Abstract: A proctoring system that includes a communication device coupled to a remote station. The remote station has a visual display that displays first information relating to an action that causes an effect on an object, and simultaneously displays second information relating to the effect on the object. The remote station includes at least one input device that allows a communication to be transmitted by an operator to the communication device. By way of example, during the deployment of a heart stent, a specialist doctor may remotely view real-time fluoroscopy imagery and patient hemodynamics. The specialist can remotely proctor medical personnel on the proper orientation and timing requirements for installing the stent.

Abstract: The invention comprises compositions and methods for improving exercise performance, reducing muscle fatigue and improving recovery of muscle tissue after exercise. One method includes administering a composition of a plant-derived nitrate and a cocoa-derived product daily and before exercise. The synergistic combination of nitrate and cocoa polyphenols acts to improve exercise performance and to improve recovery from a strenuous exercise bout.

Abstract: The invention includes compositions and methods for improving exercise performance or improving recovery of muscle tissue after exercise performance. One method includes administering a composition of a plant-derived nitrate and a cocoa-derived product daily and before exercise. The synergistic combination of nitrate and cocoa polyphenols acts to improve recovery from a strenuous exercise bout.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds and plant extract compositions that inhibit pancreatic enzymes, such as lipases and amylases, and most particularly pancreatic lipase and phospholipase A2 (PLA2), and COX-2 enzyme, and improve the inflammatory state or response conditions in animals. The compounds and plant extracts can be used in methods and administration regimens to treat animals for obesity-related conditions, diabetes and related conditions, metabolic syndrome, metabolic endotoxemia, and inflammatory conditions. The compounds and plant extracts can also be used to produce comestible compositions to be incorporated into a normal diet to improve health or prevent or reduce the uptake of free fatty acids during digestion or the production of inflammatory eicosanoids or cytokines. The inhibitor compounds and compositions include cocoa-derived polymers of epicatechin, such as epicatechin-rich polymers of 2 units through polymers of 14 units, or 5 to 14 units, and combinations of them.

Abstract: The invention includes compositions and methods for improving exercise performance or improving recovery of muscle tissue after exercise performance. One method includes administering a composition of a plant-derived nitrate and a cocoa-derived product daily and before exercise. The synergistic combination of nitrate and cocoa polyphenols acts to improve recovery from a strenuous exercise bout.

Abstract: The invention includes compositions and methods for improving exercise performance or improving recovery of muscle tissue after exercise performance. One method includes administering a composition of a plant-derived nitrate and a cocoa-derived product daily and before exercise. The synergistic combination of nitrate and cocoa polyphenols acts to improve recovery from a strenuous exercise bout.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for isolating and enhancing the levels of jasmonates from cacao plant sources. In a preferred embodiment, jasmonic acid and 12-hydroxy jasmonate sulfate are detected in various cocoa products, and the levels of these compounds can be manipulated to increase the beneficial health effects of a food product made with the cocoa products The invention includes methods to prepare edible products containing cocoa jasmonates.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds and plant extract compositions that inhibit pancreatic enzymes, such as lipases and amylases, and most particularly pancreatic lipase and phospholipase A2 (PLA2), and COX-2 enzyme, and improve the inflammatory state or response conditions in animals. The compounds and plant extracts can be used in methods and administration regimens to treat animals for obesity-related conditions, diabetes and related conditions, metabolic syndrome, metabolic endotoxemia, and inflammatory conditions. The compounds and plant extracts can also be used to produce comestible compositions to be incorporated into a normal diet to improve health or prevent or reduce the uptake of free fatty acids during digestion or the production of inflammatory eicosanoids or cytokines. The inhibitor compounds and compositions include cocoa-derived polymers of epicatechin, such as epicatechin-rich polymers of 2 units through polymers of 14 units and combinations of them.

Abstract: The invention provides acidified red cocoa products and ingredients, such as acidified red cocoa bean nibs, red cocoa liquor, and red cocoa powder. The acidified cocoa products and ingredients are generally made from under-fermented or unfermented cocoa beans that are treated with an acid composition. The methods include those of making food products and ingredients where the levels cocoa antioxidants are maintained by the use of an acid treatment and the avoidance of dutching, and the food products and ingredient have a distinctive red color. Cocoa nibs, chocolate or cocoa liquor and cocoa powders having a red hue or color and having high levels of cocoa antioxidants are disclosed, as well as food products made from them.

Abstract: A proctoring system that includes a communication device coupled to a remote station. The remote station has a visual display that displays first information relating to an action that causes an effect on an object, and simultaneously displays second information relating to the effect on the object. The remote station includes at least one input device that allows a communication to be transmitted by an operator to the communication device. By way of example, during the deployment of a heart stent, a specialist doctor may remotely view real-time fluoroscopy imagery and patient hemodynamics. The specialist can remotely proctor medical personnel on the proper orientation and timing requirements for installing the stent.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for isolating and enhancing the levels of jasmonates from cacao plant sources. In a preferred embodiment, jasmonic acid and 12-hydroxy jasmonate sulfate are detected in various cocoa products, and the levels of these compounds can be manipulated to increase the beneficial health effects of a food product made with the cocoa products The invention includes methods to prepare edible products containing cocoa jasmonates.

Abstract: The invention provides acidified red cocoa products and ingredients, such as acidified red cocoa bean nibs, red cocoa liquor, and red cocoa powder. The acidified cocoa products and ingredients are generally made from under-fermented or unfermented cocoa beans that are treated with an acid composition. The methods include those of making food products and ingredients where the levels cocoa antioxidants are maintained by the use of an acid treatment and the avoidance of dutching, and the food products and ingredient have a distinctive red color. Cocoa nibs, chocolate or cocoa liquor and cocoa powders having a red hue or color and having high levels of cocoa antioxidants are disclosed, as well as food products made from them.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of making food products and ingredients having enhanced levels of natural stilbene compounds, such as resveratrol. Chocolate liquor, cocoa powders, and cocoa extracts having enhanced levels of resveratrol prepared from cacao beans are disclosed. The invention also provides methods of treatment using compositions and ingredients having enhanced natural stilbene content.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to selectively transmit compressed data based upon whether a image movement threshold has been met. In one embodiment, edge map frames are transmitted during periods of camera movement. Edge maps generated from a video stream are processed to identify the periods of camera movement.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a means of enhancing the cocoa flavor to a fat matrix by adding thereto about 0.3 g to about 4.0 g phenylalanine, 0.75 g to about 2.0 g leucine, and about 0.5 g to about 3.0 g reducing sugar and optionally about 0.05 g to about 0.8 g alanine for each 100 g of unroasted fat matrix and roasting the same, and to the products produced therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to chocolate confectionery containing roasted high oleic acid peanuts, in whole, or in part, and a process for making same.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided to improve the quantity of embryos obtained by induction of somatic plant tissue. These involve the addition of effective amounts of selected amino acids, their derivatives or combinations of these as a source of reduced nitrogen, together with an optimum auxin dosage to the nutritive media used to regenerate or maintain the embryonic tissue. A synergistic effect is found by adding these amino acids either in combination or in combination with ammonium ion together with the selected auxin dosage.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for the growth of cultured plant cells which include the addition of maltose as a carbohydrate source. Additional improvements in the plant cell growth medium can be obtained by adding a source of ammonium ion to the medium to obtain a synergistic effect with the maltose.