Abstract: A pallet is formed of two or more sections formed of plastic materials. The sections are adjustably fixed together using elongated connectors dimensioned to fit closely in channels with each of the connectors extending between a channel of one section and a channel of an adjoining section. The sections and the connectors are adjustably secured together by means of mechanical fasteners. Spaced apertures are provided through each of the channels and similarly spaced apertures are provided through each of the connectors whereby the dimensions of the pallet are adjustable. Pallets are provided that can be nested in an inverted orientation without increasing the thickness of the inverted pair greater than the thickness of a single pallet.

Abstract: A composition which includes a membrane modulators is disclosed. The composition can be used in a wide range of therapies for delivering a membrane modulator which play an active function in regulating, controlling or causing a desired therapeutic effect to a target cell.

Abstract: A cylinder position sensing system includes a cylinder housing which slidably receives a rod or shaft element. The cylinder housing has an end piece which slidably receives the shaft element. A first axial groove is formed in the shaft element, and a first magnet member is mounted in the first groove. A second helical groove is formed in the shaft element and is spaced apart from the first groove. A second magnet member is mounted in the second groove. A magnetic field sensor is mounted in the cylinder housing so that the sensor generates an output signal as a function of a relative distance between the first and second magnet members as the second element moves with respect to the first element. Preferably, the shaft element includes a central cylindrical shaft and a hollow cylindrical sleeve mounted over and receiving the shaft. Preferably, the first and second grooves are formed in an inner surface of the sleeve, and the sleeve and the end piece are formed of nonferrous material.

Abstract: A cylinder position sensing system includes a cylinder housing which slidably receives a rod or shaft element. The cylinder housing has an end piece which slidably receives the shaft element. A first axial groove is formed in the shaft element, and a first magnet member is mounted in the first groove. A second helical groove is formed in the shaft element and is spaced apart from the first groove. A second magnet member is mounted in the second groove. A magnetic field sensor is mounted in the cylinder housing so that the sensor generates an output signal as a function of a relative distance between the first and second magnet members as the second element moves with respect to the first element. Preferably, the shaft element includes a central cylindrical shaft and a hollow cylindrical sleeve mounted over and receiving the shaft. Preferably, the first and second grooves are formed in an inner surface of the sleeve, and the sleeve and the end piece are formed of nonferrous material.

Abstract: Throughput of ink jet printers can be increased by using multiple print heads, each of which independently prints an image or text on a continuous roll of print media. Independently controlled printer carriages supporting the print heads simultaneously print images onto media since the printer carriages are separated by a distance that is substantially to equal to at least one dimension of the image to be printed.

Abstract: The present invention features an adjuvanted vaccine, and methods for preparing an adjuvanted vaccine, preferably for immunizing against influenza, where the adjuvant is a lipid vesicle, and preferably is a nonphospholipid, paucilamellar lipid vesicle. The antigen may be encapsulated in the central cavity of the adjuvant, or mixed in solution with the adjuvant. Moreover, the adjuvant may carry a secondary adjuvant to further improve the immune response.

Abstract: An automated home beer brewing machine and method makes beer in a single vessel under automatic control. The machine and method allows making of wort for beer without requiring apparatus to be sanitized, without boiling the wort, without the use of a traditional water-filled fermentation lock, and without using a wort chiller or ice-packing of a brewing pot. The inventive single-vessel automated brewing operation allows the user to load ingredients, conduct a grain-steeping if desired, and then automatically carries out the rest of the brewing process in a single vessel, until summoning the user days later to sugar-prime and bottle the beer. Thus, the user is required to provide much less time and labor than conventional home beer brewing, and the invention also frees the home-hobby brewer of much of the current art traditionally attached to home brewing.

Abstract: Methods and pharmaceutical compositions for inactivating an envelope virus using an oil-in-water emulsion including an oil, a surfactant, and an organic phosphate-based solvent are disclosed. These methods can be used to inactivate a wide variety of envelope viruses, such as HIV.

Abstract: Methods for inactivating bacteria including bacterial spores using an oil-in-water emulsion are provided. The oil-in-water emulsion comprises an oil, a surfactant and an organic phosphate-based solvent. These methods can be used to inactivate a wide variety of bacteria such as Bacillus.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for culturing clinical Staphylococcus epidermidis cells that reproducibly enables identification of a limited number of predominant serotypes. Two predominant serotypes common to most clinical cases of S. epidermidis have been identified and are denoted Type I and Type II. A particular polysaccharide surface antigen is associated with each of the Type I and Type II serotypes. The surface antigens can be used to provide active and passive immunization against S. epidermidis infection and to produce a hyperimmune immunoglobulin or antibodies for treatment of S. epidermidis infection.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for culturing clinical Staphylococcus epidermidis cells that reproducibly enables identification of a limited number of predominant serotypes. Two predominant serotypes common to most clinical cases of S. epidermidis have been identified and are denoted Type I and Type II. A particular polysaccharide surface antigen is associated with each of the Type I and Type II serotypes. The surface antigens can be used to provide active and passive immunization against S. epidermidis infection and to produce a hyperimmune immunoglobulin or antibodies for treatment of S. epidermidis infection.

Abstract: A new method of adjuvanting a variety of materials has been developed. Starburst dendrimers, primarily poly(amidoamine) starburst dendrimers, can be used as an adjuvant for Influenza antigen and similar materials. Mid-Generation dendrimers are preferred and yield high antibody titer levels with reduced antigen dosage.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an oral preparation useful as an immunizing agent or vaccine against gram negative bacterial infection. This oral preparation can also be used as a treatment for those infected with gam negative bacteria. The preparations can be used against any gram negative bacterial infection, including Escherichia coli, Shigella flexneri 2a, and Salmonella enteriditis.

Abstract: A novel formulation having anti-viral and spermicidal properties has been developed. The formulation contains lipid vesicles having an outer bilayer formed of a non-ionic amphiphile, a surfactant such as having spermicidal and/or anti-viral activity, an oil and a sterol. The selection of the components making the vesicle is such that the formulation provides rapid spermicidal or anti-viral activity. The formulation and methods of the invention are particularly useful in the mucous membranes such as the vaginal tract and has been tested against viruses such as HIV and Vaccinia.

Abstract: Disclosed is a new class of lipid vesicles, liposoils, which have high oil content, low water content, and protein. The liposoils are made using a combination of a surfactant and either dried egg yolk or dried whole egg as the wall material, oil, and an aqueous diluent. Unlike most lipid vesicles, the liposoils can be made with an aqueous diluent having high salinity; in fact, sea water is a preferred aqueous diluent. Liposoils have particular applicability as a food for marine environments, such as a food source for filter feeders such as oysters. Methods of making the liposoils is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to micellar nanoparticles and methods of their production. Micellar nanoparticles are made by hydrating a mixture of an oil, a stabilizer/surfactant, and an alcoholic initiator with an aqueous solution. These micellar nanoparticles are normally less than 100 nanometers in diameter. The micellar nanoparticles are particularly advantageous in delivering materials such as estradiol topically through the skin because their small size allows easy penetration.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies against the A chain of ricin have been found to be ective in protecting mammals from morbidity arising from exposure to ricin toxin. The neutralizing action of the antibodies does not appear to be mediated by complement or by immunoprecipitation. The antibodies of the invention are characterized as of isotype IgG1 having the binding characteristics which include: a) binding specifically to the neutralizing epitope of the ricin A chain and b) providing in vitro protection of at least 95% of EL-4 cells from 100 .eta.g/mL ricin challenge when said antibody is present in the tissue culture at a level of at least 1000 .eta.g/mL.

Abstract: An antibacterial oil-in-water emulsion for inhibiting the growth of Helicobacter pylori is disclosed. The oil-in-water emulsion of the invention comprises droplets of an oily discontinuous phase dispersed in a continuous phase. The oily discontinuous phase contains an oil carrier and a glycerol ester selected from the group consisting of glycerol monooleate and glycerol monostearate. The emulsion can be positively charged, negatively charged or chargeless. In one embodiment, the emulsion is positively charged and further comprises a cationic halogen-containing compound having a C.sub.12 -C.sub.16 chain as a positive charge producing agent. In another embodiment, the emulsion is negatively charged and further comprises an negative charge producing agent having a C.sub.12 -C.sub.22 chain. The disclosed emulsions can be administered to individuals, for example, orally, to treat or prevent Helicobacter pylori infections.

Abstract: A dry particle analyzer includes a vibrating sieve cup drizzling particles downwardly with first, second, and third sheath air flows being provided to separate the particles from boundary walls and to form the drizzling particles into a columnated flow for optical analysis. The particles drop vertically as a drizzle with gravitational assistance from a bulk sample to an analysis chamber. Along the way to the analysis chamber, the particles are subjected to an interval of high air flow shear, and to high turbulence of the air flow to break up agglomerations of particles.