Abstract: A lighting system (100) comprises a nonconductive niche (110) that is free of ground connections and bond connections, and a lighting fixture (108) having no conductive components, except for a current-carrying circuit (112). Snap fasteners (124) secure the lighting fixture to the niche, and lamp sockets are arranged to radiate multiple light beams from halogen lamps in different directions. An electronic isolation transformer (200), which supplies a two-wire, ungrounded source of power to the halogen lamps, presents a linear load and a conduction path to a dimmer switch, and inhibits switching in the electronic isolation transformer when an AC signal (204) applied to the electronic isolation transformer is within a predetermined range. A nonconductive junction box (600) houses the electronic isolation transformer and physically isolates a high-voltage, low-frequency power source (106) from the low-voltage, high-frequency power source in the junction box.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for treating products, such as meat products, with immobilized lactoferrin to reduce microbial contamination. The lactoferrin is immobilized on a naturally occurring substrate, preferably a galactose-rich polysaccharide. In some embodiments, the lactoferrin is applied as an aqueous solution containing a mixture of the immobilized lactoferrin and native lactoferrin, and a buffer system that includes a physiologically acceptable acid, such as citric acid, a physiologically acceptable base, such as sodium bicarbonate, and a physiologically acceptable salt, such as sodium chloride.

Abstract: A stand for supporting a melon or the like in a field, and including a lower ring, an upper ring, a plurality of ribs between the upper and lower rings positioning the upper ring above the lower ring, and a support carried on the upper ring for supporting a product on the stand. The support includes a concave platform attached to the upper ring, with the rings, ribs and support formed as a single unit. Preferably the support includes a plurality of radial arms having inner and outer ends and joined together at the inner ends and joined to the upper ring at the outer ends, with a cruciform member fixed to the underside of selected ones of the arms, and a second upper ring positioned concentrically within the one upper ring and affixed to the radial arms.

Abstract: Disclosed is a front-mounted hinge for mounting a door to a vehicle structure. The hinge includes a housing, a translating base, a hinge strap, and a cover assembly. The housing mounts to the exterior surface of the vehicle structure, and the hinge strap mounts to the exterior face of the door. The translating base is slidably mounted to the interior surface of the housing. The translating base moves relative to the housing between an abutting position, in which the translating base abuts a mounting plate of the housing, and an elevated position, in which the translating base is moved away from the mounting plate. The hinge strap is pivotally connected to the translating base so that when the hinge strap is pivoted, the translating base is caused to move between the abutting and elevated positions and the door moves between closed and open positions.