Abstract: A method of forming a layer of photoresist 28 over a surface 30 of a semiconductor wafer 10 by forming a layer of pre-wet solvent 52 over the surface 30 and forming the layer of photoresist 28 over the layer of pre-wet solvent 52. Also, a layer of photoresist 28 formed by this method.

Abstract: An energy absorbing mechanism for collapsible vehicle steering column includes a deformable wire connected between the fixed and movable column members. The wire includes a straight portion connected at one end with the movable column member, and a second portion that is deformed around a cylinder that is secured to the fixed column member. A force generator is operable upon impact to apply laterally to the wire a controlled frictional force that is a function of various physical properties of the driver, the vehicle, or the environment, thereby to afford infinitely variable and modulatable energy absorption.

Abstract: An isomer, enantiomer, diastereoisomer, or tautomer of a compound, represented by formula I: wherein: A is O, S, NR1, or CR1, wherein R1 is defined herein; ----- represents either a single or a double bond; R2 is selected from: H, halogen, R21, OR21, SR21, COOR21, SO2N(R22)2, N(R22)2, CON(R22)2, NR22C(O)R22 or NR22C(O)NR22 wherein R21 and each R22 is defined herein; B is NR3 or CR3, with the proviso that one of A or B is either CR1 or CR3, wherein R3 is defined herein; K is N or CR4, wherein R4 is defined herein; L is N or CR5, wherein R5 has the same definition as R4 defined above; M is N or CR7, wherein R7 has the same definition as R4 defined above; Y1 is O or S; Z is N(R6a)R6 or OR6, wherein R6a is H or alkyl or NR61R62 wherein R61 and R62 are defined herein; a salt or a derivative thereof, as an inhibitor of HCV NS5B polymerase.

Abstract: A device streamlines air flow inside a hard disk drive with a stationary afterbody that is located adjacent to each of the disks. The device gradually expands the air flow so that the speed of the air flow gradually decreases while pressure increases. This design reduces losses in system momentum due to sudden expansion of the air in the drive. In addition, air flow moving toward the disk pack may be contracted to allow efficient energy conversion from pressure energy to kinetic energy prior to merging of the bypass air flow with the air flow among the disks. The device has a comb-like structure that is offset from the disk pack in the radial direction. The structure fulfills an aerodynamic function, reduces track misregistration, lowers overall aerodynamic dissipation, and fulfills a filtration function.

Abstract: A method for the TIG braze-welding of one or more steel workpieces employing a TIG welding torch, a consumable wire and a shielding gas, characterized in that the shielding gas is a ternary gas mixture formed from helium, hydrogen and argon, containing less than 5% helium by volume; less than 1% hydrogen by volume; and argon for the balance. Application of the method to the welding of galvanized carbon steel sheet for automobiles.

Abstract: An antifuse circuit provides on a per bit basis a signal that indicates whether an MTJ (magnetic tunnel junction) antifuse has been previously programmed to a low resistance state in response to a program voltage. A sense amplifier provides the resistance state signal. A plurality of reference magnetic tunnel junctions are coupled in parallel and to the sense amplifier, each having a resistance within a range to provide a collective resistance that can be determined by the sense amplifier to differ from each resistance state of the MTJ antifuse. A write circuit selectively provides a current sufficient to create the program voltage when the write circuit is enabled to program the antifuse magnetic tunnel junction. Upon detecting a change in resistance in the MTJ antifuse, the write circuit reduces current supplied to the antifuse. Multiple antifuses may be programmed concurrently. Gate oxide thicknesses of transistors are adjusted for optimal performance.

Abstract: A method for tracking a position of a sensor includes generating a periodic magnetic field in a vicinity of the sensor, the field having a positive polarity phase and a negative polarity phase with respective constant positive and negative amplitudes. First and second field measurement signals are produced responsively to the magnetic field at the sensor during the positive and negative polarity phases, respectively. The position of the sensor is determined responsively to the first and second field measurement signals.

Abstract: An isomer, enantiomer, diastereoisomer, or tautomer of a compound, represented by formula I: wherein: A is O, S, NR1, or CR1, wherein R1 is defined herein; — represents either a single or a double bond; R2 is selected from: H, halogen, R21, OR21, SR21, COOR21, SO2N(R22)2, N(R22)2, CON(R22)2, NR22C(O)R22 or NR22C(O)NR22 wherein R21 and each R22 is defined herein; B is NR3 or CR3, with the proviso that one of A or B is either CR1 or CR3, wherein R3 is defined herein; K is N or CR4, wherein R4 is defined herein; L is N or CR5 wherein R5 has the same definition as R4 defined above; M is N or CR7, wherein R7 has the same definition as R4 defined above; Y1 is O or S; Z is N(R6a)R6 or OR6, wherein R6a is H or alkyl or NR61R62 wherein R61 and R62 are defined herein; a salt or a derivative thereof, as an inhibitor of HCV NS5B polymerase.

Abstract: A hydrogen ordering material is provided. The hydrogen ordering material includes a metal having a lattice of metallic atoms forming elementary cells, and at least one hydrogen atom bound to the metallic atoms of the elementary cells to consume a portion of the elementary cells and establish a residual available space having a volume approximately equal to the volume of a free hydrogen atom. Also provided are methods of making and using the hydrogen ordering material, and apparatus containing the hydrogen ordering material.

Abstract: A system for capturing the context of, and translating, or mapping, from data in an originating database presentation, or in an originating format, to data in a target database presentation, or target format. The translation uses the context of the originating report/query in terms of the originating database as a basis for the translation. The originating context is translated to the target context and is used to accurately map data from one presentation to another. By using a context and a translation map, which define specifics of the translation between contexts against different data sources, the invention is able to achieve a mapping engine that can efficiently map data between databases of different types. The translation map includes rules set automatically by the system, or set by a human administrator. The rules permit special treatment of different mapping scenarios.

Abstract: Scanning probe microscopes include a probe tip coupled to a tuning fork or other acoustic resonator so as to apply a shear force when contacted to a specimen surface based on an applied acoustic signal. A secondary ultrasonic transducer is in acoustic communication with the specimen. The probe tip and the secondary ultrasonic transducer are acoustically coupled when the probe tip is in proximity to a specimen surface. Changes in resonance frequency, admittance, or other characteristic of acoustic signals coupled to the probe tip or a secondary ultrasonic transducer secured to either the specimen or the probe tip can be used in specimen imaging or to estimate probe tip placement respect to a specimen surface.

Abstract: A high voltage, high current telescopic disconnect switch suitable for use in isolated phase bus duct has two fixed conductors and a movable telescopic conductor coaxially disposed within the first fixed conductor and movable to a closed position bridging the first and second fixed conductors. A plurality of contact fingers are mounted to the fixed conductors and have contact surfaces that extend into engagement with the telescopic conductor to make electrical contact between the fixed conductors through the telescopic conductor when in a closed position. The contact surface of each of the fingers comprises a first tip portion that extends beyond the fixed conductor and has a first radius that is slightly greater than the radius of the telescopic conductor so that the first tip portion presents an arcuate width that overlies in wiping electrical contact the telescopic conductor when in the closed position.

Abstract: Systems and methods for, inter alia, geographically based analyses of traffic being carried over a wide scale traffic network. The systems integrate geographical information systems (GIS) with traffic simulation processes to allow a user to analyze traffic patterns and loads at specific geographic locations of regions. Additionally, these systems allow for traffic analysis over a wide scale traffic network that may encompass the traffic network that exists within an geographic region and can include, as examples, the traffic networks that span across a city, that interconnect cities, that interconnect states and that run across multiple states. To this end, the systems include traffic simulators that can adaptively or controllably select between multiple traffic simulation models for simulating traffic across different segments of the traffic network. The different models provide varying levels of granularity for measurements of geographical location of a vehicle traveling over the traffic network.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of processing a document provides a user with a plurality of nested test modes for creating, reviewing and retrieving a plurality of different document configurations represented by different document data sets. The nested test modes are activated upon user request and a starting data set of the document is stored on a memory and restored after leaving the test mode. By nesting a plurality of test modes, the user can create a plurality of different configurations of a document and easily retrieve the data of every one of these configurations.

Abstract: An archive cluster application runs in a distributed manner across a redundant array of independent nodes. Each node preferably runs a complete archive cluster application instance. A given nodes provides a data repository, which stores up to a large amount (e.g., a terabyte) of data, while also acting as a portal that enables access to archive files. Each symmetric node has a set of software processes, e.g., a request manager, a storage manager, a metadata manager, and a policy manager. The request manager manages requests to the node for data (i.e., file data), the storage manager manages data read/write functions from a disk associated with the node, and the metadata manager facilitates metadata transactions and recovery across the distributed database. The policy manager implements one or more policies, which are operations that determine the behavior of an “archive object” within the cluster. The archive cluster application provides object-based storage.

Abstract: A digitally controlled hybrid power module is controlled by a programmable controller. The hybrid power module includes a digitally controlled switching supply with an output coupled to an input of a digitally controlled linear voltage regulator. Independent control of switching supply and the linear regulator is provided by the programmable controller, which may be a field programmable gate array (FPGA), microcontroller, or digital signal processor (DSP). The programmable controller may independently control one or more power modules. Each power module may also include enable switching and an associated current clamp for capacitive loads. An output voltage transient suppressor may also be used to control transients, such as those produced under fast switching conditions.

Abstract: A system and method for generating a schedule for multiple employees in a complex environment. In one embodiment, the method includes generating a schedule for multiple employees with varying skill sets for a time period, wherein the plurality of employees have varying overlapping skill sets that enable them to perform various tasks, and wherein employees are shared across tasks within the time period. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a plurality of user inputs to a scheduling program, including a number of employee designations that each refer to a unique employee, and a number of skill sets that each correspond to one of the employee designations. The method further includes receiving a user input that changes the number of employee designations by indicating at least one changed employee, and estimating an effect of the at least one changed employee on effective staffing levels for each of the various tasks.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) has separate read and write paths. This reduces the peripheral circuitry by not requiring switching between read and write functions on a particular line. By having the paths dedicated to either read signals or write signals, the voltage levels can be optimized for these functions. The select transistors, which are part of only the read function, may be of the low-voltage type because they do not have to receive the relatively higher voltages of the write circuitry. Similarly, the write voltages do not have to be degraded to accommodate the lower-voltage type transistors. The size of the overall memory is kept efficiently small while improving performance. The memory cells are grouped so that adjacent to groups are coupled to a common global bit line which reduces the space required for providing the capacitance-reducing group approach to memory cell selection.

Abstract: In a system and method for the reduction of nitrogen oxides in the exhaust of an internal combustion engine, the exhaust line of the internal combustion engine contains a DeNOx catalytic converter, in which the nitrogen oxides are reduced by means of hydrogen that is produced on-board the vehicle. The DeNOx catalytic converter is incorporated into a temperature-controlled heat exchanger, allowing the DeNOx catalytic converter to be operated within a desired temperature range, thereby improving the level of conversion.