Abstract: A prepared food product for ingestion by mammals is described and methods for preparing such products. The food product includes an oxidation-resistant fat-based composition substantially free of exogenous solubilizing and dispersing agents for phytosterols. The fat-based composition includes between 75% and 98% by weight of at least one triglyceride-based edible oil or fat, and between 2% and 25% by weight of non-esterified phytosterols. Typically, approximately 1.5% by weight of phytosterols remain soluble at room temperature, and between 0.5% and 23.5% by weight are converted to triglyceride-recrystallized phytosterols (TRPs). The fat-based composition which has been partially oxidized in the prepared food by exposure to air (and typically heat), contains a reduced amount of oxidative by-products compared to a similar fat-based composition lacking these non-esterified phytosterols.

Abstract: A combustible fire-starting or heat-providing assembly is described that includes a suitable quantity of combustible alcohol-based fuel liquid held within a freestanding, combustible, alcohol-resistant and alcohol-impermeable container. The container is configured with at least a bottom wall and a perimeter sidewall that is continuous with the bottom wall, in which the upper portion of the container is substantially open to the air to allow free-burning of the fuel liquid. The container is of a suitable composition and the sidewall is of an adequate thickness and rigidity for the container to retain the fuel liquid without leakage throughout the period of combustion of the fuel, even as the sidewall gradually diminishes in height as it melts and burns downward toward the bottom wall of the container.

Abstract: A thickened nail polish-lacquer removing composition having a smooth, substantially non-granular consistency. The composition is substantially non-irritating and non-sensitizing to the skin surrounding the fingernails and toenails. Upon drying, the residue of the lacquer-removing composition is water-soluble. The composition includes from 51% to 99.9% by weight of butyrolactone organic solvent and/or a propylene glycol derivative solvent and from 0.1% to 5% by weight of at least one water-soluble thickening agent capable of functioning in the absence of a neutralizing agent, and which is present in an amount effective to produce an absolute kinematic viscosity at 20° C. of from 250-10,000 cp.

Abstract: A milk product providing an individual at least 31 IU (International Units) of vitamin E per serving, or an ingestible blend of at least one mammalian milk protein or fragment thereof, and vitamin E or other fat-soluble micronutrient or pharmacological agent is described. The vitamin E is uniformly microdispersed throughout the milk product, and ingestion of at least 100 IU of vitamin E per day in the product is sufficient to cause the fasting plasma vitamin E/cholesterol ratio in human subjects to be elevated at least 50% above the basal fasting level of vitamin E measured in the same subjects consuming no vitamin E dietary supplements. A method for elevating the plasma vitamin E level at least 50% in human subjects is also described. The method includes ingesting a milk product as described. A method for increasing the bioavailability of an orally administered fat-soluble micronutrient or pharmaceutical agent is also described.

Abstract: A door seal according to an embodiment of the invention includes a rubber seal and a mechanical seal. The rubber seal is a compressible, hollow body having a D-shaped longitudinal cross-section, affixed to the inner surface of a door which is adapted for contacting an outer surface of an associated door frame when in a closed position. The seal extends for substantially the entire perimeter of the door. A mechanical stop, extending from the door frame, engages said door, when in a closed position, to form a channel for directing water away from an opening formed by the door frame.

Abstract: A method for labeling a polyolefin thermoplastic laboratory centrifuge tube which is exposed to boiling water and/or steam, and is centrifuged. The method employs a thin adhesive tape having a facestock material with a markable upper surface and an adhesive-coated lower surface which are all sufficiently resistant to boiling water and steam so that following such exposure, the adhesive tape mounted on the centrifuge tube shows essentially no edge-peeling, and the adhesive has not substantially migrated. Following centrifugation in a centrifuge rotor, the centrifuge tube is freely removable and not adhered within the rotor.

Abstract: A method of increasing the HDL concentration and the HDL/LDL concentration ratio in human serum by providing a balance between a sufficient and required proportion of cholesterol-free saturated fatty acids in the daily dietary fat of the human and a sufficient and required, but not excessive, proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids comprising linoleic acid in dietary fat, while the remaining proportion of fatty acids and energy from the dietary fat is provided by monounsaturated fatty acids comprising oleic acid. Also described are compositions, including fat compositions and filled dairy products, containing such balanced fatty acid proportions.

Abstract: A method for treating the natural cane reed used in woodwind musical instruments. The method includes contacting at least the proximal portion of said reed with a polymer treatment liquid, in which the liquid delivers at least 1% by weight of polymer into the reed, based upon the percentage increase in dry weight of that portion of said reed contacted by the liquid. The reed remains substantially water-permeable, yet is rendered resistant to degradation by saliva. An impregnated reed is also described, in which at least the proximal portion of the reed has been impregnated by a liquid that includes a non-toxic polymeric material that is water-insoluble upon drying or curing within the reed. The impregnated portion of the reed is at least 25% as permeable to water as an identical portion of an equivalent untreated reed, yet is resistant to degradation by saliva.

Abstract: A thickened nail polish-lacquer removing composition having a smooth, substantially non-granular consistency. The composition is substantially non-irritating and non-sensitizing to the skin surrounding the fingernails and toenails. Upon drying, the residue of the lacquer-removing composition is water-soluble. The composition includes from 51% to 99.9% by weight of butyrolactone organic solvent and/or a propylene glycol derivative solvent and from 0.1% to 5% by weight of at least one water-soluble thickening agent capable of functioning in the absence of a neutralizing agent, and which is present in an amount effective to produce an absolute kinematic viscosity at 20° C. of from 250-10,000 cp.

Abstract: A thickened nail polish-lacquer removing composition having a smooth, substantially non-granular consistency. The composition is substantially non-irritating and non-sensitizing to the skin surrounding the fingernails and toenails. Upon drying, the residue of the lacquer-removing composition is water-soluble. The composition includes from 51% to 99.9% by weight of butyrolactone organic solvent and/or a propylene glycol derivative solvent and from 0.1% to 5% by weight of at least one water-soluble thickening agent capable of functioning in the absence of a neutralizing agent, and which is present in an amount effective to produce an absolute kinematic viscosity at 20.degree. C. of from 250-10,000 cp.

Abstract: A milk product including a level of vitamin E per serving of said product which can conveniently provide at least 100 IU of vitamin E per day to an individual ingesting the product. The vitamin E is uniformly microdispersed throughout the product, and ingestion of at least 100 IU of vitamin E per day in the product is sufficient to cause the fasting plasma vitamin E/cholesterol ratio in human subjects to be elevated at least 50% above the basal fasting level of vitamin E measured in the same subjects consuming no vitamin E dietary supplements. A method for elevating the plasma vitamin E level at least 50% in human subjects is also described. The method includes ingesting a milk product as described.

Abstract: A microwave oven adapted for use within a motor vehicle dashboard area. The microwave oven has a removable storage cassette, and slidable platforms for securing and serving containers of beverages and foods. A motor vehicle featuring a microwave oven in which food may be heated by a microwave-generating magnetron powered directly or indirectly by the vehicle's battery and/or alternator. The space required for the microwave oven is provided by elimination of the major dashboard storage compartment, i.e., the glove compartment. The microwave oven door opens to a horizontal position to provide a securing and serving surface for hot beverages and food. The microwave oven accommodates a removable storage cassette for glove compartment items. The storage cassette must be removed as one condition, and the door of the microwave oven must be closed as a second condition for the magnetron to receive electrical power.

Abstract: A method of improving the adhesion and durability of both new paint coatings, and older cracked or peeling paint coatings on an architectural surface is described. An aqueous wax emulsion (AWE) which, upon drying, forms an aqueous wax emulsion coating (AWEC), is adherent to an architectural surface as well as to new and older paint coatings. The AWEC is furthermore waterproof, and is hyper-permeable to water vapor, thereby preventing moisture-related bubbling and peeling of the new and older paint coatings.

Abstract: Stabilized peanut butter and other vegetable kernel butters, and vegetable kernel butter-containing food compositions such as peanut butter-containing food composition are described. The stabilized peanut butter or other vegetable kernel butter include a mixture of ground seed or nuts, and between approximately 0.25% and 4% by weight of microparticulate silicon dioxide (silicon dioxide measured as the anhydrous weight content of SiO.sub.2), and/or between approximately 0.25% and 5% by weight of propylene glycol. Also described is a method for preventing the spontaneous (natural) separation of oil and ground kernel solids in vegetable kernel butter or a vegetable kernel butter-containing food composition by combining between approximately 0.25% and 4% by weight of microparticulate silicon dioxide and/or between approximately 0.25% and 5% by weight of propylene glycol with the vegetable kernel butter.

Abstract: A specimen vial storage assembly is described which includes multiple specimen vials, a rigid support member, and a flexible sheet storage device. The rigid support member is substantially uniform in height when placed upon a horizontal surface, and includes at least one upwardly facing first opening whose outer perimeter is defined by at least one perimeter support wall of substantially uniform height. The flexible sheet storage device includes a flexible elastomeric sheet material penetrated by an array of sized second openings which can frictionally bind and secure the specimen vials. The storage sheet device is removably placed upon, and supported by the upper surface of the perimeter support wall of the rigid support member, so that when a specimen vial is pushed downward through one of the second openings and into the first opening, a portion of the specimen vial is frictionally held by the storage sheet device.

Abstract: A chock block holder for installation in a vehicle body includes a hollow, generally triangular body having a central axis and having first and second ends, the first end being closed, and the second end being open, and a peripheral flange on the first end, the peripheral flange lying in a plane not perpendicular to the central axis. A method of storing a chock block in a vehicle body having a vertical side wall, includes the steps of placing a chock block holder in the form of a hollow, generally triangular body having a central axis, and first and second ends, the first end being closed, and the second end being open and having a peripheral flange on the first end, the peripheral flange lying in a plane not perpendicular to the central axis, in an opening in the side wall so that the flange is in contact with the side wall and the first end is downward from the second end; and fastening the flange to the side wall.

Abstract: An oxidation-resistant food shortening which includes a blended vegetable fat composition having between 50% and 95% by weight palm fat and between 5% and 50% corn oil. Also, described is a method of increasing the polyunsaturated fatty acid content of a palm fat-containing shortening while minimizing the loss in oxidative stability of the shortening, wherein the palm fat is supplemented with between approximately 5% and 100% by weight corn oil.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the visibility of a flame produced during free-burning of an aqueous alcohol-based fuel composition in air. The fuel composition is substantially free of skin-irritants, corrosive salts and agents which, when burned in air, produce air pollution evidenced by the production of volatile organic compounds. The fuel includes between approximately 10% and 30% by volume of water, and between approximately 70% and 90% by volume of a mixture of alcohols including ethanol and isopropanol, the ethanol constituting between approximately 24% and 83% by volume of the fuel composition. The method includes providing an amount of isopropanol ranging between approximately 7% and 60% by volume of the fuel composition, in which the volume ratio of isopropanol to ethanol in the fuel does not exceed 2:1.

Abstract: A cell culture plate which contains cells incubated in a liquid medium held in sample wells formed and arranged over the surface of the plate, is covered and sealed with a waterproof adhesive sealing membrane which excludes microbial contaminants, but which is functionally permeable to oxygen and carbon dioxide gases. The membrane allows cellular respiration to continue, with the transmission rate of oxygen and carbon dioxide through the membrane being essentially uniform from well to well over the surface of the plate.