Abstract: The conjugate compositions and methods are useful to elicit/augment an immune response to a tumor or microbial infection or to reduce the severity of autoimmunity, chronic inflammation, allergy, asthma, periodontal disease, and transplant rejection.

Abstract: A cartomizer section of an electronic cigarette can be connected to a battery section of the electronic cigarette. The cartomizer section comprises a liquid reservoir operable to store liquid material and a one-way valve. The one-way valve is operable to seal an end of the cartomizer section which is in fluid communication with the liquid reservoir. The one-way valve is configured to allow one directional air flow towards a user's mouth during a draw on the electronic cigarette so as to prevent back flow of vapor produced during operation of the electronic cigarette towards the battery section.

Abstract: A liquid testing assembly for testing a liquid, the assembly comprising a test vessel and a stopper adapted to fit into a free end of the vessel. The stopper substantially hermetically seals the test vessel from the ambient. Further, the assembly includes a support coated with one or more identifying materials for identifying one or more constituents of the liquid. The support is fixed in the stopper and/or the vessel and extends into its interior for a predetermined distance. The liquid testing assembly when assembled is pre-evacuated to a predetermined vacuum sufficient to draw a predetermined volume of liquid to be sampled into the test vessel. The predetermined volume is of such an amount that it wets the one or more identifying materials ensuring identification of one or more constituents present in the liquid. A kit employing the liquid testing assembly is also discussed.

Abstract: A disposable inoculation loop assembly comprising a test tube and a tube stopper adapted to fit into a free end of the test tube. A first end of the stopper faces into the interior of the test tube substantially hermetically sealing the interior of the test tube. The assembly further includes an inoculation loop fixed to the tube stopper and extending into the interior of the test tube to a predetermined distance when the stopper is positioned in the free end of the test tube. The assembly when assembled is sterilized and pre-evacuated to a predetermined vacuum which is sufficient to draw a volume of a bodily liquid to be sampled into the test tube. The volume is of such an amount so that the liquid level in the test tube substantially just covers a predetermined portion of the inoculation loop.

Abstract: A liquid testing assembly for testing a liquid, the assembly comprising a test vessel and a stopper adapted to fit into a free end of the vessel. The stopper substantially hermetically seals the test vessel from the ambient. Further, the assembly includes a support coated with one or more identifying materials for identifying one or more constituents of the liquid. The support is fixed in the stopper and/or the vessel and extends into its interior for a predetermined distance. The liquid testing assembly when assembled is pre-evacuated to a predetermined vacuum sufficient to draw a predetermined volume of liquid to be sampled into the test vessel. The predetermined volume is of such an amount that it wets the one or more identifying materials ensuring identification of one or more constituents present in the liquid. A kit employing the liquid testing assembly is also discussed.

Abstract: A disposable inoculation loop assembly comprising a test tube and a tube stopper adapted to fit into a free end of the test tube. A first end of the stopper faces into the interior of the test tube substantially hermetically sealing the interior of the test tube. The assembly further includes an inoculation loop fixed to the tube stopper and extending into the interior of the test tube to a predetermined distance when the stopper is positioned in the free end of the test tube. The assembly when assembled is sterilized and pre-evacuated to a predetermined vacuum which is sufficient to draw a volume of a bodily liquid to be sampled into the test tube. The volume is of such an amount so that the liquid level in the test tube substantially just covers a predetermined portion of the inoculation loop.

Abstract: A disposable plastic vaginal speculum constructed for heavy duty use and/or for long duration gynecological procedures including intrauterine device insertion and vaginal surgical procedures. The hinge region of the speculum, as well as other regions, are reinforced so that the speculum can bear forces of a magnitude normally bearable only by metal vaginal specula.

Abstract: A liquid specimen collection container is described that includes a cup which has a base, an edge portion, and a sidewall extending from the base to the edge portion. The container additionally includes a lid disposed on the edge portion. The lid has a recessed portion which forms a protrusion extending downward into the cup. The container also includes a flexible extraction tube permanently affixed to the bottom of the protrusion with the tube reaching the base of the cup. The container further typically includes a transfer means positioned inside the recessed portion of the lid, the transfer means in liquid communication with the flexible tube. The transfer means assists in transferring liquid from the container to another vessel. A system is also described that includes the above specimen collection container and a vessel into which collected liquid is transferred from the container.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus that enable a first network protocol provider, executing on a first computer system, and a second network protocol provider, executing on a second computer system which is directly interconnected to the first computer system, to communicate at high speed, with low latency, over the interconnection therebetween such that both systems may use their native mechanisms to communicate with each other without change in those mechanisms, rather than over conventional network communication paths such as Ethernet. An interconnection couples the input/output (I/O) subsystem of the first computer system to the I/O subsystem of the second computer system such data can be transmitted between the systems, and a virtual LAN (“VLAN”) device driver executing on the second computer system provides an interface between the interconnection and the native communications mechanisms of the second computer system.