Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method that includes scanning a circuit layout and identifying layout regions of the circuit layout. The method further includes placing unit cells in a layout region of the layout regions and forming a micro pad structure at a border of a unit cell of the unit cells. The micro pad structure includes interconnect structures that are electrically connected to the unit cell.

Abstract: A method of making an image sensor includes depositing a shield layer over a substrate, wherein the substrate comprises a first photodiode (PD) and a second PD. The method further includes etching the shield layer to define a first recess aligned with the first PD and a second recess aligned with the second PD. The method further includes depositing a flicker reduction layer in the first recess and in the second recess. The method further includes etching the flicker reduction layer to remove the flicker reduction layer from the first recess.

Abstract: An optical ferrule configured to move along a mating direction to mate with a mating optical ferrule. The optical ferrule includes an attachment portion for receiving and securing one or more optical waveguides. First and second engagement portions are formed integrally with the optical ferrule and spaced apart from each other along the mating direction. First and second engagement portions are formed integrally with the mating optical ferrule and spaced apart from each other along the mating direction. When the optical ferrule mates with the mating optical ferrule, the first and second engagement portions of the optical ferrule engage the respective second and first engagement portions of the mating optical ferrule. The engagement of the engagement portions of the optical ferrules prevents each of the optical ferules from moving relative to the other optical ferrule along at least mutually orthogonal first and second directions orthogonal to the mating direction.

Abstract: A package includes an integrated circuit. The integrated circuit includes a first chip, a dummy chip, a second chip, and a third chip. The first chip includes a semiconductor substrate that extends continuously from an edge of the first chip to another edge of the first chip. The dummy chip is disposed over the first chip and includes a semiconductor substrate that extends continuously from an edge of the dummy chip to another edge of the dummy chip. Sidewalls of the first chip are aligned with sidewalls of the dummy chip. The second chip and the third chip are sandwiched between the first chip and the dummy chip. A thickness of the second chip is substantially equal to a thickness of the third chip.

Abstract: Methods, computer-readable media, software, and apparatuses may assist a consumer in deleting personal information held by a data broker. Entities holding the consumer's personal information may be discovered and automated actions for purging or deleting the consumer's personal information may be determined. The methods, computer-readable media, software, and apparatuses may assist the consumer in updating privacy settings associated with accounts at various entities.

Abstract: Disclosed are a catalyst for an electrochemical cell and a method of manufacturing the catalyst. The catalyst includes a support, a first catalyst supported on the support, wherein the first catalyst is a catalyst for hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) or oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), a second catalyst supported on the first catalyst, wherein the second catalyst is a catalyst for oxygen evolution reaction (OER), and a protective layer formed on the first catalyst and the second catalyst.

Abstract: A cleaning composition is disclosed. The cleaning composition includes a hydroxy acid, a hydrogen bond acceptor, and a surfactant. The hydroxy acid and hydrogen bond acceptor are present at a molar ratio of from about 5:1 to about 1.5:1.

Abstract: A tracheostomy dilator may include a distal portion, a handle portion, a lumen, and a proximal portion. The distal portion may have a curve extending to a distal opening and be configured to dilate a tracheostomy. The handle portion may be proximal of the distal portion and be configured to be grasped by a user. The lumen may be configured to receive a guidewire. The proximal portion may be proximal of the handle portion and have a proximal opening in communication with the lumen. The proximal portion may be configured to deflect the guidewire at an angle of at least 30 degrees from a longitudinal axis of the handle portion.

Abstract: In one or more embodiments, a drapery system is presented including a drapery support rod having a plurality of segments joined by one or more splice connectors. The splice connector includes a first section, a stop at an intermediate point, and a second section. The first and second sections include features configured and arranged to engage and connect with interior surfaces of the first and second segments, thereby operably connecting the first and second segments of the drapery support rod. The drapery support rod includes a helical guide structure on the exterior surface to move one or more of a plurality of ring members between an open and closed position, wherein the rings are configured and arranged to attach to an upper edge of a shade material and suspend the shade material from the drapery support rod.

Abstract: A solenoid valve diagnostic apparatus includes a plurality of solenoid valves that open or close an entrance/exit opening of a fuel tank, a current sensor that measures an operating current of the solenoid valves, and a controller that diagnoses whether the solenoid valves fail, based on the operating current measured by the current sensor.

Abstract: A system that can intelligently help a user judge the resolution requirement of the image content. In an example, the display panel can show in different virtual resolutions or the system can automatically judge whether the image content requires high or low resolution using a similarity judgement. The system can then inform the display panel what virtual resolution should be shown or what the optimal resolution is using the similarity judgment and send the image content to the display panel with that resolution.

Abstract: Embodiments of this disclosure disclose a speech recognition method, apparatus, and device, and a storage medium. The method in the embodiments of this disclosure includes: adjusting a probability of a relationship between at least one pair of elements in a language recognition model according to a probability of the relationship between the at least one pair of elements in a textual segment; inputting a to-be-recognized speech into a speech recognition model including the language recognition model; and determining, according to the adjusted probability of relationship between the at least tone pair of elements in the language recognition model, a sequence of elements corresponding to the to-be-recognized speech as a speech recognition result.

Abstract: A nano-crystalline high-k film and methods of forming the same in a semiconductor device are disclosed herein. The nano-crystalline high-k film may be initially deposited as an amorphous matrix layer of dielectric material and self-contained nano-crystallite regions may be formed within and suspended in the amorphous matrix layer. As such, the amorphous matrix layer material separates the self-contained nano-crystallite regions from one another preventing grain boundaries from forming as leakage and/or oxidant paths within the dielectric layer. Dopants may be implanted in the dielectric material and crystal phase of the self-contained nano-crystallite regions may be modified to change one or more of the permittivity of the high-k dielectric material and/or a ferroelectric property of the dielectric material.

Abstract: There is provided a variable radius assembly having a spindle, at least one variable radius guide member coupled to, and driven by, the spindle, and a tension member attached to the variable radius guide member. The tension member is configured to attach to at least one variable length structural member. The variable radius assembly further has at least one gear coupled to, and driven by, the spindle, and has at least one rotational power source coupled to the spindle, and configured to rotate the spindle. The variable radius guide member enables a tension member length change at a non-linear rate for a constant rate of rotation of the spindle, allowing the at least one variable length structural member to be braced by the tension member at an inclination angle to the at least one variable length structural member throughout a range of motion.

Abstract: Micro-scale planar-coil transformers including one or more shields are disclosed. The one or more shields can block most common-mode current from crossing from one side to another side of a transformer. Reduction of common-mode current crossing the transformer results in reduction of dipole radiation, which is the main component of electromagnetic interference (EMI) in some transformers.

Abstract: A method includes etching a dielectric layer to form a trench in the dielectric layer, depositing a metal layer extending into the trench, performing a nitridation process on the metal layer to convert a portion of the metal layer into a metal nitride layer, performing an oxidation process on the metal nitride layer to form a metal oxynitride layer, removing the metal oxynitride layer, and filling a metallic material into the trench using a bottom-up deposition process to form a contact plug.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automated swapping of a charged replacement battery for a depleted battery onboard an electric vehicle using a battery delivery vehicle (BDV). The BDV may be configured to operate autonomously or under remote control. The electric vehicle which receives the replacement battery from a BDV may be configured to operate autonomously (e.g., an AGV) or non-autonomously (e.g., an electric passenger car). The BDV is loaded with a fully (or partially) charged battery, and then moved to a rendezvous place at which the BDV is underneath and aligned with the electric vehicle. The battery is uploaded to the electric vehicle while the aligned BDV moves in tandem with the electric vehicle. After the replacement battery has been installed, the power distribution system onboard the electric vehicle switches over to draw DC power from the replacement battery (instead of from a depleted battery) without interrupting vehicle operation.