Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide methods and compositions relating to a vaccine against prostate cancer which includes a non-human-primate PSA for administration to humans to provide an immune response against human PSA. More generally, an object of the invention is to provide methods and compositions relating to using a non-human primate xenogeneic antigen (e.g. protein) in a human, wherein, with respect to the non-human primate xenogeneic antigen that is used, there are relatively few interspecies differences between the non-human primate xenogeneic antigen and the human self antigen in order to induce an optimal immune response in the human to its native self antigen.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for carrying out fusion of biological cells (10) and includes a base member (24) on which a conductive outer electrode (18) is supported and has an outer electrode radius (r2) and has an electrode height (19). A conductive inner electrode (20) is supported on the base member (24) and has an inner electrode radius (r1) and also has the electrode height (19). The outer and inner electrodes (18,20) are spaced apart from each other by a gap which defines a fusion chamber (14). The inner electrode radius (r1), the outer electrode radius (r2), and the gap are selected in accordance with a predetermined range of selectable ratios (r1/r2) in a range from 0.7 to 0.

Abstract: A facial muscles exercising apparatus includes horizontally oriented dynamic resistance means for providing dynamic resistance to facial muscles that are exercised in a horizontal direction, vertically oriented dynamic resistance means for providing dynamic resistance to facial muscles that are exercised in a vertical direction, and vertically oriented isometric resistance means for providing isometric resistance to facial muscles that are exercised in a vertical direction. The facial muscles can be oriented in a horizontal orientation and in a vertical orientation. Also, in accordance with the invention, a method of exercising facial muscles is provided which includes the steps of having the facial muscles overcome dynamic resistance in a horizontal orientation, having the facial muscles overcome dynamic resistance in a vertical direction, and having the facial muscles encounter isometric resistance in a vertical direction.

Abstract: A remote temperature monitoring apparatus includes a base-located energizing wave transmission/communication wave reception unit (e.g. located on a cooking stove) and a remotely-located, energizing-wave-powered, temperature-dependent communication wave emission unit (e. g. located on a cooking vessel). The base-located energizing wave transmission/communication wave reception unit transmits a series of probing energizing waves and receives temperature-dependent resonant communication wave emissions.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for receiving and aligning a multiple electrode pair array and a multiple well plate used in electroporation. The apparatus includes a housing which includes a bottom housing portion and a pair of side housing portions which project upward from the bottom housing portion. A pair of board-reception structures are adjacent to the inner portions of the side housing portions. Multiple well plate engaging and disengaging means, supported by the housing, are provided for engaging a multiple well plate with a multiple electrode pair array and for disengaging a multiple well plate from a multiple electrode pair array. Preferably, the multiple well plate engaging and disengaging means include a multiple well plate lifting and lowering assembly. The multiple well plate lifting and lowering assembly can include lifting/lowering handles located outside the housing.

Abstract: A self-propelled vehicle includes a main frame which has a main-frame longitudinal axis. First and second powered wheel/suspension assemblies are connected to the main frame near respective first and second ends of the main frame. A steering system includes a hand-held steering controller, in an operator's cab, which turns the first and second wheel/suspension assemblies simultaneously and in opposite directions. A dump box and hydraulic dump box hoist mechanism are supported by the main frame. The operator's cab is supported along a transverse cab axis, perpendicular to the main-frame longitudinal axis, at a fixed longitudinal position along the main frame. A television-based pathway monitoring system includes a camera cluster and multiple viewing screens in the operator's cab. The multiple viewing screens are positioned in the operator's cab such that an operator need not change one's directional orientation when the vehicle moves in opposite directions.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus for treating membrane-containing material with electrical fields, in vitro, and with an added treating substance. With the method, a plurality of electrodes are arrayed around the material to be treated and are connected to outputs of an electrode selection apparatus. Inputs of the electrode selection apparatus are connected to outputs of a pulse sequence generator. A treating substance is added to the membrane-containing material. Electrical pulses are applied to the electrode selection apparatus and are routed through the electrode selection apparatus in a predetermined, computer-controlled sequence to selected electrodes in the array of electrodes, whereby the membrane-containing material is treated with the added treating substance and with electrical fields. The routing of applied pulses through the electrode selection apparatus to selected electrodes can be done in an enormous number of ways.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a method for delivery of macromolecules into biological cells, such as Langerhans cells (22) in the epidermis (20) of a patient, which includes the steps of coating electodes (16) in an electrode assembly (12) with solid phase macromolecules to be delivered, such as a DNA, and/or RNA vaccine or a protein-based vaccine, attaching the electrode assembly (12) having the coated electrodes (16) to an electrode assembly holder (13), providing a waveform generator (15), establishing electrically conductive pathways between the electrodes (16), and the waveform generator (15), locating the electrodes (16) such that the biological cells are situated therebetween, such as by penetrating the needle electrode (16) into the epidermis (20) above the epidermal basal lamina, and providing pulse waveform from the waveform generator (15) to the electrodes (16), such that macromolecule on the electrodes (16) is driven off of the electrodes (16), and delivered into the biological cells, s

Abstract: A portable piling extender apparatus includes a piling attachment unit which includes a piling fence portion. A manually operable strap assembly is connected to the piling fence portion. A riser fence unit is provided, and connector tubes connect the riser fence unit to the piling fence portion. Alignment locks lock the riser fence unit to the piling fence portion. Preferably, the piling fence portion includes a pair of piling fence tubes, and a pair of first transverse struts are connected between the piling fence tubes. The riser fence unit includes riser fence tubes, and second transverse struts are connected between the riser fence tubes. The front faces of the piling fence tubes and the front faces of the riser fence tubes are substantially coplanar when the riser fence tubes are connected to the piling fence tubes.

Abstract: A carrier apparatus is provided for a framed canvas and includes a frame carrier portion which includes a first carrier riser. A transverse carrier floor is connected to the first carrier riser, and a second carrier riser is connected to the transverse carrier floor. A handle portion includes a handle riser connected to the second carrier riser and includes a transverse grasp member connected to the handle riser. The transverse grasp member includes a first open channel and a second open channel. The use of a pair of handle risers is preferred. The first carrier riser includes a tapered wall which has a top wall thickness and a bottom wall thickness. The bottom wall thickness is greater than the top wall thickness. As a result, the first carrier riser tapers from the transverse carrier floor to the top of the first carrier riser. The first carrier riser has a first riser height, and the transverse carrier floor has a floor width.

Abstract: A credit card-size plastics display frame defines a front rectangular opening and coplanar side grooves peripherally around this opening for receiving a photograph and a protective window in front thereof, the window being usable as a template to cut an appropriately sized photograph from a standard size picture for insertion in the display frame. The photograph and the window are installed in the frame by front loading through the rectangular opening. The rear wall of the frame defines panels which can be selectively, and reversibly, folded back to form a foot member to allow the frame to stand on a horizontal surface. A diamond-shaped cutout is defined in the rear wall to allow the display frame to be hung on a wall with a nail and to facilitate the removal of the photograph and window from the frame.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is presented for cleaning engines which includes processing a previously condensed process fuel and passing it through a vessel which is provided with electrodes that provide a negative electrical charge to the molecules of the liquid fuel. The electrically charged fuel is then connected through the fuel line to the engine to be cleaned, and the engine is operated for approximately half an hour utilizing the electrically charged fuel whereby carbon deposits and other contaminants are cleaned from the engine and the catalytic converter. The vessel has an inlet and an outlet port, a pressure regulator at the inlet port for permitting air under pressure to enter into the vessel to pressurize the liquid fuel and an outlet port for exhausting the charged fuel into the engine to be cleaned.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a donation container system which includes a sensor for detecting the approach of one or more individuals to the container. The container system also includes a microprocessor and a speaker, so that when the sensor detects the approach of one or more individuals to the container, it sends a signal to the microprocessor which in turn communicates with a voice chip. The voice chip then sends an audio signal to an output speaker so as to produce an audio output.

Abstract: A method is provided for treating materials, especially organic materials, with pulsed electrical fields, wherein the method includes the step of applying an agile pulse sequence having at least three pulses to a material, wherein the agile pulse sequence has one, two, or three of the following characteristics: (1) at least two of the at least three pulses differ from each other in pulse amplitude; (2) at least two of the at least three pulses differ from each other in pulse width; and (3) a first pulse interval for a first set of two of the at least three pulses is different from a second pulse interval for a second set of two of the at least three pulses. When biological cells are treated to form pores in an electroporation procedure, the induced pores are sustained for a relatively long period of time, and viability of the biological cells is maintained.

Abstract: A support kit supports a free-standing ladder. The kit includes a support frame with adjustable legs to keep the support frame level and a ladder-receiving bracket pivotally mounted on the frame about an axis extending laterally of the frame. A set of struts is pivoted to the frame spaced from the ladder-receiving bracket and extend to connect to the ladder-receiving bracket to form a structural triangle. Another set of struts is pivoted about a lateral axis spaced from the first set of struts and extends to a strut-receiving bracket mounted to the ladder above the ladder-receiving bracket to form a second structural triangle.

Abstract: A method is provided for treating materials, especially organic materials, with pulsed electrical fields, wherein the method includes the step of applying an agile pulse sequence having at least three pulses to a material, wherein the agile pulse sequence has one, two, or three of the following characteristics: (1) at least two of the at least three pulses differ from each other in pulse amplitude; (2) at least two of the at least three pulses differ from each other in pulse width; and (3) a first pulse interval for a first set of two of the at least three pulses is different from a second pulse interval for a second set of two of the at least three pulses. When biological cells are treated to form pores in an electroporation procedure, the induced pores are sustained for a relatively long period of time, and viability of the biological cells is maintained.

Abstract: An ink dispensing apparatus is comprised of a support frame capable of supporting a plurality of ink containers. The apparatus is provided with an agitating mechanism to agitate the containers from time-to-time to maintain the ink and coloring agent therein in admixture and substantially homogeneous, particularly before dispensing ink. Pressure is applied to the ink container to assist in the discharge of ink from a flexible dispensing spout which is connected to the mouth opening of each container. A scale is displaceable under each container and on which a vessel is supported for receiving a desired weight quantity of ink from selected ones of the containers which contain inks of different colors. The ink is dispensed by operating a hand-operable dispensing valve mechanism which closes and opens the flexible tube in a regulated manner.

Abstract: This patent describes an insulating jacket that is removable and reusable, for insulating a hot or cold fluid distribution system. The jacket is made of a plurality of sections which mate and seal together to effectively seal the valve off from the surrounding ambient atmosphere. Each of the jacket sections can be made of a clear thermoplastic material and the entire assembly is designed to employ the trapped air, between the inside wall of the jacket and the system element, as the insulator.