Abstract: Resistance to the induction of a vasovagal response can be imparted in an animal by inducing galvanic vestibular stimulation of the animal and repeating the galvanic vestibular stimulation such that the animal is habituated to resist the induction of the vasovagal response.

Abstract: A tailgating game assembly including a first platform, a second platform, a projectile a first deformable target, a second deformable target, a third deformable target, and a club. In use, the club is used to hit the projectile off of the platform towards the three deformable targets. The game is meant to simulate the chipping aspect of golf. The club included in the assembly is capable of height adjustment, and is suitable for both right and left handed competitors. The projectile included may be a golf ball, a shuttlecock, or any projectile suitable to strike with a club.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of selecting a nebulizer device to be used to deliver a vaccine comprising selecting a nebulizer capable of producing a plurality of vaccine particles having the following particle droplet size distribution: (i) Dv10: 2.0+/?0.2 ?m (ii) Dv50: 5.0+/?0.5 ?m (iii) Dv90: 10.0+/?1.0 ?m (iv) a mean mass aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) of 4.5 to 8.0 ?m This allows the selection of, for example, commercially available nebulizers, previously used for drug delivery, for vaccine delivery. This considerably reduces the work required to identify suitable nebulizers. Nebulizers identified by the methods of the invention are also claimed.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of selecting a nebuliser device to be used to deliver a vaccine comprising selecting a nebuliser capable of producing a plurality of vaccine particles having the following particle droplet size distribution: (i) Dv10: 2.0+/?0.2 ?m (ii) Dv50: 5.0+/?0.5 ?m (iii) Dv90: 10.0+/?1.0 ?m (iv) a mean mass aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) of 4.5 to 8.0 ?m This allows the selection of, for example, commercially available nebulisers, previously used for drug delivery, for vaccine delivery. This considerably reduces the work required to identify suitable nebulisers. Nebulisers identified by the methods of the invention are also claimed.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of selecting or optimising a nebuliser device to be used to deliver a vaccine comprising selecting a nebuliser capable of producing a plurality of vaccine particles having the following particle droplet size distribution: (i) Dv10: 2.0+/?0.2 ?m (ii) Dv50: 5.0+/?0.5 ?m (iii) Dv90: 10.0+/?1.0 ?m (iv) a mean mass aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) of 4.5 to 8.0 ?m This allows the selection of, for example, commercially available nebulisers, previously used for drug delivery, for vaccine delivery. This considerably reduces the work required to identify suitable nebulisers. The additional preferred features are disclosed for the selection of nebulisers for use in mass vaccination programs. Nebulisers identified by the methods of the invention are also claimed.

Abstract: A process for the destruction of microorganisms on a product using ultrasonic energy is disclosed. The process comprises contacting a product with an ultrasonic horn assembly and generating ultrasonic energy sufficient to result in a microorganism destruction rate of at least a 1-log kill.

Abstract: A process for the destruction of microorganisms on a product using ultrasonic energy is disclosed. The process comprises contacting a product with an ultrasonic horn assembly and generating ultrasonic energy sufficient to result in a microorganism destruction rate of at least a 1-log kill.

Abstract: The method for isolating an area of hair-bearing skin and measuring a combined cross section of hair in the area comprising the steps of: preparing a pre-measured site on the scalp; isolating a standardized bundle of uncut hair at the site; compressing the bundle of hair with a measurable load while simultaneously measuring the height of the bundle of hair with a piston and cylinder device. One embodiment of the device comprises a body having a slot for receiving a bundle of hair, an anvil positioned adjacent said slot, and a mechanism for causing relative movement between the body having the slot and the anvil thereby to compress a bundle of uncut hair received in the slot against the anvil.

Abstract: A flexible measuring tape is extended from a predetermined location on a face a predetermined distance to a location on a scalp. A 2 cm by 2 cm square bundle of hair about that location is isolated. The bundle of isolated hair is captured in a slit in a two-part cartridge, one part being slidable in the other part about a changeable length slit 1 mm wide. The cartridge is placed in an “L” shaped end of a plunger extending from a first end of a body of a measuring device. The plunger is drawn into the body of the device to compress the hair in the changeable length slit as the two parts of the cartridge are pushed together between an end of the “L” and the first end of the body. A spring is provided on the plunger between a second end of the body of the device and an inner end of a knob at an outer end of the plunger.

Abstract: A biodegradable, cellulose-based collecting sheet that can be used in either a wet state or a dry state. The collecting sheet may be a double recreped cellulose substrate reinforced with a binder, such as a latex binder. Alternatively, or in addition to the binder, the collecting sheet may be coated with a dielectric material and electret treated to establish a charge on the dielectric material. Additionally, the collecting sheet may be embossed to provide more interstices and greater surface area to enhance the pick-up ability of the collecting sheet. The invention further includes a method of forming such a collecting sheet.

Abstract: A method involves retrofitting conventional injectors with needles having magnetostrictive portions and wound coils configured and disposed so as to subject the magnetostrictive portions of the needles to ultrasonically oscillating magnetic fields.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite material including a substrate with a first and a second layer, and a surfactant. The surfactant is applied to the first layer of the substrate. The surfactant acts to lower the surface tension of a fluid which contacts the first layer of the substrate such that the fluid is allowed or more readily enabled to pass through the first layer of the substrate, but such that the surfactant does not substantially adversely effect the absorption capacity or wicking height of the second layer of the substrate, as the second layer of the substrate substantially inactivates the surfactant upon contact or interaction therewith.

Abstract: A method involves retrofitting conventional injectors with needles having magnetostrictive portions and wound coils configured and disposed so as to subject the magnetostrictive portions of the needles to ultrasonically oscillating magnetic fields.

Abstract: An ultrasonic fuel injector for injecting a pressurized liquid fuel into the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine that uses an overhead cam for actuating the injector, includes an injector body and an injector needle. The injector needle is disposed within the body and includes a magnetostrictive portion disposed in the region of the body defined by a ceramic wall, which is transparent to magnetic fields changing at ultrasonic frequencies. A wire coil is wound around the outside surface of the ceramic wall and connected to a source of electric power that is controlled to oscillate at ultrasonic frequencies during predetermined intervals of operation of the injector. A sensor is configured to signal when the overhead cam is actuating the injector to inject fuel into the combustion chamber of the engine.

Abstract: An ultrasonic apparatus and a method for injecting a pressurized liquid fuel by applying ultrasonic energy to a portion of the pressurized liquid fuel. The apparatus includes a die housing which defines a chamber adapted to receive a pressurized liquid and a means for applying ultrasonic energy to a portion of the pressurized liquid. The die housing further includes an inlet adapted to supply the chamber with the pressurized liquid, and an exit orifice defined by the walls of a die tip. The exit orifice is adapted to receive the pressurized liquid from the chamber and pass the liquid out of the die housing. When the means for applying ultrasonic energy is excited, it applies ultrasonic energy to the pressurized liquid without applying ultrasonic energy to the die tip.

Abstract: An ultrasonic apparatus and a method for injecting a pressurized liquid fuel by applying ultrasonic energy to a portion of the pressurized liquid fuel. The apparatus includes a die housing which defines a chamber adapted to receive a pressurized liquid and a means for applying ultrasonic energy to a portion of the pressurized liquid. The die housing further includes an inlet adapted to supply the chamber with the pressurized liquid, and an exit orifice defined by the walls of a die tip. The exit orifice is adapted to receive the pressurized liquid from the chamber and pass the liquid out of the die housing. When the means for applying ultrasonic energy is excited, it applies ultrasonic energy to the pressurized liquid without applying ultrasonic energy to the die tip.

Abstract: An ultrasonic fuel injector for injecting a pressurized liquid fuel into the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine that uses an overhead cam for actuating the injector includes a valve body having an injector needle disposed therein forming a needle valve to meter the flow of fuel through the injector. The valve body is formed of ceramic material that is transparent to magnetic fields changing at ultrasonic frequencies. The injector needle includes a magnetostrictive portion disposed in the region of the valve body that is surrounded by a wire coil wound around the outside surface of the ceramic valve body. The wire coil is connected to a source of electric power that oscillates at ultrasonic frequencies. A sensor is configured to signal when the overhead cam is actuating the injector to inject fuel into the combustion chamber of the engine.

Abstract: An ultrasonic apparatus and a method for improving the transfer, delivery, and flow of viscous liquids including heavy fuel and lubricating oils, such as bunker, molten metals, molten bitumens, food products, and other heavy viscous liquids. The apparatus includes a housing and a means for applying ultrasonic energy to a portion of the pressurized liquid as the liquid passes through the housing. The housing includes a chamber adapted to receive viscous liquid under pressure, a second smaller chamber or vestibular cavity in communication with the chamber, an inlet adapted to supply the chamber with the pressurized liquid, and an exit orifice adapted to pass the liquid out of the housing. When the means for applying ultrasonic energy is excited, it applies ultrasonic energy to the pressurized liquid contained within the vestibular cavity without mechanically vibrating the tip.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for mixing, atomizing, and applying liquid coatings onto a surface. The apparatus includes a housing and a means for applying ultrasonic energy to a portion of the pressurized liquid as the liquid passes through the housing. The housing includes a premixing chamber adapted to receive multi-component liquid under pressure, a mixing chamber in communication with the premixing chamber, an inlet adapted to supply the premixing chamber with the pressurized liquid, and an exit orifice adapted to pass the liquid out of the housing. When the means for applying ultrasonic energy is excited, it applies ultrasonic energy to the pressurized liquid contained within the mixing chamber without mechanically vibrating the tip.

Abstract: An ultrasonically enhanced continuous flow apparatus for selectively microemulsifying water and other normally immiscible fluids into the fuel of continuous combustors at the point of injection and a method for the same is disclosed. The apparatus includes an injector housing which in part defines a chamber adapted to receive a pressurized liquid and a means for applying ultrasonic energy to a portion of the pressurized liquid. The injector housing further includes an inlet adapted to supply the chamber with the pressurized liquid, and an exit orifice defined by the walls of an injector tip. The exit orifice is adapted to receive the pressurized liquid from the chamber via a vestibular cavity and pass the liquid out of the injector housing in the form of an emulsified, atomized plume. When the means for applying ultrasonic energy is excited, it applies ultrasonic energy to the pressurized liquid without mechanically vibrating the injector tip.