Abstract: The invention features particle removal assemblies and methods for removing dust and other debris from a sample container, e.g., to improve counting colonies of microorganisms (e.g., bacteria, fungi, or protists) present in environmental, pharmaceutical, biological, and other samples. An assembly of the invention includes components for particle removal, e.g., a filter, a dryer, a flow controller, and an outlet. The invention also provides methods of detecting samples after cleaning a sample container with clean and/or dry gas.

Abstract: A method wherein a programmable remote control (PRC) is programmed from a configuration file over a network. A user configuration file comprises data associating the user configuration file with a unique user and information about devices that a user desires to control with a PRC. A service provider uses the device records to find the appropriate remote control instruction set for each device to be controlled by the PRC. Upon notification of a change in the devices that a user desires to control, the service provider would update the user configuration file. Optionally, the service provider would not only program the PRC, but using the PRC would assist the user in programming each device that is controlled by the PRC (to the extent such devices are programmable).