Abstract: Disclosed is a finderon having the ability to endonucleolytically cleave a sequence of 3' to 5' linked ribonucleotides. The finderon includes a rigid linker comprising at least one non-nucleotidic unit, flanked by first and second flanking regions of at least four contiguous, covalently-linked nucleotides. At least a portion of each flanking region is complementary to a target region on a substrate RNA molecule. Also disclosed are methods of preparing and using a finderon, and kits including a finderon.

Abstract: Disclosed is a finderon having the ability to endonucleolytically cleave a sequence of 3' to 5' linked ribonucleotides. The finderon includes a rigid linker comprising at least one non-nucleotidic unit, flanked by first and second flanking regions of at least four contiguous, covalently-linked nucleotides. At least a portion of each flanking region is complementary to a target region on a substrate RNA molecule. Also disclosed are methods of preparing and using a finderon, and kits including a finderon.

Abstract: Disclosed are ribozyme analogs having the ability to endonucleolytically cleave a sequence of 3' to 5' linked ribonucleotides. The ribozyme analogs include a plurality of 3' to 5' covalently-linked nucleotides, and a rigid molecular linker having at least one non-nucleotidic molecule covalently linked to two of the nucleotides. Also disclosed are methods of preparing and utilizing the ribozyme analogs of the invention, and pharmaceutical formulations and kits containing such ribozyme analogs.

Abstract: The wafer grinding machine uses a centrally located robot to move a wafer from an input station to a measuring station. Thereafter, the wafer is moved into a grind station and a wash station sequentially. The robot is able to move a wafer from the wash station to either the measuring station for after-grinding measurements or directly to an output station. During grinding of one wafer, a second wafer may be held between the measuring station and the grind station while a ground wafer is moved from the wash station to the measuring station for after-grinding measurements.

Abstract: Disclosed are ribozyme analogs having the ability to endonucleolytically cleave a sequence of 3' to 5' linked ribonucleotides. The ribozyme analogs include a plurality of 3' to 5' covalently-linked nucleotides, and a rigid molecular linker having at least one non-nucleotidic molecule covalently linked to two of the nucleotides. Also disclosed are methods of preparing and utilizing the ribozyme analogs of the invention, and pharmaceutical formulations and kits containing such ribozyme analogs.

Abstract: Disclosed is a finderon having the ability to endonucleolytically cleave a sequence of 3' to 5' linked ribonucleotides. The finderon includes a rigid linker comprising at least one non-nucleotidic unit, flanked by first and second flanking regions of at least four contiguous, covalently-linked nucleotides. At least a portion of each flanking region is complementary to a target region on a substrate RNA molecule. Also disclosed are methods of preparing and using a finderon, and kits including a finderon.

Abstract: Disclosed is a finderon having the ability to endonucleolytically cleave a sequence of 3' to 5' linked ribonucleotides. The finderon includes a rigid linker comprising at least one non-nucleotidic unit, flanked by first and second flanking regions of at least four contiguous, covalently-linked nucleotides. At least a portion of each flanking region is complementary to a target region on a substrate RNA molecule. Also disclosed are methods of preparing and using a finderon, and kits including a finderon.

Abstract: A seal assembly for a wafer grinding machine is mounted on a housing in which a grinding wheel is contained. The seal assembly is formed of a pair of flexible strips which are secured over an opening in a plate mounted on a housing enclosing the grinding wheel for sealingly engaging a respective planar surface of a wafer which is introduced through the opening by a rotatable chuck. The edges of the sealing strips define a V-shaped gap to ensure that the edges are disposed in biased relation against each other and against a wafer which passes between the strips. A tube provided with perforations is disposed to blow air to clear debris from the wafer.

Abstract: The wafer alignment fixture is provided with a cassette support which can be slid between two positions on a base plate. In one position, the cassette support is aligned with a roller in order to align notched wafers with each other. In the second position, the cassette support is aligned with a second roller so as to effect alignment of wafers having flats.

Abstract: The wafer centering assembly includes a pair of pivot arms which can be pivoted simultaneously to adjust to the diameter of a conveyed wafer. Each pivot arm has a stop which arrest the motion of a wafer such that the axis of the wafer is approximately centered on the axis of a vacuum head.

Abstract: A seal assembly is mounted within a grinding machine to separate a grinding wheel from the main portions of a wafer being ground. The seal assembly has a pair of free edges which are disposed to define a V-shaped gap through which the peripheral edge of the wafer passes into grinding relation with the grinding wheel. A perforated hollow tube is also mounted behind the free edges of the strips to blow air onto and across the planar surface of the wafer being ground to prevent accumulation of debris thereon.

Abstract: A gondola car loader includes a wheeled chassis moveable along the top edges of adjacent gondola cars in a direction of the railroad track on which the cars are located. Wheeled spanning legs, pivotably mounted to the chassis, are adapted to span gaps between adjacent cars and support the chassis as it is moved across the gaps. A knuckle boom, for loading and unloading cargo from the cars, is rotatably mounted on the chassis.