Abstract: Transaction parameters for a transaction between a customer and a merchant are provided to a reward service executing on a server system. The reward service assigns zero or more punches to the customer according to the transaction parameters based on legibility rules received from the merchant. The reward service further assigns a cash or points reward to the customer if punches assigned to the customer meet a threshold condition received by the reward service from the merchant. The reward may be assigned according to a tier of the customer, where the tier of the customer increases with a number of times the customer has met previously met the threshold condition. Punches may be provided to the customer as token including a token. The customer may then claim the token in order to associate the punch with the customer.

Abstract: Example communication systems and methods are described. In one implementation, a method receives a first message from a user and extracts a user identity and a transaction request. An alias identity is assigned to the user identity. A second message is transmitted to a merchant device in which the second message includes the alias identity and the transaction request. The method receives a third message from the merchant device and extracts the alias identity and a transaction completion confirmation from the third message. A fourth message, which includes the transaction completion confirmation, is communicated to the user based on the user identity.

Abstract: Example customer reward systems and methods are described. In one implementation, a method receives, through a merchant device, data associated with a purchase transaction by a customer such that the data is entered into the merchant device by a user with knowledge of the transaction. The method determines a customer reward associated with the purchase transaction based on the received data entered by the user with knowledge of the transaction. The customer reward is communicated to a server that maintains a customer reward account associated with the customer. The server is instructed to apply the customer reward to the customer reward account associated with the customer.

Abstract: Approaches for isolating source and drain regions in an integrated circuit (IC) device (e.g., a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET)) are provided. Specifically, the device comprises a gate structure formed over a substrate, a source and drain (S/D) embedded within the substrate adjacent the gate structure, and a liner layer (e.g., silicon-carbon) between the S/D and the substrate. In one approach, the liner layer is formed atop the S/D as well. As such, the liner layer formed in the junction prevents dopant diffusion from the source/drain.

Abstract: One illustrative device disclosed herein includes a fin defined in a semiconductor substrate having a crystalline structure, wherein at least a sidewall of the fin is positioned substantially in a <100> crystallographic direction of the substrate, a gate structure positioned around the fin, an outermost sidewall spacer positioned adjacent opposite sides of the gate structure, and an epi semiconductor material formed around portions of the fin positioned laterally outside of the outermost sidewall spacers in the source/drain regions of the device, wherein the epi semiconductor material has a substantially uniform thickness along the sidewalls of the fin.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an improved finFET and methods of fabrication. A sigma cavity is used with an n-type finFET to allow multiple epitaxial layers to be disposed adjacent to a finFET gate. In some embodiments, stacking faults may be formed in the epitaxial layers using a stress memorization technique.

Abstract: A methodology for enabling a gate stack integration process that provides additional threshold voltage margin without sacrificing gate reliability and the resulting device are disclosed. Embodiments include conformally forming a margin adjusting layer in a gate trench, forming a metal capping layer on the margin adjusting layer, and forming an n-type work function (nWF) metal layer on the metal capping layer.

Abstract: A methodology is disclosed enabling the formation of silicon trench profiles for devices, such as SSRW FETs, having a resultant profile that enables desirable epitaxial growth of semiconductor materials. Embodiments include forming a trench in a silicon wafer between STI regions, thermally treating the silicon surfaces of the trench, and forming Si:C in the trench. The process eliminates a need for an isotropic silicon etch to achieve a desirable flat surface. Further, the flat bottom surface provides a desirable surface for epitaxial growth of semiconductor materials, such as Si:C.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting tumor margins are disclosed. The detection can be performed intra-operatively. A device is provided for housing a tissue sample during optical analysis for detection of tumor margins.

Abstract: The present subject matter relates to a feed nozzle assembly 100 for atomizing a heavy hydrocarbon feed by mixing the hydrocarbon feed with a diluent and an atomizing media. The feed nozzle assembly 100 includes at least one primary mixing chambers 101 for receiving the liquid hydrocarbon feed and the diluent to create a primary mixture. The primary mixture is than forwarded to a secondary mixing chamber 102. The secondary mixing chamber extends to a tertiary mixing chamber 103. A steam inlet 110 is provided to inject streams of steam to the secondary mixing chamber 102 and to the tertiary mixing chamber 103 through a first opening and a second opening, respectively, located within the steam inlet 110.

Abstract: An item inheritance system and method are provided. The item inheritance system can be employed to propagate access control information (e.g., an access control list) to one or more item(s), thus facilitating security of item(s). At least one of the item(s) is a compound item. The item inheritance system includes an input component that receives information associated with one or more items. The items can include container(s), object(s) and/or compound item(s). The system can be triggered by a change in security policy to the item(s), for example, adding and/or deleting a user's access to the item(s). Additionally, moving and/or copying a collection of items can further trigger the system. The system further includes a propagation component that propagates access control information to the item(s). For example, the propagation component can enforce the ACL propagation policies when a change to the security descriptor takes place at the root of a hierarchy.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing hydrogen by passing a hydrocarbon-containing gas over a ceramic monolith at a temperature sufficient to produce hydrogen; and passing an oxygen-containing gas over the ceramic monolith at a temperature sufficient to react with the carbon on the ceramic monolith and to produce carbon monoxide. The process is performed cyclically using one or more beds in a manner such that hydrogen is produced followed by carbon monoxide production.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and methodology to facilitate interoperability and compatibility between disparate data systems. In one aspect, a file transformation system is provided having at least one file associated with one or more unstructured properties. A file property handler manipulates the unstructured properties in accordance with one or more structured properties associated with a structured object store environment. If an unstructured file is to be operated in the context of a structured object store environment, a promotion operation is performed to update unstructured properties in the file with structured properties suitable for operation in the structured object store environment. If a promoted item were to be manipulated in the structured object store environment, a demotion operation or reverse transformation is performed to update properties in the file.

Abstract: The present invention is a separation process for producing a methanol, ethanol and/or dimethyl ether stream from a first stream containing C3+ hydrocarbons. The first stream comprises C3+ hydrocarbons, methanol, ethanol and/or dimethyl ether. The process comprises the step of passing the first stream through an adsorbent bed having a crystalline microporous material that preferentially adsorbs methanol, ethanol and/or dimethyl ether over the C3+ hydrocarbons.

Abstract: In a process for separating propylene from a mixture comprising propylene and propane, the mixture is passed through a bed of an adsorbent comprising a porous crystalline material having (i) a diffusion time constant for propylene of at least 0.1 sec−1, when measured at a temperature of 373° K and a propylene partial pressure of 8 kPa, and (ii) a diffusion time constant for propane, when measured at a temperature of 373° K and a propane partial pressure of 8 kPa, less than 0.02 of said diffusion time constant for propylene. The bed preferentially adsorbs propylene from the mixture. The adsorbed propylene is then desorbed from the bed either by lowering the pressure or raising the temperature of the bed.

Abstract: In a process for separating propylene from a mixture comprising propylene and propane, the mixture is passed through a bed of an adsorbent comprising a porous crystalline material having (i) a diffusion time constant for propylene of at least 0.1 sec−1, when measured at a temperature of 373° K and a propylene partial pressure of 8 kPa, and (ii) a diffusion time constant for propane, when measured at a temperature of 373° K and a propane partial pressure of 8 kPa, less than 0.02 of said diffusion time constant for propylene. The bed preferentially adsorbs propylene from the mixture. The adsorbed propylene is then desorbed from the bed either by lowering the pressure or raising the temperature of the bed.

Abstract: In an industrial furnace used to melt glass batch or glass melt least two oxy-fuel burners are employed in the roof or side-wall of the furnace. At least one oxy-fuel burner is operated with a fuel-rich mixture and at least one other oxy-fuel burner is operated with a fuel-lean mixture. The flames are directed to intersect near the surface of the batch or the melt in order to substantially complete combustion in the vicinity of the melt thereby increasing heat transferred to the material to be melted while also reducing flame temperatures near the burner block. Axisymmetric burners are employed in the crown or roof while non-axisymmetric burners are employed in the side-wall of the furnace. Alternatively, curved burners could be employed in either location to enhance control of the respective fuel-rich and fuel-lean flame interaction.

Abstract: Partial oxidation of hydrocarbons to produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide is carried out by a fluidized bed process which includes the steps of passing air through a perovskite-type ceramic mixed conductor in an adsorption zone at an elevated temperature, thereby at least partially saturating the mixed conductor with oxygen, and subsequently contacting the hot, at least partially oxygen-saturated mixed conductor with a hydrocarbon in a partial oxidation reaction zone. During the partial oxidation reaction phase of the process, the sorbed oxygen reacts with the hydrocarbon, thereby producing hydrogen, carbon monoxide or mixtures of these. The oxygen-depleted mixed conductor is recycled to the adsorption zone.

Abstract: A process for making an improved bulk catalyst having a Group VIII metal, such catalyst being useful in producing H.sub.2 O.sub.2 from H.sub.2 and O.sub.2 and/or in producing H.sub.2 from water. The method incorporates the Group VIII metal within the "pillars" of the porous catalyst, without leaving a significant amount of the Group VIII metal on or near the outside surface of the catalyst, by hydrothermal incorporation of the Group VIII metal into the porous pillars.

Abstract: A method for the production of hydrogen peroxide from a source of hydrogen and oxygen in the presence of a dispersion of a catalyst in an organic reaction medium, the catalyst being composed of inert particles of between 1 and 100 microns, the particles having coated thereon about three to ten layers of a zirconium or hafnium complex, the organic reaction medium having a pH of less than about 3 and composed of at least 50% of a lower alkyl alcohol, a lower alkyl ketone or a mixture thereof, water and a mineral acid.