Abstract: A process for reducing the salinity of salt containing material (SCM) includes introducing the SCM into a wash system configured to sequentially wash the SCM with water having decreasing salinity levels across a plurality of mixing tanks arranged in series; introducing feed water into the wash system in a countercurrent flow relative to the SCM; discharging washed SCM from the wash system, the washed SCM having a lower salinity compared to the SCM that is initially introduced into the wash system; and discharging brine from the wash system, the brine being generated in a mixing tank that initially receives the SCM into the wash system.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a computer-aided design system and corresponding method for power-optimized timing closure of an integrated circuit (IC) design. In the embodiments, a cell library includes sets of cells, where each cell in the same set has the same internal structure but different combinations of cell boundary isolation structures associated with different passive delay values. Timing closure includes replacement of a cell in a previously generated layout with another cell from the same set in order to adjust delay (e.g., increase delay) of a data signal or clock signal and, thereby facilitate fixing of a previously identified violation of a timing constraint. By eliminating or at least minimizing the need to insert buffer and/or inverter cells into a layout to add delay to a data signal and/or a clock signal during timing closure, the embodiments avoid or at least limit concurrent increases in power consumption and area consumption.

Abstract: A structure is provided, the structure may include an active layer arranged over a buried oxide layer, the active layer having a top surface. The top surface of the active layer may have a first portion and a second portion. A barrier stack may be arranged over the first portion of the top surface of the active layer. The barrier stack may include a barrier layer. The second portion of the top surface of the active layer may be adjacent to the barrier stack. A fin may be spaced from the first portion of the top surface of the active layer by the barrier stack, the fin having a first side surface, a second side surface opposite to the first side surface and a top surface. A dielectric layer may be arranged on the first side surface, the second side surface and the top surface of the fin, and the second portion of the top surface of the active layer. A metal layer may be arranged over the dielectric layer.

Abstract: There is provided a pipeline inspection apparatus and an ultrasonic module for use in a pipeline inspection apparatus, the module comprising: ultrasonic transducers configured to assess the condition of a pipeline; and an elongate body including a front end and a rear end opposed to the front end, the body configured to mount the ultrasonic transducers around the circumference of the elongate body aligned along adjacent transverse planes wherein the ultrasonic transducers aligned along one transverse plane are rotationally offset from the ultrasonic transducers aligned along an adjacent transverse plane.

Abstract: A process for producing high octane alkylate is provided. The process involves reacting isobutane and ethylene using an ionic liquid catalyst. Reaction conditions can be chosen to assist in attaining, or to optimize, desirable alkylate yields and/or properties.

Abstract: An articulated medical device having a hollow core, capable of large degrees of maneuverability through small spaces of a patient to reach a target with minimal invasiveness, and once the medical device has reached the target, allowing a medical tool to be guided through the hollow chamber for facilitating medical procedures, including endoscopes, cameras, and catheters, at the target.

Abstract: A method, a system, and a non-transitory computer readable program code are disclosed for offline authentication of users for access to web applications. The method includes requesting, by a processor, access for a user to one or more relying party applications; receiving, by the processor, a redirection request from the one or more relying party applications to retrieve an authentication token for the user from an identity service provider; determining, by the processor, that the identity service provider is not available to provide the authentication token for the user; retrieving, by the processor, the authentication token for the user from a trusted source; forwarding, by the processor, the authentication token for the user retrieved from the trusted source to the one or more relying parties; and receiving, on the processor, authentication from the one or more relying parties for the user to access the one or relying party applications.

Abstract: A method, a non-transitory computer readable medium, and a multifunction peripheral or multifunction printer that includes a method of operating a multifunction printer. The method includes receiving, by the multifunction printer, a selection of a function of the multifunction printer; displaying, on a display panel of the multifunction printer, a code for the selection of the function of the multifunction printer; receiving, by the multifunction printer, a request for operating assistance for the function of the multifunction printer based on the displayed code from the client device; and sending, by the multifunction printer, the operating assistance to the client device of the user on the function of the multifunction printer.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods obtain first imaging data and first timestamps that correspond to the first imaging data; obtain second imaging data and second timestamps that correspond to the second imaging data; demodulate the first imaging data to acquire a first timing signal; demodulate the second imaging data to acquire a second timing signal; and calculate a delay value based on the first timing signal, the second timing signal, the first timestamps, and the second timestamps.

Abstract: A multimodality system includes first and second modalities, an optical probe, a detector, and a sheath with a known fluorescence phantom, wherein the phantom would be used for calibration of the catheter providing accurate NIRAF values to the user using the sheath phantom to calibrate an optical probe's measured NIRAF signal to the known fluorescence of the phantom.

Abstract: A method is described for seismic amplitude analysis that uses a set of artificial and individually separable reflectors consistent with dip fields in the subsurface volume of interest to define an AVA basis functions; the AVA basis functions are used in true-3D AVA modeling and true-3D AVA inversion. The inversion result and well logs representative of the subsurface volume of interest are used to train a model to create a rock property prediction model. The method may apply the rock property prediction model to a second seismic image to generate a rock property volume. The method is executed by a computer system.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a system and a method for detecting a defect in a specimen. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a lithography exposure system and a method for detecting a dispensing error in a wafer The present disclosure provides a system for detecting a defect in a specimen having a lithography exposure tool including a measurement unit and a stage, the measurement unit is configured to obtain topography data of the specimen placed on the stage by illumination of a surface of the specimen with an optical signal, and a processor configured to generate a statistical data from the topography data and produce a defect notification if the statistical data is outside of a control limit.

Abstract: A transistor structure is provided, the transistor structure comprising a source, a drain, and a gate between the source and the drain. The gate may have a top surface. A first field plate may be between the source and the drain. The first field plate may be L-shaped and having a vertical portion over a horizontal portion. A top surface of the vertical portion of the first field plate may be at least as high as the top surface of the gate. A second field plate, whereby the second field plate may be connected to the gate and the second field plate may partially overlap the horizontal portion of the first field plate.

Abstract: A method is disclosed making a molecular of TON framework type having unique properties. The method uses 1,3,4-trimethylimidazolium cations as a structure directing agent and a combined source of silicon and aluminum selected from alumina-coated silica and aluminosilicate zeolites. The obtained molecular sieve can be used in processes for dewaxing paraffinic hydrocarbon feedstocks.

Abstract: Disclosed is a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) including at least an inductor-capacitor (LC) resonant circuit (including varactors that receive a variable input voltage), cross-coupled transistors connected to the LC resonant circuit, and an LC filter connected to a shared source node of the cross-coupled transistors. The cross-coupled transistors can have back gates connected to receive a variable back gate bias voltage (Vbg), which is dependent on Vin to ensure that an optimal relationship between the oscillating frequency (?0) of the LC resonant circuit and the resonant frequency (?1) of the LC filter is continuously maintained to minimize phase noise. For example, if Vin is increased to increase varactor capacitance and, thereby decrease ?0, then Vbg is also increased, thereby increasing the voltage (Vs-s) and the capacitance (Cs-s) on the shared source node connected to the LC filter, decreasing ?1, and maintaining an optimal relationship of ?0=?1/2.