Abstract: A teat cup liner is disclosed that includes an attachment section having an opening therein, a barrel joined to and in fluid communication with the attachment section, and a tube section, joined to and in fluid communication with the barrel. The barrel includes a transition section and a triangular section. A combined length of the attachment section and the transition section is (i) from 5.5 to 8.5 cm long, (ii) an average teat length (after elongation), optionally minus a minimum uniform pressure length, ±20%, or (iii) 40-65% of a combined length of the attachment section and the barrel. Alternatively, the transition section has a surface with a slope of less than 0.3, where the slope is defined by a change in the radius of the barrel in the transition section relative to the length of the transition section. The tube section includes a connection mechanism.

Abstract: A mail notification system includes an alert unit that is positioned in a mailbox thereby facilitating the alert unit to sense when mail is placed in the mailbox. The alert unit transmits a first alert signal when the mail is placed in the mailbox. A display unit is provided and the display unit is in electrical communication with the alert unit. The display unit transmits a second alert signal when the display unit receives the first alert signal. An electronic device is provided and the electronic device is in wireless electrical communication with the display unit. The electronic device generates an alert when the display unit transmits the second alert signal. In this way the electronic device notifies the user of the mail in the mailbox.

Abstract: An improved high capacity milking claw comprising a top section removably connected to a bottom section to define a chamber that receives milk. A pressure manifold/collecting assembly attaches to the top section to flow milk into the chamber and connects to a vacuum system that draws milk from an animal. A bolt extends through a mounting stem in the bottom section to clamp the two sections together. Milk exits the chamber through a downwardly angled outlet. A transition area at the entrance to the outlet includes a scoop that extends below the lower end of the bottom section to increase the transition area and facilitate flow of milk from the chamber to achieve and maintain a stable vacuum. The scoop has a scoop length extending to the mounting stem, which is offset from the centerline of the bottom section to increase the size of the scoop.

Abstract: Methods and kits for decomposing organophosphorus compounds in non-aqueous media at ambient conditions are described. Insecticides, pesticides, and chemical warfare agents can be quickly decomposed to non-toxic products. The method comprises combining the organophosphorus compound with a non-aqueous solution, preferably an alcohol, comprising metal ions and at least a trace amount of alkoxide ions. In a first preferred embodiment, the metal ion is a lanthanum ion. In a second preferred embodiment, the metal ion is a transition metal.

Abstract: Methods and kits for decomposing organophosphorus compounds in non-aqueous media at ambient conditions are described. Insecticides, pesticides, and chemical warfare agents can be quickly decomposed to non-toxic products. The method comprises combining the organophosphorus compound with a non-aqueous solution, preferably an alcohol, comprising metal ions and at least a trace amount of alkoxide ions. In a first preferred embodiment, the metal ion is a lanthanum ion. In a second preferred embodiment, the metal ion is a transition metal.

Abstract: Methods and kits for decomposing organophosphorus compounds in non-aqueous media at ambient conditions are described. Insecticides, pesticides, and chemical warfare agents can be quickly decomposed to non-toxic products. The method comprises combining the organophosphorus compound with a non-aqueous solution, preferably an alcohol, comprising metal ions and at least a trace amount of alkoxide ions. In a first preferred embodiment, the metal ion is a lanthanum ion. In a second preferred embodiment, the metal ion is a transition metal.

Abstract: Efficient heterogeneous catalysts were prepared by derivatization and palladation of commercially available chloromethylated polystyrene, and derivatization and palladation of functionalized silica gels with benzylchloride pendant groups. Both polymer based and silica based heterogeneous catalysts exhibited catalytic activity. Catalytic activity was studied using methanolysis of commercially available P?S pesticides. Catalytic activity of catalysts immobilized on silica gel was greater than catalyst immobilized on polymer.

Abstract: A phenothiazinium compound, compositions and medicaments for use in promoting wound healing and a method for promoting wound healing or cosmetic use by applying or administering a phenothiazinium compound to a wound site or the skin, and optionally exposing the wound site or skin to light.

Abstract: Methods and kits for decomposing organophosphorus compounds in non-aqueous media at ambient conditions are described. Insecticides, pesticides, and chemical warfare agents can be quickly decomposed to non-toxic products. The method comprises combining the organophosphorus compound with a non-aqueous solution, preferably an alcohol, comprising metal ions and at least a trace amount of alkoxide ions. In a first preferred embodiment, the metal ion is a lanthanum ion. In a second preferred embodiment, the metal ion is a transition metal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polypeptide tag and a method using said polypeptide tag sequence for immobilizing a protein on a microporous material, said microporous material is selected from the group consisting of zeolite or similar solid surfaces whereby loss of activity of said protein is less than 10% of the initial activity prior to immobilization, the method comprising the steps of: 1. Selecting a polypeptide tag capable of binding to the surface, 2. Immobilizing said protein by the steps of: attaching said polypeptide tag to the protein, and binding said polypeptide tag to the solid surface where step (a) and (b) is performed simultaneously or sequentially and when performed sequentially, the order of step (a) and (b) is random, subject to the limitation that the polypeptide tag does not consist only of histidine residues.

Abstract: Methods and kits for decomposing organophosphorus compounds in non-aqueous media at ambient conditions are described. Insecticides, pesticides, and chemical warfare agents can be quickly decomposed to non-toxic products. The method comprises combining the organophosphorus compound with a non-aqueous solution, preferably an alcohol, comprising metal ions and at least a trace amount of alkoxide ions. In a first preferred embodiment, the metal ion is a lanthanum ion. In a second preferred embodiment, the metal ion is a transition metal.

Abstract: A specimen block storage module containing a plurality of shaped cavities into which each of a plurality of specimen blocks “snap”, i.e., are mechanically held in place by structural projections or detents formed on the cavity walls, thus eliminating the possibility of inadvertent dislodgement. Each cavity is indexed, e.g., by letter and number, providing for the rapid, accurate identification of every individual block. Each of the modules has on its undersurface a pressure sensitive adhesive which permits the module to be attached to any appropriate surface; e.g., the inside bottom of a fitted box, or in any combination desired onto a specially-designed, suitably-sized and preferably covered panel that fits into a protective binder (e.g., a standard three-ring binder) for holding a plurality of the panels in the desired order.

Abstract: A milking system having a substantially stable continuous vacuum level through a milk claw and milk hose. The milking system includes a milking apparatus for connection with an animal's teats to apply a controlled vacuum thereto to remove milk therefrom at various milk flow rates. A milk claw is operatively connected to the milking apparatus to receive and pass the milk. The milk claw includes an outlet having side walls and a predetermined cross-sectional area selected to be in the range of a minimum cross-sectional area for maintaining, at a all milk flow rates, a substantially uniform laminar flow of milk therethrough and for concurrently providing a stable continuous vacuum in a vacuum channel between the laminar flow of milk and the interior side walls of the outlet and a maximum cross-sectional area equal to about 1.5 times the minimum cross-sectional area.

Abstract: This invention provides for improved means to produce binding specific proteins using concatamers of semi-randomly generated oligonucleotides inserted into genes encoding the external domains of bacterial outer membrane proteins. The genes are induced to express and the bacteria are then screened for the ability to bind to predetermined compositions. Those clones carrying the desired binding protein are isolated, cultured and the protein purified. Increased avidity of the binding specific proteins are achieved by reisolating the oligonucleotides which conferred binding affinity and mixing them with new semi-randomly generated oligonucleotides to generate a population enriched for oligonucleotides that had previously conferred to bacteria the desired binding affinity.