Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for modulating smoothened-dependent pathway activation. The present invention provides analogs of cyclopamine that can be used to counteract the phenotypic effects of unwanted activation of a hedgehog pathway, such as resulting from hedgehog gain-of-function, Ptc loss-of-function or smoothened gain-of-function mutations. The compounds of the present invention are particularly useful in treating cancers.

Abstract: The present invention provides analogs of benzoquinone-containing ansamycins and uses thereof for treating and modulating disorders associated with hyperproliferation, such as cancer. The present invention provides analogs of benzoquinone-containing ansamycins where the benzoquinone is reduced to a hydroquinone and trapped by reaction with a suitable acid, preferably ones that increase the solubility and air stability of the resulting 17-ammonium hydroquinone ansamycin analog.

Abstract: The present invention provides analogs of benzoquinone-containing ansamycins and uses thereof for treating and modulating disorders associated with hyperproliferation, such as cancer. The present invention provides analogs of benzoquinone-containing ansamycins where the benzoquinone is reduced to a hydroquinone and trapped by reaction with a suitable acid, preferably ones that increase the solubility and air stability of the resulting 17-ammonium hydroquinone ansamycin analog.

Abstract: The present invention provides analogs of benzoquinone-containing ansamycins and uses thereof for treating and modulating disorders associated with hyperproliferation, such as cancer. The present invention provides analogs of benzoquinone-containing ansamycins where the benzoquinone is reduced to a hydroquinone and trapped by reaction with a suitable acid, preferably ones that increase the solubility and air stability of the resulting 17-ammonium hydroquinone ansamycin analog.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for modulating smoothened-dependent pathway activation. The present invention provides analogs of cyclopamine that can be used to counteract the phenotypic effects of unwanted activation of a hedgehog pathway, such as resulting from hedgehog gain-of-function, Ptc loss-of-function or smoothened gain-of-function mutations. The compounds of the present invention are particularly useful in treating cancers.

Abstract: The invention is therefore directed to a rotary valve actuating system coupled to a pipeline for a pressurized fluid, the actuating system being coupled to the rotary valve to selectively cause operation of the valve. The valve actuating system comprises at least two reservoirs having an amount of an operating liquid in a first portion being coupled to an external source of pressurized fluid in a second portion thereof. A slideable piston is positioned within each of the reservoirs to isolate the first and second portions, and upon application of pressure from the external pressurized fluid against the slideable piston, operating liquid is supplied to actuate the rotary valve. In this manner, the operating liquid is isolated from the external source of pressurized fluid, such as supplied from the pipeline.

Abstract: The invention is therefore directed to a rotary valve actuating system coupled to a pipeline for a pressurized fluid, the actuating system being coupled to the rotary valve to selectively cause operation of the valve. The valve actuating system comprises at least two reservoirs having an amount of an operating liquid in a first portion being coupled to an external source of pressurized fluid in a second portion thereof. A slideable piston is positioned within each of the reservoirs to isolate the first and second portions, and upon application of pressure from the external pressurized fluid against the slideable piston, operating liquid is supplied to actuate the rotary valve. In this manner, the operating liquid is isolated from the external source of pressurized fluid, such as supplied from the pipeline.

Abstract: A polyurethane composition useful for the manufacture of an elastomeric part is provided. The polyurethane composition comprises a polyisocyanate prepolymer and an active hydrogen containing compound, wherein from about 10 to about 60 percent by weight of the composition is a butylene oxide adduct and from about 70 to about 100 percent of the butylene oxide adduct is present in the polyisocyanate prepolymer. A method for preparing a polyurethane polymer from the polyurethane composition is also provided. Also, a method for preparing a polyurethane article from the polyurethane composition is provided.

Abstract: Polyurethane/polyurea polymers can be electrostatically painted without first being coated with a conductive primer. Disclosed is an improvement in a process for electrostatically painting polyurethane/polyurea polymers, the improvement being to prepare the polymer from a formulation including a non-volatile metal salt conductivity inducing material. The polymers of the present invention can be charged with sufficient charge density to permit efficient paint transfer to the polymer surface. Also disclosed is a composition of at least two adjacent layers, one layer being an outer layer of electrostatically applied paint, and the other an inner layer of polyurethane/polyurea polymer.

Abstract: A process for preparing an anti-static film comprising incorporating a conductivity inducing material into a polymeric film. The conductivity inducing material is a non-volatile metal salt. The polymeric film is selected from polyurethane, polyolefins, polyvinyl chloride, nitrile rubber, polyisoprene, hydrogenated block copolymers, styrene-isoprene-styrene/styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymers, styrene butadiene latexes, and natural rubber latex. Anti-static films and gloves prepared from such process are also disclosed.

Abstract: Polyurethane/polyurea polymers can be electrostatically painted without first being coated with a conductive primer. Disclosed is a process for electrostatically painting polyurethane/polyurea polymers, the process having a step of including a non-volatile metal salt conductivity inducing material. The conductivity of the polymers of the present invention can allow them to be charged with sufficient charge density to permit efficient paint transfer to the polymer surface. Also disclosed is a composition of at least two adjacent layers, one layer being an outer layer of electrostatically applied paint, and the other an inner layer of polyurethane/polyurea polymer.

Abstract: Polyurea polymers prepared from formulations including a polyisocyanate, a polyamine and a polyepoxide can have good heat stability and good physical properties in the substantial absence of uretidine diones and isocyanurates. The polymers can be prepared in one step of admixing and heating at greater than 150.degree. C. or in a two step process by first admixing the components at less than 130.degree. C. and then postcuring the product at greater than 150.degree. C. The polyurea polymer, after postcuring, can have substantially no residual epoxy or oxazolidinone groups. These polymers were particularly useful for applications which require the exposure of the polyurea polymers to both intermittent high temperatures and high humidity. The polyurea polymers of the present invention can withstand higher temperatures than conventional polyurea polymers without blistering.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for preparing a polyurethane or polyurea elastomer by reacting in a closed mold a reaction mixture comprising a polyisocyanate and a relatively high equivalent weight polyether. The process is characterized by employing as said polyether a polymer or copolymer of propylene oxide having at least two hydroxyl groups per molecule, an equivalent weight from about 1000 to about 5000 and a monofunctional species content of about 0.04 milliequivalents/gram of polymer or less.

Abstract: The invention includes a process for preparing a flexible, water-blown polyurea foam by reacting a reaction mixture containing at least one polyisocyanate component and an active hydrogen component, wherein active hydrogen compounds of relatively high equivalent weight have an average of about 1.5 to about 4 active hydrogen-containing groups per molecule, of which active hydrogen-containing groups: an average of (a) from about 5 to about 60 percent are primary aliphatic amine groups or (b) at least about 25 percent are primary aromatic, secondary aliphatic, Lewis acid-blocked primary or secondary aliphatic or aromatic amine groups or mixtures of such groups. An amount of at least one alkali metal halide salt effective to increase load bearing strength of the foam is incorporated into the reaction mixture. Differing amounts of alkali metal halide salts are suitably incorporated into different areas of the foam to produce areas having differing load bearing strengths.

Abstract: A polyurea foam is formed from a reaction mixture comprising at least one polyisocyanate component and an active hydrogen component, wherein active hydrogen compounds of relatively high equivalent weight have an average of about 1.5 to about 10 active hydrogen-containing groups per molecule, of which active hydrogen-containing groups: an average of (a) from about 5 to about 60 percent are primary or secondary aliphatic amine groups or (b) at least about 25 percent are primary aromatic, Lewis acid-blocked primary aliphatic, secondary aliphatic or aromatic amine groups or mixtures thereof. Carbon dioxide is adducted to said active hydrogen component. The adduct releases carbon dioxide to blow the foam.

Abstract: Liquid distillation residue formed in the phosgenation of polyamines to form polyisocyanates are hydrolyzed to reform the polyamine. The process comprises forming an adduct of the distillation residue with additional polyamine and then hydrolyzing the resulting adduct to convert the adduct to said polyamine.

Abstract: A polyurea or polyurea-polyurethane elastomer which is the reaction product of reaction mixture comprising (a) an organic polyisocyanate, (b) a low equivalent weight aromatic amine chain extender in an amount from about 15 to 60 parts by weight based on the weight of isocyanate reactive components present in said reaction mixture, (c) an amount of an amine-initiated polyol sufficient to provide the elastomer with a measurably decreased brittleness at demold as compared to a similar elastomer prepared in the absence of said amine initiated polyol.

Abstract: Substrates having a backing of fine celled polyurethane foam are prepared by applying to the back of the substrate a frothed polyurethane forming composition containing small amounts of a silicone surfactant having an average molecular weight below about 30,000 which provides the resultant foam with a cell count value of greater than about 16 per 0.0025 square inches and wherein the unfilled, unfrothed liquid components of said polyurethane forming composition obtains a viscosity of greater than 10,000 centipoise in less than 40 minutes at 25.degree. C.

Abstract: A pedicure implement comprises an integral, plastic molded handle structure on the base of which are mounted upwardly angled fine and coarse abrading strips formed of thin stainless steel with the shape and mounting arrangement being designed for ease of use in pedicure-manicure operations.