Abstract: Systems are disclosed relating to a mobile device mounted to a welding helmet such that a wearer of the welding helmet can see a display of the mobile device when wearing the welding helmet. In some examples, the mobile device is mounted such that a camera of the mobile device is unobscured and positioned at approximately eye level, facing the same way the wearer's eyes are facing. In some examples, the simulated training environment may be presented to the user via the display screen of the mobile device, using images captured by the camera of the mobile device, when the mobile device is so mounted to the welding helmet.

Abstract: This invention is related to the field of PCSK9 biology and the composition and methods of use of small organic compounds as ligands for modulation of PCSK9 biological activity. In particular, the invention provides compositions of small organic compounds that modulate circulating levels of low density lipoproteins by altering the conformation of the protein PCSK9. Binding these small organic compound ligands to PCSK9 alters the conformation of the protein, modifying the interaction between PCSK9 and an endogenous low density lipoprotein receptor, and can lead to reduced or increased levels of circulating LDL-cholesterol. High LDL-cholesterol levels are associated with increased risk for heart disease. Low LDL-cholesterol levels may be problematic in other conditions, such as liver dysfunctions; thus, there is also utility for small organic compound ligands and can raise LDL levels.

Abstract: This invention is related to the field of PCSK9 biology and the composition and methods of use of small organic compounds as ligands for modulation of PCSK9 biological activity. In particular, the invention provides compositions of small organic compounds that modulate circulating levels of low density lipoproteins by altering the conformation of the protein PCSK9. Binding these small organic compound ligands to PCSK9 alters the conformation of the protein, modifying the interaction between PCSK9 and an endogenous low density lipoprotein receptor, and can lead to reduced or increased levels of circulating LDL-cholesterol. High LDL-cholesterol levels are associated with increased risk for heart disease. Low LDL-cholesterol levels may be problematic in other conditions, such as liver dysfunction; thus, there is also utility for small organic compound ligands that can raise LDL levels.

Abstract: This invention is related to the field of PCSK9 biology and the composition and methods of use of small organic compounds as ligands for modulation of PCSK9 biological activity. In particular, the invention provides compositions of small organic compounds that modulate circulating levels of low density lipoproteins by altering the conformation of the protein PCSK9. Binding these small organic compound ligands to PCSK9 alters the conformation of the protein, modifying the interaction between PCSK9 and an endogenous low density lipoprotein receptor, and can lead to reduced or increased levels of circulating LDL-cholesterol. High LDL-cholesterol levels are associated with increased risk for heart disease. Low LDL-cholesterol levels may be problematic in other conditions, such as liver dysfunction; thus, there is also utility for small organic compound ligands that can raise LDL levels.

Abstract: Methods of selectively forming substituted pyrazines are provided. Methods of the present invention can include receiving a reaction solution including at least one carbon source and at least one nitrogen source, and heating the reaction solution to a reaction temperature and holding the reaction solution at the reaction temperature for a time sufficient to produce a reaction product comprising at least one substituted pyrazine. The carbon source can be selected from the group consisting of hydroxy ketone(s), sugar(s) treated with at least one buffer, and combinations thereof. Tobacco products incorporating substituted pyrazines are also provided.

Abstract: Methods of selectively forming substituted pyrazines are provided. Methods of the present invention can include receiving a reaction solution including at least one carbon source and at least one nitrogen source, and heating the reaction solution to a reaction temperature and holding the reaction solution at the reaction temperature for a time sufficient to produce a reaction product comprising at least one substituted pyrazine. The carbon source can be selected from the group consisting of hydroxy ketone(s), sugar(s) treated with at least one buffer, and combinations thereof. Tobacco products incorporating substituted pyrazines are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a tobacco product including a flavorful tobacco composition in the form of an extract of a fire-cured tobacco material. Exemplary tobacco products include smoking articles, smokeless tobacco compositions, and aerosol-generating devices that do not burn tobacco. The invention also provides a process for preparing a smokeless tobacco composition, the method including: mixing a fire-cured tobacco material having a first benzo[a]pyrene concentration with water to produce an aqueous slurry; maintaining the slurry for a time and at a temperature sufficient to form a fire-cured tobacco extract, the aqueous fire-cured tobacco extract exhibiting a second benzo[a]pyrene concentration lower than the first benzo[a]pyrene concentration; separating the aqueous fire-cured tobacco extract from a residual pulp material, and mixing the aqueous fire-cured tobacco extract with a tobacco or non-tobacco plant material to form a smokeless tobacco composition.

Abstract: Methods of selectively forming substituted pyrazines are provided. Methods of the present invention can include receiving a reaction solution including at least one carbon source and at least one nitrogen source, and heating the reaction solution to a reaction temperature and holding the reaction solution at the reaction temperature for a time sufficient to produce a reaction product comprising at least one substituted pyrazine. The carbon source can be selected from the group consisting of hydroxy ketone(s), sugar(s) treated with at least one buffer, and combinations thereof. Tobacco products incorporating substituted pyrazines are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a tobacco composition for use in a smoking article or a smokeless tobacco composition that includes an additive derived from a flower of the Nicotiana species. The additive can be a flower isolate derived from a flower of the Nicotiana species. In certain embodiments, the flower isolate is in the form of an extract from a flower of the Nicotiana species or in the form of a chemically transformed flower isolate, the chemical transformation being selected from acid/base reaction, hydrolysis, thermal treatment, and enzymatic treatment, the chemical transformation releasing at least a portion of a glycosidically bound compound in the flower of the Nicotiana species. The invention also provides smoking articles and smokeless tobacco compositions that include the flower additives described herein, and methods for preparing an additive derived from a flower of the Nicotiana species for addition to a tobacco composition.

Abstract: Methods of forming pyrazines from reactants derived from a plant of the Nicotiana species, including receiving an aqueous reactant solution including at least one tobacco-derived cellulosic sugar and at least one tobacco-derived amino acid, heating the reactant solution to a reactant temperature and holding the reactant solution at the reactant temperature for a reactant time to produce a reactant product including at least one tobacco-derived pyrazine, and isolating the at least one tobacco-derived pyrazine from the reactant product. Tobacco products incorporating the tobacco-derived pyrazines are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a tobacco composition for use in a smoking article or a smokeless tobacco composition that comprises a syrup derived from the stalk of a plant of the Nicotiana species. The invention also provides smoking articles and smokeless tobacco compositions that include the syrups described herein, and methods for preparing syrups derived from the stalk of a plant of the Nicotiana species for addition to a tobacco composition.

Abstract: The invention provides a tobacco composition for use in a smoking article or a smokeless tobacco composition that comprises an extract derived from a component of a plant of the Nicotiana species. The invention also provides smoking articles and smokeless tobacco compositions that include the extracts described herein, and methods for preparing extracts derived from a component of a plant of the Nicotiana species for addition to a tobacco composition.

Abstract: Methods of selectively forming substituted pyrazines are provided. Methods of the present invention can include receiving a reaction solution including at least one carbon source and at least one nitrogen source, and heating the reaction solution to a reaction temperature and holding the reaction solution at the reaction temperature for a time sufficient to produce a reaction product comprising at least one substituted pyrazine. The carbon source can be selected from the group consisting of hydroxy ketone(s), sugar(s) treated with at least one buffer, and combinations thereof. Tobacco products incorporating substituted pyrazines are also provided.

Abstract: A tobacco composition for use in a smoking article or a smokeless tobacco composition is provided, the composition including a component derived from a seed of the Nicotiana species. The component can be a seed of the Nicotiana species or a portion thereof in particulate form or in the form of seed isolate derived from a seed of the Nicotiana species. In certain embodiments, the seed isolate is in the form of a chemically transformed seed isolate, the chemical transformation being selected from hydrogenation, acid/base reaction, hydrolysis, thermal treatment, and enzymatic treatment. The invention also provides smoking articles and smokeless tobacco compositions that include the seed components described herein, and methods for preparing a component derived from a seed of the Nicotiana species for addition to a tobacco composition.

Abstract: The invention provides a tobacco composition for use in a smoking article or a smokeless tobacco composition that includes an additive derived from a flower of the Nicotiana species. The additive can be a flower isolate derived from a flower of the Nicotiana species. In certain embodiments, the flower isolate is in the form of an extract from a flower of the Nicotiana species or in the form of a chemically transformed flower isolate, the chemical transformation being selected from acid/base reaction, hydrolysis, thermal treatment, and enzymatic treatment, the chemical transformation releasing at least a portion of a glycosidically bound compound in the flower of the Nicotiana species. The invention also provides smoking articles and smokeless tobacco compositions that include the flower additives described herein, and methods for preparing an additive derived from a flower of the Nicotiana species for addition to a tobacco composition.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system includes a cloud-based encrypted database; a web portal for a placement entity configured to enable creation of a profile containing data for each youth in a foster care program, and storing the youth profile data and role-based data access permissions in the encrypted database; a web portal for a recruitment entity to identify, communicate with, and start the licensing process for a prospective foster parent family; a web portal for a licensing entity configured to enable creation of a profile containing data for each foster family, and storing the foster family profile data and role-based data access permissions in the encrypted database; a matching engine configured to access the cloud-based encrypted database to search the youth and foster family profiles, the matching engine further configured to identify best matches between foster families and youths, and generating a referral match; and a web portal for each foster family configured to enable updating of foster family pro

Abstract: Methods of forming pyrazines from reactants derived from a plant of the Nicotiana species, including receiving an aqueous reactant solution including at least one tobacco-derived cellulosic sugar and at least one tobacco-derived amino acid, heating the reactant solution to a reactant temperature and holding the reactant solution at the reactant temperature for a reactant time to produce a reactant product including at least one tobacco-derived pyrazine, and isolating the at least one tobacco-derived pyrazine from the reactant product. Tobacco products incorporating the tobacco-derived pyrazines are also provided.

Abstract: A tobacco composition for use in a smoking article or a smokeless tobacco composition is provided, the composition including a component derived from a seed of the Nicotiana species. The component can be a seed of the Nicotiana species or a portion thereof in particulate form or in the form of seed isolate derived from a seed of the Nicotiana species. In certain embodiments, the seed isolate is in the form of a chemically transformed seed isolate, the chemical transformation being selected from hydrogenation, acid/base reaction, hydrolysis, thermal treatment, and enzymatic treatment. The invention also provides smoking articles and smokeless tobacco compositions that include the seed components described herein, and methods for preparing a component derived from a seed of the Nicotiana species for addition to a tobacco composition.

Abstract: A tobacco composition for use in a smoking article or a smokeless tobacco composition is provided, the composition including a component derived from a seed of the Nicotiana species. The component can be a seed of the Nicotiana species or a portion thereof in particulate form or in the form of seed isolate derived from a seed of the Nicotiana species. In certain embodiments, the seed isolate is in the form of a chemically transformed seed isolate, the chemical transformation being selected from hydrogenation, acid/base reaction, hydrolysis, thermal treatment, and enzymatic treatment. The invention also provides smoking articles and smokeless tobacco compositions that include the seed components described herein, and methods for preparing a component derived from a seed of the Nicotiana species for addition to a tobacco composition.

Abstract: The invention provides a tobacco composition for use in a smoking article or a smokeless tobacco composition that comprises an extract derived from a component of a plant of the Nicotiana species. The invention also provides smoking articles and smokeless tobacco compositions that include the extracts described herein, and methods for preparing extracts derived from a component of a plant of the Nicotiana species for addition to a tobacco composition.