Abstract: The use for biological screening purposes of a subset (library) of a large combinatorially accessible chemical universe increases the efficiency of the screening process only if the subset contains members representative of the total diversity of the universe. In order to insure inclusion in the subset of molecules representing the total diversity of the universe under consideration, valid molecular descriptors which quantitatively reflect the diversity of the molecules in the universe are required. A unique validation method is used to examine both a new three dimensional steric metric and some prior art metrics. With this method, the relative usefulness/validity of individual metrics can be ascertained from their application to randomly selected literature data sets.

Abstract: A lubricator (28) is provided to lubricate tab stock (82) prior to forming the tab stock (82) into pull tabs. The lubricator (28) comprises felt pads (36-38) for removing contaminants from the tab stock (82) prior to lubrication thereof. A hydrostatic chamber (40) receives and disperses lube (42) from a source (44). As the tab stock (82) passes through the chamber (40) the lube (42) coats the tab stock (82). Subsequently, the tab stock (82) passes through wipers (50-52) and metering rollers (58-60) to remove all but a predetermined quantity of the lube (42). A collector (70) is provided to collect any excess lube (42) and return same to the source (44) through a return line (72) thus allowing recycling of the lube (42).