Abstract: A regenerative plant sensor and method for in situ monitoring of analytes in plant sap are disclosed. The sensor includes a substrate embedded with one or more shape memory alloy (SMA) wires, a sensor layer, a microfluidic system in communication with a fluid chamber and the sensor layer, one or more pumps in communication with the microfluidic system, a microcontroller in electrical communication with the sensor layer, the one or more pumps, and one or more SMA wires, wherein one or more SMA wires form a fluid gate in the flexible substrate, and wherein the fluid chamber is filled with a regeneration solution. Data are processed by an integrated data acquisition system, facilitating real-time data access for monitoring plant analytes. Also disclosed are methods for positioning the sensor on plants, regulating sap flow into the sensor, measuring analyte concentrations, and regenerating the sensor layer for subsequent measurement cycles.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a bird's beak profile of a field oxide region. In an example, a semiconductor device structure includes a semiconductor substrate, a dielectric oxide layer, and a field oxide region. The semiconductor substrate has a top surface. The dielectric oxide layer is over the top surface of the semiconductor substrate. The field oxide region is over the semiconductor substrate. The field oxide region is connected to the dielectric oxide layer through a bird's beak region. A lower surface of the bird's beak region interfaces with the semiconductor substrate. In a cross-section along a direction from the field oxide region to the dielectric oxide layer, the lower surface of the bird's beak region does not have a slope with a magnitude that exceeds 0.57735, where rise of the slope is in a direction normal to the top surface of the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: Techniques described herein relate to determining and performing sets of validations associated with software deployment requests within continuous integration (CI) systems and/or other deployment environments. In response to a change event or other software deployment request, a validation system may automatically determine and execute a particular set of validation processes, and aggregate and analyze the results of the processes, prior to the integration of the requested code changes. In various examples, the validation system may determine customized sets of validations to perform for a requested software change based on factors such as the metadata of the software components to be changed, the computing environment into which the components are to be deployed, and/or the users initiating the requested code changes.

Abstract: A laterally collapsible staircase with first and second side rails has a number of advantages compared to prior structures. A leveling screw is connected to the second side rail bottom surface to adjust the position of the stairs when deployed to insure that the stairs are horizontal. The second rail has a top side edge extending between its top and bottom and a recessed area extends along the second rail top side edge allowing a user's fingers to grip the rail to facilitate its movement between laterally collapsed and deployed positions. At least one permanent magnet is connected to the second side rail inner surface capable of interacting with another aligned permanent magnet mounted in a wall to help maintain the second side rail in a laterally collapsed position until intentionally moved. Pre-calibrated gas struts eliminate racking, jiggle, and bounce of the staircase.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to shallow trench isolation (STI) processing with local oxidation of silicon (LOCOS), and an integrated circuit formed thereby. In an example, an integrated circuit includes a semiconductor layer, a LOCOS layer, an STI structure, and a passive circuit component. The semiconductor layer is over a substrate. The LOCOS layer is over the semiconductor layer. The STI structure extends into the semiconductor layer. The passive circuit component is over and touches the LOCOS layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is described here. The semiconductor device includes a buried layer of a first conductivity type disposed on a semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor device includes a deep trench bypass capacitor extending into the buried layer and terminating in the buried layer. The deep trench bypass capacitor of the semiconductor device includes a first doped region, a dielectric disposed around the first doped region, and a second doped region disposed around the dielectric.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a bird's beak profile of a field oxide region. In an example, a semiconductor device structure includes a semiconductor substrate, a dielectric oxide layer, and a field oxide region. The semiconductor substrate has a top surface. The dielectric oxide layer is over the top surface of the semiconductor substrate. The field oxide region is over the semiconductor substrate. The field oxide region is connected to the dielectric oxide layer through a bird's beak region. A lower surface of the bird's beak region interfaces with the semiconductor substrate. In a cross-section along a direction from the field oxide region to the dielectric oxide layer, the lower surface of the bird's beak region does not have a slope with a magnitude that exceeds 0.57735, where rise of the slope is in a direction normal to the top surface of the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A portable carrier including a primary member disposed between a pair of spools. The primary member having an anterior face and a posterior face, the anterior face having a plurality of hooks extending therefrom and the posterior face having a plurality of straps attached thereto. A singular strap is disposed between each of the duality of spools and has a shoulder hold generally positioned upon any point along the strap. The strap may be elongated to allow for user engagement, and may also be tautly retracted to rest upon a top-most portion of the primary member to aid in storage purposes. Each of the plurality of hooks engages a ladder to aid in weight distribution and mobility of the transport of the ladder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for administering combination annuity products and to combination annuity products themselves. Certain embodiments of the invention can be used in connection with variable universal life insurance and variable life insurance contracts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for administering combination annuity products and to combination annuity products themselves. Certain embodiments of the invention can be used in connection with variable universal life insurance and variable life insurance contracts.

Abstract: A heating apparatus or platen is provided with a heating surface adjacent a heat exchange fluid area defined by the heating surface attached by side walls and end plates to a retainer plate. A flow through system pumps heat exchange fluid through a platen with holes in end plates. Optional walls partition the heat exchange fluid area into flow channels in the platen. An alternative circulating flow system circulates heat exchange fluid in a closed platen with solid end plates. A u-shaped wall and at least one internal wall create a continuous fluid flow channel inside the closed platen. Flow systems pump a heat exchange fluid through heat exchange fluid area for heating by at least one internal heating element within the platen. The temperature of the heat exchange fluid remains relatively constant as it passes through the platen from heat conduction by the internal heating elements.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided to dry veneer or other items by vaporization of moisture in the item. Apparatus has an insulated chamber with a frame and a drawer with a door. A mesh surface of the drawer supports item for drying with a heater at sub-atmospheric pressure inside of the chamber. Item is placed on the layer of mesh of the drawer of the apparatus and secured with fasteners such as another layer of mesh. The drawer with fastened item is placed into the chamber of the apparatus. With the drawer fully engaged within the chamber, the drying apparatus is closed with an airtight seal. A pump draws a vacuum in the chamber and heat is directed at the item to raise the temperature of the item to less than 160° F., particularly between 120° F. to 150° F. Apparatus can dry veneer in less than five minutes.

Abstract: Methods of fabrication and devices include field plates formed during capacitor formation. Isolation structures are formed in a semiconductor substrate. Well regions are formed in the semiconductor substrate. Drain extension regions are formed in the well regions. A gate dielectric layer is formed over the device. A gate electrode layer is formed that serves as the gate electrode and a bottom capacitor plate. The gate electrode and the gate dielectric layer are patterned to form gate structures. Source and drain regions are formed within the well regions and the drain extension regions. A silicide blocking layer is formed that also serves as a capacitor dielectric. Field plates and a top capacitor plate are formed on the blocking layer.

Abstract: A semiconductor device (102) that includes a drain extended PMOS transistor (CT1a) is provided, as well as fabrication methods (202) therefore. In forming the PMOS transistor, a drain (124) of the transistor is formed over a region (125) of a p-type upper epitaxial layer (106), where the region (125) of the p-type upper epitaxial layer (106) is sandwiched between a left P-WELL region (130a) and a right P-WELL region (130b) formed within the p-type upper epitaxial layer (106). The p-type upper epitaxial layer (106) is formed over a semiconductor body (104) that has an n-buried layer (108) formed therein. This arrangement serves to increase the breakdown voltage (BVdss) of the drain extended PMOS transistor.

Abstract: Nucleic acids are disclosed that encode fatty acid ?-keto acyl synthases from plants. Such synthases are effective for producing very long chain fatty acids (VLCFA), e.g., C22 to C26, preferentially saturated but also monounsaturated. Also disclosed are polypeptides encoded by such nucleic acids. Transgenic plants expressing these polypeptides exhibit altered levels of VLCFA in one or more tissues, such as seeds or leaves.

Abstract: Nucleic acids are disclosed that encode fatty acid ?-keto acyl synthases from plants. Such synthases are effective for producing very long chain fatty acids (VLCFA), e.g., C22 to C26, preferentially saturated but also monounsaturated. Also disclosed are polypeptides encoded by such nucleic acids. Transgenic plants expressing these polypeptides exhibit altered levels of VLCFA in one or more tissues, such as seeds of leaves.

Abstract: Transgenic seed for crops with improved traits are provided by trait-improving recombinant DNA where plants grown from such transgenic seed exhibit one or more improved traits as compared to a control plant. Of particular interest are transgenic plants that have increased yield. The present invention also provides recombinant DNA molecules for expression of a protein, and recombinant DNA molecules for expression of mRNA complementary to at least a portion of an mRNA native to the target plant for use in gene suppression to suppress the expression of a protein.