Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for activating TRPV3 (transient receptor potential vanilloid 3) using FPP (farnesyl diphosphate) and a method for screening a TRPV3 activity inhibitor. FPP of the present invention has TRPV3 specific activity and therefore it can be effectively used for the study on TRPV3 mechanism and functions and for the development of a TRPV3 based pain reliever.

Abstract: A wellhead assembly to seal to a production casing including one or more pressure-containing wellhead body members defining a vertical bore, with the lowermost of the wellhead body members sealing to the production casing. A fracturing isolation tool is sealed in the vertical bore of the wellhead body members above the production casing, and forms a pressure barrier profile in its internal bore. A removable protector sleeve is located at least partially within the fracturing isolation tool to seal, protect, isolate and cover the pressure barrier profile against a fracturing pressure and a fracturing fluid. After fracturing the protector sleeve is removed and a pressure barrier is sealed in the pressure barrier profile of the fracturing isolation tool. The invention also extends to the method of isolating the wellhead body members and to the fracturing isolation tool assembly which includes the fracturing isolation tool and the protector sleeve.

Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle transmission during a gear change thereof, the method comprising operating a plurality of power shift clutches to disengage the power shift input gearing and the power shift output gearing, disengaging the driving connection between the range shift input shaft and the range shift output shaft by means of the range selection gearing, engaging at least two of the power shift clutches to vary the rotational speed of the power shift output shaft and hence the range shift input shaft, and operating the range selection gearing to establish a driving connection between the range shift input shaft and the range shift output shaft.

Abstract: Methods, devices and device components are presented for blood processing. Particularly, methods, devices and device components are presented for separating blood into blood components and collecting one or more separated blood components, which reduce the incidence of blood vessel infiltration and enhance donor comfort. In one aspect, the invention provides blood processing methods having a return flow rate which decreases systematically during a return time. In another aspect, the invention provides blood processing methods having a removal flow rate, return flow rate or both which are derived from a subject's total blood volume. In another aspect, the present invention provides blood processing methods wherein the fraction by volume of removed blood corresponding to collected components is selected to optimize blood processing efficiency and enhance the purities of collected blood components.

Abstract: A choke valve for use in reverse flow when mounted on a wellhead or manifold. The choke valve includes a valve body forming a T-shaped bore to provide a vertically extending bottom opening and a horizontally extending side opening. Flow trim is positioned in the T-shaped bore, optionally in a tubular sleeve or removable cartridge. The flow trim includes a tubular cage having a side wall forming an internal bore aligned with the body bottom opening, and a single flow port or a plurality of flow ports, each of the single flow port or plurality of flow ports being positioned for alignment with the body side opening. In reverse flow mode in the valve body, fluid from the bottom opening enters the cage and exits through the single flow port or plurality of flow ports directly into the body side opening.

Abstract: A polish rod clamping device, for use as part of a wellhead production pumping tree to secure a polish rod. The device includes a pressure-containing body forming a central vertical and opposed first and second side bores. A pair of clamping rams are positioned in the side bores for sliding movement therealong, each clamping ram having a front and a rear end, the front ends of the clamping rams being configured to accommodate at least a portion of the polish rod between their front ends when the clamping rams are advanced across the central bore. The front end of at least one of the clamping rams is configured with a vertical V-groove for gripping the polish rod. The invention extends to the V-groove rams themselves and to composite wellhead assemblies containing the V-groove clamping device.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and compositions relating to processed grain products are shown. An exemplary method shown is a fiber separation process for the ethanol industry corn products of Distillers Dried Grains (DDG) and Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS) resulting from the widely used dry grind technology. The disclosed process and apparatus allows the removal and separate recovery of fiber-reduced DDG or DDGS products with expanded potential for use as a non-ruminant feed product in addition to the removal and separate recovery of a fiber-enriched product. The specific processes, devices, and compositions shown are readily adaptable to modern ethanol production plants.

Abstract: A wellhead assembly to seal and suspend an in-casing hydraulic drive unit for a downhole pump, including pressure-containing wellhead body members with a vertical bore and a production bore at its uppermost portion. A hydraulic pump hanger is retained and sealed in the vertical bore. The hydraulic pump hanger suspends and seals the hydraulic cylinder, includes a bore extending vertically therethrough, forms at least one hydraulic line to communicate with hydraulic fluid supply lines, forms a hydraulic inlet port to each hydraulic line, and provides a check valve sealed in each hydraulic inlet port. The wellhead body member(s) includes a stem port aligned with each hydraulic inlet port, with a valve actuating stem sealed in each stem port to actuate each check valve between a normally closed and open position. The wellhead body member(s) also includes hydraulic injection port(s) formed to supply hydraulic fluid to each hydraulic inlet port.

Abstract: The membrane scaffold proteins (MSP) of the present invention assemble with hydrophobic or partially hydrophobic proteins to form soluble nanoscale particles which preserve native structure and function; they are improved over liposomes and detergent micelles, in terms of stability and preservation of biological activity and native conformation. In the presence of phospholipid, MSPs form nanoscopic phospholipid bilayer disks, with the MSP stabilizing the particle at the perimeter of the bilayer domain. The particle bilayer structure allows manipulation of incorporated proteins in solution or on solid supports, including for use with such surface-sensitive techniques as scanning probe microscopy or surface plasmon resonance. The nanoscale particles, which are robust in terms of integrity and maintenance of biological activity of incorporated proteins, facilitate pharmaceutical and biological research, structure/function correlations, structure determinations, bioseparations, and drug discovery.

Abstract: A new and distinct apple tree variety is described. The variety results from selection among a population of seedlings derived from crossing the apple varieties known as ‘Royal Gala’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,121) and ‘Braeburn’ (not patented). The fruit of the apple tree of this new variety has an attractive appearance characterised by its red colour and obvious lenticels and is notable for its excellent eating quality. The new variety has been named ‘Scilate’.

Abstract: A new and distinct rabbiteye blueberry variety is described. The variety results from selection among a population of seedlings derived from crossing the blueberry varieties known as ‘Centurion’ (not patented) and ‘Rahi’ (not patented). The fruit of this new variety has an attractive appearance characterised by outstanding fruit quality with a good bloom and little grittiness, and an exceptionally late fruiting season. The new variety appears suitable for the late fresh fruit market and has been named ‘Centra Blue’.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree (Prunus persica) named ‘Hortarine1’ is described. The variety results from selection among a population of open-pollinated seedlings of the peach variety known as ‘Peacharine’ (not patented). The fruit of this new variety has an attractive appearance characterized by yellow skin color with dark red blush, yellow flesh with no anthocyanin present, and intense flavor. The new variety appears suitable for the fresh fruit market and has been named ‘Hortarine1’.

Abstract: A new and distinct floricane fruiting red raspberry, Rubus idaeus L., variety is described. The variety results from selection among a population of seedlings derived from controlled pollination crossing of the unreleased raspberry selections with the breeder codes 86105N26 (not patented) and 87115ZN2 (not patented). This new variety is characterized by very early onset of fruit ripening. The new variety is distinguished from others by its high yields of firm and attractive conical shaped, uniform sized, large, red berries that ripen very early in the season. The plant exhibits a spine-free upright growth habit, of strong vigor. The new variety appears suitable for the fresh fruit market and the plant is also potentially well-adapted to machine harvesting. The variety has been named ‘Awaroa’.

Abstract: A new and distinct floricane fruiting red raspberry, Rubus idaeus L., variety is described. The variety results from selection among a population of seedlings derived from controlled pollination crossing of the raspberry varieties known as ‘Chilcotin’ (not patented) and ‘Waimea’ (not patented). The fruit of this new variety has an attractive appearance characterized by uniformly large berry size, good fruit firmness, and medium-red fruit color. The new variety is distinguished from others by its high yields of firm, attractive, uniformly sized, large, red berries that ripen in the mid season. The plant exhibits a semi spine-free upright growth habit, of strong vigor. In addition, the plant has displayed resistance to Raspberry Bushy Dwarf Virus (RBDV) under New Zealand conditions. Fruit of the new variety appears suitable for the fresh fruit market. The variety has been named ‘Korpiko’.

Abstract: A new and distinct floricane fruiting red raspberry, Rubus idaeus L., variety is described. The variety results from selection among a population of seedlings derived from controlled pollination crossing of the raspberry variety known as ‘Moutere’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,744) and the unreleased raspberry selection with the breeder code D188 (not patented). This new variety is characterized by excellent fruit quality, very good shelf life, and an early harvest season, and is suitable for both machine and hand harvest. The new variety appears suitable for the fresh fruit market and has been named ‘Korere’.

Abstract: A new and distinct floricane fruiting red raspberry, Rubus idaeus L., variety is described. The variety results from selection among a population of seedlings derived from controlled pollination crossing of the raspberry varieties known as ‘Chilcotin’ (not patented) and an unreleased selection with the breeder code 86107O58 (not patented). The fruit of this new variety has an attractive appearance characterized by very shiny, mid light-red fruit color. The new variety is distinguished from others by its high yields of firm and attractive conical shaped, uniform sized, large, red berries that ripen in the mid season. The plant exhibits a semi spine-free upright growth habit, of strong vigor. The new variety appears suitable for the fresh fruit market and has been named ‘Adele’.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Punica granatum plant named ‘PIIPG-I’, characterized by its compact, upright spreading growth habit, lustrous, dark green foliage, reddish-orange flowers, maroon-purple fruits, and cold hardiness to USDA Hardiness Zone 7.

Abstract: A new and distinct floricane fruiting red raspberry, Rubus idaeus L., variety is described. The variety results from selection among a population of seedlings derived from controlled pollination crossing of the raspberry varieties known as ‘Lewis’ (not patented) and selection 86105M57 (not patented). The new variety is distinguished from others by the semi crown-forming nature of the plant which tends to produce fewer thicker canes that tend to branch and are very vigorous. The variety is further distinguished by having fruit that ripen on long laterals, release from the receptacle very easily, are dark in color, have large drupelets, and are very firm. In addition, the plant has displayed some field resistance to root rot caused by Phytophthora fragariae var. rubi and appears to be tolerant to infection of Raspberry Bushy Dwarf Virus (RBDV). Fruit of the new variety appears very suitable for the process fruit market.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Hydrangea arborescens plant named ‘PIIHA-I’, characterized by its magenta to pink mophead inflorescences; dark green foliage; and upright, spreading growth habit.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Illicium plant named ‘Pink Frost’, characterized by its compact, rounded growth habit, medium green foliage with cream-white marginal variegation, pink-red petioles, red flowers, and pink to red foliage in winter.