Abstract: Azatoxin and derivatives thereof are illustrative of a new class of antitumor drugs that are topoisomerase II (top 2) inhibitors. The pharmacophore inhibits the catalytic activity of the purified enzyme but does not unwind relaxed or supercoiled DNA. It is nonintercalative and has at least two domains: a quasi-planar polycyclic ring system, which may bind between DNA base pairs, and a pendant substituent thought to interact with the enzyme, with the DNA grooves or with both. In SV40 and c-myc DNA, azatoxin induces numerous double-strand breaks according to a cleavage pattern which differs from those of known top 2 inhibitors. Azatoxin also is a potent inhibitor of tubulin polymerization.

Abstract: A plastically deformable aqueous mixture capable of being shaped into a body, the mixture being composed of any one or combination of ceramic, glass-ceramic, glass, molecular sieve, carbon, or metal powders, cellulose ether organic binder, water insoluble hydrophobic polymer co-binder having an average molecular weight of at least about 8,000, plasticizer, and water. A method of making a body which involves mixing the above components in a high shear mixer at a temperature of about 30.degree. C. to 70.degree. C. to form a homogeneous mixture, extruding the mixture at a temperature of about 30.degree. C. to 70.degree. C. into a green body, followed by drying and firing to produce the product body.

Abstract: This invention relates to a black glass fiber which is resistant to oxidation at a temperature of about 1350.degree. C. and has the empirical formula SiC.sub.x O.sub.y where x ranges from about 0.5 to about 2.0 and y ranges from about 0.5 to about 2.0. This invention also relates to a process for preparing a black glass fiber comprising reacting a silicon hydride group with a silicon olefinic group in the presence of a hydrosilylation catalyst to give a cyclosiloxane polymer. The polymer is then spun into fiber, hardened and then pyrolyzed to give a black glass fiber.

Abstract: A U, W, X, Y, or Z-type hexagonal ferrite and method for making such a fete are disclosed. The hexagonal ferrite has a formula as follows:N.sub.Q Zn.sub.2-z Fe.sub.H-2x Ti.sub.X M.sub.X O.sub.E A.sub.ZAccording to the method, the required weights of the oxides and carbonates are measured and then pulverized and mixed to form a material which is sintered in air. This material is then cooled to produce the U, W, X, Y, or Z-type hexagonal ferrite.

Abstract: The present invention describes a pyrotechnic gas generating composition which upon reaction produces a breathable gas. The composition comprises a fuel, an oxidizer and a nitrogen source and can be useful in inflating passive restraint air bags for vehicles. Also disclosed is a method for inflating a passive restraint safety bag with a breathable gas composition of the subject invention.

Abstract: The method of the invention provides a geopolymeric binder in powder, used for the ultra rapid treatment of materials, soils or mining tailings, containing toxic wastes. Said geopolymeric binder has a setting time equal to or greater than 30 minutes at a temperature of 20.degree. C. and a hardening rate such as to provide compression strengths (Sc) equal to or greater than 15 MPa, after only 4 hours at 20.degree. C., when tested in accordance with the standards applied to hydraulic binder mortars having a binder/sand ratio equal to 0.38 and a water/binder ratio between 0.22 and 0.27. The preparation method includes the following three reactive constituents:a) an alumino-silicate oxide (Si.sub.2 O.sub.5, Al.sub.2 O.sub.2) in which the Al cation is in (IV-V) coordination as determined by MAS-NMR analytical spectroscopy for .sup.27 Al;b) a disilicate of sodium and/or potassium (Na.sub.2.K.sub.2)(H.sub.3 SiO.sub.4).sub.

Abstract: Novel energetic azido thermoplastic elastomers (ATPE's) are described. Such materials are useful as binders in energetic formulations to replace conventional inert thermosetting prepolymers. The ATPE's are easily formulated either by blending or chemically bonding an energetic azido elastomeric component and a thermoplastic component. The elastomeric component is a branched chain hydroxy-terminated azido polymer or copolymer. The thermoplastic component is a commercial polyether or polyethylene oxide.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for removing heavy metals from waste water, soils, or process streams by electrolytic cell means. The method includes cooling a cell cathode to form an ice layer over the cathode and then applying an electric current to deposit a layer of the heavy metal over the ice. The metal is then easily removed after melting the ice. In a second embodiment, the same ice-covered electrode can be employed to form powdered metals.