Abstract: A surface cleaning apparatus including a body defining an agitation chamber, an agitator partially disposed within the agitation chamber and configured to rotate about a pivot axis, and a debrider at least partially disposed within the agitation chamber. The agitator includes an elongated body having a first and a second end, a sidewall extending radially outward from the elongated body extending between the first and the second ends, and a plurality of bristles extending radially outward from the elongated body. The plurality of bristles are arranged in at least one row adjacent to the sidewall. The debrider includes a plurality of teeth configured to contact a portion of the sidewall as the agitator rotates about the pivot axis.

Abstract: Provided are methods of amplifying nucleic acids. The methods include combining a nucleic acid sample, a known amount of one or more competitive internal standard nucleic acids, and one or more amplification primers adapted to amplify one or more nucleic acids of interest present in the nucleic acid sample and the one or more competitive internal standard nucleic acids. The nucleic acid sample, competitive internal standard nucleic acids, and amplification primers are combined in a reaction mixture under conditions sufficient to amplify the one or more nucleic acids of interest and the one or more competitive internal standard nucleic acids. Aspects of the present disclosure further include compositions and kits that find use in practicing embodiments of the methods.