Abstract: An aqueous alkaline developer for use with an imaged lithographic printing precursor comprises an aqueous alkaline medium, sodium metasilicate, a steric or electrosteric stabilizer, and a rinse aid or a phase stabilizer. It is suited for developing a lithographic printing precursor comprising, on a substrate, a coated and dried layer of a radiation-sensitive composition comprising one or more acetal resins. The developer may further contain a moderator, a dispersing agent capable of solvating a hydrophobic image colorant, and a wetting agent. The acetal resin of the precursor may be derived from polyvinyl alcohol by condensation with aldehydes. The imageable element is imageable by radiation, preferably infrared radiation, and provides good sensitivity for use in lithographic applications, such as conventional imaging systems, computer-to-plate systems or other direct imaging elements and applications when treated with the developer.

Abstract: A surgical navigation system for navigating a region of a patient that may include a non-invasive dynamic reference frame and/or fiducial marker, sensor tipped instruments, and isolator circuits. The dynamic reference frame may be placed on the patient in a precise location for guiding the instruments. The dynamic reference frames may be fixedly placed on the patient. Also the dynamic reference frames may be placed to allow generally natural movements of soft tissue relative to the dynamic reference frames. Also methods are provided to determine positions of the dynamic reference frames. Anatomical landmarks may be determined intra-operatively and without access to the anatomical structure.

Abstract: An apparatus and procedures for percutaneous placement of surgical implants and instruments such as, for example, screws, rods, wires and plates into various body parts using image guided surgery. An apparatus for use with a surgical navigation system, an attaching device rigidly connected to a body part, such as the spinous process of a vertebrae, with an identification superstructure rigidly but removably connected to the attaching device. This identification superstructure, for example, is a reference arc and fiducial array which accomplishes the function of identifying the location of the superstructure, and, therefore, the body part to which it is fixed, during imaging by CAT scan or MRI, and later during medical procedures.

Abstract: An apparatus and procedures for percutaneous placement of surgical implants and instruments such as, for example, screws, rods, wires and plates into various body parts using image guided surgery. An apparatus for use with a surgical navigation system, an attaching device rigidly connected to a body part, such as the spinous process of a vertebrae, with an identification superstructure rigidly but removably connected to the attaching device. This identification superstructure, for example, is a reference arc and fiducial array which accomplishes the function of identifying the location of the superstructure, and, therefore, the body part to which it is fixed, during imaging by CAT scan or MRI, and later during medical procedures.

Abstract: A method and system to assist in a planning and navigation of procedure. Generally, the system allows for image acquisition of a selected area of the anatomy. The images may then be used to mark various points to determine true anatomical definitions and planes. The definitions may assist in positioning a prosthesis.

Abstract: An upper steering shaft assembly for a steering column and method of construction therefore having a tubular shaft section and a stub shaft section fabricated separately from one another. The tubular shaft section has a main body portion and a splined portion. The stub shaft section has a shaft portion and a hub engagement portion comprising a splined segment and a tapered portion. A connection end extends axially from the shaft portion of the stub shaft section and is disposed within the main body portion of the tubular shaft section and the tubular shaft section and the stub shaft section are fixedly attached to each other.

Abstract: A trailer (10) for the recovery of vehicles has a drawbar (12) having first and second sections (14,16) hinged together at adjacent ends, about a horizontal transverse axis; the first section (14) of the drawbar (12) has a ball cup (24) by which it may be secured to a towing hitch (100) of a recovery vehicle, the second section (16) of the drawbar (12) has a pair of arms (30) pivotally mounted adjacent the end thereof remote from the end hinged to the first section (14), the arms (30) are pivotal between a stowed position in which they are disposed parallel to the drawbar (12) and a deployed position in which they are disposed coaxially of one another on an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the drawbar (12); a pair of wheel pans (50) are mounted and able to slide, one on each of the arms (30), the wheel pans (50) are interconnected to the second section (16) of the drawbar (12) by a linkage mechanism (60, 62), so that when the arms (30) are in the stowed position, the wheel pans (50) are slid inward

Abstract: A power tool is provided with an adjustable handle assembly. The assembly has a housing and a handle connected to the housing. The handle may be movable between a plurality of positions and has a gripping portion. There may be a lock member associated with either of the movable handle or the housing. The other of the handle and the housing would have a mating member that cooperates with the lock member to lock the handle in position. The assembly may be provided with an actuator movable between a lock position to lock the handle and an unlock position to allow the handle to be moved. The handle may extend from a rear portion of the housing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for percutaneous and/or minimally invasive implantation of a construct. The construct may be implanted using a navigation system for planning and execution of a procedure. A plurality of portions of the construct may be interconnected using locations and paths determined and navigated with the navigation system.

Abstract: An electronic controller apparatus (30) having an input device (36) coupled to a display (34) can include a motion detector (40) and a means (42, 44, 46, 48, and 50) for maintaining the display in a predetermined orientation relative to a user of the electronic device and regardless of the movement of the input device. The movement of the input device causes a signal to vary in the electronic controller apparatus. The electronic controller can be a hand held device such as a game controller, a personal digital assistant, a cellular phone, a remote control device, or a gaming adaptor for a personal digital assistant or for a cellular phone. The means for maintaining the display in the predetermined orientation can use gravity to maintain the predetermined orientation or alternatively use electronic sensors (104 and 105) and motors (108 and 110) to maintain the predetermined orientation of the display.

Abstract: A method for preventing the thermal decomposition of a high-K dielectric layer of a gate electrode during the formation of a metal silicide on the gate electrode by using nickel as the metal component of the silicide.

Abstract: The formation of metal silicides in silicon nitride spacers on a gate electrode causes bridging between a gate electrode and the source and drain regions of a semiconductor device. The bridging is prevented by forming a thin layer of silicon oxide on the silicon nitride spacers prior to forming the metal silicide layers on the device.

Abstract: An upper steering shaft assembly for a steering column and method of construction therefore having a tubular shaft section and a stub shaft section fabricated separately from one another. The tubular shaft section has a main body portion and a splined portion. The stub shaft section has a shaft portion and a hub engagement portion comprising a splined segment and a tapered portion. A connection end extends axially from the shaft portion of the stub shaft section and is disposed within the main body portion of the tubular shaft section and the tubular shaft section and the stub shaft section are fixedly attached to each other.

Abstract: A computer-implemented knowledge management method enables a user to send a query on one or more specified topics to a selected group of persons. A form is displayed to each recipient, allowing them to respond that they are unable to help or to recommend themselves or one or more other persons as being an expert on one or more of the specified topics. A recipient may also forward the query to another group of people, who can themselves respond. The responses are used to update a searchable database of persons and their areas of expertise. The system thus automatically over time builds up a database defining a tacit knowledge network, based on users' recommendations.

Abstract: A self-aligned silicide process that can accommodate a low thermal budget and form silicide regions of small dimensions in a controlled reaction. In a first temperature treatment, nickel metal or nickel alloy is reacted with a silicon material to form at least one high resistance nickel silicide region. Unreacted nickel is removed. A dielectric layer is then deposited over a high resistance nickel silicide regions. In a second temperature treatment, the at least one high resistance nickel silicide region and dielectric layer are reacted at a prescribed temperature to form at least one low resistance silicide region and process the dielectric layer. Bridging between regions is avoided by the two-step process as silicide growth is controlled, and unreacted nickel between silicide regions is removed after the first temperature treatment. The processing of the high resistance nickel silicide regions and the dielectric layer are conveniently combined into a single temperature treatment.

Abstract: The lower bracket assembly for a vehicle steering column includes a lower column support bracket with a central passage. A lower bearing adapter slides into the central passage from the rear. A pair of energy absorption straps engage the column support bracket and the lower bearing adapter and resist further forward movement of the lower bearing adapter. During a collision, the energy absorption straps absorb energy while permitting the lower bearing adapter to move forward and out of the central passage through the column support bracket.

Abstract: A method for preventing the thermal decomposition of a high-K dielectric layer of a gate electrode during the formation of a metal silicide on the gate electrode by using nickel as the metal component of the silicide.

Abstract: A damascene gate semiconductor structure that is formed utilizing a silicide stop layer. Initially, a gate opening is provided in an insulating layer on a substrate. A first dielectric layer is deposited in the gate opening over the substrate. A silicide stop layer is then deposited in the gate opening over the first silicon layer. A second silicon layer is then deposited in the gate opening over the silicide stop layer. A metal or alloy layer is then deposited over the insulating and the second silicon layer. The damascene semiconductor structure is then temperature treated to react the metal or alloy layer with the second silicon layer to form a silicide layer. Any unreated metal or alloy is then removed from the metal or alloy layer.

Abstract: The lower bracket assembly for a vehicle steering column includes a lower column support bracket with a central passage. A lower bearing adapter slides into the central passage from the rear. A pair of energy absorption straps engage the column support bracket and the column support bracket and resist further forward movement of the lower bearing adapter. During a collision, the energy absorption straps absorb energy while permitting the lower bearing adapter to move forward and out of the central passage through the column support bracket.

Abstract: A system and method for handling purchasing transactions over a computer network using pre-paid cards as the medium of exchange between a purchaser and a merchant. Selection of salable items on a merchant's display site by the purchaser is followed by activation of a purchasing option which triggers a third party processor to substitute an alternative display substantially duplicating the merchant's sales presentation such that the merchant's display features remain in the view of the purchaser while the transaction is being authorized. Notification of the transaction is dependent upon the outcome to preserve valuable system resources.