Abstract: In a semiconductor device manufacturing method, on a film to be processed, a mask material film is formed which has pattern openings for a plurality of contact patterns and connection openings for connecting adjacent pattern openings in such a manner that the connection between them is constricted in the middle. Then, a sidewall film is formed on the sidewalls of the individual openings in the mask material film, thereby not only making the diameter of the pattern openings smaller but also separating adjacent pattern openings. Then, the film to be processed is selectively etched with the mask material film and sidewall film as a mask, thereby making contact holes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel intermediate for manufacturing a 2,3-dihydroimidazo[2,1-b]oxazole compound with a high yield and a high purity, and a manufacturing method of the intermediate. The present invention provides an epoxy compound represented by the general formula (2): wherein, R1 represents hydrogen or a lower alkyl group; and R2 represents a piperidyl group represented by the general formula (A1): (wherein, R3 represents a phenoxy group having a halogen-substituted lower alkoxy group substituted on a phenyl group, and the like) and the like; and n represents an integer of 1 to 6, a manufacturing method of the epoxy compound, and a manufacturing method of an oxazole compound using the epoxy compound.

Abstract: Tissue matrices having anti-microbial properties are provided. In certain embodiments, the tissue matrices include cationic anti-microbial agents that form a stable bond with the tissue matrices without adversely affecting the biologic properties of the tissue matrices.

Abstract: There is provided an image processing device including: a data storage unit that stores object identification data for identifying an object operable by a user and feature data indicating a feature of appearance of each object; an environment map storage unit that stores an environment map representing a position of one or more objects existing in a real space and generated based on an input image obtained by imaging the real space using an imaging device and the feature data stored in the data storage unit; and a selecting unit that selects at least one object recognized as being operable based on the object identification data, out of the objects included in the environment map stored in the environment map storage unit, as a candidate object being a possible operation target by a user.

Abstract: Systems and methods consistent with the present invention may be used as part of determining whether to chargeback a purchase transaction amount to a merchant. To this end, the system may heuristically analyze purchase transaction data to determine which transactions to analyze for chargeback processing. For instance, the system may identify purchase transactions that are likely to qualify for a chargeback. For the identified purchase transactions, the system may then determine an expected value for each transaction in terms of received revenue from chargeback processing and the costs for performing a chargeback. Using the expected values for this transaction data, the system may then prioritize which purchase transactions to review for chargeback to a respective merchant.

Abstract: There is provided a high-frequency differential amplifier circuit comprising: a first MOS transistor, a second MOS transistor, a first positive feedback element and a second positive feedback element. The first MOS transistor and the second MOS transistor each has a source connected to a first power source and a drain connected through loads to a second power source. The first and second MOS transistors receives at their gates, first and second input signals having phases reverse to each other. The first positive feedback element includes a first capacitor and a first variable resistance connected in series between the gate of the first MOS transistor and the drain of the second MOS transistor. The second positive feedback element includes a second capacitor and a second variable resistance connected in series between the gate of the second MOS transistor and the drain of the first MOS transistor.

Abstract: Methods, computer-readable media, and systems are provided to facilitate a second user to allow or deny a first user, such as a child, from accessing content by proving the second user with a content profile based on decisions made by other users with respect to the content. In one implementation, a system allows the second user to set a threshold to automatically allow or deny access based on the other users' decisions. The decisions made by other users are aggregated into information that may be based on similarities between the child and other children from whom other users have previously made decisions regarding the particular content. In addition, the aggregation may more heavily weight decisions by users that have a history of making similar decisions to the second user.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes the following elements. An image storing section stores a plurality of images related to time information. A feature extracting section extracts feature amounts of each image stored in the image storing section. An image selecting section that selects at least one of images included in each overlap portion set of several or all of the images, stored in the image storing section, on the basis of the feature amounts associated with the respective images included in the overlap portion set, the overlap portion set including overlap portions of several or all of the images overlapping with respect to shooting time. A digest-image generating section generates a digest image of the images stored in the image storing section on the basis of the selected images.

Abstract: An image data analyzing apparatus includes a monocular visual depth information determiner for determining the anteroposterior relationship of regions contained in an image frame of one of a left image and a right image forming stereoscopic image data of time-division display type, a binocular visual depth information determiner for determining the anteroposterior relationship of regions contained in a plurality of images assumed to be the left image and right image, and a left-right image discriminator for outputting left-right image identification information in agreement with an assumption of the binocular visual depth information determiner if a pair of determination results show a high rate of agreement, and outputting left-right image identification information in agreement with a reverse setting of the assumption if the pair of determination results show a low rate of agreement.

Abstract: A railroad track inspection system and method for facilitating inspection of a rail component while traveling on the railroad track. The railroad track inspection system includes an optical path protection device for a protective window for optical sensors of an optical inspection system when it becomes contaminated with dirt, dust, mud, grease, and other contaminants that block or obscure an optical path of the sensors. The optical path protection device eliminates the need for a human operator to perform the periodic cleaning of the protective window by using a clear film with an automated advancement mechanism for providing clean film, as needed, for keeping the optical path of the optical sensors unobstructed and clear.

Abstract: A communication apparatus of the present invention includes a transmission/reception coupler for performing a one-to-one communication at short distance with an apparatus of a communication opponent by electric field coupling or magnetic field coupling; a plural copy mode setting unit for setting a plural copy mode for transferring a data file to a plurality of apparatuses; a data file selecting unit for selecting a data file to transfer to the plurality of apparatuses; a file transfer processing unit for transferring the data file already selected in the data file selecting unit to an apparatus, which communication is established, when the plural copy mode is set; and a plural copy mode canceling unit for canceling the plural copy mode.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an exposure apparatus inspection mask includes a substrate and a first pattern portion. The substrate has a major surface reflective to exposure light. The first pattern portion is provided on the major surface. The first pattern portion includes a first lower layer and a plurality of first reflection layers. The first lower layer is provided on the major surface and includes a plurality of first absorption layers periodically arranged at a prescribed pitch along a first direction parallel to the major surface and is absorptive to the exposure light. The plurality of first reflection layers are provided on a side of the first lower layer opposite to the substrate, are periodically arranged at the pitch along the first direction, expose at least part of each of the plurality of first absorption layers, and have higher reflectance for the exposure light than the first absorption layers.

Abstract: A method of estimating an employment level receiving a first set of payroll data that includes at least one payroll record associated with at least one entity and identifying a format associated with the at least one payroll record of the first plurality of payroll data. The format associated with the at least one payroll record of the first plurality of payroll data may be normalized to substantially conform to a format associated with a second set of payroll data. A regression coefficient associated with the normalized first set of payroll data may be calculated. An employment level is estimated based on the first set of normalized payroll data and the regression coefficient. The regression coefficient comprises a value indicative of a difference in growth rates between the first set of payroll data and the second set of payroll data and is based at least on a number of initial unemployment claims filed during a portion of a time period associated with the first set of payroll data.

Abstract: A pattern generation method includes: acquiring a first design constraint for first patterns to be formed on a process target film by a first process, the first design constraint using, as indices, a pattern width of an arbitrary one of the first patterns, and a space between the arbitrary pattern and a pattern adjacent to the arbitrary pattern; correcting the first design constraint in accordance with pattern conversion by the second process, and thereby acquiring a second design constraint for the second pattern which uses, as indices, two patterns on both sides of a predetermined pattern space of the second pattern; judging whether the design pattern fulfils the second design constraint; and changing the design pattern so as to correspond to a value allowed by the second design constraint when the design constraint is not fulfilled.

Abstract: A semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus includes a chamber in which a wafer is loaded; a first gas supply unit for supplying a process gas into the chamber; a gas exhaust unit for exhausting a gas from the chamber; a wafer support member on which the wafer is placed; a ring on which the wafer support member is placed; a rotation drive control unit connected to the ring to rotate the wafer; a heater disposed in the ring and comprising a heater element for heating the wafer to a predetermined temperature and including an SiC layer on at least a surface, and a heater electrode portion molded integrally with a heater element and including an SiC layer on at least a surface; and a second gas supply unit for supplying an SiC source gas into the ring.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and a system for implementing communications between multiple subnets covered by one physical Mobile Switching Center (MSC) and an MSC. The method includes the steps of: mapping one physical MSC to multiple logical MSCs, i.e. multiple virtual MSCs, and assigning a virtual MSC number to each virtual MSC, and setting relationship(s) between location area(s) covered by the virtual MSC and the virtual MSC number of each virtual MSC; transmitting location information of a terminal with the virtual MSC number during communications to implement communications among multiple subnets. During communication, since the terminal location is transmitted according to the virtual MSC number, it is possible to differentiate the terminals located in different subnets covered by a physical MSC, therefore the roaming and handover of the terminal between the subnets can be implemented; and the roaming limitation also can be implemented through the MSC List and VLR List.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a preliminary solder layer made of a Sn alloy is formed on a connecting pad of a wiring substrate. A solder bump made of a Sn alloy is formed on an electrode pad of a semiconductor chip. After contacting the preliminary solder layer and the solder bump, the preliminary solder layer and the solder bump are melted by heating to a temperature of their melting points or higher to form a solder connecting part made of a Sn alloy containing Ag and Cu. Only the preliminary solder layer of the preliminary solder layer and the solder bump is composed of a Sn alloy containing Ag.