Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a gate structure disposed over a channel region and a source/drain region. The gate structure includes a gate dielectric layer over the channel region, one or more work function adjustment material layers over the gate dielectric layer, and a metal gate electrode layer over the one or more work function adjustment material layers. The one or more work function adjustment layers includes an aluminum containing layer, and a diffusion barrier layer is disposed at at least one of a bottom portion and a top portion of the aluminum containing layer. The diffusion barrier layer is one or more of a Ti-rich layer, a Ti-doped layer, a Ta-rich layer, a Ta-doped layer and a Si-doped layer.

Abstract: A method includes: receiving a design layout comprising a feature extending in a peripheral region and a central region of the design layout; determining compensation values associated with a pellicle assembly and the peripheral region according to an exposure distribution in an exposure field of a workpiece; and adjusting the design layout according to the compensation values. The modifying of the shape of the feature according to the compensation values includes: partitioning the peripheral region into compensation zones; and adjusting line widths in the compensation zones of the feature according to the compensation values associated with the respective compensation zones.

Abstract: A communication receiver includes a first signal processing circuit and a second signal processing circuit. The first signal processing circuit includes a first feedforward equalizer and a decision circuit. The first feedforward equalizer processes a received signal to generate a first equalized signal. The decision circuit performs hard decision upon the first equalized signal to generate a first symbol decision signal. The second signal processing circuit includes a second feedforward equalizer, a decision feedforward equalizer, and a first decision feedback equalizer. The second feedforward equalizer processes the first equalized signal to generate a second equalized signal. The decision feedforward equalizer processes the first symbol decision signal to generate a third equalized signal. The first decision feedback equalizer generates a second symbol decision signal according to the second equalized signal and the third equalized signal.

Abstract: A method of forming a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate includes: forming a first dielectric layer on a first substrate; forming a buffer layer on a second substrate; forming a semiconductor cap on the buffer layer over the second substrate; forming a cleavage plane in the buffer layer; forming a second dielectric layer on the semiconductor cap after forming the cleavage plane; bonding the second dielectric layer on the second substrate to the first dielectric layer on the first substrate; performing a splitting process along the cleavage plane in the buffer layer; removing a first split buffer layer from the semiconductor cap; and removing a second split buffer layer from the second substrate.

Abstract: A semiconductor light emitting device includes a multi-quantum-well structure, a first capping layer, a second capping layer, and an electron barrier layer stacked in order. The multi-quantum-well structure includes a plurality of alternately-stacked potential barrier layers and potential well layers. The first capping layer is a semiconductor layer, and the second capping layer is a p-doped semiconductor layer. Each of the first and second capping layers has an aluminum mole fraction larger than that of each of the potential barrier layers, and the aluminum mole fraction of the first capping layer is larger than that of at least a portion of the electron barrier layer. A method for preparing the semiconductor light emitting device is also provided.

Abstract: A method for wireless communication performed by a user equipment (UE) is provided. The UE includes a plurality of antenna panels. The method includes transmitting, to a Base Station (BS), a UE capability message that includes a number of the plurality of antenna panels; and transmitting, to the BS, a panel report that includes information of the plurality of antenna panels, the information associated with at least one of a Synchronization Signal Block (SSB) and a Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS).

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a first metal-dielectric-metal layer, a first dielectric layer, a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer, and a second dielectric layer. The first metal-dielectric-metal layer includes a plurality of first fingers, a plurality of second fingers, and a first dielectric material. The first fingers are electrically connected to a first voltage. The second fingers are electrically connected to a second voltage different from the first voltage, and the first fingers and the second fingers are arranged in parallel and staggeredly. The first dielectric material is between the first fingers and the second fingers. The first dielectric layer is over the first metal-dielectric-metal layer. The first conductive layer is over the first dielectric layer. The second conductive layer is over the first conductive layer. The second dielectric layer is between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a substrate, a channel region, a gate structure, and source/drain regions. The channel region is over the substrate. The gate structure is over the channel region, and includes a high-k dielectric layer, a tungsten layer over the high-k dielectric layer, and a fluorine-containing work function layer over the tungsten layer. The source/drain regions are at opposite sides of the channel region.

Abstract: An example computing device includes a first housing portion, a second housing portion moveably connected to the first housing portion, a link to selectively secure the second housing portion to the first housing portion to inhibit movement of the second housing portion relative to the first housing portion, and a shape-memory alloy element to release the link to allow the second housing portion to move relative to the first housing portion.

Abstract: A method for predicting clinical severity of a neurological disorder includes steps of: a) identifying, according to a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) image of a brain, brain image regions each of which contains a respective portion of diffusion index values of a diffusion index, which results from image processing performed on the MRI image; b) for one of the brain image regions, calculating a characteristic parameter based on the respective portion of the diffusion index values; and c) calculating a severity score that represents the clinical severity of the neurological disorder of the brain based on the characteristic parameter of the one of the brain image regions via a prediction model associated with the neurological disorder.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies against human Mac-1 are provided. These antibodies can bind to different states of Mac-1 so as to alter the biofunctions of Mac-1. These antibodies can modulate Th1/Th2 cytokine secretions by TLR-activated immune cells and can be used for the treatments of diseases related to acute and chronic inflammatory disorders, such as infectious diseases, and cancers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for block partition are disclosed. If a cross-colour component prediction mode is allowed, the luma block and the chroma block are partitioned into one or more luma leaf blocks and chroma leaf blocks. If a cross-colour component prediction mode is allowed, whether to enable an LM (Linear Model) mode for a target chroma leaf block is determined based on a first split type applied to an ancestor chroma node of the target chroma leaf block and a second split type applied to a corresponding ancestor luma node. According to another method, after the luma block and the chroma block are partitioned using different partition tress, determine whether one or more exception conditions to allow an LM for a target chroma leaf block are satisfied when the chroma partition tree uses a different split type, a different partition direction, or both from the luma partition tree.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for constrained de-blocking filter are disclosed. One method receives input data related to a current block in a current picture at a video encoder side or a video bitstream corresponding to compressed data including the current block in the current picture at a video decoder side, and determines a first boundary associated with the current block, wherein the first boundary corresponds to one vertical boundary or one horizontal boundary of the current block. The method then applies de-blocking process to a reconstructed current block corresponding to the current block to result in a filtered-reconstructed current block, using a plurality of first reference samples at a same side of the first boundary, and replaces a first set of the first reference samples by one or more padding values. The method then generates a filtered decoded picture including the filtered-reconstructed current block.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a semiconductor device includes at least the following steps. A sacrificial substrate is provided. An epitaxial layer is formed on the sacrificial substrate. An etch stop layer is formed on the epitaxial layer. Carbon atoms are implanted into the etch stop layer. A capping layer and a device layer are formed on the etch stop layer. A handle substrate is bonded to the device layer. The sacrificial substrate, the epitaxial layer, and the etch stop layer having the carbon atoms are removed from the handle substrate.

Abstract: A memory device including a base semiconductor die, conductive terminals, memory dies, an insulating encapsulation and a buffer cap is provided. The conductive terminals are disposed on a first surface of the base semiconductor die. The memory dies are stacked over a second surface of the base semiconductor die, and the second surface of the base semiconductor die is opposite to the first surface of the base semiconductor die. The insulating encapsulation is disposed on the second surface of the base semiconductor die and laterally encapsulates the memory dies. The buffer cap covers the first surface of the base semiconductor die, sidewalls of the base semiconductor die and sidewalls of the insulating encapsulation. A package structure including the above- mentioned memory device is also provided.

Abstract: A memory device including a base semiconductor die, conductive terminals, memory dies, an insulating encapsulation and a buffer cap is provided. The conductive terminals are disposed on a first surface of the base semiconductor die. The memory dies are stacked over a second surface of the base semiconductor die, and the second surface of the base semiconductor die is opposite to the first surface of the base semiconductor die. The insulating encapsulation is disposed on the second surface of the base semiconductor die and laterally encapsulates the memory dies. The buffer cap covers the first surface of the base semiconductor die, sidewalls of the base semiconductor die and sidewalls of the insulating encapsulation. A package structure including the above-mentioned memory device is also provided.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a gate structure disposed over a channel region and a source/drain region. The gate structure includes a gate dielectric layer over the channel region, one or more work function adjustment material layers over the gate dielectric layer, and a metal gate electrode layer over the one or more work function adjustment material layers. The one or more work function adjustment layers includes an aluminum containing layer, and a diffusion barrier layer is disposed at at least one of a bottom portion and a top portion of the aluminum containing layer. The diffusion barrier layer is one or more of a Ti-rich layer, a Ti-doped layer, a Ta-rich layer, a Ta-doped layer and a Si-doped layer.

Abstract: Video processing methods and apparatuses for coding a current block and a adjacent block comprise receiving input data of the current and adjacent blocks in a current picture, determines the current and adjacent blocks are both coded in a BDPCM or RDPCM mode, performing a deblocking filtering operation on an edge between the current and adjacent blocks by de-activating deblocking filtering for a first color component and activating deblocking filtering for a second color component, and encoding or decoding the current and adjacent blocks. Each current pixel in a BDPCM coded block is predicted by one or more neighboring pixels of the current pixel. RDPCM is applied to process quantized residues of a RDPCM coded block according to a prediction direction of the RDPCM coded block.

Abstract: Video data may be palette decoded. Data defining a palette table may be received. The palette table may comprise index values corresponding to respective colors. Palette index prediction data may be received and may comprise data indicating index values for at least a portion of a palette index map mapping pixels of the video data to color indices in the palette table. The palette index prediction data may comprise run value data associating run values with index values for at least a portion of a palette index map. A run value may be associated with an escape color index. The palette index map may be generated from the palette index prediction data at least in part by determining whether to adjust an index value of the palette index prediction data based on a last index value. The video data may be reconstructed in accordance with the palette index map.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a storage array, a row fan, a distance sensor, and a controller. The storage array includes a plurality of storage units. The row fan cools the storage array. The distance sensor senses the distance between the storage array and the row fan and outputs a corresponding distance signal. The controller receives the distance signal and sets the distance threshold of each of the storage units. When the distance is longer than the distance threshold, the controller outputs a control signal to the row fan to increase the rotation speed of the row fan.