Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor device that includes a semiconductor fin disposed over a substrate, an isolation structure at least partially surrounding the fin, an epitaxial source/drain (S/D) feature disposed over the semiconductor fin, where an extended portion of the epitaxial S/D feature extends over the isolation structure, and a silicide layer disposed on the epitaxial S/D feature, where the silicide layer covers top, bottom, sidewall, front, and back surfaces of the extended portion of the S/D feature.

Abstract: The disclosed invention presents a self-tracking reference circuit that compensates for IR drops and achieves the target resistance state at different temperatures after write operations. The disclosed self-tracking reference circuit includes a replica access path, a configurable resistor network, a replica selector mini-array and a step current generator that track PVT variations to provide a PVT tracking level for RRAM verify operation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a smart wearable device, which is held on an upper body of a wearer by a plurality of contact pad sets, and has a connection unit, a first sensing module, a second sensing module, and an extension unit.

Abstract: A multi-channel payment method for a multi-channel payment system comprises the payer or the payee who initiated the payment request logs in to the multi-channel payment system; the payer or the payee who initiated the payment request placing an order in the multi-channel payment system, wherein the order comprises a designated payment gateway; the multi-channel payment system determining a predicted fee of the order according to the designated payment gateway, past order records, and a real-time exchange rate; the multi-channel payment system performing an anti-money laundering verification of the order; the payer reviewing the order and the predicted fee through a multiple auditing method; and the multi-channel payment system executing payment from the payer to the payee according to the order and the designated payment gateway, and storing a payment detail of the order.

Abstract: A hot spot defect detecting method and a hot spot defect detecting system are provided. In the method, hot spots are extracted from a design of a semiconductor product to define a hot spot map comprising hot spot groups, wherein local patterns in a same context of the design yielding a same image content are defined as a same hot spot group. During runtime, defect images obtained by an inspection tool performing hot scans on a wafer manufactured with the design are acquired and the hot spot map is aligned to each defect image to locate the hot spot groups. The hot spot defects in each defect image are detected by dynamically mapping the hot spot groups located in each defect image to a plurality of threshold regions and respectively performing automatic thresholding on pixel values of the hot spots of each hot spot group in the corresponding threshold region.

Abstract: A system includes a mask. The system further includes a pellicle frame attached to the mask. The pellicle frame includes a check valve, wherein the check valve is configured to permit gas flow from a first side of the pellicle from to a second side of the pellicle frame. The pellicle frame further includes a flat bottom surface having only a single recess therein, wherein the flat bottom surface is free of an adhesive. The system further includes a gasket within the single recess.

Abstract: A resistive random-access memory (RRAM) circuit includes an RRAM device configured to output a cell current responsive to a bit line voltage, and a current limiter including an input terminal coupled to the RRAM device, first and second parallel current paths configured to conduct the cell current between the input terminal and a reference voltage node, and an amplifier configured to generate a first signal responsive to a voltage level at the input terminal and a reference voltage level. Each of the first and second current paths includes a switching device configured to selectively conduct a portion of the cell current responsive to the first signal.

Abstract: A pellicle for an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) photomask includes a pellicle frame and a main membrane attached to the pellicle frame. The main membrane includes a plurality of nanotubes, and each of the plurality of nanotubes is covered by a coating layer containing Si and one or more metal elements.

Abstract: A method includes forming a test pattern and a reference pattern in an absorption layer of a photomask structure. The test pattern has a first trench and a second trench, the reference pattern has a third trench and a fourth trench, the test pattern and the reference pattern have substantially the same dimension in a top view, and the second trench is deeper than the first trench, the third trench, and the fourth trench. The method further includes emitting a light beam to the test pattern to obtain a first interference pattern reflected from the test pattern, emitting the light beam to the reference pattern to obtain a second interference pattern reflected from the reference pattern; and comparing the first interference pattern with the second interference pattern to obtain a measured complex refractive index of the absorption layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a novel Streptococcus thermophilus strain, and the probiotic composition thereof and the use thereof for producing sialic acid and hyaluronic acid, anti-oxidation, anti-inflammatory, and alleviating dry eye syndrome. The novel Streptococcus thermophilus strain and/or metabolites thereof of the present disclosure can be used to prepare medicaments, food products, health food, and/or external products for anti-oxidation, anti-inflammation, and alleviating dry eye syndrome.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method or a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of dry eye disease or corneal wound healing, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of secretome of amniotic fluid stem cells. Also provided is a use of secretome of amniotic fluid stem cells for manufacturing a medicament for the treatment of dry eye disease or corneal wound healing.

Abstract: A method of preparing Cordyceps cicadae mycelium active substances for preventing and/or treating xerophthalmia is provided. The method comprises: (a) culturing a Cordyceps cicadae mycelium in a plate media at 15 to 35° C. for 5 to 14 days; (b) inoculating the mycelium of step (a) to a flask containing liquid media and culturing it at 15 to 35° C. with a pH of 2 to 8 for 3 days; (c) inoculating the mycelium of step (b) to a fermenter tank and culturing it at 15 to 35° C. with a pH of 2 to 8 for 3 days, so as to obtain a Cordyceps cicadae mycelium fermentation liquid; (d) freeze-drying and grating the fermentation liquid, so as to obtain a Cordyceps cicadae mycelium powder; (e) extracting the powder with solvent, so as to obtain a Cordyceps cicadae mycelium extract; and (f) drying the extract, so as to obtained the Cordyceps cicadae mycelium active substances.

Abstract: The present invention discloses the Cordyceps cicadae mycelia, the active substances of C. cicadae mycelia, its submerged fermentation product and its pharmaceutical composition for preventing, delaying or treating cataracts, and the methods for preparing the products above. The C. cicadae mycelia, the active substances of C. cicadae mycelia, its submerged fermentation product and its pharmaceutical composition further can be prepared as a health food for preventing or delaying cataracts.

Abstract: The present invention discloses the Cordyceps cicadae mycelia, the active substances of C. cicadae mycelia, its submerged fermentation product and its pharmaceutical composition for preventing, delaying or treating cataracts, and the methods for preparing the products above. The C. cicadae mycelia, the active substances of C. cicadae mycelia, its submerged fermentation product and its pharmaceutical composition further can be prepared as a health food for preventing or delaying cataracts.

Abstract: A method of preparing Cordyceps cicadae mycelium active substances for preventing and/or treating xerophthalmia is provided. The method comprises: (a) culturing a Cordyceps cicadae mycelium in a plate media at 15 to 35° C. for 5 to 14 days; (b) inoculating the mycelium of step (a) to a flask containing liquid media and culturing it at 15 to 35° C. with a pH of 2 to 8 for 3 days; (c) inoculating the mycelium of step (b) to a fermenter tank and culturing it at 15 to 35° C. with a pH of 2 to 8 for 3 days, so as to obtain a Cordyceps cicadae mycelium fermentation liquid; (d) freeze-drying and grating the fermentation liquid, so as to obtain a Cordyceps cicadae mycelium powder; (e) extracting the powder with solvent, so as to obtain a Cordyceps cicadae mycelium extract; and (f) drying the extract, so as to obtained the Cordyceps cicadae mycelium active substances.

Abstract: A method of preparing Cordyceps cicadae mycelium active substances for preventing and/or treating xerophthalmia is provided. The method comprises: (a)culturing a Cordyceps cicadae mycelium in a plate media at 15 to 35° C. for 5 to 14 days; (b)inoculating the mycelium of step(a) to a flask containing liquid media and culturing it at 15 to 35° C. with a pH of 2 to 8 for 3 days; (c)inoculating the mycelium of step(b) to a fermenter tank and culturing it at 15 to 35° C. with a pH of 2 to 8 for 3 days, so as to obtain a Cordyceps cicadae mycelium fermentation liquid; (d)freeze-drying and grating the fermentation liquid, so as to obtain a Cordyceps cicadae mycelium powder; (e)extracting the powder with solvent, so as to obtain a Cordyceps cicadae mycelium extract; and (f)drying the extract, so as to obtained the Cordyceps cicadae mycelium active substances.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an adult mammal which exhibits growth or replication of abnormal cells in a target tissue or organ by over-expressing Hedgehog protein in such target tissue or organ. The present invention also relates to a method of preparing an adult animal model of prostate cancer. The invention further relates to a method of evaluating an agent for treating prostate cancer.