Abstract: A test structure is presented to be formed on a patterned structure and to be used for controlling a CMP process applied to the patterned structure, which has a pattern area formed by spaced-apart metal-containing regions representative of real features of the patterned structure. The test structure thus undergoes the same CMP processing as the pattern area. The test structure comprises at least two structures aligned along a vertical axis in a spaced-apart parallel relationship, each structure comprising at least one pattern zone containing spaced-apart metal regions, the test structure thereby comprising at least one pair of vertically aligned upper and lower pattern zones. The upper and lower pattern zones in each pair have different patterns oriented with respect to each other such that the metal regions of the lower pattern are located underneath the spaces between the metal regions of the upper pattern.

Abstract: A data generating device 300 for use in combination with a coin mechanism 100 of a bulk vending machine 10, is provided. The combination uses a standard coin mechanism of a bulk vending machine, which in its normal operation is received into an opening in the bulk vending machine. The coin mechanism has a selectively rotatable shaft 110 extending axially therefrom, which has mounted therearound, a portion of the data generating device.

Abstract: A method is presented for optical control of the quality of a process of chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) performed by a polishing tool applied to an article having a patterned area. The article contains a plurality of stacks each formed by a plurality of different layers, thereby defining a pattern in the form of spaced-apart metal regions. The method is capable of locating at least one of residues, erosion and dishing conditions on the article. At least one predetermined site on the article is selected for control. This at least one predetermined site is illuminated, and spectral characteristics of light components reflected from this location are detected. Data representative of the detected light components is analyzed for determining at least one parameter of the article within the at least one illuminated site.

Abstract: Injection molded plastic parts (such as containers for ice cream or margarine, lids for the containers and crates) are made from a polyethylene resin having a controlled but narrow molecular weight distribution and a uniform comonomer distribution. The combination of narrow molecular weight distribution and uniform comonomer distribution allows the parts to be more easily molded whilst still maintaining a surprisingly high level of physical properties in the finished parts. The polyethylene resin is prepared in a dual reactor polymerization process.

Abstract: An insulating support structure for a helical wire heating coil for an electric resistance heating element includes a plurality of insulating standoff members supported by a metallic support frame. The insulating standoffs each include a pair of wedge portions that are used to separate the individual convolutions of the helical wire heating coil. Located inwardly from each of the wedge portions are a pair of V-shaped coil grooves sized to receive a portion of an individual convolution of the helical wire heating coil. A retainer tab extends into and forms one surface of the coil groove such that the wire heating coil contacts the retainer tab and a pair of contact surfaces that define the coil groove. The insulating standoffs are each supported by an arm contained on the support frame. Each of the arms includes a pair of tines which combine to form an open slot within the arm. The insulating standoff is captured between the tines by a pair of locking projections on the outer end of the tines.

Abstract: A method for measuring at least one desired parameter of a patterned structure having a plurality of features defined by a certain process of its manufacturing. The structure represents a grid having at least one cycle formed of at least two locally adjacent elements having different optical properties in respect of an incident radiation. An optical model, based on at lease some of the features of the structure is provided. The model is capable of determining theoretical data representative of photometric intensities of light components of different wavelengths specularly reflected from the structure and of calculating said at least one desired parameter of the structure. A measurement area, which is substantially larger than a surface area of the structure defined by the grid cycle, is illuminated by an incident radiation of a preset substantially wide wavelength range.

Abstract: The present invention is a simple, selective, rapid and a non-radioactive procedure for estimating the activity of protein kinases and protein phosphatases. The method involves attaching a suitable substrate to a 96-well plate surface and then measuring the activity of the specific enzymes using suitable incubating conditions. The PKC assay involves immobilizing histone (type III-SS), the substrate for PKC, and then determining the extent of phosphorylation by using ammonium molybdate and 1-amino-2-naphthol-4-sulfonic acid based reaction for inorganic phosphate quantitation. The PP-1 assay involves immobilizing phosphorylase-b substrate to the assay plate and then phosphorylating the substrate using phosphorylase kinase. Finally, the phosphate is hydrolyzed from the substrate by protein phosphatase. The assay methods are suitable for estimating PKC and PP-1 activity in tissue and cell samples without using any radiolabeled substrate.

Abstract: Polyethylene film having a combination of a high melt strength and a high dart impact strength is prepared from a linear low density polyethylene resin having a melt index, (“I2”), of from 0.4 to 1.5 g/10 minutes, a broad molecular weight distribution (of from 3.5 to 7) and a quasi homogeneous comonomer distribution (as evidenced by a copolymer/homopolymer ratio of from 3 to 19). The polyethylene resin is prepared in a dual reactor polymerization process. The film is especially useful for industrial and “heavy duty” packaging applications such as the manufacture of plastic packages used to contain goods for the construction, gardening and agricultural businesses. Examples of such goods include peat moss, fertilizer, soil, sand, salt, fiberglass insulation and crushed stone.

Abstract: A test structure is presented to be formed on a patterned structure and to be used for controlling a CMP process applied to the patterned structure, which has a pattern area formed by spaced-apart metal-containing regions representative of real features of the patterned structure. The test structure thus undergoes the same CMP processing as the pattern area. The test structure comprises at least one pattern zone in the form of a metal area with at least one region included in the metal area and made of a material relatively transparent with respect to incident light, as compared to that of the metal.

Abstract: Arcuate-winged submersible vehicles having improved hydrodynamic stability and maneuverability for use in, for example, underwater payload delivery and data acquisition. In one embodiment, a submersible vehicle includes a body having a pair of outwardly projecting at least partially arcuate wings, an adjustably positionable wing steering flap hingeably attached to each wing, at least one wing flap actuator coupled to the hull and to the wing steering flaps to controllably adjust the position of the wing steering flaps, an adjustably positionable hingeable tail steering flap attached to the hull, and at least one tail flap actuator coupled to the hull and to the tail steering flap to controllably adjust the position of the tail steering flap. The arcuate wings provide improved stability and maneuverability characteristics of the vehicle. In alternate embodiments, a vehicle may include arcuate wings having a swept leading edge or a swept trailing edge, or both.

Abstract: A dual reactor process for the solution and (co)polymerization of ethylene uses two different types of catalysts in the two reactors. A catalyst having a phosphinimine ligand is used in the first reactor. A Ziegler Natta catalyst is used in the second reactor. The process of this invention is comparatively easy to control and may be used to produce polyethylene products having a broad molecular weight distribution. Linear low density produced according to this invention is well suited for the manufacture of molded goods and plastic films.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical device for the measurement of flow rates of fluid through a pipe. The device broadly comprises a narrow frequency light source, an optical delivery system, a collector for light scattered from particles in the fluid, and a photo detector. In a preferred embodiment, the optical delivery system and the collector are contained within the pipe.

Abstract: The melt of polyvinyl aromatic polymers comprising from 10 to 45 weight % of star branched polymer prepared using a combination of thermal and tetra functional peroxide initiation has an improved melt strength permitting better foam formation for extrusion foam blown with conventional blowing agents and inert gases including CO2.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of complexes of transition metals having a ligand containing a phosphorus or arsenic atom bound to the transition metal through an oxygen atom, or an amido radical. The complexes may be activated with conventional activators and are useful in solution, slurry and gas phase polymerization of olefins.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of polyvinylarene polymer particles by suspension polymerization, wherein (a) vinylarene monomers are suspended in an aqueous medium to yield a suspension; (b) the temperature of the suspension is adjusted to a temperature above 50° C., at which temperature an initiator is added; (c) subsequently, the reaction temperature is increased by 5 to 30° C. per hour until a temperature of at least 120° C. has been reached; and (d) the temperature is retained at a temperature of at least 120° C. until the polymerization is complete.

Abstract: Organometallic complexes having two phosphinimine ligands and at least one activatable ligand are catalyst components for olefin polymerization. Preferred polymerization systems are prepared by combining the organometallic complexes with an ionic activator and/or an alumoxane. Preferred catalyst components contain titanium, zirconium, or hafnium and are activated with an ionic activator to form catalysts for ethylene polymerization.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the waviness of surfaces of, for example, bearing parts involves the use of a control element that is rotatably applied against a surface of the object to be measured. The control element has a similar geometry to the final bearing component and is placed in a hydrostatic pocket, or kept in a bearing arrangement, allowing it to rotate and move freely. The control element is loaded with a substantially constant force and is arranged to be moved rotatably across the surface to be tested. At least one transducer is arranged to monitor the direct movement of the control element or the movement via the pocket, and a signal is created corresponding to the waviness.

Abstract: A new and distinct hybrid of xHeucherella characterized by distinctive spring foliage and unusual flowers.

Abstract: A new and distinct hybrid of Pulmonaria, characterized by its unique foliage with an intensely ruffled margin and a highly silvered upper leaf surface.

Abstract: A new and distinct hybrid of Pulmonaria characterized by large bright raspberry-colored flowers with upright, well marked foliage and an extended bloom period.