Abstract: A roller insert for a conveyor roller tube includes a cartridge, a stub axle positioned within the cartridge, at least one bearing mounted within the cartridge and supporting the axle such that the cartridge is rotatable with respect to the axle, and an annular sleeve configured to be inserted into an end of a conveyor roller tube. The cartridge is securely and non-rotatably positioned within the annular sleeve. A conveyor roller assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A method of producing pulp for use in making paper products using microwave radiation to pretreat the source of pulp prior to further processing. Practicing the method of the invention results in substantial energy savings while decreasing environmental impact and improving paper qualities.

Abstract: A reduced noise conveyor roller assembly having an elongate roller tube, a pair of stub axles rotationally supported within opposite ends of the roller tube so that the roller tube is rotatable with respect to the stub axles, and a sound-absorptive material located within the roller tube. A method of forming a reduced noise conveyor roller assembly is also provided.

Abstract: Analytical reagents and mass spectrometry-based methods using these reagents for the rapid, and quantitative analysis of proteins or protein function in mixtures of proteins. The methods employ affinity labeled protein reactive reagents having three portions: an affinity label (A) covalently linked to a protein reactive group (PRG) through a linker group (L). The linker may be differentially isotopically labeled, e.g., by substitution of one or more atoms in the linker with a stable isotope thereof. These reagents allow for the selective isolation of peptide fragments or the products of reaction with a given protein (e.g., products of enzymatic reaction) from complex mixtures. The isolated peptide fragments or reaction products are characteristic of the presence of a protein or the presence of a protein function in those mixtures. Isolated peptides or reaction products are characterized by mass spectrometric (MS) techniques.

Abstract: A roller insert for a conveyor roller tube including a cartridge having inner and outer ends and configured to be inserted into an end of a conveyor roller tube; a stub axle positioned within the cartridge, the stub axle including an elongate body portion, a cylindrical tip portion extending away from the body portion, and an end cap having distal and proximal ends and a hardness less than that of the tip portion, the end cap threadingly secured on the cylindrical tip portion; and at least one bearing mounted within the cartridge and supporting the axle such that the cartridge is rotatable with respect to the axle and the axle is slidable with respect to the bearing; wherein the axle is biased outwardly from the cartridge such that the end cap projects outwardly from the cartridge outer end. A conveyor roller and an axle for a conveyor roller are also provided.