Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a recess with a device separating film and a first hard mask layer so that a pad nitride film for defining a recess gate region may remain with a conventional mask. The method additionally the recess gate region to facilitate a subsequent process for etching a gate electrode without a step difference between the device separating film.

Abstract: A piezoelectric layer is formed of a plurality of ferroelectric films containing lead (Pb), zirconium (Zr), and titanium (Ti) above a first electrode. A boundary portion between a first ferroelectric film closest to the first electrode and a second ferroelectric film formed above the first ferroelectric film has an area where the maximum value of a concentration of titanium with respect to zirconium is 80% or more.

Abstract: Receiver-stimulators comprise a nearly isotropic transducer assembly, demodulator circuitry, and at least two tissue contacting electrodes. Use of near isotropic transducers allows the devices to be implanted with less concern regarding the orientation relative to an acoustic energy source. Transducers or transducer elements having relatively small sizes, typically less than ½ the wavelength of the acoustic source, enhance isotropy. The use of single crystal piezoelectric materials enhance sensitivity.

Abstract: A programmable processor and method for improving the performance of processors by expanding at least two source operands, or a source and a result operand, to a width greater than the width of either the general purpose register or the data path width. The present invention provides operands which are substantially larger than the data path width of the processor by using the contents of a general purpose register to specify a memory address at which a plurality of data path widths of data can be read or written, as well as the size and shape of the operand. In addition, several instructions and apparatus for implementing these instructions are described which obtain performance advantages if the operands are not limited to the width and accessible number of general purpose registers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of treating intermittent claudication comprising administering glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) molecules to subjects suffering therefrom.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described for automatically converting audio input signal data into musical score representation data. Embodiments of the invention identify a change in frequency information from the audio signal that exceeds a first threshold value; identify a change in amplitude information from the audio signal that exceeds a second threshold value; and generate a note onset event, each note onset event representing a time location in the audio signal of at least one of an identified change in the frequency information that exceeds the first threshold value or an identified change in the amplitude information that exceeds the second threshold value. The generation of note onset events and other information from the audio input signal may be used to extract note pitch, note value, tempo, meter, key, instrumentation, and other score representation information.

Abstract: Corneal epithelial pocket formation systems include a cutting head and a blade coupled to the cutting head. The blade is coupled to the cutting head at an orientation that is effective in maintaining a viable separated pocket defining portion of corneal epithelium of an eye of a patient during formation of a corneal epithelial pocket of the eye. The blade includes a cutting edge surface at its distal end. The cutting edge surface is effective in separating the corneal epithelium from the underlying Bowman's membrane of the eye without leaving residual corneal epithelial cells in contact with Bowman's membrane that may result in corneal epithelial cell growth between a corneal implant located in the corneal epithelial pocket and the underlying Bowman's membrane. Versions of the present systems include spring loaded blade holders, which may be removable from the cutting head. Versions also can include applanators.

Abstract: An airway implant device for maintaining and/or creating an opening in air passageways is disclosed. Methods of using the device are also disclosed. The airway implant device comprises a deformable element to control the opening of an air passageway. Preferably the deformable element is an electroactive polymer element. Energizing of the electroactive polymer element provides support for the walls of an air passageway, when the walls collapse, and thus, completely or partially opens the air passageway. Some embodiments of the invention include a sensor capable of sensing the possible occurrence of an apneic event and activating the deformable element of the airway implant device. Methods of treating airway disorders such as sleep apnea and snoring with the airway implant device are disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method for opening a portion of a passageway of a patient is disclosed. The patient has a first metallic structure attached to a portion of the patient's neck. The method includes obtaining a second magnetic structure, placing the second magnetic structure proximate the first metallic structure attached to the portion of the patient's neck, and pulling the second magnetic structure away from the patient's neck to thereby open the passageway.

Abstract: A vertically conducting semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having a topside surface and a backside surface. The semiconductor substrate serves as a terminal of the vertically conducting device for biasing the vertically conducting device during operation. An epitaxial layer extends over the topside surface of the semiconductor substrate but terminates prior to reaching an edge of the semiconductor substrate so as to form a recessed region along a periphery of the semiconductor substrate. An interconnect layer extends into the recessed region but terminates prior to reaching an edge of the semiconductor substrate. The interconnect layer electrically contacts the topside surface of the semiconductor substrate in the recessed region to thereby provide a topside contact to the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a device isolation structure, a recess channel structure, and a gate electrode. The device isolation structure is formed in a semiconductor substrate to define an active region. The recess channel structure is disposed in the semiconductor substrate under the active region. The gate electrode includes a holding layer disposed in a gate region to fill the recess channel structure. The holding layer prevents a seam and a shift of the seam occurring in the recess channel structure.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for generating depth-of-field effects includes receiving information specifying an input image rendered using a pinhole camera. A first set of circles of confusion associated with portions of the input image are determined based a set of parameters associated with the pinhole camera. The first set of circles of confusion are then associated with heat conductivity of a medium. The portions of the input image are blurred according to heat diffusion in the medium to generate a first output image having a first depth-of-field effect.

Abstract: Methods and systems for resecting and debulking prostatic tissue to utilize a shaft carrying an energy source. The shaft is anchored by a balloon or other structure expanded in the bladder, and the energy source is capable of directing ablative energy radially outwardly from the urethra, where the energy source will be moved in order to remove a pre-defined volume of prostatic tissue.

Abstract: A delivery device that allows for the sustained release of an agent, particularly useful for the sustained release of a therapeutic agent to limited access regions, such as the posterior chamber of the eye and inner ear. The delivery device is minimally invasive, refillable and may be easily fixed to the treatment area. The delivery device includes a hollow body with an inlet port at its proximal end for insertion of the agent, a reservoir for holding the agent and a delivery mechanism for the sustained delivery of the agent from the reservoir to the patient.

Abstract: Provided is a method of operating a flash memory device having a first area and a second area, in which a programmed state and an erased state of the first area are opposite to that of the second area. The method includes receiving a program command, inverting the program data when the received program command is a command for programming the second area, and programming the inverted program data into the second area.

Abstract: In an information processing apparatus which executes first and second threads which executes methods, the first thread transmits a stop instruction for terminating execution of the second thread to the second thread. In response to the reception of the stop instruction, the second thread terminates execution of a first method in execution and initiates execution of the second method which should be executed subsequent to the first method.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention provide multifocal lenses having one or more multifocal inserts comprising one or more diffractive regions. A diffractive region of a multifocal insert of the present invention can provide a constant optical power or can provide a progression of optical power, or any combination thereof. A multifocal insert of the present invention can be fabricated from any type of material and can be inserted into any type of bulk lens material. A diffractive region of a multifocal insert of the present invention can be positioned to be in optical communication with one or more optical regions of a host lens to provide a combined desired optical power in one or more vision zones. Index matching layers of the present invention can be used to reduce reflection losses at interfaces of the host lens and multifocal insert.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of assembling oligopeptide intermediates in a native chemical ligation reaction that eliminates self-ligation of bi-functional intermediates. An important aspect of the invention is a bi-functional intermediate with an N-terminal heterocyclic protecting group which effectively prevents self-ligation in the chemical assembly process. The present invention is useful in methods for convergent synthesis of polypeptides and proteins and improves the efficiency of native chemical ligation reactions, particularly where three or more peptide fragments are used to assemble a polypeptide or protein product.

Abstract: A reverse proxy server can provide access to web applications. The reverse proxy system can produce interstitial pages not generated with the web application code and optionally block access to the web application until the interstitial pages have been processed.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Cynara named ‘X42’ that has improved productivity and year round harvest. ‘X42’ produces one central and about fifteen lateral edible immature flower buds, and four side shoots during the first year.