Abstract: An integrated circuit is formed having electrical conductors with electromigration-inhibiting/electrically conductive plugs disposed between electrically conductive segments of the electrical conductor. Windows are formed within a planar surface. An electromigration-inhibiting/electrically conductive material is deposited over the planar surface and through the windows to fill the windows and thereby provide, in such windows, plugs of electromigration-inhibiting/electrically conductive material. Portions of the electromigration-inhibiting/electrically conductive material are removed to form the plugs with surfaces co-planar a surface surrounding the plugs. The electrical conductive segments are formed within the same planar surface as the plugs, either before, or after, the plug formation. The electrical conductive segments have surfaces co-planar with the plugs, are aligned with and electrically interconnected through the plugs.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming integrated circuit electrical conductors with electromigration-inhibiting/electrically conductive plugs disposed between electrically conductive segments of the electrical conductor. In accordance with such method, windows are formed within a planar surface. An electromigration-inhibiting/electrically conductive material is deposited over the planar surface and through the windows to fill the windows and thereby provide, in such windows, plugs of electromigration-inhibiting/electrically conductive material. Portions of the electromigration-inhibiting/electrically conductive material are removed to form the plugs with surfaces co-planar a surface surrounding the plugs. The electrical conductive segments are formed within the same planar surface as the plugs, either before, or after the plug formation. The electrical conductive segments have surfaces co-planar with the plugs, are aligned with and electrically interconnected through the plugs.

Abstract: The use of regularly repeated small sections of pattern in making a complete optical grating may generate unwanted effects, such as side lobes, as a result of the regular repetition of defects in the small sections. Methods are described for disrupting the regularity of the occurrence of such defects in a grating made of a plurality of sections, thereby minimizing the likelihood of the occurrence of unwanted side lobes, for example.

Abstract: The invention provides an incubation vessel supporting apparatus, including a moveable support and a plurality of incubation vessel mountings carried by the support and moveable independently relative to the support such that, in use, each of the plurality of vessel mountings is simultaneously independently moveable so that each vessel mounted by the mountings is capable of movement to achieve substantially the same temperature/time integral. Such vessel supports can be used in, for example, an automated assay apparatus.

Abstract: A metal wood head for a golf club comprises an integrated hollow body formed of titanium, or another like light metal material. The front wall of the body has a top edge that defines a concave profile between opposite ends thereof, the top wall of the body, which extends from the top edge of the front wall, defining a corresponding channel formation extending from the front wall to a rear wall of the body. This top wall profile of the metal wood head provides for a body mass distribution, relative to the centre of mass of the body, which will induce an improved flight path for golf balls struck by a metal wood including this head.

Abstract: A drop delivery debris disposal chute formed of a continuous trough sectioned body having an open face, and a plurality of cover elements each secured to span the open face to constitute a respective part of a closure wall of the chute, wherein each of a plurality of duct access openings in the closure wall is constituted by a gap between neighboring spaced apart cover elements, and at least two inlet structures supporting the duct fixedly mounted to a building floor and including an intake opening and an inclined race extending from the intake opening to a corresponding duct access opening, and wherein the spacing between neighboring duct access openings is established to bring each access opening into register with the race of a corresponding inlet structure by use of a cover sheet in overlapping relationship with a cover element.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are provided for locating and straightening horizontal and vertical lines in digitized documents by first identifying horizontal or vertical elements, each of which may represent part of a longer line, according to several adjustable criteria. This approach confines use of precise, computationally intensive line-fixing routines to image regions likely to contain a line. In one aspect, the invention performs pixel-by-pixel scanning only in those regions likely to contain a line segment. Given a threshold number of pixels defining the smallest possible line segment, the invention begins with an initial pixel and tests the pixel linearly displaced therefrom by a distance equal to the threshold. If the displaced pixel is uncolored, a consecutive threshold-length run of colored pixels cannot exist between the initial and displaced pixels, so all of these pixels are considered evaluated and the displaced pixel becomes a new initial pixel.

Abstract: A barrier assembly is provided for protecting shorelines and structures adjacent shorelines from damage attributable to oil spills. The barrier assembly includes a flexible sheet material that is impermeable to oil. One surface of the flexible sheet material may also have oil-absorbing characteristics. Each sheet has a top edge from which tie downs extend for securing sheets to structures adjacent the shoreline. Each sheet also includes a bottom edge having anchors for holding the bottom edge below the surface of the water. The sheets may include structure for connecting adjacent sheets in top-to-bottom relationship and/or in side-to-side relationship.

Abstract: An cut-resistant seat or seating material is disclosed together with methods of forming such a material. The material comprises at least one layer of flexible metal or non-metal matrix material embedded within a compressed flexible foam material. The foam material may be a fire retardant flame material.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an article is disclosed which includes an outer fabric material and an inner micro-cellular thermosetting foam plastics material. The method includes facing the outer fabric material, which has been treated on its inner side with a flexible thermosetting plastics material composition, in a mould, closing the mould to define a mould cavity and to deform the fabric material to a predetermined configuration, injecting a foamable flexible thermosetting plastics material composition into the mould, allowing the foamable flexible plastics material to react and completely fill the mould, the pressure of the reaction in the closed spaced of the mould causing the flexible plastics material to bond to the fabric material, allowing the resultant fabric covered micro-cellular foam plastics material to cure, and opening the mould and removing the article.

Abstract: A cut-resistant seat or seating material is disclosed together with methods of forming such a material. The material comprises at least one layer of flexible metal or non-metal matrix material embedded within a compressed flexible foam material. The foam material may be a fire retardant flame material.

Abstract: An improved synthetic lung surfactant consists essentially of dipalmitoyl phosphatidyl choline, a C-14 to C-18 fatty alcohol (preferably hexadecanol), and a non-toxic nonionic surface active agent (preferably tyloxapol). The surfactant is prepared in a powdered lyophilized form that can be stored for extended periods at room temperature. The powdered product can be readily reconstituted by simply adding distilled water.

Abstract: An cut-resistant seat or seating material is disclosed together with methods of forming such a material. The material comprises at least one layer of flexible metal or non-metal matrix material embedded within a compressed flexible foam material. The foam material may be a fire retardant flame material.

Abstract: An improved synthetic lung surfactant consists essentially of dipalmitoyl phosphatidyl choline, a C-14 to C-18 fatty alcohol (preferably hexadecanol), and a non-toxic nonionic surface active agent (preferably tyloxapol). The surfactant is prepared in a powdered lyophilized form that can be stored for extended periods at room temperature. The powdered product can be readily reconstituted by simply adding distilled water.

Abstract: A synthetic protein-free lung surfactant composition is utilized to temporarily substitute for natural lung surfactant in the mammalian lung where such natural lung surfactant is absent or in low concentration. The synthetic surfactant composition consists essentially of a major amount of 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-3-glycerophosphoryl choline (DPPC), and a minor amount of a fatty alcohol, preferably a fatty alcohol having from 14 to 18 carbon atoms, and especially n-hexdecan-1-ol. The synthetic surfactant composition is administered directly into the lungs of a distressed subject to create a film on the alveolar interfacial surfaces and reduce surface tension. Expansion of the alveolar spaces is thereby facilitated.

Abstract: A separator and method, particularly for use in continuous-flow analysis, for separating liquid from a mixture of a liquid phase and a solid phase. The separator includes a first conduit, and a second conduit which communicates with the first conduit across a filter, whereby liquid in the liquid-solid phase mixture in the first conduit can be pumped into the second conduit, the solid phase being held back by the filter, the filter then being back-washed with wash liquid. The liquid-solid phase mixture may be segmented, the segments being separated by occluded air, or air and wash liquid segments, the back-washing then being controlled to occur while the air and/or wash liquid traverses the filter.

Abstract: A seal ring of resilient material is disposed in a groove to provide a seal in a clearance space between a stationary member and a rotating member. The seal ring is cold-formed to provide axial undulations, prior to assembly, so that the seal ring has a greater effective width than the groove width whereby, during assembly, the seal ring is placed in an interference fit within a groove in one member and is contained within the groove to facilitate the assembly of the members without damage to the seal ring. Initial operation of the members, with oil having a temperature above ambient, causes the seal ring to relax from the cold-formed configuration to permit the seal to move radially in the grooved member until sealing contact with the other member occurs thereby restricting leakage between the members.