Abstract: A horticultural smudging system and method for improving the growth and/or production of plants. Combustible material is burnt within a thermal container, and the resulting flue gas containing negative ions and carbon dioxide is propelled onto one or more plants. The smudging system and method may use one or more sensors to detect oxygen, air pressure, and flue gas levels within the thermal container to adjust air intake and the release of flue gas.

Abstract: A system can include a base configured to support a lower half of a human body. The system can also include a headrest elevated relative to the base, wherein the headrest is disposed adjacent to a proximal end of the base, where the headrest is configured to support a head of the human body. The system can further include a back platform having a first end and a second end, where the first end is coupled to the base, where the second end is disposed adjacent to the headrest, and where the back platform has a curvature, where the back platform is configured to support a torso of the human body. The system can also include a vibrating mechanism in communication with the back platform, where vibrations generated by the vibrating mechanism translate to the back platform.

Abstract: A system can include a base configured to support a lower half of a human body. The system can also include a headrest elevated relative to the base, wherein the headrest is disposed adjacent to a proximal end of the base, where the headrest is configured to support a head of the human body. The system can further include a back platform having a first end and a second end, where the first end is coupled to the base, where the second end is disposed adjacent to the headrest, and where the back platform has a curvature, where the back platform is configured to support a torso of the human body. The system can also include a vibrating mechanism in communication with the back platform, where vibrations generated by the vibrating mechanism translate to the back platform.

Abstract: A horticultural smudging system and method for improving the growth and/or production of plants. Combustible material is burnt within a thermal container, and the resulting flue gas containing negative ions and carbon dioxide is propelled onto one or more plants. The smudging system and method may use one or more sensors to detect oxygen, air pressure, and flue gas levels within the thermal container to adjust air intake and the release of flue gas.

Abstract: A system can include a base configured to support a lower half of a human body. The system can also include a headrest elevated relative to the base, wherein the headrest is disposed adjacent to a proximal end of the base, where the headrest is configured to support a head of the human body. The system can further include a back platform having a first end and a second end, where the first end is coupled to the base, where the second end is disposed adjacent to the headrest, and where the back platform has a curvature, where the back platform is configured to support a torso of the human body. The system can also include a vibrating mechanism in communication with the back platform, where vibrations generated by the vibrating mechanism translate to the back platform.

Abstract: T-cell responses are initiated via contact with MHC/peptide complexes on antigen presenting cells (APCs). The fate of these complexes, however, is unknown. Here, using live APCs expressing MHC class I molecules fused with green-fluorescent protein, we show that peptide-specific T-cell/APC interaction induces clusters of MHC I molecules to congregate within minutes at the contact site; thereafter, these MHC I clusters are acquired by T-cells in small aggregates.,We further demonstrate that acquisition of MHC I by T-cells correlates with TCR down regulation and the APC-derived MHC I molecules are endocytosed and degraded by-T-cells. These data suggest a novel mechanism by which TCR recognition of MHC/peptide complexes can be curtailed by internalization of MHC molecules by T-cells.