Abstract: The invention relates to an improved method for making agarose coated, agarose beads which contain cells. The method which is preferably automated, involves placing manufactured beads in a sample of mineral oil at a temperature gradient, such that the temperature drops as the bead moves through the oil. Preferably, a “trumpet tool” and a “straw tool” are employed in the method.

Abstract: A method is provided for curing tobacco. The method includes steps of wilting, bruising, aerating, and drying tobacco, where each of the steps is measured in hours or days rather than months. In some aspects, aeration may take two to twelve hours or less. In some aspects, the entire curing method may be completed in 24 hours or less.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for providing rods formed from a continuous supply of filter material for use in the manufacture of cigarette filter elements, each rod having individual objects placed at predetermined spaced intervals along the length thereof. The apparatus comprises a first hopper configured to provide a reservoir for objects, a second hopper positioned to receive objects from the first hopper, and a reciprocating screen disposed between the first hopper and the second hopper. The reciprocating screen defines a plurality of passageways therein, and the reciprocating screen is configured to facilitate transfer of the objects from the first hopper to the second hopper. The apparatus also comprises an object insertion unit in operable communication with the second hopper and configured to introduce a plurality of objects into engagement with the continuous supply of filter material.

Abstract: Described is a mountable thermos adapted to be secured to a tree or other vertical support surface. The thermos includes a container having a bottom end, sidewalls, and an open upper end having a removable lid thereon. The sidewall of the container includes a spout that allows a user to easily dispense the substance held within the container. The container further includes a handle to allow a user to grasp the thermos, and a mounting attachment that can be removably engaged with a fastener that can be inserted into a tree or other surface. The container may further include a tray assembly on the bottom end thereof, wherein the tray assembly can be extended so as to support a cup below the spout. Further, a cup can be removably secured on the upper end of the container in an upside-down configuration for storage and travel.

Abstract: A surgical fastener system includes a plurality of fasteners having a throughbore with an internally threaded portion. The fasteners may engage with a threaded mandrel that passes through the throughbore of the fasteners. A rotator may rotate the fasteners relative to the mandrel to move at least one of the fasteners along the mandrel, e.g., along the mandrel's longitudinal axis. A distal end of the mandrel may be inserted into a material, such as a tissue, prosthetic or other, and a fastener may be deployed from the distal end of the mandrel while the distal end is positioned in the material. The throughbore of the fasteners may include a threaded portion and an unthreaded portion, may include an angled face or other feature to aid in fastener deployment and/or have curved depressions in the head portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing rods for use in the manufacture of cigarette filter elements, each rod having individual objects placed at predetermined spaced intervals along the length thereof, comprises means for providing a continuous supply of rod filter material, a first hopper means for providing a reservoir for objects, and a second hopper means for providing a plurality of individual objects. The second hopper means is positioned to receive objects from the first hopper means. The apparatus also comprises a reciprocating screen means between the first hopper means and the second hopper means, means for positioning individual objects from the second hopper to within the supply of filter material at pre-determined spaced intervals, means for forming the filter material into a continuous rod having individual objects positioned at pre-determined spaced intervals within that rod, and means for subdividing the continuous rod at pre-determined intervals.

Abstract: The present invention provides, inter alia, a method for identifying an agent that selectively decreases the number of cancer stem cells (CSCs). This method includes (a) contacting a CSC from a population of cells with a candidate agent; and (b) determining whether the candidate agent reduces the survival or growth of the CSC or increases differentiation of the CSC relative to a CSC that has not been contacted with the candidate agent. The method may be used as a high throughput screen.

Abstract: Cosmetic compositions are provided that include an extract from a seed of the Nicotiana species, one or more cosmetically acceptable carriers to act as a diluent, dispersant or carrier for the composition, and optionally one or more cosmetic adjuvants. The tobacco seed extract is typically characterized as having a significant lipid content and, thus, finds use as an oil component in a cosmetic composition.

Abstract: Apparatus incorporating a filter tow processing unit adapted to supply filter tow to a continuous rod forming unit includes an object insertion unit that positions objects within the filter tow to manufacture a filter rod containing objects positioned at predetermined intervals. The apparatus also includes an upper hopper that acts as a reservoir for a plurality of objects, and provides for supply of objects to a lower hopper. The lower hopper is shaped so that objects are stacked therein. The bottom of the lower hopper is shaped so as to cooperate with a portion of upper region of a rotating wheel. The peripheral face of the rotating wheel incorporates a plurality of spaced pockets, each pocket being of sufficient shape and size to accommodate one object. Objects within the lower hopper are aligned in a single line along a portion of the peripheral face in the upper region of the rotating wheel. Each object then is positioned at predetermined intervals within a continuous supply of filter material.

Abstract: A smoking article such as an electronic cigarette is disclosed, which includes an outer housing extending in a longitudinal direction; a capillary wick for holding liquid material; a micro pump system configured to pump a liquid material contained within a liquid supply reservoir through an outlet of the supply reservoir to the capillary wick; a heating arrangement operable to heat at least a portion of the capillary wick to a temperature sufficient to at least initially volatilize the liquid material held within the capillary wick; a power supply operable to apply voltage to the micro pump gas cell to generate a gas to pump the liquid material from the liquid supply reservoir into the capillary wick; at least one air inlet; and whereby air is mixed with the volatilized material to form an aerosol.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of encapsulates of cancer cells, in agarose coated, agarose containing beads, for isolating chemotherapeutic resistant cells which have at least one stem cell property, such as expression of OCT4.

Abstract: Effecting an electronic payment from customers to vendors over the Internet is disclosed. A vendor offers a product to potential customer over the Internet. A customer browsers the Internet and the customer has a mobile cellular phone configured to receive premium rate mobile terminating text messages. Transaction details are transmitted from the vendor to the browsing customer. Order details are then transmitted from the browsing customer to the vendor that require a payment to be made by the customer. In order to effect payment, a plurality of premium rate text messages are transmitted to the mobile cellular phone.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of encapsulates of cancer cells, in agarose coated, agarose containing beads, for isolating chemotherapeutic resistant cells which have at least one stem cell property, such as expression of OCT4. The cells thus isolated are also a feature of the invention, as is a method for screening for potential therapeutic agents.

Abstract: A filtered cigarette possesses a smokable rod and a filter element. The filter element possesses a segment incorporating filter material (e.g., cellulose acetate tow) having carbonaceous material (e.g., activated charcoal particles) or other adsorbent dispersed throughout the filter material, and encapsulated flavoring agent (e.g., flavor-containing microcapsules) dispersed throughout the filter material.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to process transactions initiated by users of mobile devices. In one aspect, a system includes a data storage facility to store phone numbers of users, and an interchange coupled with the data storage facility. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of different controllers of mobile communications. The converters are configured to communicate with the common format processor in a common format and to communicate with the controllers in different formats. The interchange uses the converters to transmit at least one premium message to a mobile phone at a first telephone number to provide an amount to the mobile phone using funds associated with a second telephone number, in response to a request initiated from a mobile phone at the second telephone number.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to process transactions initiated by users of mobile devices. In one aspect, a system includes a data storage facility to store phone numbers of users, and an interchange coupled with the data storage facility. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of different controllers of mobile communications. The converters are configured to communicate with the common format processor in a common format and to communicate with the controllers in different formats. The interchange uses the converters to transmit at least one premium message to a mobile phone at a first telephone number to provide an amount to the mobile phone using funds associated with a second telephone number, in response to a request initiated from a mobile phone at the second telephone number.

Abstract: Clasps and methods of manufacturing the clasps are disclosed. The clasp comprises a male end, a female end coupleable to the male end. The female end comprises at least two pushers, the pushers each movable between a first position and a second position, and at least one magnet coupled to each pusher. The pushers are positioned such that when the pushers are each in the first position, the magnetic force between the magnets biases the pushers toward the second position.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to facilitate online transactions via mobile communications. In one aspect, a system includes a data storage facility to store an account identifier of a user and a phone number of the user and an interchange coupled with the data storage facility. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of different controllers of mobile communications. The converters are configured to communicate with the common format processor in a common format and to communicate with the controllers in different formats. The interchange uses the converters to communicate with the mobile phone of a user to confirm the identity of the user using a user terminal separate from the mobile phone for subsequent payment requests from the user terminal to be fulfilled using the account identifier.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for providing rods formed from a continuous supply of filter material for use in the manufacture of cigarette filter elements, each rod having individual objects placed at predetermined spaced intervals along the length thereof. The apparatus comprises a first hopper configured to provide a reservoir for objects, a second hopper positioned to receive objects from the first hopper, and a reciprocating screen disposed between the first hopper and the second hopper. The reciprocating screen defines a plurality of passageways therein, and the reciprocating screen is configured to facilitate transfer of the objects from the first hopper to the second hopper. The apparatus also comprises an object insertion unit in operable communication with the second hopper and configured to introduce a plurality of objects into engagement with the continuous supply of filter material.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to facilitate online transactions via mobile communications. In one aspect, a system includes a data storage facility to store an account and a phone number associated with the account and an interchange coupled with the data storage facility. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of different controllers of mobile communications. The converters are configured to communicate with the controllers in different formats and to communicate with the common format processor in a common format. The common format processor is to select a first controller based at least in part on reducing cost, and to instruct the first controller of the controllers, via a first converter of the converters, to transmit a first message to a mobile device at the phone number to facilitate a transaction related to funds associated with the phone number.