Abstract: A signal detector for monitoring sound signals comprises a first sensor operative in response to sound signals to produce a first electrical signal, first processing circuitry operative in response to the first electrical signal to amplify it and produce a first input signal, digitally controlled oscillator circuitry operative to produce a reference signal at a selected reference signal frequency, a mixer operative to receive the first input signal and reference signal to produce a mixed composite signal, conditioning circuitry operative in response to the mixed composite signal to produce a first amplified output signal, and a first output device for producing a first display in response to the first amplified output signal. A methodology is also provided for monitoring sound signals in order to indicate a presence of those signals having frequencies within a selected range.

Abstract: A chemic compound having the formula: ##STR1## wherein P.sub.1 is a hydroxyl protecting group, R.sub.1 is an alkyl group, an olefinic group, an aromatic group, Ph, PhCH.sub.2, an O-alkyl group, an O-olefinic group, an O-aromatic group, O--Ph, or O--CH.sub.2 Ph, and wherein Z is an N-imido group. In particular, P.sub.1 may be selected from the group consisting of benzyl, benzyloxymethyl and benzoyl, and Z may be a heterocyclic N-imido group, preferably having 5 to 7 atoms in the ring and alternatively substituted with at least one electron withdrawing group, preferably selected from the group consisting of a chloro group, a fluoro group and a nitro group. In particular, it is contemplated that Z may be succinimido, phthalimido, 5-norbornene-2,3-dicarboxyimido, maleimido and substituted derivatives thereof.

Abstract: A cannula for use in conjunction with a fluid source to irrigate a corneal surface of an eye, comprises a connector adapted to attach to the fluid source; and an elongated, hollow prong element having a proximal end supported by said connector and a distal tip opposite proximal end. The prong element includes an arcuate distal section formed in a plane along a curvature and having a fluid passageway therein that is surrounded by a sidewall with the fluid passageway being in fluid communication with the fluid source when the connector is fastened thereto. A port in the distal section of the prong extends from the fluid passageway through the sidewall whereby fluid from the fluid source may be ejected out of the port and onto the corneal surface during use.

Abstract: A chemical compound having the formula: ##STR1## wherein P.sub.1 is a hydroxyl protecting group, R.sub.1 may be H or electron withdrawing group, R.sub.2 may be H or electron withdrawing group, R.sub.3 may be H or electron withdrawing group, R.sub.4 may be H or electron withdrawing group, R.sub.5 may be H or electron withdrawing group, R.sub.6 may be an alkyl group, an olefinic group, an aromatic group, Ph, PhCH.sub.2, an O-alkyl group, an O-olefinic group, an O-aromatic group, O--Ph, or O--CH.sub.2 Ph.

Abstract: A compound for use in the production of taxanes and intermediates therefor having the formula: ##STR1## wherein R is an alkyl group.

Abstract: A cushion supports an infant on a support surface, especially as an aid in changing the infant's diapers and garments. The cushion includes an inner elongated pad that is preferably formed as two sections of foam material. The upper surface of the pad is trough-shaped to provide an infant receiving channel, and a casing extends around the pad. Where the pad is in two sections, the casing has a single top panel that supports two pockets that respectively receive a pad section so that they can be pivoted between a folded state and an extended state wherein the pad sections are aligned. This folding occurs about a central transverse line relative to the top panel. When in the extended state, confronting edges of the pockets have fasteners that connect to one another to secure the cushion in the extended state. A restraining strap of elastic or other construction extends transversely across the top of the cushion at a central location, preferably alongside the transverse line.

Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating a slider out of a production piece slider blank so that the slider may be used in a glide head assembly that is operative with a test system to detect a presence of asperities on a moving surface. Broadly, this method comprises configuring an air bearing structure on the production piece slider blank to form a working production piece having an unpolished air bearing surface and an outer sidewall surface which intersects the unpolished air bearing surface at a pheripheral edge. The unpolished air bearing surface is lapped to form a polished air bearing surface which is microfinished to a selected ABS Ra value. A region of the outer sidewall surface adjacent to the pheripheral edge is also lapped to form a sidewall margin area that is microfinished to a selected sidewall Ra value that is within a range of about ten times the selected ABS Ra value, thereby forming a finished production piece.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a brake shoe adapted for use in a braking mechanism that comprises a support member and a substantially metal free brake pad disposed on the support member. The brake pad may be composed of polymerized urethane as a major constituent thereof. More particularly, the brake pad may be composed of a mixture including urethane, a urethane reactant and a urethane curing agent. The durometer hardness of the brake pad may be between 80 and 95 on the A-scale. The support member may include a connector and a base plate, and the brake pad may be formed as an integral one-piece molded construction with the base plate being embedded in the brake pad. The brake pad may have a contact surface that is contoured so that the brake pad has varying thickness to differentially contact a moving surface.

Abstract: C7, C10 di-CBZ 10-deacetyl baccatin III of the formula: ##STR1## provides an intermediate for the production of docetaxel. A method of producing this C7, C10 di-CBZ 10-deacetyl Baccatin III is provided. Here, 10-deacetyl Baccatin III is acylated with at least 1.5 equivalents of n-butyl lithium and at least 1.5 equivalents of benzyl chloroformate in tetrahydrofuran. The 10-deacetyl Baccatin III may first be dissolved in tetrahydrofuran after which the n-butyl lithium is added followed by the addition of the benzyl chloroformate. The reaction is preferably at a reduced temperature of less than -20.degree. C. The resulting solution may be quenched with ammonium chloride and reduced to residue. The residue may then be redissolved in an organic solvent, washed, dried and recrystallized to purify the compound.

Abstract: An open ended cylindrical drill attachment for attachment on a drill bit to collect dust while drilling. The drill attachment having an inner structure formed of vanes extending from inner walls to slightly offset the center, to form a central channel for receiving the drill bit and providing at least partial engagement so as to rotate the drill attachment and provide a vortex-like suction action and centrifugal entrapment. The drill attachment also acts as a drilled hole depth limiter.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a composition adapted to be applied to coat a surface area of a vegetable in order to retard environmental degradation thereof. The composition comprises a film-former, a fungicide and a thickener distributed in a carrier liquid. The fungicide may be present in less than one percent (1%) by weight. The composition may include a pH buffer operative to maintain the pH of the mixture between 8.5-10.5. The film-former is operative to coalesce to form a film covering the surface area of the vegetable which is operative to retard dehydration thereof. The fungicide is entrapped throughout the film and is operative to inhibit mildew and fungus growth thereon. The present invention also provides a method of formulating a composition according to the present invention, as well as a method of protecting a decorative vegetable material using a composition according to the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of decorating a surface of an item that has an area adapted to display a design. The method comprises spreading onto the area a quantity of a viscous surface preparatory composition that has an initial first state that allows it to be spread onto the surface and is curable to a final state that forms a stable layer adhered to the surface. A pattern sheet is provided with the pattern formed thereon in a medium that will transfer onto the surface of the preparatory composition when in the initial state. The preparatory layer is contacted with the pattern sheet and the pattern thereon for a sufficient time to allow the medium to transfer onto the preparatory layer. After the transfer pattern has been transferred thereon yet before the preparatory layer has cured into the final state, the pattern sheet is removed from contact with the viscous preparatory layer. The preparatory layer is then cured into the final state thereby fixing the transferred pattern.

Abstract: A rescue device, and man overboard device for use therewith, is adapted for use with a ship to rescue individuals floating at sea and may comprise a lifting crane, and a plurality of fasteners, rope-like elements and connectors. The lifting crane includes a crane beam having a proximal end mounted for pivotal movement about a vertical crane axis and extends laterally from the proximal end to terminate at a free end. The fasteners are attached to the crane beam and may be equidistantly distributed therealong. Each of the rope-like elements has a first end portion adapted for attachment to a respective one of the fasteners and extends therefrom to terminate at a free distal end. Each connector, such as a hoisting strap, is operative to connect to the free distal end of an associated rope-like element and securely engage an individual in need of rescue so that the individual can be lifted out of the sea by the lifting crane.

Abstract: A variable message display sign comprises a plurality of interchangeable character displays each having a plurality of signal elements organized in distinct sets, with each signal element having an on state and an off state. A controller is located remotely of the character displays and produces an address signal containing character address data for identifying an addressed character display which resides at a desired address location within the message display sign. The controller also produces a set signal containing set address data for identifying an addressed set of signal elements and a data signal containing display data corresponding to desired on/off states for each signal element in the addressed set. A logic circuit is associated with each character display and has a unique character address.

Abstract: A cementitious paste capable of setting after an interval of time comprises a mixture of a fines component selected from a group consisting of cement and a blend of cement and pozzolonic material, water and a water soluble polymer that is capable of taking up and releasing water when incorporated into the mixture. The polymer comprises a selected percent by weight of the mixture. A non-foamed cementitious composition is also provided to form a substantially homogeneous, pervious rigid mass that comprises a substantially surfactant-free mixture of the fines component, inert aggregate particles, water and a selected percentage by weight of the water-soluble polymer that is capable of adhesion to the aggregate particles.

Abstract: A resonator assembly adapted for use with a signal detection instrument includes a sensor operative to detect airborne sound signals and a touch rod. The resonator assembly operates to convert sound signals traveling within the touch rod into the airborne sound signals for detection by the sensor and comprises a mount adapted to interconnect the signal detection instrument and the touch rod, a flexible resonator element, and a stem interconnecting the mount and the resonator element so that, when the touch rod is secured to the mount and the mount is secured to the signal detection instrument thereby positioning the resonator element relative to the sensor, the resonator element operates to convert the sound signals traveling within the touch rod into the airborne sound signals for detection by the sensor. A touch probe resonator is also provided for converting sound signals traveling in a first medium into sound signals traveling in a second medium for detection by a sensor.

Abstract: A recording device (10) operative to read and write data on a recording medium (200) has a support frame (26), a take-up mechanism (24), bearing elements (18, 22) on opposite sides of a recording head (20). The recording head (20) is mounted for translational movement by a positioning assembly which includes a pair of flexure plates (54, 56) having flexure portions (120, 150) defining torsional springs with oppositely acting torques to resist rotational movement of the recording head (20) during reciprocal movement. A drive includes a stepper motor (96) that operates a shaft cam (94) that bears against a head cam block (86) to move flexure portion (120) and a recording head (20) against a restorative force of flexure portions (120, 150). Cam nuts (34, 48) adjust skew and a cam element (107) adjusts tape penetration.

Abstract: An efficient protocol for the synthesis of taxol, taxol analogs and their intermediates is described. The process incudes the attachment of the taxol A-ring side chain to baccatin III and for the synthesis of taxol and taxol analogs with variable A-ring side chain structures. A rapid and highly efficient esterification of O-protected isoserine and 3-phenylisoserine acids having N-benzyoloxycarbonyl groups to the C-13 hydroxyl of 7-O-protected baccatin III is followed by a deprotection-acylation sequence to make taxol, cephalomanninne and various analogs, including photoaffinity labeling candidates.

Abstract: A method of acylating C-2' O-protected-10-hydroxy taxol selectively at the C-10 hydroxyl position over the C-7 hydroxy position thereof to produce C-2' O-protected taxol is accomplished first by dissolving C-2' O-protected-10-hydroxy taxol in an acceptable ether solvent therefor, such as tetrahydrofuran, to form a first solution at a first temperature. The first solution is then cooled to a second temperature, and a lithium base, preferably n-butyl lithium, is added to form an intermediate compound having a lithium alkoxide at the C-10 position thereof. An acylating agent, such as acetyl chloride, is then added. The resulting solution may be quenched, for example with ammonium chloride, to eliminate excess of the acylating agent and the lithium base. The result is a solution containing C-2' O-protected taxol. This solution may then be washed, concentrated and purified. The present invention is also directed to C-10 lithium alkoxide intermediate compounds for the production of paclitaxel.