Abstract: A method for automated identification of a state of a sample such as, for example, for identifying whether or not the sample was centrifuged is presented. A device for analyzing samples and a laboratory automation system are also presented in which the method is applied.

Abstract: A measuring object for use in a heating apparatus for the thermal treatment of substrates is described, wherein the measuring object is the substrate to be treated or an object which in use has a substantially known temperature relation to the substrate to be treated, wherein the measuring object comprises a surface having at least one surface area, which acts as a measuring surface for an optical temperature measurement. A predetermined structure in the form of a plurality of recessions is formed in the surface area, in order to influence the emissivity of the surface area.

Abstract: This invention provides highly attenuated influenza viruses and vaccines. The attenuated viruses and vaccines proliferate well and have high safety factors. The attenuated viruses providing protective immunity from challenge by virus of the same subtype, as well as cross protection against heterologous viruses.

Abstract: A system and methods for analyzing land use and productivity. The invention relates to land use analysis through detection, monitoring and evaluating changes in particular land regions of interest and the analysis of changes in such land use as well as the forecasting of in-season productivity of vegetation in the region of interest. This system and methods is applicable to facilitate the automatic preparation of reports for a selected parcel of land that evaluates changes in land use and creates a quantitative report for one or more land regions of interest. This system and methods is useful to assess compliance with government regulations or standards regarding land use as well as provide a predictive land use productivity model used for commodity trading.

Abstract: Described herein are RSV polynucleotide sequences that make use of multiple codons that are containing silent nucleotide substitutions engineered in multiple locations in the genome, wherein the substitutions introduce a numerous synonymous codons into the genome. Due to the large number of defects involved, the attenuated viruses disclosed herein provide a means of producing attenuated, live vaccines against RSV.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a contact terminal for the reception of contact pins. The terminal includes a pin reception member having a box-shape made from a single piece of sheet metal, wherein two opposite walls include each at least one cut-out contact tongue being inwardly bent into the interior of the box-shape. Two other opposite walls include each a contact front portion which is inwardly bent such that the respective wall has essentially a hook-shaped cross-section to clampingly receive a contact pin.

Abstract: The present provides attenuated influenza viruses comprising a modified viral genome containing a plurality of nucleotide substitutions. The nucleotide substitutions result in the rearrangement of preexisting codons of one or more protein encoding sequences and changes in codon pair bias. Substitutions of non-synonymous and synonymous codons may also be included. The attenuated influenza viruses enable production of improved vaccines and are used to elicit protective immune responses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a contact terminal for the reception of contact pins. The terminal includes a pin reception member having a box-shape made from a single piece of sheet metal, wherein two opposite walls include each at least one cut-out contact tongue being inwardly bent into the interior of the box-shape. Two other opposite walls include each a contact front portion which is inwardly bent such that the respective wall has essentially a hook-shaped cross-section to clampingly receive a contact pin.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed that reliably determines the transmissivity of a substrate. By determining the transmissivity of a calibration substrate, for instance, a temperature measuring device can be calibrated. The method and system are particularly well suited for use in thermal processing chambers that process semiconductor wafers used for forming integrated circuit chips.

Abstract: This invention provides an attenuated virus which comprises a modified viral genome containing nucleotide substitutions engineered in multiple locations in the genome, wherein the substitutions introduce synonymous deoptimized codons into the genome. The instant attenuated virus may be used in a vaccine composition for inducing a protective immune response in a subject. The invention also provides a method of synthesizing the instant attenuated virus. Further, this invention further provides a method for preventing a subject from becoming afflicted with a virus-associated disease comprising administering to the subject a prophylactically effective dose of a vaccine composition comprising the instant attenuated virus.

Abstract: A microscopic hole is produced in a dielectric layer having a dielectric first material, a first surface and a second surface. In one embodiment, the tapered through-hole is etched from the second surface of the layer to the first surface of the layer. The tapered hole provides a first cross section near the first surface of the dielectric layer and a second cross section near the second surface of dielectric layer. A cladding is deposited at the inner surface of the through-hole. The cladding includes a second material and provides a thickness decreasing from the second surface to the first surface.

Abstract: A method and system determines deformations in a substrate in the manufacturing of semiconductor devices. At least one property of vertical deformations of the substrate is measured at a plurality of locations on the substrate. Afterward, an automatic computation of horizontal deformations is determined based on the measured properties of vertical deformations with a model for the deformation behavior of the substrate.

Abstract: A structure in a substrate for the manufacturing of a semiconductor device, wherein a first material and at least one second material are to be etched by at least one etching medium, wherein the at least one second material has a higher etch rate for the at least one etching medium relative to the first material. The at least one second material occupies a space which is at least at one side adjacent to the first material so that an additional etching access to the first material is prepared when at least one etching medium etches the first and the second material.

Abstract: A hydraulic power steering system for a motor vehicle with a rotary slide valve and a reaction piston which can be pressurized with hydraulic medium optionally on one of its two faces, where the reaction piston transfers, depending on the pressurization, a moment to the rotary slide, the moment changing the driver's manual moment at the steering handle such that a moment superimposed on the manual moment can also be generated, the superimposed moment leading to an increase or decrease of the manual moment or to a reversal of the direction of the manual moment. For the hydraulic pressurization of the reaction piston, a conveyance device driven by an electric motor is provided. Preferably, the conveyance device with the electric motor is mounted on the rotary slide valve and draws hydraulic medium from a tank recycling line.

Abstract: It is disclosed a method for strengthen the grain boundaries of an article (1) made from a Ni based superalloy while the article (1) is in the solid state and containing at least one grain boundary. A surface diffusion process is applied to the article (1) to enrich the at least one grain boundary with grain boundary strengthening elements of one or a combination of boron, hafnium, zirconium without forming brittle precipitates like borides or carbides.