Abstract: A device and method of use for a pecan picker which utilizes suction to pick up the pecans as well as a container body for storing the picked up pecans with at least one partition for separating the picked up pecans from extra extracted material obtained through the suction process. In one embodiment the device has a hose portion and a container body portion. The container body portion has a motor portion for providing suction for the device. In other embodiments the device also has a partition portion for separating the picked up pecans from extra extracted material obtained through the extraction or suction process. In another embodiment, the device also has a frame portion for moving the device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device and method of use for a pecan picker. More specifically, the present invention generally relates to a device and method of use for a pecan picker, which utilizes suction to pick up the pecans as well as a container body for storing the picked up pecans with at least one partition for separating the picked up pecans from extra extracted material obtained through the suction process. In one embodiment the device has a hose portion and a container body portion. The container body portion has a motor portion for providing suction for the device. In other embodiments the device also has a partition portion for separating the picked up pecans from extra extracted material obtained through the extraction or suction process. In another embodiment, the device also has a frame portion for moving the device.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a balance exercise training equipment having a planar platform with a ballast assembly that lowers its center of mass below a ball-and-socket joint. In an illustrative example, the planar platform may couple to a support assembly through the ball and socket joint to pivot and rotate relative to the support assembly. The ballast assembly may include laterally extending members to releasably receive and retain ballast plates. In response to the laterally extending members receiving and retaining ballast plates, the center of mass may descend below a pivot point of the ball-and-socket joint. In a mount or dismount mode, a locking mechanism may lock the planar platform in a predetermined position to facilitate mounting and dismounting onto the planar platform. Advantageously, a user may adjust the center of mass in accordance with a user's skill level or exercise preference.

Abstract: A dual-mode exercise apparatus may include an articulating arm assembly coupled through a joint to a support assembly. In an illustrative embodiment, the arm assembly may include a seat centrally mounted above a ball-and-socket joint and a stabilizer member for the hands and/or feet of the user. In a first mode of operation a user sits on the seat and uses his or her core muscles to articulate the seat on the ball-and-socket joint against the resistance provided by, for instance, weights mounted on distal portions of the arm assembly. In certain embodiments the apparatus may further provide a second mode of operation which simulates rowing a kayak. In a corresponding illustrative embodiment a user sits in a second seat positioned rearward of the arm assembly and the arm assembly includes handle members. In operation the user articulates the handles in a manner akin to rowing a kayak.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a balance exercise training equipment having a planar platform with a ballast assembly that lowers its center of mass below a ball-and-socket joint. In an illustrative example, the planar platform may couple to a support assembly through the ball and socket joint to pivot and rotate relative to the support assembly. The ballast assembly may include laterally extending members to releasably receive and retain ballast plates. In response to the laterally extending members receiving and retaining ballast plates, the center of mass may descend below a pivot point of the ball-and-socket joint. In a mount or dismount mode, a locking mechanism may lock the planar platform in a predetermined position to facilitate mounting and dismounting onto the planar platform. Advantageously, a user may adjust the center of mass in accordance with a user's skill level or exercise preference.

Abstract: A dual-mode exercise apparatus may include an articulating arm assembly coupled through a joint to a support assembly. In an illustrative embodiment, the arm assembly may include a seat centrally mounted above a ball-and-socket joint and a stabilizer member for the hands and/or feet of the user. In a first mode of operation a user sits on the seat and uses his or her core muscles to articulate the seat on the ball-and-socket joint against the resistance provided by, for instance, weights mounted on distal portions of the arm assembly. In certain embodiments the apparatus may further provide a second mode of operation which simulates rowing a kayak. In a corresponding illustrative embodiment a user sits in a second seat positioned rearward of the arm assembly and the arm assembly includes handle members. In operation the user articulates the handles in a manner akin to rowing a kayak.

Abstract: A dual-mode exercise apparatus may include an articulating arm assembly coupled through a joint to a support assembly. In an illustrative embodiment, the arm assembly may include a seat centrally mounted above a ball-and-socket joint and a stabilizer member for the hands and/or feet of the user. In a first mode of operation a user sits on the seat and uses his or her core muscles to articulate the seat on the ball-and-socket joint against the resistance provided by, for instance, weights mounted on distal portions of the arm assembly. In certain embodiments the apparatus may further provide a second mode of operation which simulates rowing a kayak. In a corresponding illustrative embodiment a user sits in a second seat positioned rearward of the arm assembly and the arm assembly includes handle members. In operation the user articulates the handles in a manner akin to rowing a kayak.

Abstract: A USB connection device that is capable of holding a USB receptacle and a USB plug, where the USB receptacle and USB plug are capable of mating inside the USB connection device. In some embodiments, the USB connection device comprises a housing having an upper wall, a lower wall, two side walls, at least one open side, and a protruding lever. The upper wall and the bottom wall have interior surfaces with a plurality of ridges and a plurality of slanted ridge walls capable of compressing a plurality of spring arms on a USB receptacle. The upper and bottom walls also have a plurality of pockets that allow the spring arms to de-compress. The device is capable of moving from side-to-side when a force is applied to the protruding lever, and the device is capable of retaining the USB receptacle and a mated USB plug during the side-to-side movement.

Abstract: A new method to strip metals from organic solvents in a manner that allows for the recycle of the stripping agent. The method utilizes carbonate solutions of organic amines with complexants, in low concentrations, to strip metals from organic solvents. The method allows for the distillation and reuse of organic amines. The concentrated metal/complexant fraction from distillation is more amenable to immobilization than solutions resulting from current practice.

Abstract: A method of recovering daughter isotopes from a radioisotope mixture. The method comprises providing a radioisotope mixture solution comprising at least one parent isotope. The at least one parent isotope is extracted into an organic phase, which comprises an extractant and a solvent. The organic phase is substantially continuously contacted with an aqueous phase to extract at least one daughter isotope into the aqueous phase. The aqueous phase is separated from the organic phase, such as by using an annular centrifugal contactor. The at least one daughter isotope is purified from the aqueous phase, such as by ion exchange chromatography or extraction chromatography. The at least one daughter isotope may include actinium-225, radium-225, bismuth-213, or mixtures thereof. A liquid-liquid extraction system for recovering at least one daughter isotope from a source material is also disclosed.

Abstract: A product includes actinium-225 (225Ac) and less than about 1 microgram (?g) of iron (Fe) per millicurie (mCi) of actinium-225. The product may have a radioisotopic purity of greater than about 99.99 atomic percent (at %) actinium-225 and daughter isotopes of actinium-225, and may be formed by a method that includes providing a radioisotope mixture solution comprising at least one of uranium-233 (233U) and thorium-229 (229Th), extracting the at least one of uranium-233 and thorium-229 into an organic phase, substantially continuously contacting the organic phase with an aqueous phase, substantially continuously extracting actinium-225 into the aqueous phase, and purifying the actinium-225 from the aqueous phase. In some embodiments, the product may include less than about 1 nanogram (ng) of iron per millicurie (mCi) of actinium-225, and may include less than about 1 microgram (?g) each of magnesium (Mg), Chromium (Cr), and manganese (Mn) per millicurie (mCi) of actinium-225.

Abstract: A method of recovering daughter isotopes from a radioisotope mixture. The method comprises providing a radioisotope mixture solution comprising at least one parent isotope. The at least one parent isotope is extracted into an organic phase, which comprises an extractant and a solvent. The organic phase is substantially continuously contacted with an aqueous phase to extract at least one daughter isotope into the aqueous phase. The aqueous phase is separated from the organic phase, such as by using an annular centrifugal contactor. The at least one daughter isotope is purified from the aqueous phase, such as by ion exchange chromatography or extraction chromatography. The at least one daughter isotope may include actinium-225, radium-225, bismuth-213, or mixtures thereof. A liquid-liquid extraction system for recovering at least one daughter isotope from a source material is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention includes a method of separating isotopes from a mixture containing at least two isotopes in a solution. A first isotope is precipitated and is collected from the solution. A daughter isotope is generated and collected from the first isotope. The invention includes a method of producing an actinium-225/bismuth-213 product from a material containing thorium-229 and thorium-232. A solution is formed containing nitric acid and the material and iodate is added to form a thorium iodate precipitate. A supernatant is separated from the thorium iodate precipitate and a second volume of nitric acid is added to the precipitate. The precipitate is stored and a decay product comprising actinium-225 and bismuth-213 is generated in the second volume of nitric acid which is then separated from the thorium iodate precipitate, filtered, and treated using at least one chromatographic procedure. The invention also includes a system for producing an actinium-225/bismuth-213 product.

Abstract: Composite media, systems, and devices for substantially removing, or otherwise processing, one or more constituents of a fluid stream. The composite media comprise a plurality of beads, each having a matrix substantially comprising polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and supporting one or more active components which are effective in removing, by various mechanisms, one or more constituents from a fluid stream. Due to the porosity and large surface area of the beads, a high level of contact is achieved between composite media of the present invention and the fluid stream being processed. Further, the homogeneity of the beads facilitates use of the beads in high volume applications where it is desired to effectively process a large volume of flow per unit of time.

Abstract: A method of producing an adsorption medium to remove at least one constituent from a feed stream. The method comprises dissolving and/or suspending at least one metal compound in a solvent to form a metal solution, dissolving polyacrylonitrile into the metal solution to form a PAN-metal solution, and depositing the PAN-metal solution into a quenching bath to produce the adsorption medium. The at least one constituent, such as arsenic, selenium, or antimony, is removed from the feed stream by passing the feed stream through the adsorption medium. An adsorption medium having an increased metal loading and increased capacity for arresting the at least one constituent to be removed is also disclosed. The adsorption medium includes a polyacrylonitrile matrix and at least one metal hydroxide incorporated into the polyacrylonitrile matrix.

Abstract: A mixed extractant solvent including calix[4]arene-bis-(tert-octylbenzo)-crown-6 (“BOBCalixC6”), 4?,4?,(5?)-di-(t-butyldicyclo-hexano)-18-crown-6 (“DtBu18C6”), and at least one modifier dissolved in a diluent. The mixed extractant solvent may be used to remove cesium and strontium from an acidic solution. The DtBu18C6 may be present from approximately 0.01 M to approximately 0.4M, such as from approximately 0.086 M to approximately 0.108 M. The modifier may be 1-(2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropoxy)-3-(4-sec-butylphenoxy)-2-propanol (“Cs-7SB”) and may be present from approximately 0.01M to approximately 0.8M. In one embodiment, the mixed extractant solvent includes approximately 0.15M DtBu18C6, approximately 0.007M BOBCalixC6, and approximately 0.75M Cs-7SB modifier dissolved in an isoparaffinic hydrocarbon diluent. The mixed extractant solvent may form an organic phase in an extraction system that also includes an aqueous phase. Methods of extracting cesium and strontium as well as strontium alone are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of producing an adsorption medium to remove at least one constituent from a feed stream. The method comprises dissolving at least one metal compound in a solvent to form a metal solution, dissolving polyacrylonitrile into the metal solution to form a PAN-metal solution, and depositing the PAN-metal solution into a quenching bath to produce the adsorption medium. The at least one constituent, such as arsenic, selenium, or antimony, is removed from the feed stream by passing the feed stream through the adsorption medium. An adsorption medium having an increased metal loading and increased capacity for arresting the at least one constituent to be removed is also disclosed. The adsorption medium includes a polyacrylonitrile matrix and at least one metal hydroxide incorporated into the polyacrylonitrile matrix.

Abstract: A method of immobilizing mixed low-level waste is provided which uses low cost materials and has a relatively long hardening period. The method includes: forming a mixture of iron oxide powders having ratios, in mass %, of FeO:Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 :Fe.sub.3 O.sub.4 equal to 25-40:40-10:35-50, or weighing a definite amount of magnetite powder. Metallurgical cinder can also be used as the source of iron oxides. A solution of the orthophosphoric acid, or a solution of the orthophosphoric acid and ferric oxide, is formed and a powder phase of low-level waste and the mixture of iron oxide powders or cinder (or magnetite powder) is also formed. The acid solution is mixed with the powder phase to form a slurry with the ratio of components (mass %) of waste:iron oxide powders or magnetite:acid solution=30-60:15-10:55-30. The slurry is blended to form a homogeneous mixture which is cured at room temperature to form the final product.