Abstract: The brush (1) includes a core (2) formed from a metal wire bent into a U and the branches of which are twisted to trap radial bristles (3) between them, the core (2) being fixed to the end of a wand (6). The branches of the core are twisted, turning to the left, to form turns which turn in the clockwise direction about the axis (X) of the core when progressing from the wand towards the end of the brush, whereas the bristles (3) of the brush form helical layers (S) rising from left to right in the area located between the core and an observer who holds the brush substantially vertical in front of him/her with its tip pointing upwards.

Abstract: The brush (1) includes a core (2) formed from a metal wire bent into a U and the branches of which are twisted to trap radial bristles (3) between them, the core (2) being fixed to the end of a wand (6). The branches of the core are twisted, turning to the left, to form turns which turn in the clockwise direction about the axis (X) of the core when progressing from the wand towards the end of the brush, whereas the bristles (3) of the brush form helical layers (S) rising from left to right in the area located between the core and an observer who holds the brush substantially vertical in front of him/her with its tip pointing upwards.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for filling a groove in a pavement with a groove filling grout. The present invention is particularly useful for forming long-lasting pavement markings, such as lane striping.

Abstract: A wheelchair restraint system for a mass transportation vehicle having a securement area for a wheelchair is disclosed which includes a barrier carried at a rear portion of the securement area disposed generally transverse to the longitudinal vehicle axis. A rear wheelchair attachment assembly is carried by the rear barrier for anchoring the wheelchair to the barrier. A personal securement belt assembly secures a seated wheelchair occupant to the wheelchair in the securement area. A front bulkhead extends generally transverse to the longitudinal vehicle axis at a front portion of the securement area which includes an extendable anchor member which extends transverse relative to the longitudinal vehicle axis. The anchor member is extendable between a stored position in which the anchor member is stowed within the bulkhead and a deployed position wherein the anchor member is extended from the bulkhead.

Abstract: A container turn-over apparatus (1) including a base (2) and a container cradle (3) with openable latchable ends (8,9) and an open side (6) to allow a container to be placed in the cradle (3). Two selectively engagable spaced apart pivotal connections (12,14 & 13,15) allow the cradle (3) to be turned end over end by means of piston and cylinder assemblies (44). When the cradle (3) is turned over to stand on one of its ends (8,9) the other end of the cradle (3) is automatically unlatched and opened.

Abstract: A variable speed helicopter rotor system and method for operating such a system are provided which allow the helicopter rotor to be operated at an optimal angular velocity in revolutions per minute (RPM) minimizing the power required to turn the rotor and thereby resulting in helicopter performance efficiency improvements, reduction in noise, and improvements in rotor, helicopter transmission and engine life. The system and method provide for an increase in helicopter endurance and. The system and method also provide a substantial improvement in helicopter performance during take-off, hover and maneuver.

Abstract: Devices and methods for utilizing dry chemistry dye indicator systems for body fluid analysis such as glucose level in whole blood are provided by incorporating an indicator in a bibulous matrix contained inside a hollow fiber capillary tube adapted to wick the fluid sample into the tube to wet the matrix and indicator system. The devices also enable visual or meter reading of the indicator by positioning the hollow fiber capillary tube in a housing having an optical opening adapted for receiving light form a source and directing the light to the capillary tube and for directing the light reflected therefrom to a detector. An advantage for the individual user is the small fluid, e.g., blood, sample required, which enables the user to avoid using finger tip sticks for samples. Another aspect of the device provides a determination of and correction for hematocrit level in whole blood in combination with indicator indication of analyte concentration.

Abstract: An apparatus for synthesizing polymer chains includes a controller, a plurality of precision fit vials circularly arranged in multiple banks on a cartridge, a drain corresponding to each bank of vials, a chamber bowl, a plurality of valves for delivering reagents to selective vials, and a waste tube system for purging material from the vials. A purging operation can be selectively performed on one or more of the banks of vials. The multiple banks of valves provide an additional number of reagent choices while operating in a serial mode and faster reagent distribution while operating in a parallel mode. The plurality of vials are stored in the cartridge and are divided among individual banks wherein each bank of vials has a corresponding drain. There is at least one waste tube system for expelling the reagent solution from vials within a particular bank of vials when the waste tube system is coupled to the corresponding drain.

Abstract: A process for hydrotreating a hydrocarbon feedstock (1) involving the use of at least one hydrotreatment, particularly hydrodesulfurization, reactor (2) and a fractionation unit (3), which latter contains two distinct injection zones (4,5) for the hydrocarbon feedstocks, a common zone (8) of vaporization of the light fractions and two distinct draw-off lines (6,7) for the liquid bottoms;

Abstract: A process for producing sodium salts, which comprises adding solid sodium carbonate to a first aqueous solution containing sodium carbonate and sodium hydrogencarbonate, to prepare a second aqueous solution, precipitating, separating and recovering from the second aqueous solution sodium sesquicarbonate crystals containing at least 50 mol % of the sodium hydrogencarbonate component contained in the second aqueous solution, and further recovering sodium carbonate from a mother liquor remaining after separating the sodium sesquicarbonate crystals from the second aqueous solution.

Abstract: Injectable activated carbon suspensions are proposed for the presurgical marking of nonpalpable mammary pathologies for the purpose of achieving better diagnosis and treatment.

Abstract: Devices and methods for enhancing the healing of wounds, especially chronic wounds (e.g., diabetic wounds), involving the use of keratinocytes are described. Keratinocytes are grown on a transplantable solid support (e.g., collagen-coated beads), and the keratinocyte-coated solid support is placed in an enclosure. The enclosure, in turn, is placed in the wound for use as an interactive wound healing promoter.

Abstract: A mechanism of macrophage-induced T cell suppression is the selective elimination of tryptophan and/or increase in one or more tryptophan metabolites within the local macrophage microenvironment Studies demonstrate that expression of IDO can serve as a marker of suppression of T cell activation, and may play a significant role in allogeneic pregnancy and therefore other types of transplantation, and that inhibitors of IDO can be used to activate T cells and therefore enhance T cell activation when the T cells are suppressed by pregnancy, malignancy or a virus such as HIV. Inhibiting tryptophan degradation (and thereby increasing tryptophan concentration while decreasing tryptophan metabolite concentration), or supplementing tryptophan concentration, can therefore be used in addition to, or in place of, inhibitors of IDO.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process by which organic solvent-containing solutions are used in lieu of pure water for the preparation of cartilage extracts and fractions thereof. Different organic solvents have been tested for the preparation of extracts containing biologically active components possessing at least an activity against a matrix metalloprotease (anti-MMP). This invention also relates to a process by which a total liquid extract of shark cartilage composed of molecules having molecular weights less than about 500kDa (0-500 fraction) is purified into two well separated fractions composed of molecules having molecular weights less than about 1 kDa (0-1 fraction) and between about 1 to 500 kDa (1-500 fraction). In order to prevent the formation of aggregates, to improve the dissolution and the stability of active components, sucrose or other stabilizing agents can be added.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for depositing braze alloy on a surface of a component that will be subsequently joined to a second component. In one form a braze alloy is sprayed by a thermal process. The braze alloy is sprayed in such a fashion that substantially all of the powder braze alloy is unmolten, but is heated to a state deformable enough to bond to the surface. One form of the spraying operation utilizes a High Velocity Oxygen Fuel spray gun.

Abstract: A container for asphalt includes a sidewall and a bottom assembled to the sidewall to form the container for holding the asphalt in the container, the bottom thereafter being melted with the asphalt without adversely affecting the asphalt properties.

Abstract: A substantially flexible, shape-sustaining article having an appearance simulating paper made by forming a flexible, laminated material having a paper-like texture or appearance into a substantially flexible article for receiving an object. The substantially flexible article includes a base having a lower end, an open upper end with an object opening extending therethrough and a decorative border extending outwardly from the open upper end of the base. The lower end of the base of the article may be closed and may also contain a gusset.

Abstract: A silicon substrate material based on silicon has a semi-insulating interior layer isolating the bulk of the substrate material from the top layers, where integrated circuits are to be built. The semi-insulating layer is created by producing submicron particles having Schottky barriers or pn-hetero-barriers and distributing the particles so that the depletion regions then produced around neighboring particles overlap. Such particles will then deplete the silicon material from electric charge carriers. The substrate material can then be processed using the standard silicon processing methods and allows integrated circuits to be manufactured which are suitable for high frequency applications. A silicon substrate is made by sputtering a metal such as Co in a silicon wafer and then silicidizing sputtered Co atoms by means of an annealing treatment. A top silicon wafer having a silicon dioxide layer at its bottom surface is then bonded to the sputtered layer.

Abstract: A polymeric adhesive tape including a first polymeric adhesive layer which is a heat activated film and a second polymeric adhesive layer which is a heat activated film is disclosed. The tape is designed for use in the fabrication of articles wherein the polymeric adhesive tape secures a first member to a support surface. A method for bonding adjacent sheets to a substrate is also disclosed. In accordance with the disclosed method, a substrate is prepared for application of a first sheet and a second sheet, a polymeric adhesive tape is positioned on the substrate at a position along which the seam between the first sheet and the second sheet will be located, the first sheet and the second sheet are laid on the substrate such that the seam between the first sheet and the second sheet lies along the polymeric adhesive tape, and the adhesive tape is heated along the seam to bond the substrate, adhesive tape, first laminate and second laminate.

Abstract: A polymeric adhesive tape including a first polymeric adhesive layer which is a heat activated film and a second polymeric adhesive layer which is a heat activated film is disclosed. The tape is designed for use in the fabrication of articles wherein the polymeric adhesive tape secures a first member to a support surface. A method for bonding adjacent sheets to a substrate is also disclosed. In accordance with the disclosed method, a substrate is prepared for application of a first sheet and a second sheet, a polymeric adhesive tape is positioned on the substrate at a position along which the seam between the first sheet and the second sheet will be located, the first sheet and the second sheet are laid on the substrate such that the seam between the first sheet and the second sheet lies along the polymeric adhesive tape, and the adhesive tape is heated along the seam to bond the substrate, adhesive tape, first laminate and second laminate.

Abstract: A protective coat formed by thermal spraying, and having an outstanding durability against corrosion by a molten light alloy. A thermal spraying composite material used to form such a coat contains from about 30 to about 70% by weight of molybdenum boride, from about 20 to about 40% by weight of nickel or cobalt, from about 5 to about 20% by weight of chromium, and from about 5 to about 10% by weight of at least one metal boride selected from the borides of Cr, W, Zr, Ni and Nb.

Abstract: A cold-rolled steel strip or hot-dip coated cold-rolled steel strip for use as a fire-proof building member has composition consisting of 0.01-0.25 wt. % C, up to 1.5 wt. % Si, 0.05-2.5 wt. % Mn, up to 0.1 wt. % P, no more than 0.02 wt. % S, 0.005-0.1 wt. % Al, 0.05-1.0 wt. % Mo, optionally 0.005-0.2 wt. % one or more selected from Ti, Nb, V and W, optionally one or more of 0.05-0.6 wt. % Cu, 0.05-0.6 wt. % Ni, 0.05-3.0 wt. % Cr and 0.0003-0.003 wt. % B and the balance being essentially Fe except inevitable impurities. The cold-rolled steel strip is manufactured by hot-rolling, acid-pickling, cold-rolling and then annealing at a temperature above its recrystallization temperature but below 950° C. The hot-dip coated cold-rolled steel strip is manufactured in the same way but in-line heating a cold-rolled steel strip at a temperature above its recrystallization temperature but below 950° C. and then immersing it into a coating bath.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an organic EL element according to the present invention comprises the steps of forming pixel electrodes (801), (802), (803) on a transparent substrate (804) and forming on the pixel electrodes by patterning luminescent layers (806), (807), (808) made of an organic compound by means of an ink-jet method. According to this method, it is possible to carry out a high precise patterning easily and in a short time, thereby enabling to carry out optimization for a film design and luminescent characteristic easily as well as making it easy to adjust a luminous efficiency.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention is a power system for providing power to a critical load. The system includes a first power source producing sufficient power to supply the critical load and a second power source, independent of said first power source. The second power source produces sufficient power to supply the critical load. The system also includes a rotary device having a first power input circuit and a second power input circuit. The second power source is coupled to the rotary device at the second power input circuit. A transfer switch selectively couples the first power source to the first power input circuit and the second power input circuit.

Abstract: A stack (200) of fuel cells (202) sealed together with a formed elastomer seal (206) is disclosed. Each of the individual cell components are bonded to one another with thermoplastic film (204). As a result, only one formed elastomer seal (206) is required for each fuel cell (202) within a stack (200) to provide a modular fuel cell stack assembly (200).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating a cathode material provided on a surface of a continuous thin-film substrate and a treated thin-film cathode having increased smoothness are disclosed. A web of untreated cathode material is moved between a feed mechanism and a take-up mechanism, and passed through a treatment station. The web of cathode material typically includes areas having surface defects, such as prominences extending from the surface of the cathode material. The surface of the cathode material is treated with an abrasive material to reduce the height of the prominences so as to increase an 85 degree gloss value of the cathode material surface by at least approximately 10. The web of cathode material may be subjected to a subsequent abrasive treatment at the same or other treatment station. Burnishing or lapping film is employed at a treatment station to process the cathode material. An abrasive roller may alternatively be used to process the web of cathode material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a current collector for a battery which comprises a lead or lead alloy substrate and a thin cladding of tin, batteries utilizing such a current collector and methods for manufacturing such batteries. Preferably the tin cladding is composed of substantially pure tin and the concentration of the tin cladding relative to the weight of the current collector (i.e., the combined weight of the substrate and cladding) is less than 4% by weight. The tin cladding forms a noncontinuous layer over the outer surface of the substrate such that there are interspersed regions of lead and tin at the current collector surface. Batteries utilizing such current collectors exhibit marked improvement in performance compared to similar cells composed of tin alloys. In particular, batteries using current collectors of the present design offer superior cycle life and shelf life performance.

Abstract: An autoclavable elctrochemical cell which may be used in an implantable medical device. The anode active material is lithium or other material from groups IA and IIA of the Periodic Table and having a melting point greater than about 150 degrees C. The cathode active material is silver vanadium oxide or other metal oxide or carbon monofluoride. The solvent for the electrolyte has a boiling point greater than about 100 degrees C. and a dielectric constant greater than about 5 so that the cell may be dimensionally and chemically stable during repeated exposures of about one hour each to the autoclaving temperatures.

Abstract: A mask pattern is transferred onto a wafer by exposure with a mask stage and a wafer stage being moved synchronously. In global alignment of the mask and the wafer, the scanning direction in the present (second layer) scanning exposure is made coincident with the scanning direction in the preceding (first layer) scanning exposure. When alignment is made by calculating shot array coordinates in advance, shot array coordinates are calculated for each scanning direction.

Abstract: A photoreceptor including: a charge transport layer; a top charge generating layer sensitive to a first light wavelength; a bottom charge generating layer sensitive to a second light wavelength; and a substrate, wherein the charge transport layer is positioned anywhere above the substrate, wherein the photoreceptor exhibits in response to exposure by the first light wavelength a first photodischarge curve having a first residual voltage and the photoreceptor exhibits in response to exposure by the second light wavelength a second photodischarge curve having a second residual voltage.

Abstract: A methods is disclosed for identifying a substance capable of disrupting an interaction between (i) a herpes simplex virus (HSV) ICP34.5 polypeptide or a homologue thereof, or a derivative thereof, and (ii) proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) or a homologue thereof, or a derivative thereof, which method comprises: (a) providing an HSV ICP34.5 polypeptide or a homologue thereof, or a derivative thereof, as a first component; (b) providing PCNA, or a homologue thereof, or a derivative thereof, as a second component; (c) contacting the two components with a substance to be tested under conditions that would permit the two components to interact in the absence of the said substance; and (d) determining whether the said substance disrupts the interaction between the first and second components.

Abstract: Methods, kits, and apparatus for obtaining cellular, chemical, and other materials from breast ducts are described. A single milk duct is accessed and washed with a washing fluid to obtain marker materials from the lining the duct. The washing fluid is then collected, and the marker materials in the washing fluid identified and analyzed. Usually, the washing fluid is introduced using a syringe through a lumen of a dual-lumen catheter. The ductal volume is filled with the washing fluid and excess fluid flows outwardly through a second lumen of the dual-lumen catheter, from which it is collected.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and apparatus for performing microanalytic and microsynthetic analyses and procedures. Specifically, the invention provides a microsystem platform for use with a micromanipulation device to manipulate the platform by rotation, thereby utilizing the centripetal force resulting from rotation of the platform to motivate fluid movement through microchannels embedded in the microplatform. The microsystem platforms of the invention are also provided having microfluidics components, resistive heating elements, temperature sensing elements, mixing structures, capillary and sacrificial valves, and methods for using these microsystems platforms for performing biological, enzymatic, immunological and chemical assays. An electronic spindle designed rotor capable of transferring electrical signals to and from the microsystem platforms of the invention is also provided.

Abstract: An assay method is disclosed which makes it possible to determine the presence of a diseased related conformation of a protein (e.g., PrPSc or the &bgr;-sheet form of &bgr;A4) in a sample. A sample is divided into two portions and the first portion is cross-linked to a first solid support and then contacted with a labeled antibody which binds to a non-disease form of the protein with a higher degree of affinity (e.g., 4 to 30 fold higher) than to the disease form of the protein. The second portion is treated in a manner which causes any disease form of the protein to change conformation to a form with a higher binding affinity for the labeled antibody. The treated second portion is then bound to a second solid support and contacted with labeled antibody. The level of labeled antibody binding to a protein in the first and second portions is determined and the amounts measured in each are compared.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to presqualene diphosphate (PSDP) analogs having an active region of natural PSDP and a metabolic transformation region resistant to rapid intracellular inactivation in vivo. For example, PSDP and its stable analogs can inhibit neutrophil signal transduction events in cellular activation that result in the generation of active oxygen species, regulation of leukocyte adherence, both homotypic (leukocyte-leukocyte) or heterotypic adherence with leukocytes and epithelial cells of mucosal origin or endothelial cells of vascular origin. These analogs can also be used to regulate leukocyte-dependent tissue injury.

Abstract: This application provides methods of detecting and quantitatively determining a target nucleic acid sequence in a sample, which comprise contacting the sample with a primer and a zymogene which encodes, but which itself is the anti-sense sequence of, a catalytic nucleic acid sequence, so that when the target is present, a single amplified nucleic acid molecule is produced which comprises the sequences of both the target and catalytic molecules. This invention further provides a method of simultaneously detecting the presence of a plurality of target nucleic acid sequences in a sample. Finally, this invention provides molecules and kits for practicing the instant methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for the encapsulation of substances into cells and platelets. The present invention is also related to the incorporation of thrombus dissolving drugs, such as tissue plasminogen activator and streptokinase into platelets using the apparatus described herein. The treated platelets can then be used to treat patients suffering from a thrombus blocking blood vessel.

Abstract: A method of biotreating a solid material to remove an undesired compound using a nonstirred surface bioreactor is provided. According to the method the surface of a plurality of coarse substrates is coated with a solid material to be biotreated to form a plurality of coated coarse substrates. The coarse substrates have a particle size greater than about 0.3 cm and the solid material to be biotreated has a particle size less than about 250 &mgr;m. A nonstirred surface reactor is then formed by stacking the plurality of coated coarse substrates into a heap or placing the plurality of coated coarse substrates into a tank so that the void volume of the reactor is greater than or equal to about 25%. The reactor is inoculated with a microorganism capable of degrading the undesired compound in the solid material, and the solid material is then biotreated in the surface bioreactor until the undesired compound in the solid material is degraded to a desired concentration.

Abstract: A method is described whereby dendritic cells derived from the CD34+ and CD 34-hematopoietic cell lineages are directed to become programmable antigen presenting cells. The programmed cells may be pulsed with tumor cell RNA or tumor cell RNA expression products. The protocol provides for directing the maturation of dendritic cells to become antigen presenting cells. The protocol further provides for isolating tumor cell RNA from biopsy material that has been prepared in paraffin block storage. The directed dendritic cell is provided with a plurality of tumor markers by using tumor RNA in toto, the poly A+RNA fraction or the expression product of such RNA. Once activated the dendritic cells are incubated with T4 and T8 lymphocytes to stimulate and sensitize the T lymphocytes which upon introduction either into a donor host or a nondonor recipient will provide immune response protection.

Abstract: The subject invention finds utility in the area of gene therapy of diseases. More specifically, the invention concerns the making of a novel non-viral vector which can bind to desired DNA to form a combination useful to transfect diseased mitochondria of human or animal cells. The non-viral vector comprises a dequalinium salt subjected to standard liposome production procedures to obtain the vector named DQAsomes.

Abstract: A method for use with the formation of a capacitor includes providing a capacitor structure by forming a first electrode on a portion of a substrate assembly, forming a high dielectric material over at least a portion of the first electrode, and forming a second electrode over the high dielectric material. An additional layer may be formed over at least a portion of the second electrode. The portion of the substrate assembly on which the first electrode is formed and/or the layer formed over the second electrode are formed of an excess oxygen containing material.

Abstract: A metal stud array packaging structure has a die pad with a die attached on it. A plurality of metal studs is located around the die pad. A metal heat dissipating ring is selectively located outside the metal studs. The metal heat dissipating ring is connected to the die pad. The die, the die pad, and one end of each metal stud are enclosed by an insulating material. The enclosed ends of the metal studs are electrically connected to bonding pads of the die. The insulating material exposes a bottom surface of the die pad. Moreover, both ends of each metal stud and both surfaces of the metal heat dissipating ring have plated layers.

Abstract: A flat plate mold with special treatment or a metallic flat plate mold is adopted to flatten the resin painted over on IC chips during package dispensing process, such that it is able to maintain a consistent flatness of the surface of IC products after dispensing for laser or ink marking. And heat sinks can be attached to the flat plate mold to increase the heat-dissipating rate of IC products after dispensing.

Abstract: A mold structure for molding a circuitry comprises a cavity to which a plurality of bus bars are juxtaposedly inserted provided with gap portions to which a resin material to be injected therethrough; and a plurality of holder pins provided on the respective gap portions and arranged alternatively in the juxtaposition direction of the plural bus bars to hold the respective bus bar to be inserted therebetween.

Abstract: In a region on the left hand of FIG. 1 with respect to the gate electrode (107), a first source region (103a), a body-potential drawing region (105) and a second source region (103b) are formed in this order along the vertical direction of this figure. The first and second source regions (103a, 103b) are of n+type, and the body-potential drawing region (105) is of p+type. In a thin-film transistor (100), the body-potential drawing region (105) can draw and fix a body potential.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method for forming the same. The semiconductor device comprises an insulating or semiconductor substrate, a thermally-contractive insulating film which is formed on said substrate and provided with grooves, and a semiconductor film which is formed on the thermally-contractive insulating film and divided in an islandish form through the grooves. The thermally-contractive insulating film is contracted in a heat process after the semiconductor film is formed.

Abstract: A method of forming an ultra-thin gate oxide (14) for a field effect transistor (10). The gate oxide (14) is formed by combining an oxidizing agent (e.g., N2O, CO2) with an etching agent (e.g., H2) and adjusting the partial pressures to controllably grow a thin (˜12 Angstroms) high quality oxide (14).

Abstract: A semiconductor memory device such as a flash Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (Flash EEPROM) includes a floating gate with high data retention. A tungsten damascene local interconnect structure includes a silicon nitride etch stop layer which is formed using Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD) at a temperature of at least 480° C. such that the etch stop layer has a very low concentration of hydrogen ions. The minimization of hydrogen ions, which constitute mobile positive charge carriers, in the etch stop layer, minimizes recombination of the hydrogen ions with electrons on the floating gate, and thereby maximizes data retention of the device.

Abstract: In a semiconductor device having a high voltage transistor, a first well region of the high voltage transistor is formed in a semiconductor substrate as a channel region. The first well region has a first conductive type. Second well regions of the high voltage transistor are formed in the semiconductor substrate as a source region and a drain region to sandwich the first well region. The second well region has a second conductive type. A surface of the first region and surfaces of the second well regions have a flat plane.

Abstract: A method for generating alignment marks on the scribe lines in which alignment marks are generated only at oxide layers is described. An alignment mark is formed in an oxide layer on a scribe line of a wafer. The alignment mark is lined with a metal layer and filled with a dielectric layer which is planarized. The alignment mark is used in aligning a reticle to pattern the metal layer and is also used in aligning a reticle to pattern the dielectric layer wherein the step of lining the alignment mark with the metal layer protects the alignment mark.