Abstract: A multi-purpose bucket for cleaning surfaces such as windows, comprising a flexible diaphragm, having a slit through the middle, and fitted into the bucket to create a compartment for storing dirt and grit residue from the cleaning instruments; a strap arranged around the inside circumference of the bucket to create receptacles for storing the cleaning instruments; and a tapered wringer affixed to the inside of the bucket for cleaning a scrubber through insertion of the scrubber into the wringer and pushing and pulling the scrubber, causing a twisting motion; and a slit in the side of the bucket which is used to clean a chamois.

Abstract: A multipurpose ottoman is described, consisting of a base unit having two supporting walls which rest on an underlying surface, and a top unit including a tabletop configured to receive a cushion or other items such as tableware, games or the like. The tabletop has two supporting walls which are designed to fit within the walls of the base unit and two support flaps connected by hinges to the tabletop. The support flaps are approximately parallel to the outside surfaces of the tabletop walls and are shorter in height than these walls.When it is desired that the assembly function as an ottoman, the supporting walls of the tabletop are lowered within the supporting walls of the base unit, and the support flaps are moved slightly to fit over a portion of the outer surfaces of the base unit's walls so that the tabletop rests on the unit.

Abstract: A product and method for highlighting and/or coloring selective areas of hair on a person's head is disclosed, which is particularly useful for persons with dark hair and for hair that takes longer to dry and hence develop. The invention is an improved product for and method of foiling hair to achieve highlighting.

Abstract: Fluorinated polymer surfaces are provided by a process in which ultraviolet radiation is used to assist the surface fluorination reaction.

Abstract: A new method for making polymeric systems for the sustained release of macromolecular drugs is described. The method consists of mixing drug and polymer, e.g. ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer powders below the glass transition temperature of the polymer, and compressing the mixture at a temperature above the glass transition point. The macromolecule is not exposed to organic solvent during the fabrication process. The sustained release and bioactivity of macromolecules is unchanged throughout the pressure casting and release processes.

Abstract: A technique for improving the wear characteristics of a movable surface of a body which is to be relatively moved in contact with the surface of another body, wherein the movable surface has a plurality of void regions therein which extend from the surface into the interior of the body, the dimensions of the void regions and the spacing therebetween being generally such that wear particles generated at the interface regions between the relatively moving surfaces are removed from the interface regions into the void regions where they are entrapped.

Abstract: A composition is tested to determine whether it is a tumor promoter or a complete carcinogen by exposing a stable epithelial cell line to the composition for an incubation time period sufficient to induce morphological changes in the cell line. After the incubation time, the cells are observed by morphology changes induced by the composition, which changes are compared to that caused by a known tumor promoter or a known complete carcinogen.

Abstract: A substrate, such as a film of thermally grown silicon dioxide on a silicon wafer is coated with a thin film of polycrystalline or amorphous silicon in the thickness range 0.05-10.mu. deposited by chemical vapor deposition. An encapsulation layer that is a composite of 2 .mu.m thickness SiO.sub.2, 30 nm of Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 is deposited on the thin film. A pattern of stripes is created on this encapsulation layer made of materials, such as titanium, silicon, silicon dioxide and photoresist. A long and narrow molten zone is created in the film with its long axis oriented perpendicular to the lines and is moved with a movable strip-heater over in a direction parallel to the lines in the recrystallization process to establish dislocation and crystalline defects in the film entrained to follow the pattern of the stripes at locations related to the stripes.

Abstract: A welding flux binder is provided which comprises an alkali-alkaline earth silicate hydrolyzed and polymerized from tetraalkylorthosilicate, Si(OR).sub.4, wherein R is --CH.sub.3, --C.sub.2 H.sub.5, or --C.sub.3 H.sub.7, and alkali and alkaline earth salts. The reaction product of the tetraalkylorthosilicate and metal salts, M.sub.2 O.M'O.SiO.sub.2, where M is potassium, sodium or lithium, and M' is magnesium, calcium or barium, has several advantages as a welding flux binder. For example, it is not hygroscopic and can be prepared at low temperatures since the alkali ions lower the melting point for viscous sintering of the gel phase. Because of the low temperature processing, a wide variety of solid additives with low thermal stability, such as some metals, carbonates, and fluorides, can be incorporated into the flux. Other dopants may also be readily incorporated into the binder during the gel phase.

Abstract: Transparent heat-mirrors are disclosed which are comprised of composite films. These films include a discrete and continuous layer of metallic silver sandwiched between a transparent, outer, protective, anti-reflection layer and a transparent, phase-matching layer. This combination of layers is chosen to provide high solar transmission with minimum loss of thermal radiation. Transparent heat-mirrors are useful in the collection and trapping of solar energy, and in other applications where it is desired or necessary to have high infrared reflectivity with high solar transmission.

Abstract: A novel method and device for precision injection molding is disclosed providing controlled cooling of a portion of the mold cavity surface during the molding cycle, or several such portions independently, and also, in the preferred embodiment controlled heating of a portion of the mold cavity surface during the molding cycle or several such portions independently, whereby high quality, high precision parts having close dimensional tolerances may be produced. Another aspect of the invention, a volume-controlled variable conductance heat pipe is disclosed, which novel heat pipe comprises housing means forming a sealed chamber, fluid, such as water or ammonia, within the chamber, wicking means and control means for controlling the thermal conductance of the heat pipe comprising means for controlling the volume of fluid in the liquid phase in the chamber.

Abstract: An improved photovoltaic device in which a charge separation junction is provided over a charge confining heterojunction. The charge separation junction is a junction formed of an n.sup.+ -doped direct bandgap layer on a p-doped direct bandgap active layer. The charge confining heterojunction is formed by the interface of the active layer with a Back Surface Layer (BSL) of higher bandgap material than the active layer to provide a Back Surface Field (BSF). The percentage of Al in the layers may vary from Y=O to x.ltoreq.0.42. The structure applies to both crystalline and amorphous material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a vessel-equivalent prosthesis is described. A contractile agent such as fibroblast cells, smooth muscle cells or platelets is incorporated into a collagen lattice and contracts the lattice axially around an inner core. After the structure has set, additional layers may be formed in an ordered manner depending on the intended function of the prosthesis. Alternatively, all the layers may be formed concurrently. A plastic mesh sleeve is sandwiched between layers or embedded within the smooth muscle cell layer to reinforce the structure and provide sufficient elasticity to withstand intravascular pressure.

Abstract: Uniform-size, high-purity, spherical oxide powders are formed by hydrolysis of alkoxide precursors in dilute alcoholic solutions. Under controlled conditions (concentrations of 0.03 to 0.2 M alkoxide and 0.2 to 1.5 M water, for example) oxide particles on the order of about 0.05 to 0.7 micron can be produced. Methods of doping such powders and forming sinterable compacts are also disclosed.

Abstract: A hybridoma cell line is disclosed that secretes monoclonal antibodies which serve as a high titer, reproducible, biological reagent useful in biological/medical research for isolating and identifying phosphotyrosine-containing proteins. In addition, the antibodies have potential uses in diagnosis of a variety of diseases, including certain cancers. The antibodies, which have demonstrated affinity for a variety of molecules containing o-phosphotyrosine residues, were prepared using a synthetic analog, p-azobenzyl phosphonate (ABP) covalently linked to a carrier protein, as the antigen.

Abstract: A composition comprising tyrosine and a carbohydrate is administered in amount to increase brain tyrosine levels.

Abstract: A wicking apparatus for drying insulation wet with water, particularly insulation in flat roofing systems and wall systems, is disclosed consisting of a hollow device, capable of penetrating the exterior weather shield or siding to the insulation to create a passageway from the insulation to an external environment where moisture can evaporate, and a wick disposed within the passageway to transport moisture by capillary action from the insulation to the external environment. In retrofit applications, the method resides in penetrating the weather shield or insulation in at least one location and deploying the wicking apparatus to induce drying; in new applications a network of moisture-transporting channels can also be employed within the insulation itself together with one or more wicking apparatuses to further aid in drying.

Abstract: Experiments designed to define the differences between an oncogene isolated from human bladder cancer cells and its corresponding proto-oncogene are described herein. By a series of in vitro recombinations, the difference was initially isolated to a 350 kb segment of DNA; sequencing defined the difference as a change in the Gly.sup.12 codon causing the p21 protein of the oncogene to contain valine at a location where the p21 protein of the proto-oncogene contained glycine. Assays for detecting carcinogenesis based on such differences are also described. In one type of assay, a restriction enzyme specific for either the altered or non-altered DNA segment of the genes are employed to detect carcinogenesis. In another type of assay, seralogical reagents, such as antibody specific for either p21 protein expressed from the proto-oncogene or oncogene, or a common site therein, are described.

Abstract: Methods, materials and apparatus for production of hydrogen peroxide are disclosed. In one preferred embodiment, high surface area circulating elements derivatized with a quinone catalyst are reduced in an electrolytic cell where the cathode may also be derivatized with a quinone catalyst and a solution quinone at low concentration is used as a mediator. Once reduced, the circulating elements are separated and used to form hydrogen peroxide from molecular oxygen in an aqueous, electrolyte-free, environment. The circulating elements can be cycled repeatedly. Particular, novel naphthoquinone compounds are also disclosed.

Abstract: A line of human blood cells which have high levels of oxidative activity (such as oxygenase, oxidase, peroxidase, and hydroxylase activity) is disclosed. Such cells grow in suspension culture, and are useful to determine the mutagenicity of xenobiotic substances that are metabolized into toxic or mutagenic substances. Mutation assays using these cells, and other cells with similar characteristics, are also disclosed.