Abstract: The present invention provides methods and oligonucleotides for detecting toxigenic microbes, such as toxigenic Clostridium spp., in a sample.

Abstract: Methods for amplifying and detecting nucleic acids are described, as well as sets of 5? labeled oligonucleotides.

Abstract: Quaternary ammonium salt antistatic agents having an organic chain of ten to twenty-five atoms plasticize the vinyl resin of a static charge dissipative surface covering. Such antistatic agents minimize migration and therefore retain their charge dissipative properties for a longer period of time. The class of plasticizing quaternary ammonium salt antistatic agents includes derivatives of unsaturated organic acids and alkyl ethers having a chain length of six to eighteen carbon atoms and a hydroxyl functionality.

Abstract: A surface covering product having static dissipative electrical properties comprises a consolidated agglomeration of individual chips of polymeric material and wherein at least a portion of said individual chips contain an antistatic agent. A second portion of individual chips contain no antistatic agent or a reduced amount of antistatic agent.

Abstract: A surface covering product having static dissipative electrical properties is shown, which surface covering product comprises a consolidated agglomeration of individual chips of polymeric material and wherein at least a portion of said individual chips contain an antistatic agent.

Abstract: A decorative floor covering in tile form has a design printed on its upper surface. Particles are positioned on the upper surface of the tile with at least some of the particles being placed on the tile surface in register with the design printed on the tile surface. A cured wear layer overlies both the particle and the plastic base, whereby the wear layer surface in the areas containing particles and in the areas not containing particles will be of different gloss characteristics.The process requires the sprinkling of particles over an adhesive coated surface to retain the particles in registration with a printed design on the tile surface.

Abstract: A decorative plastic floor tile composed of a decorative plastic base having a plurality of elements positioned on the base with a clear or translucent wear layer overlying the elements and the base. The base has raised and depressed areas. The elements comprise particles, preferably inorganic and rounded, and these are embedded in a plastic matrix which is placed only on the raised areas of the base. The particles are distributed throughout the matrix in a single layer of particles with the particles protruding from the matrix but being below the upper most level of the wear layer.

Abstract: A decorative plastic floor tile composed of a decorative plastic base having a plurality of elements positioned on the base with a clear or translucent wear layer overlying the elements and the base. The base has raised and depressed areas. The elements comprise particles, preferably inorganic and rounded, and these are embedded in a plastic matrix which is placed only on the raised areas of the base. The particles are distributed throughout the matrix in a single layer of particles with the particles protruding from the matrix but being below the upper most level of the wear layer.

Abstract: A non-skid decorative plastic floor covering comprised of a decorative plastic base having a plurality of slip-resistant elements positioned on the base with a clear or translucent wear layer overlying the slip-resistant elements and the exposed intervening base. The slip-resistant elements comprise particles, preferably inorganic and rounded, embedded in a cured plastic matrix, the particles being distributed throughout the matrix in a substantially abutting relationship with the upper-most layer of particles protruding from the matrix such that the protruding particles impart a rough, irregular non-skid surface texture to the wear layer overlying the slip-resistant elements.

Abstract: A non-skid decorative plastic floor covering comprised of a decorative plastic base having a plurality of slip-resistant elements positioned on the base with a clear or translucent wear layer overlying the slip-resistant elements and the exposed intervening base. The slip-resistant elements comprise particles, preferably inorganic and rounded, embedded in a cured plastic matrix, the particles being distributed throughout the matrix in a substantially abutting relationship with the upper-most layer of particles protruding from the matrix such that the protruding particles impart a rough, irregular non-skid surface texture to the wear layer overlying the slip-resistant elements.