Abstract: The present invention provides methods for detecting a target nucleic acid molecule in a sample that comprises nucleic acid molecules of higher biological complexity than that of amplified nucleic acid molecules. In particular, the present invention provides methods and probes for detecting a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in a sample that comprises nucleic acid molecules of higher biological complexity than that of amplified nucleic acid molecules.

Abstract: A data processing system includes a data memory, in which data are stored, the data representing a set of predetermined geometrical basic forms and a set of geometrical operations that can be applied to the basic forms. The basic forms form place markers for electronic components in the layout. In other words, each component is represented by a geometrical basic form or a combination of a plurality of geometrical basic forms. The basic forms can be altered during the layout design by application of the geometrical operations. Such alteration creates a large margin of freedom in the design. On the other hand, the unaltered original basic forms are examined for verification of the layout design. As a result, the verification is simplified and “dummy” errors that are often a consequence of the complexity of a design are avoided. A method for designing the layout with the system is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for the treatment of semi-conductor wafers is provided. The apparatus has a first valve mechanism for introducing different treatment fluids into a treatment tank from different reservoirs. At least one collection device is provided for collecting a treatment fluid after treatment of wafers therewith in the treatment tank. A second valve mechanism is provided for conveying at least a portion of the treatment fluid out of the collection device and to a respective reservoir. A rinsing mechanism is provided for rinsing the collection device.

Abstract: In a method of treating substrates a treatment fluid is fed into a collection vessel after treatment, at least a portion of the treatment fluid is withdrawn from the collection vessel and returned to respective reservoir and the collection vessel is rinsed before receiving another treatment fluid.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel solid body forms of mesoprogestin 11&bgr;-[4E-(hydroxyiminomethyl)-phenyl]-17&agr;-methoxymethyl-17&bgr;-methoxy-estra-4,9-dien-3-one (oxime J 867), particularly a highly pure and stable amorphous or highly crystalline form (ansolvate/anhydrate) of compound J 867. The invention also relates to methods for producing said novel solid body forms and to the use thereof in pharmaceutical compositions. The novel solid body forms are characterized by exhibiting a high degree of stability. The solid body forms of oxime J 867 can, in particular, be used in the area of fertility control and in hormone replacement therapy.

Abstract: The aim of the invention is to reduce the chemical consumption in a method for treating substrates, especially semiconductor wafers, in a treatment vessel, into which different treatment fluids from respective containers are introduced in succession in order to treat the substrates. To this end, the invention provides that a treatment fluid is fed into a collection vessel after a treatment, at least one portion of the treatment fluid is withdrawn from the collection vessel and returned into the respective container, and the collection vessel is rinsed after the withdrawal of a treatment fluid and before receiving another treatment fluid. The invention also relates to a device for treating substrates, especially semiconductor wafers, in a treatment vessel.

Abstract: This invention provides LC compositions useful as birefringent materials in electrooptic devices which exhibit zero or low negatively sloped birefringence dispersioon (e.g., exhibiting positive birefringence dispersion significantly lower than that of currently available LC compositions) or more preferably positively sloped birefringence dispersion in which birefringence of the material increases with wavelength. The invention provides compounds useful as components of LC compositions which exhibit negative birefringence where n0 is higher than ne. The compounds of this invention are dimers of LC-like compounds in which the monomers are linked to each other through a high birefringence moiety (dimerization linker). The LC monomers consist of an LC core and one or two tail groups. Preferred monomers for this invention have low birefringence in comparison to the birefringence of the monomer linking moiety.

Abstract: A data processing system includes a data memory, in which data are stored, the data representing a set of predetermined geometrical basic forms and a set of geometrical operations that can be applied to the basic forms. The basic forms form place markers for electronic components in the layout. In other words, each component is represented by a geometrical basic form or a combination of a plurality of geometrical basic forms. The basic forms can be altered during the layout design by application of the geometrical operations. Such alteration creates a large margin of freedom in the design. On the other hand, the unaltered original basic forms are examined for verification of the layout design. As a result, the verification is simplified and “dummy” errors that are often a consequence of the complexity of a design are avoided. A method for designing the layout with the system is also provided.

Abstract: The aim of the invention is to provide a simple and economical device for opening and closing separate suction openings (13, 14, 15) of a device (1) which is provided for treating substrates, especially semiconductor wafers, and which comprises a treatment reservoir (3). Said treatment reservoir is filled with a treatment fluid and is arranged in an essentially closed space that has at least two separate suction openings (13, 14, 15). To this end, a rotatable disc (17) is provided which covers up the suction opening while isolating it from the space and which comprises a through-opening (18). One of the suction openings (13, 14, 15) can be at least partially overlapped by said through-opening.

Abstract: A starter circuit for a motor vehicle includes a circuit breaker responsive to a crash senor for disconnecting the starter circuit. A bypass switch is provided, which responds to a control circuit to provide power to the starter circuit following activation of the breaker, if the starter circuit is free of short circuits.

Abstract: A method is provide for measuring electromagnetic radiation radiated from a surface of an object that is irradiated by electromagnetic radiation given off by at least one radiation source. The radiation given off by the radiation source is determined by at least one first detector, and the radiation given off by the irradiated object is determined by at least one second detector that measures the radiation. The radiation from the at least one radiation source is actively modulated with at least one characteristic pyrometer. The radiation determined by the second detector is corrected with the radiation determined by the first detector to compensate for the radiation of the radiation source reflected from the object.

Abstract: An apparatus for discharging a liquid from a container is provided. A mobile unit is disposed in the container in such a way as to be movable therein in a contact-free manner for reducing the volume of the container. A bellows connects the mobile unit in a liquid-tight manner to an inner wall of the container. An interior chamber of the bellows that faces away from the container, together with a housing, form a space that is closed off against the exterior. A spindle, as a drive apparatus, is disposed in this space. The spindle is connected to the mobile unit in the interior chamber of the bellows.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a filtering device comprising at least one filtering membrane, at least one counter surface opposite to the filtering membrane, and at least one gap-shaped liquid space formed between the filtering membrane and the counter surface. The present invention further refers to a filtering method, in which a liquid is introduced into a gap-shaped liquid space formed between a filtering membrane and a counter surface and is moved relative to the filtering membrane and/or the counter surface. To obtain an improved filtering method and an improved filtering device, it is suggested by the present invention that the filtering device comprises a disk at whose circular surface at least the filtering membrane or the counter surface is formed.

Abstract: A method is provide for measuring electromagnetic radiation radiated from a surface of an object that is irradiated by electromagnetic radiation given off by at least one radiation source. The radiation given off by the radiation source is determined by at least one first detector, and the radiation given off by the irradiated object is determined by at least one second detector that measures the radiation. The radiation from the at least one radiation source is actively modulated with at least one characteristic pyrometer. The radiation determined by the second detector is corrected with the radiation determined by the first detector to compensate for the radiation of the radiation source reflected from the object.

Abstract: A method is provide for measuring electromagnetic radiation radiated from a surface of an object that is irradiated by electromagnetic radiation given off by at least one radiation source. The radiation given off by the radiation source is determined by at least one first detector, and the radiation given off by the irradiated object is determined by at least one second detector that measures the radiation. The radiation from the at least one radiation source is actively modulated with at least one characteristic parameter. The radiation determined by the second detector is corrected with the radiation determined by the first detector to compensate for the radiation of the radiation source reflected from the object.

Abstract: This invention provides LC compositions useful as birefringent materials in electrooptic devices which exhibit zero or low negatively sloped birefringence dispersion (e.g., exhibiting positive birefringence dispersion significantly lower than that of currently available LC compositions) or more preferably positively sloped birefringence dispersion in which birefringence of the material increases with wavelength. The invention provides compounds useful as components of LC compositions which exhibit negative birefringence where n.sub.o is higher than n.sub.e. The compounds of this invention are dimers of LC-like compounds in which the monomers are linked to each other through a high birefringence moiety (dimerization linker). The LC monomers consist of an LC core and one or two tail groups. Preferred monomers for this invention have low birefringence in comparison to the birefrigence of the monomer linking moiety.

Abstract: A method is provided for steering and controlling a functional unit with a steering and control device. The steering and control device includes a plurality of normalizing units, each unit having an input for receiving a respective input variable and being operative for generating a normalized input variable. An analytic controller has a plurality of inputs being equal to at least the plurality of normalizing units, for receiving the normalized input variables, the analytic controller being operative for analytically combining the normalized input variables in accordance with a plurality of knowledge-based control rules to form an actuating variable. A function unit has an input receiving the actuating variable, the function unit being operative for generating a process-controlled variable.

Abstract: An axial compact direct drive for a storage disk comprises a stator, a rotor carrying a hub for receiving storage disks and a bearing arrangement. The bearing arrangement is disposed at a radially external edge of the hub to rotatably support the hub against axial and radial movement. The rotor is electrically driven at locations in the center of the stator or at locations surrounding the stator.

Abstract: A brushless direct current motor is energized by a power stage. Switches of the power stage are selectively switched by an electronic control device. In order to determine the correct commutation pattern, without using rotor position indicators such as Hall effect devices, the control device is arranged to sample the power fed to the motor. The samples, each responsive to a test signal or normal energization pulses received by the motor, in a ordered sequence define an analogue function whose parameters can be determined by mathematical analysis. The analysis applied to the samples derives the necessary commutation information and the energization signals in a rapid manner by employing a vector or complex number addition based on functions dependent on variable inductance in the operation of the motor.

Abstract: An axial compact direct drive for a storage disk comprises a stator, a rotor carrying a hub for receiving storage disks and a bearing arrangement. The bearing arrangement is disposed at a radially external edge of the hub to rotatably support the hub against axial and radial movement. The rotor is electrically driven at locations in the center of the stator or at locations surrounding the stator.