Abstract: A structure and a method of forming the structure. The structure including: an integrated circuit chip having a set of wiring levels from a first wiring level to a last wiring level, each wiring level including one or more damascene, dual-damascene wires or damascene vias embedded in corresponding interlevel dielectric levels, a top surface of a last damascene or dual-damascene wire of the last wiring level substantially coplanar with a top surface of a corresponding last interlevel dielectric level; a capping layer in direct physical and electrical contact with a top surface of the last damascene or dual-damascene wire, the last damascene or dual-damascene wire comprising copper; a dielectric passivation layer formed on a top surface of the last interlevel dielectric level; and an aluminum pad in direct physical and electrical contact with the capping layer, a top surface of the aluminum pad not covered by the dielectric passivation layer.

Abstract: A remote keyless entry device for use with a vehicle that includes a printed circuit board, at least one button configured to cooperate with the printed circuit board to selectively form an electrical circuit, a power source, and a housing. The printed circuit board and the power source are embedded within the housing. The housing at least partially covers the button and secures the button to the printed circuit board.

Abstract: Methods and systems for starting aircraft turbofan engines are disclosed. A system in accordance with one embodiment includes an electrically-powered starter motor coupled to a turbofan engine to provide power to the turbofan engine during an engine start procedure. The system can further include an on-board, deployable, ram air driven turbine coupled to an electrical generator, which is in turn coupled to the starter motor to provide electrical power to the starter motor. In other embodiments, the ram air driven turbine can be replaced with a fuel cell or a battery. In still further embodiments, a single controller can control operation of both the engine starter and other motors of the aircraft.

Abstract: A remote keyless entry device for use with a vehicle that includes a printed circuit board, at least one button configured to cooperate with the printed circuit board to selectively form an electrical circuit, a power source, and a housing. The printed circuit board and the power source are embedded within the housing. The housing at least partially covers the button and secures the button to the printed circuit board.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for reducing the amount of metal catalyzed side-reaction byproducts formed in the feed vaporization and introduction system of a methanol to olefin reactor system by monitoring and/or maintaining the temperature of at least a portion of the feed vaporization and introduction system and/or of the feedstock contained therein below about 400° C., 350° C., 300° C., 250° C., 200° C. or below about 150° C. The temperature can be maintained in the desired range by jacketing at least a portion of the feed vaporization and introduction system, such as at least a portion of the feed introduction nozzle, with a thermally insulating material or by implementing a cooling system.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating a spinal stabilization procedure is provided. A tapered guide member is positioned adjacent to or in juxtaposition with the head of a pedicle screw, and the associated components are thus guided into alignment therewith. A component, e.g., a spherical element, may be advanced onto a collet that extends upwardly from the head of the pedicle screw. A guidewire may also be employed to guide components to the pedicle screw and/or to guide the guidewire into position. Thus, a conical guide member may be slid down a guidewire into alignment with a pedicle screw, and subsequently advanced components may be guided into alignment with the pedicle screw. The tapered guide member may include registration feature(s) and may facilitate alignment with off-axis locations. The facilitating system may be employed with a dynamic spinal stabilization system that provides clinically efficacious results at least in part based upon inclusion of dynamic stabilizing member(s).

Abstract: Spinal stabilization devices, systems and methods are provided that include at least one pedicle screw and at least one mechanism that supports three degrees of rotational freedom relative to the pedicle screw. The mechanism may include a universal joint mechanism or a ball and socket mechanism. In the case of the ball and socket mechanism, at least one spherical element is mounted with respect to the at least one pedicle screw and a socket member cooperates with the spherical element. The spherical element and the socket member cooperate to define a dynamic junction that allows the socket member to move relative to the ball element while remaining engaged therewith. The dynamic junction is advantageously incorporated into a spinal stabilization system that includes additional pedicle screw(s), spherical element(s) and socket member(s). The spinal stabilization system may incorporate dynamic stabilizing member(s) to so as to provide clinically efficacious results.

Abstract: A motion interface structure for use with a pedicle screw is provided, the motion interface structure defining a central passage having an internal face. A helical thread is formed on at least a portion of the internal face of the central passage. The motion interface element is designed to cooperate with an upstanding region of a pedicle screw. The upstanding region includes a threaded region that is adapted to threadingly engage the helical thread associated with the motion interface element. The motion interface element may take the form of a spherical element or a universal joint mechanism. The pedicle screw and motion interface element may be incorporated into a spinal stabilization system that includes one or more additional pedicle screw/motion interface element subassemblies. The spinal stabilization system may also include a dynamic stabilizing element that provides clinically efficacious results.

Abstract: A pedicle screw assembly is provided that includes a pedicle screw and a preloaded set screw. The set screw is preloaded in a threaded, central aperture formed in the head region of the pedicle screw. An interference is advantageously formed on the set screw to prevent dislodgement of the set screw, e.g., during shipment and/or clinical placement of the pedicle screw. An upwardly extending collet is generally formed in the head region of the pedicle screw, the collet being sized to receive a spherical element therearound. Advancement of the set screw relative to the pedicle screw secures the spherical element relative to the pedicle screw. The spherical element typically includes a socket member that cooperates with a dynamic stabilizing member. The pedicle screw assembly and dynamic stabilizing member are advantageously used as part of a spinal stabilization system to provide clinically efficacious results.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument for dissection and coaguation of tissue is provided. The surgical instrument includes a vibration coupler supported within a housing and operably connected to an ultrasonic generator. An angled blade member is connected to the distal end of the vibration coupler to conduct high frequency vibration from the ultrasonic generator to the blade member. A clamp member is positioned adjacent to the blade member and is movable from a first position to a second approximated position. The clamp member and angled blade member combine to enhance contact between the tissue and the blade member during operation of the instrument to improve the performance of the instrument.

Abstract: A propulsion system including an extinguishable rocket motor and an incorporated maneuver control system. The rocket motor may be of the solid fuel type. One or more proportional axial thrust valves in communication with a pressure vessel or motor case containing a solid fuel propellant may be used to release combustion products for creating axial thrust. A plurality of proportional maneuver control valves in communication with the pressure vessel and having associated maneuver control thrusters may be selectively actuated in different modes of operation to provide control of pitch, yaw and roll. Fully opening all valves in communication with the pressure vessel may be used to cause rapid depressurization to extinguish the propellant. Reignition of the rocket motor may be effected upon repressurization of the pressure vessel through closing at least some of the valves. Ignition grains may be employed to shorten reignition time, and multiple propellant grains may be provided for multiple pulses.

Abstract: A remote diagnostic unit for use with a heavy vehicle includes a pin connector communicating with a data bus on the vehicle. The pin connector receives a signal from the data bus. A microcontroller receives and interprets a standard diagnostic message as a function of the signal received by the pin connector. A plurality of lights are controlled by the microcontroller as a function of the standard diagnostic message.

Abstract: Slurry compositions comprising an oxidizing agent, optionally a copper corrosion inhibitor, abrasive particles; surface active agent, a service of chloride and a source of sulfate ions.

Abstract: A television stand includes a shelf made of a ferrous sheet metal that helps shield a television or other audio/video items from the magnetic field of a nearby center-channel speaker. Other features of the stand include an open design to promote natural, convective airflow that helps cool audio/video components; numerous parts sharing a common material thickness for ease of manufacture; infinitely repositionable center supports; combination cable collector and bumper; metal grain-like finish with a clear protective coating; shelves and side panels with integral flanges for stiffness and/or mounting purposes; and the use of acorn nuts for not only fastening, but also for helping to prevent the television from being accidentally slid off the top shelf of the stand.

Abstract: A composition of (Z)-11-tetradecenyl acetate and (Z)-11-tetradecenal in a weight ratio of about 50:50 to about 90:10 is a highly effective mating disruptant for the male Orange Tortrix and Omniverous Leafroller moths. In a preferred embodiment, the weight ratio of (Z)-11-tetradecenyl acetate and (Z)-11-tetradecenal is about 75:25. The composition demonstrates biological activity in the form of enhanced mating disruption efficacy that is greater than any discovery or development to date for the Orange Tortrix of the Omniverous Leafroller.

Abstract: A television stand includes a shelf made of a ferrous sheet metal that helps shield a television or other audio/video items from the magnetic field of a nearby center-channel speaker. Other features of the stand include an open design to promote natural, convective airflow that helps cool audio/video components; numerous parts sharing a common material thickness for ease of manufacture; infinitely repositionable center supports; combination cable collector and bumper; metal grain-like finish with a clear protective coating; shelves and side panels with integral flanges for stiffness and/or mounting purposes; and the use of acorn nuts for not only fastening, but also for helping to prevent the television from being accidentally slid off the top shelf of the stand.

Abstract: Slurry compositions comprising an oxidizing agent, optionally a copper corrosion inhibitor, abrasive particles; surface active agent, a service of chloride and a source of sulfate ions.

Abstract: A method of processing waste water comprises atomizing waste water under selected atmospheric conditions to achieve substantially complete phase change of the water. The atomization is conducted by spraying waste water from a nozzle mounted on a tower adjacent a catchment area for collecting ice crystals produced by the phase change of the atomized waste water into ice crystals, under atmospheric conditions favorable to freezing of atomized water droplets into ice.