Abstract: The present application provides novel heterocyclic compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. Also provided are methods for preparing these compounds. These compounds are useful for inhibiting ERK1/2. By administering to a patient in need a therapeutically effective amount of one or more of the compounds of formula (I), wherein X, Y, Z, J, M, and R1 to R8 are defined herein, these compounds are effective in treating conditions associated with dysregulation of the RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK pathway. A variety of conditions can be treated using these compounds and include diseases which are characterized by abnormal cellular proliferation. In one embodiment, the disease is cancer.

Abstract: A metering device for granular and flaky materials is provided, comprising a bowl cavity member defining an upwardly facing metering cavity with an upper rim, an outlet passage extending from the metering cavity, and a hopper member movably mounted on the bowl cavity member and defining an upwardly facing material cavity. With the hopper member in its upper limit position the lower portion of its cavity is adjacent to the rim of the metering cavity, whereby material is moved by gravity into the material cavity from the hopper cavity, and with the hopper member in its lower limit position the metering cavity rim is substantially above the material in the hopper cavity.