Abstract: An image rescaling method utilizing a parallel processor is provided. The computer-implemented method includes the steps of loading multiple word components into a processor in one machine instruction, each word component associated with a pixel of an image; rescaling the multiple word components in parallel; and packing the rescaled multiple word components into an image buffer in one machine instruction. Additionally, a second set of multiple word components may be processed concurrently with the processing of a first set of multiple word components.

Abstract: Systemic delivery of parathyroid hormone to a mammalian host is accomplished by inhalation through the mouth of a dispersion of an N-terminal fragment of PTH. It has been found that such respiratory delivery of the PTH fragment provides a pulsatile concentration profile of the PTH in the host's serum. PTH fragment compositions include dry powder formulations having the PTH present in a dry bulking powder, liquid solutions or suspensions suitable for nebulization, and aerosol propellants suitable for use in a metered dose inhaler.

Abstract: An integrated circuit memory system having memory cells capable of storing multiple bits per cell is described. The memory system has a restoring operation in which a memory cells' stored charge, which may drift from its initially set condition, is maintained within one of a plurality of predetermined levels corresponding to digital bits of information and defined by a set of special reference voltage values. The memory system has mini-programming and mini-erasing operations to move only the amount of charge into and out of the memory cell sufficient to keep the charge within the predetermined levels. The memory system also has an operation for high speed programming of the memory cells and an erasing operation to narrow the charge distribution of erased memory cells for increasing the spread, and safety margins, between the predetermined levels.

Abstract: An apparatus (2) for serving and displaying food including a continuous watercourse (4) with food carriers (8) carrying various food trays. Patrons sit around a periphery of the watercourse. The food carriers are removably attached to an endless line (10) underneath the water by flexible wires (30) so that each food carrier is independently removable from the said watercourse. In addition, the flexible wires are positioned along the endless line so as to maintain a predetermined spacing between the food carriers in the watercourse. This predetermined spacing gives the patron adequate time to select sushi from adjacent food carriers and also gives the sushi chef adequate time to add sushi to adjacent food carriers.

Abstract: A fabrication method for a test piece for observing non-contact regions in a pair of bonded semiconductor substrates includes thinning one substrate of a pair of bonded semiconductor substrates, grade-polishing the thinned semiconductor substrate and the bonded semiconductor substrates to have a predetermined graded angle relative their bonded surfaces, and dry-etching an area around the bonded surfaces of the grade-polished semiconductor substrates to reveal faults. With the thusly fabricated test piece, micro non-contact regions can be simply observed and crystal faults existing on the bonded surfaces as well as in the micro non-contact regions can be easily detected.

Abstract: A fetal pulse oximeter sensor in which a sensor head is held against the fetus by the action of a securing means which is remote from the sensor head. The securing means is sufficiently remote so that light detected by the light detector in the sensor head does not scatter through tissue which may be deformed by the securing mechanism. The securing mechanism could deform the tissue by applying pressure, to exsanguinate the tissue, or could attach to the tissue by vacuum, penetration, or glue, etc.

Abstract: A look-up table circuit implemented with MOS transistors that uses combinational logic to generate signals that enable the transistors. A circuit using 16 inputs and 4 select lines is disclosed. Two of the select lines are used as inputs to combinational logic including four NOR gates to generate enable signals for transistors in a third stage of the circuit. This produces a reduction in the propagation delay of a signal from the input to the output of the look-up table circuit.

Abstract: An improved optical switch having a first optical fiber and a plurality of N optical fibers. The first optical fiber forms an optical path with any one of the N optical fibers by an alignment of a longitudinal axis of an end of the first optical fiber with a longitudinal axis of an end of the one of N optical fibers. A switch in optical path is performed by a relative movement of the first optical fiber with respect to the N optical fibers for a realignment of the longitudinal axis of the end of the first optical fiber with a longitudinal axis of an end of another one of the N optical fibers.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an easily replaceable dump valve assembly to drain a tank in a semiconductor bath system. The dump valve assembly has a drain at a bottom of the tank, a cap, a sealing plate and an actuator. The drain has an end with a flange around it. The cap has a base and side, with the side having an inward protrusion so that the cap can be fitted over the drain with the inward protrusion engaging the flange. The cap can be removed from the drain by simply disengaging the protrusion from the flange. The sealing plate has a surface to contact the end of the drain opening to seal the drain. To move the sealing plate, the actuator is connected to the cap and plate. The actuator drives the plate away from the cap base to place the plate surface against the drain end to close the dump valve assembly and drives the plate toward the cap to remove the plate surface from the drain opening to open the dump valve assembly.

Abstract: Chromatographic media that demonstrate an artificially created recognition of any preselected molecular species with only an affinity-type adsorption are formed by polymerization from solutions of non-ionizable monomers with a quantity of the species contained in the solution, followed by removal of the species by conventional washing. The media are of particular utility and interest when used to achieve affinity binding of proteins. Uses of the media include chromatography and the general isolation and removal of the adsorbed species.

Abstract: An intravascular catheter provides fluid infusion tubes over a balloon surface to form isolated reservoir pockets for delivering drugs intraluminally. The fluid infusion tubes will be arranged in a network which, upon balloon expansion, defines the isolated reservoir pockets between adjacent tubes. In one embodiment, the drug infusion tubes are formed as part of an expansible sleeve which is positioned over a separate balloon catheter for expansion. In another embodiment, the infusion tubes are disposed over a balloon of a balloon catheter.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for cleaning a processing chamber. According to a specific embodiment, the method includes steps of depositing a dielectric film on a wafer on a ceramic heater in the processing chamber in a first time period, with the ceramic heater heated to a first temperature of at least about 500.degree. C. during the deposition step; and introducing reactive species into the processing chamber from a clean gas that is input to a remote microwave plasma system during a second time period, with the ceramic heater heated to a second temperature of at least about 500.degree. C. during the introducing step. The method also includes cleaning surfaces in the processing chamber, with cleaning performed by the reactive species. In particular, the present invention can provide high temperature deposition, heating and efficient cleaning for forming dielectric films having thickness uniformity, good gap fill capability, high density, low moisture, and other desired characteristics.

Abstract: A memory cell (400) for storing data on an integrated circuit. The memory cell (400) is static, nonvolatile, and reprogrammable. The layout of the memory cell is compact. In a first state, the logic output from this memory cell (400) is at about voltage level at a first conductor (505); and in a second state, the logic output is at about a voltage level at a second conductor (510). The memory cell (400) of the present invention includes a first programmable memory element (515) and a second programmable memory element (520). First programmable memory element (515) is coupled between the first conductor (505) and a sensing node (405). Second programmable memory element (520) is coupled between the sensing node (405) and the second conductor (510). In the first state, first programmable memory element (515) is not programmed, while the second programmable memory element (520) is programmed.

Abstract: A profile of information flow rate of a source data stream having inherently variable information flow rate may be developed and conformed to a constrained target profile of output bit rate as would be generated by a variable compression ratio encoding scheme to be applied to the source data stream. The target profile may be constrained as to minimum output bit rate, maximum output bit rate, and average output bit rate. The resulting conforming profile identifies an encoding plan for the source data stream. One application is preparation of video material for storage on a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) where total bit storage capacity is limited, the source data stream is an uncompressed video data stream, and the target encoding scheme is MPEG-2 data compression.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for protecting a susceptor during a cleaning operation by loading a ceramic wafer onto the susceptor before introducing the cleaning agent into the chamber is provided. In particular, the ceramic wafer is chosen to have a dielectric value sufficient to alter the electromagnetic field of a plasma to spread the plasma away from the susceptor during a cleaning operation, directing more of the plasma towards the walls of the chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to protein or polypeptide compositions capable of inhibiting leukocyte adhesion to, and transmigration across endothelial tissue. The invention further relates to nucleic acid molecules encoding such peptides, pharmaceutical compositions containing such peptides and methods of using such polypeptides.

Abstract: A device for the parallel processing of ions is provided. The device may be utilized for thin film deposition or ion implantation and may include the following: an ion source, ion capture and storage ion optics, mass selection ion optics, neutral trapping elements, extraction ion optics, beam neutralization mechanisms, and a substrate on which deposition and thin film growth occurs is provided. Ions are captured and stored within a closely packed array of parallel ion conducting channels. The ion conducting channels transport high current low energy ions from the ion source to irradiate the substrate target. During transport, ion species can be mass selected, merged with ions from multiple sources, and undergo gas phase charge exchange ion molecule reactions.

Abstract: Slag from a pool of molten slag floating on molten metal in a plasma arc treatment chamber is removed by providing a slag container located inside the chamber which has a slag intake pipe extending from a bottom of the container downwardly into the slag pool. A vacuum line is connected to the top of the container and a vacuum source. When a vacuum is applied to the inside of the container, the pressure prevailing in the chamber pushes the slag from the pool through the intake pipe into the container. When the container becomes filled with molten slag, the latter enters a section of the line communicating the top of the container with the vacuum source. As the slag enters the pipe section, it is cooled and solidified to prevent further slag flow into or gas (air) flow through the vacuum line so that the container can be lifted out of the chamber while the slag in the container is still in its molten state without causing slag spillage.

Abstract: An electrostatic chuck for supporting substrates in a substrate processing chamber during processing. The chuck includes a diamond layer that overlies an electrically conductive element. The chuck has increased clamping force and improved resistance to etching. In one embodiment, the diamond layer is an insulating layer while in another it is a conducting layer with uniform surface roughness.

Abstract: A macromolecular contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging of the vascular system is constructed of a polymeric backbone structure with a plurality of spacer arms bonded to the backbone structure, each spacer arm terminating in at least one paramagnetic complex. The polymeric backbone thus serves as an amplifier by supporting a multitude of paramagnetic complexes, and the spacer arms contribute to the molecular weight. The spacer arms further contribute useful properties to the agent, such as hydrophilicity and the ability to cleave at a relatively rapid rate in blood.