Liquid immersion apparatus for minute articles

Apparatus is disclosed for immersing minute integrated circuit chips in an etching solution in manufacturing integrated circuits during research and development. The apparatus includes a holder, having a handle and basket support for carrying a removable unitary basket and lid structure where fluid flow-through passages are formed, and wherein graduated openings in the handle provide for adjustably supporting the basket in a breaker at a desired level

A transputer Based Laser Scanning System

This paper presents a transputer-based laser scanner. This is to be integrated into an existing transputer-based mariufacturing environment to allow rapid construction of' 3-0 models. The approach allows Z-gradient informaticm to be obtained from a 2-D image by illuminating areas of interest with a form of structured light. An active scanning system is described. Simple algorithms are applied to the raw image data to extract concise information. This foveal analysis greatly reduces the data to be processed, allowing a simple and fast method for analysis. The system primarily consists of a video camera wlhich obliquely views a scene being scanned by a laser. The principle, the procedure, and methods of scanning are described. An overview of the principles of foveal analysis, the prototype experimental system and initial results are presented

Development and test of advanced composite components. Center Directors discretionary fund program

This report describes the design, analysis, fabrication, and test of a complex bathtub fitting. Graphite fibers in an epoxy matrix were utilized in manufacturing of 11 components representing four different design and layup concepts. Design allowables were developed for use in the final stress analysis. Strain gage measurements were taken throughout the static load test and correlation of test and analysis data were performed, yielding good understanding of the material behavior and instrumentation requirements for future applications

Digital technology: coming of age?

Editoria

Void-strengthening In Aluminum And Its Nature

Temperature and strain rate dependence of yield strength were used to analyze the nature of aluminum strengthened by the formation of voids. Aluminum rods 99.999% pure were quenched and heat treated to form voids with an approximate density of 1013-1014 voids/cm3. Voids in selected samples were observed by electron microscopy. The yield strength of the void strengthened samples was measured at various temperatures from 77 to 593 K and at two strain rates, 3.33 x 10-2/s and 1.67 x 10-3/s. Tests at room temperature and at 77 K were made at various strain rates. The similarity of Coulomb\u27s approach to void strengthening and that of Orowan stress with Ashby\u27s dipole criterion was observed, and it was determined that the extent and effectiveness of void strengthening depends primarily on void density and much less on void size. The amount of strengthening obtained at room temperature was found to be consistent with the estimates. Compared to annealed aluminum, void strengthened aluminum is more susceptible to the instability of plastic flow at low temperatures; its temperature dependence of yield strength varies in different temperature ranges and shows a higher strain rate sensitivity of yield strength. © 1976

Making Sure Orphan Drugs Don’t Get Left Behind

Orphan drugs developed to treat rare diseases are expensive, thus making it difficult for provincial governments to cover their costs and for patients to acquire them. However, a streamlined method of setting guidelines for coverage using a cost-based regulatory model could help patients get access to the drugs while ensuring manufacturers are fairly compensated. Currently, governments can justify covering cost-effective drugs. Manufacturing costs, including research and development, typically put orphan drugs over any threshold of cost-effectiveness because so few patients use them. Thus, governments either decline coverage or end up funding the drugs under pressure from patient advocacy groups. Without adequate compensation for their efforts, manufacturers will have no incentive to develop orphan drugs. A cost-based regulatory model, including yardstick pricing, would improve access to orphan drugs because it creates incentives for companies to lower their costs. Yardsticking means that prices are set using industry benchmarks and firms that successfully lower their costs below those of competitors can profit by it. Under this system, the government could still apply an initial cost-effectiveness test. In cases where that threshold is not met, the cost-based regulatory model would be used to decide upon the maximum price at which the drug would be covered. This would be done through an estimated, benchmarked, capital cost based on the average cost of drug development across the pharmaceutical industry, and take into consideration the probability of success. Such an approach would allow governments to bargain over a drug’s price, yet still create incentives for companies to develop orphan drugs at the lowest possible costs

High Spatial Resolution VLA Observations of the R Aquarii Jet

High spatial resolution observations (~1 ) of the jet feature associated with the symbiotic variable R Aquarii were obtained with the Very Large Array (VLA). The peak radio intensity of the jet lies at a 29~3 P.A. with respect to the radio emission from R Aquarii itself. If the line defined by the jet and star is extended ~196 , it intercepts a previously reported and heretofore unresolved radio source. In our high spatial resolution 6 cm map, this feature is resolved into a compact double radio source, whose peak intensity lies on an axis defined by the jet and star. The possible association of this feature with R Aquarii or with the extended filamentary nebula that surrounds the system cannot be determined from these radio morphology studies alone. If this feature is associated with R Aquarii, it may represent ejecta from the system which occurred previously. Moreover, a new unresolved radio feature has been detected - 2\u27\u27:7 from the central star at - 45° P.A. It may represent material recently ejected from the system, perhaps as the object precesses. Weak evidence for a counter-jet is suggested from radio contours centered on R Aquarii

Ultraviolet Variability and Mass Expulsion from R Aquarii

Ultraviolet spectra obtained in the 1200-3200 A range over the course of 4 yr with the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) indicate that the extended nebular features which resemble a jet in the peculiar variable R Aquarii (M7e+pec) have increased in excitation in 1985. This is indicated by the appearance of He II Al640 and N v AA1238, 1240 in the jet features and is consistent with the detection of soft X-rays, as found with EXOSAT in 1985. We have analyzed the emission properties of the compact H II region that surrounds the unresolved binary, and those of the extended nebular jet, from the low-resolution IUE spectra which we obtained of these regions. In particular, the UV line intensities observed in the jet appear variable on a time scale of ~1.5 yr. A new accretion disk model is proposed that explains the kinematic and ionization properties of discrete components which comprise the jet emission nebulosity, the appearance of the jet in the 1980s, and morphology that uniquely characterizes the R Aquarii system at radio, optical, UV, and X-ray wavelengths

Investigating whether adverse prenatal and perinatal events are associated with non-clinical psychotic symptoms at age 12 years in the ALSPAC birth cohort

Background. Non-clinical psychosis-like symptoms (PLIKS) occur in about 15% of the population. It is not clear whether adverse events during early development alter the risk of developing PLIKS. We aimed to examine whether maternal infection, diabetes or pre-eclampsia during pregnancy, gestational age, perinatal cardiopulmonary resuscitation or 5-min Apgar score were associated with development of psychotic symptoms during early adolescence. Method. A longitudinal study of 6356 12-year-old adolescents who completed a semi-structured interview for psychotic symptoms in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) birth cohort. Prenatal and perinatal data were obtained from obstetric records and maternal questionnaires completed during pregnancy. Results. The presence of definite psychotic symptoms was associated with maternal infection during pregnancy [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.44, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.11–1.86, p=0.006], maternal diabetes (adjusted OR 3.43, 95% CI 1.14–10.36, p=0.029), need for resuscitation (adjusted OR 1.50, 95% CI 0.97–2.31, p=0.065) and 5-min Apgar score (adjusted OR per unit decrease 1.30, 95% CI 1.12–1.50, p<0.001). None of these associations were mediated by childhood IQ score. Most associations persisted, but were less strong, when including suspected symptoms as part of the outcome. There was no association between PLIKS and gestational age or pre-eclampsia. Conclusions. Adverse events during early development may lead to an increased risk of developing PLIKS. Although the status of PLIKS in relation to clinical disorders such as schizophrenia is not clear, the similarity between these results and findings reported for schizophrenia indicates that future studies of PLIKS may help us to understand how psychotic experiences and clinical disorders develop throughout the life-course