Provided are astexin-1, astexin-2 and astexin-3 lasso peptides, which are based on sequences identified in Asticaccaulis excentricus, and methods of making and using same. Astexin-1 is highly polar, in contrast to many lasso peptides that are primarily hydrophobic, and has modest antimicrobial activity against Caulobacter crescentus, a bacterium related to Asticaccaulis excentricus. The solution structure of astexin-1 was determined, revealing a unique topology that is stabilized by hydrogen bonding between segments of the peptide. Astexins-2 and -3 are intracellular lasso peptides.

The invention relates to a method for treating emergency spill or leak of halogen which is bromine or chlorine, comprising contacting an aqueous solution of quaternary ammonium halide with the halogen.

The invention relates to a method for treating emergency spill or leak of halogen which is bromine or chlorine, comprising contacting an aqueous solution of quaternary ammonium halide with the halogen.

General medication disposal systems are provided. Aspects of the systems include devices having a sealable container dimensioned to accommodate a pharmaceutical composition; and an amount of an inactivating substance, e.g., granulated or pelletized activated carbon, present inside of the of sealable container. Aspects of the invention further include methods of making and using the systems, as well as kits comprises the devices of the system.

General medication disposal systems are provided. Aspects of the systems include devices having a sealable container dimensioned to accommodate a pharmaceutical composition; and an amount of an inactivating substance, e.g., granulated or pelletized activated carbon, present inside of the of sealable container. Aspects of the invention further include methods of making and using the systems, as well as kits comprises the devices of the system.

The potential for substance abuse involving residual amounts of abusable substances remaining in used skin-worn patches is reduced by the provision of a system and method for combining the abusable substance with a separate anti-abuse substance agent as part of a removal or disposal procedure.

The potential for substance abuse involving residual amounts of abusable substances remaining in used skin-worn patches is reduced by the provision of a system and method for combining the abusable substance with a separate anti-abuse substance agent as part of a removal or disposal procedure.

Disclosed is a method for stabilizing metallic mercury in the form of mercury sulfide. The method includes the following steps: a) dispersing metallic mercury in a polysulfide aqueous solution so as to convert the metallic mercury into mercury sulfide; and b) separating the mercury sulfide.

Disclosed is a method for stabilizing metallic mercury in the form of mercury sulfide. The method includes the following steps: a) dispersing metallic mercury in a polysulfide aqueous solution so as to convert the metallic mercury into mercury sulfide; and b) separating the mercury sulfide.

A method of decommissioning a nuclear reactor including a vessel defining an inner chamber and reactor internal components positioned within the inner chamber includes removing at least some of the internal components and repackaging at least some of the removed internal components in at least one of the first and second predefined sections of the vessel defining a cutting zone between the at least first and second predefined sections. The method further includes disposing the vessel in a container, and encapsulating the internal components in the vessel and encapsulating the vessel in the container to generate a package. A package including components from a decommissioned and dismantled nuclear reactor includes a vessel and a plurality of components encapsulated in the vessel.