Abstract: A first layer of titanium nitride (TiN) is formed on a semiconductor structure, such as an interconnect via. Then, a second layer of TiN is formed on the first layer of TiN. The first layer of TiN is amorphous. The second layer of TiN is polycrystalline, having a mixed grain orientation. Finally, an aluminum film is formed on the second layer of titanium nitride. Optionally, a titanium silicide layer is formed on the semiconductor structure prior to the step of forming the first layer of titanium nitride. Interconnects formed according to the invention have polycrystalline aluminum films with grain sizes of approximately less than 0.25 microns.

Abstract: A process for preparing compounds of formula (1): including the convergent steps as defined in the specification, and wherein R groups have any of the values defined in the specification. The invention also provides processes and intermediates useful for preparing compounds of formula (1).

Abstract: Polymeric micelles for encapsulation of hydrophobic molecules are provided. Methods and formulations for delivering hydrophobic molecules to a host via these micelles are also provided. Methods of stabilizing liposomes or lipid based formulations by addition of polymeric micelles are also provided.

Abstract: Provided is a composite building material which is more improved in the bonding capability of a cement mortar material itself with a foamed synthetic resin plate layer, furthermore prevents the occurrences of exfoliations and cracks and has higher strength compared with conventional composite materials. Plural concave grooves are formed in parallel on at least one of the surface and backface of a foamed synthetic resin plate layer and a net-like groove lathing material corresponding to the size of each groove is arranged within each groove. A cement mortar material is filled in the groove so as to bury the groove lathing material, a net-like surface lathing material is then stretched over all of one surface and a cement mortar material is further laminated to form a composite building material in which the foamed synthetic resin plate layer and the cement mortar layer are integrated with each other.

Abstract: A vascular impedance measurement instrument includes a transducer to obtain a digitized arterial blood pressure waveform. The digitized data is used to determine cardiac output, and to subsequently obtain measurements of impedance parameters using the modified Windkessel model of the arterial system. The instrument is used as an aid in diagnosing, treating and monitoring patients with cardiovascular disease.

Abstract: A memory system having plural memory subsystems and using a packet protocol communicated over a undirectional command and address bus and at least one bidirectional data bus. The memory subsystems are pipelined to achieve wide data paths and to support a high number of memory devices, such as dynamic random access memory devices, per data bus. The packet protocol is defined to compensate for the delay stages of the pipelined memory subsystem in order to optimize the access time of the memory devices.

Abstract: A system for detecting ventricular tachycardia and supraventricular tachycardia using a multiple stage morphology based system. Cardiac signals are sensed from a patient's heart and analyzed for the occurrence of a tachycardia event. When a tachycardia event is detected, the method and system analyzes a plurality of features of the sensed cardiac signals in two or more discrimination stages. Each of the two or more discrimination stages classify the tachycardia event as either a ventricular tachycardia or a candidate supraventricular tachycardia event. When a discrimination stage detects the occurrence of a ventricular tachycardia, therapy is delivered to the heart to treat the ventricular tachycardia.

Abstract: A battery system and method of manufacture in which at least two batteries, having different chemistries, are integrated into a common housing. The battery system has a unitary housing having at least two chambers, in which each pair of adjacent chambers share a common wall. Each chamber contains one battery, and at least one battery has a different chemical composition than the remaining batteries.

Abstract: An improved method and structure which increases the alignment tolerances in multiple, singularized plugs are provided. The invention discloses a novel method for forming individual plug contacts with increased surface area for improved registration between semiconducting layers. Also the improved plug contacts are particularly well suited to receiving contact formations which have any taper to them. IGFETS and other devices formed from this design can be used in a variety of beneficial applications, e.g. logic or memory.

Abstract: The present invention includes a system for providing personal financial services utilizing video conferencing between a consumer and a services provider at a location remote from the consumer. The system comprises a call distributor mechanism for receiving requests from the consumer and for responding to requests based upon semantics communicated by the consumer.

Abstract: A computer component, such as a hard disk drive, is provided with a spring clip assembly. The spring clip has a spring bracket and a plurality of tabs for engaging with a divider panel disposed within a chassis of a computer. The plurality of tabs guide the hard disk drive into place as the hard disk drive is installed. A support bracket coupled with the hard disk drive couples with slots on a power supply housing, and anchors the hard disk drive as the spring bracket assembly engages with the divider panel. A release mechanism is provided with the spring clip assembly, thereby allowing for easy removal and installation of the hard disk drive.

Abstract: A cardiac stimulator lead is provided. The cardiac stimulator lead includes a connector for connecting to a cardiac stimulator and a flexible tubular sleeve that has a first end coupled to the connector and a second end. An electrode has a proximal end that is inserted into the second end of the sleeve. An annular member is disposed around the proximal end and the second end and is deformed to clamp the second end to the proximal end. A conductor wire is coupled between the connector and the electrode. The deformed annular member eliminates reliance on an adhesive-to-metal molecular bond as the sole or primary mechanism for securing the distal end of a lead sleeve to the tip electrode. Manufacturing and assembly time may be significantly reduced.

Abstract: A voltage compensating CMOS input buffer converts input TTL signals to CMOS logic levels, and compensates for changing supply voltage by using a n-channel transistor to vary the effective size ratio of pairs p-channel to n-channel transistors making up an input inverter. The compensating transistor becomes operable with increasing supply voltage to help the n-channel input inverter transistors offset the p-channel input inverter transistors whose trip points would otherwise have been increased by increasing power supply voltage. As the power supply voltage decreases, the compensating transistor turns off, returning the input inverter to its original size ratio. The gate of the compensating transistor is coupled to the supply voltage through two diodes to control the amount of current flowing through the compensating transistor. Further trip point transistors in series with the compensating transistor have their gates coupled to the input signals to help stabilize the trip points.

Abstract: A technique for hiding of data, including watermarks, in human-perceptible sounds, that is, audio host data, is disclosed. In one embodiment a method comprises three steps. In the first step, data to be embedded is inputted. In the case of a watermark, this data is a unique signature, and may be a pseudo-noise (PN) code. In the case of hidden data to be embedded in the host data, this data is the hidden data itself, or the hidden data as spread against the frequency spectrum by a pseudo-noise (PN) code. In the second step, the inputted data is embedded within the host data, in accordance with a perceptual mask of the host data. The perceptual mask determines the optimal locations within the host data to insert the inputted data. In the case of sounds, these optimal locations are determined by reference to the human auditory system. In the third step, the host data, with the embedded data, is further masked by a non-frequency mask. In the case of audio data, the non-frequency mask is a temporal mask.

Abstract: A memory having a control circuit for initiating a read or a write operation in response to a combination of input signals during a setup time is described. The setup time is a specified time period during which all inputs must remain valid before a next appearance of a rising edge of a clock signal. The control circuit uses the setup time to send a signal from one part of the memory to another part of the memory to avoid the propagation delay time. Further, a circuit is provided which prepares the memory for a write operation prior to the setup time.

Abstract: A programmable memory address decode array with vertical transistors having single or split control lines is used to select only functional lines in a memory array. The transistor is a field-effect transistor (FET) having an electrically isolated (floating) gate that controls electrical conduction between source regions and drain regions. If a particular floating gate is charged with stored electrons, then the transistor will not turn on and will act as the absence of a transistor at this location in a logic array within the decoder. The decoder is programmed at memory test to select an output line responsive to the bits received via the address input lines. A logic array includes densely packed logic cells, each logic cell having a semiconductor pillar providing shared source and drain regions for two vertical floating gate transistors that have individual floating gates and control lines distributed on opposing sides of the pillar.

Abstract: In a method of automatically recognizing data which comprises sequential data units represented as sequential tokens grouped into one or more items, known items are stored as respective finite state sequence models. Each state corresponds to a token and the models which have common prefix states are organized in a tree structure such that suffix states comprise branches from common prefix states and there are a plurality of tree structures each having a different prefix state. Each sequential data unit is compared with stored reference data units identified by reference tokens to generate scores indicating the similarity of the data units to reference data units.

Abstract: An isolated and purified DNA molecule encoding TGF-.beta. inducible early factor-1 (TIEF-1) is provided. A method of isolating a growth factor- or differentiation factor-inducible gene is also provided.

Abstract: The new preparation process for making fine high specific surface ceramic powders suitable as catalysts or precursors for ceramics uses lanthanum (or other rare earth lanthanide) oxide as one of the precursors. The oxide is mixed with water to form a liquid slurry, whereby it is transformed to the hydroxide by reaction with water. The resulting hydroxide slurry, which can be milled to reduce the particle size and to speed up the reaction, is then combined, while stirring vigorously to assure homogenous mixing, with a solution of required amount of remaining metal nitrate precursors, for example strontium and cobalt nitrates. The reaction between lanthanum hydroxide and transition metal nitrates produces a colored (color depending on the transition metal) slurry consisting of metal hydroxides suspended in aqueous nitrate solution with pH>2. This perovskite precursor slurry is spray-frozen and freeze dried.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the determination of spectral samples is disclosed wherein spectral measurements are taken, normalization of the spectral measurements takes place, and a bilinear modeling is performed to extract spectral data. Once this data is derived, the interference quantitization levels are determined using multiple linear regression analysis, and are then removed from the sample readings in order to determine a more precise level of analyte spectra, such as analyte levels of glucose in serum or whole blood.