Abstract: IC fabrication employs the deposition of aluminum as a metallization layer. Frequently, the aluminum is doped with copper in small amounts to improve electric properties. Low temperature deposition of these layers is preferred to ensure the proper microstructure and surface roughness. Low temperature deposition (below about 300° C.) results in the formation of copper precipitates which can be difficult to remove. Annealing the layer formed, either prior to, or after formation of capping layers and additional layers thereon, drives the copper precipitate back into solution, permitting small dimension fabrication.

Abstract: In a rotary metering valve, a metering block is located in a chamber having a plurality of outlets. The metering block is connectable to a fluid supply and has an outlet selector rotatable to select one of several different outlets from the block to the chamber. A barrier extends between the wall of the chamber and the metering block to prevent fluid flowing in a 360 degree rotary motion around the block. A sprayer check valve is also disclosed. The valve has a diaphragm acted on by control fluid whose pressure is set to just below the spray fluid pressure and which is varied according to variations in the spray fluid pressure.

Abstract: Various forms of c-mpl agonist antibodies are shown to influence the replication, differentiation or maturation of blood cells, especially megakaryocytes and megakaryocyte progenitor cells. Accordingly, these compounds may be used for treatment of thrombocytopenia.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for significantly increasing the solubility and dispersibility of consumer products such as food products, botanicals, cosmetic ingredients and medical products is disclosed. The method involves applying a continuous stream of oxygen-containing, i.e., OX gas to a material in a sealed chamber. The continuous stream of OX gas is prepared in an OX generation cell, which contains a means for generating the OX gas at a pressure less than 20 lbs/in2 using, for example, one or more of the following: corona discharge, high frequency electrical discharge, ultraviolet light, x-ray, radioactive isotope and electric beam. The apparatus contains: (a) a chamber; (b) a vacuum pump coupled to the chamber; (c) an OX generation cell, wherein the OX generation cell contains an OX generator capable of generating OX at a pressure less than 20 lbs/in2.

Abstract: A self-propelled rotary excavator having a plurality of booms forming a boom assembly attached to a chassis, with a rotary cutting device attached to the end of the boom assembly. The boom assembly positions the rotary cutting device at a desired position in regard to the chassis or moving portion of the self-propelled rotary excavator. The position of the rotary cutting device is maintainable (preferably controlled by lasers) so as to provide a ditch which has a constant grade regardless of the undulations of the land upon which the self-propelled rotary excavator traverses. An operator of the self-propelled rotary excavator can also independently control both the depth of the cut produced by the rotary cutting device and the distance in a direction perpendicular to the depth of the cut produced by the rotary cutting device.

Abstract: A radiation-sensitive resin composition comprising (A) resin which comprises a recurring unit (1) shown by the following formula (1) and either or both of a recurring unit (2) shown by the following formula (2) and a recurring unit (3) shown by the following formula (3), and (B) a photoacid generator shown by the following formula (4).

Abstract: A gaseous blend of Ox and a method for significantly reducing the biological load on consumer products such as food products, botanicals and cosmetic ingredients is disclosed. The gaseous blend of Ox consists at least in part of O3. The method involves applying a continuous stream of oxygen-containing, i. e., Ox, gas to a material at a predetermined temperature, pressure and relative humidity. The continuous stream of Ox gas is prepared in an Ox generation cell, which contains a means for generating the Ox gas at a pressure less than 20 lbs/in2 using, for example, one or more of the following: corona discharge, high frequency electrical discharge, ultraviolet light, x-ray, radioactive isotope and electric beam.

Abstract: A soda-lime glass which has a gray-green color, an excitation purity (P) of more than 7%, a light transmission of greater than 30% under Illuminant A and for a glass thickness of 4 mm, a selectivity (SE4) of greater than 1.55, and an ultraviolet radiation transmission (TUV4) of less than 10%, and which comprises soda-lime glass forming constituents as main constituents and coloring agents consisting essentially of, in weight %, more than 0.25 and less than 0.4% of FeO, from 0.9 to 1.8% of Fe2O3, from 0.001 to 0.010% of Co, from 0.0100 to 0.024% of Cr2O3, and from 0 to 0.2% of V2O5, in which the total quantity of iron is expressed as Fe2O3.

Abstract: An easily installable signal enhancement addition for a satellite dish, and method for using an installed dish as a reference that allows installation of the enhancement without re-acquiring the satellite signal or re-aiming the dish. In one variation, the enhancement includes a reflector addition fitted with fasteners that locate the reflector against the existing dish, and use of the original feed horn, which is relocated using a support extension. This variation avoids the “shadow” of the feed horn and its support arm, and minimizes the reflective surface area at the lower end of the dish, which reduces collection of such interfering material as snow, rain, and debris. In variations using increased reflector size, the enhancement reduces loss of signal during inclement weather or in other situations in which the satellite signal is partially blocked. In one variation, the added reflector is a standard parabolic reflector superimposed over the original reflector, or replacing it on its mount.

Abstract: A kit for detecting a first substance in a sample including a stabilized 1,2-dioxetane bearing an enzyme-labile substituent, which is destabilized and caused to decompose by contacting the 1,2-dioxetane with an enzyme under conditions which cause the enzyme to cleave the enzyme-labile group from the dioxetane, thereby yielding a negatively charged oxygen anion bonded to the 1,2-dioxetane, which causes the 1,2-dioxetane to decompose without input from an external excitation energy source, the decomposition being accompanied by chemiluminescence; and a second component selected from the group consisting of a specific affinity substance (e.g., an antigen, an antibody or a nucleic acid probe) and an enzyme which destabilizes said 1,2-dioxetane.

Abstract: An attenuated, avirulent recombinant vaccine providing challenged protection against channel catfish virus comprises deletion of gene 50. Gene 50 encodes a secreted glycoprotein. Removal of gene 50, or replacement of gene 50 with foreign genetic material, provides a vaccine with which induces virus specific immunity against CCV disease.

Abstract: There is disclosed a complex and a combination of the glycosylated polypeptide fetuin and a therapeutically active small molecule compound having a net positive charge at physiological pH. The presence of fetuin as a drug complex or in combination with the therapeutically active small molecule compound enhances therapeutic activity of the small molecule compound. The present invention further provides a means for screening for therapeutically active small molecule compounds by means of binding to fetuin.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a cosmetic composition comprising a self-heating component, self-indicating disintegrating granules comprised of water-insoluble polymer and a colorant, which gives users indications of the length of time the composition has been applied and the degree of mixing when in use.

Abstract: Personal and household care compositions that deliver an audible crackling or popping sound during use. The sound is created by the release of pressurized carbon dioxide that has been encapsulated in a water-soluble structure. The carbon dioxide gas is released as the encapsulating material dissolves or when it is ruptured by mechanical action. The popping or crackling sound helps create consumer interest by signaling the presence and continued action of the product.

Abstract: A probe for measuring the viscosity and/or temperature of high temperature liquids, such as molten metals, glass and similar materials comprises a rod which is an acoustical waveguide through which a transducer emits an ultrasonic signal through one end of the probe, and which is reflected from (a) a notch or slit or an interface between two materials of the probe and (b) from the other end of the probe which is in contact with the hot liquid or hot melt, and is detected by the same transducer at the signal emission end. To avoid the harmful effects of introducing a thermally conductive heat sink into the melt, the probe is made of relatively thermally insulative (non-heat-conductive) refractory material. The time between signal emission and reflection, and the amplitude of reflections, are compared against calibration curves to obtain temperature and viscosity values.

Abstract: The present invention concerns alkyl aryl carbonyl compounds that possess anti-infective activity. The compounds of the invention can be used to target specific nuclear localization signal, thereby blocking importation of specific proteins or molecular complex into the nucleus of a cell. The invention encompasses methods of use of such compounds for treatment or prevention of infectious diseases, such as parasitic and viral diseases, including, for example, malaria and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. The use of the compounds to detect certain specific protein structures which are present in nuclear localization sequences is also taught.

Abstract: A chemiluminescent assays for the determination of the presence or amount of a biopolymer in bound assays using 1,2-dioxetanes in connection with AttoPhos™ as chemiluminescent substrates for enzyme-labeled targets or probes is provided. Further disclosed is a kit for conducting a bioassay for the presence or concentration of a biopolymer comprising a) an enzyme complex; b) a 1,2-dioxetane; and c) AttoPhos™.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for significantly reducing the biological load on consumer products such as food products, botanicals, cosmetic ingredients and medical products is disclosed. The method involves applying a continuous stream of oxygen-containing, i.e., Ox, gas to a material in a sealed biological burden reduction chamber.

Abstract: A method of populating multiple data marts in a single operation from a set of transactional data held in a database in a single aggregation process, in which aggregate values are calculated only once, a determination is made as to which output data marts required the aggregate value, and the aggregate values are output to the appropriate data marts. Dimension data associated with the output aggregate records is also output to the appropriate data marts.