Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for forming a fin-type DRAM stacked capacitor that has improved charge capacity by first depositing multiple layers of different insulating materials on a preprocessed semiconductor substrate, then dry etching a contact opening through the multiple layers of insulating materials to form a node contact on the substrate, and then wet etching the contact opening in an etchant that has different etch rates for the different insulating materials exposed in the contact opening such that a zig-zag configuration in the contact opening is formed for producing a capacitor has increased surface area and therefore increased charge capacity. Suitable insulating layers utilized are doped oxide layers and non-doped oxide layers which can be etched at different etch rates when an etchant of SC1 is used.

Abstract: A method of iterative reconstruction for MRI imaging, comprising: (a) acquiring data into a k-space, wherein some of said data is acquired using an opposite gradient polarity from other of said data; (b) partially reconstructing at least a portion of the data, using a Fourier transform; (c) test reconstructing, at least a portion of an image, from the partially reconstructed data, using a set of reconstruction parameters, comprising at least one reconstruction parameter; (d) measuring an image quality measure of the test reconstructed image; and (e) automatically repeating (c) and (d) for a plurality of sets of reconstruction parameters to determine an acceptable reconstructed image, using the same partially reconstructed data.

Abstract: A liquid coating apparatus that is adapted for dispensing two or more different liquids and a method for using such apparatus are disclosed. In the apparatus, when two different liquids are dispensed in the same coating apparatus, two separate drain cups are utilized in which an upper drain cup is constructed in a toroidal shape and formed in two symmetrical halves such that they may be withdrawn from an operating position outwardly to allow a wafer platform and a liquid spray nozzle to be lowered into a lower drain cup for dispensing a second liquid material. The lower drain cup can be mounted concentrically with the upper drain cup. The present invention novel apparatus allows at least two different liquids to be processed in the same coating apparatus such that chemical reactions between the different liquids and the resulting particle formation and contamination problems can be avoided.

Abstract: A desktop item which comprises a body having upper and lower sides and a cover for covering the upper side. The cover is connected to the body by means of a pair of links for relative movement between a top position covering the upper body side and a bottom position lying upside-down and immediately underneath the lower body side. The desktop item includes a spring resiliently biasing the cover towards the bottom position, and a latch for holding the cover in the top position against the action of the spring. Release of the latch permits the cover to move to the bottom position under the action of the spring. The subject desktop item may be in the form of a calculator or a memo pad holder or the like.

Abstract: A process comprising reacting at least one polymer component, with at least one reactive component, to produce a composition, the polymer being a metallocene polymerized ethylene (co)polymer, and the reactive component being a crosslinking agent.

Abstract: Methods and associated structures and systems for automating software test procedures so as to enable automated black box and white box testing techniques to be performed in an automated manner. The present invention further provides for test sequences to be easily maintained in synchronization with corresponding changes in the underlying source code files. In particular, white box and black box test sequences are described in a test language of the present invention in a manner which is embedded within comments of the programming language used to implement the software product. Such comments are ignored by software development tool sets. Testing tools of the present invention parse the source code files to extract white box and black box test sequences defined in the comments therein.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method for making retroreflective elements which are retroreflective under dry and/or wet conditions. The method provides a means for placing optical elements and/or skid-resistant particles on selected surfaces.

Abstract: A composition having at least one herbal compound and at least one homeopathic drug is useful for treating symptoms associated with menopause. Methods of preparing the composition and methods of treating, alleviating or otherwise mitigating the menopausal symptoms are also described.

Abstract: A laser is positioned relative to a rotating golf ball to remove any excess material, and if necessary to impart an aerodynamic pattern on particular areas of the golf ball, including the parting line. A preferred laser is a carbon dioxide laser. The laser beam may be de-focused to form a dimple on the parting line of the golf ball.

Abstract: An aqueous dispersion of a copolymer formed by the emulsion polymerization of a monomer mixture including from 0.1 to 20% by weight of one or more terminally unsaturated carboxylic acid oligomers; from 80 to 99.9% by weight of at least two monomers selected from esters and amides of (meth)acrylic acid, vinyl esters of carboxylic acids, vinyl aromatic compounds, ethylenically unsaturated nitrites, vinyl halides, and non-aromatic hydrocarbons; and 0 to 10% by weight of other copolymerisable monomers is provided. The aqueous copolymer dispersion is polymerized in the presence of anionic surfactant and at an acid pH. Also provided is a method of preparing the aqueous copolymer dispersion. Aqueous copolymer dispersions including the terminally unsaturated carboxylic acid oligomers have low viscosities over a broad pH range and are useful in coating compositions, as binders for nonwovens, textiles, paper coatings, and as adhesives.

Abstract: A refillable pyrophoric lighter having an outer casing with a hinged cover and having an inside unit that is received inside the casing by a frictional fit that is enhanced by at least one transverse rib integrally formed on the outside of the housing of the inside unit.

Abstract: Animal feed premix particles containing a carrier and a food additive is disclosed. The carrier is plant seed product having an ash content of less than about 10 percent by weight. The food additive 25-hydroxycholecalciferol, is soluble in organic solvents and is water-insoluble. An additive-effective amount of the food additive is homogeneously admixed with the carrier to prepare the premix particles.

Abstract: An end seal is provided for sealing the space between at least one cable and a closure such as a splice case. The end seal includes a centrally located support structure having a plurality of radially extending members each defined by spaced, opposing end faces and an outer peripheral surface. Each of the radially extending members has first and second mating surfaces and a notch located in the first and second mating surfaces. The first and second mating surfaces are connected to, and extend between, the end faces of their respective radially extending members. The end seal also includes a plurality of segments having spaced, opposing end faces. The plurality of segments each interlock with the support structure so that each of the end faces of the segments extend in a common plane with one of the end faces of the support structure. Each segment includes an outer peripheral surface and first and second end surfaces connected to and extending between the end faces of the segment.

Abstract: This invention concerns fluorine-modified perfluorinated ion-exchange microcomposites, comprising a perfluorinated ion-exchange polymer containing pendant sulphonic acid groups and/or carboxylic acid groups, entrapped within and highly dispersed throughout a network of inorganic oxide, said network having a plurality of fluoride groups bonded thereto; processes for their preparation and their use as catalysts in chemical processes such as alkylation of aromatic compounds.

Abstract: The invention relates to polycarbonates comprising: (a) carbonate structural units corresponding to structure (I) where R1, R2, R3, and R4 are independently selected from the group consisting of C1-C6 alkyl, R5 is C1-C3 alkyl and n is 0, 1 or 2, and (b) carbonate structural units corresponding to structure (II):  where R6, R7, R10 and R11 are independently C1-C6 alkyl, R8 and R9 are independently H or C1-C5 alkyl, R12 is H or C1-C3 alkyl and n is 0, 1 or 2; where the polycarbonate has a glass transition temperature of from about 120° C. to about 185° C. and a water absorption of less than about 0.33%. This invention further relates to method of making these polycarbonates, optical articles made from these polycarbonates, and methods of making optical articles from these polycarbonates.

Abstract: A loader 10 includes a loader boom having opposite sides defined by arms to each of which is pivotally mounted a portion of a parking stand assembly including a support leg and a strut with the pivot axis for the leg being spaced between the implement at the end of the boom and the pivot axis for the strut. The support leg includes a pair of sides connected together by a web so as to be generally H-shaped in cross section over a major portion of its length. The web contains an opening through which the strut extends with the strut being in the channel defined below the support leg web and both the support leg and strut extending along the underside of the loader arm when the parking stand is in its stored position. The channel defined above the web receives the lower portion of the loader arm. A releasable fastener couples the strut to the arm, the strut in turn holding the support leg in place.

Abstract: A blade pitch indicator is releasably secured to a linear actuator in the form of a turnbuckle. The blade pitch indicator comprises a cover having protrusions forming arrow points that line up with a line of demarcation on the linear actuator. Indicia is associated with the protrusions to provide blade pitch positioning information to the operator. The turnbuckle is provided with two moveable yokes and a stationary threaded shaft. The threaded shaft is rotated to extend and retract the yokes, thereby adjusting the pitch position of the bulldozer blade. The threaded shaft is provided with a multifaceted nut in the form of a hexagonal nut that is engaged by a wrench to rotate the threaded shaft. The hexagonal nut is provided with an aperture through which a pin is inserted releasably securing the cover to the turnbuckle. The arrow points of the protrusions line up with the base end of the yokes to indicate the bulldozer blade's pitch position.

Abstract: In a camera having a single battery cell power source, a flash apparatus is provided in combination with an optical data recording circuit in which energy to illuminate an LED illumination device in the recording circuit is derived from charging current through the flash capacitor generated by a “one touch” self oscillating charging circuit. A resistor element is connected in circuit with the flash capacitor across the charge voltage output terminals of the charging circuit. An oscillation start terminal of the charging circuit and the illumination device of the recording circuit are coupled through respective normally reverse biased diodes to the normally open contact of a flash synchronization switch. Closure of the synchronization switch forward biases the diodes to start the charging circuit and to connect the illumination device across the resistor element to activate the illumination device during the brief period the flash synchronization switch is closed.