Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for collecting and recycling litter material lodged in the paw of an animal. The apparatus includes a base having a substantially C-shaped wall extending along the peripheral edge of the base, as well as an open portion having no wall associated therewith. On the top surface of the base is disposed a plurality of elongated raised members. These elongated raised members extend along a portion of the top surface of the base in a substantially perpendicular direction to the open portion of the base. A litter box is then placed in close proximity to the open portion of the base. When the animal exits the litter box and steps onto the apparatus, the litter materials lodged in its paw are dislodged when the paw contacts the plurality of elongated raised members. The apparatus can then be conveniently tilted to collect the dislodged litter material. The collected litter material can then be recycled back into the litter box.

Abstract: A process for exponentially amplifying a selected nucleic acid sequence present in a sample, comprising the steps of forming a mixture of the sample and a single primer designed to hybridize with the selected nucleic acid sequence; causing the single primer to hybridize to a single strand of the nucleic acid sequence of interest; forming a duplex product of the nucleic acid by a polymerase reaction; separating the duplex product into single strands; and repeating the preceding steps until the rate of production of the amplification product is exponential and the nucleic acid sequence of interest has been amplified.

Abstract: A method of detecting a nucleic acid sequence of interest in the amplification product of a polymerase chain reaction or other primer directed reaction comprising the steps of:(a) incorporating in a polymerase chain reaction mixture or other primer directed reaction mixture at least one nucleic acid sequence complementary to said nucleic acid sequence of interest labeled (i) at the 3' end thereof, or (ii) at the 3' and the 5' end thereof with a compound capable of electrochemiluminescence;(b) conducting a polymerase chain reaction or other primer directed reaction; and(c) measuring the electrochemiluminescence of labeled amplification product.

Abstract: A gear pump for pumping hydraulic fluid includes housing, a pair of gears mounted for rotation within the housing, and a drive shaft affixed to one of the gears for transmitting a rotational input force to that gear. The drive shaft includes a portion extending outwardly beyond the housing. A bushing is provided surrounding the drive shaft and secured to the housing so that the drive shaft is free to rotate within the bushing. The bushing is positioned along the drive shaft between the driven gear and the portion of the drive shaft that extends beyond the housing. The bushing includes an end surface facing the driven gear and an annular recess in the end surface adjacent the drive shaft. A dynamic sealing member is positioned within the annular recess for minimizing the amount of leakage of the pumped fluid along the drive shaft.