Abstract: A chemical compound comprising an isotopically labeled analog of a standard taxane molecule, wherein said isotopically labeled analog is synthetically formed to have incorporated therein at a selected position a stable isotope of an element existing at said selected positon in said standard taxane molecule, said isotope having amass different form a mass of a mass of a most abundantly occurring isotope of said element in nature, such that said isotopically labeled analog has a molecular weight different form a molecular weight of said standard taxane molecule.

Abstract: A shock absorber for use with a cycle comprises elongated first and second tubular members and a biasing assembly. The first tubular member is associated with the cycle's frame and has a longitudinal axis. The second tubular member has a lower end portion adapted for connection to foot supports and an opposite upper end portion for connection to the cycle's seat assembly such that the foot supports and the seat assembly are interconnected for common movement. The second tubular member is slidably disposed with respect to the first tubular member for movement along the longitudinal axis away from an initial position as determined by a pre-impact condition.

Abstract: An illumination device is adapted to be placed in an interior of an object to illuminate a surrounding area, and comprises a housing, a light source and a decorative skirt. The housing has an interior sized and adapted to receive an electric power supply, and includes a base portion operative to support the housing in an upright orientation relative to a support surface of the object and an upper end portion opposite the base portion. The light source is disposed at the upper end portion and a decorative skirt surrounds the upper end portion and depends downwardly alongside an outer surface thereof. Preferably, the decorative skirt simulates the appearance of wax drippings and the electric power supply includes one or more batteries suspended within the housing.

Abstract: The present invention concerns alkyl esters of &bgr;-amino acid derivatives which are useful in the synthesis of taxol and analogs.

Abstract: A process for producing 10-deacetyl baccatin III from an acidic solution containing a spectrum of taxanes, comprising contacting the acidic solution containing the spectrum of taxanes with a hydrazine hydrate, thereby to convert into 10-deacetyl baccatin III some taxanes in said solution that are not 10-deacetyl baccatin III.

Abstract: An apparatus for receiving a plant and providing a habitat for a living creature is comprised of a housing having an interior defined by a bottom portion and a surrounding sidewall that extends upwardly from the bottom portion. A divider disposed in the housing interior divides the interior into a first region and a second region. The first region communicates with the exterior environment via an aperture that is sized and adapted to permit entry of a living creature. The second region communicates with the exterior environment by an opening in the housing configured to permit a plant to be visibly disposed therein. The housing can include an access door in the bottom that enables cleaning of the first region. Where used as a birdhouse, a perch and a gable can be employed at the aperture. The perch can operate as a latch for the bottom door.

Abstract: A creative art kit is provided for producing and viewing stereoscopic images. The kit includes a pigmented medium that is adapted to be applied to a surface and which includes a luminescent material as a component thereof. The kit also includes a viewer through which a user may observe the images, and which has an optical element that is operative to disperse wavelengths of light passing therethrough at different dispersion angles depending on the spectral position of each wavelength. The kit may further be provided with various pigmented media, applicators, stencils, and instructions for producing and viewing the images. In addition, the present invention is directed to a method for producing and viewing stereoscopic images, which comprises the steps of applying a pigmented medium that includes a luminescent material to a surface in a selected design and viewing the surface and the design through a viewer.

Abstract: An egg cleaning kit is provided for removing contents of a raw egg from the interior of a shell so that the shell's exterior surface may be decorated. The kit includes a hole-former for producing an opening through the shell, and an injector including a nozzle that is insertable through the opening. The injector operates to introduce air into the interior at a pressure greater than ambient pressure whereby the interior becomes pressurized thereby to eject the contents of the raw egg from the shell. The egg cleaning kit may also include either a surface decoration material adapted to be applied to the exterior surface of the shell during the decorative process, a holder for engaging the shell after removal of the contents and for supporting the shell during the decorative process, or a container which includes a lid for allowing submersion of the shell in the decorative fluid. A method of treating a raw egg for decorative purposes is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to chemical compounds that are useful in the production of taxanes. The chemical compounds according to the present invention have a generalized formula: wherein R1 is NH2, and wherein R2 may be acetyl or hydrogen, and p1 may be hydrogen or a hydroxyl protecting group.

Abstract: An anchor device is provided to engage a segment of a cord. The anchor device has a main body portion and a pair of opposed jaw portions that extend from the body in spaced-apart relationship to one another thereby to form a cavity with a rear wall. A retainer is disposed on the inner surface of each jaw portion with the retainers being separated by a longitudinal passageway. Each retainer has a surface spaced from the other jaw portion and rear portion located forwardly of the rear wall of the cavity. The rear portions form a transverse locking channel for releasably capturing a transverse extension of the cord. The retainers can be static structures or rotatable pulley elements.

Abstract: A cycle adapted to travel in an upright position along a support surface comprises a rigid frame, a plurality of wheels rotatably journaled with respect to the frame, a suspension tube mounted to the frame for reciprocal movement in upward and downward directions, a seat assembly disposed on an upper end portion of the suspension tube, a drive assembly disposed on a lower end portion of the suspension tube for common movement with the seat assembly, a steering mechanism, and a biasing assembly disposed between the frame and the suspension tube. The biasing assembly is operative to bias the suspension tube into a pre-impact position relative to the frame such that movement of the suspension tube in the downward direction is resisted by the biasing assembly through exertion of a restorative force which urges the suspension in a upward direction toward the pre-impact position, thereby cushioning the seat assembly and the drive assembly relative to impacts occurring during operation of the cycle.

Abstract: An expandable framework is used with a flexible covering to provide a portable shelter. The framework includes a plurality of upright support members, adjacent ones of which are interconnected by an edge scissor assembly. Each edge scissor assembly includes a plurality of scissor arms, and at least two of the scissor arms of each edge scissor assembly is formed by at least two articulating sections that move between a folded state when the framework is collapsed and an aligned state when the framework is expanded. The ends of the scissor assemblies are pivotally mounted to an upper and a lower fixed mount on the respective support member. As a result of the articulation, the mounts do not need to slide on the support members but rather can remain fixed.

Abstract: An emergency care blanket may be assembled into a plurality of desired arrangements to protect an individual from prevailing environmental conditions while providing access to the patients. Broadly the blanket includes a first flexible covering, a second flexible covering and a plurality of fasteners associated with the first and second coverings. Each of the fasteners includes two fastening structures, preferably male and female snaps, which project from opposite respective ones of the upper and lower surfaces of their associated first and second coverings. Thus, cooperative fastening structures can matably engage so that the first and second coverings may be releasably secured thereby to assemble the emergency care blanket into a fastened state characterized by one of the plurality of desired arrangements.

Abstract: An extension coupling releasably interconnects a trailer to a tow hitch on a tractor vehicle. The apparatus includes a trailer mounting assembly adapted to releasably interconnect to the trailer. The trailer mounting assembly includes a hitch box mount adapted to be secured to a hitch box of the trailer. The trailer mounting assembly also includes an extension coupling which has a proximal end portion secured pivotally to the hitch box mount about a pivot axis. The extension coupling terminates in a distal end portion, and the distal end portion is provided with a pair of oppositely projecting trunnions that extend along a load axis that is perpendicular to the pivot axis. The apparatus also includes a tow hitch assembly adapted to be secured to the bed of a tractor vehicle. The tow hitch assembly includes a pair of spaced apart receivers sized and oriented to engage the trunnions of the extension coupling to define an engaged state.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for selecting compounds for use in treating sickle cell disease in a patient. The method comprises the steps of selecting a first set of HbS ligands from a first group of chemical compounds, selecting from the first set of HbS ligands a seconds set that exhibit inhibition of HbS polymerization, and selecting from the second set a third set that display anti-sickling activity of red blood cells when in the presence thereof. The method may include the step of performing a methemoglobin S proteolysis assay measuring a percent protease protection for each compound. The method may additionally include the steps of measuring HbS aggregation, inhibition of protease, deoxy-HbS gelation inhibition activity, O2 affinity of HbS, and cytotoxic effect to cell activity. The method may further include assessing red blood cell morphology, and eliminating compounds that contain moieties that bind to heme.