Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for promoting growth of a probiotic microorganism. The method includes cultivating the probiotic microorganism in a growth medium containing a fermented culture of lactic acid bacterial strains that include Lactobacillus salivarius subsp. salicinius AP-32 deposited at the China Center for Type Culture Collection (CCTCC) under CCTCC M 2011127, Lactobacillus plantarum LPL28 deposited at the China General Microbiological Culture Collection Center (CGMCC) under CGMCC 17954, Lactobacillus acidophilus TYCA06 deposited at the CGMCC under CGMCC 15210, and Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis BLI-02 deposited at the CGMCC under CGMCC 15212.

Abstract: A device includes a substrate, a first conductive layer on the substrate, a first conductive via, and further conductive layers and conductive vias between the first conductive via and the substrate. The first conductive via is between the substrate and the first conductive layer, and is electrically connected to the first conductive layer. The first conductive via extends through at least two dielectric layers, and has thickness greater than about 8 kilo-Angstroms. An inductor having high quality factor is formed in the first conductive layer and also includes the first conductive via.

Abstract: Formulations with enhanced SN-38 solubility and oral absorption. In one embodiment, a formulation or a pharmaceutical composition comprises (a) 7-Ethyl-10-hydroxy-camptothecin (SN-38); and (b) a mixture of pharmaceutically acceptable excipients comprising (i) N-Methylpyrrolidone; and (ii) Vitamin E TPGS or a copolymer, the copolymer being 50/50 poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid), or 75/25 poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA); with the provision that if the VitE TPGS is present, the mixture of the excipients further comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of Hydroxypropyl cellulose, Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, VP/VAc copolymer 60/40, poloxamer 407, and Lauroyl Macrogol-32 glycerides; wherein the pharmaceutical composition contains no water, is in a liquid or a gel form, and the SN-38 is dissolved in the mixture of the excipients without precipitation.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure is provided. The semiconductor structure includes a gate structure, a first source/drain structure, and a contact structure. The gate structure has a gate dielectric layer over a first fin structure. The first source/drain structure is positioned in the first fin structure and adjacent to the gate structure. The first source/drain structure includes a first epitaxial layer in contact with the top surface of the first fin structure and a second epitaxial layer over the first epitaxial layer and extending above a bottom surface of the gate dielectric layer. The contact structure extends into the first source/drain structure. The top surface of the first fin structure is between a top surface and a bottom surface of the first source/drain structure.

Abstract: A method of semiconductor die singulation is provided. The method includes forming a first trench along a singulation lane of a semiconductor wafer. A second trench is formed extending from a bottom of the first trench. A portion of the semiconductor wafer remains between a bottom of the second trench and a backside of the semiconductor wafer. A cut is formed by way of a laser to singulate die of the semiconductor wafer. The cut extends through the portion of the semiconductor wafer remaining between the bottom of the second trench and the backside of the semiconductor wafer.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of forming a semiconductor device includes forming a fin protruding above a substrate; forming a gate structure over the fin; forming a recess in the fin and adjacent to the gate structure; performing a wet etch process to clean the recess; treating the recess with a plasma process; and performing a dry etch process to clean the recess after the plasma process and the wet etch process.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods are described for robotic learning and execution of skills. A robotic apparatus can include a memory, a processor, sensors, and one or more movable components (e.g., a manipulating element and/or a transport element). The processor can be operatively coupled to the memory, the movable elements, and the sensors, and configured to obtain information of an environment, including one or more objects located within the environment. In some embodiments, the processor can be configured to learn skills through demonstration, exploration, user inputs, etc. In some embodiments, the processor can be configured to execute skills and/or arbitrate between different behaviors and/or actions. In some embodiments, the processor can be configured to learn an environmental constraint. In some embodiments, the processor can be configured to learn using a general model of a skill.

Abstract: A device includes a substrate, a first conductive layer on the substrate, a first conductive via, and further conductive layers and conductive vias between the first conductive via and the substrate. The first conductive via is between the substrate and the first conductive layer, and is electrically connected to the first conductive layer. The first conductive via extends through at least two dielectric layers, and has thickness greater than about 8 kilo-Angstroms. An inductor having high quality factor is formed in the first conductive layer and also includes the first conductive via.

Abstract: A method for eliminating a ring effect is provided. The method includes: capturing, by a camera, a standard ring image generated by light illuminating a standard Fresnel lens; establishing a compensation lookup table according to the standard ring image and obtaining a standard ring center point; capturing, by the camera, a ring image generated by the light illuminating a Fresnel lens to be tested; obtaining a ring center point according to the ring image; obtaining a conversion relationship between the ring center point and the standard ring center point; and performing a compensation procedure on the ring image according to the compensation lookup table and the conversion relationship to eliminate the ring effect in the ring image.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a gate structure formed over a channel region of the semiconductor device, a source/drain region adjacent the channel region, and an electrically conductive contact layer over the source/drain region. The source/drain region includes a first epitaxial layer having a first material composition and a second epitaxial layer formed over the first epitaxial layer. The second epitaxial layer has a second material composition different from the first composition. The electrically conductive contact layer is in contact with the first and second epitaxial layers. A bottom of the electrically conductive contact layer is located below an uppermost portion of the first epitaxial layer.

Abstract: A method for detecting defects in a near-eye display is provided. The method includes the following steps: obtaining a reference image and a DUT image according to a first image and a second image captured by a camera through a Fresnel lens when a display panel respectively displays a test-pattern image and a test-background image; performing a fast Fourier transform on the reference image and the DUT image to obtain a frequency-domain reference image and a frequency-domain DUT image; calculating an average value of pixel values above a predetermined cut-off ratio in a histogram of each first region of interest (ROI) in a filtered frequency-domain reference image as a corresponding threshold; comparing each pixel in the filtered DUT image with the corresponding threshold to generate a determination result; and building a defective-status map of the near-eye display according to the determination results.

Abstract: A head-mounted eye tracking system including an optical combiner, an eye tracker and a signal processor is provided. The optical combiner includes an optical coupler. The eye tracker is at least partially disposed on the optical combiner and is suitable for sensing an eyeball movement of a wearer. The eye tracker includes a plurality of light-emitting devices and a plurality of sensing devices. The plurality of light-emitting devices are suitable for emitting tracking beams. The plurality of sensing devices are suitable for receiving the tracking beams reflected by the eyeball of the wearer. The signal processor is signally connected to the eye tracker.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a gate structure formed over a channel region of the semiconductor device, a source/drain region adjacent the channel region, and an electrically conductive contact layer over the source/drain region. The source/drain region includes a first epitaxial layer having a first material composition and a second epitaxial layer formed over the first epitaxial layer. The second epitaxial layer has a second material composition different from the first composition. The electrically conductive contact layer is in contact with the first and second epitaxial layers. A bottom of the electrically conductive contact layer is located below an uppermost portion of the first epitaxial layer.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods are described for robotic learning and execution of skills. A robotic apparatus can include a memory, a processor, sensors, and one or more movable components (e.g., a manipulating element and/or a transport element). The processor can be operatively coupled to the memory, the movable elements, and the sensors, and configured to obtain information of an environment, including one or more objects located within the environment. In some embodiments, the processor can be configured to learn skills through demonstration, exploration, user inputs, etc. In some embodiments, the processor can be configured to execute skills and/or arbitrate between different behaviors and/or actions. In some embodiments, the processor can be configured to learn an environmental constraint. In some embodiments, the processor can be configured to learn using a general model of a skill.

Abstract: A high-speed flat cable includes a plurality of shielded signal units, one or more bendable composite layers, and an adhesive layer. The shielded signal units are substantially coplanar, spaced apart from each other or adjoining each other. The one or more bendable composite layers includes an inner insulating film layer, a bendable aluminum foil layer, and an outer insulating film layer. The one or more bendable composite layers composed of the inner insulating film layer, the bendable aluminum foil layer, and the outer insulating film layer increase its mechanical bending/folding property to improve the bending/folding memory. The one or more bendable composite layers allows the flat cable to be bent with ease without rebounding, thereby enhancing production efficiency.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods are described for robotic learning and execution of skills. A robotic apparatus can include a memory, a processor, sensors, and one or more movable components (e.g., a manipulating element and/or a transport element). The processor can be operatively coupled to the memory, the movable elements, and the sensors, and configured to obtain information of an environment, including one or more objects located within the environment. In some embodiments, the processor can be configured to learn skills through demonstration, exploration, user inputs, etc. In some embodiments, the processor can be configured to execute skills and/or arbitrate between different behaviors and/or actions. In some embodiments, the processor can be configured to learn an environmental constraint. In some embodiments, the processor can be configured to learn using a general model of a skill.

Abstract: A device includes a substrate, a first conductive layer on the substrate, a first conductive via, and further conductive layers and conductive vias between the first conductive via and the substrate. The first conductive via is between the substrate and the first conductive layer, and is electrically connected to the first conductive layer. The first conductive via extends through at least two dielectric layers, and has thickness greater than about 8 kilo-Angstroms. An inductor having high quality factor is formed in the first conductive layer and also includes the first conductive via.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods are described for robotic learning and execution of skills. A robotic apparatus can include a memory, a processor, sensors, and one or more movable components (e.g., a manipulating element and/or a transport element). The processor can be operatively coupled to the memory, the movable elements, and the sensors, and configured to obtain information of an environment, including one or more objects located within the environment. In some embodiments, the processor can be configured to learn skills through demonstration, exploration, user inputs, etc. In some embodiments, the processor can be configured to execute skills and/or arbitrate between different behaviors and/or actions. In some embodiments, the processor can be configured to learn an environmental constraint. In some embodiments, the processor can be configured to learn using a general model of a skill.

Abstract: A double-sided aspheric diffractive multifocal lens and methods of manufacturing and design of such lenses in the field of ophthalmology. The lens can include an optic comprising an aspheric anterior surface and an aspheric posterior surface. On one of the two surfaces a plurality of concentric diffractive multifocal zones can be designed. The other surface can include a toric component. The double-sided aspheric surface design results in improvement of the modulation transfer function (MTF) of the lens-eye combination by aberration reduction and vision contrast enhancement as compared to one-sided aspheric lens. The surface having a plurality of concentric diffractive multifocal zones produces a near focus, an intermediate focus, and a distance focus.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods are described for robotic learning and execution of skills. A robotic apparatus can include a memory, a processor, sensors, and one or more movable components (e.g., a manipulating element and/or a transport element). The processor can be operatively coupled to the memory, the movable elements, and the sensors, and configured to obtain information of an environment, including one or more objects located within the environment. In some embodiments, the processor can be configured to learn skills through demonstration, exploration, user inputs, etc. In some embodiments, the processor can be configured to execute skills and/or arbitrate between different behaviors and/or actions. In some embodiments, the processor can be configured to learn an environmental constraint. In some embodiments, the processor can be configured to learn using a general model of a skill.