Abstract: An apparatus for measuring ammonia gas concentration in an ongoing chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) cycle utilizing an acidic CMP slurry, having the following components: a. A transferring means to collect a sample of the acidic CMP slurry; b. A converting means to convert the acidic CMP slurry to a basic slurry; c. A measuring means to measure the ammonia gas present in the basic slurry; d. A detection means to signal the end of an ongoing CMP cycle.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring ammonia gas concentration in an ongoing mechanical polishing (CMP) cycle utilizing an acidic CMP slurry, having the following components: a. A transferring means to collect a sample of the acidic CMP slurry; b. A converting means to convert the acidic CMP slurry to a basic slurry; c. A measuring means to measure the ammonia gas present in the basic slurry; d. A detection means to signal the end of an ongoing CMP cycle.

Abstract: Compounds useful in the treatment and/or prevention of a condition or disorder mediated by a G-protein coupled receptor are provided that have the formula: wherein A and B are CR?; V is either a bond and W is —N(R?)—, or else V is —N(R?)— and W is a bond; Z is —N(R)—CH2—; R1, R2, R3, R4, R?, R?, and R are as defined herein; the subscript n is an integer from 0 to 8; and ?is a benzene ring. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of using these compounds for the treatment and/or prevention of eating disorders, obesity, anxiety disorders and mood disorders, are also provided.

Abstract: Improved endpoint detection is obtained for wet etch and/or other chemical processes involving in situ measurement of bath impedance. The endpoint detection uses a measurement apparatus having a measurement circuit with a capacitor designed to alter the phase angle of the circuit. The capacitor is preferably a variable capacitor which is used to set the initial phase angle of the measurement circuit to about zero. The methods using the improved detection enable etch to be more precisely controlled even under conditions where noise would otherwise adversely impact determination of the endpoint.

Abstract: Improved endpoint detection is obtained for wet etch and/or other chemical processes involving in-situ measurement of bath impedance. The endpoint detection uses a measurement apparatus having a measurement circuit with a capacitor designed to alter the phase angle of the circuit. The capacitor is preferably a variable capacitor which is used to set the initial phase angle of the measurement circuit to about zero. The methods using the improved detection enable etch to be more precisely controlled even under conditions where noise would otherwise adversely impact determination of the endpoint.

Abstract: A chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP) system and method includes pumping polishing slurry from a CMP apparatus through a sampling tube to an endpoint detection apparatus during a polishing operation, and flushing the sampling tube while a polishing operation is not in progress. The flushing of the sampling tube is commenced in accordance with a control signal from the endpoint detection apparatus terminating the polishing operation; the flushing is terminated in accordance with a starting signal to the CMP apparatus. The pump, which pumps a sample of slurry into the endpoint detection apparatus, continuously pumps slurry and/or water. Clogging of the slurry sampling tube is thus eliminated, thereby ensuring robust operation of the CMP apparatus. Contamination of the sampling tube is also avoided, so that the system may reliably provide sensitive endpoint detection and process control, even when a film of low pattern density is polished.

Abstract: Hydroxyamidines and related compounds are provided which are suitable as antibacterial agents.

Abstract: Compounds having the formula: wherein L is a bond or (C1-C4)alkylene, R″ is hydrogen or (C1-C8)alkyl, and R1, R2, R4, R, R′, and the subscript n are as described herein, are provided, which are useful in the treatment and/or prevention of a condition or disorder mediated by a G-protein coupled receptor. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of using these compounds for the treatment and/or prevention of a condition or disorder mediated by a G-protein coupled receptor, such as eating disorders, obesity, anxiety disorders and mood disorders, are also provided.

Abstract: Hydroxyamidines and related compounds are provided which are suitable as antibacterial agents.

Abstract: Compounds, compositions and methods are provided that are useful in the treatment and/or prevention of a condition or disorder mediated by a G-protein coupled receptor. In particular, the compounds of the invention are useful in the treatment and/or prevention of eating disorders, obesity, anxiety disorders and mood disorders.

Abstract: Compounds, compositions and methods are provided that are useful in the treatment or prevention of conditions or disorders associated with a neuropeptide receptor. The subject methods are particularly useful in the treatment and/or prevention of endocrine, metabolic, cardiovascular, neurologic, psychiatric, gastrointestinal, genitourinary and other disorders.

Abstract: A method is described for noise reduction in a CMP endpoint detection system employing torque measurement. The torque signals are acquired using an adjustable sampling rate and sample size, and averaged using a moving array of adjustable size. By introducing these three adjustable quantities in the torque-based endpoint control algorithm and properly setting their values in the endpoint detection recipe, periodic noise associated with carrier rotation and carrier oscillation can be effectively removed. This in turn permits reliable, closed-loop control of the CMP process.

Abstract: The present invention provides pyrazole and pyrazolone derivatives. Preferred compounds of the invention are useful as RNA polymerase inhibitors. Further preferred compounds of the invention are useful as antimicrobial agents.

Abstract: Improved endpoint detection is obtained for wet etch and/or other chemical processes involving in situ measurement of bath impedance. The endpoint detection uses a measurement apparatus having a measurement circuit with a capacitor designed to alter the phase angle of the circuit. The capacitor is preferably a variable capacitor which is used to set the initial phase angle of the measurement circuit to about zero. The methods using the improved detection enable etch to be more precisely controlled even under conditions where noise would otherwise adversely impact determination of the endpoint.

Abstract: Compounds, compositions and methods are provided for the inhibition of S1 protease and for the modulation of cholesterol homeostasis in a cell.

Abstract: An instrumentation device for controlling one or more instruments, wherein the instrumentation device having an interface which accepts at least three sets of inputs and transmits at least three sets of outputs, the interface capable of transmitting signals of different voltage between the individual inputs and individual outputs of the interface and wherein the interface is capable of accepting, translating and transmitting as one of the at least three sets of outputs, input from more than one set of the at least sets of three inputs.

Abstract: Compounds, compositions and methods are provided that are useful in the treatment and/or prevention of a condition or disorder mediated by a G-protein coupled receptor. In particular, the compounds of the invention are useful in the treatment and/or prevention of eating disorders, obesity, anxiety disorders and mood disorders.

Abstract: A method is described for noise reduction in a CMP endpoint detection system employing torque measurement. The torque signals are acquired using an adjustable sampling rate and sample size, and averaged using a moving array of adjustable size. By introducing these three adjustable quantities in the torque-based endpoint control algorithm and properly setting their values in the endpoint detection recipe, periodic noise associated with carrier rotation and carrier oscillation can be effectively removed. This in turn permits reliable, closed-loop control of the CMP process.

Abstract: Compounds, compositions and methods are provided that are useful in the treatment and/or prevention of a condition or disorder mediated by a G-protein coupled receptor. In particular, the compounds of the invention are useful in the treatment and/or prevention of eating disorders, obesity, anxiety disorders and mood disorders.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for detecting the presence of a gaseous chemical produced during a chemical-mechanical polishing operation. The apparatus includes a catalytic converter, a reaction chamber and a light sensor. The catalytic converter, heated to about 800° C. converts the chemical to a different chemical product. The reaction chamber produces an excited species; the pressure in the reaction chamber is maintained sufficiently low to substantially avoid collisional deactivation of the excited species, so as to permit real-time detection of the chemical. A light signal from the excited species is input to the light sensor. An output from the light sensor corresponds to the real-time detection of the chemical, thereby permitting real-time control of the chemical-mechanical polishing operation.