An assignment section 101 determines communication resource assignment to communication terminals based on a transmission rate at which communication is possible for each subcarrier of each communication terminal, and instructs a buffer section 102 to output forward transmission data. In addition, the assignment section 101 instructs a frame creation section 103 to perform forward transmission data symbolization, and also outputs a signal indicating communication resource assignment to each communication terminal. The buffer section 102 holds forward transmission data, and outputs forward transmission data to the frame creation section 103 in accordance with instructions from the assignment section 101. The frame creation section 103 symbolizes a resource assignment signal and transmission data to create a frame, which it outputs to a spreading section 104.

In a cellular communication system, one base station performs radio communication with a plurality of communication terminals simultaneously, and therefore, as demand has increased in recent years, so has the need for higher transmission efficiency.
One technology for increasing the transmission efficiency of a downlink from a base station to a communication terminal is HDR (High Data Rate). HDR is a method whereby scheduling for assigning communication resources to communication terminals is performed by time division, and data transmission efficiency is further improved by setting the transmission rate for each communication terminal according to the communication quality. This method is suitable for connection via the Internet and the like.
The operations performed by a base station and communication terminals in order to set the transmission rate in HDR will be described below using FIG. 1. In FIG. 1, a base station 11 is currently performing communication with communication terminals 12 to 14.
First, the base station 11 transmits a pilot signal to each of communication terminals 12 to 14. Each of communication terminals 12 to 14 estimates the communication quality according to the SIR (Signal to Interference Ratio) of the received pilot signal, etc., and finds a transmission rate at which communication with the base station is possible. Then, based on the transmission rate at which communication is possible, each of communication terminals 12 to 14 selects a communication mode, which is a combination of packet length, error correction, and modulation method, and transmits a signal indicating the communication mode to the base station 11.
Based on the communication mode selected by each of communication terminals 12 to 14, the base station 11 performs scheduling, sets a transmission rate for each communication terminal, and sends a signal to each of communication terminals 12 to 14 via a control channel indicating communication resource assignment to each communication terminal.
The base station 11 then transmits only data for the relevant communication terminal in its assigned time. For example, if time t1 has been assigned to communication terminal 12, the base station 11 transmits data for communication terminal 12 in time t1, and does not transmit to communication terminals 13 and 14.
In this way, data transmission efficiency has conventionally been increased for the overall system by setting a transmission rate for each communication terminal according to the communication quality by means of HDR.
Here, the communication quality of some bands may degrade due to frequency selective fading. Also, the band portion for which communication quality degrades differs for each communication terminal.
In FIG. 2, for example, communication terminal 12 has good communication quality on the high-frequency side but poor communication quality on the low-frequency side, while communication terminal 13 has good communication quality on the low-frequency side but poor communication quality on the high-frequency side, and communication terminal 14 also has good communication quality on the low-frequency side but poor communication quality on the high-frequency side.
However, as the above-described conventional base station and communication terminals perform communication using the entire band, a problem is that communication quality degrades and transmission efficiency falls in a band affected by frequency selective fading.

Base station apparatus, communication terminal apparatus, and communication method

Panasonic Intellectual Property Corporation of America


A system that allows a user to install a remote control transmitter to transmit a control signal in response to the driver flashing the high-beam headlights in a vehicle without cutting and splicing wires in the vehicle electrical system. Pluggable light system components such as the light bulb housing, the light bulb socket, and/or the headlight fuse are structured and arranged to contain a radio frequency transmitter that draws power from the existing electrical circuits. A method of use is also disclosed.

This invention relates to providing a system for improved remote controls. More particularly this invention relates to providing a system for remote control transmitters embedded in replaceable vehicle components that are powered only during use.
Typically, vehicle gate (garages, gates) and other conveniences are automatically controlled in response to a signal, particularly a coded radio frequency signal.
Presently, no system exists that allows a user to install a remote control transmitter in a vehicle, powered by the vehicle electrical system, without cutting and splicing wires in the vehicle electrical system. Presently, no system exists for quickly and easily adapting a vehicle to transmit a control signal in response to the driver flashing the high-beam headlights without cutting and splicing wires in the vehicle electrical system.
Therefore, a need exists for a system that allows a user to install a remote control transmitter in a vehicle, powered by the vehicle electrical system, without cutting and splicing wires in the vehicle electrical system. Further, a need exists for a system that allows a user to quickly and easily adapt a vehicle to transmit a control signal in response to the driver flashing the high-beam headlights without cutting and splicing wires in the vehicle electrical system.


A lead-attached electrical element and a mounting board to which the lead-attached electrical element is mounted both contribute to a reduction in the size of the mounting board as well as facilitate rework. The lead-attached electrical element is constituted from an electrical element and two leads. Each lead includes a main portion which is bonded to a respective electrode face of the electrical element, and a bent portion which is inclined with respect to the main portion. The mounting board is constituted from a PC (printed circuit) board and the lead-attached electrical element. Two conductive lands are provided on a surface of the PC board. The lead-attached electrical element has been inserted into an aperture in the PC board, and bent portions of the leads attached to the electrical element are bonded to the conductive lands so that the electrical element is suspended in the aperture by the leads.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a mounting board composed of a PC (printed circuit) board on which a flat-type electrical element is mounted, and a lead-attached electrical element that is flat in shape and has a lead bonded to each electrode face. The present invention relates particularly to technology for an improved structure for mounting the electrical element to the PC board, taking into account reductions in size.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, mounting boards including a microcomputer, memory, etc. often have a flat-type electrical element such as a battery or capacitor mounted thereon as a backup power supply. The term "flat-type electrical element" includes so-called "coin-type" and "button-type" electrical elements. Generally, one end of a lead is connected to the cathode face of the electrical element, and one end of another lead is connected to the anode face. The other end of each lead is soldered to the PC board, thereby mounting the electrical element to the PC board.
In recent years, there has been demand for reduced-size electrical equipment, which has lead to demand for reduced-size mounting boards. One strategy for meeting this demand includes various methods of mounting an electrical element to a mounting board so as to reduce the area occupied by the electrical element (occupied area) on the main face of the mounting board when viewed from above in a direction perpendicular to the main face of the mounting board.
For example, there is technology for soldering one main face (one electrode) of a flat-type battery directly to a conductive land on a PC board, thereby reducing the number of leads that are required and reducing the area occupied by the flat-type battery on the PC board (see Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2002-298804).
After mounting an electrical element to a PC board in the above manner, in general the condition of the mounted electrical element is tested. If any sort of defect is found in the mounted electrical element, the electrical element must be detached from the mounting board. Specifically, an operator detaches each defective element separately by hand, by bringing a soldering iron into contact with the electrical element or lead that is soldered to the PC board in order to melt the solder. A new electrical element must then be re-soldered to a predetermined position on the PC board. This process is called rework.

Mounting board including a flat-type electrical element and capable of being reduced in size, and lead-attached electric element that is flat in shape and has a lead bonded to each electrode face


A connection mechanism including a plurality of microstructure features. The connection mechanism includes a first strip, with a plurality of protrusions extending from the first strip, and a second strip, with a plurality of protrusions extending from the second strip. The protrusions define grooves between adjacent protrusions. A pressure sensitive adhesive is provided in at least some of the grooves. When the first and second strips are brought together, the protrusions from one strip are received in the grooves of the other, and some of the protrusions contact the pressure sensitive adhesive, thereby connecting the first and second strips. The connection mechanism can be used as a closure mechanism for a plastic storage bag.

Field of the Invention
Our invention relates to a microstructure connecting mechanism. Our invention also relates to a plastic storage bag with a microstructure closure mechanism.
Related Art
There are many types of mechanisms for connecting two structures. In the field of flexible plastic storage bags, such as storage bags that are used to contain food, a zipper-type mechanism is often used to releasably connect the two sides of the bag about the opening to the interior of the bag. In general, a zipper-type closure mechanism for a plastic storage bag includes a projection on one side of the bag that is interlocked with a corresponding receiving member on the other side of the bag. Plastic storage bags with such a zipper closure mechanism are sold under the ZIPLOC® trademark by S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. of Racine, Wis., and an example of a plastic storage bag with a zipper-type closure mechanism can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,836,056, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.
An alternative to a zipper-type closure mechanism for storage bags, or for connecting two structures in general is an adhesive-type closure mechanism. An example of an adhesive-type closure mechanism for a storage bag can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,791,783, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. A common problem with an adhesive-type closure mechanism is that objects sometimes stick to the adhesive area of the closure mechanism. For example, if a plastic storage bag with an adhesive-type closure mechanism is used to store food products, particles from the food may become stuck to the adhesive area when the food is inserted into and removed from the storage bag. Food stuck to the adhesive area reduces the efficacy of the adhesive-type closure mechanism. Further, the food stuck to the closure area makes the plastic storage bag look unattractive.

Microstructure connecting mechanism and plastic storage bag with microstructure closure mechanism


To prevent an occurrence of mismatch in processing timing between a PHY layer and a MAC layer that may occur when a synchronization process for inter-base-station synchronization is performed by a PHY processing apparatus. A base station apparatus includes a PHY processing apparatus that performs a communication process related to the PHY layer, and a MAC processing apparatus that performs a communication process related to the MAC layer. The PHY processing apparatus includes a synchronization processing unit that performs a synchronization process for synchronizing a communication frame processing timing of the PHY processing apparatus with a communication frame processing timing of other base station apparatus serving as the synchronization source. The MAC processing apparatus acquires, from the PHY processing apparatus, synchronization information for synchronizing a communication frame processing timing of the MAC processing apparatus with the communication frame processing timing of the PHY processing apparatus.

A large number of base station apparatuses, which communicate with terminal devices (wireless communication terminals), are installed in order to cover a wide area. Here, among a plurality of base station apparatuses, inter-base-station synchronization for synchronizing communication frame timing or the like is performed in some cases.
For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses that the inter-base-station synchronization is performed by using wireless reception wave from other base station apparatus serving as the synchronization source.

Base station apparatus, base station apparatus-use signal processing apparatus, PHY processing apparatus, and MAC processing apparatus


An injector pre-filled with a radiopharmaceutical liquid, which comprises (1) a syringe containing a radiopharmaceutical liquid with a stopper made of an elastic material fitted at the top opening, (2) a holder having a hole at thee central part fitted on the stopper to keep it firmly at such position, (3) an adaptor having a body portion of which the lower part forms a cap portion, a passage for the radiopharmaceutical liquid penetrating the body portion and a hollow needle portion continuously extending from the passage to the lower direction, detachably fitted on the syringe, and (4) a disposable needle head comprising a needle having a passage for the radiopharmaceutical liquid therein and a cap portion, detachably fitted on the body portion of said adaptor to make a gap at the top part of the cap portion of the needle head, the cap portion of the needle head being at least partly made of an inside observable material.

The present invention relates to an injector for medical treatment. More particularly, it relates to an injector filled with a pharmaceutical liquid, i.e. so-called "pre-filled syringe".
For the convenience of handling, there are widely used disposable injectors filled with a pharmaceutical these days. Particularly in the field of nuclear medicine, the use of such disposable injectors filled with a radiopharmaceutical liquid is favored to protect the operators such as physicians, nurses, etc. from radiation exposure.
A typical example of conventional injectors used for the purpose is shown in FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings. However, such conventional injectors have certain drawbacks. For instance, a double-sided needle is used for the injectors so that whether the blood vessel is rightly secured with the needle can not be confirmed until the blood comes into the syringe (i.e. the cylinder). When a radiopharmaceutical liquid is to be administered, confirmation becomes more difficult, because the cylinder in such case is usually covered with lead or the like for prevention of radiation exposure While needles having various diameters, normally of 18 to 26 gauges, are to be used depending on age, administration site, etc., it is particularly difficult for ordinary hospitals to have a sufficient number and variety of such special needles as disposable double-sided needles


A set of first signal light and reference light with a phase difference of almost 0 degree, a set of second signal light and reference light with a phase difference of almost 180 degrees, a set of third signal light and reference light with a phase difference of almost 90 degrees, and a set of fourth signal light and reference light with a phase difference of almost 270 degrees are generated. A first differential signal as a difference between a first light-receiving signal obtained by a first light-receiving element and a second light-receiving signal obtained by a second light-receiving element is calculated, and a second differential signal as a difference between a third light-receiving signal obtained by a third light-receiving element and a fourth light-receiving signal obtained by a fourth light-receiving element is calculated. The first differential signal and the second differential signal are supplied to respective FIR filters. An equalization error is formed from output signals from the FIR filters. Tap coefficients for the FIR filters are controlled to minimize the equalization error.

In a case where a multilayer optical disc is played, for example, there is a high possibility that the light amount of a signal reduces to cause an error in reading the signal. As a solution to this problem, there is known a homodyne detection method by which to amplify the detection signal by the use of light interference (refer to Patent Documents 1 and 2).
According to Patent Documents 1 and 2, as a homodyne method for detecting light resulting from interference between signal light and reference light, four sets of signal light and reference light with phase differences of 90 degrees are detected. Specifically, the sets of signal light and reference light with phase differences of 0, 90, 180, and 270 degrees are detected. Each of the detections is performed by detecting the intensity of light resulting from interference between the signal light and the reference light.
Further, Patent Document 3 describes a playing apparatus that uses the homodyne method for optical discs on which signals are recorded in both lands and grooves.


An image pickup apparatus capable of taking a 3D picture may produce a 3D picture that gives a viewer a sense of strangeness if panning, tilting, or considerable camera shake occurs during imaging. Provided is an image pickup apparatus including: a motion detecting section, which detects the motion of the image pickup apparatus; and a picture data outputting section, which switches its output between 2D picture data and 3D picture data obtained by picking up subject images, depending on the detected motion of the image pickup apparatus. An appropriate picture is provided by switching the output between 2D picture data and 3D picture data depending on the motion of the image pickup apparatus. An appropriate picture is provided also by changing the stereo base of optical systems, or adjusting a parallax between the left image and the right image, in accordance with the motion of the image pickup apparatus.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus, and more particularly, to an image pickup apparatus having a function of taking a two-dimensional (2D) video and a three-dimensional (3D) video.
2. Description of the Related Art
Some television and movie contents of recent years are provided in a 3D format, and an environment that allows general users easy viewing of 3D pictures is on the way. In conjunction with this, image pickup apparatus manufacturers have proposed cameras capable of taking a 3D picture.
The common conventional method of taking a 3D picture is to photograph the same subject from different view points at the same time and obtain and generate a 3D picture from the amount of parallax between the view points. However, because a 3D picture is seen through a process in which the human brain recognizes a picture formed from parallax images as a three-dimensional image, images seen with eyes that are not adjusted properly for the process in which the human perceives a three-dimensional image may give the viewer a sense of strangeness. It has therefore been proposed as in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2008-187385 that, to take a 3D picture with an image pickup apparatus capable of handling 3D pictures, the camera control method (the cycle of exposure control in the case of Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2008-187385) is changed from that of 2D imaging in a manner that prevents the viewer viewing the 3D picture from feeling a sense of strangeness.
However, there are various other conditions that give a viewer of a 3D picture a sense of strangeness. Consumer cameras, in particular, which are used to take a 3D picture by general camera users instead of professionals, should have an automatic camera control function for adjusting the camera settings in advance to suit imaging conditions and a function of processing 3D picture data that is to be recorded so that a 3D picture taken may be an appropriate picture that does not give the viewer a sense of strangeness during viewing.


One aspect of the present invention includes no sugar added dried and dessert fruits that do not contain added sugar, and moreover do not compromise the sweetness, flavor, color and texture properties of the dried and dessert fruits. Yet another aspect of the present invention includes a process for preparing no sugar added dried and dessert fruits that do not compromise the sweetness, flavor, color and texture properties of the dried and dessert fruits.

Sugar has been added to conventional dried and dessert fruits. The sugar softens the acidity of dried and frozen fruits such as tart cherries, cranberries and other dried and frozen fruits and improves the flavor profile and sensory acceptability of the fruits when consumed. In these conventional fruits, sugar minimizes some of the traditional defects experienced when dried and dessert fruits are prepared without sugar. These defects include shrinkage, a hard and leathery texture, a loss of color, a loss of juiciness and slow rehydration associated with these conventional dried and dessert fruits.
However, conventional dried and dessert fruits having sugar added thereto are not readily acceptable to people with health concerns such as diabetes and/or obesity. Similar to fat consumption, sugar consumption is emerging as a health issue because of concerns with, among other ailments and diseases, diabetes and obesity. The United States Food and Nutrition Board has recommended limiting intake of added/refined sugar to 25% or less of the total daily calorie intake.
Applicants have discovered no sugar added dried and dessert fruits, and processes for preparing the same that do not compromise the sweetness, flavor, color and texture properties when compared with sugar added dried and dessert fruits.

No sugar added dried and dessert fruits and processes for preparing the same


This disclosure is directed to binary translator driven program state relocation. In general, a device may protect vulnerable program functions by setting them as non-executable. If an attempt is made to execute a protected program function, the program may trap to a binary translator in the device that may be configured to relocate program state from what has already been established (e.g., on a stack register). Program state may include resources (e.g., memory locations) used by the program during the course of execution. The binary translator may then translate the program into an executable form based on the relocated program state, and may be executed accordingly. Intruding code that attempts to overcome normal program execution and implement hostile operations (e.g., based the program state that is reflected in the stack register) will not function as intended since the relocated program state will cause unexpected results.

Electronic security has evolved into a more prominent concern as people are increasingly conducting personal and/or confidential transactions electronically. In addition, hackers and/or others with malicious intent are becoming increasingly more creative in circumventing existing security measures in devices. To combat evolving and pervasive incursions by malware and/or viruses, equipment and/or software manufacturers are continuing to make protection measures more intrinsic to the hardware of new devices. For example, in response to situations wherein foreign code is injected into programs to steal information from, or even take over control of, a device, new protection schemes including code signing and non-executable memory segments were implemented. These security provisions allow programs to be authenticated and even for certain vulnerable code to be marked as non-executable at the hardware level. For example, attempts to inject foreign code or to execute protected code would cause hardware control resources in a processor such as a hypervisor to intervene to protect the integrity of the system.
However, enterprising programmers figured out a way to circumvent these protections. For example, in return-oriented programming (ROP) an attacker may hijack the control flow of a device to access certain program functions (e.g., gadgets). A gadget may, in general, comprise a set of program instructions. For example, gadgets may include portions of programs that may support rudimentary functionality essential to program operation (e.g., reading data, writing date, mathematical operations, etc.). When executed in the manner, sequence, etc. intended by programmers of beneficial software, gadgets have no ill effect on a device operation. However, upon wresting control of the control flow in a device, it is possible for gadgets to be manipulated (e.g., to be invoked in different sequences, with different arguments, etc.) to result in operations totally different from what was originally intended, and that may be able to overcome existing protection schemes. Moreover, currently proposed security measures to protect against ROP are either very difficult to implement or may be possible to overcome through a brute force attack.
Although the following Detailed Description will proceed with reference being made to illustrative embodiments, many alternatives, modifications and variations thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Binary translator driven program state relocation


A removable garment for animals to cover and protect an abdominal surgical or wound site. Generally, the removable garment is comprised of a body wrap with front leg, rear leg, and neck closures, and an abdominal panel, extending distal the body wrap. Each leg and neck closure, as well as the abdominal panel, contains an attachment designed to removeably secure the closure, and ultimately the garment itself, to an animal.

The present general inventive concept relates generally to an animal garment, and more particularly to a garment for quadrupeds that promotes healing by restricting motion of the quadruped, protecting an incision or wound site by securing any medication, bandages, padding, drain tubes and such related medical apparatus in the site area, and allowing attending humans access to the wound site without having to remove the entire garment.
Caring for quadrupeds after injury or surgery has long been a challenge. Unlike human patients, animals such as but not limited to dogs, coyotes, foxes, wolves, and cats—including domestic and feral cats, along with larger felines such as tigers, lions, panthers, cougars and ocelots—typically do not understand the healing requisites of reduced mobility and sterility as it pertains to a wound or surgical site. Abdominal wounds or abdominal surgery is particularly challenging due to the stretching of skin during movement, as well as the animal's tendencies to lick, scratch or otherwise access and irritate the wound site. This jeopardizes the recovery of the wound, and, ultimately, the overall health of the animal if the site is exposed to infectious contaminants.
One challenge associated with caring for a wound or incision site on animals stems from the inability to effectively adhere a bandage over the site, even when the animal's fur is shaved from the affected area. Further, non-adhesive bandages that wrap around the midsection of the animal provide insufficient protection, as these types of bandages tend to compress, shift, or otherwise distort as the animal moves about during recovery, often exposing the site and making it vulnerable to reopening, additional injury, or site contamination. Also, typically, non-adhesive bandages circumvent the entire animal's midsection, thus preventing ready access to the wound or incision site for any post-surgical treatment. In addition, such non-adhesive bandages that circumvent the midsection generally must be unwound or cut off the animal in order to be removed for post-surgical treatment of the incision site, bandage change, or other appropriate post-operative care of the animal. For any of the above-referenced traditional bandaging options, these materials (whether adhesive or non-adhesive) are usually disposable and/or of one-time useability, and not washable nor reusable.
In addition to the above bandaging matters, and health concerns for the animal, often the humans treating the animal also have additional concerns, such as fluid draining from the wound site while the animal is recovering. If left unbandaged, or, alternatively, covered with bandaging that provide insufficient protection of the wound site, the draining fluid can stain the animal's containment area, including, in the case of companion animals, floors and furniture within a home. Further, the fluid from a wound site frequently contains an undesirable odor that can be difficult to eliminate once it has soaked into porous surfaces such as upholstered furniture.
To circumvent these and related issues, various methods of bandaging and/or restraint have been introduced in the prior art. There are, however, significant voids within the art. One such void is a means to prevent the bandaging from moving upward or downward along the animal's torso, or moving to either side, and exposing the wound area. Also, there exists no site-accessible bandaging garment, such that a treating attendant can readily access the incision or wound site. Further, the animal's movement remains relatively unrestricted, thus skin movement around the wound site may result in reopening of or damage to the site.
Therefore, there exists a need for a garment for protection of a wound or incision site on an animal that prevents longitudinal and lateral shifting of the garment during use and provides for exposure of the wound or incision site for treatment without requiring removal of the garment.


Novel proteins that constitute modified forms of a Neisseria meningitidis surface antigen and encoding nucleic acids are provided. The modified surface proteins are characterized by having deletions of non-conserved amino acids, and thereby being capable of eliciting cross-protective immune responses against Neisseria meningitidis. The invention extends to the use of the modified surface antigens in diagnostics, in therapeutic and prophylactic vaccines and in the design and/or screening of medicaments. The modified surface antigens are particularly useful in vaccines which effectively immunize against a broader spectrum of N. meningitidis strains than would be expected from a corresponding wild-type surface antigen.

Neisseria meningitidis is a Gram-negative bacterium and the causative agent of meningococcal meningitis and septicemia. Its only known host is the human, and it may be carried asymptomatically by approximately 10% of the population (Caugant et al, 1994, Journal of Clinical Microbiology 32 323).
N. meningitidis may express a polysaccharide capsule, and this allows classification of the bacteria according to the nature of the capsule expressed. There are at least twelve serogroups of N. meningitidis: A, B, C, 29-E, H, I, K, L, W135, X, Y and Z, of which serogroups A, B, and C cause 90% of meningococcal disease (Poolman et al, 1995, Infectious Agents and Disease 4 13). Vaccines directed against serogroups A and C are available, but the serogroup B capsular polysaccharide is poorly immunogenic and does not induce protection in humans. Other membrane and extracellular components are therefore being examined for their suitability for inclusion in vaccines. Examples include the outer membrane proteins of classes 1, 2 and 3 (porin; encoded by por genes), and classes 4 (Rmp) and 5 (Opacity proteins; encoded by opa and opc genes). However, to date, none of these candidates is able to induce complete protection, particularly in children (Romero et al., 1994, Clinical Microbiology Review, 7 559; Poolman et al., 1995, supra).
To create an effective vaccine, it is necessary to identify components of N. meningitidis which are present in a majority of strains, and which are capable of inducing a protective immune response (for example, bactericidal antibodies).
In this regard, reference is made to International Publications WO 99/24578, WO99/36544, WO99/58683 and WO99/57280, each of which is incorporated herein by reference and describe a number of candidate proteins that may be useful in vaccines to immunize against Neisseria meningitidis.
In this regard, particular reference is made to International Publication WO99/31132 and Peak et al. 2000, FEMS Immunol. Med. Microbiol. 28 329, each of which is incorporated herein by reference and describe a novel surface antigen isolated from a number of different strains of N. meningitidis, which surface antigen, and allelic variants thereof, for the purposes of this specification will be referred to as NhhA.


The present invention is generally directed towards a system for reagent-free determination of the concentration of an analyte in vivo. The system comprises a light transmitter for generating monochromatic primary light, a scattered-light percutaneous sensor which includes an inbound light guide and a detection light guide, a wavelength-selective detection device that is connected to the detection light guide for detection of Raman-scattered components of the secondary light and an evaluation device for determining the concentration of the analyte from the Raman-scattered components of the secondary light.

Medically relevant analytes to which the invention refers include, for example, cholesterol, triglycerides, uric acid, urea, proteins (in particular albumin), globulins, hematocrit and hemoglobin. Glucose is an especially important analyte, because quantitative analysis of glucose is the prerequisite for diabetics to adapt their insulin injections to their actual needs and thereby prevent fluctuations in blood sugar level outside of a relatively narrow normal range. It has been demonstrated in extensive studies that serious long time consequences of diabetes mellitus (e.g., blindness due to retinal damage) can be largely prevented if such close monitoring of blood sugar level is ensured. This requires, however, very frequent or, if possible, continuous determination of the glucose concentration in vivo. The following discussion makes reference to glucose as an example of an analyte, but this must not be understood as restricting the general applicability of the invention, which is suitable for various analytes.
The concentration of analytes in body fluids is determined for medical purposes mainly by using reagents. A sample of a body fluid (in particular blood) is taken and analyzed in vitro in the laboratory. Although these methods have been improved continuously, and small, easy-to-handle analysis systems have become available in the meantime, it is a disadvantage that a blood sample must be taken for each individual analysis and that continuous measurement is impossible.
As a result, observation of glucose levels is incomplete and discontinuous. For hygienic reasons (risk of infection at the puncture site) and psychological reasons (pain due to the puncture) only relatively few analyses can reasonably be performed each day. This increases the risk of both hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia as well as irreversible long-term damage. In contrast, a measuring system that determines blood glucose levels continuously could provide prompt warning of critical hyper- or hypoglycemic levels and could supply the necessary data for accurate dosing of insulin.
Numerous proposals have already been made for continuous quantitative analysis in vivo. For example, it has been proposed that interstitial fluid be removed continuously from the body and pumped to a measuring system outside of the body, where the glucose concentration would be determined electrochemically (WO 97/42868). However, this method is very complex and is suitable only for short usage periods (a few days) because of the consumption of reagents and perfusion solution.
Another method which also requires reagents is described in WO 97/19344, where the chemicals needed for reacting with glucose are introduced into the patient's body. This results in problems with reaction products, which may be toxic. Additionally, the glucose concentration is influenced by the measurement itself, which could thereby corrupt the measurement results.
Numerous proposals for reagent-free in-vivo analysis have been based on optical adsorption spectroscopy. For example, WO 99/07277 describes a device for in-vivo analysis, comprising a measuring probe with a needle which can be inserted into the skin. Light guides run in the interior of the needle. The analysis is based on the interaction of interstitial fluid, which passes through a perforation in the needle and reaches the lateral surface of the optical fibers, with light being transported in its interior. In particular, the principles of ATR spectroscopy may be used according to this publication.
There are many other examples of methods known for continuous, in particular reagent-free, in-vivo analysis in the human body. Details in this regard can be obtained from the literature citations referenced above. In particular, WO 99/07277, which was mentioned last, contains a detailed discussion of the related art.
An object of the invention is to make available a novel and improved device for reagent-free in-vivo analysis. To achieve this goal, a device for reagent-free in vivo determination of the concentration of an analyte in the body of a patient is proposed, comprising the following components:    a light transmitter for generating monochromatic primary light,    a scattered-light percutaneous sensor which            is insertable into the skin, so that a sensor head at the distal end of the scattered-light percutaneous sensor is located inside the skin,        includes an inbound light guide in which primary light is conducted through the skin surface into the interior of the body and which has a light irradiation surface at its distal end through which the primary light penetrates from the inbound light guide into a test volume of the tissue of the patient, and        includes a detection light guide having at its distal end a light receiving surface through which secondary light scattered in the test volume penetrates into the detection light guide and in which the secondary light is conducted through the skin surface out of the patient's body, and        a wavelength-selective detection device that is connected to the detection light guide for detection of Raman-scattered components of the secondary light and an evaluation device for determining the concentration of the analyte from the Raman-scattered components of the secondary light.
In Raman spectroscopy, monochromatic primary light of a laser is irradiated into a test volume and the secondary light generated due to scattering in the test volume is spectrally analyzed. In the vicinity of the primary light line, the spectrum includes a line structure that is referred to as Raman-scattered light. Changes of the spectrum of Raman-scattered light are caused by changes in the vibrational and/or rotational states of the scattering molecules and are therefore characteristic of them. Since the intensity of Raman-scattered light correlates with the concentration of the molecules, a quantitative analysis is possible.
To permit adequate resolution of Raman spectral bands, the primary light must have a very narrow bandwidth (i.e. be monochromatic in the technical sense). Laser light is generally used, the emission of a multimode laser being sufficiently monochromatic.
The selection of Raman bands from the scattered light is achieved by a suitable wavelength-selective detection device. Generally, spectrometers which permit spectrally resolved detection of at least a portion of the Raman spectrum are used. In principle, however, other wavelength-selective detection devices may also be used. In particular it may be sufficient to use filters to detect only one or a few bands of the Raman spectrum of the analyte being tested. A plurality of methods and devices are known for this purpose. These may also be used in the context of the present invention.
Raman spectroscopy has gained considerable importance in chemical analysis. However, difficult problems are caused by the fact that the scattered secondary light also contains other light components, in addition to Raman-scattered light, which have a much greater intensity.
The primary light required for excitation of the Raman-scattered light is also scattered elastically (Rayleigh scattering) in the test object. The intensity of this Rayleigh scattering in a turbid medium is typically about 106 times the intensity of the Raman-scattered light.
Additional interference is caused in practice by primary light which falls onto the detector, e.g., due to reflection on parts of the apparatus. Its intensity is several orders of magnitude higher than that of the Raman-scattered light. For example, particularly problematical interference is caused when the specimen to be analyzed contains fluorescent molecules. The interference due to Rayleigh-scattered light and due to superimposed primary light has a wavelength different from the Rayleigh-scattered light and therefore can be reduced by using a suitable filter. In contrast, fluorescent light largely coincides with the Raman bands and therefore cannot be separated out by filtering. In addition, there is interfering light generated in fiber-optic guides (light guide fibers) due to the fact that Raman scattering and fluorescence also occur in the fiber.
Because of these major problems, Raman spectroscopy was originally used only in very clear sample materials which are free of scattering centers. This restriction has been partly overcome due to the availability of lasers as very sharply monochromatic light sources and due to improved filter techniques. There remain, however, some very major problems with the use of Raman spectroscopy in the analysis of biological materials, as is also apparent from prior art experiments with biological samples.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,481,113 relates to the analysis of biological materials by means of Raman spectroscopy. Previously such measurements had been performed on citrus fruit to investigate their taste properties by analyzing certain components. However, according to the US patent, the earlier method is not suitable for clinical medical tests in vivo because of the excitation wavelength in the visible range of the spectrum (about 500 nm). Interfering fluorescence is said to be generated by the shortwave excitation light. Additionally, the specimen may be damaged due to photolysis. To avoid these problems, the US patent recommends to use primary light with a much greater wavelength in the near infrared range. Due to the lower quantum energy of this light, the occurrence of fluorescence is avoided and therefore the signal-to-noise ratio (S/N ratio) is said to be improved.
The authors of U.S. Pat. No. 6,151,522 come, on the basis of measurements on glucose solutions, to the conclusion that because of the extraordinarily low intensity of the Raman bands, it is practically impossible to determine physiological glucose levels by conventional spontaneous Raman spectroscopy. In experiments conducted by these authors it was impossible to detect a concentration of about 10 mg/mL even with an exposure time of 20 minutes. It is therefore proposed that a significant amplification of the Raman signal can be achieved by using an additional pump laser. The frequency of the pump laser is varied, and an amplified Raman signal ("enhanced Raman") occurs when the difference between the frequency of the pump laser and the frequency of the test laser (which is kept constant) corresponds to the wavenumber of a characteristic Raman line. Thus a Raman spectrum is generated as a function of the excitation frequency. At the same time, the S/N ratio is said to be improved by a frequency-selective method with the help of a lock-in amplifier. Examples of applications include noninvasive analysis of glucose by direct irradiation of a suitable part of the body (e.g., the ear) and identification of cancer cells, (e.g., in the breast, the uterus and the ovaries). However, the technology described in this U.S. patent is very complex and therefore is not suitable for routine continuous analysis of important analytes, in particular glucose.
Another example of using Raman spectroscopy for detection of tissue changes in conjunction with early detection of cancer is described in the following publication:
Martin G. Shim et al. "Assessment of ex-vivo and in-vivo near-infrared Raman spectroscopy for the classification of dysplasia within Barrett's esophagus," in Biomedical Spectroscopy: Vibrational Spectroscopy and Other Novel Techniques, A. Mahadevan-Jansen, G. J. Puppels, editors, Proceedings of SPIE, vol. 3918 (2000), 114-199.
WO 97/34175 relates to the improvement of various types of scattered-light spectroscopy by means of special designs of the optical fibers used for this purpose. Here again, the fundamental potential of Raman spectroscopy for various industrial and medical applications is emphasized. At the same time, reference is made to the enormous difficulties associated with the fact that the useful signal is extremely weak. Therefore, the measurement technique must be unbelievably efficient. For example, in Raman spectroscopy, it is according to this publication even necessary to eliminate the interfering influence of cosmic radiation (by detecting the singular occurrence of cosmic photons). It is assumed in this document that usually parallel optical fibers are used for scattered-light spectroscopy, one of them being used for input of the primary light (referred to hereafter as the "inbound light guide") and the other being used for transport of scattered light from the test volume to the spectrometer ("detection light guide"). It is explained that the S/N ratio depends to a great extent on the fact that the portion of the specimen "observed" by the detection light guide ("field of view", referred to hereafter as the "detection range") largely corresponds to the range of the sample illuminated by the primary light ("irradiation range") and the fact that the path of the scattered light to the light receiving surface of the detection light guide is as short as possible. To achieve this, optical configurations are proposed in which the detection range detected by the detection light guide (preferably comprising a plurality of optical fibers) is influenced by a reflecting internal surface. Additionally, various filter arrangements are described which serve to eliminate interfering light components that are attributed to Raman scattering or fluorescence occurring in the light guide itself ("silica Raman").
WO 98/55850 describes a similar optical configuration having a reflecting surface (inclined 45° to the axis) at the end of a detection light guide.
As part of the invention, it has been found that Raman spectroscopy can be used successfully for continuous, reagent-free, minimally invasive determination of the concentration of glucose and other analytes in human tissue if the analysis system includes a scattered-light percutaneous sensor which includes an inbound light guide for input of light into a test volume inside the patient's body and a detection light guide by which secondary scattered light in the test volume is detected and conducted out of the body. The scattered-light percutaneous sensor should have a total diameter of at most 2 mm, preferably at most 1 mm and especially preferably at most 0.5 mm. It can therefore be inserted relatively painlessly into the skin at the desired testing site. It is expedient to use an insertion aid with a hollow needle (in the manner of a Peel catheter) that can be inserted into the skin with the scattered-light percutaneous sensor. The insertion aid may then be removed again. This is a known procedure. Suitable insertion aids are available for other purposes (for implantation of catheters in particular).
The quality of the analysis is increased if the preferred embodiments of the invention which are explained hereafter are taken into account.
Depending on the design of the scattered-light percutaneous sensor, the invention is suitable for different localizations of the test volume in the human (or animal) body. In particular, it may be designed in such a manner that it is suitable for insertion into a vein so that the analysis takes place directly in the flowing blood. Preferably, however, the scattered-light percutaneous sensor is designed so that the test volume is, when the percutaneous sensor is inserted into the skin, in the subcutaneous connective tissue and the Raman scattering of the interstitial fluid present there is detected. As part of the invention, it has been found that interstitial fluid is particularly suitable for Raman spectroscopy. First, the glucose concentration in the interstitial fluid follows in good approximation the concentration of glucose in the blood. Secondly, in comparison with blood, it contains far fewer fluorescence molecules, so there is less interference due to fluorescence than in blood.
A further reduction in the interference due to fluorescence is achieved by providing a semipermeable membrane on the distal end of the scattered-light percutaneous sensor, so that the membrane prevents access of macromolecules having a molecular weight above the exclusion limit (molecular cutoff) of the semipermeable membrane to the test volume. The exclusion limit of the membrane is preferably at most 50 kDa, a value of at most 20 kDa being especially preferred.
The wavelength of the primary light used for excitation of Raman scattering is preferably at most 900 nm, values of at most 800 nm or even at most 600 nm being especially preferred. Due to this relatively short wavelength (in contrast with the prior art according to U.S. Pat. No. 5,481,113), the intensity of the Raman-scattered light is greatly increased because the effective cross-section of the Raman scattering increases with the fourth power of the frequency of the excitation light. Because of the reduced fluorescence interference in the context of the invention, this effect may be used to advantage to improve the S/N ratio.
Extremely short wavelengths, in particular in the UV range below 300 nm, are, however, less preferred in the context of the invention, in particular because damage to the tissue must be expected in this range. This wavelength range, which permits generation of excited electronic states, is frequently used for so-called resonance Raman scattering, where the disadvantages of tissue damage must be accepted for the advantage of a higher S/N ratio. Within the context of the invention, spontaneous Raman scattering is preferably used. The particular form of Raman spectroscopy with more than one wavelength of the incident light, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,151,522, is not advantageous within the context of the invention.
Finally, improvements are achieved by the fact that the detection range detected by the detection light guide is directed by means of a reflective surface in the direction of the irradiation range illuminated by the primary light. The reflective surface is designed and arranged in such a manner that the primary light emitted from the inbound light guide is not reflected on the light receiving surface of the detection light guide but scattered secondary light is detected by the detection light guide to a greater extent due to the effect of the reflective surface.
The invention achieves a plurality of advantages. In contrast with methods in which light is directed through the skin into subcutaneous layers of tissue, there are no problems due to scattering or absorption at the skin surface. Since the wavelengths of light used are in the visible spectrum or in the infrared range in immediate proximity to the visible spectrum, optical fibers of conventional silicate glass may be used for the light guides. This is in contrast with MIR absorption spectroscopy, in which it is necessary to work with much longer wavelengths and therefore problematical special materials must be used.
The analysis can be performed with practically no delay (real time).
A single puncture is sufficient for a longer period of time. Therefore the invention is also suitable for use by the patient himself ("home monitoring").
Since no reagents are necessary there are no problems with their localization and administration. No toxic residues remain in the body.
Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following discussion and the accompanying drawings in which:

Analysis system for reagent-free determination of the concentration of an analyte in living tissue


Disclosed herein is a device that includes a clock generation circuit that generates an internal clock signal during a normal operation and stops generation of the internal clock signal during a wafer-level burn-in test, a clock tree line that transmits the internal clock signal, and a selector that supplies a dummy clock signal, which is different from the internal clock signal, to the clock tree line during the wafer-level burn-in test.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof, and particularly relates to a semiconductor device on which a wafer-level burn-in test is performed and manufacturing method thereof.
2. Description of Related Art
On a semiconductor device represented by a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), an acceleration test referred to as "burn-in test" is generally performed before shipment. In the burn-in test, a stress such as a high voltage is applied on a semiconductor device for exposing initial defects. While a normal burn-in test is performed in a state of a chip cut out of a silicon wafer, in recent years, the burn-in test is also performed in a state of a silicon wafer. Such a burn-in test is referred to as "wafer-level burn-in test" (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2001-250398).
Because the wafer-level burn-in test is performed in parallel on a large number of semiconductor devices on a wafer, external terminals to be used are considerably limited. Specifically, a command terminal and a clock terminal used in a normal operation are not used, and only some of address terminals and test terminals are connected to a tester. Accordingly, during the wafer-level burn-in test, an external clock signal is not supplied to each of the semiconductor devices either.
However, when an external clock signal is not supplied to a semiconductor device, an operation of a circuit that generates an internal clock signal (for example, a DLL circuit) is also stopped, and thus the logic level of a clock tree line that transmits the internal clock signal is fixed. Because the clock tree line is configured by cascade-connecting a large number of CMOS inverter circuits to each other, when the logic level is fixed, a phenomenon referred to as "NBTI (Negative Bias Temperature Instability) degradation" occurs in a P-channel MOS transistor that constitutes a CMOS inverter circuit. The NBTI degradation is a phenomenon in which a threshold voltage is increased when the P-channel MOS transistor is kept to be turned on for a long time. Accordingly, when the NBTI degradation occurs in the clock tree line, the duty of the internal clock signal is changed. The present inventor has found out that the NBTI degradation occurs also during a wafer-level burn-in test.

Semiconductor device on which wafer-level burn-in test is performed and manufacturing method thereof


A low temperature food merchandiser having a cabinet with an open front product area, a primary cold air system for maintaining substantially constant frozen food temperatures of 0.degree. F. or ice cream product temperatures of -5.degree. F. in the product area including the formation of a series of vertical curtains of primary low temperature air extending across the open front of discrete product area sections, a secondary air system protecting the primary air curtains, and the primary system also including primary evaporator means constructed and arranged to operate at elevated coil temperatures in the range of -5.degree. F. to -8.degree. F. to maintain 0.degree. F. product temperature or coil temperatures of -12.degree. F. to -15.degree. F. to maintain -5.degree. F. product temperatures, and including high efficiency reverse air cycle defrost means for periodically defrosting the primary cooling means.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to the commercial refrigeration art, and more particularly to improvements in product merchandisers especially designed for the low temperature refrigeration of frozen food products.
2. Description of Prior Art
Since about 1960 the commercial refrigeration industry has developed many food merchandisers having open front product display zones for the display and merchandising of frozen food products. Examples of such prior art configurations utilizing ducted air flow and multiple air curtain control include the following patents:
______________________________________ U.S. Pat. No. Date Inventor ______________________________________ 2,794,325 June 4, 1957 Shearer 2,836,039 May 27, 1958 Weber 2,855,762 Oct. 14, 1958 Zehnder 2,862,369 Dec. 2, 1958 Simons 2,890,573 June 16, 1959 Lamb 2,936,596 May 17, 1960 Rainwater 2,952,992 Sept. 20, 1960 Voorhies 2,962,875 Dec. 6, 1960 Barroero 3,010,379 Nov. 28, 1961 Arzberger et al 3,063,252 Nov. 13, 1962 Lamb 3,063,253 Nov. 13, 1962 Dickson et al 3,063,254 Nov. 13, 1962 Dickson et al 3,063,255 Nov. 13, 1962 Fanick et al 3,094,851 June 25, 1963 Beckwith 3,122,892 Mar. 3, 1964 Beckwith 3,186,185 June 1, 1965 Bently et al 3,218,822 Nov. 23, 1965 Bently et al 3,287,929 Nov. 29, 1966 Beckwith 3,289,432 Dec. 6, 1966 Brennan et al 3,365,908 Jan. 30, 1968 MacMaster 3,369,375 Feb. 20, 1968 Gerweck et al 3,392,544 July 16, 1968 Perez 3,420,070 Jan. 7, 1969 Hermanson 3,517,526 June 30, 1970 MacMaster et al 3,850,003 Nov. 26, 1974 Beckwith et al 4,026,121 May 31, 1977 Aokage 4,144,720 Mar. 20, 1979 Subera et al 4,265,092 May 5, 1981 Abraham 4,302,946 Dec. 1, 1981 Ibrahim 4,314,453 Feb. 9, 1982 Abraham 4,648,247 Mar. 10, 1987 Takazawa et al 4,964,281 Oct. 23, 1990 Tanaka 5,048,303 Sept. 17, 1991 Campbell et al 5,138,843 Aug. 18, 1992 Tamayama et al ______________________________________
All frozen food merchandisers are designed with the primary objective of maintaining product temperatures in the display area at about 0.degree. F. for frozen food and about -5.degree. F. to -10.degree. F. for ice cream, which in the past has required evaporator coil temperatures in the range of -20.degree. F. down to -35.degree. F. At lower coil temperatures, ice buildup on the evaporator coils is accelerated, and thus the frequency and/or duration time of coil defrosts has been higher with the result that defrost heat usually produces increases in product zone temperatures. Furthermore, the inefficiency of prior art open front frozen food display cases has resulted in high energy consumption requirements. Thus, the large energy costs coupled with the inherent problems of maintaining proper product temperatures for good quality shelf life resulted in a marketing trend to closed, glass front reach-in merchandisers.


In one aspect, a system for the production of fertilizer from organic waste comprises a microbial digester configured to digest the organic waste, wherein the digestion of the organic waste produces a digestate having a liquids component and a solids component. A spray dryer module is provided for receiving the digestate and reducing moisture content in the digestate to produce a substantially dry fertilizer product. In further aspects, methods and fertilizer compositions are provided.

The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for producing fertilizer from organic waste and fertilizer compositions prepared by the same. In certain aspects, the present disclosure relates to methods and systems for preparing organic-based fertilizers (e.g., low nitrogen or high nitrogen fertilizers) in dry, water soluble and/or suspendible form, and fertilizer compositions prepared by the same. In some of the presently preferred aspects, the present disclosure relates to methods and systems for preparing high nitrogen content, organic-based fertilizers in dry, water soluble and/or suspendible form, and fertilizer compositions prepared by the same. The fertilizer compositions described herein may advantageously be used for agricultural applications, turf management applications, and others.
Organic waste material, such as food waste, can be converted into useful products or have useful products removed from it. Such methods of processing organic waste include microbic fermentation or digestion, in which microorganisms break down the waste material using biochemical processes.
Anaerobic fermentation involves four distinct stages. The first stage is bacterial hydrolysis in which insoluble molecules such as organic polymers, e.g., carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, are broken down into smaller, water-soluble subunits. The hydrolysis products include simple sugars, lipids, and amino acids that become available for other bacteria.
The second stage is acidogenesis, in which acidogenic bacteria convert the hydrolysis products into volatile fatty acids, which are short chain organic acids, the most important of which is acetic acid, as well as ammonia, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide. The third stage is acetogenesis, in which these bacteria convert the resulting organic acids into acetic acid and additional hydrogen and carbon dioxide. The fourth stage is methanogenesis in which methanogenic microorganisms convert the hydrogen and acetic acid to methane and carbon dioxide.
Commonly, ammonia gas produced by anaerobic fermentation is lost, for example, through volitilization when the anaerobic digestate is removed from the digestion vessel and exposed to atmosphere. Ammonia dissolved in waste water as ammonium ions is also lost in waste water removed from the digestate. The discharge of gaseous ammonia and/or liquid waste water containing ammonium ions can result in environmental and public health concerns. Even in cases where the ammonia is recovered as a waste product, e.g., by ammonia stripping, the loss of nitrogen content from the bio-digestate greatly diminishes its value as a fertilizer. Thus, there exists a need for an organic or organic-based fertilizer having a high nitrogen content. In addition, there exists a need for a fertilizer that can be produced in a substantially dry, water soluble/suspendible form.
Although the present invention is described herein primarily by way of reference to the preferred embodiments wherein the fertilizer product is prepared from an anaerobic digestate, the present system and method is also amenable to the preparation of a substantially dry, water soluble and/or suspendible fertilizer product from a digestate prepared by other types digestion processes, including aerobic digestion of organic materials and anoxic digestion of organic matter.
The present disclosure contemplates a new and improved apparatus, method, and fertilizer product that overcome the above-referenced problems and others.

System and method for producing fertilizer from organic waste


The present invention discloses methods, systems, and tools for unified semantic ranking of compositions of ontological subjects. The method breaks a composition into a plurality of partitions as well as its constituent ontological subjects of different orders and builds a participation matrix indicating the participation of ontological subjects of the composition in other ontological subjects, i.e. the partitions, of the composition. Using the participation information of the ontological subjects into each other a similarity matrix is built from which the semantic importance ranks of the partitions of the composition are calculated. The method, systematically, enables the calculation of semantic ranks of the ontological subjects of different orders of the composition. Various systems for implementing the method and numerous applications and services are disclosed.

So far, because of the complexity of each application, the ranking methods of documents and contents are various and many in numbers. Currently the ranking and summarization relies mostly on superficial indication of importance of a composition or its components usually by utilizing the signs of the human composer judgment of importance.
For example, at the sentence ranking level, the document summarization method disclosed in the published US patent application 2006/0206806 A1, scores a sentence for inclusion in the summary by evaluating the weighted score of individual words and type of the sentences. The score of the sentences and the individual words is determined by the type of sentence such as being a title sentence, sub-title, or sentence location in a paragraph, plus word features such as the lengths of the word, part of speech type of the word, and word syntax function in a sentence. At the webpage level the PageRank ranking method uses the link referral centrality value of WebPages plus other syntactic and representation of each page such as the frequency of the keyword, its location, font size, and the like in the webpage. These importance factors are basically based on the perceived importance of the creator of the compositions rather than the real substantive value of the compositions itself and therefore these methods can be susceptible to manipulations. More advanced ranking method of textual compositions are based on natural language processing of words and word disambiguation etc. which are very process intensive and still not yielding a satisfactory results.
Moreover these methods of ranking for different level usually involves a huge amount of text processing that is very process intensive and cannot be easily scale up (due to the application specific ranking methods, such as natural language investigations methods) to achieve a fair ranking stand from a very large number of existing and future collections of compositions. However it is desirable to have a ranking method that select the components and the compositions based on the intrinsic value of composition or the partitions thereof in a fair comparison to a huge number of other compositions.
More importantly, at this age of information overload and overabundance, knowledge and information users desire to have the right information or the true knowledge in their fingertips rather than searching through a countless sets of WebPages returned by search engines. Therefore, summarization and distillation of single and multi-composition, or finding the answers to questions from a single or a set of compositions, as well as searching for compositions having the highest substance from collections of compositions, e.g. determining an important gene from a genome, are useful and highly desirable services for users of different groups, having different goals in mind, while exploring for knowledge acquisitioning, and seeking information related to their topic of interest.
Therefore there is a need in the art for unified, systematic, and process efficient ranking methods and the associated systems, which can cover the rankings at all the levels and all types of compositions. More importantly the results should be based on the real substance, semantic and intrinsic knowledge value of the compositions in fair comparisons to other large number of competing compositions for selection of the most appropriate answer to a user request for information or knowledge.

System and method for a unified semantic ranking of compositions of ontological subjects and the applications thereof


A method for manufacturing an acoustical device, especially a hearing device. A device casing is provided with an acoustical/electrical input converter arrangement with an electric output. An audio signal processing unit establishes audio signal processing of the device according to individual needs and/or purpose of the device. At least one electrical/mechanical output converter is provided. A filter arrangement with adjustable high-pass characteristic has a control input for the characteristic. The following operational connections are established: between the output of the input converter arrangement and the input of the filter arrangement, between the output of the filter arrangement and the control input, between said output of the filter arrangement and the input of the processing unit, between the output of the processing unit and the input of the at least once output converter.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the electronic cancellation of wind noise and more particularly to a method of manufacturing acoustical devices that incorporate the electronic cancellation of wind noise.
2. Description of Related Art
The present invention departs generally from the need of canceling wind disturbances from desired acoustical source reception as of speech or music etc. Wind noise in hearing devices is a severe problem. Wind noise may reach magnitudes of 100 dB SPL (Sound Pressure Level) and even more. Users of hearing devices therefore often switch their device off in windy conditions, because acoustical perception with the hearing device in windy surrounding may become worse than without the hearing device.
Approaches are known to counteract wind noise by mechanical constructional measures, but cannot eliminate wind noise completely, often even not to a completely satisfying degree. It is well-known that wind noise is a low-frequency phenomenon. Depending upon wind speed, direction of the wind with respect to the device, hair length of the individual, mechanical obstructions like hats and other factors, magnitude and spectral content of wind noise vary significantly. With respect to noise, effects and causes we refer to H. Dillon et al., "The sources of wind noise in hearing aids", IHCON 2000, as well as to I. Roe et al., "Wind noise in hearing aids: Causes and effects", submitted to JASA.
Wind signals at sensing ports or acoustical/electrical input converters of hearing devices mounted with a predetermined spacing are far less correlated than are normal acoustical signals to be perceived, as especially speech, music etc.
One reason is that such normal acoustical signals arrive as more or less planar waves, causing at distant acoustical to electrical input converters time delays which are far predominantly caused by the direction of arrival with which such signals impinge upon the converter. As known to the skilled artisan, this time delay is used in beamformer art, whereby a delayed output signal from one converter is subtracted from the output signal of the other converter. There results at the common output of subtraction a signal which has an amplification characteristic with respect to impinging acoustical signals which is dependent on the direction of arrival DOA of such signals with respect to the converters and is commonly known as beamformer characteristics.
The subtraction of well correlated signals as generated by the above mentioned normal signals to be perceived as of speech or music signals normally leads to the known roll-off behavior of such beamformers. The roll-off behavior or characteristic establishes a frequency dependent attenuation of the beam characteristics. It has a pronounced high-pass character, which considerably attenuates low frequencies which are critical especially for speech perception.
Wind noise signals are not subject to the the roll-off behavior of a beamformer because of their lower correlation even at very low frequencies and considered at at least two spaced apart input converters. Whereas normal signals as speech is attenuated by the roll-off towards low frequencies, wind noise is not. Even worse, wind noise has a further adverse effect on signal transfer of normal signals affecting speech recognition. It masks speech-caused signals due to the "upwards-spread-off masking". Upward-spread-off masking is a phenomenon according to which a signal at a predetermined spectral frequency masks signals at higher frequency increasingly with increasing amplitude.
From the U.S. 2002-0 037 088 A1 as well as from the DE 10 045 197 it is known to tackle the problem of wind noise by detecting such noise at two spaced-apart input converters and use in windy situations only the output signal of one of the omnidirectional converters, thereby in fact switching beamforming off. Further, a static high-pass filter is switched on to further attenuate wind noise.
Nevertheless, many hearing devices do not feature two or more acoustical input converters, so that the detection and elimination of wind noise based on two or more converters is not always possible. Further, as was mentioned above, the spectral shape of wind noise varies significantly in time. Thereby, the spectrum range, where wind noise has an energy i.e. below 104 Hz is exactly that range where a hearing device should be effective, because individuals have often impaired hearing abilities in this range. Attenuating wind noise with a static high-pass filter will either filter too little of the wind noise to maintain normal signal perception, or to such an amount that wind noise is well cancelled, but also normal acoustical signals to be perceived. Switching beamforming off as proposed in the above mentioned documents significantly reduces the overall advantages of a hearing device with beamforming abilities also at higher frequencies.
It is an object of the present invention generically to provide methods and devices which deal with the above mentioned drawbacks. Although it departs from the specific wind noise problems, some of the solutions according to the present invention may also be applied for improving signal-to-noise ratio more generically with respect to normal acoustical signals as of speech or music signals or for improving beamformer control and/or wind detection.

Method for manufacturing acoustical devices and for reducing especially wind disturbances


A seamed or seamless intermediate transfer member comprising a layer having an oxidized charge transport molecule, a charge transport molecule, or mixtures thereof, wherein in the seamed embodiment, the seam adhesive may also include an oxidized charge transport molecule, a charge transport molecule, or mixtures thereof.

The present invention is directed to transfer members useful in electrostatographic, including digital apparatuses. In specific embodiments, the present invention is directed to seamed or seamless members. In embodiments, the present invention relates to xerographic component imageable seamed or seamless members comprising a charge transport layer. In embodiments, the charge transport layer may be a substrate, or may be a layer positioned on a substrate. In an embodiment, the charge transport layer comprises a charge transport molecule, an oxidized charge transport molecule, or mixtures thereof. The member, in embodiments wherein a seam is present, allows for image transfer at the seam, which cannot be accomplished with known seemed belts. Image transfer is accomplished partly because the present layer possesses the desired conductivity and release properties required for sufficient transfer. More specifically, in embodiments, the layer overcomes the narrow conductivity latitude problem, because the layer material provides controlled conductivity at changes in relative humidity, temperature and electrical cycling. In embodiments, the member is easily fabricated into a belt configuration due to the unique properties of the layer, which can be welded to form a seamed belt by ultrasonic means or by using solvent bonding or by heat fusion techniques. The charge transport layers can be manufactured with ease at high yields, also because the conductivity can be achieved reproducibly. In addition, the layers have many advantages over known layers such as the fact that they are stable over a wide range of changes, are frequency independent, are tunable, have homogeneous conductivity, have excellent wear resistance, exhibit low creep compliance under constant applied belt tension, and high dielectric strength.
In a typical electrostatographic reproducing apparatus such as an electrophotographic imaging system using a photosensitive member, a light image of an original to be copied is recorded in the form of an electrostatic latent image upon a photosensitive member and the latent image is subsequently rendered visible by the application of a developer mixture. One type of developer used in such printing machines is a liquid developer comprising a liquid carrier having toner particles dispersed therein. Generally, the toner is made up of resin and a suitable colorant such as a dye or pigment. Conventional charge director compounds may also be present. The developer material is brought into contact with the electrostatic latent Image and the colored toner particles are deposited thereon in image configuration. In dry xerographic processes, the developer consists of polymer coated magnetic carrier beads and particles of thermoplastic toner materials with opposite tribo polarity relative to the carrier beads.
The developed toner image recorded on the imaging member surface is transferred to an image receiving substrate such as paper via an intermediate transfer member. The toner particles may be transferred by heat and/or pressure to an intermediate transfer member, or more commonly, the toner image particles may be electrostatically transferred to the intermediate transfer member by means of an electrical potential between the imaging member and the intermediate transfer member. After the toner has been transferred to the immediate transfer member, it is then transferred to the image receiving substrate, for example by contacting the substrate with the toner image on the intermediate transfer member under heat and/or pressure.
Employing intermediate transfer members enable high throughput at modest process speeds. In four-color photocopier or printer systems, the intermediate transfer member also improves registration of the final color toner image. In such systems, the four component colors of cyan, yellow, magenta and black may be synchronously developed onto one or more imaging members and transferred in registration onto an intermediate transfer member at a transfer station.
In electrostatographic printing and photocopy machines in which the toner image is transferred from the intermediate transfer member to the image receiving substrate, it is desired that the intermediate transfer of the toner particles from the transfer member to the image receiving substrate be substantially 100 percent. Less than complete transfer to the image receiving substrate results in image degradation and low resolution. Complete transfer is particularly desirable when the imaging process involves generating full color images since undesirable color deterioration in the final colors can occur when the color images are not completely transferred from the intermediate transfer member.
Thus, it is desirable that the intermediate transfer member surface have excellent release characteristics with respect to the toner particles. Conventional materials known in the art for use as transfer members often possess the strength, conformability and electrical conductivity necessary for use as intermediate transfer members, but can suffer from poor toner release characteristics, especially with respect to higher gloss image receiving substrates.
Polyimide substrate intermediate transfer members in seamless belt form are suitable for high performance applications because of their outstanding mechanical strength and thermal stability, in addition to their good resistance to a wide range of chemicals. However, from manufacturing feasibility and cost considerations, seamless polyimide intermediate belt fabrication is limited only to the size of a 3-pitch belt. Therefore, in order to overcome the high cost of manufacturing unseamed polyimide belts has led to the introduction of a seamed belt.
In the electrostatic transfer applications, use of a seamed intermediate transfer polyimide intermediate transfer member belt results in insufficient transfer in that the developed image occurring on the seam is not adequately transferred. This incomplete transfer is partially the result of the difference in seam height to the rest of the belt. A xe2x80x9cbumpxe2x80x9d is formed at the seam, thereby hindering transfer and mechanical performance. Also, incomplete image transfer at the seam area is largely the result of the composition and property discontinuity at the seam joint. Specifically, an adhesive material different from the polyimide substrate is normally necessary for bonding the two opposite mated ends of a polyimide sheet into a seamed intermediate transfer belt. The reason a different adhesive material is needed is because polyimide is itself a thermoset plastic, and therefore, cannot be welded into a seam joint by conventional ultrasonic welding processes. Polyimides can also not be welded into a seam by heat fusion techniques, by solvent bonding, or the like bonding means. The development of puzzle cut seams has increased the quality of image transfer somewhat, by decreasing the seam height, thereby allowing smooth cycling. However, even with the improvements made with puzzle cut seams, quality imaging in the seamed area is not obtainable at present due, in part, to contrast in transfer caused by differences in electrical and release properties between known seaming adhesives and substrates, because perfect matching of properties is difficult to achieve. Further, known polyimide substrates and puzzle cut seams have many problems, including weak seam rupture strength, the presence of non-imageable seam areas, narrow conductivity latitude, and electrical property easily affected by environmental conditions. In addition, polyimide is not easily fabricated into intermediate transfer member substrates, because it involves very complex material compounded processes.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,549,193 relates to an endless flexible seamed belt comprising puzzle cut members, wherein at least one receptacle has a substantial depth in a portion of the belt material at the belt ends.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,721,032 discloses a puzzle cut seamed belt having a strength-enhancing strip.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,487,707 discloses a puzzle cut seamed belt having a bond between adjacent surfaces, wherein an ultraviolet cured adhesive is used to bond the adjacent surfaces.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,514,436 relates to a puzzle cut seamed belt having a mechanically invisible seam, which is substantially equivalent in performance to a seamless belt.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,318,223 discloses a process and apparatus for producing an endless seamed belt.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,358,347 discloses a continuous process for manufacturing imageable seamed belts for printers.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,316,070 discloses unsaturated carbonate adhesives for component seams.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,379,486 discloses a process for seaming interlocking seams of polyimide component using polyimide adhesive.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,327,454 discloses imageable seamed belts having fluoropolymer adhesive between interlocking seaming members.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,387,465 discloses imageable seam d belts having fluoropolymer overcoat.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,527,105 discloses imageable seamed belts having hot melt processable, thermosetting resin and conductive carbon filler adhesive between interlocking seaming members.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,289,196 discloses use of oxidized charge transport molecules as coatings for donor rollers. The disclosure of this patent is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Therefore, it is desired to provide an intermediate transfer member layer, which is easily and more cost effectively fabricated with high yields using, for example, welding means, ultrasonic means, or solvent means. In addition, it is desired to provide an intermediate transfer layer that has a controlled conductivity and solves many or all of the narrow conductivity latitude problems. Moreover, it is desired to provide an intermediate transfer member having an imageable seam. It is further desired to provide an intermediate transfer member that has excellent wear characteristics.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,289,196 xe2x80x9cOxidized Transport Donor Roll Coatings,xe2x80x9d discloses use of oxidized charge transport molecules as coatings for donor rollers. The disclosure of this pending application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Therefore, it is desired to provide an intermediate transfer member layer, which is easily and more cost effectively fabricated with high yields using, for example, welding means, ultrasonic means, or solvent means. In addition, it is desired to provide an intermediate transfer layer that has a controlled conductivity and solves many or all of the narrow conductivity latitude problems. Moreover, it is desired to provide an intermediate transfer member having an imageable seam. It is further desired to provide an intermediate transfer member that has excellent wear characteristics.
Embodiments of the present invention include: an intermediate transfer apparatus comprising a) an image carrying charge retentive member capable of carrying a developed image to be transferred to an intermediate transfer member; b) an intermediate transfer member for accepting the developed image from the image carrying charge retentive member and transferring to an image accepting member; c) an image accepting member for accepting the developed image from the intermediate transfer member; the intermediate transfer member having a layer comprising a material selected from the group consisting of an oxidized charge transport molecule, a charge transport molecule, and mixtures thereof.
In addition, embodiments include: an intermediate transfer apparatus for transferring a developed image from a charge retentive surface to an image receiving member, wherein the intermediate transfer member comprises a substrate having a first end and a second end, each of the first end and the second end comprising a plurality of mutually mating elements which join in an interlocking relationship to form a seam, the seam comprising an adhesive, wherein the substrate and the adhesive both comprise a material selected from the group consisting of an oxidized charge transport molecule, a charge transport molecule, and mixtures thereof.
Moreover, embodiments include: an image forming apparatus for forming images on a recording medium comprising a charge-retentive surface to receive an electrostatic latent image thereon; a development component to apply toner to the charge-retentive surface to develop the electrostatic latent image to form a developed image on the charge retentive surface; an intermediate transfer member to transfer the developed image from the charge retentive surface to a receiving substrate, wherein the intermediate transfer member comprises a layer comprising a material selected from the group consisting of an oxidized charge transport molecule, a charge transport molecule and mixtures thereof; and a fixing component to fuse the developed image to the receiving substrate.

Intermediate transfer member comprising charge transport layer


Methods are disclosed for regulating ovulation or fertility in female mammals, for regulating spermatogenesis in males and for treating conditions such as endometriosis. Administration of effective amounts of an FSH-Inhibiting Protein (FSH-IP) can be used for female contraception and also for male contraception by preventing sperm production. FSH-IP, in its native form, is a glycosylated protein having an apparent molecular weight of about 50,000 Daltons (50kD) which inhibits the production of estradiol that would otherwise be stimulated by FSH in certain cells, such as granulosa cells. Antibodies to these FSH-IP proteins, preferably of monoclonal form can be produced using techniques presently known in the art and are useful for treatment to promote ovulation or superovulation in mammals, including humans and livestock.

It is known that FSH is required for the maturation of ovarian follicles and testicular spermatogenesis, and that, in adults, circulating FSH regulates gonadal differentiation and steroidogenesis. However, increases in ovarian follicle growth are not always correlated with elevations of FSH levels in circulating blood serum. It is also known that a particular ovarian follicle that is destined to ovulate is derived from a fairly large number of growing follicles which are, in turn, selected from a still larger group of nonproliferating primordial follicles formed during fetal development. As a result, it is concluded that there is some selection process by which, during each ovarian cycle, one of these follicles destined to ovulate is activated.
It has previously been postulated that there are proteins which suppress follicular response to gonadotropins such as FSH: diZerega et al., J. of Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., 56, 1, 35-41 (1983), J. of Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., 57, 4, 838-846 (1983), and J. of Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., 54, 6, 1091-1096 (1982). It was hypothesized by these investigators that the dominant follicle may be secreting a substance that suppressed the responses of the other follicles to the FSH: diZerega et al., J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., 56, 4, 147-155 (1983).
Further work in this area caused investigators to postulate that a protein, termed generically a follicle regulatory protein, was apparently present in a crude or partially purified extract from porcine follicular fluid which would delay follicular maturation and would inhibit the effects of FSH in some manner, Kling et al., Biology of Reproduction, 30, 564-572 (1984) and Ono et al., Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol., 154, 4, 709-716 (1986). Subsequently, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,734,398 and 4,764,502 were issued directed to such extracts and stating that there were contained therein proteins between 5,500 and 18,000 daltons which exhibited such an effect. Although these partially purified extracts were useful for such in vitro studies, it is recognized that a pure material is necessary for clinical applications.

The Salk Institute for Biological Studies


A method and electronic device for generating an index of segments of a polygon is disclosed. The method comprises segmenting a reference zone, which covers at least a portion of a map enclosing all segments of the polygon, into first level zones. Responsive to at least one segment being at least partially located within more than one first level zones, the method comprises indexing the at least one segment in association with the reference zone. The method also comprises, until a terminal condition is met, iteratively: (i) segmenting a given zone into subsequent level zones, where the given zone is a parent zone to the subsequent level zones, and (ii) responsive to at least one other segment being at least partially located within more than one subsequent level zones, indexing the at least one other segment in association with the given zone.

The Point In Polygon (PIP) problem has important implications in a variety of disciplines, including geographic positioning systems (GPS), computer games, computer vision applications, mapping applications, computer-aided designs (CAD) and others. Some solutions of the PIP problem have been motivated by the requirements of determining a relative location of a given user device with respect to a geographical region or area.
For example, it might be useful to determine whether a given user of a device is located inside or outside a given area of interest (AOI) such as, for example, a city, a park, a festival venue and the like. In this example, the digitized boundaries of the given AOI may contain hundreds of thousands of points. Hence, application of a "brute force" validation technique for determining whether the location of the device is within the boundaries of the AOI in order to solve the PIP problem involves a large number of comparisons of the location of the device against all of the many segments of a polygon representing the boundary of the given AOI. While some performance optimizations exist for solving the PIP problem, in general such optimizations are still resource intensive or impractical. Consequently, validating the relative location of data points against a large boundary is computationally expensive.
Therefore, improvements to solutions of the PIP problem may be desirable.

Method and electronic device for generating an index of segments of polygons


Provided is a precursor composition for an oxide semiconductor. The precursor composition for the oxide semiconductor includes a metal complex compound formed by a metal ion and an organic ligand, wherein the precursor composition is represented by the following Formula 1.MAn   (Formula 1)Herein, M is a metal ion, A is an organic ligand which includes α-substituted carboxylate, and n is a natural number.

(a) Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to a precursor composition for an oxide semiconductor and a method of manufacturing a thin film transistor array panel using the same.
(b) Description of the Related Art
A liquid crystal display as one of flat panel display devices that are widely being used includes two substrates where electrodes are formed and a liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween and liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer are rearranged by applying voltage to the electrodes and an amount of transmitted light is adjusted, thereby displaying an image.
In general, the liquid crystal display includes a thin film transistor for switching each pixel. The thin film transistor may form a switching element including a gate electrode receiving a switching signal, a source electrode applied with data voltage, and a drain electrode outputting a data electrode as a three-terminal. In addition, the thin film transistor may include an active layer overlapping the gate electrode, the source electrode, and the drain electrode as a channel layer and in the active layer, amorphous silicon is usually used as a semiconductor material.
However, as the displays have become gradually larger, development of a thin film transistor capable of driving at more rapid speeds may be required. For example, amorphous silicon usually used as the active layer at present has low electron mobility degree and may require deposition equipment based on a high-priced vacuum process for applying a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method, a sputtering method, and the like.
Therefore, to increase the electron mobility degree and perform a coating process or a very low-priced printing process, the development of an oxide semiconductor material capable of performing a solution process may be required.
The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the invention and therefore it may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known in this country to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

Precursor composition for oxide semiconductor and method of manufacturing thin film transistor array panel using the same