Abstract: A method for removing residues including waxes, oils, greases, resins, fluxes, diamond lapping compounds and solvent soluble resists from the surface of electronic components, optic elements, contact lenses and metals comprises the steps of contacting the surface with a solution consisting of from 60% to 100% of liquid n-paraffins, iso-paraffins or a mixture thereof having hydrocarbon chain lengths substantially in the range of from C.sub.9 to C.sub.16, from 0% to about 40% paraffin emulsifying agents and from 0% to about 25% d-limonene, allowing the solution to solubilize the residues and removing the solution from the surface.

Abstract: A liquid scintillation medium contains 1,2-diphenylethane and derivatives thereof of general formula: ##STR1## where the phenyl groups are substituted with hydrogen or lower alkyls (C1-3). In an illustrative embodiment, the liquid scintillation medium comprises at least 1,2 dicumylethane or 1-cumyl-2-phenylethane, the 1,2-diphenylethane compound being liquid at the temperatures of use, i.e., room temperature and below. There is also described a method of detecting beta-ray emissions using the scintillation medium of the present invention.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for determining the presence and quantity of micro-organisms, such as bacteria, fungue and yeast, in a given sample. The apparatus includes two sealed containers, a portion of which may be penetrated by a sharp instrument, as for example, glass vials with flexible septum tops. One container includes a radioactive nutrient medium which is capable of s supporting the life process of the micro-organism whose presence is being tested. The second container includes a liquid scintillation solution which absorbs the product of metabolism of the organisms. The sample is introduced into the first sealed container, for example, by means of a standard syringe. Any micro-organisms present will consume the radioactive nutrient and as a result produce radioactive waste. Means are then applied to penetrate the containers and allow the flow of the radioactive metabolic product from the first container to the second container while preventing any contamination from the ambient.