Abstract: A retaining wall system for elevating a retaining wall panel of a portable ice skating rink. The retaining wall system includes a first support member and a second support member spaced apart from the first support member. The retaining wall system includes a flexible sheet extending between the first support member and the second support member. The retaining wall system includes a water impermeable liner supported by the flexible sheet. A support member for elevating a retaining wall panel of a portable ice skating rink. The support member includes a base arrangement configured to engage a mounting surface and a height elevating section extending from the base arrangement. The height elevating section having a first receiving area configured to receive a wall panel. A surface extends between the base arrangement and the height elevating section. The surface has a plurality of mounting areas configured to receive a lateral brace member.

Abstract: A connector for removably securing and stacking perimeter components of a skating rink includes an elongated body that extends extending an overall length from a first end to a second end thereof, the overall length is selected to span across a portion or all of each of two or more perimeter components. The connector includes two or more first anchoring features each extending a portion of or all of the overall length into or along a first lateral side of the elongated body. The connector includes two or more second anchoring features each extending a portion of or all of the overall length into or along a second lateral side of the elongated body. The second lateral side faces opposite to the first lateral side.

Abstract: A connector for removably securing and vertically stacking perimeter components of a skating rink. The connector includes an elongated body extending a length from a first axial end to a second axial end along an axis thereof. The length is selected to span a height of at least two perimeter components. A first anchoring feature extends at least a portion of the length into or along a first lateral side of the elongated body. A second anchoring feature extends at least a portion of the length into or along a second lateral side of the elongated body.

Abstract: The instant invention provides isolated nucleic acids encoding insect plasma membrane calcium ATPase (PMCA), as well as PMCA polypeptides encoded thereby. The invention further provides methods of identifying agents that modulate a level of PMCA MRNA, polypeptide, or PMCA activity. Such agents are candidate insecticidal compounds.