Maskless hybrid laser scribing and plasma etching wafer dicing processes are described. In an example, a method of dicing a semiconductor wafer having a front surface with a plurality of integrated circuits thereon and having a passivation layer disposed between and covering metal pillar/solder bump pairs of the integrated circuits involves laser scribing, without the use of a mask layer, the passivation layer to provide scribe lines exposing the semiconductor wafer. The method also involves plasma etching the semiconductor wafer through the scribe lines to singulate the integrated circuits, wherein the passivation layer protects the integrated circuits during at least a portion of the plasma etching. The method also involves thinning the passivation layer to partially expose the metal pillar/solder bump pairs of the integrated circuits.

A process for preparing a semiconductor structure for mounting to a carrier is disclosed. The process involves causing a support material to substantially fill a void defined by surfaces formed in the semiconductor structure and causing the support material to solidify sufficiently to support the semiconductor structure when mounted to the carrier.

Methods for fabricating integrated circuits include fabricating a logic device on a substrate, forming an intermediate semiconductor substrate on a surface of the logic device, and fabricating a capacitor-less memory cell on the intermediate semiconductor substrate. Integrated circuits with capacitor-less memory cells formed on a surface of a logic device are also disclosed, as are multi-core microprocessors including such integrated circuits.

A microelectronic assembly and method of making, which includes a first microelectronic element (including a substrate with first and second opposing surfaces, a semiconductor device, and conductive pads at the first surface which are electrically coupled to the semiconductor device) and a second microelectronic element (including a handler with first and second opposing surfaces, a second semiconductor device, and conductive pads at the handler first surface which are electrically coupled to the second semiconductor device). The first and second microelectronic elements are integrated such that the second surfaces face each other. The first microelectronic element includes conductive elements each extending from one of its conductive pads, through the substrate to the second surface. The second microelectronic element includes conductive elements each extending between the handler first and second surfaces. The conductive elements of the first microelectronics element are electrically coupled to the conductive elements of the second microelectronics element.

This invention provides recombinant DNA constructs and methods for manipulating expression of a target gene that is regulated by a small RNA, by interfering with the binding of the small RNA to its target gene. More specifically, this invention discloses recombinant DNA constructs encoding cleavage blockers, 5-modified cleavage blockers, and translational inhibitors useful for modulating expression of a target gene and methods for their use. Further disclosed are miRNA targets useful for designing recombinant DNA constructs including miRNA-unresponsive transgenes, miRNA decoys, cleavage blockers, 5-modified cleavage blockers, and translational inhibitors, as well as methods for their use, and transgenic eukaryotic cells and organisms containing such constructs.

The present invention relates to a composition useful for the diagnosis of diseases associated with aberrant expression of the genes encoding the secreted proteins Futrin 1, 2, 3 and/or 4(=R-Spondin 2, 3, 1 and 4, respectively), e.g. in connection with tumors or diseases of the muscle, kidneys or bones. The present invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition containing a compound which is capable of modifying (a) the expression of the gene encoding Futrin 1, 2, 3 and/or 4 or (b) the activity of the Futrin 1, 2, 3 and/or 4 protein.

The invention relates to compounds that specifically bind a T1R1/T1R3 or T1R2/T1R3 receptor or fragments or sub-units thereof. The present invention also relates to the use of hetero-oligomeric and chimeric taste receptors comprising T1R1/T1R3 and T1R2/T1R3 in assays to identify compounds that respectively respond to umami taste stimuli and sweet taste stimuli. Further, the invention relates to the constitutive of cell lines that stably or transiently co-express a combination of T1R1 and T1R3; or T1R2 and T1R3; under constitutive or inducible conditions. The use of these cells lines in cell-based assays to identify umami and sweet taste modulatory compounds is also provided, particularly high throughput screening assays that detect receptor activity by use of fluorometric imaging.

This invention relates to the field of biotechnology or genetic engineering. Specifically, this invention relates to the field of gene expression. More specifically, this invention relates to novel substitution mutant receptors and their use in a nuclear receptor-based inducible gene expression system and methods of modulating the expression of a gene in a host cell for applications such as gene therapy, large scale production of proteins and antibodies, cell-based high throughput screening assays, functional genomics and regulation of traits in transgenic organisms.

The invention relates to malodor controlling bacteria and related methods and compositions for the control and prevention of malodor.

The present invention relates, in general, to gene expression and, in particular, to a method of inhibiting the expression of a target gene and to constructs suitable for use in such a method.

A method of making a vehicle seat assembly comprising providing a cushion having an “A” surface, a “B” surface, a central portion, and two bolster areas, with each bolster area being adjacent the central portion, the cushion having a plurality of intrusions extending from the “A” surface towards the “B” surface to form a hardness gradient between at least one of the bolster areas and the central portion of between 8% to 25%, securing the cushion to a frame, and covering cushion with a trim member.

A wire harness for a vehicle seating assembly includes a body portion having a plurality of engagement hooks adapted for engagement with a vehicle seat cushion pan. A latticework of interconnected lateral support members are bound by a peripheral frame.

A vehicle seating assembly includes a seatpan coupled with a track assembly that has a rail and a slide. The vehicle seating assembly also includes a cushion assembly that has a movable cushion and a base cushion with a slot. The movable cushion is slidable between a forward position and a rearward position on the seatpan. In addition, the vehicle seating assembly includes a coverstock with a first portion that is disposed over a movable cushion. The coverstock also has a second portion that is disposed between the seatpan and the cushion assembly. The second portion of the coverstock is withdrawn through the slot when the movable cushion moves to the forward position. A gap is defined by the area between the base cushion and the movable cushion in the forward position. The gap is concealed by the coverstock when the movable cushion is in the forward position.

A cushion element for a vehicle seat or headrest comprises a non-woven layer and a fiber composite material. An insert material is arranged between the non-woven layer and the fiber composite material, and has different compression properties than the fiber composite material. The fiber composite material forms together with the insert material and the non-woven layer a one-piece material composite.

Aspects and embodiments of the present invention provide a system for obtaining, processing and managing data from an implanted sensor. In some embodiments, a patient or other persons can use a flexible antenna to obtain data from the implanted sensor. The flexible antenna includes at least one transmit loop and at least one receive loop. The transmit loop is adapted to propagate energizing signals to the implanted sensor. The receive loop is adapted to detect a response signal from the implanted sensor. The transmit loop includes a capacitor formed by a discontinuous area. The capacitor is adapted to allow the loop to be tuned. The flexible antenna can communicate with a patient device that collects the data from the implanted sensor, creates a data file and transmits the data file to a remote server over a network. A physician or other authorized person may access the remote server using an access device.

Methods and apparatus for computing the carrier frequency of a transmitter using frequency modulated digital data to compensate for frequency shifting of the transmitter and the receiver local oscillators and for bandwidth adjustment of the receiver's filter. In particular, methods and apparatus are disclosed for binary systems transmitting “1” and “0” data using decoded or undecoded received signals.

A pattern printing system and data processing method thereof are disclosed, which are suitable for printing patterns on printed circuit boards or data format rearrangement printing used in displays. The pattern printing method includes a process for interpreting scription data into matrix data, a procedure for modulating the print head resolution and the printing resolution, a procedure for interpreting and transmitting data commands, a procedure for rearranging memory data, and a procedure for firing data synchronously so as to achieve high-resolution printing and to continuously modulate any print data.

A pen which is able to modulate the trace of the pen in response to a sensory signal of the user, such as for example skin conductance or respiration. The sensory signals represent the mood of the user. By changing the trace of the pen, a change in mood of the user can be expressed.

A data processing apparatus is monitoring the first port of itself and the second port of itself. If the data processing apparatus receives data via the second port, it conducts a specific process to the data regardless of a data format of the data so as to convert the data into the data format that can be processed regardless of a data format of the data and sends converted data to the first port.

An exemplary system for managing the deployment of a seismic data acquisition system uses a module configured to execute a plurality of task in the field by receiving one or more seismic devices. The module may include a power source that provides electrical power to the seismic devices. The module may also include a processor programmed to retrieve data stored in the seismic devices, perform diagnostics, facilitate inventory and logistics control, configure seismic devices and update data or pre-programmed instructions in the seismic device.

Next generation pervasive wireless ecosystems and mobile information apparatus are herein disclosed and enabling millions of users to migrate to pervasive digital living and enterprise. Wireless communications may include the mobile information apparatus accessing wireless local area network or by direct wireless communication. The mobile information apparatus may include a wireless unit compatible with Bluetooth and/or IEEE802.11. Mobile information apparatus may conduct a local area wireless search within short distances for discovering wireless devices in its vicinity, receive an attribute related to the discovered wireless device, establish secure wireless communication with the discovered wireless device, and transfer or synchronize digital content or applications to/from the discovered wireless device. The discovered wireless device may be other mobile apparatus, wireless televisions, wireless audio devices, wireless speakers, wireless printers, among others, in a digital living room or office. Mobile apparatus may be smart phones, information pads, or laptops with touch sensitive screen interface.

Provided is a welding metal in which the chemical component composition thereof is appropriately controlled; an A value that is specified by a predetermined relational expression satisfies the requirement of being 3.8% to 9.0%; an X value that is specified by a predetermined relational expression satisfies the requirement of being 0.5% or greater; the area percentage of carbide particles having a circle-equivalent diameter of 0.20 μm or greater in the welding metal is 4.0% or less; and the number of carbide particles having a circle-equivalent diameter of 1.0 μm or greater is 1000 particles/mm2 or less. This welding metal, which can exhibit not only high strength but also good low-temperature toughness and good drop-weight characteristics, is useful as a material for a pressure vessel in a nuclear power plant.

In a reflow process, a plurality of solder bumps between a first workpiece and a second workpiece is melted. During a solidification stage of the plurality of solder bumps, the plurality of solder bumps is cooled at a first cooling rate. After the solidification stage is finished, the plurality of solder bumps is cooled at a second cooling rate lower than the first cooling rate.

A pick-and-place vacuum nozzle including a a nozzle body, a vacuum chamber within the nozzle body, a cavity formed in a lower surface of the nozzle body below the vacuum chamber, wherein the cavity is shaped to hold a head gimbal assembly, a back pressure relief hole passing through the nozzle body and connected to the vacuum chamber, the back pressure relief hole communicating with an exterior of the nozzle body, wherein a diameter of the back pressure relief hole is between 0.5 mm and 1 mm. The backpressure relief hole prevents light parts from sticking to the nozzle tip after vacuum is no longer applied.

A gripper (1) for a contact lens (CL) includes a gripper head (10) having a bearing surface (11), the bearing surface (11) having at least one opening (110) through which underpressure can be applied in order to suck the contact lens (CL) against the bearing surface (11) and through which overpressure can be applied in order to release the contact lens (CL) from the bearing surface (11). The gripper further includes a detection opening (111) in the bearing surface (11) through which a separate underpressure can be applied.

An integral pressurized water nuclear reactor for the production of steam utilizing a helical coil steam generator, a plurality of internal circulation pumps, and an internal control rod drive mechanism structure.

A method and apparatus for repairing and/or reinforcing a Boiling Water Reactor (BWR) jet pump riser pipe. The repair includes attaching two collars to the riser pipe using match drilling to drill holes through the collars and the riser pipe and plugging the holes with expandable plugs. Support columns are attached to the collars. Brace supports are slideably attached to the support columns. Gaps between each brace support and its respective collar are then narrowed as ratchet bolts may apply a force that pulls downward on an upper collar and pulls upward on a lower collar, thereby exerting a compression force on the riser pipe. A clamp assembly may also be located between the two collars that applies a hoop force on the riser pipe.

A pressurized water reactor (PWR) includes a vertical cylindrical pressure vessel having a lower portion containing a nuclear reactor core and a vessel head defining an internal pressurizer. A reactor coolant pump (RCP) mounted on the vessel head includes an impeller inside the pressure vessel, a pump motor outside the pressure vessel, and a vertical drive shaft connecting the motor and impeller. The drive shaft does not pass through the internal pressurizer. A central riser may be disposed concentrically inside the pressure vessel, and the RCP impels primary coolant downward into a downcomer annulus between the central ser and the pressure vessel. A steam generator may be disposed in the downcomer annulus and spaced apart from with the impeller by an outlet plenum, A manway may access the outlet plenum so tube plugging can be performed on the steam generator via access through the manway without removing the RCP.

A compressor assembly and the method of using the same which includes an elongated spiral passageway within which a compact toroid plasma, such as a compact toroid plasma structure, can be efficiently compressed to a high-energy state by compressing the compact toroid plasma structure by its own momentum against the wall of the spiral passageway in a manner to induce heating by conservation of energy. The compressor assembly also includes a burn chamber that is in communication with the spiral passageway and into which the compressed compact toroid plasma structure is introduced following its compression.

Various embodiments are directed to a gaming system capable of providing progressive level alerts or promotions when a progressive jackpot reaches a predetermined value. In one embodiment, the user is able to register for a progressive level alert. In another embodiment, the progressive level alert is presented on an affiliated or third party website. By providing progressive jackpot amount information, the user, who may not otherwise patronize a casino, is encouraged to visit the particular casino offering games capable of awarding a progressive jackpot prize of a predetermined amount.

A transaction is preprocessed wirelessly in response to a wireless transaction preprocessing user device being in a queue for a point-of-transaction. The transaction that was preprocessed is then completed in response to the wireless transaction preprocessing user device reaching the point-of-transaction. Financial transactions and/or purchase of goods and/or services may thereby be preprocessed wirelessly and then completed at a point-of-transaction. Related devices and computer program products are also disclosed.

A mobile device utilizes an embedded near field communication (NFC) capability to interact with a contactless transaction card to automatically obtain information from the card, e.g. reducing or eliminating the burden of manual user entry of the account information or the like into the mobile device. The mobile device, for a financial account transaction example, may read the information from the card at the time of a transaction, e.g. to facilitate an on-line purchase, an in-store purchase, ATM transaction or the like. The mobile device may store the information from one or more contactless transaction cards, for use in future transactions of various types. The mobile device and/or a server in communication with the mobile device may track various user activities on the mobile device that also utilize information obtained from the contactless transaction card.

A method for operating a brushless electric motor, the windings being energized by an inverter with the aid of six switches. A detection unit for detecting defective switches, a unit for measuring voltage at the outputs of the inverter, and a microcontroller for controlling the switch and for generating a pulse width modulated voltage supply for the windings are provided. A short-circuited switch causes a torque in the electric motor opposite the actuating direction of the electric motor. The method proposes that after detecting a short-circuited switch, the windings (U. V. W) are energized to generate a motor torque that is, on the whole, positive. An actuating period of the electric motor is divided into a plurality of sectors, wherein, in accordance with the defective switch, individual sectors are deactivated for the actuation of the windings (U, V, W), while other sectors are used to actuate the windings (V, W).

An output buffer comprises a series connection of a first field effect transistor and a second field effect transistor, wherein the first field effect transistor is connected to a first supply potential terminal and the second field effect transistor is connected to a second supply potential terminal. An output terminal is connected to a common connection of the first transistor and the second transistor. The output buffer has a series connection of a resistive element and a capacitive element, wherein the capacitive element is connected to the output terminal, and a control circuit, to which an input signal is provided. The control circuit controls the transistors in such a way that turning off of a transistor is performed immediately, while turning on of a transistor is performed depending on the charging or discharging of the capacitive element, thus achieving a defined slew rate of the output signal at the output terminal.

A method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display includes: preparing a lower mother substrate, where lower cells, each including a thin film transistor, are provided on the lower mother substrate, and a lower alignment layer is disposed on the lower cells; preparing an upper mother substrate, where upper cells corresponding to the lower cells are provided on the upper mother substrate, and an upper alignment layer is disposed on the upper cells; providing a mother substrate assembly by providing a liquid crystal mixture layer between the lower and upper mother substrates and combining the lower and upper mother substrates; providing a pretilt of the liquid crystals by applying a voltage to a voltage application unit of the lower mother substrate; and curing an alignment supporting agents in the liquid crystal mixture layer or the lower and upper alignment layers by irradiating light to a side of the mother substrate assembly.

A pressing device for assembling a liquid crystal display panel is provided. The pressing device includes a base plate, a pressing plate, a first cushion and a second cushion. The pressing plate is disposed opposite to the base plate and adapted to move toward or away from the base plate. The first cushion is disposed between the base plate and the pressing plate. The second cushion is disposed between the pressing plate and the first cushion, wherein one of the first cushion and the second cushion has a hollow zone corresponding to a display area of the liquid crystal display panel. A method for assembling a liquid crystal display panel is further provided.

An organic EL device (1) includes: a substrate (11); a plurality of lower electrodes (14) formed on the substrate (11) and corresponding to luminescence regions, respectively; a dividing wall (17) formed so as to surround the luminescence regions; light-emitting layers (19) formed on the lower electrodes (14) in the luminescence regions, respectively; and an upper electrode (20) formed on the dividing wall (17) and the light-emitting layers (19). The dividing wall (17) is conductive and electrically connected to the upper electrode (20).

The present invention relates to a method of and a vertical pumping device (1) for internally distributing Hg in a fluorescent tube body (3). The bottom (7) of the fluorescent tube body (3) is closed. The device (1) arranges, in a first position, a first solid body (9') comprising a predetermined first amount of bound Hg. The device (1) arranges, in a second position, a second solid body (9″) comprising a predetermined second amount of bound Hg. A first release (E1) of the first amount of Hg is achieved in the fluorescent tube body (3) by gasification with heat and under pressure for purification of contaminant particles in the fluorescent tube body. A second release (E2) of the second amount of Hg is achieved in the fluorescent tube body (3) by gasification attained for the occluded mercury vapour of the fluorescent tube body (3).

Process for obtaining lithium carbonate directly from the mineral containing silicium, aluminum, lithium and other metal oxides without the need to dissolve previously all oxides in sulphuric acid or alkaline hydroxides at high temperatures and pressures, by using carbon dioxide and water at supercritical or near supercritical conditions acting directly on the fine powder of the mineral.

The invention relates to a process and apparatus for recovering sulfur (9). In a sour gas scrubbing apparatus (S) comprises a scrubbing part (SP) and a regeneration part (RP), wherein sulfur components and carbon dioxide are selectively removed from a crude synthesis gas (2) with the aid of a circulating scrubbing agent (3). A sulfur-containing gas fraction (8) produced during the regeneration of loaded scrubbing agent is supplied to a sulfur recovery system (SR) in which an off-gas (10) comprising carbon dioxide and also sulfur components is formed. The off-gas is hydrogenated (H) and subsequently subjected to a gas scrubbing operation (Z). The hydrogenated off-gas (12) is scrubbed, independently of the crude synthesis gas (2), and scrubbing agent (13) removed from the scrubbing agent circuit of the sour gas scrubbing apparatus (S) is used to scrub out sulfur components from the hydrogenated off-gas (12).

The present invention relates to an organotemplate-free synthetic process for the production of a zeolitic material comprising YO2 and X2O3, wherein said process comprises the steps of (1) preparing a mixture comprising seed crystals, one or more sources for YO2, one or more sources for X2O3, and one or more solvents;(2) crystallizing the mixture obtained in step (1) to obtain a zeolitic material comprising YO2 and X2O3 as a crystallization product; wherein Y is a tetravalent element, and X is a trivalent element, and wherein at least a portion of the mother liquor obtained in step (2) is recycled to step (1) as a source for YO2, optionally after concentration of the mother liquor.

The present invention is directed to a hybrid process using ion exchange resins in the selective recovery of nickel and cobalt of leaching effluents that is comprised of the steps of processing (1) the laterite ore (M), which is then treated through leaching (2) (either atmospheric or under pressure), considering solutions from the solid-liquid separation step of existing plants already in operation (2) as well, in a way that the downstream process comprises an ion exchange hybrid circuit, wherein the first ion exchange step (3) with resins (Re) exhibits specific selectivity conditions for the removal of iron, aluminum and copper and an increased pH, and the second ion exchange step (4) allows the removal of nickel and cobalt.

An exhaust system for a compression ignition engine comprising an oxidation catalyst for treating carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbons (HCs) in exhaust gas from the compression ignition engine, wherein the oxidation catalyst comprises: a platinum group metal (PGM) component selected from the group consisting of a platinum (Pt) component, a palladium (Pd) component and a combination thereof; an alkaline earth metal component; a support material comprising a modified alumina incorporating a heteroatom component; and a substrate, wherein the platinum group metal (PGM) component, the alkaline earth metal component and the support material are disposed on the substrate.

A CO2 amine scrubbing process uses an absorbent mixture consisting of an alkanolamine CO2 sorbent in combination with a non-nucleophilic base. The alkanolamine has oxygen and nitrogen sites capable of nucleophilic attack at the CO2 carbon atom. The nucleophilic addition is promoted in the presence of the non-nucleophilic, relatively stronger base, acting as a proton acceptor. The non-nucleophilic base promoter, which may also act as a solvent for the alkanolamine, can promote reaction with the CO2 at each of the reactive hydroxyl and nucleophilic amine group(s) of the alkanolamines. In the case of primary amino alkanolamines the CO2 may be taken up by a double carboxylation reaction in which two moles of CO2 are taken up by the reacting primary amine groups.

An object the invention is to provide a phosphorus pentafluoride producing process wherein phosphorus pentafluoride is separated/extracted from a pentavalent phosphorus compound or a solution thereof, or a composition obtained by allowing the pentavalent phosphorus compound or the solution thereof to react with hydrogen fluoride, thereby producing phosphorus pentafluoride; and a phosphate hexafluoride producing process wherein the resultant phosphorus pentafluoride is used as raw material to produce a phosphate hexafluoride high in purity. The present invention relates to a process for producing phosphorus pentafluoride, wherein a carrier gas is brought into contact with either of the following one: a pentavalent phosphorus compound, a solution thereof, or a solution in which a composition obtained by allowing the pentavalent phosphorus compound or the solution thereof to react with hydrogen fluoride is dissolved, thereby a phosphorus pentafluoride is extracted into the career gas.

Process for preparing hydrocyanic acid by catalytic dehydration of gaseous formamide, wherein the dehydration of formamide is coupled with an exothermic reaction by the reactor used in the dehydration comprising two separate fluid paths which are separated by a common reactor wall, with one fluid path being provided for the dehydration of formamide and the second fluid path being provided for the exothermic reaction.

This specification discloses an operational continuous process to convert lignin as found in ligno-cellulosic biomass before or after converting at least some of the carbohydrates. The continuous process has been demonstrated to create a slurry comprised of lignin, raise the slurry comprised of lignin to ultra-high pressure, deoxygenate the lignin in a lignin conversion reactor over a catalyst which is not a fixed bed without producing char. The conversion products of the carbohydrates or lignin can be further processed into polyester intermediates for use in polyester preforms and bottles.

A production process for composite oxide expressed by a compositional formula: LiMn1-xAxO2, where “A” is one or more kinds of metallic elements other than Mn; and 0≦“x”

The present invention concerns a process for producing ammonia synthesis gas from the reforming of hydrocarbons with steam in a primary reformer (1) equipped with a plurality of externally heated catalytic tubes and then in a secondary reformer (2) together with an oxidant gas. In this process, the reaction of said hydrocarbons with said steam in said primary reformer (1) is performed at an operating pressure of at least 45 bar in the catalytic tubes and a flow of essentially pure oxygen or oxygen-enriched air is added to said secondary reformer as oxidant gas for substantially reforming together with said all the hydrocarbons content of said product gas exiting the primary reformer (1). In the case essentially pure oxygen is used as oxidant gas, a flow of nitrogen is added downstream the secondary reformer (2) to reach a N2/H2 molar ratio corresponding to or close to the stoichiometric ratio for ammonia synthesis. This process allows to obtain high synthesis gas production capacities and lower investment and energy costs.

A semi-continuous process and system thereof, for the synthesis of a narrow particle size distribution Zeigler Natta procatalyst for use in the manufacture of polyolefins. The process comprises: (a) mixing a reaction mixture containing a titanium compound; (b) charging a first reactor with said reaction mixture; (c) removing excess reactants from said first reactor as a filtrate; (d) feeding said filtrate to at least one further reactor; and continuously removing excess reactants from said at least further reactor.