Abstract: A soap dispensing assembly has a container housing having an interior that retains soap. The container housing has an opening which communicates with the interior. A pump unit secured to the top of the container housing at a location separate from the opening. The pump unit includes a dispensing assembly through which soap from the interior is dispensed. A lid that is removably coupled to the opening to allow for a quick replenishment of the soap without having to remove the pump unit. The pump unit can also include an actuator that has a soap outlet, with the actuator is pivoted to draw soap from the interior of the container housing to the soap outlet.

Abstract: A soap dispensing assembly has a container housing having an interior that retains soap. The container housing has an opening which communicates with the interior. A pump unit secured to the top of the container housing at a location separate from the opening. The pump unit includes a dispensing assembly through which soap from the interior is dispensed. A lid that is removably coupled to the opening to allow for a quick replenishment of the soap without having to remove the pump unit. The pump unit can also include an actuator that has a soap outlet, with the actuator is pivoted to draw soap from the interior of the container housing to the soap outlet.

Abstract: A paper towel holder facilitates tearing of paper towels from a continuous roll of paper towels supported on the holder, and prevents excessive unraveling of the roll. A portable paper towel holder has a vertical pole and a base having an annular rim of uneven height. The uneven annular rim provides the combination of tall and short sections to balance between effectively holding the towel from excess unraveling, and facilitating ease of tearing of paper towel pieces from the roll. A releasable handle is provided at the distal end of the pole to securely retain the paper towel roll on the vertical pole. The handle is provided with recessed releasing buttons for releasing the handle from the pole. Another embodiment provides a paper towel holder that is structured for mounting to a vertical surface. A spring is provided to provide a bias in the axial direction of the roll.

Abstract: Methods of identifying the type of a cell are provided, the methods comprising determining the Tm profile of a sample rRNA or fragment thereof from the cell using a double stranded nucleic acid-specific dye, wherein a match between the determined Tm profile and the Tm profile of a corresponding rRNA or fragment thereof of a cell from a known cell type indicates that the sample rRNA is from the known cell type.

Abstract: A dish rack has a stationary first rack portion and a second rack portion pivotably coupled to the first rack portion. The second rack portion can be adjusted to occupy a plurality of different positions with respect to the first rack portion. A pivoting mechanism couples the second rack portion to the first rack portion.

Abstract: A transition device for placement at the opening of the tip of a cannula body for the purpose of controlling the shape of the cannula tip opening under various loads such as might be encountered during device placement.

Abstract: A system for use in an online merchant system which includes a system for homogenizing the format of received commerce item information from at least two distinct online entities, an aggregate database for storing the homogenized commerce item information, and a user interface that accesses the aggregate database for query and retrieval of competitive commerce item information from the online entities and displays it within a user's Web browser window. The system comprises a method and apparatus for associating a commerce item information tag with each separate unit of commerce item information that is received to the online merchant system, the commerce item information tag enabling recording and reporting commerce metrics related to the commercial activity of a commerce item for sale through the online merchant system.

Abstract: A novel method for characterizing nucleic acids. A nucleic acid is combined with a double stranded nucleic acid-specific dye to form a detectable complex between the dye and one or more double stranded structures within the nucleic acid. The combination is then exposed to varying temperatures and the fluorescence emission of the dye is measured to determine the melting temperature(s) for the double stranded structures. In some embodiments that melting temperature profile is then compared to melting temperature profiles generated for other nucleic acid(s) to discern differences between the compared nucleic acids.

Abstract: A dish rack has a wire frame base, a horizontal wire segment coupled to the wire frame base, and a swinging arm pivotably coupled to the horizontal wire segment. The swinging arm has a plurality of holders and a lock mechanism that removably engages the swinging arm with a portion of the wire frame base.