Abstract: A magnetically patterned hard disk is made by sputtering the magnetic layers, sputtering the carbon layer, applying a nonfunctional lubricant, buff/wiping the disk to remove sputtering debris and asperities, removing the nonfunctional lubricant using a standard degreasing process, applying and patterning a resist, and thereafter subjecting the exposed disk to inert ion irradiation.

Abstract: A mouse with infrared remote control function comprises: an optical encode control circuit, a microprocessor circuit, a wire driver circuit of the transmitting part, an infrared modulating transmitter circuit, an infrared receiving demodulation circuit, a wire driver circuit of the receiving part, an interface switching circuit, a receiver/transmitter interface circuit and a power circuit (it can be switched off) for supplying the power circuit to the said optical encode control circuit, microprocessor circuit, infrared modulating transmitter circuit. Besides a single-purpose mouse with infrared remote control function is provided by the present invention, by using the interface switch circuit and automatic switch circuit, a dual-purpose mouse with both compatible infrared remote control function and compatible cable control function can be implemented.

Abstract: A dual evaporator air conditioning system and method for use therewith to cool air in front and rear portions of a cabin. The dual evaporator air conditioning system includes primary and auxiliary HVAC units to cool the air in the front and rear portions of the cabin, respectively. The dual evaporator air conditioning system also includes a control system having cooling and non-cooling modes for each of the HVAC units. The control system automatically diverts cooled air produced by the auxiliary HVAC unit into an air dumping chamber in response to the auxiliary HVAC unit being in the non-cooling mode while the primary HVAC unit is in the cooling mode. The air dumping chamber is partitioned from the cabin to prevent the cooled air generated by the auxiliary HVAC unit from entering the cabin. Maintaining airflow through an auxiliary evaporator prevents refrigerant and lubricant buildup in the auxiliary evaporator.

Abstract: A method of texturing the surface of a CSS/landing zone of a substrate for a magnetic recording medium, comprising steps of: (a) providing a disk-shaped substrate having a surface; (b) providing a patterned mask in overlying relation to the substrate surface, (c) selectively implanting ions in portions of the surface of the CSS/landing zone exposed by the patterned mask openings, whereby the height of the selectively ion-implanted portions is increased or decreased relative to the height of non-ion-implanted portions of the CSS/landing zone to form bumps or depressions, thereby providing the surface of the CSS/landing zone with a texture for reducing stiction and friction when the medium is used with a low flying height read/write transducer. Embodiments of the invention include hard disk magnetic recording media with textured CSS/landing zones produced by the inventive ion implation methodology.

Abstract: In a synchronized data communication on a one-wired bus, it transmits and receives a synchronizing signal that segments part of or all proportions of the data signal by use of three electrically distinguishable statuses for the identifier of the synchronizing signal and the logic states of the data signal to increase the endurance of frequency displacement and resist influences of the interference of external conditions, low quality of transmission medium, and limitation of transmission distance and make the reliability and correctness of the signal transmission improve substantially. It is also clearly illustrated the feasibility and simplicity for implementing the one-wired synchronized communication by a plurality of exemplary signal types and a transceiver circuitry.

Abstract: A current sense apparatus and method comprises a common drain DMOSFET and a MOSFET connected in series between a high voltage and a low voltage to serve as an output stage. The DMOSFET produces a phase output current, a mirror current mirrored from the phase output current, and a sense voltage. A servo amplifier is connected with the mirror current and sense voltage to produce a current sense signal. Due to the mirror current from the DMOSFET proportional to the phase output current, the current sense apparatus senses the phase output current in a temperature independent manner.

Abstract: A corkscrew comprised of an outer tube, an inner tube, and a slide needle holder that allows safe and fast removal of a cork in a bottle with a retractable needle by rotating the inner tube to drive the slide needle holder to either extend or retreat for use or for storage with reduced length of the corkscrew; and additionally adapted with a foil cutter to facilitate the subsequent cutting of the foil that covers the opening of the bottle.

Abstract: A two-step ripple-free multi-phase buck converter and method thereof comprises a first-stage voltage regulator to convert an input voltage to an intermediate voltage and a second-stage voltage regulator with a phase number not less than two to further convert the intermediate voltage to an output voltage by a split phase control, in which the ratio of the intermediate voltage to the output voltage is intended to the phase number such that the steady state output current of the converter approaches to be ripple-free, and hence the drivers and MOSFETs for the second-stage voltage regulator are lower cost, the efficiency of the second-stage voltage regulator is improved, and a higher slew rate current is obtained for transient driving capabilities.

Abstract: Disclosed are compounds which inhibit &bgr;-amyloid peptide release and/or its synthesis, and, accordingly, have utility in treating Alzheimer's disease. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound which inhibits &bgr;-amyloid peptide release and/or its synthesis as well as methods for treating Alzheimer's disease both prophylactically and therapeutically with such pharmaceutical compositions.

Abstract: A circuit and method for protecting the minimum run length in RLL code is disclosed. The circuit comprises three state processors, each having a plurality of registers, including a decision bit, an invalid bit, metric bits and path bit array, and changing state at the zero crossing point (Turning) of an RF signal, before the zero crossing point (Before) and after the zero crossing point (After). A metric computing unit is used to calculate the metrics at the points of turning, before and after corresponding to the EFM (Eight-Fourteen Modulation) signal. A timing unit is used to generate control signals to the state processors and metric computing unit according to the EFM signal. Then the protecting circuit comprises a computing unit to control the decision bit, the invalid bit, the metric bits and path bit array and generates correct output signals according to the control signals and the metrics.

Abstract: A catheter based optical system for generating data as to the condition of a tissue sample of a mammalian vessel. The system includes an elongated catheter shaft having a tissue engaging distal end and a coupled proximal end and an elongated optical delivery fiber arrangement disposed through a lumen of said catheter, said optical delivery fiber arrangement having a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end of the delivery fiber arrangement has a re-director light emitter thereon for directing light against mammalian tissues. An elongated optical collection fiber arrangement is disposed through a lumen of the catheter, the optical collection fiber arrangement having a distal end and a proximal most end. The distal end of the collection fiber arrangement has a re-director light receiver thereon for receiving light reflected from the mammalian tissue by the light emitter. The light emitter and the light receiver are longitudinally spaced apart from one another in the distal end of the catheter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to graft copolymers, useful as dispersants in ink jet ink compositions, which comprise two structurally distinct segments: a hydrophilic segment and a hydrophobic segment. The preferred hydrophilic segment is comprised preferably of a methacrylic acid polymer, or a copolymer thereof with another monomer, such as styrene sulfonic acid. The preferred hydrophobic segment comprises a polymer or copolymer containing electron rich functional groups comprised of a plurality of methacrylate derivatized monomers, preferably a methacrylate ester monomer, or a substituted methacrylate ester monomer (a methacrylate ester where the alkyl group is replaced with a siloxyl substituent, an oligomeric siloxane). The present invention also relates to aqueous ink compositions which include the polymeric dispersants of the present invention. A further embodiment of the present invention comprises a polymer comprising a monomeric hydrophobic head and a polymeric tail.

Abstract: A catalyst composition for preparing olefin polymers. The catalyst composition includes a metallocene compound and an activating cocatalyst. In the metallocene compound, two cyclopentadienyl groups are bridged by X (carbon, silicon, germanium or tin) in a ring structure. The bite angle &thgr; formed by the two cyclopentadienyl rings and X is equal to or greater than 100 degrees. The obtained olefin polymer has high cycloolefin conversion and a high glass transition temperature. In addition, the catalyst composition can still maintain relatively high activity at high temperature reaction conditions.

Abstract: Gene therapy can treat obesity in mammals. An obesity regulating gene is delivered to a mammal. Preferably, the gene encodes leptin or a leptin receptor. The protein which is delivered and expressed in vivo is more effective than protein which is injected into the animal.

Abstract: The invention herein relates to a pharmaceutical composition containing loratadine and derivatives thereof which is suitable for use in soft capsule dosage forms. A pharmaceutical composition according to the invention comprises loratadine and derivatives thereof in a pharmaceutically effective amount; and a solvent system comprising a mixture of medium chain fatty acids. The loratadine compositions exhibit good solubility and storage stability while maintaining bioavailability of the drug. The compositions also permit high concentrations of solubilized loratadine per total fill volume and thereby permit the use of smaller capsules to deliver the same dosage of drug.

Abstract: The invention relates to mammalian prestin protein, which has been discovered to be the mammalian cochlear outer hair cell motor, and to polynucleotides encoding prestin. Full length gerbil prestin and its cDNA are described, full length murine prestin and its cDNA are described, and a partial sequence of human prestin and its chromosomal location are described.

Abstract: A bulk input differential logic circuit. The circuit outputs a large signal high enough to assert a logic High and Low by variations of the threshold voltage controlled by the bulk input signal and amplification of the sense amplifier. A boost circuit is disposed on the bulk input terminal, which may receive multiple bulk input signals. This makes it possible to use fewer circuit elements and smaller circuit area for a complicated logic operation.

Abstract: The present invention provides solid pharmaceutical compositions for improved delivery of a wide variety of pharmaceutical active ingredients contained therein or separately administered. In one embodiment, the solid pharmaceutical composition includes a solid carrier, the solid carrier including a substrate and an encapsulation coat on the substrate. The encapsulation coat can include different combinations of pharmaceutical active ingredients, hydrophilic surfactant, lipophilic surfactants and triglycerides. In another embodiment, the solid pharmaceutical composition includes a solid carrier, the solid carrier being formed of different combinations of pharmaceutical active ingredients, hydrophilic surfactants, lipophilic surfactants and triglycerides. The compositions of the present invention can be used for improved delivery of hydrophilic or hydrophobic pharmaceutical active ingredients, such as drugs, nutritional agents, cosmeceuticals and diagnostic agents.

Abstract: A method for providing an underfill material on an integrated circuit chip at the wafer level. The wafer (10) typically contains one or more integrated circuit chips (12), and each integrated circuit chip typically has a plurality of solder bumps (34) on its active surface. The wafer is first diced (22) on the active surface side to form channels (38) that will ultimately define the edges (39) of each individual integrated circuit chip, the dicing being of such a depth that it only cuts part-way through the wafer. The front side (36) of the wafer is then coated (24) with an underfill material (40). Generally, a portion (45) of each solder bump remains uncoated, but in certain cases the bumps can be completely covered. The back side of the wafer is then lapped, ground, polished or otherwise treated (26) so as to remove material down to the level of the previously diced channels.

Abstract: A bumped semiconductor device (10) exhibiting enhanced pattern recognition when illuminated in a machine vision system. The semiconductor device has a substantially coplanar array of solder bumps (16) and a coating of underfill material (17) on one face. A fluxing composition (18) containing an image enhancing agent is selectively deposited over at least two of the solder bumps in the array to modify the optical characteristics of the solder bumps to cause the solder bumps to appear bright against the background of the underfill material when the semiconductor device is illuminated (19) by selected wavelengths of light.