Abstract: A fluid dynamic bearing including a sleeve and a counterplate captured within a shoulder on the sleeve and including a threaded mounting extension for mounting the assembly from a base or the like. A rotating shaft is incorporated within the sleeve; the shaft includes a thrust plate which rotates in a recess defined between the counterplate and the sleeve. To incorporate this assembly into a disc drive or the like, the threaded mounting extension only needs to be mounted within a base, with a nut screwed over the threaded mounting. The base typically includes a raised portion; the sleeve is cantilevered from this base for further stability and eliminate the possibility of vibration of the shaft and sleeve with rotation of the shaft. The end of the shaft distal from the threaded mounting supports a hub which in turn supports a backiron and magnet. The base supports a stator aligned with the magnet; energization of the stator will cause rotation of the hub and the shaft.

Abstract: Compounds of the general formula Ca.sub.2 MeSbO.sub.6 where Me is a 3+ ion selected from the group consisting of aluminum (Al), scandium (Sc), indium (In), gallium (Ga), or a rare earth metal have been prepared and included as the substrate or barrier dielectric in high critical temperature thin film superconductors, ferroelectrics, pyroelectrics, piezoelectrics, and hybrid device structures.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method determines the resemblance of data objects such as Web pages. Each data object is partitioned into a sequence of tokens. The tokens are grouped into overlapping sets of the tokens to form shingles. Each shingle is represented by a unique identification element encoded as a fingerprint. A minimum element from each of the images of the set of fingerprints associated with a document under each of a plurality of pseudo random permutations of the set of all fingerprints are selected to generate a sketch of each data object. The sketches characterize the resemblance of the data objects. The sketches can be further partitioned into a plurality of groups. Each group is fingerprinted to form a feature. Data objects that share more than a certain numbers of features are estimated to be nearly identical.

Abstract: The reliability of in-laid metallization patterns, e.g., of copper or copper alloy, is significantly enhanced by voidlessly filling recesses in a substrate by an electroplating process, wherein "pinching-off" of the recess opening due to earlier formation of overhanging nucleation/seed layer deposits at the corners of the opening as a result of increased rates of deposition thereat is prevented. Embodiments include selectively tapering the width of the recess mouth opening to provide a wider opening at the substrate surface by means of a directed beam etching or ablation process while rotating the substrate, which tapered width profile effectively prevents formation of overhanging deposits thereat which can result in occlusion and void formation during filling of the recesses by electroplating.

Abstract: In-laid metallization patterns, e.g., of copper or copper alloy, are formed in the surface of a dielectric layer with significantly improved reliability by voidlessly filling recesses formed in the dielectric layer surface by electroplating. Embodiments include preventing "pinching-off" of the recess opening due overhanging nucleation/seed layer deposits at the corners of the opening as a result of localized increased rates of deposition. Embodiments also include providing a dual-layered dielectric layer comprising different dielectric materials and performing a first, isotropic etching process of the upper (sacrificial) lamina of the dielectric layer for selectively tapering the width of the recess mouth opening to provide a wider opening at the substrate surface, followed by a second, anisotropic etching process for extending the recess at a substantially constant width for a predetermined depth into the lower lamina of the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for providing call screening in conjunction with a variety of network-based call services. An exemplary method for providing a called party at a called party station with call screening includes: (a) forwarding a call to the called party station (CPS) to a voice mailbox so that a caller can leave a message for the called party; (b) initiating a simplex call to the CPS; and (c) bridging the call forwarded to the voice mailbox and the simplex call to the CPS so that the called party can hear the caller leaving a message for the CPS; (d) initiating a duplex call to the CPS in response to signaling received from the CPS; and (e) bridging the call forwarded to the voice mailbox and the duplex call so that the caller and the called party are in communication with one another. In one embodiment of the present invention, the step of initiating a simplex call includes the step of delivering a distinctive ring to the CPS indicating that the caller is leaving a message for the CPS.

Abstract: An RF tag for inclusion in a smart label comprises a stiff substrate sized to be received in the smart label, an antenna carried by the substrate and an integrated circuit having a memory circuit carried by the substrate and coupled to the antenna by wire bonding. The substrate may be strain relieved, for example, by forming a pair of generally opposed serpentine edges on the substrate, or forming a plurality of grooves in at least one surface of the substrate. A smart label comprises the RF tag between a face sheet and an adhesive. A release liner may cover the adhesive. A compressably deformable material having a low viscoelastic modulus is received between the first surface of the substrate and the face sheet partially surrounding the circuit structure and wire bonds to hydrostatically protect against damage. A film layer with a blister may envelop the low viscoelastic modulus material.

Abstract: The total number of ions created br obtained during an ionization or ion introduction event in a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer are determined either by using an on-resonance experimental technique or an off-resonance experimental technique. Both techniques exploit ion magnetron motion. In the on-resonance technique the spectrometer is excited in the magnetron mode and the single resonance signal resulting from this excitation is detected to determine the total number of ions. In the off-resonance technique the magnetron mode is excited at a frequency that is near the magnetron frequency while simultaneously detecting the resulting ion motion. The off-resonance technique leaves the ion population in a state that is amenable to subsequent analysis.

Abstract: A set of contiguous and partially overlapping RNA sequences and polypeptides encoded thereby, designated as PS112 and transcribed from prostate tissue is described. A fully sequenced clone representing a continuous sequence of PS112 is also disclosed. These sequences are useful for the detecting, diagnosing, staging, monitoring, prognosticating, preventing or treating, or determining the predisposition of an individual to diseases and conditions of the prostate, such as prostate cancer. Also provided are antibodies which specifically bind to PS112-encoded polypeptide or protein, and agonists or inhibitors which prevent action of the tissue-specific PS112 polypeptide, which molecules are useful for the therapeutic treatment of prostate diseases, tumors or metastases.

Abstract: A binder for storing collectibles in holder pages of a material dissimilar to the binder cover. The sheets of pages are fastened to each other and to the binder cover by ultrasonically sealing the sheets directly or indirectly through the internal surface of the cover to a concealed anchoring rib of the same material as the holder pages, which anchoring rib is disposed and secured in the spine of the cover. A method of manufacturing a binder for storing collectibles is also disclosed in which a series of sheets of pages is superimposed over the internal surface of the binder cover and then the sheets are fastened by ultrasonically sealing them to the cover by means of ultrasonic sealing tools which pierce and fuse the sheets along the desired line of attachment to form a single booklet, and then continue directly or indirectly through the internal surface of the cover to contact a concealed anchoring rib of the same material disposed in the spine of the binder.

Abstract: A socket for connecting to an integrated circuit module containing pin grid array contacts and land grid array contacts thereon. The socket has a first portion containing openings therein for the pin grid array contacts and a second portion for contacting the land grid array contacts. The first portion of the socket is disposed around the second portion of the socket, and the second portion is movable with respect to the first portion. The second portion is located in a position wherein the pin grid array contacts on the integrated circuit module are received in the openings in the first portion before the land grid array contacts on the integrated circuit module contact the second portion, the second portion being biased toward the integrated circuit module by a spring.

Abstract: A circuit for controlling the run current in a ring laser gyro includes circuitry for sensing temperature, supplying a current to the ring laser gyro and controlling the current supplied to the ring laser gyro and the current varies depending on the temperature. The current changes at predetermined temperature points.

Abstract: There is provided pressure-sensitive adhesive coated breathable nonwoven tape backing substrate where the nonwoven tape backing comprises a fibrous nonwoven web formed in part by multicomponent fibers having an adhesive component region. The multicomponent fibers are distributed throughout the width dimension of the nonwoven tape backing such that adhesive component region is exposed on both outer faces of the nonwoven tape backing. The adhesive component region is preferably a pressure-sensitive adhesive region formed by hot melt coextrusion of at least two components to form the multicomponent fibers.

Abstract: A faceplate has self-contained fastening devices for securing it in a wall opening, and also has rearwardly projecting flanges and legs that are received in the wall. The flanges locate the faceplate relative to the opening and the legs serve to cooperate with the swinging fastener mounted arms to limit their rotation as the fastener is rotated to bring the arms into contact with the backside of the sheetrock wall structure.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing a bag with a reclosable zipper includes feeding an elongated sheet of bag film in a first direction under a placement head. A zipper assembly is fed in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction into the placement head, and the segment of the zipper assembly in the placement head is cut off. Rollers may be used to retain the zipper segment in the placement head. The placement head, with the zipper segment, is moved adjacent the bag film. The bag film is then compressed between a hot sealing bar and a resilient portion of the placement head to seal the zipper segment to the bag film. Then the bag film is folded over the zipper segment, sealed along a bottom and rear seam, and sealed to the other side of the zipper segment.

Abstract: Thin-film switching elements (20,21) of a display device or the like include a first electrode (22,23) on a substrate (11) and a layer of switching material (24,25) on the first electrode. These switching elements may be semiconductor PIN or Schottky diodes, or MIMs, or TFTs. The switching material is typically .alpha.-Si:H in the case of the semiconductor diodes and TFTs, and tantalum oxide or silicon nitride in the case of the MIMs. An auxiliary layer (28,29) of insulating material is provided between the first electrode (22,23) and the layer of switching material (24,25), leaving an edge (30,31) of the first electrode uncovered, so that the layer of switching material is connected to this edge only. The switching elements with this construction can be patterned using an inexpensive proximity printer, and have a low capacitance value, so counter-acting kickback and crosstalk which can occur in a switching matrix, e.g in the display of television pictures.

Abstract: A curable coating composition for preparing an anti-static coating contains from about 50% by weight to about 90% by weight of a dispersion of colloidal silica and a curable methylsilsesquioxane in a lower (C.sub.1 -C.sub.5) alkanol, and from about 10% by weight to about 50% by weight of an aminofunctional silane component.

Abstract: The invention is a loading and unloading device for transporting small recreational or utility vehicles in a pickup truck. The invention comprises two stationary rails mounted on the bed of a truck. A ramp is slidably and pivotally attached to the stationary rails, and an interchangeable vehicle carriage or dump bed is slidably and pivotally mounted to the ramp. In use, the ramp and carriage are lowered by a winch so that the carriage is close to the ground and substantially horizontal. A small vehicle can then be placed on the carriage. A winch then pulls the carriage up the ramp until the vehicle's center of gravity is slightly rearward of the stationary rails. The carriage stops, and the winch pulls the ramp onto the stationary rails. The ramp can then be pushed into the bed of the truck.