Abstract: A taco shell mold for cooking tortillas may include a tortilla cage sized and shaped to accommodate a tortilla. The tortilla cage may include an outer frame with a substantially U-shaped cross section and an inner frame nested within the outer frame, the inner frame having a substantially U-shaped cross section, wherein the inner frame is spaced from the outer frame, defining a tortilla slot between the inner frame and the outer frame. A handle attachment may be attached to the cage. Some versions of the taco shell mold may include a plurality of taco cages nested within one another.

Abstract: A drag-inducing mat includes a main body configured to accommodate a rider. The main body includes a rider surface configured to face the rider and an opposing surface configured to face a slide surface. The drag-inducing mat also includes a sipe array defined within the opposing surface. The sipe array includes a plurality of sipes that extends from a first lateral edge of the main body to a second lateral edge of the main body to selectively induce friction between the main body and the slide surface based on force applied to the sipe array by the rider.

Abstract: A drag-inducing mat includes a main body configured to accommodate a rider. The main body includes a rider surface configured to face the rider and an opposing surface configured to face a slide surface. The drag-inducing mat also includes a sipe array defined within the opposing surface. The sipe array includes a plurality of sipes that extends from a first lateral edge of the main body to a second lateral edge of the main body to selectively induce friction between the main body and the slide surface based on force applied to the sipe array by the rider.

Abstract: A taco shell mold for cooking tortillas may include a tortilla cage sized and shaped to accommodate a tortilla. The tortilla cage may include an outer frame with a substantially U-shaped cross section and an inner frame nested within the outer frame, the inner frame having a substantially U-shaped cross section, wherein the inner frame is spaced from the outer frame, defining a tortilla slot between the inner frame and the outer frame. A handle attachment may be attached to the cage. Some versions of the taco shell mold may include a plurality of taco cages nested within one another.

Abstract: A drag-inducing mat includes a main body configured to accommodate a rider. The main body includes a rider surface configured to face the rider and an opposing surface configured to face a slide surface. The drag-inducing mat also includes a sipe array defined within the opposing surface. The sipe array includes a plurality of sipes that extends from a first lateral edge of the main body to a second lateral edge of the main body to selectively induce friction between the main body and the slide surface based on force applied to the sipe array by the rider.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides embodiments of a method for characterizing microbial populations. Exemplified by methods for characterizing microbiota in vaginal samples, the methods provided herein are widely applicable to the characterization of microbial communities. Also provided are probiotic regimens and methods for selecting appropriate probiotic regimens based on the normal vaginal microbiota of a subject. Reagents and kits for detecting normal vaginal microbiota and diagnosing pathogenic microorganisms in the vagina are also provided.

Abstract: An absorbent article has an absorbent material and an outer surface including an inhibitor which is partially bound to the absorbent material and substantially inhibits the colonization of bacteria within the absorbent article. An absorbent article has an absorbent material. The absorbent material has an outer surface. The absorbent article includes a pre-toxin limiting agent which is partially bound to the absorbent material and substantially retards the production of bacteria-produced toxins by the bacteria residing within the absorbent article. An absorbent article has an absorbent material. The absorbent material has an outer surface. The absorbent article includes a toxin enclosing agent. The toxin enclosing agent substantially inhibits the migration of toxin outwardly from within the absorbent article towards the outer surface of the absorbent article.

Abstract: A method for determining material properties of internal tissues of a body, the method comprising the steps of: a. providing force measuring device, b. providing an imaging means for acquiring images of deformation or displacement of tissues inside a body cavity; c. providing a calculation means for quantifying displacement of internal tissues; d. inserting at least a portion of said probe head into the body cavity; e. applying force with said probe head against an internal body tissue; f. measuring said force applied to said internal body tissue; g. acquiring images of displacement of said internal body tissue; h. calculating said displacement of said internal body tissue; and i. calculating material properties from said measured force and said calculated displacement.

Abstract: A force measurement device and system, the device being for insertion into an internal body cavity of a human. The probe comprises (a) a probe head having a dimension suitable for insertion into the body cavity; (b) a load cell operatively connected to the probe head such that forces on the probe head are transmitted to the load cell; and (c) a relatively rigid portion joined to the probe head by a relatively flexible portion such that the probe head is flexibly joined to the relatively rigid portion and can move laterally with respect to a longitudinal center line of the relatively rigid portion.

Abstract: A tampon applicator for positioning a tampon inside a vaginal cavity. The tampon applicator includes an outer member for housing a tampon. The outer member has a substantially rigid first section and a collapsible section adjacent to the first section. The tampon positioning member is disposed within the outer member and co-axially with the tampon for expelling the tampon from the outer member and for placing the tampon into the proper position within the vaginal cavity.

Abstract: A computational model of the internal human pelvic environment. The model comprises meshed finite element regions corresponding to internal tissues or organs selected from the group consisting of pelvic muscles, vagina, vaginal walls, intestinal tissues, bowel tissues, bladder, bladder walls, cervix, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A tampon applicator for placing a feminine hygiene tampon into a vagina which has a tampon, a tampon housing member, a cover member, and a tampon positioning member. The tampon is partially housed within the tampon housing member. The tampon extends beyond the tampon housing member. The cover member covers at least a portion of the tampon housing member. The tampon housing member is telescopically mounted within the cover member. The tampon positioning member positions the tampon within the tampon housing member. The tampon positioning member can be disposed inside the tampon housing member and can be co-axial with the tampon. The tampon positioning member can be fixedly joined to the cover member. Alternatively, the tampon positioning member can be fixedly joined to the tampon housing member.

Abstract: A computational model of the human vaginal environment is disclosed. The model comprises finite element analysis software, segmented tissue regions, at least one defined material parameter for each of said segmented tissue regions, and at least one boundary condition for each of said segmented tissue regions. At least one of the boundary conditions is subject to physiological condition changes and the model comprises computing means for manipulating the material parameters and the boundary conditions with the finite element analysis software.

Abstract: A device and method for determining location dependent biomechanical properties of internal tissues is disclosed. The device comprises an expandable probe which is insertable into an orifice of a body and into a body; a flexible conduit to conduct fluid between a fluid supply and said expandable probe; means for conducting fluid between said fluid supply and said expandable probe, said means capable of changing the volume of said expandable probe; a pressure transducer for measuring fluid pressure of said expandable probe; imaging means for detecting strain of internal tissues contacted by said expandable probe; and calculating means for determining biomechanical properties of said internal tissues.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides embodiments of a method for characterizing microbial populations. Exemplified by methods for characterizing microbiota in vaginal samples, the methods provided herein are widely applicable to the characterization of microbial communities. Also provided are probiotic regimens and methods for selecting appropriate probiotic regimens based on the normal vaginal microbiota of a subject. Reagents and kits for detecting normal vaginal microbiota and diagnosing pathogenic microorganisms in the vagina are also provided.

Abstract: A pessary applicator for positioning a pessary inside a vaginal cavity. The pessary applicator includes an outer member disposed co-axially with an inner member for insertion of the pessary into the vaginal cavity. The inner member is slidable within the outer member wherein at least 15% of a length of the pessary remains in the outer member when the inner member is fully engaged with the outer member to define a remaining portion of the pessary. The remaining portion of the pessary requires a force of less than about 0.30 N to be removed from the pessary applicator. Alternatively, when the inner member is fully engaged with the outer member to define a remaining portion of the pessary, the remaining portion of the pessary requires a force of less than about 0.04 N/mm to be removed from the outer member.

Abstract: A pessary applicator for positioning a pessary inside a vaginal cavity. The pessary applicator includes an outer member, an inner member which is slidable within the outer member, and a pessary which is housed within the pessary applicator. The inner member has an effective length of less than about 58 mm.

Abstract: A pessary applicator for positioning a pessary inside a vaginal cavity. The pessary applicator includes an outer member, an inner member, a pessary, and a pessary positioning member. The outer member is disposed co-axially with the inner member for insertion of the pessary into the vaginal cavity. The inner member includes a first end, a second end, and an interior surface. The inner member is slidable within the outer member. The pessary is at least partially housed within the inner member. The pessary positioning member is positioned within the inner member. The pessary positioning member includes a pessary pushing surface positioned between the first end and the second end of the inner member.

Abstract: A composition and method for maintaining and restoring normal gastrointestinal flora in humans. The composition includes one or more bacteria selected from the group consisting of Lactobacillus iners, all clones with at least 97% sequence similarity to Lactobacillus iners, Atopobium spp, and all clones with at least 90% sequence similarity to Atopobium spp as determined by sequences from 16S rRNA genes. The method for maintaining and restoring includes administering a safe and effective amount of the composition.

Abstract: A composition and methods for reducing malodor in a human. The composition includes one or more bacteria selected from the group consisting of Lactobacillus iners and all clones with at least 97% sequence similarity to Lactobacillus iners as determined by sequences from 16S rRNA genes. The method includes administering a safe and effective amount of the composition.