Abstract: An oral hygiene device having, in one embodiment, a unique, unrestricted, self-adjusting two-headed gum-specific brush on one end of a handle; and in another embodiment, a two-headed gumbrush on one end of an elongated handle and a toothbrush on the opposite end of the handle. A tongue scraper may also be included on the toothbrush end of the device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the continuous casting of composite metal members wherein molten metal is directly cast between two spaced generally parallel metal strips to form a composite member having enhanced surface qualities, formability, and strength. The method comprises feeding at least two strips of metal into a cooled mold system while pouring a molten stream of metal therebetween and forming the composite member by cooling in a cooled mold system until the composite is solidified as the exit point removing the composite from the cooled mold system and rolling the cooled composite to obtain a desired final thickness. Multiple strip and thin coating methods and apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: A bathtub step assembly for use in bathing disabled persons. The step assembly has a plurality of planar surfaces disposed in spaced, generally parallel relationship to each other, the uppermost planar surface being coplanar with the top surface of the bathtub wall or walls that it is disposed adjacent to. The uppermost planar surface is also specifically shaped to provide adequate human buttocks support when the human buttocks engages the uppermost planar surface both when the human is disposed thereon with his/her back facing the bathtub and when the buttocks are pivoted approximately one-quarter turn to be in feet-first ingress position relative to the bathtub.

Abstract: This application discloses seven newly synthesized pentapeptide amides and our tetrapeptide amides. The synthesis utilized both naturally occurring and modified amino acids; the modified amino acids are constituents of the well known dolastatin 10 and dolastatin 15 which are structurally distinct peptides with excellent antineoplastic activity. These peptides were constructed by introducing a peptide bond between selected amino acids and modified amino acids and coupling the resulting di- and tri-peptides to obtain peptides having a high anticancer activity against a series of human cancer cell lines.

Abstract: A bolo tie or the like device for displaying ornamentation and/or identification thereon. The present bolo tie-type device has a cord member of sufficient length to pass behind the wearer's neck and provide two depending ends therefrom and a display/securing member having a front surface and a back surface, the front surface being suitable to support decorative and/or identifying indicia thereupon, the back surface having securing means defined thereon for holding the display/securing member in a preselected position relative to the depending ends of the cord member and preventing involuntary movement thereof regardless of the wearer's activity. The securing means comprises a plurality of strategically disposed post members for receiving the depending ends of the cord member therethrough in secure, non-slipping relationship therewith.

Abstract: A magnetic vibrator sub-assembly for a vibratory feed device is described which provides uniform directional motion to component parts placed on its upper member through coaction of the upper member with an alternately energized electromagnetic field and restorative spring forces. The structure of the present invention involves the interconnection of a lower member and an upper member by one or more flat springs. The flat springs are angularly disposed between and support the upper member in superposed spaced, generally parallel relationship above the lower member. The springs are connected to both the lower and upper members in rabbet-type indentations such that the springs are confined by retaining barriers above, below and on the lateral edges of the springs. An electromagnetic coil is attached to the lower member and is employed to alternately flex and release the flat springs by alternately magnetically attracting (i.e., pulling down) and releasing the upper member.

Abstract: A portable woodworking assembly for use in supporting wooden workpieces and portable power tools for cutting, shaping and forming the workpieces with the portable power tools. This assembly includes a frame sub-assembly; one or more tool support structures including clamping structures for fixedly attaching the tool support structure to the frame sub-assembly and alternative slide structures which engage the frame sub-assembly for movably guiding a portable power tool relative thereto; and a workboard sub-assembly operatively associated with the frame sub-assembly to support a workpiece relative thereto and selectively position said workpiece relative to the portable power tool so that the power tool may engage the workpiece in the desired fashion.

Abstract: The synthesis and elucidation of nineteen heterocyclic or halophenyl amide erivatives of dolastatin 10 are disclosed. These compounds and the methods of producing those compounds offer demonstrated significant in vitro activity against several human cancer cell lines. These compounds and the methods of producing those compounds offer a commercially viable alternative to natural and synthetic dolastatin 10.

Abstract: An improved mixture of water-absorbent polymers, including a quantity of small-grained particles, may be injected below-ground where plants are growing or are to be planted, such as by using air-blown, plowblade applicators. In a preferred mixture, 10-20% of the particles are powdery, fine material (such as less than 0.5 mm), and the remainder are larger granules (such as 1-2 mm). The mixture creates a "blanket" of moisture-retaining particles that can surround plant roots. The mixture may be injected by drawing a plowblade through the soil at an appropriate shallow angle and speed to establish a wave in the soil, together with the use of a deflector and control over the air pressure, all of which maximizes underground diffusion and distribution of the injected particles.

Abstract: The cytostatic, cyclic peptides; phakellistatin 4, phakellistatin 5, phakellistatin 6, phakellistatin 7, phakellistatin 8 and phakellistatin 9 were isolated from the Western Pacific Ocean sponge Phakellia costata. Structural determination was accomplished by utilizing high-field, 2D-NMR experiments and confirmed by results of FAB-MS/MS studies. The absolute configurations were deduced by analyzing the acid hydrolysates using chiral gas chromatographic analytical techniques. The new cyclic peptides were found to have significant in vitro P388 ED.sub.50 values which range between 0.18 .mu.g/ml and 4.1 .mu.g/ml.

Abstract: Pyrimido[4,5-g]quinazoline quinone derivatives were synthesized as anthranone-like reductive alkylating agents. Like many naturally-occurring antibiotics, these quinone derivatives are designed to afford an alkylating quinone methide species upon reduction and leaving group elimination. Kinetic studies of pyrimido[4,5-g]quinazoline hydroquinones provided evidence of quinone methide intermediates able to trap nucleophiles (alkylation) and protons. The rate of quinone methide formation is determined by the hydroquinone free energy. Thus, a linear free energy relationship for quinone methide formation was obtained by plotting rates of quinone methide formation, as the log, versus the quinone reduction potential. The pyrimido[4-5-g]quinazoline quinone methides fall on this free energy plot, showing that these species are formed by the same mechanism as the other structurally-diverse quinone methides previously studied in this research group.

Abstract: New tetrapeptides bearing modified phenethyl amides are elucidated and syesized and found to exhibit tumor inhibiting effects when measured against the NCI screen for six major types of human cancer and against the murine P388 lymphocytic cell line. The new modified tetrapeptides phenethyl amides are 6(a-k).

Abstract: CPU system performance is improved by reducing the time required to complete a DRAM access by microprocessors such as the 386DX, 386SX and 80286 by incorporating a programmable DRAM controller therewith which permits consecutive DRAM accesses to average N+0.5 processor wait states. The half wait state average is obtained by forcing the system CPU to measure wait states in processor clock time units which are twice the period of an independent clock in the DRAM controller which, in turn, triggers RAS and CAS assert and de-assert. RAS or CAS is thus able to assert 1/2 processor clock period earlier in one memory cycle relative to the last. Early assert time also provides for an early de-assert time so that data can be transferred to/from the DRAM more quickly than previously possible.

Abstract: An illuminated vehicle display device comprising a flat back plate having a light source disposed thereon, and a front, box-like housing member which has a rearwardly disposed opening so that the housing member encloses the light source when it is detachably attached to the flat back plate. The front housing member has a partially translucent/transparent (i.e. partially non-opaque) panel disposed in a window defined through its front wall. A plurality of protruding tab members defined on the inside faces of one or more walls of the housing member coact with a plurality of corresponding slots defined in the back plate to simply, securely and detachably snap fasten the housing member to the back plate. Electrical power wires threaded through a hole in the back plate are used to connect the light source to an external power supply. The back plate is mountable to a vehicle license plate mounting assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the continuous casting of composite metal members wherein molten metal is directly cast between two spaced generally parallel metal strips to form a composite member having enhanced surface qualities, formability, and strength. The method comprises feeding at least two strips of metal into a cooled mold system while pouring a molten stream of metal therebetween and forming a composite member by cooling in the cooled mold system until the composite is solidified at the exit point, removing the composite from the cooled mold system and rolling the cooled composite to obtain a desired final thickness. Multiple strip and thin coating methods and apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a highly sensitive non-contact force microscope having a coaxial cantilever-tip configuration and a method of forming such configuration. The non-contact microscope obtains high resolution graphical images of a sample surface topography, and/or other properties thereof including its electrostatic, magnetic, or Van der Waals forces.

Abstract: A litter box assembly comprising an open base portion having a litter holding wing portion extending upwardly therefrom and operatively associated therewith and a removable sifting device disposed therein beneath a layer of loose litter material disposed thereupon. The sifting device is removable from the base portion to remove clumped and fecal matter therefrom while permitting loose litter material to pass therethrough. The assembly is readily restored to a clean and ready for use condition by rotating the assembly onto the first and second wall portions of the wing portion whereupon in response to gravitational forces, the loose granular litter material flows into the wing portion and the sifting device is placed in the bottom of the base portion which is then recovered with the loose granular material by rotating the assembly from its position on the wall portions of the wing portion to an at-rest position on said base portion.

Abstract: The sea hare Dolabella auricularia has yielded many structurally distinct ptides 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 seven 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.