Abstract: The present invention provides materials, methods, and kits for reducing nonspecific binding of molecules to a surface, particularly in a solid phase material, and more specifically a solid phase material that includes a hydrophobic portion, by contacting the solid phase material with a fluorinated nonionic surfactant comprising two or more fluorinated hydrophobic segments and one or more hydrophilic segments.

Abstract: A device for clamping the wires of a string of decorative lights to Christmas tree branches is formed of a wholly integral length of flexible, but normally shape-retaining material doubled back on itself from opposite ends thereof at opposite sides of a diagonally oriented, substantially central part of the length of material to provide oppositely directed, open loop clamping portions whose openings are at respective opposite sides of but at the central part of the length of material. The flexible material is such that an opening to an open loop can expand to accept branches to be received and held in a clamping loop along with light string wires and can be rotated to open the opening when release of a branch is desired. A loop of the device is selected for clamping to a branch leaving the other loop to serve as a handle for manipulating the device and thereafter free for receiving a Christmas tree decoration.