Abstract: Compositions and methods for oxidizing organic contaminants while sequestering inhibitory forms of carbon. An oxidant capable of producing free radicals oxidizes organic contaminants. A metal oxide, metal hydroxide, or metal peroxide generates a soluble hydroxide concentration of about 1×10?4 M or greater to convert carbonic acid, bicarbonate ion, methane, elemental carbon, and other organic forms of carbon to carbonate ion. A metal having a carbonate with a lower solubility product constant than its hydroxide precipitates the carbonate ion as a metal carbonate, thereby eliminating soluble carbonate as a radical scavenger. Compositions and methods that additionally minimize metal solubilization and sequester solubilized metals are also disclosed.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for oxidizing organic contaminants while sequestering inhibitory forms of carbon. An oxidant capable of producing free radicals oxidizes organic contaminants. A metal oxide, metal hydroxide, or metal peroxide generates a soluble hydroxide concentration of about 1×10?4 M or greater to convert carbonic acid, bicarbonate ion, methane, elemental carbon, and other organic forms of carbon to carbonate ion. A metal having a carbonate with a lower solubility product constant than its hydroxide precipitates the carbonate ion as a metal carbonate, thereby eliminating soluble carbonate as a radical scavenger. Compositions and methods that additionally minimize metal solubilization and sequester solubilized metals are also disclosed.

Abstract: A diverter arm of a design that is configured to more effectively direct the movement of items along a retail checkstand, and checkout systems and methods incorporating such a diverter arm, are provided. In one embodiment, the diverter arm comprises an elongated block portion; an upper body portion positioned on top of the block portion substantially along its length, the upper body portion comprising at least a front face; and at least one bristle portion projecting downward from the bottom of the block portion substantially along its length.

Abstract: A diverter arm of a design that is configured to more effectively direct the movement of items along a retail checkstand, and checkout systems and methods incorporating such a diverter arm, are provided. In one embodiment, the diverter arm comprises an elongated block portion; an upper body portion positioned on top of the block portion substantially along its length, the upper body portion comprising at least a front face; and at least one bristle portion projecting downward from the bottom of the block portion substantially along its length.

Abstract: Systems and methods for retail checkout and, more particularly, systems, methods, computer programs, and checkstands for managing and/or resolving exceptions generated using a multi-item identification device, are provided. In one embodiment, the method of performing retail checkout comprises: providing a multi-item identification device; collecting identification data regarding each of a plurality of items using the multi-item identification device; generating an active itemized order record that comprises information regarding each of the plurality of items using the identification data; recording at least one exception record in the active itemized order record relating to one or more of the plurality of items; providing a user with access to the active itemized order record; and using input from the user to resolve the exception record in the active itemized order record.