Abstract: An improved colloidal slurry for chemical mechanical polishing and methods of polishing using the improved colloidal slurry.

Abstract: A mailbox includes a body and a door pivotally attached to the body. A signal device is attached to the mailbox by a connecting member. The signal device is secured in a number of positions between the door and body of the mailbox when the door is in a closed position and the signal device is unsupported and free to fall in a downward direction by gravity when the door is opened.

Abstract: A biaxially-oriented polyester film includes at least two layers and at least one outermost layer is composed of a polyester having a rigid amorphous content of about 10 to 55%. The biaxially-oriented polyester film has a longitudinal Young's modulus of at least about 4.5 GPa. The biaxially-oriented polyester film is suitable for high-density magnetic recording media, such as digital video tapes and high-density data recording tapes.

Abstract: Process for producing an optically active ester by reaction of a racemic alcohol with an optically active amino or tartaric acid derivative, a process for producing an optically active alcohol by hydrolysis of the optically active ester, a process for converting an alcohol into a ketone by oxidation, a method for stably storing an optically active ketone, and a new optically active amino acid ester and a new optically active tartaric acid ester.

Abstract: This invention provides an antipruritc comprising an opiate &kgr; receptor agonist as an effective component, a new morphinan quaternary ammonium salt derivative and a new morphinan-N-oxide derivative which are useful in treating pruritus complicated with some diseases.

Abstract: An optical device and method for bidirectional communication in both high and low bit rate applications simultaneously using a polarization-sensitive beam splitting cube and optical port assemblies. The device provides optical isolation for a transmitting laser optic source and provides optical reflection of an optical beam to a receiver, simultaneously, over a single fiber optic link.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of splitting 1-amino-alkan-2-ol compounds of general formula: in which the group R can represent a wide variety of linear, branched or cyclic alkyl groups, comprising up to about 20 to 25 carbon atoms and preferably 1 to 15 carbon atoms. These groups can possibly have one or more double bonds, one or more hetero-atoms such as oxygen or sulfur so long as these are to be found separated from the asymmetric carbon atom by at least one carbon link and do not destroy the aliphatic nature of the group R. These groups can also be substituted by one or more halogen atoms such as chlorine or lower alkoxy groups such as methoxy or ethoxy groups.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided that enhance file system calls to a file system structure of an operating system. In particular, file system calls can be enhanced to provide real-time secure file deletion on an ongoing basis. A file system call that is intended to perform a function with respect to data stored on a storage device is intercepted. It is then determined whether the file system call is of a type that should be processed. If not, the original file system call is passed on through the file system. If the file system call should be processed, supplemental processing is performed to enhance the original file system call and the file system call is transparently returned to the calling system application. In embodiment, real-time secure file deletion is implemented using a vendor supplied driver (VSD) executing within the installable file system (IFS) of WINDOWS 95. Further, a method and system are disclosed for real-time secure data deletion in a system having an NTFS file system.

Abstract: An electrical accumulator having a case in the form of a button cell which is closed such that it is gastight, including a case cover and a case cup with an interposed electrically insulating seal, which contain an electrode set including positive and negative electrodes as well as interposed separators, with at least two electrodes of one polarity being mechanically. and electrically connected at at least two points on their circumference in such a manner that a mechanically robust electrode packet results. The invention furthermore relates to a method for producing such a rechargeable battery.

Abstract: A method of improving the performance of optical fiber which is interconnected between a first point of support on a first device in a piece of equipment and a second point of support in a second device in said piece of equipment comprising: a. determining the axis of said piece of equipment through said first point of support; a first line through said first point of support and perpendicular to said axis; a second line through said second point of support and perpendicular to said axis; the interconnect span, ; along said axis between said first point of support and said second perpendicular line; the lateral misalignment, &Dgr;, between said axis and said second point of support along said second perpendicular line; the angular misalignment, &agr;, of said first device in a counterclockwise direction versus said first perpendicular line; and the angular misalignment, &bgr;, of said second device in a clockwise direction versus said second perpendicular line; b.

Abstract: A method for displaying, in a window on a computer display screen, tabular data arranged in rows and columns, wherein the sum of the widths of the columns is greater than the width of the workspace available within the window. The method includes the steps of determining the width of each column, determining the height of each row, and determining the dynamic height and width of the workspace available for the display of tabular data within said window. The method further includes the step of dividing said tabular data into table segments, each table segment comprising one or more columns of said tabular data. The method also includes the step of dividing said workspace into panes, each pane having a height determined by dividing the height of the window by the number of table segments, and displaying within each pane all of the columns of a table segment and one or more rows, wherein different columns are displayed in each pane and the same rows are displayed in each pane.

Abstract: A trench isolation structure is fabricated using high pressure and low temperature. A substrate is provided within which a trench is formed. The trench walls are annealed in nitrogen at a pressure above atmospheric pressure to remove silicon damage caused by plasma etching. The exposed side walls of the trench are oxidized at a pressure above atmospheric pressure to form an oxidized layer. The trench is filled with an oxide. Optionally, re-oxidation densification may be performed at a pressure above atmospheric pressure and a temperature in the range of about 600° C. to about 800° C.

Abstract: This invention relates to a new member of a recently recognized TWIK potassium+channel family, herein identified as TASK, for TWIK-related acid-sensitive K+ channel. This is the first cloned mammalian channel that produces K+ currents that possesses all the characteristics of background conductances. The invention also relates to various constructs including the TASK or related human potassium channel family, and their uses.

Abstract: Grain-oriented magnetic steel sheet made by the method-including hot rolling and final finish annealing, wherein (1) the O content in the steel slab is limited to up to about 30 ppm; (2) for the entire steel sheet having final thickness including an oxide film before final finish annealing, from among impurities, the Al content is limited to up to about 100 wtppm, and the respective contents of B, V, Nb, Se, S, P, and N, to up to about 50 wtppm each; and (3) during final finish annealing, the N content in the steel is, at least in the temperature region of from about 850 to 950° C., limited within the range of from about 6 to 80 wtppm.

Abstract: A method to inhibit the function of a class of bacterial periplasmic oxidoreductase enzymes, exemplified by TcpG of Vibrio cholerae, DsbA of E. coli, and Por of Haemophilus influenzae, is disclosed. A screening method to determine whether a chemical inhibits the function of the oxidoreductase enzymes is disclosed. Mutant bacteria lacking the ability to produce a functional periplasmic oxidoreductase and a cloned expression vector overproducing TcpG are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an integrated circuit having a current supply circuit for supplying a reference current and a signal current; at least one current copier circuit for creating a copy of the reference current and a copy of the signal current; an amplifying circuit connected to the reference supply circuit, the signal supply circuit, and the current copier circuit. The amplifying circuit is configured with the current copier circuit to compare the copy of the reference current to the signal current and to compare the copy of the signal current to the reference current and to generate a comparison signal based upon the comparisons. The present invention may also include an output circuit connected to the amplifying circuit for receiving the comparison signal and generating an output signal and a current mode circuit for receiving the output signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stainless steel having superior corrosion resistance, antibacterial properties, and durability, the antibacterial properties being maintained after surface treatments commonly performed including, for example, polishing. In particular, the stainless steel contains not less than 10 percent by weight of chromium, 0.001 to 0.30 percent by weight of silver, or further contains 0.001 to 1.0 percent by weight of vanadium. In addition, not less than 0.0005 weight percent of a silver oxide, the amount thereof being not more than 1.1 times that of the silver, is dispersed in the stainless steel. In order to homogeneously disperse the silver oxide in the stainless steel, when continuous casting of molten steel is performed, the casting rate for the continuous casting is preferably 0.8 to 1.6 m/min. A method for manufacturing the stainless steel is also disclosed.

Abstract: A soft stretch yarn substantially comprising polyester fibers has a stress, at 50% yarn stretch, of no more than 30×10−3 cN/dtex and, at the same time, a percentage recovery of at least 60%. Preferably, the Uster unevenness is no more than 2.0% and the crimp diameter is no more than 250 &mgr;m. This soft stretch yarn can be produced by spinning yarn of conjugate fibers comprising two types of polyester in which one component is PTT at a take-up velocity of at least 1200 m/min, drawing at a drawing temperature of 50 to 80° C. at a draw ratio such that the drawn yarn tensile elongation is 20 to 45%, and then heat setting.

Abstract: A water heater has a water container and an element located to heat water in the water container. A sensor located to sense temperature proximate the element and a controller connected to the element and the sensor. The controller is programmed to compare a plurality of sensed temperatures and to disengage the element in the event that the difference between sensed temperatures over a predetermined time period is greater than a predetermined temperature difference and further to engage the element based on a comparison of sensed tempereatures.

Abstract: A water heater including a water container; a combustion chamber containing a main burner and a pilot burner positioned to heat water in the water container and having a side wall; a main burner fuel supply line adapted to connect between a fuel control valve and a main burner; a pilot fuel supply line adapted to connect between the fuel control valve and a pilot burner; a heat sensor line connected to a heat sensor and adapted to connect to the fuel control valve and positioned to sense heat from the pilot burner; an igniter line connected to an igniter positioned proximate the pilot burner and connected to an igniter initiator; and a removable plate sealed to the combustion chamber through which the main burner fuel supply line, the pilot fuel supply line, the heat sensor line and the igniter line pass in a sealed condition.