Abstract: The present invention relates to a new source of high quality plant protein, termed, “quinoa protein concentrate (QPC)”, which contains at least about 50 wt % protein which is food-grade and/or pharmaceutical-grade and methods of preparing such protein concentrates as well as starch, oil, and fiber from quinoa grain. The quinoa protein concentrate of the invention is useful as food ingredients, infant formula ingredients, cosmetic ingredients, pet food ingredients, and animal feed supplements.

Abstract: A method for casting an ophthalmic lens having a toric surface includes the step of providing a casting cell that includes a conventional front mold, a novel gasket, and a novel toric back mold. An annular carrier ring is integrally formed with or attached to the toric back mold. The gasket has a first annular flat step against which the front mold squarely abuts and a second annular flat step against which the annular carrier ring squarely abuts. The gasket includes no toric annular seat against which the front surface of a toric back mold abuts. This eliminates the need for a lens maker to maintain a large inventory of toric back molds and gaskets. The square seating enhances the sealing capability of the mold, reduces leaks, and produces lenses having fewer bubbles and flash on the edge of the lens.

Abstract: A surgical tool forms a collapsible cage that surrounds a lesion or a tumor in a breast or soft tissue so that removal of all encaged tissue ensures the removal of the tumor or lesion. The collapsibility of the cage enables it to be closed and repositioned if needed. A leading tube and a trailing tube are interconnected by a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart members that are jointed at their respective mid-lengths. The respective leading ends of the jointed members are hingedly connected to a trailing end of the leading tube and the respective trailing ends of the jointed members are hingedly connected to the leading end of the trailing tube. The leading and trailing tubes slidingly receive a hollow needle and the leading tube is secured to the hollow needle at its distal end so that the leading tube cannot slide with respect to the hollow needle.

Abstract: A method of distillation having the steps of drawing a volume of untreated water containing impurities into a container, applying a vacuum to the container, applying an oscillating electric charge to the untreated water thereby producing water vapor from the untreated water, capturing the water vapor in a vapor pipe, and condensing the water vapor back into a liquid form in a collecting chamber. An oscillating frequency of 2.6 gigahertz, either by sonic or electric charge, displaces the hydrogen bonding between water molecules. This displacement permits distillation at a low temperature without the infusion of large amounts of energy common in previously known methods.

Abstract: An early warning detection and notification network for monitoring environmental conditions comprising a plurality of remotely located environmental sensors having a communications uplink to one or more earth orbiting satellites or other wireless transmission means, a downlink interface to a database server having one or more data tables holding environmental data and a communications interface between the database server and the Internet wherein the sensors periodically upload environmental condition data to the satellite, the satellite downloads the condition data to the database server, the communications interface provides access to the condition data through the Internet. End-users access the system through the Internet and retrieve real-time data on various environmental conditions based on a database query. The query results may be grouped by the geographic region, the type of environmental data or a combination of both.

Abstract: A fireplace candle grate comprising a plurality of longitudinally spaced, transversely disposed cradle members having a planer candle support surface on the end of one or more cradle members, a hollow sleeve surmounted on the candle support surface, the sleeve slideably receiving an end of said cradle members. Additionally, a lug may depending from the candle support surface, the lug having a mating aperture. A multifaceted mounting surface on an end of the sleeve is slideably received in the mating aperture wherein the incline of the candle support surface may be adjusted.