Abstract: A air pre-cooler, water reservoir and distribution apparatus for evaporative air conditioners, incorporating an insulated, increased volume, self-cleaning water reservoir and a unique water distribution system, in which the cooling efficiency is increased through enhanced air water contact, and provides cleaner and cooler outlet air through particulate removal.

Abstract: An air cooling apparatus comprised of an injector cabinet fitted with a plurality electric solenoid operated injector valves, or standard nozzles which are controlled by an advanced computerized system which regulates the amount of moisture added to the air stream by activating the injectors based on direct measurement of indoor and outdoor dry bulb and wet bulb temperatures, mass flow through the apparatus and the thermostat setting. This water injection module may be located either upstream or downstream of any air-moving device. The device is also adaptable for use with existing coolers as a retrofit kit.

Abstract: A system for generating an animated image of at least the head of a character which is speaking, with the face of the character having visible articulation or expression matching the words being spoken, is described. An input stream of marked up text comprising text to be spoken by the animated character and instructions representing behavioral features are combined in a modified text stream which includes randomization instructions to create random behavioural features. The modified text stream is processed to produce an audio stream representing the text being spoken and a sequence of phonemes corresponding to portions of the audio signal. The phoneme stream is mapped by phoneme to viseme mapping means to produce a stream of morph targets. The morph targets are, in turn, combined with further random movement instructions and these are then processed in an animation module to generate an animated image of at least the character's head.

Abstract: Anti-microbial compositions for use on the outer surface of the human body or on apparel worn in close proximity thereto comprising a carrier material and a salt of a transition metal chelator comprising a transition metal chelator anion and particular organic cations. The chelator salts possess great formulation flexibility, being compatible with a wide range of other materials, and are believed to function by inhibiting the up-take of essential transition metal nutrients by microbes. Preferred chelators have high affinity for iron (III).

Abstract: A substantially anhydrous underarm cream composition suitable for topical application to the human skin, comprising an antiperspirant and/or deodorant agent, a carrier, a silica structurant and an alkyl methicone wax having the general formula:(CH.sub.3).sub.3 Si--?O--Si(R)(CH.sub.3)!.sub.x --O--Si(CH.sub.3).sub.3wherein R is a branched or unbranched alkyl group containing from 12 to 26 carbon atoms, the ratio of branched to unbranched alkyl groups is approximately from 1:5 to 1:2 and x ranges from 30 to 150.

Abstract: Polypeptides and fusion polypeptides that immunologically mimic the native Pl.sup.A1 and Pl.sup.A2 determinants of platelet protein GPIIIa are disclosed. Also disclosed are DNA segments and recombinant DNA molecules that encode those polypeptides and fusion polypeptides and methods for expressing and using those determinants. Antibodies that immunoreact with one determinant or the other, but not both are also disclosed, as are methods of preparing and using those antibodies.

Abstract: The present invention discloses polypeptides consisting essentially of an amino acid residue sequence corresponding to a formula selected from the group consisting of: Tyr-His-Asp-Arg-Lys-Glu-Phe-Ala-Lys-Phe-Glu-Glu-Glu-Arg-Ala-Arg-Ala-Lys-Tr p-Asp-Thr-Ala-Asn-Asn (SEQ ID NO 1); Ala-Asn-Asn-Pro-Leu-Tyr-Lys-Glu-Ala-Thr-Ser-Thr-Phe-Thr-Asn-Ile-Thr-Tyr-Ar g-Gly-Thr (SEQ ID NO 2); Ile-His-Asp-Arg-Lys-Glu-Phe-Ala-Lys-Phe-Glu-Glu-Glu-Arg-Ala-Arg-Ala-Lys-Tr p-Asp-Thr-Ala-Asn-Asn-Pro-Leu-Tyr-Lys-Glu-Ala-Thr-Ser-Thr-Phe-Thr-Asn-Ile-T hr-Tyr-Arg-Gly-Thr (SEQ ID NO 4); and Gly-Pro-Asp-Ile-Leu-Val-Val-Leu-Leu-Ser-Val-Met-Gly-Ala-Ile-Leu-Leu-Thr-Gl y-Leu-Ala-Ala-Leu-Leu-Ile-Trp-Lys-Leu-Leu-Ile-Thr-Ile-His-Asp-Arg-Lys-Glu-P he-Ala-Lys-Phe-Glu-Glu-Glu-Arg-Ala-Arg-Ala-Lys-Trp-Asp-Thr-Ala-Asn-Asn-Pro- Leu-Tyr-Lys-Glu-Ala-Thr-Ser-Thr-Phe-Thr-Asn-Ile-Thr-Tyr-Arg-Gly-Thr (SEQ ID NO 5), as well as diagnostic kits including same.

Abstract: A polypeptide consisting essentially of an amino acid residue sequence corresponding to a formula selected from the group consisting of:Tyr-His-Asp-Arg-Lys-Glu-Phe-Ala-Lys-Phe-Glu-Glu-Glu-Arg-Ala-Arg-Ala-Lys-Trp -Asp-Thr-Ala-Asn-Asn; andAla-Asn-Asn-Pro-Leu-Tyr-Lys-Glu-Ala-Thr-Ser-Thr-Phe-Thr-Asn-Ile-Thr-Tyr-Arg -Gly-Thr.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for assaying a sample of cells for the presence of a cell surface antigen. More particularly, the present invention describes methods for detecting the presence of plasma and cell bound autoantibodies against cell surface antigens. In addition, the present invention provides a method of crossmatching donor platelets and transfusion recipients.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for assaying a sample of cells for the presence of a cell surface antigen. More particularly, the present invention describes methods for detecting the presence of plasma and cell bound autoantibodies against cell surface antigens. In addition, the present invention provides a method of crossmatching donor platelets and transfusion recipients.

Abstract: A polypeptide consisting essentially of an amino acid residue sequence selected from the group consisting of:Tyr-His-Asp-Arg-Lys-Glu-Phe-Ala-Lys-Phe-Glu-Glu-Glu-Arg-Ala- Arg-Ala-Lys-Trp-Asp-Thr-Ala-Asn-Asn; SEQ ID No 1 andAla-Asn-Asn-Pro-Leu-Tyr-Lys-Glu-Ala-Thr- Ser-Thr-Phe-Thr-Asn-Ile-Thr-Tyr-Arg-Gly-Thr, SEQ ID No 2.

Abstract: Chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura is due to platelet destruction by circulating anti-platelet antibody. Although autoantibodies against the platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa complex and glycoprotein Ib have been demonstrated using various methods, practical assays for detection of platelet-associated or plasma autoantibodies have not been available. I studied 44 patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura where platelet-associated and plasma autoantibodies against the glycoprotein IIb/IIIa complex and glycoprotein Ib were measured using a newly developed immunobead assay and a previously reported microtiter well assay. Platelet-associated autoantibody was detected using the immunobead assay in nine of 11 patients (81.8%; seven with anti-GPIIb/IIIa, two with anti-GPIb). Plasma autoantibodies were noted in 28 of 44 patients (63.6%; 19 with anti-GPIIb/IIIa, seven with anti-GPIb and two with both).