Abstract: A method for forming plugs using chemical-mechanical polishing, which includes providing a conductive layer having an inter-layer dielectric formed thereon; then, forming a contact hole in the inter-layer dielectric exposing portions of the conductive layer. Thereafter, a diffusion barrier layer and a glue layer are sequentially formed over the inter-layer dielectric and the exposed conductive layer. Next, a first metallic layer is deposited over the glue layer, and then etched back to form a residual first metallic layer. Subsequently, a second metallic layer is deposited over the glue layer and the residual first metallic layer. Finally, chemical-mechanical polishing is used to remove the second metallic layer above the inter-layer dielectric to form a metal plug. By depositing plug metal in stages, exposed cavities are no longer formed after a CMP operation is performed, thus avoiding the problem of CMP slurry getting inside a metal plug.

Abstract: A power window transmission includes a loop-like endless chain (12) surrounding and engaging opposed driving and driven sprocket (20, 18). The driving sprocket (20) is mechanically coupled to a motor (26) and the driven sprocket (18) is driven by the chain (12) to drive window crank handle shaft coupled thereto to operate the window. The sprockets (18, 20) are encased in separate and individual casings (32, 34) each of which is fixed to the car door structure with a bracket (64) provided with stepless-adjustable fastening device (68) fastened precisely to the car door structure. The sections of the chain located outside the sprocket casings (32, 34) are enclosed in flexible tubes (80) incorporating spring-based slack take-up device (81) arranged between an end of each of the tubes (80) and one of the sprocket casings (32, 34) to take up slacks of the tubes (80) following the change of length of the chain (12).

Abstract: A method of culturing hair follicular stem cells by isolating a subpopulation of follicular keratinocytes from the upper portion of a hair follicle, dispersing the isolated keratinocytes into a single cell suspension, and growing the dispersed isolated keratinocytes in the presence of 3T3 feeder cells is provided. A method of evaluating the efficacy of agents for modulating the activity of bulge cell populations by exposing bulge cells to an agent to be tested and comparing the response of the test cells to established controls for bulge cells is also provided. Methods of modulating the activity of hair follicular stem cells by identifying a subpopulation of follicular keratinocytes from the upper portion of a hair follicle and contracting the cells with a selected agent to stimulate growth or to selectively kill the cells is also provided.

Abstract: Thermoplastic molding compositions comprised of polybutylene terephthalate resin and a copolymer of a vinyl aromatic monomer and methacrylic acid are described. The compositions have unexpectedly enhanced heat and solvent resistance.

Abstract: An improved baggage barrow, of which the retaining handle is mounted on the upper ends of two lower segment rods; the retaining handle is slidably mounted with a movable fastening member; the fastening member has two ball-shaped retainers to mate with two corresponding round holes on the lower segment rods and the upper segment rods so as to fix the upper segment rods when pulled out in place; the baggage barrow can be reduced in size simply by lifting the fastening member to have the ball-shaped retainers disengaged from the round holes of the upper segment rods, and then the upper segment rods can automatically be retracted in the lower segment rods. The stub tube at the lower part of each of the lower segment rods has a bead, which provides a retaining and positioning function upon opening the carriage frame; the baggage barrow is simple in operation, and the barrow can stand steadily without falling down.