Abstract: An electrode for use in a electrochemical sensor comprises carbon modified with a chemically sensitive redox-active compound, excluding an electrode based on carbon having derivatised thereron two redox-active species wherein at least one of said species is selected from anthraquinone, phenanthrenequinone and N,N?-diphenyl-p-phenylenediamine (DPPD). The invention further provides a pH sensor comprising: a working electrode comprising carbon modified with a chemically sensitive redox active material; and a counter electrode, wherein the ratio of the surface area of the working electrode to the surface area of the counter electrode is from 1:10 to 10:1. Also provided is a pH sensor comprising: a working electrode comprising carbon modified with a chemically sensitive redox active material, and a counter electrode, wherein the area of the working electrode is from 500 ?m2 to 0.1 m2. The uses of these electrodes and sensors are also described.

Abstract: A voltage activated 2nd level safety circuit for permanent isolation having a current activated fuse useful for class III medical devices, military applications, and any other passive loads. The battery system has a fuse current limiter and the current activated fuse maintain the fuse closed when a power cell, having a current sufficient to blow the fuse expeditiously, directs its current to the load. The power cell continues to direct its current to the load until the system detects an unacceptable battery or circuit condition. Once that unacceptable condition exists and is detected, a fuse blowing circuitry allows the power cell's current to expeditiously blow the current activated fuse. In response to the blown current activated fuse, the system's isolation switch(es) open as well to establish a permanent isolated battery.

Abstract: A snowskate, comprising: an upper deck having a first tip at one end of the snowskate, the upper deck having an upper surface for supporting a user while riding the snowskate; a lower deck having a second tip at the one end, the lower deck having a lower surface for contacting snow upon which the snowskate is ridden by the user; and, one or more trucks for mounting the upper deck above the lower deck; wherein the second tip extends above the first tip at the one end to thereby reduce the snow from gathering between the upper and lower decks when the snowskate is ridden in the direction of the one end.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing an adhesive layer from a wafer surface includes a chuck, a contact roller, a pick-up roller and a detaping tape. The chuck supports and holds a wafer that has an adhesive layer on its top surface. The contact roller rotates around a first axis and moves linearly along a direction perpendicular to the first axis over the chuck and the supported wafer. The pick-up roller rotates around a second axis, that is parallel to the first axis. The detaping tape rolls around the contact roller and the pick-up roller, and as it rolls it attaches to the adhesive layer, and then is removed together with the adhesive layer. The contact roller has a surface that has a footprint of a circle when rolled along a flat surface.

Abstract: An electrode for use in a electrochemical sensor comprises carbon modified with a chemically sensitive redox-active compound, excluding an electrode based on carbon having derivatised thereron two redox-active species wherein at least one of said species is selected from anthraquinone, phenanthrenequinone and N,N?-diphenyl-p-phenylenediamine (DPPD). The invention further provides a pH sensor comprising: a working electrode comprising carbon modified with a chemically sensitive redox active material; and a counter electrode, wherein the ratio of the surface area of the working electrode to the surface area of the counter electrode is from 1:10 to 10:1. Also provided is a pH sensor comprising: a working electrode comprising carbon modified with a chemically sensitive redox active material, and a counter electrode, wherein the area of the working electrode is from 500 ?m2 to 0.1 m2. The uses of these electrodes and sensors are also described.

Abstract: A window operating system for casement and awning windows has two actuators that are connected to be controlled by one crank to operate simultaneously. The system is modular and the crank is preferably part of a crank assembly that is a separate component from the actuators. In a further embodiment, the operating system has at least one actuator with a crank assembly to operate the actuator being located at a different location on a window frame from the actuator. With a modular system, there are numerous variations for location and number of locks and the location of the crank assembly as well as other components. The system still further describes a lock for a window operating system.

Abstract: A debonder apparatus for debonding a temporary bonded wafer pair. The clam shell reactor includes first and second isolated chambers. An upper chuck is contained within the first chamber and has a lower surface protruding into the second chamber. A lower chuck is contained within the second chamber and has an upper surface oriented parallel and opposite to the lower surface of the upper chuck. The debonder includes means for holding an unbounded surface of the first wafer onto the lower surface of the upper chuck. The first chamber pressurizing means applies pressure onto an upper surface of the upper chuck and thereby causes the lower surface of the upper chuck and the attached wafer pair to bow downward. The debonder apparatus also includes means for initiating a separation front at a point of the bonding interface of the temporary bonded wafer pair.

Abstract: A method for temporary bonding first and second wafers includes, applying a first adhesive layer upon a first surface of a first wafer and then curing the first adhesive layer. Next, applying a second adhesive layer upon a first surface of a second wafer. Next, inserting the first wafer into a bonder module and holding the first wafer by an upper chuck assembly so that its first surface with the cured first adhesive layer faces down. Next, inserting the second wafer into the bonder module and placing the second wafer upon a lower chuck assembly so that the second adhesive layer faces up and is opposite to the first adhesive layer. Next, moving the lower chuck assembly upwards and bringing the second adhesive layer in contact with the cured first adhesive layer, and then curing the second adhesive layer.

Abstract: We identified regions of the HIV-1 proteome with high conservation, and low variant incidence. Such highly conserved sequences have direct relevance to the development of new-generation vaccines and diagnostic applications. The immune relevance of these sequences was assessed by their correlation to previously reported human T-cell epitopes and to recently identified human HIV-1 T-cell epitopes (identified using HLA transgenic mice). We identified (a) sequences specific to HIV-1 with no shared identity to other viruses and organisms, and (b) sequences that are specific to primate lentivirus group, with multiclade HIV-1 conservation.

Abstract: Chutes and other components may include composite liners to improve performance. Composite liners generally comprise a base metal having a ceramic material embedded therein. The composite liners exhibit improved resistance to wear and, therefore, have a longer usable life than liners formed of the base metal alone.

Abstract: An industrial-scale high throughput wafer bonding apparatus includes a wafer bonder chamber extending along a main axis and comprising a plurality of chamber zones, a plurality of heater/isolator plates, a guide rod system extending along the main axis, a pair of parallel track rods extending along the main axis, and first pressure means. The chamber zones are separated from each other and thermally isolated from each other by the heater/isolator plates. The heater/isolator plates are oriented perpendicular to the main axis, are movably supported and guided by the guide rod system and are configured to move along the direction of the main axis. Each of the chamber zones is dimensioned to accommodate an aligned wafer pair and the wafer pairs are configured to be supported by the parallel track rods. The first pressure means is configured to apply a first force perpendicular to a first end heater/isolator plate.

Abstract: Described methods and apparatus provide a controlled perturbation to an adhesive bond between a device wafer and a carrier wafer. The controlled perturbation, which can be mechanical, chemical, thermal, or radiative, facilitates the separation of the two wafers without damaging the device wafer. The controlled perturbation initiates a crack either within the adhesive joining the two wafers, at an interface within the adhesive layer (such as between a release layer and the adhesive), or at a wafer/adhesive interface. The crack can then be propagated using any of the foregoing methods, or combinations thereof, used to initiate the crack.

Abstract: A debonder apparatus includes a chuck assembly, a flex plate assembly, a contact roller and a resistance roller. The chuck assembly includes a chuck and a first wafer holder holding a first wafer of a bonded wafer pair in contact with the chuck. The flex plate assembly includes a flex plate and a second wafer holder holding a second wafer of the bonded wafer pair in contact with the flex plate. The flex plate is placed above the chuck. The contact roller is arranged adjacent to a first edge of the chuck and pushes and lifts up a first edge of the flex plate, while the resistance roller traverses horizontally over the flex plate and applies a downward force upon the flex plate and thereby the bonded wafer pair delaminates along a release layer and the first and second wafers are separated from each other.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for improving airway conductance in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of one or more of tumstatin; a derivative, variant or homologue thereof; a polynucleotide encoding tumstatin or a derivative, variant or homologue thereof; or an agent capable of increasing the expression or production of tumstatin.

Abstract: Methods and processes are described that form ceramic wear surfaces on the outer surface of a cast part. A mold having a mold cavity is provided. The mold cavity may be washed using a refractory wash to provide for a smoother finish to the surface of the cast part and to maintain mold integrity. An adhesive is applied to predetermined locations in which increased wear during the use of the cast parts is anticipated to occur. Ceramic material may be applied to the predetermined locations by various means. A mask may be used to remove excess material from areas other than the predetermined locations. A molten metal is poured into the mold cavity and allowed to cool to form a cast part with a ceramic wear surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for controlling the location and distribution of loose ceramic particles in a ceramic metal composite component formed via casting. A retaining structure that may include loose ceramic particles is placed in a casting mold at a desired location for ceramic particles in the composite component prior to pouring molten metal into the casting mold. Alternatively, the loose ceramic particles may be introduced into the mold concurrently with the molten metal.

Abstract: A composite ballistic armor or other composite component may be formed by placing one or more ceramic cores in a mold and introducing molten base metal into the mold, such that the molten base metal encapsulates the one or more ceramic cores to form the composite component. The ceramic cores may comprise, for example, porous packed-particle ceramic cores or pre-cast porous ceramic cores. The base metal may comprise, for example, a steel alloy, such as FeMnAl.

Abstract: An apparatus for debonding two temporary bonded wafers includes a chuck assembly, a flex plate assembly and a contact roller. The chuck assembly includes a chuck and a first wafer holder to hold wafers in contact with the top surface of the chuck. The flex plate assembly includes a flex plate and a second wafer holder configured to hold wafers in contact with a first surface of the flex plate. The flex plate comprises a first edge arranged adjacent to a first edge of the chuck and connected to a hinge. The flex plate is configured to swing around the hinge and to be placed above the top surface of the chuck. The contact roller is arranged adjacent to a second edge of the chuck, which is diametrically opposite to its first edge. A debond drive motor moves the contact roller vertical to the plane of the chuck top surface.

Abstract: A voltage activated 2nd level safety circuit for permanent isolation having a current activated fuse useful for class III medical devices, military applications, and any other passive loads. The battery system has a fuse current limiter and the current activated fuse maintain the fuse closed when a power cell, having a current sufficient to blow the fuse expeditiously, directs its current to the load. The power cell continues to direct its current to the load until the system detects an unacceptable battery or circuit condition. Once that unacceptable condition exists and is detected, a fuse blowing circuitry allows the power cell's current to expeditiously blow the current activated fuse. In response to the blown current activated fuse, the system's isolation switch(es) open as well to establish a permanent isolated battery.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for inhibiting proliferation and/or migration of lymphatic endothelial cells and for inhibiting lymphangiogenesis, comprising administering to a subject, or to lymphatic endothelial cells derived therefrom, an effective amount of a collagen type IV-derived NC1 domain polypeptide or a fragment, derivative or variant thereof, a polynucleotide encoding the same, or an agent capable of increasing the expression or production of the NC1 domain polypeptide. Aso provided are methods for the treatment or prevention of diseases and conditions associated with aberrant lymphatic endothelial cell activity.