Abstract: An apparatus and method for scrubbing both surfaces of a substrate which includes a process section having a first unit, a second unit, a main arm mechanism for transferring a substrate into/from the first and second units, a first cassette or a second cassette section for transferring plural cassettes, a first and second sub-arm for transferring a substrate into/from the cassette sections, and controllers, such that a first substrate taken out from the first cassette section is subjected to the first unit and then subjected to the second unit, while a second substrate taken out from the second cassette is subjected to the second unit and then subjected to the first unit.

Abstract: A carbon monoxide sensor including a gas detecting portion and at least a pair of electrodes, wherein the gas detecting portion includes a metal oxide represented by a following formula;Cu.sub.1-x Bi.sub.x O.sub.y(0<x<1 and 1<y<1.5).

Abstract: A method and apparatuses are disclosed for determining an anticoagulant therapy factor (ATF), a corrected anticoagulant therapy factor (CATF), and a modified anticoagulant therapy factor (MATF), all selectively used for monitoring oral anticoagulant therapy to help prevent excessive bleeding or deleterious blood clots that might otherwise occur before, during or after surgery. The anticoagulant therapy factor (ATF), the corrected anticoagulant therapy factor (CATF), and a modified anticoagulant therapy factor (MATF) are based upon disclosed methods for determining the fibrinogen transformation rate (FTR) which, in turn, is dependent on a maximum acceleration point for fibrinogen (FBG) conversion. The ATF, CATF, and MATF quantities are also based upon the prothrombin time (PT), but have no need for the difficulty to obtain prior art International Normalized Ratio (INR) and International Sensitivity Index (ISI) parameters.

Abstract: A method for rinsing a synthetic sponge material, the synthetic sponge material being formed through a process which leaves residue or particulate matter in pores of the synthetic sponge material, the method includes the steps of:a) contacting a rinsing solution with the synthetic sponge material; b) centrifuging the sponge material containing the rinsing solution; c) changing the hydrostatic pressure of the rinsing solution during said centrifuging step to expand and relax the pores of the synthetic sponge material to effectively pump the rinsing solution into and out of the pores, wherein the residue or the particulate matter in the pores of the synthetic sponge material are removed. The hydrostatic pressure can be changed by varying fluid supply pressure or varying centrifugal force.

Abstract: A method for measuring NO.sub.x in biochemical processes which includes a) isolating a liquid sample; b) adjusting the pH or ionic strength of the sample; c) recording mV values present in the sample after predetermined time periods; d) determining NO.sub.x concentrations in the sample at each of the predetermined time periods from the mV values; e) determining the difference in NO.sub.x in the sample from the NO.sub.x concentrations at each of the predetermined time periods; and f) determining the NO.sub.x concentration of the liquid sample from the difference in NO.sub.x and the predetermined time periods.

Abstract: A method for the removal of fluorine or chlorine residue from an etched precision surface such as a semiconductor sample is provided which comprises exposing said precision surface to liquid CO.sub.2 under appropriate conditions that are sufficient to remove the residue from the precision surface. Cryogenic aerosol may be used in conjunction with liquid CO.sub.2.

Abstract: A method for measuring ash content of food stuff is carried out by 1) preparing, with respect to food stuff samples whose ash content values are known, a calibration curve by a non-linear analysis of absorbance values and the known ash content of each sample, the absorbance values being obtained by irradiating light having particular wavelengths containing at least an ultraviolet ray band wavelength, the particular wavelength being specific to organic ingredients well coupled to inorganic ingredients which result in the ash content, and 2) deriving, with respect to a sample whose ash content value is unknown, an ash content value of the sample from absorbance values obtained by irradiating, on the sample, light having the particular wavelengths containing at least the ultraviolet ray band wavelength and from the calibration curve prepared in advance by the non-linear analysis.

Abstract: A method is provided to render non-hazardous surface soil which is contaminated with lead compounds. The soil is treated by applying an aqueous composition comprising hydrogen peroxide, ammonium hydroxide, nitric acid and acetic acid and allowing said composition to migrate through the soil.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting NO.sub.x by chemiluminescence. The apparatus includes a sample gas line having an inlet port for receiving a sample gas, a NO.sub.x converter connected to the sample gas line, a N.sub.2 diluting gas line connected to the sample gas line upstream from the NO.sub.x converter, a bypass exhaust lie connected to the sample gas line, and a chemiluminescence analyzer connected to the NO.sub.x converter. The sample gas, which contains a NO.sub.x component, is introduced to the sample gas line through an inlet portion. The sample gas is diluted with nitrogen gas from the nitrogen diluting gas line, and the NO.sub.x component in the sample gas is converted to NO by the NO.sub.x converter. The chemiluminescence analyzer detects the NO.sub.x component.

Abstract: An method for performing activated clotting time tests, including a method for evaluating platelet functionality of a blood sample. The method includes the steps of combining a heparin-inactivating agent, an anticoagulant agent, a sufficient amount of clotting reagent to achieve clotting, a platelet activating agent, and the sample of blood to be tested to form a test mixture. The platelet activating agent is a reagent other than the clotting reagent. The platelets of the sample are activated by agitating the test mixture, and the activated clotting time test is terminated upon detecting a predetermined change in a property of the test mixture. The activated clotting time of the sample of blood is calculated based on the elapsed time. The activated clotting time test may be performed using a plunger sensor apparatus which comprises a plurality of test cells.

Abstract: Oxygen sensor for measuring resistance as a function of oxygen partial pressure, made of alkaline-earth-doped perovskitic lanthanum ferrites with the general formulaLa.sub.1-x Me.sub.x FeO.sub.3-.delta.where Me is one of alkaline earth metals, Mg, Ca, Sr, and Ba, x is a degree of doping of the lanthanum ferrites. The oxygen sensor oxygen deficit of anion is 6=0 to 0.25, and the degree of doping of the lanthanum ferrites is x=0.1 to 0.3 and is selected to provide a temperature independent resistance property to the oxygen sensor in a lean range.

Abstract: A cleaning mechanism and method for cleaning the probe needles of a probe card used for the inspection of the electric characteristics of a wafer W. This mechanism is provided with a soft cleaner and a brush cleaner. The soft cleaner has a cleaner layer formed of rubber and inorganic filler. The brush cleaner has a number of brush sections, and each brush section is a bundle of fiber members. The fiber members are thinner than the probe needles and have a certain degree of elasticity. The cleaning method includes the steps of: a) cleaning the probe needles using the soft cleaner having a the cleaning layer made of rubber and inorganic filler and b) cleaning the probe needles using the brush cleaner having bristles.

Abstract: Methods for cleaning and/or drying objects that may have been wetted or contaminated in a manufacturing process. The objects are submerged in a rinse liquid in an enclosed chamber, and aerosol particles from a selected liquid are introduced into the chamber above the rinse liquid surface, forming a thin film on this surface. As the rinse liquid is slowly drained, some aerosol particles settle onto the exposed surfaces of the objects, and displace and remove rinse liquid residues from the exposed surfaces, possibly by a "chemical squeegeeing" effect. Surface contaminants are also removed by this process which may be performed at about room temperature. Chamber pressure is maintained at or near the external environment pressure as the rinse liquid is drained from the chamber. Inert gas flow is employed to provide aerosol particles of smaller size and/or with greater dispersion within the chamber. Continuous filtering and shunt filtering are employed to remove most contaminants from the selected liquid.

Abstract: A method and device for cleaning contaminated surfaces with both water and steam. A water film is applied to the contaminated surface and steam sprayed into the water film while water is continued to be applied to the water film. In this way the steam is directed into the water film and through the water film onto the contaminated surface, whereby contaminates in the contaminated surface are removed.

Abstract: Methods for drying and cleaning objects that may have been wetted or contaminated in a manufacturing process. The objects are submerged in a rinse liquid in an enclosed chamber, and aerosol particles from a selected liquid are introduced into the chamber above the rinse liquid surface, forming a thin film on this surface. As the rinse liquid is slowly drained, some aerosol particles settle onto the exposed surfaces of the objects, and displace and remove rinse liquid residues from the exposed surfaces, possibly by a "chemical squeegeeing" effect. Surface contarminants are also removed by this process, which may be carried out at or near room temperature. Chamber pressure is maintained at or near the external environment pressure as the rinse liquid is drained from the chamber.

Abstract: An asphalt release agent for preventing hot road asphalt, especially polymer-modified asphalt, from sticking to surfaces of delivery truck beds is provided. The release agent includes a water-based mixture of polycycloaliphatic amines and polyalkylene glycols. The release agent is applied onto the truck beds to create a slippery non-stick surface so that the road asphalt which comes in contact with such truck bed surfaces will not adhere.

Abstract: A method of treating a felt to remove contaminants therein comprises the steps of providing a felt used in transporting paper webs, preparing an enzyme solution comprising an enzyme selected from the group consisting of a cellulase, a hemicellulase, and mixtures thereof, applying the enzyme solution to the felt for a first predetermined period of time, rinsing the felt with water, applying a solution of sodium hydroxide to the felt to remove the enzyme solution, and rinsing the felt with water to remove the sodium hydroxide solution thereby removing the contaminants in the felt.

Abstract: A substrate may be treated by impinging the substrate with a cryogenic aerosol spray wherein the cryogenic aerosol spray is formed by expanding a pressurized liquid or liquid/gaseous stream of one or more cryogens through a nozzle at a given distance from the substrate into a process chamber with a pressure of about 1.6.times.10.sup.4 Pascal or less so as to form at least substantially solid aerosol particles of said one or more cryogens downstream from the nozzle by the cooling resulting from the expansion and/or evaporation to form an at least substantially solid particle containing aerosol.

Abstract: A device for determining at least one petroleum characteristic of a geologic sediment sample placed in a boat, said device including a first heater heating said sample in a non-oxidizing atmosphere, a measuring component determining hydrocarbon-containing products released after feeding the sample into said first heater, a second subsequent heater heating said sample in an oxidizing atmosphere, a measuring component determining the amount of CO.sub.2 contained in effluents discharged from the two heaters, said CO.sub.2 measuring means include a cell for measuring continuously CO.sub.2 throughout heating of the first and second heaters and a measuring component determining the amount of CO contained in the effluents discharged from the two heaters, and thereby allowing determination of said petroleum characteristic.

Abstract: A method for washing both surfaces of a substrate, comprising (a) a first washing step for washing a front surface of a substrate, which is kept rotated, by bringing a scrubbing member into contact with said front surface of the substrate while supplying a washing liquid onto the front surface, (b) a second washing step for washing a back surface of the substrate, which is kept rotated, by bringing a scrubbing member into contact with said back surface of the substrate while supplying a washing liquid onto the back surface, (c) a heating step for drying under heat the wet surfaces of the substrate, (d) a recipe determining step for determining whether said heating step (c) is performed at a period between said first washing step (a) and second washing step (b) and at a period after the second washing step (b), whether the heating step (c) is performed only once after the second washing step (b), or whether the heating step (c) is not performed, and (e) a conducting step for performing or not performing the he