Abstract: A refrigerated merchandiser including a case defining a product display area and including an air inlet and an air outlet in communication with the product display area to form an air curtain across a front of the product display area. The refrigerated merchandiser also includes a shelf that is coupled to the case within the product display area. The shelf includes insulation between a top and a bottom of the shelf, and a passive heat exchanger that has a heat pipe embedded in the shelf within the insulation and that extends from a front of the shelf to a back of the shelf. Ambient air infiltrating the air curtain initiates passive heat transfer within the plurality of heat tubes.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pre-coated substrate, such as a slide, that is useful for immobilizing a sample. The invention is further provides methods of preparing such pre-coated substrates and methods of analyzing biological samples immobilized on such pre-coated substrate. The substrate is coated with a polycationic polymeric coating material specifically selected such that that coated substrate exhibits increased stability and prolonged shelf-life. Preferred polymeric coating materials include allylic or vinylic polymers having cationic groups thereon and having no more than a small percentage of peptidic monomeric linkages, particularly polydiallyldimethylammonium (PDDA).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pre-coated substrate, such as a slide, that is useful for immobilizing a sample. The invention is further provides methods of preparing such pre-coated substrates and methods of analyzing biological samples immobilized on such pre-coated substrate. The substrate is coated with a polycationic polymeric coating material specifically selected such that that coated substrate exhibits increased stability and prolonged shelf-life. Preferred polymeric coating materials include allylic or vinylic polymers having cationic groups thereon and having no more than a small percentage of peptidic monomeric linkages, particularly polydiallyldimethylammonium (PDDA).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pre-coated substrate, such as a slide, that is useful for immobilizing a sample. The invention is further provides methods of preparing such pre-coated substrates and methods of analyzing biological samples immobilized on such pre-coated substrate. The substrate is coated with a polycationic polymeric coating material specifically selected such that that coated substrate exhibits increased stability and prolonged shelf-life. Preferred polymeric coating materials include allylic or vinylic polymers having cationic groups thereon and having no more than a small percentage of peptidic monomeric linkages, particularly polydiallyldimethylammonium (PDDA).

Abstract: A pressure-responsive container assembly and elastically-deformable penetrable cap is provided. Embodiments of the penetrable cap of the present invention include, but are not limited to: an annular sealing portion for engaging an inner surface of a container, a substantially rigid portion extending radially inward from the annular sealing portion; a flexible transition portion extending radially inward from the substantially rigid portion; and a penetrable portion extending radially inward from the transition portion for closing the opening defined by the container. Thus, embodiments of the present invention may thus allow the penetrable portion to elastically deform about the transition portion to a generally convex shape so as to exert a radially outward force that may be transmitted by the substantially rigid portion to the annular sealing portion so as to reinforce a fluid-tight seal between the annular sealing portion and the inner surface of the container.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in depositing and staining cytological material on a microscope slide has an elongated hollow tube, a base member, at least one flange, and a base plate. The base member is attached to the bottom end of the tube and projects outwardly from the tube perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tube. At least one flange is connected to the base member and outwardly-extends from the base member perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tube. The base member has a recessed area configured to receive the microscope slide, and slots configured and dimensioned to receive the flange. A passage in the base plate extends from each slot to releasably secure the respective flange when the tube is rotated. As designed, this apparatus advantageously allows individual staining of a slide, thereby preventing false-positive results due to floater cells which can translocate between slides in a common bath.

Abstract: A device for disaggregating cytological material includes a cylindrical body and a plurality of shear plates at least one of which is located at the bottom end of the cylindrical body. The shear plates have a plurality of holes or slots formed therein which disaggregate the cellular sample and permit the passage of single cells and small cell clusters into a chamber defined by the cylindrical body.

Abstract: A process for producing a monolayer of cytological material on an optically-clear, cationically-charged substrate, includes the steps of separating the cytological material by centrifugation over a density gradient, producing a packed pellet of the cytological material, mixing the pellet of the cytological material, withdrawing an aliquot of a predetermined volume of the material from the mixed pellet of the cytological material, depositing the aliquot and a predetermined volume of water into a sedimentation vessel, which is removably secured to the substrate, allowing the cytological material to settle onto the substrate under the force of gravity, and after settlement of the cytological material, removing the water from the sedimentation vessel.

Abstract: A microtiter plate containing a plurality of reaction wells for conducting immunogenic reactions the bottom wall of the reaction well has an inner surface which is substantially hydrophilic, and the side wall of the reaction well has an inner surface which is substantially hydrophobic and a process for producing said trays.

Abstract: A microtiter plate containing a plurality of reaction wells for conducting immunogenic reactions wherein the bottom wall of the reaction well has an inner surface which is substantially hydrophilic, and the side wall of the reaction well has an inner surface which is substantially hydrophobic and a process for producing said trays.