Abstract: Carrier compounds and compositions therewith which are useful in the delivery of active agents are provided. Methods of administration and preparation are provided as well.

Abstract: A device for chemical-mechanical polishing. The device can be applied to a chemical polishing table spinning in a fixed direction and a polishing pad above of it. A chemical-mechanical polishing device according to the present invention is at least comprised of a main body of conditioner with a plurality of mounting pads, wherein each mounting pad is mounted with the diamond granules and located on the lower surface of conditioner, distributed on the rim of main body of each mounting pad. It can contact with polishing pads when cleaning the polishing pads and a number of cavities are across the upper and lower surfaces of each main body of conditioner and distributed between each mounting pads as well. When using the conditioners to clean out the polishing pads, the de-ionized water will flow through the cavities to wash off the acid or basic slurry to eliminate the destruction made by the solders around the diamond granules to extend the durability of the conditioner.

Abstract: A system and method for clearing buffer for three-dimensional rendering is disclosed, which is used in a multimedia chip. The multimedia chip is used for controlling the three-dimensional rendering and accessing a memory, and the memory includes a buffer for storing depth data of a number of pixels during three-dimensional rendering. In addition, the multimedia chip includes a multimedia related circuit. The system includes a memory interface controller and a Z clearing controller. The memory interface controller is used for receiving a conventional command signal from the multimedia related circuit, and for detecting state of the memory. The Z clearing controller is employed for receiving X- and Y-coordinates of a pixel that the multimedia related circuit is to draw, and for sending a command signal to the memory interface controller, wherein the Z clearing controller performs Z clearing on the buffer when the memory is in an idle state.

Abstract: Modified amino acid compounds useful in the delivery of active agents are provided. The active agents can be peptides, such as rhGH. Methods of administration, such as oral, subcutaneous, sublingual, and intranasal administration, are provided, and methods of preparation of the modified amino acid compound are provided.

Abstract: Thermoplastic resin-coated ammonium polyphosphate comprises a core material which comprises ammonium polyphosphate and a thermosetting resin, a melamine monomer or a surface-treating agent; and a coating layer of a thermoplastic resin which covers the core material. The thermoplastic resin-coated ammonium polyphosphate is excellent in water resistance, resistance to acids, resistance to alkalis, resistance to ions and resistance to organic solvents and if it is incorporated into a resin composition as a component of a flame retardant used therein and the composition is formed into a molded article, the resulting article does not show any marked reduction of its mechanical strength.

Abstract: An apparatus for the processing and segmenting of a cover-forming laminate web or sheeting structure which is adapted to interconnect a plurality of containers, such as the base members of blister packages each of which is designed to contain a hydrophilic contact lens in a sterile aqueous solution. More specifically disclosed is an apparatus for the imprinting, perforating, slitting and cutting the laminated web structure such that the severed laminate segments constitute printed covering label for an array of such containers, and whereby the laminated web or sheeting segment may be severed along weakening or perforation lines so as to provide a separable packaging arrangement for individual of the containers which are subsequently adhered thereto.

Abstract: A novel air cathode and the metal air cells made therewith are provided. With a conductive air diffusion layer of carbon black and polymeric materials, the current collecting substrate is disposed on one side of the air diffusion layer while the active layer is on the other side of the air diffusion layer. The current collecting substrate is in good contact with both the air diffusion layer and the cathode can of the cell, and it has absolutely no direct contact with the active layer. The performance of cells made therewith are significantly improved in high drain discharge situations and the internal impedance of the cells is reduced.

Abstract: Methods for transporting a biologically active agent across a cellular membrane or a lipid bilayer. A first method includes the steps of: (a) providing a biologically active agent which can exist in a native conformational state, a denatured conformational state, and an intermediate conformational state which is reversible to the native state and which is conformationally between the native and denatured states; (b) exposing the biologically active agent to a complexing perturbant to reversibly transform the biologically active agent to the intermediate state and to form a transportable supramolecular complex; and (c) exposing the membrane or bilayer to the supramolecular complex, to transport the biologically active agent across the membrane or bilayer. The perturbant has a molecular weight between about 150 and about 600 daltons, and contains at least one hydrophilic moiety and at least one hydrophobic moiety.

Abstract: Carrier compounds and compositions therewith which are useful in the delivery of active agents are provided. Methods of administration and preparation are provided as well.

Abstract: A method for chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) of a wafer having a top layer to be polished is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: using a CMP apparatus to polish the top layer using a first slurry having abrasive particles of a first size; and using the CMP apparatus to polish the top layer using a second slurry having abrasive particles of a second size, the second size being smaller than the first size.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for partially curing a polymerizable monomer or monomer mixture to form a soft contact lens includes a transport device for transporting a plurality of contact lens molds to a precure station in a low oxygen environment, each contact lens mold including a first and second mold half with a polymerizable monomer or monomer mixture therebetween. A clamping member having a plurality of mold engagement members clamps a first contact lens mold half against a second contact lens mold half for a predetermined pressure and time. While the mold halves of the contact lens mold are clamped, the polymerizable monomer or monomer mixture is exposed to a radiant energy source for polymerizing the polymerizable monomer or monomer mixture contained in each contact lens mold.

Abstract: A method is provided for polishing a composite comprised of silica and silicon nitride wherein a polishing composition is used comprising: an aqueous medium, abrasive particles, a surfactant, an organic polymer viscosity modifier which increases the viscosity of the composition, and a compound which complexes with the silica and silicon nitride wherein the complexing agent has two or more functional groups each having a dissociable proton, the functional groups being the same or different.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for removing and transporting articles, such as ophthalmic lens mold sections, or packaging elements from a mold. The invention, in one embodiment includes first, second, and third assemblies; the first of which removes the articles from the molding station at a first location and transports them to a second location; the second assembly receives the articles from the first assembly and transports them to a third location, and the third assembly receives the articles from the second assembly and transports them to a fourth location. A second embodiment includes a flipper assembly disposed between the first and second assemblies, which flipper receives the articles from the first assembly and inverts them before depositing them onto the second assembly. This second embodiment is useful in conjunction with molded articles which are transported to the flipper assembly in an inverted position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an oral delivery system, and in particular to modified amino acids or peptides for use as a delivery system of sensitive agents such as bioactive peptides. The modified amino acids or peptides can form non-covalent mixtures or microspheres with active biological agents. These mixtures or microspheres are suitable for oral administration of biologically active agents to animals. Methods for the preparation of such amino acids and peptides are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for removing and transporting articles, such as ophthalmic lens mold sections, or packaging elements from a mold. The invention, in one embodiment includes first, second, and third assemblies; the first of which removes the articles from the molding station at a first location and transports them to a second location; the second assembly receives the articles from the first assembly and transports them to a third location, and the third assembly receives the articles from the second assembly and transports them to a fourth location. A second embodiment includes a flipper assembly disposed between the first and second assemblies, which flipper receives the articles from the first assembly and inverts them before depositing them onto the second assembly. This second embodiment is useful in conjunction with molded articles which are transported to the flipper assembly in an inverted position.

Abstract: A composition for reducing dishing in patterned large metal surfaces embedded in a dielectric as a workpiece during chemical mechanical polishing, comprising: a viscosity increasing amount of viscosity enhancer in replacement of a portion of deionized water in a slurry containing an abrasive.

Abstract: A composition is provided for polishing a composite comprised of silica and silicon nitride comprising: an aqueous medium, abrasive particles, a surfactant, and a compound which complexes with the silica and silicon nitride wherein the complexing agent has two or more functional groups each having a dissociable proton, the functional groups being the same or different.

Abstract: A method of reducing agglomerated particles in a slurry for use in a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) machine, the CMP machine also using deionized water, is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: monitoring the pH of the slurry that is provided to the CMP machine; monitoring the pH of the deionized water that is provided to the CMP machine; and adjusting the pH of the deionized water to be substantially the same as the pH of the slurry.

Abstract: Methods for transporting a biologically active agent across a cellular membrane or a lipid bilayer. A first method includes the steps of:(a) providing a biologically active agent which can exist in a native conformational state, a denatured conformational state, and an intermediate conformational state which is reversible to the native state and which is conformationally between the native and denatured states;(b) exposing the biologically active agent to a complexing perturbant to reversibly transform the biologically active agent to the intermediate state and to form a transportable supramolecular complex; and(c) exposing the membrane or bilayer to the supramolecular complex, to transport the biologically active agent across the membrane or bilayer. The perturbant has a molecular weight between about 150 and about 600 daltons, and contains at least one hydrophilic moiety and at least one hydrophobic moiety.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for removing and transporting articles, such as contact lens sections from a manufacturing line to inspection and packaging stations. The lenses are deposited in a transparent plastic primary package which carries the lenses through the inspection station and becomes part of the primary package when a cover is sealed thereto. The invention includes various assemblies, including lens transfer assemblies, deionized water filling and removal assemblies, a water degassing assembly, a lens inspection assembly, and a lens package sealing assembly. The lenses are removed from pallets at a post hydration station, transported and spatially redistributed, and deposited in the primary packages disposed on a second set of pallets. The packages on the second set of pallets are filled with degassed deionized water. The contact lenses and packages are then transported to an inspection station.