Abstract: This invention is directed to a hydrocyclone that will separate particles from a liquid stream, such as from an irrigation water stream for use in drip irrigation. The invented hydrocyclone has an inlet, a separation section, a clean liquid outlet, and a slurry outlet, wherein the separation section has a vortex and a cone, and wherein the vortex length is more than three times longer than the cone length, and the cone has an angle of about 45 degrees. The invented hydrocyclone also has a vortex diameter to vortex length ratio of between about 0.8 and about 1.2, and a cone length to vortex length ratio of between about 0.28 and about 0.35. The invented hydrocylone may be of unitary construction. When in use, the invented hydrocyclone may create a clean water stream having at least 78% fewer particles than the original liquid stream.

Abstract: Non-caloric artificial sweeteners (NAS) are used as a substitute for natural sugars by providing the sweet taste. This invention measures the effects of artificial sweeteners on the enzyme kinetics of biological systems. The claimed invention is directed to a method of measuring the effect of an artificial sweetener on enzyme-catalyzed hydrolysis of a sugar comprising establishing a first sugar enzymatic conversion rate, then determining a second sugar enzymatic conversion rate, and lastly comparing the first sugar enzymatic rate and the second sugar enzymatic conversion rate. The sugar enzymatic conversion rates can be measured by either nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy or a glucometer. The methodology presented may be applied to the elucidation of kinetic parameters for invertase catalyzed conversion of sucrose to glucose and fructose.

Abstract: A wearable tremor reduction device reduces tremor by internally generating forces which cancel or reduce the magnitude force of the tremor experienced by the person wearing the device. The device may be worn on a wrist, arm, ankle or leg. The device has a plurality of housing members which are connected together. Each housing member contains a mass which is translatable along an axis between a proximal limit and a distal limit, and a neutral position approximately midway between the proximal limit and the distal limit. Following imposition of a force having a component along the axis, a biasing means returns the mass to the neutral position.

Abstract: This invention offers an effective method of decreasing expression of apolipoprotein E and increasing expression of at least one of either LDL-receptor protein or AbcA1 protein including selecting mammalian cells expressing apoE and at least one of either LDL-receptor protein or AbcA1 protein, contacting the mammalian cell with an effective amount of a compound having general formula (I) or general formula (II) in an amount sufficient to decrease expression of the apoE and increase expression of at least one of the LDL-receptor protein or the AbcA1 protein in the mammalian cell.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to methods of treating aggressive cancers, such as hormone-refractory metastatic prostate cancer, by exposing the aggressive cancer cells to curcumin analogs having the claimed structural scaffolds and side groups. The anticancer effects of curcumin are associated with its influence on numerous growth factors within the cells. However, its clinical development has been limited by its suboptimal pharmacokinetics and poor bioavailability caused by poor solubility in water and rapid in vivo metabolism. There is the need to develop new and improved curcumin analogs with better potency, water solubility, and in vivo metabolic stability, as well as retained safety profiles. Curcumin analogs having one of the claimed four novel scaffolds with basic heteroaromatic side groups show the ability to decrease aggressive cancer cell viability and to inhibit aggressive cancer cell growth.

Abstract: A mortar board display holder comprises a board clip portion, a display supporter portion, and a connecting portion joining the board clip portion and the display supporter portion. The board clip portion has a flat upper prong having a first plane, a flat lower prong having a second plane, and a spacing member that holds the upper prong fixably spaced from the lower prong such that the second plane is substantially parallel to the first plane. The display supporter portion has a flat first leg having a third plane, a flat second leg having a fourth plane, and a holding member that holds the first leg and the second leg such that the third plane is substantially parallel to the fourth plane. The display supporter portion may further comprise a neck adjacent to and connected to the holding member, and an elongated arm adjacent to and connected to the neck. The neck may be straight or curved.

Abstract: The invention is a method of training grapevines comprising dividing fruiting canes into three horizontal zones and two vertical zones. One aspect of the present invention is a method of training grapevines having a plurality of fruiting canes comprising: separating the fruiting canes into an upper canopy and a lower canopy, then dividing the upper canopy into a first upper cane section and a second upper cane section, restraining the first upper cane section to grow along a substantially horizontal first upper wire and restraining the second upper section to grow along a substantially horizontal second upper wire, and tying the lower canopy to grow along a substantially horizontal low wire. The method of training grapevines may also comprise defining a plurality of renewal canes. The renewal canes may be down to renewal spurs. The renewal spurs may have two buds. Each of the renewal spurs may be about 2.5 cm long.

Abstract: The invention is a method of training grapevines comprising dividing fruiting canes into three horizontal zones and two vertical zones. One aspect of the present invention is a method of training grapevines having a plurality of fruiting canes comprising: separating the fruiting canes into an upper canopy and a lower canopy, then dividing the upper canopy into a first upper cane section and a second upper cane section, restraining the first upper cane section to grow along a substantially horizontal first upper wire and restraining the second upper section to grow along a substantially horizontal second upper wire, and tying the lower canopy to grow along a substantially horizontal low wire. The method of training grapevines may also comprise defining a plurality of renewal canes. The renewal canes may be down to renewal spurs. The renewal spurs may have two buds. Each of the renewal spurs may be about 2.5 cm long.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nematicides, which are compositions that kill nematodes when placed in physical contact with nematodes. Nematodes do not decompose organic matter, but, instead, are parasitic and free-living organisms that feed on living material. M. incognita is a root knot nematode that has the ability to cause infection in more than 2,000 species of plants. Specifically, the present invention relates to CED-4 peptides that effectively kill nematodes. These CED-4 peptides are segments of the CED-4 protein. This invention is directed to a nematicide composition comprising an effective amount of a CED-4 peptide consisting of no more than 50 amino acids. In one aspect of the invention, the nematicide composition consists of no more than 30 amino acids. In another aspect of the invention, the nematicide consists of no more than 20 amino acids.

Abstract: A training module, training system, and methods of monitoring physical activity and making a training module are disclosed. The training module includes a compressible article having a polyhedral outer surface, a motion detector that detects compressive and rotational movement of the compressible article, a controller that determines a number of compressions and a number of rotations of the compressible article, and a signal transmitter that transmits data to a mobile electronic device. The controller is in electrical communication with the motion detector and the signal transmitter. The training system and methods generally include those that embody one or more of the inventive concepts disclosed herein.

Abstract: A geospatial search portal, systems including the same, and methods of making and using the geospatial search portal are disclosed. The geospatial search portal generally includes an electronic information harvester, a tagger, metadata analysis logic, an electronic map having a plurality of electronic locations thereon, and a processor. The electronic information harvester seeks and retrieves relevant scholarly, technical, encyclopedic, factual and/or archival information. The tagger associates a plurality of georeferences and a plurality of metadata to each item of information. The metadata analysis logic analyzes the metadata and organizes the metadata into index terms and/or map symbols, and may comprise an indexer and a depictor. The processor is configured to display at least some of the associated information on the electronic map and/or in a textbox when the electronic location(s) on the electronic map, the georeference(s), and/or the metadata is/are electronically selected.

Abstract: This invention offers an effective method of inhibiting the expression of apolipoprotein E by mammalian cells. Apolipoprotein E is a protein that plays a significant role in the development of Alzheimer's Disease in humans. The method comprises administering an effective amount of a triarylmethyl amine compound having the general formula: wherein the R1 group may comprise acyclic amines and aliphatic amines. The R2 group may comprise one of three aryl varieties: aryl, substituted aryl, or heterocycle. Triarylamine compounds inhibit apolipoprotein E expression in mammalian cells. In one aspect of the invention the mammalian cells may be human cells, and more specifically may be human brain cells.

Abstract: A mortar board display holder comprises a board clip portion, a display supporter portion, and a connecting portion joining the board clip portion and the display supporter portion. The board clip portion has a flat upper prong having a first plane, a flat lower prong having a second plane, and a spacing member that holds the upper prong fixably spaced from the lower prong such that the second plane is substantially parallel to the first plane. The display supporter portion has a flat first leg having a third plane, a flat second leg having a fourth plane, and a holding member that holds the first leg and the second leg such that the third plane is substantially parallel to the fourth plane. The display supporter portion may further comprise a neck adjacent to and connected to the holding member, and an elongated arm adjacent to and connected to the neck. The neck may be straight or curved.

Abstract: A training module, training system, and methods of monitoring physical activity and making a training module are disclosed. The training module includes a compressible article having a polyhedral outer surface, a motion detector that detects compressive and rotational movement of the compressible article, a controller that determines a number of compressions and a number of rotations of the compressible article, and a signal transmitter that transmits data to a mobile electronic device. The controller is in electrical communication with the motion detector and the signal transmitter. The training system and methods generally include those that embody one or more of the inventive concepts disclosed herein.

Abstract: This invention offers an effective method of inhibiting the expression of apolipoprotein E by mammalian cells. Apolipoprotein E is a protein that plays a significant role in the development of Alzheimer's Disease in humans. The method comprises administering an effective amount of a triarylmethyl amine compound having the general formula: wherein the R1 group may comprise acyclic amines and aliphatic amines. The R2 group may comprise one of three aryl varieties: aryl, substituted aryl, or heterocycle. Triarylamine compounds inhibit apolipoprotein E expression in mammalian cells. In one aspect of the invention the mammalian cells may be human cells, and more specifically may be human brain cells.

Abstract: This invention offers an effective method of inhibiting the expression of apolipoprotein E by mammalian cells. Apolipoprotein E is a protein that plays a significant role in the development of Alzheimer's Disease in humans. The method comprises administering an effective amount of a triarylmethyl amine compound having the general formula: wherein the R1 group may comprise acyclic amines and aliphatic amines. The R2 group may comprise one of three aryl varieties: aryl, substituted aryl, or heterocycle. Triarylamine compounds inhibit apolipoprotein E expression in mammalian cells. In one aspect of the invention the mammalian cells may be human cells, and more specifically may be human brain cells.

Abstract: A new and distinctly salt and boron tolerant cultivar of prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica), named ‘Seleno-Red,’ is particularly distinguishable by its ability to tolerate and grow in high concentration of salt, boron and selenium-laden soil. The cultigen was originally discovered by stringent selection of randomly harvested cladodes (modified stems) and potentially from isolation of a single unique cladode or sport that exhibited high levels of salt and boron tolerance necessary for survival, and then propagated into the ‘Seleno-Red’ cultivar. The cladodes were originally randomly harvested from different individual plants and screened from within a naturally segregating wild population or accession. The ‘Seleno-Red’ cultivar has orange-red flowers, mature green cladodes without glochids, and red-purple fruit.

Abstract: A new and distinctly salt and boron tolerant cultivar of prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica), named ‘Seleno-Green,’ is particularly distinguishable by its ability to tolerate and grow in high concentration of salt, boron and selenium-laden soil. The cultigen was originally discovered by stringent selection of randomly harvested cladodes (modified stems) and potentially from isolation of a single unique cladode or sport that exhibited high levels of salt and boron tolerance necessary for survival, and then propagated into the ‘Seleno-Green’ cultivar. The cladodes were originally randomly harvested from different individual plants and screened from within a naturally segregating wild population or accession. The ‘Seleno-Green’ cultivar has yellow-orange flowers, mature green cladodes without glochids, and yellow-green fruit.

Abstract: A new and distinctly salt and boron tolerant cultivar of prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica), named ‘Seleno-Purple,’ is particularly distinguishable by its ability to tolerate and grow in high concentration of salt, boron and selenium-laden soil. The cultigen was originally discovered by stringent selection of randomly harvested cladodes (modified stems) and potentially from isolation of a single unique cladode or sport that exhibited high levels of salt and boron tolerance necessary for survival, and then propagated into the ‘Seleno-Purple’ cultivar. The cladodes were originally randomly harvested from different individual plants and screened from within a naturally segregating wild population or accession. The ‘Seleno-Purple’ cultivar has yellow flowers, mature green cladodes without glochids, and purple fruit.

Abstract: A new and distinctly salt and boron tolerant poplar tree cultivar named ‘RRR Yellow’, is particularly distinguishable by its ability to tolerate and grow in soil with high concentrations of salt, boron and selenium. The ‘RRR Yellow’ cultivar was originally discovered as a naturally occuring branch sport through stringent selection of cultivated poplar trees, and potentially from isolation of a single unique sapling or sport that exhibited high levels of salt and boron tolerance necessary for survival, and then propagated.