Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to methods and apparatus for microbial sampling of foods. For example, a method may include providing at least one aggregating sampler at one or more sampling locations, and sampling a production lot of produce or other food items such as meat using the at least one aggregating sampler to create one or more samples that makes up a microbial sampling. Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to methods and apparatus for microbial sampling of foods. For example, an apparatus, such as a microbial aggregating sampler, may include a covering having a microbial sampling material with a pocket formed in the covering to receive an appendage or a tool for handling of the covering.

Abstract: A method of making a system for producing coating compositions having a predetermined VOC content includes preparing a paint comprising a resin and a solvent and having the predetermined VOC content or less. Temperature adjusters are prepared containing a resin and having the predetermined VOC content or less. Each temperature adjuster includes a different solvent or a different amount of a solvent compared to the others such that each of the coating compositions formed from one of the temperature adjusters is suitable for application within an ambient temperature range based on a rate of evaporation of the solvent within the ambient temperature range. Each temperature adjuster has no less than 1 wt. % solids based on the total weight of the temperature adjuster. The paint and the temperature adjusters are provided together as the system.

Abstract: A method of making a coating composition includes selecting a temperature adjuster from a plurality of temperature adjusters based on an ambient temperature at which application of the coating composition is to occur. The temperature adjuster contains a resin and a solvent. The resin, the solvent, and/or amounts of the resin and the solvent are based on the ambient temperature. The temperature adjuster contains no less than about 1% solids. The method includes combining a paint with the temperature adjuster. The paint contains a resin and a solvent. The method includes mixing the temperature adjuster and the paint to form the coating composition, wherein the coating composition has no more than a predetermined total VOC content, wherein the predetermined total VOC content is about 1.2 kilograms per liter.

Abstract: A coating composition for coating a substrate is provided herein. The coating composition includes a first polymer including a first polymer-bound moiety having an acid-functional group, or a derivative thereof. The coating composition further includes a second polymer including a second polymer-bound moiety having an amine-functional group. The coating composition further includes a solvent. The first polymer is substantially free of amine-functional groups and the second polymer is substantially free of acid-functional groups, or derivatives thereof. The acid-functional groups and the amine-functional groups are substantially reactive to each other at least after application of the coating composition to the substrate.

Abstract: Low solids coating compositions having polyurea rheology control agents, methods for making such coating compositions, and systems for making such coating compositions are provided. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a coating composition with no more than 30 weight percent nonvolatile content includes a colorant, a polyurea rheology control agent comprising polyurea crystals and a moderating resin, a film forming binder resin, and a solvent.

Abstract: A method of making a coating composition includes selecting a temperature adjuster from a plurality of temperature adjusters based on an ambient temperature at which application of the coating composition is to occur. The temperature adjuster contains a resin and a solvent. The resin, the solvent, and/or amounts of the resin and the solvent are based on the ambient temperature. The temperature adjuster contains no less than about 1% solids. The method includes combining a paint with the temperature adjuster. The paint contains a resin and a solvent. The method includes mixing the temperature adjuster and the paint to form the coating composition, wherein the coating composition has no more than a predetermined total VOC content, wherein the predetermined total VOC content is about 1.2 kilograms per liter.

Abstract: A method of making a coating composition includes selecting a temperature adjuster from a plurality of temperature adjusters based on an ambient temperature at which application of the coating composition is to occur. The temperature adjuster contains a resin and a solvent. The resin, the solvent, and/or amounts of the resin and the solvent are based on the ambient temperature. The temperature adjuster contains no less than about 1% solids and has no more than a predetermined VOC content. A paint is combined with the temperature adjuster. The paint contains a resin and a solvent and has no more than the predetermined VOC content. The temperature adjuster and the paint are mixed to form the coating composition, wherein the coating composition has no more than the predetermined VOC content.

Abstract: Systems and methods for sampling within a conveyance system are provided herein, such systems and methods being particularly useful in batch sampling of food products for a targeted biological agent. In one aspect, the sampling system includes a conveyance system and one or more sampling devices positioned along a conveyance path such that at least one portion of the batch contacts a sampling medium of the one or more sampling devices. In another aspect, sampling devices are provided that allow a sampling member to be secured in a sampling position for batch testing and readily removed after sampling and tested. The systems, devices and methods herein provide improved sampling coverage of the entire batch and reduce waste and inefficiency as compared to conventional batch sampling methods.

Abstract: A method of making a system for producing coating compositions having a predetermined VOC content includes preparing a paint comprising a resin and a solvent and having the predetermined VOC content or less. Temperature adjusters are prepared containing a resin and having the predetermined VOC content or less. Each temperature adjuster includes a different solvent or a different amount of a solvent compared to the others such that each of the coating compositions formed from one of the temperature adjusters is suitable for application within an ambient temperature range based on a rate of evaporation of the solvent within the ambient temperature range. Each temperature adjuster has no less than 1 wt. % solids based on the total weight of the temperature adjuster. The paint and the temperature adjusters are provided together as the system.

Abstract: A method of making a coating composition includes selecting a temperature adjuster from a plurality of temperature adjusters based on an ambient temperature at which application of the coating composition is to occur. The temperature adjuster contains a resin and a solvent. The resin, the solvent, and/or amounts of the resin and the solvent are based on the ambient temperature. The temperature adjuster contains no less than about 1% solids and has no more than a predetermined VOC content. A paint is combined with the temperature adjuster. The paint contains a resin and a solvent and has no more than the predetermined VOC content. The temperature adjuster and the paint are mixed to form the coating composition, wherein the coating composition has no more than the predetermined VOC content.

Abstract: Low solids coating compositions having polyurea rheology control agents, methods for making such coating compositions, and systems for making such coating compositions are provided. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a coating composition with no more than 30 weight percent nonvolatile content includes a colorant, a polyurea rheology control agent comprising polyurea crystals and a moderating resin, a film forming binder resin, and a solvent.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for determining the stability of methyleneamine, methyleneamine-like compounds or compounds containing an methyleneamine moiety in the presence of semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO) or a biological sample containing SSAO activity. The disclosed methods may be configured in an assay format for high throughput screening applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for determining the stability of methyleneamine, methyleneamine-like compounds or compounds containing a methyleneamine moiety in the presence of semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO) or a biological sample containing SSAO activity. The disclosed methods may be configured in an assay format for high throughput screening applications.

Abstract: Provided herein are uncured dental composites suitable for, among other things, filling cavities in teeth.

Abstract: Compositions and methods comprising the use of stabilized peptide-particulate benefit agent adducts are provided having a multi-block peptide component and a particulate benefit agent, where the multi-block peptide comprises the general structure A1-(S1)p-(X1-Y)n—(X2)m-(S2)q-A2 or A1-(S1)p-(X1)m-(Y—X2)p-(S2)q-A2; wherein, A1 and A2 are body surface-binding domains; S1 and S2 are optional peptide spacers; X1 and X2 are charged amino acid blocks; Y is a hydrophobic amino acid block comprising 3 to 10 contiguous hydrophobic amino acids; m is an integer ranging from 0 to 10; p and q are integers independently ranging from 0 to 3; and n is an integer ranging from 1 to 50. The stable adduct dispersion can be used to durably apply a particulate benefit agent to a body surface.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions and methods to treat hair with a peracid-based benefit agent. The peracid benefit agent can be used for hair bleaching, hair weakening, hair removal, hair waiving, hair straightening or any combination thereof. The peracid may be enzymatically generated from a carboxylic acid ester substrate using an enzyme having perhydrolytic activity (perhydrolase) in the presence of a source of peroxygen. A fusion protein comprising the perhydrolase coupled to a hair-binding domain, either directly or through an optional linker, may be used to target the perhydrolytic activity to the hair surface.

Abstract: A process is provided for preparing polyester composite materials, comprising polymerizing at least one polyester precursor in the presence of filler microparticles and/or nanoparticles and organosilane having nucleophilic functionality. The organosilane is added as a distinct ingredient. The polyester composites so prepared have low acid end group content, thus improved hydrolytic and melt stability and improved elongation at break.

Abstract: A process is provided for preparing polyester composite materials, comprising polymerizing at least one polyester precursor in the presence of filler microparticles and/or nanoparticles and organosilane having nucleophilic functionality. The organosilane is added as a distinct ingredient. The polyester composites so prepared have low acid end group content, thus improved hydrolytic and melt stability and improved elongation at break.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for determining the stability of methyleneamine, methyleneamine-like compounds or compounds containing an methyleneamine moiety in the presence of semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO) or a biological sample containing SSAO activity. The disclosed methods may be configured in an assay format for high throughput screening applications.

Abstract: Provided herein are uncured dental composites suitable for, among other things, filling cavities in teeth.