Abstract: A novel protein which has an activity to transport hydantoin compounds is described, as well as a recombinant expressing this transporter protein. From Microbacterium liquefaciens strain AJ3912, a novel gene was discovered to encode a protein which is able to transport hydantoin compounds. A recombinant with an excellent ability to uptake hydantoin compounds is obtained by introducing and expressing the novel gene, called mhp, using gene recombination techniques.

Abstract: This invention is directed to improvements in manufacturing substrates, such as paper, incorporating an elongate element (13), to a method of and apparatus for making such paper and to documents made therefrom. The method comprises the steps of depositing fibres onto a moving support surface (10) to form a substrate (14) and introducing an elongate element (13) such that it is at least partially embedded in the substrate (14). Information pertaining to the location of a control feature of the elongate element (18) and the location of the substrate (17) are monitored and provided to a controller (16), which controls the tension of the elongate element (13) as it is introduced into the substrate (14). The location information is used to control the rate at which the elongate element is introduced so that the elongate element control feature is in registration with at least one control feature of the substrate (14).

Abstract: A scanning device for: scanning coded data disposed on a surface; and generating interaction data based on the sensed coded data, the interaction data being indicative of interaction of the scanning device with the surface; the coded data including, at a plurality of locations on the interface surface, a corresponding plurality of coded data portions, the scanning device comprising: (a) a laser source and scan optics configured to emit a scanning beam through an aperture in a housing of the scanning device, the scanning beam being directed in first and second orthogonal directions to thereby generate a raster scan pattern over a scanning patch, the scanning patch being positioned to cause the exposure of the at least one coded data portion when the surface and the sensing device are positioned operatively with respect to each other; (b) a photodetector for detecting reflection of the scanning beam from the surface, thereby to capture sample information; (c) at least one analog to digital converter for convert

Abstract: A goods hoist having an elevator cage with controlled access arranged to move between a lower station and an upper station by a fluid pressure operated ram associated with a hoist mechanism located at the lower station and supported adjacent the upper station; the controlled access prevents access unless the cage is located at a predetermined location via safety interlocks.

Abstract: A re-enterable environmentally sealed enclosure for housing circuitry and/or cable components of a communication network employs a removable cover attached to an enclosure base by a pivoting cam-tracking system. The tracking configuration positions the cover in a manner that, as it approaches the enclosure base when being closed, a seal located in the cover is evenly compressed along its entire perimeter against a corresponding mating surface on the base, thereby distributing the compressive force equally across the entire seal, with any shear forces substantially eliminated. A single tensioning system is provided adjacent the cam-tracking system, so that the tracking system does not operate as a counter-lever to the tensioning system, and visa versa, thereby improving the distribution of force across the seal.

Abstract: An intregal cable retention and sealing apparatus has reusable clamping mechanisms for the entry and exit of a wide variety of cable types and sizes to a sealed enclosure. The device is formed by "mirror-image" body halves having, when assembled, at least one axial passageway formed therethrough to accomodate one or more respective cables. One end of the apparatus includes a chamber for housing a sealing medium, whereas the other end includes a cable retention mechanism.

Abstract: A polyolefin mould for casting contact lenses from a polymerizable monomer composition which shrinks on polymerization, said mould comprising: male (50) and female (51) mould halves at least one of which has a flexible diaphragm portion (53, 54) which is shaped to provide a surface corresponding to a lenticular surface, said mould halves (50, 51), when closed together, cooperating to define a mould cavity (52) for receiving a volume of said monomer composition, at least one of said mould halves (50, 51) having a shoulder portion (55, 56) surrounding said cavity and shaped to engage with said other mould half to define an edge moulding portion of said cavity: whereby in use said diaphragm (53, 54) is deflected into said cavity under forces exerted on said mould by said monomer composition when polymerized in said closed cavity (52), thereby compensating for the shrinkage occurring on polymerization and avoiding the formation of bubbles or voids in the resulting lenses.

Abstract: A polyolefin mould for casting contact lenses from a polymerizable monomer composition which shrinks on polymerization, said mould comprising: male (50) and female (51) mould halves at least one of which has a flexible diaphragm portion (53, 54) which is shaped to provide a surface corresponding to a lenticular surface, said mould halves (50, 51), when closed together, cooperating to define a mould cavity (52) for receiving a volume of said monomer composition, at least one of said mould halves (50, 51) having a shoulder portion (55, 56) surrounding said cavity and shaped to engage with said other mould half to define an edge moulding portion of said cavity; whereby in use said diaphragm (53, 54) is deflected into said cavity under forces exerted on said mould by said monomer composition when polymerized in said closed cavity (52), thereby compensating for the shrinkage occurring on polymerization and avoiding the formation of bubbles or voids in the resulting lenses.