Abstract: A sanitary diaphragm valve is provided that includes a generally dome shaped diaphragm having a central boss that can be connected to or driven by a valve actuator. The diaphragm includes an outer peripheral edge and a relatively thin web portion that connects the boss to the outer edge. In one embodiment, the web portion is arcuate or dome shaped. The thinner web portion permits the diaphragm to have an extended cycle life and to permit the valve to operate at higher fluid pressures. The diaphragm may be made from a chemically resistant material and optimized to maintain high flexure.

Abstract: A method is provided for inhibiting and substantially decreasing the motility of cells, and especially melanoma cells. In the invention, a cell is contacted with a motility-inhibiting amount of a metal ion selected from the group consisting of cobalt ion, the lanthanide metal ions, and mixtures thereof; particularly preferred metal ions are the Co2+ and Gd3+ ions. Metal ion sources may be administered in the form of soluble metal halide salts to in vitro to cells dispersed in an aqueous saline medium, or by administering an aqueous dispersion thereof to an in vivo mammalian subject at or adjacent a tumor site.

Abstract: A valve assembly comprising a valve, a mounting plate, a snap-together actuator, and a mounting bracket. The snap-together actuator is assembled by a set of snap wings that are attached to one piece of the actuator housing and inserted into slits in the other piece of the actuator housing. The actuator housing is then bolted to the valve and mounting plate. The mounting plate is received by the mounting bracket, which may be pre-mounted into place in the valve system. The mounting bracket contains a retaining clip and a snap wing that secures the valve mounting plate to the valve mounting bracket.

Abstract: The inventive system provides a set of human input and output devices such as a video monitor and keyboard, in conjunction with a processing means such as a Personal Computer, an in-circuit microprocessor emulation means, and control software which allows a software developer to interactively and intelligently view the contents of bit-mapped hardware control and status registers in a descriptive manner. Further, the system interacts with the in-circuit emulator and code development environment to automatically create hexadecimal representations of complete register values to be read and written, and performs validity rule checking in order to notify the software developer if disallowed combinations of bit fields have been selected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for marking recyclable books permits the user to retain the recyclable value of the books while effectively deterring third-parties from reselling books which are intended to be recycled. The method includes transporting recyclable books past a designated marking location and marking at least a portion of the covers of the books with a distinguishing mark, and then transferring the marked books away from the marking location. The apparatus includes a marking device for marking the covers of the books, a transport device having a first and a second end for transporting the books past the marking device so that the covers of the books become marked thereby, and a removal device for moving the books away from the marking device after the covers of the books have been marked thereby.

Abstract: An onboard unit consisting of a tape recorder, and associated data handling components utilized to provide records of vehicular operating information including speed, distance, power level, braking level, traction motor current and other control events. Each quantity is associated with an incremental distance and/or time which is fixed. In the case of a rail guided vehicle, location signals provided by ground mounted markers are also recorded. Summation of incremental distances as determined from each marker provides an exact location. A magnetic tape unit provides both data storage and operations instruction for a microprocessor based system, allowing convenient alteration or variations in unit function without internal modification. Each unit retains a unique non-volatile serial number which is transferred to each tape allowing convenient correlation of recorded tapes to onboard units.

Abstract: A dual flexible drive is pprovided between a torque converter and a transmission to compensate for parallel misalignment therebetween. The flexible drive includes a coupling having a drive tube with enlarged flanges and with laminated flexible plates secured to said flanges and to the output of the torque converter and to the input of the transmission. Pilot guides are provided between the inner and outer periphery of the flexible plates.