherein the tube is formed of tissue or fabric. Prosthetic leaflets may be directly coupled to the tube to form a valve allowing blood to flow through the lumen of the tube in an antegrade direction but substantially blocking blood from flowing through the lumen of the tube in a retrograde direction. A plurality of cords may each have a first end coupled to the frame and a second end coupled to the tube. Each of the plurality of cords may extend in a radial direction toward the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A portable, modular, and durable pitching mound to be used both indoors and outdoors. Embodiments include a support surface and a plurality of mound segments which may be reversibly attached in order to form a complete pitching mound, and optionally, an anchoring apparatus used to stabilize the present invention. Support ribs are contained within each mound segment to provide structural integrity. The pitching mound is meant to increase the efficiency of baseball games and practice, and to conserve recreational and interscholastic resources.