Abstract: A method for increasing the integration level of superconducting electronic circuits, comprising fabricating a series of planarized electrically conductive layers patterned into wiring, separated by planarized insulating layers, with vias communicating between the conductive layers. Contrary to the standard sequence of patterning from the bottom up, the pattern of vias in at least one insulating layer is formed prior to the pattern of wiring in the underlying conductive layer. This enables a reduction in the number of planarization steps, leading to a fabrication process which is faster and more reliable. In a preferred embodiment, the superconductor is niobium and the insulator is silicon dioxide. This method can provide 10 or more wiring layers in a complex integrated circuit, and is compatible with non-planarized circuits placed above the planarized wiring layers.

Abstract: A semiconductor package includes at least one semiconductor die having an active surface, an interposer element having an upper surface and a lower surface, a package body, and a lower redistribution layer. The interposer element has at least one conductive via extending between the upper surface and the lower surface. The package body encapsulates portions of the semiconductor die and portions of the interposer element. The lower redistribution layer electrically connects the interposer element to the active surface of the semiconductor die.

Abstract: Superconducting integrated circuits require several wiring layers to distribute bias and signals across the circuit, which must cross each other both with and without contacts. All wiring lines and contacts must be fully superconducting, and in the prior art each wiring layer comprises a single metallic thin film. An alternative wiring layer is disclosed that comprises sequential layers of two or more different metals. Such a multi-metallic wiring layer may offer improved resistance to impurity diffusion, better surface passivation, and/or reduction of stress, beyond that which is attainable with a single-metallic wiring layer. The resulting process leads to improved margin and yield in an integrated circuit comprising a plurality of Josephson junctions. Several preferred embodiments are disclosed, for both planarized and non-planarized processes.

Abstract: Superconducting integrated circuits require several wiring layers to distribute bias and signals across the circuit, which must cross each other both with and without contacts. All wiring lines and contacts must be fully superconducting, and in the prior art each wiring layer comprises a single metallic thin film. An alternative wiring layer is disclosed that comprises sequential layers of two or more different metals. Such a multi-metallic wiring layer may offer improved resistance to impurity diffusion, better surface passivation, and/or reduction of stress, beyond that which is attainable with a single-metallic wiring layer. The resulting process leads to improved margin and yield in an integrated circuit comprising a plurality of Josephson junctions. Several preferred embodiments are disclosed, for both planarized and non-planarized processes.

Abstract: A semiconductor package includes at least one semiconductor die having an active surface, an interposer element having an upper surface and a lower surface, a package body, and a lower redistribution layer. The interposer element has at least one conductive via extending between the upper surface and the lower surface. The package body encapsulates portions of the semiconductor die and portions of the interposer element. The lower redistribution layer electrically connects the interposer element to the active surface of the semiconductor die.

Abstract: The invention describes a filter (1) with a first filter portion (6) comprising an adsorbent, for example carbon, and/or a catalyst, capable of reducing various vapor phase constituents of cigarette smoke. The adsorbent/catalyst is separated from a second filter portion by means of a barrier (2) having pores therein of pore size less than 0.1 ?m. The invention also describes a smoking article in which a rod of smoking material, with or without encapsulated flavor, is attached to the above described filter.

Abstract: A semiconductor package and manufacturing methods thereof are provided. In one embodiment, the semiconductor package includes a die, a shield, a package body, and a redistribution layer. The die has an active surface and an inactive surface. The shield is disposed over the inactive surface of the die. The package body encapsulates the die and a first portion of the shield, where a first surface of the package body is substantially coplanar with the active surface of the die. The redistribution layer is disposed on the active surface of the die and on portions of the first surface of the package body.

Abstract: A packet comprises an outer shell (0) and an inner shell (I) connected by a spring member (12). The outer shell (0) defines a cavity for receiving the inner shell (I) and comprises a bottom wall (4B), a front wall (1) and two side walls (3R, 3L) upstanding from respective edges of the bottom wall. The inner shell (I) comprises a front wall (11), a rear wall (7) and two side walls (8R, 8L), the rear wall being connected to the bottom wall of the outer shell. The spring member (12) is hingedly connected by a first hinge (H 1) at a lower portion of the front wall (11) of the inner shell and is hingedly connected by a second hinge (H2) to the inner surface of the front wall of the outer shell. The inner shell (I) is hingedly connected to the outer shell (0) by a third hinge (H3) at the said bottom wall such that the inner shell moves with spring action between closed and open positions.

Abstract: A fuel delivery system for supplying liquid gas fuel to an engine is disclosed. The fuel can be supplied solely to the engine or together with diesel fuel. The fuel delivery system includes an injector (20) for receiving the liquid gas, and for ejecting the liquid gas in vapour form to the engine E. A bubble preventing mechanism (40, 44, 48; 8, 203, 209, 208) is supplied for preventing the liquid gas from bubbling or boiling in the injector which would impair the ejection of fuel from the injector. The preventing means comprises cooling means which may use a coolant to cool the injector. In one embodiment, the coolant is in the form of bubbled vapour which is directed away from the injector (20) and enters a chamber (206) in which the injector (20) is located, so that the vapour cools the injector (20). The vapour (20) can pass to a vapour block (208) for supply to the intake air of the engine so the vapour is supplied back to the engine together with fuel ejected by the injector (20).

Abstract: A fuel delivery system is disclosed which includes a purge device which comprises a compressor (30) which includes a tank (32) for supplying compressed air to a line (34) which is connected to a fuel line (24). The compressed air is supplied to a point between a fuel tank (22) and a pump (26) to push fuel back into the tank (22) or through the pump (26) then through an injector (20) and back through a return line (28) to the tank so that the fuel line is completely purged of fuel.

Abstract: A method includes providing an online merchandizing web site for a distributor and prompting a customer to select a sponsoring dealer from a list of sponsoring dealers while the customer is at the web site. The customer may select a sponsoring dealer during check out and is associated with the sponsoring dealer. The web site displays a window associated with the sponsoring dealer. The window is being linked to a dealer site-let, which is part of the web site. The dealer site-let comprises promotion information for the sponsoring dealer, such as in-store specials at the dealer's local stores, web coupons, featured class schedules, etc. The distributor handles payment, fulfillment, shipping, and customer service and returns. Furthermore, the sponsoring dealer receives a specified portion of net sale profit for each sale made to the customer from the online merchandizing web site.

Abstract: The invention encompasses a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a cyclooxygenase-2 selective inhibitor selected from rofecoxib and etoricoxib or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a therapeutically effective amount of a proton pump inhibitor selected from the group consisting of: omeprazole, lansoprazole, rabeprazole, pantoprazole, and esomeprazole, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of any of the aforementioned, in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The invention also encompasses a method for treating a cyclooxygenase-2 mediated disease or condition in a human patient at risk of a thrombotic cardiovascular event, wherein the patient is on aspirin therapy to reduce the risk of the thrombotic cardiovascular event, comprising administering to the patient this pharmaceutical composition.

Abstract: A method is provided of characterising a data stream of binary symbols, the method comprising sampling the stream at a predetermined rate sufficient to capture at least two samples per binary symbol, identifying the shortest continuous run of samples having the same logic level and assigning a symbol rate to the stream on the basis that the identified run is one symbol in length.

Abstract: A liquid deicer composition suitable for use as a deicer or as a pre-coat for solid deicers is disclosed. The composition typically includes molasses solids, magnesium chloride, and a corrosion inhibitor. In one implementation the liquid deicer composition includes molasses solids; magnesium chloride, and a corrosion inhibitor.

Abstract: A fuel delivery system for an engine is disclosed which includes an injector (20) and a housing (3) for supporting a fuel injector (20). A regulator (202, 313) is provided for regulating the pressure of fluid in the housing to maintain the pressure at about supply pressure, and the pressure downstream of the regulator at a low pressure so that fuel which passes the regulator is able to evaporate. The evaporated fuel is supplied to a heater (250) to heat the fuel, and the vapour is supplied to a vapour injector (260) for injection into the engine. The passage of the liquid petroleum gas fuel through the housing (3) cools the injector (20) to maintain the fuel in a liquid state, and therefore prevent boiling of the vapour within the injector.

Abstract: A fuel delivery system for supplying liquid gas fuel to an engine is disclosed. The fuel can be supplied solely to the engine or together with diesel fuel. The fuel delivery system includes an injector (20) for receiving the liquid gas, and for ejecting the liquid gas in vapour form to the engine E. A bubble preventing mechanism (40, 44, 48; 8, 203, 209, 208) is supplied for preventing the liquid gas from bubbling or boiling in the injector which would impair the ejection of fuel from the injector. The preventing means comprises cooling means which may use a coolant to cool the injector. In one embodiment, the coolant is in the form of bubbled vapour which is directed away from the injector (20) and enters a chamber (206) in which the injector (20) is located, so that the vapour cools the injector (20). The vapour (20) can pass to a vapour block (208) for supply to the intake air of the engine so the vapour is supplied back to the engine together with fuel ejected by the injector (20).