Abstract: A sampling apparatus is characterized by a sampler for obtaining samples of a dry product from a vessel. The sampler has a bore with a forward opening in communication with the product in the vessel. A plunger of the sampler has an annular recess intermediate its ends, and is manually extended forward in the bore to project the recess through the bore forward opening and into the vessel to receive a product sample in the recess. The plunger is then manually retracted rearward from the vessel to convey the product sample in its recess to a sample collection point in the sampler bore. When the plunger recess is at the sample collection point, a length of open bore exists between the front of the plunger and the bore forward opening. So that product from the vessel does not enter the bore opening and accumulate in and block the bore in front of the plunger, after collection of the sample, the plunger is manually extended forward to a parked position.

Abstract: A sampling apparatus is characterized by a sampler operable to obtain samples of liquid product from a body of product in a vessel. The sampler includes a plunger having a sample receiving recess and a connecting device couples the sampler to the vessel at an aperture to the vessel. The sampler is attached to the connecting device and the connecting device is moveable between a first position placing the sampler into, and a second position taking the sampler out of, communication with the aperture. With the connecting device in the first position, the plunger is reciprocated to extend the plunger and its recess through the connecting device and vessel aperture into product in the vessel to receive a product sample in the recess. The plunger is then retracted from the vessel and through the connecting device to deliver the product sample to a collection point.

Abstract: This invention is directed to dihydropyrimidines which are selective antagonists for human &agr;1a receptors. This invention is also related to uses of these compounds for relaxing lower urinary tract tissue, treating benign prostatic hyperplasia and for the treatment of any disease where the antagonism of the &agr;1a receptor may be useful. The invention further provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of the above-defined compounds and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: A headliner system configured to mount to a vehicle roof structure comprises a retainer clip coupled to a substrate, and a handle movable between a first position and a second position. The handle is retained by a retaining system such as a biasing element captured between the roof structure and a projection. A method of mounting a handle to vehicle roof structure comprises providing a retaining system comprising a retainer clip, coupling the retainer clip to a headliner, coupling the handle to the retainer clip and orientating it in a first position, moving the handle to a second position to capture a portion of the handle between the retainer clip and a projection, locating the headliner relative to the roof structure, and moving the handle to a third position to retain a portion of the handle between at least a portion of the retaining system and the roof structure.

Abstract: This invention is directed to dihydropyrimidines which are selective antagonists for human &agr;1a receptors. This invention is also related to uses of these compounds for relaxing lower urinary tract tissue, treating benign prostatic hyperplasia and for the treatment of any disease where the antagonism of the &agr;1a receptor may be useful. The invention further provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of the above-defined compounds and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: A sampling apparatus is characterized by a sampler operable to obtain samples of liquid product from a body of product in a vessel. The sampler includes a plunger having a sample receiving recess and a connecting device couples the sampler to the vessel at an aperture to the vessel. The sampler is attached to the connecting device and the connecting device is moveable between a first position placing the sampler into, and a second position taking the sampler out of, communication with the aperture. With the connecting device in the first position, the plunger is reciprocated to extend the plunger and its recess through the connecting device and vessel aperture into product in the vessel to receive a product sample in the recess. The plunger is then retracted from the vessel and through the connecting device to deliver the product sample to a collection point.

Abstract: A sampling apparatus is characterized by a sampler for obtaining samples of a dry product from a vessel. The sampler has a bore with a forward opening in communication with the product in the vessel. A plunger of the sampler has an annular recess intermediate its ends, and is manually extended forward in the bore to project the recess through the bore forward opening and into the vessel to receive a product sample in the recess. The plunger is then manually retracted rearward from the vessel to convey the product sample in its recess to a sample collection point in the sampler bore. When the plunger recess is at the sample collection point, a length of open bore exists between the front of the plunger and the bore forward opening. So that product from the vessel does not enter the bore opening and accumulate in and block the bore in front of the plunger, after collection of the sample, the plunger is manually extended forward to a parked position.

Abstract: An unpainted thermoplastic material is provided. The unpainted thermoplastic material includes a microscopically deformed surface having a gloss less than about 3.0. A method of reducing gloss of a formed thermoplastic material is also provided. The method includes impacting a surface of the formed thermoplastic material with a particulate so as to effect light reflecting properties of the surface. The surface is microscopically deformed such that the light reflecting properties provide a gloss of less than about 3.0. The particulate is selected from the group consisting of baking powder, ice, sand, glass beads, and subliming particles.

Abstract: A safety guard assembly is adapted to be conveniently moved into position between a work area and an operator station. The safety guard is characterized by a unitary transparent polymer having a planar portion and ribs that impart to the planar portion rigidity against longitudinal bending and transverse flexing. Brackets are attached to opposite sides of the guard and an associated handle and one end of an associated universal support arm are connected to each bracket. The opposite end of each universal support arm is mounted remote from the work area. The handles and universal support arms enable the guard to be quickly and conveniently moved by an operator between positions adjacent to and remote from the work area. When moved between the work area and operator station, the guard restricts, from passage to the work station, chips, broken tools, coolant, etc.

Abstract: Spirotricyclic azacycloalkyl compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof are disclosed. The synthesis of these compounds is also described. One application of these compounds, which are alpha 1a adrenergic receptor antagonists, is in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. These compounds are selective in their ability to relax smooth muscle tissue enriched in the alpha 1a receptor subtype without at the same time inducing hypotension. One such tissue is found surrounding the urethral lining. Therefore, one utility of the instant compounds is to provide acute relief to males suffering from benign prostatic hyperplasia, by permitting less hindered urine flow. Another utility of the instant compounds is provided by combination with a human 5-alpha reductase inhibitory compound, such that both acute and chronic relief from the effects of benign prostatic hyperplasia can be achieved.

Abstract: A sampling apparatus is adapted to obtain samples of fluid product of a type that tends to form a dead layer of product on inner walls of a process line. The apparatus has a sampler body having a bore that opens at a forward end of the body. A plunger in the bore has a sample obtaining recess intermediate its ends. The apparatus is coupled to the process line at an opening to the process line and has two motors. One motor reciprocates the sampler body between a first position where its forward end is retracted to the exterior of a flow stream of product in the process line that exists inwardly of the dead layer of product, and a second position where its forward end extends into the flow stream.

Abstract: Lactam and cyclic urea derivatives and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts are disclosed. The synthesis of these compounds and their use as alpha 1a adrenergic receptor antagonists is also described. One application of these compounds is in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. These compounds are typically selective in their ability to relax smooth muscle tissue enriched in the alpha 1a receptor subtype without at the same time inducing hypotension. One such tissue is found surrounding the urethral lining. Therefore, one utility of the instant compounds is to provide acute relief to males suffering from benign prostatic hyperplasia, by permitting less hindered urine flow. Another utility of the instant compounds is provided by combination with a human 5-alpha reductase inhibitory compound, such that both acute and chronic relief from the effects of benign prostatic hyperplasia can be achieved.

Abstract: This invention is directed to dihydropyrimidines which are selective antagonists for human &agr;1a receptors. This invention is also related to uses of these compounds for relaxing lower urinary tract tissue, treating benign prostatic hyperplasia and for the treatment of any disease where the antagonism of the &agr;1a receptor may be useful. The invention further provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of the above-defined compounds and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: This invention is directed to dihydropyrimidines which are selective antagonists for human &agr;1a receptors. This invention is also related to uses of these compounds for relaxing lower urinary tract tissue, treating benign prostatic hyperplasia and for the treatment of any disease where the antagonism of the &agr;1a receptor may be useful. The invention further provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of the above-defined compounds and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring and maintenance of unattended robot liquid storage and dispensing sites, including a site controller and site monitor. The site monitor continuously appends text strings received from the site controller to HTML text log files and HTLM text report files and simultaneously compares the stored text strings representing site events to be monitored with evaluation messages. Each evaluation message is linked to an alert code, which in response to an evaluation message text string match initiates a particular set of responses, including sending notice of site failures and other remote site information to a home office via fax, pager and/or email. The site monitor also collects the information gathered from the site controller, the tank monitor, alarm system and any other site devices and stores the information in a one or more HTML text files, which information then takes the form of a web page with hypertext links to images related to the stored information.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for measuring conductivity or resistivity compensates for series capacitance and parallel capacitance. A sine wave excitation potential is applied to the series combination of a reference resistance and a conductivity cell. The voltages across the reference resistance and the cell are sampled. To compensate for series capacitance, both sampled voltages are synchronously rectified with respect to the phase of the sampled reference resistance voltage. To compensate for parallel capacitance, both sampled voltages are synchronously rectified with respect to the phase of the sampled cell voltage. The rectified voltages are integrated and the cell conductivity or resistivity is calculated from the product of the reference resistance and the ratio of the integrated voltages.

Abstract: A sampling apparatus is characterized by a sampler coupled to a product-containing vessel by an adapter. The sampler has a bore received in the adapter and leading to an opening in the vessel. A plunger in the bore has an annular recess intermediate its ends. The plunger is reciprocated forward in the bore to project the recess through a forward outlet from the bore and through the vessel opening into the vessel to receive a sample of liquid therein. The plunger is then reciprocated rearward to retract the recess from the vessel and into the bore to a sample delivery point. When the plunger is in the sample delivery position, a relatively long portion of the sampler bore exists between the front of the plunger and the forward bore outlet. The sampler has two motors. A first one of the motors reciprocates the plunger during sampling cycles between its sample receiving and sample delivering positions.