Abstract: A photomask blank has a resist film comprising (A) a base resin, (B) an acid generator, and (C) a basic compound. The resist film further comprises (D) a polymer comprising recurring units having a side chain having a fluorinated hydrocarbon group which contains a carbon atom to which a hydroxyl group is bonded and vicinal carbon atoms bonded thereto, the vicinal carbon atoms having in total at least two fluorine atoms bonded thereto. Addition of polymer (D) ensures uniform development throughout the resist film, enabling to form a resist pattern having high CD uniformity.

Abstract: The present application describes, inter alia, novel techniques to perform pre-evaluations of multiple Wi-Fi Access Points (AP) and Access Networks (AN). A pre-evaluation determines whether or not an AP is connected to the Internet and measures the path performance that the AN, via that particular AP, can offer between the mobile device and a pre-specified Internet host. In addition, the invention also discloses methods to determine whether the AN requires a user to actively authenticate themselves through a redirect log-on page.

Abstract: The present invention provides a monopole tower having a tower supporting structure in which the outer dimension of a tower shell is the maximum dimension by eliminating a base plate which extends toward the outside of the tower shell. In a monopole tower provided upright on a foundation B, a lower end side of the tower 2 comprised a tower-side coupling member in a range equal to or less than outside diameter of a tower shell 21. In a space comprising a foundation-side coupling member provided on the foundation B, the foundation-side coupling member and the tower-side coupling member are coupled by welding, a bolt using a splice plate, or a rivet.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor substrate having a p-MOS region; an element isolation region formed in a surface portion of the semiconductor substrate and defining p-MOS active regions in the p-MOS region; a p-MOS gate electrode structure formed above the semiconductor substrate, traversing the p-MOS active region and defining a p-MOS channel region under the p-MOS gate electrode structure; a compressive stress film selectively formed above the p-MOS active region and covering the p-MOS gate electrode structure; and a stress released region selectively formed above the element isolation region in the p-MOS region and releasing stress in the compressive stress film, wherein a compressive stress along the gate length direction and a tensile stress along the gate width direction are exerted on the p-MOS channel region. The performance of the semiconductor device can be improved by controlling the stress separately for the active region and element isolation region.

Abstract: A writing lead (10) is grasped and released by reciprocation of a chuck (3) provided in a body cylinder (1) so as to inch the writing lead forward and a rotational drive mechanism is provided for rotationally driving a rotor (5) in one direction in conjunction with retreat operation by the writing pressure applied to the writing lead and forward movement by releasing the writing pressure. A pipe support member (8) for supporting a pipe end (7) is accommodated in a base (1A) which constitutes a front end portion of the body cylinder, and a retreat drive mechanism is provided for gradually retreating the pipe support member into the body cylinder in conjunction with rotational drive operation of the rotor. With the above-mentioned structure, a pipe-slide type mechanical pencil can maintain an amount of projection of the writing lead from the pipe end within a certain range.

Abstract: [Technical Problem] In regard to an ear mold for a hearing aid, there are provided the ear mold which a metal bush is settled in a tube for joint of the hearing aid, said metal bush has been used on account of settlement of said tube for joint of the hearing aid, and which a tube is adhered by an adhesive, the adhesive has been used on account of settlement of said tube. However, said ear mold has disadvantages that said tube is easily moved for the reason of instability, said tube drops out from the ear mold, and the ear mold occurred the problem of a phenomenon of a howling by sound leak-out. [Technical Solution] The ear mold which is configured by embedding a connection and fixation member (A hub) 2 having a hole for connection to a hearing aid body and an introductory-hole of a forming material of said ear mold 2010 into the ear mold 1 on the basis of an ear impression. The connection and fixation member (the hub) 2 is embedded into the ear mold 1 when molding of the ear mold.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an optically active phosphine-borane compound and a method for producing the same which are useful for the production of an optically active phosphine ligand and allow easy production of any antipode. There is provided a phosphine-borane compound represented by the following general formula (P-1). There is also provided a method for producing the phosphine-borane compound, the method comprising subjecting a hydrogen-phosphine-borane compound represented by the following general formula (P-2) to a coupling reaction with an optically active isocyanate compound represented by the following general formula (3).

Abstract: Provided is a roller screw having an unloaded roller return path of new shape capable of moving rollers smoothly. The roller circulation path of the roller screw has the unloaded roller return path and a loaded roller rolling path. The unloaded roller return path 10 is twisted so that while each roller 4 moves in the unloaded roller return path 10 its central axis is inclined. In a cross sectional shape of the twisted part of the unloaded roller return path 10, each of paired side surface corresponding parts 25c and 25d facing respective side surfaces of the roller 4 is convex toward the inside of the unloaded roller return path 10.

Abstract: A soundproofing cover that has a sufficiently high soundproofing performance and that allows another member to be reliably attached to the soundproofing cover with a screw-fastening structure is provided. The soundproofing cover includes a cover body, a sound absorbing layer made of a urethane foam and formed integrally with the back surface of the cover body, and a nut member having a threaded hole that opens at both sides of the nut member in an axial direction. The nut member is embedded in the cover body in a manner such that an opening of the threaded hole in the nut member at a first end in the axial direction opens at a front surface of the cover body and an opening of the threaded hole at a second end in the axial direction is blocked by a blocking portion that is formed integrally with the cover body.

Abstract: A resistive random access memory includes a lower electrode; a metal oxide film formed on the lower electrode and having a variable resistance, the metal oxide film having a first portion containing a metal element forming the metal oxide film and a second portion richer in oxygen than the first portion; and an upper electrode formed on the metal oxide film.

Abstract: Provided is a roller screw capable of preventing rollers moving from an unloaded return path to a loaded roller rolling path from coming into collision with a scooping portion. The roller screw has: a screw shaft 1 having a spiral roller rolling surface 1a formed on an outer peripheral surface thereof; a nut 2 having a loaded roller rolling surface 2a formed in an inner peripheral surface thereof; a circulation member 3 having an unloaded return path connecting one end of the loaded roller rolling surface 2a of the nut 2 to an opposite end thereof; and a plurality of rollers 4 arranged in a loaded roller rolling path 6 and the unloaded return path.

Abstract: To provide a resist composition capable of prevention of the formation of abnormal resist pattern shapes for efficient, high-precision formation of fine, high-resolution resist patterns, a resist pattern forming process capable of efficient, high-precision formation of finer, high-resolution resist patterns by using the resist composition, and a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device. The resist composition of the present invention includes a base resin, a photoacid generator, a first additive, and a second additive, wherein the pKa of the second additive is higher than the pKa of the first additive, and at a resist formation temperature, the vapor pressure of the second additive is lower than the vapor pressure of the first additive.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing security to media independent handover service includes a point of service for providing the media independent handover services including an independent authenticator. The independent authenticator authenticates candidate access networks prior to the handover of the mobile devices from serving access networks to the candidate access networks, where each of the serving access networks and the candidate access networks belong to a plurality of heterogeneous access networks having the specific serving media. An access controller applies an access control through an access authentication with the point of service providing the media independent handover services through an authentication server, in which when the access authentication is established between the point of service and the authentication server, the mobile devices are authorized to access the media independent handover services through the point of service for the mobile devices attached between heterogeneous media.

Abstract: A rolled object whose core juts from the respective end portions is housed. End face wall components which support the core so as to horizontally suspend the rolled object and side wall components which connect the end face wall components with each other and cause the end face components to be provided on the respective sides of the rolled object in horizontal directions are provided. Each of the side wall components has a vertically-provided planar wall portion and a jutting portion which is formed horizontally across the wall portion at a vertical central portion of the wall portion and juts to be able to surface-contact a circumferential surface of the rolled object.

Abstract: A seasoning method for a film-forming apparatus configured to form a silicon nitride film on a substrate placed in a process chamber. The method is conducted for reducing particles in the apparatus. The method comprises executing the plasma cleaning of the process chamber to remove a film deposited on the inner wall thereof (step S1), subsequently depositing an amorphous silicon film (step S2), depositing thereon a silicon nitride film in which the nitrogen content gradually increases in the thickness direction (step S3), and keeping the inside of the process chamber being filled with a rare-gas plasma until film formation on the substrate is initiated (step S4).

Abstract: A video camera includes an image sensor. The image sensor repeatedly outputs an object scene image captured on an imaging surface. A CPU detects a luminance component of the object scene image outputted from the image sensor, i.e., an AE/AWB evaluation value, and also detects a high-frequency component of the object scene image outputted from the image sensor, i.e., an AF evaluation value. Moreover, the CPU executes a flicker determining process for determining whether or not a flicker is occurred based on the luminance component of the object scene image. However, prior to the flicker determining process, whether or not there is a dynamic object in the object scene is determined based on the high-frequency component of the object scene image. The flicker determining process is prohibited when there is the dynamic object while it is permitted when there is no dynamic object.

Abstract: A turntable for a storage disk drive apparatus includes a plate member made of a ferromagnetic material and a central resin member arranged at the center of the plate member and provided with an outer peripheral portion positioned above the plate member. The central resin member includes claws extending downwards from the outer peripheral portion and claw position holes overlapping with the claws in the direction parallel to the center axis of the central resin member. The claw position holes include inner surfaces spaced apart from an edge of the plate member. The inner surfaces are defined by the resin. The central resin member includes a resin layer extending in the direction perpendicular to the center axis. The resin layer exists between the portion of the edge of the plate member around the claw position holes and the claw position holes.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a polylactic acid composition having specific thermal characteristics and gas barrier properties, and to obtain a molding comprising a polylactic acid composition of PLLA and PDLA capable of forming a polylactic acid stretched film or other molding having superior surface smoothness, transparency, heat resistance and toughness, and the constitution thereof is characterized by being a molding comprising a polylactic acid composition in which the peak in DSC measurement during cooling (at a rate of 10° C./min) after allowing to remain at 250° C. for 10 minutes is 30 mJ/mg or more, and preferably comprising a polylactic acid composition such that, in measurement during the DSC 2nd heating (cooling at a rate of 10° C./min after allowing to remain at 250° C. for 10 minutes followed by reheating from 0° C. at a rate of 10° C./min), the peak ratio (peak 1/peak 2) of the peak when Tm is 150 to 180° C. (peak 1) to the peak when Tm is 200 to 240° C. (peak 2) is 0.