Abstract: Methods are presented for fabricating nanowire structures, such as one or more nanowire field effect transistors. The methods include, for instance: providing a substrate and forming a fin above the substrate so that the fin has a first sidewall including one or more elongate first sidewall protrusions and a second sidewall including one or more elongate second sidewall protrusions, with the one or more elongate second sidewall protrusions being substantially aligned with the one or more elongate first sidewall protrusions; and, anisotropically etching the fin with the elongate first sidewall protrusions and the elongate second sidewall protrusions to define the one or more nanowires. The etchant may be chosen to selectively etch along a pre-defined crystallographic plane, such as the (111) crystallographic plane, to form the nanowire structures.

Abstract: Integrated circuits, methods of forming integrated circuits, and methods of sensing voiding between a through-semiconductor via and a subsequent layer that overlies the through-semiconductor via in integrated circuits are provided. An exemplary method of forming an integrated circuit includes forming a plurality of semiconductor devices on a semiconductor substrate. A through-semiconductor via is formed in the semiconductor substrate, and an interlayer dielectric layer is formed that overlies the through-semiconductor via and the plurality of semiconductor devices. A first interconnect via is embedded within the interlayer dielectric layer, and a second interconnect via is embedded within the interlayer dielectric layer. The first interconnect via and the second interconnect via are in electrical communication with the through-semiconductor via at spaced locations from each other on the through-semiconductor via.

Abstract: Integrated circuits, methods of forming integrated circuits, and methods of sensing voiding between a through-semiconductor via and a subsequent layer that overlies the through-semiconductor via in integrated circuits are provided. An exemplary method of forming an integrated circuit includes forming a plurality of semiconductor devices on a semiconductor substrate. A through-semiconductor via is formed in the semiconductor substrate, and an interlayer dielectric layer is formed that overlies the through-semiconductor via and the plurality of semiconductor devices. A first interconnect via is embedded within the interlayer dielectric layer, and a second interconnect via is embedded within the interlayer dielectric layer. The first interconnect via and the second interconnect via are in electrical communication with the through-semiconductor via at spaced locations from each other on the through-semiconductor via.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention generally relate to approaches for forming a semiconductor device such as a TSV device having a “buffer zone” or gap layer between the TSV and transistor(s). The gap layer is typically filled with a low stress, thin film fill material that controls stresses and crack formation on the devices. Further, the gap layer ensures a certain spatial distance between TSVs and transistors to reduce the adverse effects of temperature excursion.

Abstract: Integrated circuits and methods of forming integrated circuits are provided herein, in which a plurality of semiconductor devices is formed on a semiconductor substrate. At least one through-semiconductor via is formed in the semiconductor substrate and an interlayer dielectric layer is formed overlying the at least one through-semiconductor via and the plurality of semiconductor devices. A first pattern is etched in the interlayer dielectric layer over the at least one through-semiconductor via, and a second pattern different from the first pattern is etched in the interlayer dielectric layer over the same through-semiconductor via as the first pattern. At least one interconnect via is embedded within the interlayer dielectric layer, in electrical communication with one of the at least one through-semiconductor vias. A metal-containing material is deposited in the first pattern and the second pattern to form a first metal layer in electrical communication with the at least one interconnect via.

Abstract: A system may include a network interface, a user interface, and a recommendation engine. The user interface may be configured to receive a job characteristic of a job profile of a job posted to the social network and a job bid from an entity related to job to the social network. The recommendation engine may be configured to determine an aggregate job score for the user based on a relevance of the job characteristic to a user characteristic and the job bid. The network interface may be configured to transmit a message related to the job to the user based, at least in part, on the aggregate job score.

Abstract: An applicator head for selectively dispensing product includes a base structure and a support structure. The base structure includes a top face inclined relative to a bottom face, and a first side wall. The top face includes a base flange, and defines a first orifice in fluid communication with a fastener of the bottom face. The support structure includes a lower face inclined relative to an upper face, and a second side wall. The upper face includes a top surface and defines a second orifice. The lower face includes a support flange engaged with the base flange such that the support structure is pivotable relative to the base structure between first and second positions. Fluid communication is facilitated from the fastener through the second orifice in only one of the first and second positions. A dispenser is also provided.

Abstract: A method of forming an integrated circuit device includes providing a substrate including an active device, forming a through silicon via into the substrate, forming a device contact to the active device, forming a conductive layer over the through silicon via and the device contact, and forming a connecting via structure for electrically connecting the conductive layer with the through silicon via. An integrated circuit device includes a through silicon via formed into a substrate silicon material, a conductive layer formed over the through silicon via, and a connecting via structure formed between the conductive layer and the through silicon via for electrically connecting the conductive layer with the through silicon via. The connecting via structure comprises a first series of via bars intersected with a second series of via bars.

Abstract: A method of forming an integrated circuit device includes providing a substrate including an active device, forming a through silicon via into the substrate, forming a device contact to the active device, forming a conductive layer over the through silicon via and the device contact, and forming a connecting via structure for electrically connecting the conductive layer with the through silicon via. An integrated circuit device includes a through silicon via formed into a substrate silicon material, a conductive layer formed over the through silicon via, and a connecting via structure formed between the conductive layer and the through silicon via for electrically connecting the conductive layer with the through silicon via. The connecting via structure comprises a first series of via bars intersected with a second series of via bars.

Abstract: A method and system to minimize redundancy in testing a new software system by utilizing a knowledge base is provided. The knowledge base may be represented in a form of a decision tree including leaf nodes which store previously tested optimal configurations. When the knowledge base does not contain an optimal configuration for the new software, an optimal solution for the new software system may be determined by adding a further decision tree branch to the initial decision tree. A desirable tree branch may be selected from a table including a predetermined set of desirable tree branches for each category of software. As a result, the number of solutions to be tested on the input software may be limited and cost and effort to run redundant tests on a software system may be reduced.

Abstract: An electrical switch has a fixed contact and a moving contact arranged for movement between an ON position in contact with the fixed contact and an OFF position out of contact with the fixed contact, and an operating member for operating the moving contact. A spring co-acts between the operating member and the moving contact and resiliently biases the moving contact towards each of the ON and OFF positions through an over-centre action of the spring. An end piece is fitted at each end of the spring, which has a formation, for example, a groove, for pure rotary engagement with a part, for example, a pin, movable with the operating member or moving contact for imparting resilient action upon the operating member or the moving contact.

Abstract: While interacting with a messaging interface, keywords or other search criteria are automatically identified and used to perform a search. Search results and sponsored links (or advertisements) are displayed to the user within the messaging interface. To alleviate privacy concerns, this process will not be performed unless the user has explicitly opted-in to the search feature. In another embodiment, the user can highlight keywords in an outbound or inbound message to trigger a search without leaving the messaging interface. In another embodiment, the user can input a search keyword or phrase to trigger a search without leaving the messaging interface.

Abstract: An electrical switch has two fixed contacts and a moving contact, a spring urging the moving contact towards contacting the fixed contacts, and an actuating mechanism for moving the moving contact away from the fixed contacts against urging by the spring and, alternatively, allowing the moving contact to contact the fixed contacts under the action of the spring. The actuating mechanism has an engaging member for engaging and retaining the moving contact and includes a spring acting on the engaging member for separating the moving contact from the fixed contacts through an instant spring-release action. One of the engaging member and the contacts is configured such that the moving contact will be engaged and moved by the engaging member out of contact with one of the fixed contacts earlier than with the other fixed contact.

Abstract: The present invention relates to lanthanide porphyrin complexes and their uses as anti-tumor agents. The described complexes show promising cytotoxic properties toward cancer cells in both in vitro and in vivo studies.

Abstract: A power recycling method and apparatus for driving capacitive display elements are described. The driving process involves charging and discharging the display elements. More particularly, the method effectively reuses some of the energy during the discharging process. Energy in display elements flows back from the panel to a power supply and other optionally to devices like RAM, MCU directly during the discharging process. Diodes between one or more power supplies and the display elements ensure that the discharge paths are disconnected when the voltage of display elements drops below the voltage of the power supply. A resistor path from the display elements to ground or a power supply lower than the display threshold voltage of the display elements guarantees that elements are turned OFF after the discharge process.

Abstract: A system and method for verifying messages. The method may include the steps of receiving an inbound message and characterizing the inbound message by analyzing a latent cryptographic identifier in the inbound message. The identifier is generated by a recognized message system, which may be the receiving system itself, for an outbound message. Characterizing may involve detecting if the latent cryptographic identifier is present and determining if the cryptographic identifier is valid. The step of determining can be performed using symmetric or asymmetric methods of verifying the authenticity of the message.

Abstract: An electrical switch has two fixed contacts and a moving contact, a spring urging the moving contact towards contacting the fixed contacts, and an actuating mechanism for moving the moving contact away from the fixed contacts against urging by the spring and, alternatively, allowing the moving contact to contact the fixed contacts under the action of the spring. The actuating mechanism has an engaging member for engaging and retaining the moving contact and includes a spring acting on the engaging member for separating the moving contact from the fixed contacts through an instant spring-release action. One of the engaging member and the contacts is configured such that the moving contact will be engaged and moved by the engaging member out of contact with one of the fixed contacts earlier than with the other fixed contact.

Abstract: An electrical switch has a fixed contact and a moving contact arranged for movement between an ON position in contact with the fixed contact and an OFF position out of contact with the fixed contact, and an operating member for operating the moving contact. A spring co-acts between the operating member and the moving contact and resiliently biases the moving contact towards each of the ON and OFF positions through an over-centre action of the spring. An end piece is fitted at each end of the spring, which has a formations for example, a groove, for pure rotary engagement with a part, for example a pin, movable with the operating member or moving contact for imparting resilient action upon the operating member or the moving contact.

Abstract: A driving system and method for electroluminescence displays having a matrix of electroluminescence elements arrayed in rows and columns with a control circuit for discharging each anode line to a column equalization bus (CEB), includes connecting the charged anode line to the CEB at the end of activation of each anode line. Discharging and subsequent de-activation of the anode line are allowed by charge-sharing with un-activated anode lines that are to be activated for the next row. This is accomplished by connecting the charged anode line to the CEB. In displaying images, anode lines are activated for a number of time periods according to gray scale or color data. Anode lines are consequently de-activated accordingly at different times during a lighting phase for each row display time. When anode lines are discharged through charge sharing on the CEB, a control circuit maintains the voltage on the CEB below a level that may cause inadvertent activation of the de-activated elements.

Abstract: This invention provides two novel vectors, a vector comprising a rAAV-type 2 plasmid encoding mutant survivin (Cys84Ala), and a vector comprising a rAAV-type 2 plasmid encoding eGFP. This invention also provides compositions comprising the above vectors. This invention provides a method for inducing apoptosis in a cell comprising introducing into the cell the vector comprising a rAAV-type 2 plasmid encoding mutant survivin (Cys84Ala), or a composition thereof. This invention further provides a method for inhibiting tumor cell growth comprising introducing into the tumor cell the vector comprising a rAAV-type 2 plasmid encoding mutant survivin (Cys84Ala), or a composition thereof. Finally, this invention provides a method of treating a subject having colon cancer comprising administering to the subject a suitable amount of the vector comprising a rAAV-type 2 plasmid encoding mutant survivin (Cys84Ala) in a composition.