Abstract: A method of assembling a valve assembly for delivering a fluid from a fluid bag to an animal caging system for housing an animal can include coupling an upper member having a piercing member to a base having a base fluid channel. The method can also include disposing a stem member at least partially within the base fluid channel and disposing a sealing member in the base fluid channel. The sealing member preferably has a flow aperture and a sealing member bottom surface, and facilitates sealing of the flow apertures when the sealing member bottom surface abuts a top surface of the stem member. The method can further include disposing a spring element within the base fluid channel, wherein a portion of the spring element abuts the lower surface to apply a biasing force to the stem member.

Abstract: An apparatus for implanting a marker in an animal is provided, which comprises a cannula having a sharp distal end and a proximal end, a housing comprising an aperture through which adhesive can be inserted into an adhesive receiving space, and a pushrod, wherein the cannula and the housing are formed physically independent of each other and assembled thereafter. A method of producing an apparatus for implanting a marker in an animal is also provided, wherein a cannula having a sharp distal end is formed, a housing having an adhesive receiving space is injection molded, and the cannula is inserted into the housing and affixed thereto by filling the adhesive receiving space with and effective amount of adhesive.

Abstract: Cleaning compositions including a photocatalytic material and a sensitiser employ a photocatalytic material and a sensitiser at a locus, for example on a surface. The residue combats soils and/or undesired microorganisms at the locus. The photocatalytic material is peroxo modified titania, preferably in its anatase form, or peroxo modified titanic acid, or a mixture thereof. The compositions are preferably alkaline.

Abstract: Embodiments of a rack assembly for housing cages comprise at least one shelf, the shelf having a shelf section comprising a runner capable of being positioned in a least a first position and a second position. The shelf section is constructed and arranged to accommodate two cages having a first and second widths when the runner is positioned in the first position. The shelf section is constructed and arranged to accommodate a single cage having a third width when the runner is in a second position, the first and second widths being less than the third width.

Abstract: A system includes a computer having at least one power input connection and at least one I/O connection grouped into a first port. The system also includes a docking station that has at least one power output connection and at least one I/O connection grouped into a second port. The system further comprises a cable having a first end connectable with the first port and a second end connectable with the second port. The cable provides an interconnection between the at least one power output connection of the docking station and the at least one power input connection of the computer. The cable also provides interconnection between the at least one I/O connection of the computer and the at least one I/O connection of the docking station.

Abstract: A method of forming a valve assembly for delivering a fluid from a fluid bag to an animal caging system for housing an animal can include injection molding an upper member having a piercing member and injection molding a sealing member. The upper member has a fluid channel defined therethrough and forms, in an injection molding machine, a unitary member with the sealing member. The method can also include injection molding a base having a flange member and a base fluid channel defined therethrough. The base is designed to be matingly coupled to the upper member. The method can further include injection molding a stem member constructed and arranged to be disposed in part within the base fluid channel. The stem member has an actuation portion extending through a spring element. The stem member has a top portion having a lower surface.

Abstract: A fluid delivery adapter for use with a wire bar lid. Embodiments can comprise a support base having an aperture defined therein, the aperture being shaped and dimensioned to accept a fluid delivery valve. The support base can be adapted to be disposed on top of the wire bar lid to facilitate providing fluid from a fluid bag supported by the wire bar lid. The fluid delivery adapter can further comprise one or more side portions extending away from the support base, the side portions providing lateral support for the fluid bag.

Abstract: A ventilated cage and rack system. An embodiment of the invention may comprise a ventilated rack, the rack including at least one air exhaust plenum and at least one canopy disposed within the rack, the canopy being adapted to position a cage assembly below the canopy while maintaining a gap between the top of the cage assembly so as to permit air to be drawn into the air exhaust plenum from the interior of the cage assembly through the top of the cage assembly and to also permit ambient air to be drawn across the top of the cage assembly into the air exhaust plenum. The cage assembly comprises one of a first cage having a first width and a plurality of second cages having a second width, the second width being less than the first width.

Abstract: A compound of formula (I): where R1 is alkyl or alkenyl, Y1 and Y2 are independently selected from oxygen or sulphur, n is an integer of from 1 to 5, A is an optionally substituted phenyl or an optionally substituted cycloalkyl ring, X is a direct bond, a C1-4alkylene, a C2-4alkenylene, an acetylene, —CO(O)— or a group of sub-formula (i): where X1 and X2 are independently selected from a direct bond, a C1-4alkylene, a C2-4alkenylene, an acetylene, —CO(O)— and R2, R3 and R4 are independently selected from hydrogen, halo or cyano, provided that no more than one of R2, R3 and R4 is hydrogen. These compounds have a high dipole moment and may be used as dopants in liquid crystal mixtures.

Abstract: An animal isolation and caging system which maximizes cage density within a ventilated rack is provided. The rack includes at least one air exhaust plenum, and at least one canopy disposed within the rack for ventilation of the cages housed in a rack system. The rack is capable of supporting a first cage within the rack below a first canopy, and also positioning a second cage below a second canopy. The filter top of the first cage provided by the invention also provides a filter retainer having a filter top retainer wall designed to be in contact with a first canopy unit forming an enclosed space so configured as to create an enclosed space from which the animal isolation and caging system of the invention creates a zone of negative pressure so as to permit air to be drawn into an air exhaust plenum or duct from the interior of the first cage through the top of the first cage.

Abstract: An animal isolation and caging system which maximizes cage density within a ventilated rack is provided. The rack includes at least one air exhaust plenum, and at least one canopy disposed within the rack for ventilation of the cages housed in a rack system. The rack is capable of supporting a first cage within the rack below a first canopy, and also positioning a second cage below a second canopy. The filter top of the first cage provided by the invention also provides a filter retainer having a filter top retainer wall designed to be in contact with a first canopy unit forming an enclosed space so configured as to create an enclosed space from which the animal isolation and caging system of the invention creates a zone of negative pressure so as to permit air to be drawn into an air exhaust plenum or duct from the interior of the first cage through the top of the first cage.

Abstract: A method for facilitating the delivery of water to a plurality of cage level barrier-type cages, for housing animals for an animal study, the method including; providing a plurality of cage level barrier-type cages for an animal study at a laboratory facility site, and disposing a bag forming apparatus at a clean side of a laboratory washroom at the laboratory facility site, wherein the bag forming apparatus is capable of providing sealed bags of water for use in the cage level barrier-type cages. The method can further include providing bag material to the laboratory facility site.

Abstract: A method of forming a valve assembly for delivering a fluid from a fluid bag to an animal caging system for housing an animal can include forming, in an injection molding machine, an upper member having a piercing member and a connecting member. The upper member has a fluid channel defined therethrough; and forms, in an injection molding machine, a base having a flange member and a base fluid channel defined therethrough. The base is designed to be matingly coupled to the upper member. The method can further include forming, in an injection molding machine, a stem member designed and dimensioned to be disposed in part within the base fluid channel. The stem member has an actuation portion extending through a spring element. The stem member has a top portion having a lower surface.

Abstract: An embodiment of a card holder system for retaining a card with an animal cage can comprise a card holder designed and dimensioned to selectively retain the card, and a retention member adapted for retaining the card holder to the cage. The retention member is adapted to be secured to a side wall of the cage. In certain embodiments, the card holder can be selectively retained in one of a horizontal orientation and a vertical orientation. The card holder system can further comprise an adapter member, the adapter member being designed and dimensioned to be coupled with the card holder such that the card holder may be selectively positioned in one of a first orientation and a second orientation, the second orientation being substantially rotated ninety-degrees from the first position.

Abstract: Cleaning compositions including a photocatalytic material and a sensitiser employ a photocatalytic material and a sensitiser at a locus, for example on a surface. The residue combats soils and/or undesired microorganisms at the locus. The photocatalytic material is peroxo modified titania, preferably in its anatase form, or peroxo modified titanic acid, or a mixture thereof. The compositions are preferably alkaline.

Abstract: An animal isolation and caging system which maximizes cage density within a ventilated rack is provided. The rack includes at least one air exhaust plenum, and at least one canopy disposed within the rack for ventilation of the cages housed in a rack system. The rack is capable of supporting a first cage within the rack below a first canopy, and also positioning a second cage below a second canopy. The filter top of the first cage provided by the invention also provides a filter retainer having a filter top retainer wall designed to be in contact with a first canopy unit forming an enclosed space so configured as to create an enclosed space from which the animal isolation and caging system of the invention creates a zone of negative pressure so as to permit air to be drawn into an air exhaust plenum or duct from the interior of the first cage through the top of the first cage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to lipstick compositions which comprise thermodynamically association structures, preferably lamellar liquid crystals and/or reverse hexagonal liquid crystals, which are used to deliver polar solvent/moisturizers through a non-polar (lipophilic) medium. The association structures consist essentially of from about 3% to about 96%, by weight, of polar solvent (e.g. glycerine) and from about 4% to about 97% of surfactant having a Krafft point at or below about ambient temperature.