Abstract: A nozzle that extends telescopically upward is used to elevate a wafer without contacting the wafer. The nozzle includes a stationary hollow cylinder, closed at its lower end and open at its upper end, within which a spool is disposed to slide vertically. In its lowest position the spool is spaced from the closed bottom of the cylinder, and purified water is supplied under pressure to the space. A passage extends vertically through the spool, and the water is discharged at the upper end of the spool from the passage. As a wafer is lowered toward the upper end of the spool, the wafer partially impedes the discharge, increasing the pressure in the space below the spool. The increased pressure drives the spool and the wafer upward, but the wafer never comes into contact with the wafer because the discharge of water creates a protective cushion between them.

Abstract: A heating system and method used to maintain a fluid flowing through a component (such as a mass flow controller) within approximately a predetermined temperature range. The fluid flows through a cavity in the component. A heater element and a sensor are positioned within the body of the component and the heater element is coupled to a power source. The temperature sensor is electrically connected to a controller. The controller will receive an input indicative of the temperature, determine whether the input falls within a predetermined temperature range, and output a signal to the power source to adjust the power provided to the heater element as necessary in order to maintain the temperature within the predetermined temperature range.

Abstract: Real-time gain control calibration is provided for each frequency of a disk drive storage system using dual-frequency, dual-burst position error sensing (PES) signals. Automatic and independent gain control for each PES servo burst frequency component is achieved with an automatic gain control (AGC) mapping that determines the approximate head position and performs an appropriate gain calibration for each servo burst frequency or with sector by sector normalization performed for each PES signal sample. For the AGC mapping, calibration is performed either with calibration tracks or with an in situ method. Both mapping and normalization methods provide accurate automatic gain calibration during signal readback.

Abstract: Nuclear matrix proteins (NMP) which are characterized by a defined expression in tissue are provided. These NMPs are useful markers in diagnosing and monitoring the stage of malignancy of a cell and treating cell proliferative disorders associated with the NMP. Also provided are substantially purified polypeptides and nucleotide sequences encoding the NMPs of the invention.

Abstract: A purified thermostable enzyme is derived from the archael bacterium AEPII1a. The enzyme has a molecular weight of about 60.9 kilodaltons and has cellulase activity. The enzyme can be produced from native or recombinant host cells and can be used to aid in the digestion of cellulose where desired.

Abstract: Fluorescent indicators including a binding protein moiety, a donor fluorescent protein moiety, and an acceptor fluorescent protein moiety are described. The binding protein moiety has an analyte-binding region which binds an analyte and causes the indicator to change conformation upon exposure to the analyte. The donor moiety and the acceptor moiety change position relative to each other when the analyte binds to the analyte-binding region. The donor moiety and the acceptor moiety exhibit fluorescence resonance energy transfer when the donor moiety is excited and the distance between the donor moiety and the acceptor moiety is small. The indicators can be used to measure analyte concentrations in samples, such as calcium ion concentrations in cells.

Abstract: An isolated polypeptide (JNK) characterized by having a molecular weight of 46 kD or 55 kD as determined by reducing SDS-PAGE, having serine and theonine kinase activity, phosphorylating the c-Jun N-terminal activation domain and polynucleotide sequences and method of detection of JNK are provided herein. JNK phosphorylates c-Jun N-terminal activation domain which affects gene expression from AP-1 sites.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided methods for producing printing plates comprising rapid, efficient drying of solvent-containing resin compositions of the printing plates and apparatus useful therefor. Printing plates processed employing invention methods and apparatus are ready for use in printing applications in a relatively short period of time, especially compared to the time required for conventional convection drying. Moreover, printing plates processed according to the present invention method and apparatus are not subjected to excessive levels of heat, as is frequently the case with conventional convection drying. Excessive heating tends to be detrimental to the performance properties of the polymeric resin. In a particular aspect of the present invention, there are provided novel compositions which, upon drying according to the methods described herein, undergo a color change, thereby indicating when the drying process is substantially complete.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided highly sensitive, water-developable photoreactive resin compositions useful for the preparation of printing plates. Due to the high sensitivity of invention resin compositions, they are particularly useful for preparation of digitally imaged printing plates. Printing plates prepared employing invention compositions are characterized as having excellent exposure sensitivity, the capability of rapidly curing upon exposure, excellent retention of fine details, and excellent colorless performance. Moreover, printing plates prepared employing invention compositions have good clarity and flexibility, excellent washout properties, and retain such properties over extended periods of storage. Once photopolymerized, printing plates of the invention have excellent physical properties, enabling their use in many very demanding flexographic applications.

Abstract: A ramp circuit discharges an output capacitor to generate a substantially linear ramp signal, current injection is used to stabilize the ramp's output, reducing overshooting and ringing. With faster output stabilization, the ramp exhibits significantly faster repetition rates suitable testing high speed components such as RAM, microprocessors, high speed logic, and the like. The ramp includes an output transistor, with its output defining an output node coupled to a current source and a charge storage device such as a capacitor. The charge storage device charges when the transistor is "on". Namely, when the transistor is turned on, the output charge storage device is coupled to a reference voltage, which charges the device in a fixed time. When the transistor is turned "off", the charge storage device discharges, aided by the flow of current through the current source, resulting in the linear ramp signal.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided novel compositions for attaching semiconductor devices to substrates. Invention compositions comprise liquid monomer vehicle comprising hydrophobic cyanate ester monomer(s) and epoxy monomer(s), electrically and/or thermally conductive filler, a metal catalyst, and an imidazole, preferably in the substantial absence of non-reactive diluents.

Abstract: A timing vernier repeatedly generates a timing output signal, which includes a timing event such as a state transition, pulse, etc. Unlike prior timing verniers, the present timing event is capable of significantly faster repetition rates. After the ramp signal is initiated responsive to a trigger signal, it changes from a predetermined starting level at a predetermined substantially linear rate. A digital-to-analog converter (DAC) provides an analog timing select signal and a reset select signal responsive to a digital timing select signal. The reset select signal represents the current timing select signal offset by a predetermined amount. A comparator, coupled to the ramp and the DAC, produces the timing event when the ramp output signal reaches the analog timing select signal. Thus, greater analog timing select signals cause earlier timing events, whereas lesser timing select signals result in later timing events. The delay of the timing event is directly proportional to the analog timing select signal.

Abstract: A process for creating a "distant bump array" surface texture in a magnetic recording disk for reducing stiction and the disk so textured. The texturing process uses a tightly focused diode-pumped Nd:YLF or Nd:YVO.sub.4 or other solid-state laser that is pulsed with a 0.3-90 nanosecond pulse train to produce a plurality of distantly-spaced bumps in the disk surface. The bump creation process is highly controllable, permitting repeated creation of a preselected bump profile such as a smooth dimple or one with a central protrusion useful for low stiction without close spacing or elevated "roughness". Some bump profiles permit texturing of the data-storage region of the disk surface for low stiction without materially affecting magnetic data storage density.

Abstract: A force transducer includes an elongated lever arm attached to a substrate having a central portion and substantially planar tab regions that project outwardly from the central portion along first and second orthogonal force-detecting axes. The substrate undergoes localized strain approximately at the junctions of the tab regions and the central portion when an external force is applied to the free end of the lever arm. A thick film strain gauge material is screen printed directly onto the substrate in at least a first location and a second location and conductive pads on the substrate are electrically coupled to the thick film strain gauge material at each location to define a first strain gauge oriented along the first force detecting axis and a second strain gauge oriented along the second force detecting axis. The lever arm can be of a compliant construction to provide proprioreceptive feedback to a user.