Abstract: An automatic and improved electrical control for an automatic hydronic zone valve including a switching device for opening and closing solenoid valves based on adjustable temperature settings. Specifically, the preferred system involves a solenoid-controlled valve in which the solenoid is activated and deactivated by an electrical control circuit which relies on an external thermostatic switch and an internal relay to open and alternately close the following sub-circuits: a solenoid control sub-circuit which is directly connected to the valve solenoid, an AC to DC converter, relay control circuitry, a relay switch connection to a water circulator system and LED sub-circuits indicating power status and/or activation of the heating system. The solenoid control sub-circuit includes a series thermistor and a parallel capacitor to, respectively, slow the provision of electrical current to the solenoid to avoid "water hammer," and, quiet the electronic hum of the solenoid.

Abstract: Dolastatin 10, a linear pentapeptide, has shown potent antineoplastic activity profiles against various experimental cancer systems.The design and synthesis of structural modifications of dolastatin 10 having significant antineoplastic activity against human cancer cell lines has been accomplished. Members of this group have demonstrated significant antineoplastic activity against selected human cancer cell lines. Especially: Ovarian OVSCAR-3; Central Nervous System ("CNS") SF295; Renal A498; Lung NCI460; Colon KM20L2 and Melanoma SK-MEL-3.

Abstract: A device for winding and locking collapsible tubes or like containers. This device involves a key-like assembly having at least one handle portion and a spindle about which the tube/container is to be wound. The handle portion also includes at least one flange or stop member that is itself flexible or is flexibly connected to the handle portion. The stop member provides for locking the wound portion of the tube/container on the spindle by resilient contact with the tube/container after being flexibly moved from one side to the other of the tube/container.

Abstract: A belt feeder for the rapid and successive in-line transportation of small electronic components. The belt feeder has an inclined dispensing portion with at least one dispensing lane, a conveyor portion having an intermittently moving conveyor belt and at least one conveyor guide lane superposed above the conveyor belt, and a receiving nose structure having at least one nest structure mounted thereon at the end of the conveyor belt and forming a nest. The inclined track is positioned adjacent and above the conveyor track to allow the components enough space to be successively dispensed to the conveyor belt from the dispensing lane and into the conveyor guide lane where the component is intermittently carried forward by the conveyor belt until it comes to rest within its nest.

Abstract: A comprehensive oral hygiene device preferably having a multi-headed oral care brush disposed at one end of an elongated handle and a manufacturing process therefor. The oral care brush of the present invention has at lease one head and preferably two heads which are disposed in angular, generally opposing coactive relationship to each other. Each of the opposing heads is integrally formed on an independently manufactured flexible arm and each arm is subsequently attached to the elongated handle. The attachment of the arms to the handle involves a secondary process called overmolding. Overmolding in this case involves the placement of the arms in a secondary mold in operative position against the end of the handle. Then, a soft, preferably rubber-like material is injected into the secondary mold and surrounds elongated portions of the arms and the handle. When cured and removed from the secondary mold, the rubber-like material secures the arms in operative position against the handle.

Abstract: A completely solubilized alcohol-free topical composition of azelaic acid in a glycol base which is stable at normal temperatures and which is useful as a commercial substitute for dispersed azelaic acid preparations. The composition has a pH of 4.0 or greater thereby substantially reducing irritation.

Abstract: An audio label comprising a circuit board substrate with a sound-generating microchip and a photovoltaic cell both attached to the substrate such that the microchip is electrically connected to the photovoltaic cell so that power is provided to the sound-generating microchip. A sound reproduction unit is also attached to the substrate and is connected to the sound-generating microchip communicates signals to the sound reproduction unit which are then converted by the sound reproduction unit to audible sounds. A system for audio label operation is also disclosed. The system includes a separate transmitter which transmits electromagnetic waves, such as light, infrared or radio waves to one or more audio labels which have electromagnetic wave receiving circuit elements, such as phototransistors disposed thereon. The transmitter thus sends wave signals to each label each of which then converts the wave signals to electric signals which each sound reproduction unit then converts to audible sounds.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an automated composting apparatus which includes a rotatable drum assembly mounted to a chassis which is adapted to provide wheeled transportability for the entire composting apparatus. Automation is provided primarily by a feedback control system having at least one sensor disposed inside the rotatable drum assembly, and being disposed to control the temperature and flow of air and/or water into the composting materials disposed in the rotatable drum assembly. The interior of the rotatable drum assembly has several unique features including a plurality of stationary dispensers mounted to a stationary, substantially hollow axle. The dispensers are adapted to disperse air and/or water into the compost material as the compost material is moved in and through the rotatable drum assembly.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to the field of antifungal agents and a pharmaceutical preparation containing those agents which appear to be potentially useful in the field of antifungal therapy. More particularly, this invention relates to the discovery of remarkably unexpected properties for a series of macrocyclic lactone polyethers (spongistatins) which are derived from the marine sponges Spongia sp. and Spirastrella spinispirulifera and which inhibited growth of yeasts and filamentous fungi in disk diffusion and broth macrodilution (for spongistatin 1) assays. Spongistatins 2-7 likewise demonstrated antifungal activity in disk diffusion methods.

Abstract: A litter box and pivotal sifting device assembly having an open base portion and a pivotally movable sifting device operably attached thereto. The base portion also has a litter holding wing portion operatively associated therewith and extending upwardly and outwardly therefrom. The pivotal sifting device is initially disposed beneath a layer of loose litter material. Thereafter, the sifting device is pivotally movable up through the litter material to collect clumped absorbent litter and fecal matter wastes thereupon while permitting loose litter material to pass therethrough. The sifting device is pivoted still further to deliver the wastes to a disposal site.

Abstract: Two new compounds which may be useful in the treatment of one or more neoplastic diseases through chemotherapy have been isolated from the Western Pacific Ocean marine sponge Phakellia sp. The cyclic octapeptides phakellistatin 10 and phakellistatin 11 are disclosed herein.As the included data demonstrate, phakellistatin 10 attained an LC.sub.50 of less than 10.sup.-5 M per milliliter against the MDA-MB-435 breast cancer cell line. It also achieved total growth inhibition for two breast cancers and two CNS cancer cell lines at a concentration of less than 10.sup.-6 M per milliliter. The included data for phakellistatin 11 shows a moderately higher level of in vitro activity as shown by an LC.sub.50 of less than 10.sup.-5 M per milliliter against the MDA-MB-435 breast cancer cell line and five other cell lines. It also achieved total growth inhibition for two breast cancers, one CNS cancer, one Ovarian cancer, and one non-small cell lung cancer cell lines at a concentration of less than 10.sup.

Abstract: The sea hare Dolabella auricularia has yielded many structurally distinct peptides which possess antineoplastic activity. Presently the compound denominated "dolastatin 10" represents the most important of such peptides because of its demonstrated potential as an anticancer drug.The present invention relates to the systematic creation of five unique pentapeptides by selectively coupling a tripeptide-trifluoroacetate salt with a preselected dipeptide-trifluoroacetate salt which provide active molecules capable of emulating the measured therapeutic effect of dolastatin 10.