Abstract: An apparatus for processing a semiconductor wafer is set forth. The apparatus comprises a processing bowl that defines a processing chamber. The bowl has an opening through which wafers may be placed in the apparatus. A wafer support structure adapted to support at least one wafer is mounted for rotation within the processing chamber. A motor drive assembly is connected to rotate the wafer support structure. At least one fluid nozzle accepts processing fluid and sprays the processing fluid on the one or more wafers carried by the wafer support structure. A door is used to seal the opening of the processing bowl. The door has an opening that is open to ambient atmosphere to facilitate passage of ambient gas into the processing chamber. An ambient gas intake assembly is disposed in the door.

Abstract: An ant habitat includes an outer transparent member which is vacuum-formed from a plastic sheet of material to have a through opening with an outer flexible perimeter wall. An inner transparent member having an inner flexible perimeter wall is connected through a flange to the outer transparent member to provide a space between the inner and outer flexible perimeter walls for receiving particulate material that will permit ants to burrow therethrough. The outer transparent member has a retainer lip extending above the inner transparent member to prevent the egress of ants.

Abstract: Water-soluble derivatives of epipodophyllotoxin, process for their preparation and their use for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, complaints caused by human papilloma virus and cancer.

Abstract: A spring system for a vibration driver provides a non-linear stiffening reaction force as the deflection of the spring system increases. In a vibration driver, particularly an electromagnetic vibration driver, a reciprocating plate provides opposing bumpers which engage opposing elastomer blocks alternately during the stroke of the plate. Elastomer blocks include on three or four sides an elastomer impregnated fabric. The fabric controls the bulging of the elastomer block during impact by the bumper, substantially changing the spring rate of the elastomer block, to increase the resonant frequency of the spring system as the machine stroke increases. Increasing resonant frequency controls the stroke amplitude of the plate for a consistent feed rate of resonant tuned vibratory material handling equipment.

Abstract: A modular, reconfigurable and easily deployable simulator system includes a plurality of vehicle personality kits and at least one frame to support a single crewstation. Members of a selected kit are coupled to the frame. A multi-platform control system provides on-the-window and in vehicle instrument displays in real-time in response to the crewperson manipulating platform controls. An editor with a graphical user interface provides a capability to modify program segments of the control system thereby altering the behavior of the simulated platform.

Abstract: An improved enclosed belt conveyor system for transferring material with a minimum of dust and energy consumption. An alignment device having an external adjustment mechanism to adjust dynamically balanced spools, which are mounted on a shaft is terminated in the alignment devices. The belts for the conveyed material are in an enclosed structure while the bearings and the bearing adjustment mechanisms are external of the enclosed structure, which encloses the spools and the belts thereby limiting the debris or dust to which bearings are subjected. The balanced flared spools have closed and sealed ends, thereby totally eliminating air turbulence, within the structure. Turbulence will accentuate dust movement within the enclosure. This invention permits the alignment of each individual roller while maintaining the cones of the spools and bearings in a dust free environment as possible.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process of increasing dopamine production in a cell comprising co-transfecting the cell with one or more expression vectors containing polynucleotides that encode tyrosine hydroxylase, aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase and GTP cyclohydrolase. Cells transfected with such vectors and the use of such transformed cells to increase dopamine production in the central nervous system of animals are also provided.

Abstract: A semiconductor plating bowl which includes a shield on a consumable anode. The shield is preferably made from a dielectric material, such as a plastic. The shield is placed in the area upon which flowing plating fluid would otherwise impinge upon the processing workpiece. The shield has the surprising benefit of reducing the amount of organic additives consumed in the plating process. This is believed to occur because films that otherwise may form on the anode are not disrupted by the flow of plating liquids thereover.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a semiconductor wafer is set forth. The apparatus comprises a processing bowl that defines a processing chamber. The processing bowl is in fixed alignment with a frame. A wafer support structure adapted to support at least one wafer is mounted for rotation within the processing chamber. A motor drive assembly is disposed exterior to the processing chamber and connected to rotate the wafer support. The motor drive assembly includes an electrically driven motor and at least one shock absorbing member connected between the electrically driven motor and the frame. The electrically driven motor preferably includes a rotor shaft that rotates about an axis of rotation.

Abstract: A method for the inhibition of the binding of .alpha..sub.4 .beta..sub.1 integrin to its receptors, for example VCAM-1 (vascular cell adhesion molecule-1) and fibronectin; compounds that inhibit this binding; pharmaceutically active compositions comprising such compounds; and the use of such compounds either as above, or in formulations for the control or prevention of diseases states in which .alpha..sub.4 .beta..sub.1 is involved.

Abstract: A dispensing system is provided for a container having an opening to the interior. The container has a sealable seat around the opening and a thread. A closure is disposed on the container. The closure defines a thread that is threadingly engaged with the container thread for accommodating movement of the closure between a lowered position and an elevated position. The closure defines a dispensing passage for establishing communication between the container opening and the exterior of the closure. The closure includes a dispensing valve disposed in the dispensing passage for opening to dispense fluid therethrough and for closing to occlude flow. The closure includes an occlusion member inwardly of the valve in the dispensing passage to sealingly engage the container seat and prevent flow from the container opening into the dispensing passage below the valve when the closure is in the lowered position and to permit flow into the dispensing passage when the closure is in the elevated position.

Abstract: Hearing aids having housings formed as standardized shapes include electronic components. The components can be separate or integrated into a single unit. The housings can be formed as one or more spheroidal-like surfaces of revolution which are symmetrical along an axis. Alternately, the housings can be formed by lofting ellipses along a central axis. Representative housing shapes include egg-shaped and pear-shaped surfaces. An insertion and extraction element is fixedly attached to an end of the housing which extends toward the outer ear when the aid is inserted into an ear canal. The insertion/extraction member can be formed as either a rigid or a flexible element. The housing can carry a soft, deformable outer layer to improve performance and user comfort when installed in an ear canal.