Abstract: Substrates of botulinum toxin serotype A (BoNT A), kits comprising the substrates, and methods of using the substrates are disclosed. BoNT A cleaves SNAP-25 and the substrates that are based upon a portion of SNAP-25. Various amino acid modifications to the sequence of the peptide based on SNAP-25 are performed. Fluorescence labels that act as donors and acceptors may be added to the substrate to aid in the study of BoNT A.

Abstract: In this application is described substrates for high-throughput assays of clostridial neurotoxin proteolytic activities. Two types of substrates are described for use in assays for the proteolytic activities of clostridial neurotoxins: (1) modified peptides or proteins that can serve as FRET substrates and (2) modified peptides or proteins that can serve as immobilized substrates. In both types a fluorescent molecules is present in the substrate, eliminating the requirement for the addition of a fluorigenic reagent. The assays described can be readily adapted for use in automated or robotic systems.

Abstract: In this application is described substrates for high-throughput assays of clostridial neurotoxin proteolytic activities. Two types of substrates are described for use in assays for the proteolytic activities of clostridial neurotoxins: (1) modified peptides or proteins that can serve as FRET substrates and (2) modified peptides or proteins that can serve as immobilized substrates. In both types a fluorescent molecules is present in the substrate, eliminating the requirement for the addition of a fluorigenic reagent. The assays described can be readily adapted for use in automated or robotic systems.

Abstract: In this application is described substrates for high-throughput assays of clostridial neurotoxin proteolytic activities. Two types of substrates are described for use in assays for the proteolytic activities of clostridial neurotoxins: (1) modified peptides or proteins that can serve as FRET substrates and (2) modified peptides or proteins that can serve as immobilized substrates. In both types a fluorescent molecules is present in the substrate, eliminating the requirement for the addition of a fluorigenic reagent. The assays described can be readily adapted for use in automated or robotic systems.

Abstract: In this application is described substrates for high-throughput assays of clostridial neurotoxin proteolytic activities. Two types of substrates are described for use in assays for the proteolytic activities of clostridial neurotoxins: (1) modified peptides or proteins that can serve as FRET substrates and (2) modified peptides or proteins that can serve as immobilized substrates. In both types a fluorescent molecules is present in the substrate, eliminating the requirement for the addition of a fluorigenic reagent. The assays described can be readily adapted for use in automated or robotic systems.

Abstract: In this application is described substrates for high-throughput assays of clostridial neurotoxin proteolytic activities. Two types of substrates are described for use in assays for the proteolytic activities of clostridial neurotoxins: (1) modified peptides or proteins that can serve as FRET substrates and (2) modified peptides or proteins that can serve as immobilized substrates. In both types a fluorescent molecules is present in the substrate, eliminating the requirement for the addition of a fluorigenic reagent. The assays described can be readily adapted for use in automated or robotic systems.

Abstract: A rock crusher such as a cone or jaw crusher incorporates hardened tapered inserts in the manganese or other wear liner of at least one of its crushing elements. The inserts extend outwardly from the crushing surface of the crushing element towards the facing crushing surface so as, in use, to act as pick axes that shatter rock primarily by impact rather than pulverizing the rock by compression. The inserts are fixed in a heat treated manganese wear liner either by bonding or by press-fitting. The inserts substantially improve the life of the wear liner and, unexpectedly, 1) produce product of a highly uniform gradation in the desired ranges, 2) consistently produce product with a very high cubicity, 3) dramatically reduce the crusher's power requirements, and 4) significantly increase the crusher's capacity.

Abstract: A rock crusher such as a cone or jaw crusher incorporates hardened tapered inserts in the manganese or other wear liner of at least one of its crushing elements. The inserts extend outwardly from the crushing surface of the crushing element towards the facing crushing surface so as, in use, to act as pick axes that shatter rock primarily by impact rather than pulverizing the rock by compression. The inserts are fixed in a heat treated manganese wear liner either by bonding or by press-fitting. The inserts substantially improve the life of the wear liner and, unexpectedly, 1) produce product of a highly uniform gradation in the desired ranges, 2) consistently produce product with a very high cubicity, 3) dramatically reduce the crusher's power requirements, and 4) significantly increase the crusher's capacity.

Abstract: A gyrasphere crusher includes a crusher frame, a crushing head, and a crusher bowl which is selectively locked to and released from the crusher frame via operation of a bowl lock assembly including a clamping ring or locknut and an inflatable bladder device. The bladder device, which preferably is formed from a plurality of discrete bladder segments mounted on an axial end of the locknut, applies sufficient clamping forces to the locknut when it is fully inflated to prevent rotation of the locknut and bowl, and can be partially deflated to permit precisely controlled rotation of the bowl and thus adjustment of the crushing gap under load. The bladder operated bowl lock assembly is simple, reliable, and operates at a fraction of the pressures typically required for conventional mechanically applied/fluid-pressure released lock assemblies.

Abstract: An apparatus for the separation of a mixture of particulate material having particles of substantially the same particle size. The apparatus comprising a wind tunnel (10) having an entry and an exit. The exit is associated with a fan (14) for creating an air flow through the wind tunnel (10) from the entry to the exit. An inlet (18) is provided at the top side of the wind tunnel for introducing the particulate material into the wind tunnel whereby it can fall freely under the influence of gravity transverse to the air flow. A plurality of collectors (20) are spaced axially along the bottom of the wind tunnel, each collector extending transversely across the wind tunnel.

Abstract: The crusher of this invention has a conical crushing head that gyrates in an annular lower frame member. An upper frame member that seats on the lower frame member in a normal operative position comprises a bowl that cooperates with the head to define a crushing gap. Upright, circumferentially spaced double-acting hydraulic jacks are connected between the lower frame member and a tie ring surrounding it; and upright, circumferentially spaced tie rods connect the tie ring with the upper frame member. Preferably the piston rods of the jacks project downward. The upper jack chambers are normally communicated with a fluid pressure system that maintains fluid in them at a predetermined pressure and comprises an accumulator charged by a hydraulic pump that is controlled by a pressure responsive switch. A relief valve near each jack vents fluid from its upper chamber to its lower one when pressure in said upper chamber exceeds said predetermined value by a predetermined amount, as when tramp iron lifts the bowl.