Abstract: A method of using a catheter assembly for inserting in a fluid filled space in a body includes providing a main body having a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion is positioned within the fluid filled space. The second end portion is adjusted to extend outwardly from the fluid filled space when the first end portion is positioned within the fluid filled space. A catheter tip is connected to the second end portion of the main body. The catheter tip includes a housing having a cavity defined therein and a rotating element positioned within the fluid filled space. The rotating element is rotated within the cavity of the housing to impart movement of the first end portion of the main body within the fluid filled space.

Abstract: A method of estimating Doppler shift for air to ground communications comprises obtaining an initial position of an aircraft during flight, wherein the aircraft includes an onboard database with stored positions for a plurality of ground station towers; when a subsequent position of the aircraft nears a stored position of a closest ground station tower, requesting a Doppler shift estimation for the closest ground station tower; obtaining a current position of the aircraft when requesting the Doppler shift estimation; defining an aircraft position vector from the initial position to the current position; defining a tower position vector from the initial position to the stored position; subtracting the aircraft position vector from the tower position vector to determine an aircraft to tower position vector; differentiating the aircraft to tower position vector with respect to time to determine a velocity magnitude to the closest ground station tower; and calculating a Doppler shift.

Abstract: In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a financial instrument and method is provided. At least two open-ended funds having settlement prices are identified. An index value is created relating to the settlement prices of the at least two open-ended funds. A weighting factor is assigned to the at least two open-ended funds. A components value is determined based on the settlement price and weighting factor. A fund manager futures index is derived based on the component values. A financial instrument is based on the fund manager index. In an additional embodiment, an exchange-traded fund is offered whose value substantially tracks the fund manager index value.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for searching for one or more logical elements in a hierarchical tree structure of an extended markup language document conforming to a schema used for XML. The method includes the steps of (1) providing a representation of an extended markup language document instance containing two or more logical elements, one being a parent node and one a child node in a hierarchical tree structure describing the representation; (2) receiving a query for logical elements satisfying an XPath expression; and (3) searching in the hierarchical tree structure only nodes that potentially have child nodes satisfying the XPath expression.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the internal gettering of impurities in semiconductors by metal alloy clusters. In particular, intermetallic clusters are formed within silicon, such clusters containing two or more transition metal species. Such clusters have melting temperatures below that of the host material and are shown to be particularly effective in gettering impurities within the silicon and collecting them into isolated, less harmful locations. Novel compositions for some of the metal alloy clusters are also described.

Abstract: A method of inspecting and imaging substrates with an electron beam. The method can include a illuminating the substrate with a photon beam to cause photoemission of electrons. A low energy electron beam can be used to prevent or reduce positive charging of the substrate. Reflected electrons and/or emitted photoelectrons can be imaged to review or inspect the substrate.

Abstract: A novel dual beam low energy electron microscope (LEEM) apparatus for inspecting semiconductor circuits or masks. Direct imaging records many pixels in parallel, offering higher inspection rates than prior art scanning methods. A low energy flood beam is superimposed with a second, higher energy flood beam. The use of two beams avoids charging effects upon insulating or partially insulating substrates. Under appropriate conditions, the net charging flux to each image element can be balanced on a pixel by pixel, as well as global basis. Either the low energy or the higher energy beam may be used to form an image of the surface. An electron optical apparatus and configuration for this dual beam LEEM is described.

Abstract: A method of inspecting and imaging substrates with an electron beam. The method can include a illuminating the substrate with a photon beam to cause photoemission of electrons. A low energy electron beam can be used to prevent or reduce positive charging of the substrate. Reflected electrons and/or emitted photoelectrons can be imaged to review or inspect the substrate.

Abstract: A novel dual beam low energy electron microscope (LEEM) apparatus for inspecting semiconductor circuits or masks. Direct imaging records many pixels in parallel, offering higher inspection rates than prior art scanning methods. A low energy flood beam is superimposed with a second, higher energy flood beam. The use of two beams avoids charging effects upon insulating or partially insulating substrates. Under appropriate conditions, the net charging flux to each image element can be balanced on a pixel by pixel, as well as global basis. Either the low energy or the higher energy beam may be used to form an image of the surface. An electron optical apparatus and configuration for this dual beam LEEM is described.

Abstract: An article comprising a multi-port variable capacitor is disclosed. In one embodiment, a movable plate is suspended above at least a first and a second, fixed, electrically-isolated electrode. The first electrode is electrically connected to a bias supply, and the second electrode is electrically connected to an AC signal-carrying line. As bias is applied across the first electrode and the movable plate, an electrostatic attraction is developed therebetween that causes the movable plate to move downwardly towards the first electrode. The capacitance of the variable capacitor increases as the separation distance between the movable plate and the fixed electrodes decreases. Unlike conventional variable capacitors, in the present multi-port variable capacitors, the bias (delivered via the first electrode) and the signal (delivered via the second electrode) are electrically isolated from one another. As such, the bias (DC) and signal (AC) paths are advantageously electrically isolated.