Abstract: A method includes recessing an upper surface of a substrate in first and second areas relative to a third area, forming a first conductive layer in the first area, forming a second conductive layer in the three areas, selectively removing the first and second conductive layers in the first area, while maintaining the second conductive layer in the second and third areas, leaving pairs of stack structures in the first area respectively having a control gate of the second conductive layer and a floating gate of the first conductive layer, forming a third conductive layer in the three areas, recessing the upper surface of the third conductive layer below tops of the stack structures and removing the third conductive layer from the second and third areas, removing the second conductive layer from the second and third areas, and forming blocks of metal material in the second and third areas.

Abstract: Systems and processes for speech recognition for multiple users are provided. For example, in response to receiving speech input from a user, a combined speech profile is obtained from a plurality of speech profiles. The speech input is interpreted based on the combined speech profile to obtain a plurality of speech recognition results. The plurality of speech recognition results includes a first speech recognition result corresponding to a first speech profile of the plurality of speech profiles, wherein the first speech profile corresponds to a first user, and a second speech recognition result corresponding to a second speech profile of the plurality of speech profiles, wherein the second speech profile corresponds to a second user different from the first user. A respective speech recognition result based on an identified voice profile is then selected from the plurality of speech recognition results.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods for pipeline condition assessment using phased array ultrasonic transducers are disclosed. A sensing module for assessing pipeline condition comprises a body; and one or more phased array ultrasonic transducers (PAUTs) assembled on the surface of the body, each PAUT configured to emit multi-channel ultrasonic waves for scanning a pipe wall.

Abstract: A method for identifying a liver in a CT image of a patient is provided. The method includes applying a liver model to the CT image. The method further includes extracting an internal liver region and an external liver region from the CT image based on the applied liver model. The method also includes performing a graph cut algorithm on the CT image based on the internal liver region and the external liver region to produce a liver image. The performing of the graph cut algorithm on the CT image to produce the liver image may be further based on an internal heart and/or kidney region and an external heart and/or kidney region. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium encoded with a program is provided.

Abstract: Embodiments herein may include apparatuses, systems, and processes related to a socket with a first side to receive a package substrate and a second side coupled with a printed circuit board (PCB), which may be a mother board, where the socket has a cavity into which a thermal conductor is inserted to conduct heat from the package substrate to the PCB. In embodiments, the PCB may contain thermal vias to conduct heat from one side of the PCB to the other side. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.

Abstract: A microfilter, a manufacturing method thereof, and a microfiltration unit for holding the microfilter are provided. The microfilter has: a non-epoxy based microfilm; and a plurality of microholes provided on the surface of the non-epoxy based microfilm and penetrating therethrough via UV laser ablation, wherein the surface of the non-epoxy based microfilm is patterned into predetermined sections for locating isolated targets and quick enumeration.

Abstract: Embodiments herein may include apparatuses, systems, and processes related to a socket with a first side to receive a package substrate and a second side coupled with a printed circuit board (PCB), which may be a mother board, where the socket has a cavity into which a thermal conductor is inserted to conduct heat from the package substrate to the PCB. In embodiments, the PCB may contain thermal vias to conduct heat from one side of the PCB to the other side. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.

Abstract: Described is a proppant composition comprising particulates coated with a polymeric coating comprising a polymerizable natural oil, and a method of making this composition. The polymerizable natural oil is a glyceryl ester that comprises greater than about 40% by weight of polyunsaturated fatty acids, or a derivative of this ester. The proppant composition is made by mixing particulates with a polymerizable natural oil and polymerizing the polymerizable natural oil to coat the surface of the particulates with polymer comprising polymerized natural oil. The composition may be used in a slurry that is used for hydraulic fracturing operations to improve proppant transportation and to mitigate proppant flowback.

Abstract: Described is a proppant composition comprising particulates coated with a polymeric coating comprising a polymerizable natural oil, and a method of making this composition. The polymerizable natural oil is a glyceryl ester that comprises greater than about 40% by weight of polyunsaturated fatty acids, or a derivative of this ester. The proppant composition is made by mixing particulates with a polymerizable natural oil and polymerizing the polymerizable natural oil to coat the surface of the particulates with polymer comprising polymerized natural oil. The composition may be used in a slurry that is used for hydraulic fracturing operations to improve proppant transportation and to mitigate proppant flowback.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a self-watering flower pot, comprising an outer pot, an inner pot and a water absorption rod connecting the outer pot with the inner pot. One end of the water absorption rod is inserted into the bottom of the said outer pot, and the other end protrudes into the soil of the inner pot. A support pillar integrated with the bottom surface of the inner pot makes the inner pot flush with the outer pot, with a well of water between the two. A water level indicator is placed in the flower pot so that users can check water level any time. The water absorption rod continuously waters the plant automatically. Convenient and time-saving, the device solves the problem of often watering.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) devices and their fabrication methods. A semiconductor substrate is provided to include a first region to form a PMOS transistor and a second region to form an NMOS transistor. One of the first and second regions can include a metal gate structure having a metal top layer. The other of the first and second regions can include an interfacial oxide layer formed on a high-k dielectric layer. A surface of the metal top layer can be oxidized to form a metal oxide top layer covering the metal top layer. The metal oxide top layer and the interfacial oxide layer can be removed by wet etching. A metal gate can be formed on the high-k dielectric layer.

Abstract: A transistor and a method for forming the transistor are provided. The transistor can be formed over a substrate including a first region and second regions on opposite sides of the first region. On the substrate, a first SiGe layer can be formed, followed by forming a first silicon layer on the first SiGe layer and forming a second SiGe layer on the first silicon layer. The second SiGe layer and the first silicon layer within the second regions are removed. The first silicon layer within the first region is removed to form a cavity such that the second SiGe layer is floated. An isolating layer is formed in the cavity. Second silicon layers are formed in the second regions. A gate structure is formed on the second SiGe layer within the first region and the second silicon layers are doped to form a source and a drain.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) devices and their fabrication methods. A semiconductor substrate is provided to include a first region to form a PMOS transistor and a second region to form an NMOS transistor. One of the first and second regions can include a metal gate structure having a metal top layer. The other of the first and second regions can include an interfacial oxide layer formed on a high-k dielectric layer. A surface of the metal top layer can be oxidized to form a metal oxide top layer covering the metal top layer. The metal oxide top layer and the interfacial oxide layer can be removed by wet etching. A metal gate can be formed on the high-k dielectric layer.

Abstract: A soaker pad for a cloth diaper comprising an outer layer, absorbent pad, inner layer, and side panels. The inner longitudinal edge of each side panel is folded inward to create a fold line and fold area. Elastics are located just inside the fold line to create an inner gusset. Elastics are situated parallel to the longitudinal edge of the outer layer to create an outer gusset. Neither the inner nor outer gusset is in contact with the inner layer. Each side panel is adhered to the outer layer in the margin along each longitudinal edge of the outer layer that is not in contact with the inner layer and along the outer margins of the inner layer. The fold area is adhered to the inner layer except at the middle portion of the fold area, thereby allowing the inner gusset to stand up and away from the inner layer.