Abstract: The present invention provides a purified and isolated nucleic acid encoding human prostaglandin transporter (hPGT). The present invention also provides a vector comprising a nucleic acid encoding human prostaglandin transporter (hPGT), a cell stably transformed with this vector, as well as a method for producing a recombinant, human prostaglandin transporter (hPGT). The present invention also provides a purified and isolated human prostaglandin transporter (hPGT), and an antibody immunoreactive with this protein. The present invention further provides a method for evaluating the uptake of a selected prostaglandin by cells expressing nucleic acid encoding human prostaglandin transporter (hPGT).

Abstract: The primary function of the optional handler is to make plates available on demand to the imaging engine. A multitude of plates are stored inside cassettes and these cassettes are loaded into the handler. There may be up to four cassettes residing in the handler. Inside a cassette there may be a protective interleaf sheet, sometimes called a slip sheet, between each plate which is removed by the handler and discarded. The handler receives commands from the engine control sequencer which provides instructions as to what cassette needs to be accessed to make a plate available to the picker mechanism so the plate may be conveyed to the imaging engine. Conversely the handler provides status information to the engine to make full interaction with the system possible.

Abstract: An aqueous solution for sensitizing the surface of a substrate to facilit the metallization of such surface. The solution comprises a stannous salt, a precious metal salt and a source of chloride ions. The stannous salt may be stannous chloride, the precious metal salt may be a salt of palladium, platinum, iridium, silver or gold and the source of the chloride ion may be a salt such as sodium chloride or potassium chloride or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A media buffer capable of buffering two lengths of media, is fed a first length of media from an imagesetter at a first speed, and releases the media to a processor at a second speed. An input media sensor senses the media entering the buffer. Drive rollers take up the leading edge of the media at the imagesetter speed. Shortly thereafter a signal from an output media sensor located between the drive rollers and the processor, opens an input door to an input bin and stops the drive rollers. The incoming media continues to be fed by the imagesetter forming a first slack loop within the input bin. The imagesetter signals the buffer that the media has been cut, thereby actuating drive rollers to advance the media at the processor speed to a pair of rollers in the processor. A signal from the processor sensor opens an output door to an output bin. The drive rollers increase speed to transport the first piece of media from the input bin to the output bin thereby forming a second slack loop.

Abstract: A laundry detergent composition contains organic surfactant, zeolite MAP builder, and a soil release polymer which is a defined water-soluble or water-dispersible sulphonated non-end-capped polyester, for example, of terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, sulphoisophthalic acid and ethylene glycol.

Abstract: An apparatus for anesthetizing animals for slaughter has a gas chamber with an inlet at one end and an outlet at another end, and an inclined inlet ramp extending to the inlet of the chamber and a declined outlet chute for receiving anesthetized animals from the outlet of the chamber. The inlet ramp is sized to force the animals to proceed to the inlet in single file. A continuous belly conveyor extends through the gas chamber from the inlet, through an anesthetizing gas zone, and through the outlet for supporting the animals on their bellies and transporting them through the gas chamber in single file at a rate sufficiently slow to ensure each animal is rendered unconscious by the time it reaches the outlet. The conveyor has a pickup portion extending from the inlet of the chamber into the inlet ramp for receiving individual animals and supporting them on their bellies for introduction into the chamber.

Abstract: A non-bleaching laundry detergent composition suitable for washing delicate fabrics, having a 1 wt % aqueous solution pH in demineralised water at 25.degree. C. not exceeding 10, contains surfactant, detergency builder, and a soil release polymer which is a defined water-soluble or water-dispersible sulphonated non-end-capped polyester, for example, of terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, sulphoisophthalic acid and ethylene glycol.

Abstract: A laundry detergent composition contains a surfactant system consisting wholly of anionic surfactant, or of anionic and nonionic surfactants in a ratio at least 0.9:1, a detergency builder, and a soil release polymer which is a defined water-soluble or water-dispersible sulphonated non-end-capped polyester, for example, of terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, sulphoisophthalic acid and ethylene glycol.

Abstract: A cosmetic composition comprising a hydroxy material selected from a layered double hydroxides and hydroxy salts which is suitable for treating the skin and delivering thereto the benefit agents.

Abstract: An autotransfusion system including a rigid receptacle carrying a blood collection bag internally and a manually operable portable vacuum source (MOPVS) also carried by the rigid receptacle. The system may be configured in a blood collection mode wherein the MOPVS is in flow communication with the interstitial space between the collection bag and the rigid receptacle to cause a negative pressure therein to draw blood from the patient's wound. In a reinfusion mode, the MOPVS is disconnected from the rigid receptacle and is directly connected to the drain tube leading to the patient to drain unwanted fluid from the patient's wound. The rigid receptacle is inverted and connected to a transfusion line to reinfuse the blood collected within the blood collection bag. The interstitial space is vented to ambient pressure such that the blood within the collection bag is reinfused under force of gravity alone.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to mixed fatty acid soap based bar compositions, which may include synthetic surfactants as co-actives, wherein relatively small amounts of specified polyoxyethylene-polypropylene nonionic polymer has been found to enhance mildness and reduced mush of bar compositions without sacrificing the user properties and processability of the formulations.

Abstract: A water-soluble copolyester comprising units of a polyglycol or capped polyglycol (for example, polyethylene glycol or polyethylene glycol methyl ether), an aromatic dicarboxylic acid (for example, terephthalic acid) and at least 30 mole % of a polyol having at least three hydroxyl groups (for example, glycerol), but free of ethylene glycol units, is a highly effective soil release polymer for use in detergent compositions. The aromatic dicarboxylic acid units may include units of a sulphonated aromatic dicarboxylic acid (for example, sulphoisophthalic acid).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new class of carbohydrate based nonionic surfactant, i.e., alkyl and alkenyl glycasuccinamide, and a process for their manufacture.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for customizing a skin foundation product for a customer at a location remote from a central location where the product is prepared. The essential elements are that of a skin analyzer for reading skin properties, a telemodem means connectable to the device for transmitting the signal conveying information to a central monitoring location, a device at the central monitoring location which receives the reading and correlates same with an optimal formula and a formulation machine for preparing the facial foundation product from various cosmetic chemical compositions. The formulation machine receives instructions from the device on the optimal formula. This formula is then dosed and blended from a series of dispensers containing separate cosmetic chemical compositions into a receiving container. The container is then delivered to the customer at his remote site.

Abstract: A bleach system is described that includes a peroxygen compound which is hydrogen peroxide or an inorganic substance that generates hydrogen peroxide in water, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.30 imine and a transition metal catalyst. Use of the transition metal catalyst promotes the interaction of the hydrogen peroxide and imine thereby enhancing bleach performance.

Abstract: An overlay sheet having a first thin layer of a polymer material joined to a second thin layer of a hard material such as a phenolic, melamine or metal foil. The sheet is applied to a surface of a printed circuit board such that the metal foil is against the board surface, and the first layer is exposed to receive the drill bit. During drilling operations, the drill bit is advanced initially through the softer first layer of the polymer material, immobilizing the tip of the drill bit against lateral movement, then through the harder layer, and finally through the printed circuit board. The harder layer prevents formation of burrs, and the polymer material inhibits drill bit wander.

Abstract: A shifter assembly for a shifting a vehicle transmission via a telescopeable transmission shift cable is provided. The shifter assembly includes a base, a shift lever pivoted to the base, a cable-actuating arm pivotally attached to the shift lever and adapted for operative connection to the transmission shift cable, and a coupler for securing the cable-actuating arm to the shift lever in an adjusted position. The coupler is movable between an adjustment-permitting position where a length variation in the transmission cable can be accommodated, and an interlocked position where the cable-actuating arm is secured to the shift lever. A manual, pawl-biased actuator on the shift lever is adapted to engage the coupler to move the coupler from the installed position to the interlocked position when the transmission cable is at a desired position.

Abstract: An extruded toilet bar composition comprises mixtures of chips containing polyalkylene glycol, benefit agent and fumed silica, and chips containing a surfactant system.

Abstract: Enzymatic compositions with improved storage stability of the enzymes contained therein are obtained by including an enzyme stabiliser, preferably by way of a particular process.