Abstract: A cartridge arrangement comprises a frangible portion and a guide tube. The frangible portion being substantially housed within the guide tube with an end of the frangible portion being sealed by a clip. A cap attaches to an end of the guide tube by a screw thread. Unscrewing of the cap urges arms, having a portion seated behind the clip, away from the guide tube thereby opening the frangible portion.

Abstract: Wafer-holding structures formed from thermosetting resins are disclosed for use in semiconductor processing including, for example, SIMOX wafer processing. At least a portion of the distal portion of the holder comprises graphite, thereby reducing wafer rotation during implantation while maintaining the desired overall thermal signature provided by the thermosetting resin. In one embodiment a pin is disclosed that is adapted to receive a wafer edge, and is coupled with a wafer holder assembly. The pin can be filled with a conductive material to provide an electrical pathway between the wafer and the wafer holder assembly, which can be coupled to a ground. This arrangement provides a conductive path for inhibiting electrical discharges from the wafer during the ion implantation process. The pin exhibits thermal isolation characteristics and sufficient hardness so as to not effect localized thermal dissipation of the wafer, yet is sufficiently soft so as to not mark or otherwise damage the wafer.

Abstract: Extrusion processability of resin blends of a metallocene catalyzed linear low density polyethylene and a low density polyethylene is improved by introducing a process aid package comprising a fluoroelastomer having a Mooney viscosity (ML(1+10) at 121° C.) between 30 and 60 and an interfacial agent.

Abstract: A spreadsheet environment is utilized to interact with a multidimensional data store associated with the enterprise planning session. In general, a conventional spreadsheet application is extended to provide additional functionality for interacting with the multidimensional data store maintained by the enterprise planning system. Instances of the extended spreadsheet application execute on a client computing device, and present a user with a two-dimensional representation of a portion of the multidimensional data store. For example, the extended spreadsheet application may present user with a workbook that includes one or more worksheets within which the user may view and update his planning data. In this manner, the extended spreadsheet application functions as an interface between two-dimensional worksheets maintained by the computing devices and the multidimensional data store maintained by the enterprise planning system.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel compounds that are liver selective glucocorticoid receptor antagonists, to methods of preparing such compounds, and to methods for using such compounds in the regulation of metabolism, especially lowering serum glucose levels, insulin levels, or lipid levels, and/or decreasing body weight.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring current, and particularly bi-directional current, in a field-effect transistor (FET) using drain-to-source voltage measurements. The drain-to-source voltage of the FET is measured and amplified. This signal is then compensated for variations in the temperature of the FET, which affects the impedance of the FET when it is switched on. The output is a signal representative of the direction of the flow of current through the field-effect transistor and the level of the current through the field-effect transistor. Preferably, the measurement only occurs when the FET is switched on.

Abstract: This invention concerns nanoscale products, such as electronic devices fabricated to nanometer accuracy. It also concerns atomic scale products. These products may have an array of electrically active dopant atoms in a silicon surface, or an encapsulated layer of electrically active donor atoms. In a further aspect the invention concerns a method of fabricating such products. The methods include forming a preselected array of donor atoms incorporated into silicon. Encapsulation by growing silicon over a doped surface, after desorbing the passivating hydrogen. Also, using an STM to view donor atoms on the silicon surface during fabrication of a nanoscale device, and measuring the electrical activity of the donor atoms during fabrication of a nanoscale device. Such products and processes are useful in the fabrication of a quantum computer, but could have many other uses.

Abstract: Variable tension footwear lacing systems and methods permit and facilitate adjustment of selected zones by a user. In an embodiment, stop devices are used with a footwear lacing system to prevent opposing closure edges of a footwear article from advancing towards each other. The stop device includes a stop guide configured for fastening to a portion of the footwear article, and a stop element. In an implementation, the stop element includes a stop head and a releasable affixing member. The stop head is configured to be manipulated by a user to releasably secure the affixing member to a selected position across the length of the stop guide. The stop head is operable to contact a first closure edge of the footwear article. In an embodiment, during use first and second stop devices contact first and second opposing closure edges of the footwear article and prevent them from advancing towards each other.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a method of managing fluctuations in power supplied to a semiconductor processing apparatus that includes monitoring the power supplied to the apparatus to detect the occurrence of a power fluctuation event during a semiconductor processing session. Upon detection of a power fluctuation event, the semiconductor processing can be interrupted. After the end of the power fluctuation event, at least one operational parameter of the apparatus, e.g., vacuum level in an evacuated processing chamber, can be measured, and the semiconductor processing can be resumed when the measured operational parameter is within an acceptable range. The measured operational parameter can preferably include a parameter that recovers more slowly than others when adversely affected by a power fluctuation event.

Abstract: Individual hydrogen atoms are desorbed from a hydrogen terminated layer on a silicon substrate, using an STM tip, to form a pattern of exposed regions. A single donor-bearing molecule (such as phosphorous atoms). The spins of the donor atoms may be used as qubits in a slid quantum computer.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a method of managing fluctuations in power supplied to a semiconductor processing apparatus that includes monitoring the power supplied to the apparatus to detect the occurrence of a power fluctuation event during a semiconductor processing session. Upon detection of a power fluctuation event, the semiconductor processing can be interrupted. After the end of the power fluctuation event, at least one operational parameter of the apparatus, e.g., vacuum level in an evacuated processing chamber, can be measured, and the semiconductor processing can be resumed when the measured operational parameter is within an acceptable range. The measured operational parameter can preferably include a parameter that recovers more slowly than others when adversely affected by a power fluctuation event.

Abstract: A tester or method of testing a mass storage interface queues error functions for simulation responsive to condition criteria of such storage simulation. Such bridge-chip tester may comprise ATA registers to receive data from an ATA or ATAPI-type interface. A main access emulator may emulate data storage processes responsive to commands of a command register of the ATA registers. A test controller may be operable to load a queue with predetermined error functions to be emulated by the tester. The queue may release error functions of the queue for emulation responsive to data of at least one of the command register and the emulator.

Abstract: Extrusion processability of non-fluorinated melt-processable polymers is improved by introducing a fluoropolymer process aid by means whereby the weight average particle size of the fluoropolymer is greater than 2 microns as it reaches the extruder die entrance.

Abstract: A lineariser (100) for reproducing distortion present in the output of an amplifier (110) (or other signal handling device) generates a predistortion signal from the amplifier input. The predistortion signal is mixed into the amplifier input signal using, for example, a vector modulator (112). The predistortion signal may be derived in a quadrature format, the orthogonal components of the predistortion signal being mixed into separate mixers of the vector modulator. The predistortion signal is generated by multiplying the input signal with itself repeatedly to generate components of distortion which are susceptible of independent control. The predistortion signal is generated digitally using DSP (116). A multiplier or mixer may be used to square the sampled input signal to produce a reduced frequency signal which the DSP can use to gennerate the predistortion signal. Another lineariser mixes the predistortion signal into the input signal during up conversion.

Abstract: A method for providing a quantity of pre-paid telephone time from an automated teller machine (ATM) or a point-of-sale device (POS terminal), to a patron of either of such device. PIN numbers, obtained from a telephone service provider and each designating a pre-paid quantity of telephone service time, are made available to the ATM or POS terminal. The patron is queried by the device if he/she wishes to purchase telephone time. Upon selection of a quantity of pre-paid telephone time by a patron and payment for such purchased quantity of time, the device selects a particular PIN number having an associated quantity of telephone time corresponding to the quantity of telephone service time purchased by the patron, and provides such PIN number to the patron. In a preferred embodiment the PIN number is provided to the patron by being printed out on the ATM's existing account statement printer, or on the account statement printer of a POS terminal if a POS device is alternatively employed.

Abstract: A process aid masterbatch comprising a) 0.05 to 25 weight percent fluoropolymer; b) 0.2 to 10 weight percent of an organic soap selected from the group consisting of carboxylic acids having from 6 to 34 carbon atoms; salts thereof; hydrocarbon sulfonates having from 6 to 34 carbon atoms; and salts thereof; c) at least 5 weight percent mineral particulate; and d) a non-fluorinated melt-processable polymer improves the extrusion processability of non-fluorinated melt-processable polymers.

Abstract: Extrusion processability of non-fluorinated melt-processable polymers is improved by introducing a fluoropolymer process aid by means whereby the weight average particle size of the fluoropolymer is greater than 2 microns as it reaches the extruder die entrance.

Abstract: A method is provided for imparting images created with an inkjet printer to substrates. In accordance with the method, an image is imparted to an image receiving layer releasably disposed on a carrier sheet. An article can be provided, which is equipped with an adhesive patch on its surface. The image receiving layer is then brought into contact with the adhesive patch and, the carrier sheet is removed, thereby imparting an image to the substrate.

Abstract: Extrusion processability of non-fluorinated melt-processable polymers is improved by introducing a fluoropolymer process aid by means whereby the weight average particle size of the fluoropolymer is greater than 2 microns as it reaches the extruder die entrance.

Abstract: Method and systems are described which can be used to track and manage the states of electronic media in a communications network. The electronic medium can be restored, archived, and used to create new electronic media. Moreover, the electronic medium can be superseded and deleted. Additionally, notification processes can be used to prioritize and emphasize certain portions of the electronic medium. Access to the electronic medium may also be blocked or limited to certain recipients of the medium.