A system and method for encoding and decoding a video image having a plurality of frames is disclosed. The method includes a loop filter, which is used to reduce blocking artifacts in reconstructed frames. A quality value is determined for each block in the reconstructed frame and each associated predictor block. A variable incremental loop filter strength is calculated for each inter-predicted block using at least one of the quality values. The variable incremental loop filter strength is used during encoding by the loop filter to filter the reconstructed frame.

An increasing number of applications today make use of digital video signals for various purposes including, for example, business meetings between people in remote locations via video conferencing, high definition video entertainment, video advertisements, and sharing of user-generated videos. As technology is evolving, users have higher expectations for video quality and resolution even when video signals are transmitted over communications channels having limited bandwidth.
To realize transmission of higher quality video while limiting bandwidth consumption, a number of video compression schemes have been developed—including formats such as VPx, promulgated by Google Inc. of Mountain View, Calif., and H.264, a standard promulgated by ITU-T Video Coding Experts Group (VCEG) and the ISO/IEC Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG), including present and future versions thereof. H.264 is also known as MPEG-4 Part 10 or MPEG-4 AVC (formally, ISO/IEC 14496-10). These schemes may denote each image of a video as a frame, and subdivide each frame into groups of pixels called macroblocks or blocks.
These compression schemes may use prediction techniques to minimize the amount of data required to transmit video signals by using, for example, the spatial and temporal coherences in video information. Prediction techniques can allow for multiple past transmitted frames and future frames to be used as potential reference frame predictors for macroblocks in a frame. More recently, some predication techniques synthesize predictive reference frames that are not necessarily displayed during the decoding process, such as shown, for example, by U.S. Application Publication No. 2010/0061461, assigned to Google, Inc.
Many prediction techniques use block based prediction and quantized block transforms. The use of block based prediction and quantized block transforms can give rise to discontinuities along block boundaries during encoding. These discontinuities (commonly referred to as blocking artifacts) can be visually disturbing and can reduce the quality of the decoded video and the effectiveness of the reference frame used as a predictor for subsequent frames. These discontinuities can be reduced by the application of a loop filter.
A loop filter is typically applied to a reconstructed frame or a portion of a reconstructed frame at the end of the decoding process. A loop filter is typically used to reduce blocking artifacts. Once a reconstructed frame is processed by the loop filter, it may be used as a predictor for subsequent frames. Some conventional loop filters apply different filtering strengths to different block boundaries. For example, some compression systems vary the strength of the loop filter based on, for example, whether the block has been inter-coded or intra-coded. Other compression systems apply a filter strength from a set of discrete filter strengths based on, for example, motion vector strength and the type of reference frame predictor used, such as shown by U.S. Application Publication No. 2010/0061645.

System and method for encoding video using variable loop filter


A data processing system comprises at least one resource manager (RM) for managing changes to respective system resources in accordance to a commit/backout protocol, and a resource manager coordinator (RMC) for coordinating the commit/backout activities of the at least one resource manager. A process resource manager (ERM) is provided, coordinated by the resource manager coordinator according to the commit/backout protocol, for managing the execution of non-compliant processes not complying with the commit/backout protocol. The process resource manager automatically determines, upon receipt of a backout request, a sequence of compensation actions to be performed to backout actions performed during the execution of the secondary non-compliant processes, and managing the execution of said compensation actions.

Introducing new applications (such as programs, transactions, classes, objects or methods) in an existing data processing environment poses several problems. Due to the rapid technological evolution, the new applications are normally based on different architectures compared to the existing applications; making the new applications capable of interacting with the existing ones can be a real challenge.
This problem is nowadays particularly felt, because a breed of new Internet-based services, for example for implementing e-business functions, is introduced. These new services need to interact with existing business functions within a company data processing system, such as legacy applications.
Similar problems may be encountered when already existing components need to collaborate to implement a new service.
In order to integrate a new application within a framework of existing, heterogeneous applications, or to make existing heterogeneous applications interact to achieve a new function, several critical factors, both technical and applicative, need to be considered. Multiple different skills in the field of information technology are involved, with a consequent increase in costs and time.
Four possible methodologies can be identified.
A first approach tries to maximally exploit the existing processes; in order to enable a new process to interact with an existing process, an interface layer is created capable of interpreting and properly translating requests from a business process into services and related coherence controls. Investements made for developing the already existing applications are in this way preserved.
According to a second approach, redundant functions are developed. The functions necessary for carrying out a new business process, albeit already present in the existing environment, are replicated in the new environment. The result is duplication of functions and data, causing increased development and management time and costs. Additionally, problems of reconciliation of the duplicated data may arise.
Following a third approach, the already existing functions are modified to adapt to the requirements of the new business process to be implemented. This involves a highly accurate knowledge of the existing functions and environment, and the availability of professional skills which may be not readily available. Consequently, the costs can be very high.
Finally, a fourth approach provides for developing a new application including both the new business processes and the business processes already in production. Apart from the costs, a rather long time may be required to put the new processes into production, with a negative impact on a company core business.

Data processing system adapted to integrating non-homogeneous processes

International Business Machines Corporation


Techniques and apparatuses for determining fluid volumes of a patient are described. In one embodiment, for example, an apparatus may include at least one memory, and logic coupled to the at least one memory. The logic may be configured to receive baseline bioimpedance information for at least a portion of a human body at a baseline pressure, receive pressurized bioimpedance information of the portion of the human body at a pressurized pressure, the pressurized pressure greater than the baseline pressure and configured to substantially remove blood volume from the portion at the pressurized pressure, and determine at least one of interstitial fluid volume (VIT) or peripheral blood volume (BVP) based on the baseline bioimpedance information and the pressurized bioimpedance information. Other embodiments are described.

Monitoring fluid statuses of dialysis patients is necessary to successfully manage patient outcomes. For example, measurements of blood volume and interstitial fluid volume are important for understanding fluid dynamics during hemodialysis (HD). In HD treatment, ultrafiltration (UF) may be applied to remove excess fluid from the interstitial fluid volume (VIT) via the blood volume (BV) compartment. Since it is difficult to set an appropriate UF rate (UFR) for an individual treatment without a target of known normal fluid status, rapid reduction in BV by a high UFR can result in complications for the patient, such as intradialytic hypotension (IDH). In addition, chronic fluid overload may lead to various circulatory system and heart conditions.
Conventional fluid volume monitoring methods may be inefficient and difficult to implement in a clinical setting. For example, one conventional technique for measurement of absolute blood volume is tracer dilution. However, this technique may be time consuming and requires the use of a tracer, usually a radioisotope, which is typically challenging to implement in a clinical setting. Another example conventional technique is relative blood volume (RBV), which may lack precision and accuracy as that technique is only able to provide relative changes in fluid volume.
Accordingly, monitoring fluid volumes may facilitate safe dialysis treatment. It is with these considerations in mind that the present disclosure may be useful.

Techniques for determining fluid volumes using bioimpedance information


A graphite panel (10) with a hole (11) having a damaged thread (12) is repaired by drilling the hole (11) to remove all of the thread and make a new hole (13) of larger diameter. A bolt (14) with a lubricated thread (17) is placed in the new hole (13) and the hole (13) is packed with graphite cement (16) to fill the hole and the thread on the bolt. The graphite cement (16) is cured, and the bolt is unscrewed therefrom to leave a thread (20) in the cement (16) which is at least as strong as that of the original thread (12).

This invention relates to the formation of threaded holes in graphite panels and in particular to the repair of damaged threads in such panels.
A method presently in use to separate metal isotopes is the atomic vapor laser isotope separation (AVLIS) process wherein a beam of neutral metal atoms is irradiated by tunable lasers to ionize atoms of a desired isotope of the metal. In general, an AVLIS process is carried out in a vacuum chamber, with the metal (such as uranium) to be processed being put into an open crucible and heated from above by an electron beam sufficient to generate a substantial vapor pressure of the material from the surface of the electron-beam-heated melt. The gas-phase atoms are mostly in the lowest-lying electronic states and when irradiated by tunable lasers of the proper wavelength the atoms of the desired isotope of the metal will ionize. The ionized atoms are attracted to an electrically charged extractor while the beam of remaining neutral atoms in the gas phase continues unimpeded in its flow until it condenses and collects on a collector plate.
Many of the components in the AVLIS process are graphite panels and other shapes made of Stackpole 20--20, a high purity graphite, the panels being held in place by bolts that screw into threaded holes formed directly into the graphite. Periodically, the panels must be disassembled for inspection, for removal of the metal film resulting from the condensation of the hot gases on the panels, and for other normal maintenance. Such disassembly often causes damage to the threaded holes in the panels.
Previously, if the damage to the threads was enough so that bolts would not hold upon reassembly, the panels would be discarded. This is very costly since the panels are custom-made and come in various sizes and shapes, costing several thousands of dollars apiece. Because of the cost, replacement panels would not be kept in stock and several weeks would be required to fabricate a new panel.
Attempts have been made to repair such damaged threads in graphite panels by substantially enlarging the diameter of the hole and gluing a metal nut in the hole, the nut having a hole therethrough with threads of the desired pitch and diameter. This attempt proved unsatisfactory because the metal bolt and nut would freeze together when subsequently subjected to the high temperature (e.g., 1200.degree. C.) of an AVLIS process. Lubricants are available to prevent such freezing, but would be detrimental to the process in that the lubricants would evaporate into the vacuum environment and condense on the surfaces of the panels.
Another repair attempt is that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 herein. In this case, the region of the panel surrounding the damaged threaded hole was drilled or reamed out to form a pocket 1 having a diameter slightly more than twice that of the damaged hole. A circular graphite plug 2 having an outside diameter twice that of the drilled and tapped hole 3 therein was inserted into pocket 1 and held in place by a suitable epoxy glue 4.
This attempt was more successful than the previous attempt. However, it was found that there were failures resulting from rapid changes in operating temperature and poor heat transfer through the glue. Also, because of the configurations of the panels, there were places where it was not possible to put a replacement plug.
Another problem with the plug attempt is that air will often be trapped between the plug and the panel. Later, when the panel is reassembled and in the vacuum environment of the AVLIS process, the trapped air will leak out, making it harder to pull the necessary vacuum in the process. In an effort to eliminate this problem, a relief passage 5 has been drilled into the bottom of pocket 1. This procedure increased the cost of repair and, again, could not be used in many locations of the panels.

Method for molding threads in graphite panels

The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy


A production line capable of producing more than one variation of a particular type of electric motor component (e.g., more than one variation of armature or more than one variation of stator) is provided. The line includes at each workstation either a machine adjustable to the different variations to be produced, or more than one machine. Workpieces are carried down the line on coded pallets from which it can be determined automatically which variation it is, so that the workstation can be adjusted to perform the correct operation, or so that the pallet can be directed to the correct machine.

This invention relates to a production line for electric motor or generator subassemblies. (As used hereinbelow, the word "motor" should be understood to include both motors and generators.) In particular, this invention relates to a production line for electric motor components such as armatures or stators. More particularly, this invention relates to a production line for manufacturing more than one variation of a particular type of electric motor component--e.g., more than one variation of armature or more than one variation of stator.
Either type of electric motor component can come in different variations. These variations can be in size (either in length or diameter) or in other characteristics--e.g., number of arms in the case of an armature or number of poles in the case of a stator. Although the various steps and types of machines needed for assembling the different variations are the same, in most cases they must be adjusted differently for each variation. Thus, with presently known production lines only one variation of the particular type of electric motor component being worked on can be made at any one time.
As a result, the production of different variations of a particular type of electric motor component requires either an investment in multiple production lines so that different lines can operate at the same time to produce the different variations, or significant down-time while various machines on the production line are adjusted or changed to produce a different variation.
It would be desirable to be able to provide a production line capable of producing more than one variation of a particular type of electric motor component.

Production line for electric motor subassemblies


Insecticidal compositions having insecticide and disinfectant activity are provided. Preferably, the insecticidal composition contains both an insect control agent and a disinfectant. Particularly low levels (i.e., below 20%) of at least one hydrocarbon are introduced as a solvent. The insecticidal compositions further comprise an emulsifier, buffer and antifoaming agent. These insecticidal compositions are particularly suitable for delivery in a spray for non-industrial environments. In use, the present insecticidal compositions may be applied directly to or in or around any area where it is desired to control pestiferous insects and the fungi, bacteria, viruses and other contaminants associated with them.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to insecticides. More specifically, the present invention relates to insecticidal compositions comprising a disinfectant and/or disinfectant functionality.
2. Description of Related Art
Various insecticides are currently available on the market for both industrial and home use. Historically, insecticides have been used to control insect populations by killing the insect without regard for the fact that insects can serve as vectors for disease even after death. Additionally, there has been a recent resurgence of insect-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever, as well as a migration of diseases such as west nile virus into areas of the globe where such diseases were thought to be eradicated. This resurgence has been attributed, in part, to increased insect resistance to insecticides and changes in the climate. Therefore, there exists a need for insecticide compositions that not only result in insect mortality upon use, but prevent or reduce the presence of fungi, bacteria, viruses and other contaminants which cause disease and are associated with insects and the environments where insects reside. The present invention provides such compositions, as well as methods of using the same.

Insecticidal compositions with disinfectant


An optical light diffuser component and a method of producing the same. The component includes at least one substrate material with an index of refraction of n1 and at least one optical coating on the substrate having an index of refraction of n2. The indices n1 and n2 are different. The optical light diffuser component produces uniform and diffuse light pattern from spot like light source, such as LED lamp, in terms of high optical transmission. The optical transmission is better than 90% at the visible spectrum of the light.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to light diffusers and to methods for manufacturing the same. In particular, the invention relates to diffusers, which have suitable properties for use in LED lighting applications. The invention also relates to a structure and manufacturing method of these diffuser structures. In addition, the invention relates to materials and methods used to produce the diffusers.
2. Description of Related Art
Light Emitting Diode (LED) typically consists of following parts/components: A semiconductor wafer: where the light emission is produced typically in form of UV light; LED cup wherein the LED wafer is mounted using typically a solder processing, wire-bonding and encapsulation; Encapsulate material wherein phosphorous mixed when considering white light LEDs. The encapsulate material is dispensed onto the LED chip and the cup. The encapsulate material can be for example a transparent silicone or epoxy adhesive. The phosphor what is dispersed into the encapsulate converts short wavelength light (typically blue light) emitted by the LED wafer into white light; LED lens is molded on top of the LED wafer/substrate/encapsulate structure typically using the same encapsulate material than previously used with the phosphorous encapsulant area. The LED lens is used to direct the light certain way from the LED.
The above-described parts/components construct the basic single LED device with high efficiency spot light source. When constructing LED displays, display backlights or lighting units using LED's, typically an additional diffuser film or structure is provided to modify the light emission toward the viewer and particular in the LED lightning unit it is particularly important to remove the spot like phenomena and convert the light source to uniform emitter.
In recent years LED's have gained a lot of attention as a very low power consumption alternative for replacement of the conventional indoor and outdoor lighting. Due to the LED's small size it brings out a lot of different design options to construct the indoor and outdoor light sources. However, when using LED's to replace the conventional light bulbs and fluorescent tube lamps, the requirement is that the properties of the current lamps need to be met example in terms of light intensity and light emission uniformity. A "spot like" LED light emission is not desired. For this reason, one of the main challenges is to be able to create a uniform diffused light from the LED lamps towards the viewer and the ambient and at the same time minimizing the LED amount in a lamp or lighting set. Same time it is important that the light diffusion is minimally impacting to the light efficiency losses of the light system. Furthermore, the diffusion element should be light weight, robust, non-yellowing and withstand cleaning chemicals, high and low environmental temperature conditions and finally should be economical to manufacture in high volumes. Also an ideal diffuser should not be prone for fingerprint soiling.

Optical light diffuser component having a substrate with optical structures and optical coatings and a method for manufacturing the same


A method for forming a device is disclosed. A substrate with a contact region is provided. Vacancy defects are formed in the substrate. The vacancy defects have a peak concentration at a depth DV. A metal based contact is formed in the contact region. The metal based contact has a depth DC which is equal to about DV. The vacancy defects lower the resistance of the metal based contact with the substrate.

Integrated circuits (ICs) include many tens of thousands of semiconductor devices including transistors are a cornerstone of modern microelectronic systems. The various regions of the transistors (e.g., source/drain and source/drain extensions) are formed by introducing dopant atoms into a semiconductor substrate using methods such as ion implantation. After the dopants have been introduced, they are electrically activated by subjecting the semiconductor substrate to one or more annealing processes.
Unfortunately, dopants have a tendency to diffuse or expand both laterally and vertically away from the profile as-introduced during annealing thereby increasing the dimensions of the various device regions. This outward diffusion of dopants is undesirable particularly as semiconductor devices are scaled down in size.
In addition, one of the major concerns in device scaling is the contact resistance between the silicide and the doped junction. The contribution of the silicide to junction contact resistance increases with further scaling of transistors. This undesirably leads to degradation of device performance.
From the foregoing discussion, it is desirable to provide devices with improved performance.


An elastic gas barrier coating composition includes a barrier material dispersed in an aqueous media, a polysulfide, and a curing agent reactive with the polysulfide. When applied to a substrate and cured to form a coating, the barrier material forms a continuous phase and a polysulfide elastomer forms a discontinuous phase. An elastic gas coating is also disclosed that includes a continuous phase with a barrier material and a discontinuous phase with a polysulfide elastomer. Substrates at least partially coated with elastic gas barrier coating compositions are further disclosed.

Barrier coatings are commonly used in a variety of industries to prevent vapor, gas and/or chemical ingress and/or egress. For example, barrier coatings are often used to coat materials found in tires and in bladders used in sporting equipment including shoes and balls. As can be appreciated, these substrates must retain a degree of flexibility and/or elasticity. However, coatings used for increasing the barrier properties of these substrates can have a negative effect on the flexibility and/or elasticity of the substrate.
Considerable efforts have been expended to develop barrier coatings that do not negatively affect the flexibility and/or elasticity of a substrate. While improved barrier coatings have been developed, these coatings exhibit some drawbacks. For instance, to achieve low temperature elasticity, a material with a low glass transition temperature must be used. Materials with a low glass transition temperature are poor oxygen/nitrogen gas barriers. As such, current barrier coatings are unable to achieve low temperature elasticity and provide a good oxygen/nitrogen gas barrier. Improved barrier coatings that provide both low temperature elasticity and good oxygen/nitrogen gas barrier performance are, therefore, desired.

Elastic gas barrier coating compositions


A system collects a user's television (TV) program viewing activity and uses the collected TV program viewing activity to make video on demand (VOD) recommendations to other users via a VOD recommendation service. The system receives an indication that the user wishes to turn on a VOD recommendation service and deletes previously collected TV program viewing activity for the user based on the received indication. The system collects the user's recent TV program viewing activity, which occurs subsequent to the received indication and the deletion of the previously collected TV program viewing activity, and uses the user's collected recent TV program activity to make other VOD program recommendations to the user via the VOD recommendation service.

Video on Demand (VOD) systems permit users to select and watch video content on demand. VOD systems typically stream video content through a set-top box (STB) so as to allow viewing of the video in real time at the request of the user. Many cable television providers (or other providers) offer VOD streaming, such as pay-per-view, where the user buys or selects a movie or television program and the selected movie or television program begins to play on the user's television immediately.

Video on demand (VOD) recommendations based on user viewing history


A compressed air supply device is provided for a utility or commercial vehicle. The device includes a valve housing and an air dryer cartridge which has a housing. A drying agent box, which is filled with drying agent, is arranged in the housing of the air dryer cartridge. The drying agent can be compressed by an elastic device.

The invention relates to a compressed air supply device for a utility or commercial vehicle, having a valve housing and having an air dryer cartridge, which includes a housing.
The invention further relates to an air dryer cartridge.
Compressed air supply devices are known to provide treated compressed air to compressed air consumers in utility/commercial vehicles. Typical compressed air consumers are, for example, a pneumatic brake system or an air suspension system. A compressed air supply device combines numerous functions. One important task is that of drying and cleaning the air. For this purpose, an air dryer cartridge is provided, which contains filter devices and a drying agent. Other important tasks are those of regulating the pressure of the compressed air provided by a compressor and reliably distributing the compressed air between the different consumer circuits. These tasks are performed by valve devices which are accommodated in a valve housing, specifically a pressure regulator and a multi-circuit protection valve. Modern compressed air supply devices include, in addition to the pneumatic components, an electronic controller and electrically actuable components, for example solenoid valves, and a sensor arrangement which is connected to the electronic controller. The compressed air supply devices which are equipped in this way are also referred to as EAC (Electronic Air Control) systems.
It is generally sought for the air drying to take place in as effective and efficient a manner as possible, wherein this requires, in particular, good utilization of the volume available in the air dryer cartridge.
The object on which the invention is based is that of further developing a generic compressed air supply device and an air dryer such that the drying agent completely fills the dryer volume, and is tightly packed, at all times.
This and other objects are achieved by a compressed air supply device for a utility vehicle, having a valve housing and having an air dryer cartridge which includes a housing. A drying agent box, which is filled with drying agent, is arranged in the housing of the air dryer cartridge. The drying agent is compressable by way of an elastic device.
Advantageous embodiments of the invention are described herein.
The invention provides a drying agent box, which is filled entirely with drying agent, arranged in the housing of the air dryer cartridge. The drying agent can be compressed by an elastic device. The elastic device ensures that the drying agent, which is present as granulate, is always tightly packed such that the air to be dried is subjected in an optimum manner to the drying action of the granulate. Even in the event of operation-induced fluctuations in volume of the drying agent, the elastic device ensures that the tight packing is maintained.
This may be realized, for example, in that the elastic device is a spring which is supported on the valve housing and which presses the drying agent box into the air dryer cartridge.
It may likewise be provided that the elastic device is a spring device which is fastened to the drying agent box and which drives a compression device into the drying agent box.
It may also be provided that the elastic device is realized by a plurality of spring elements, which are fastened to the drying agent box and which are supported on a housing of the air dryer cartridge and press the drying agent box into the air dryer cartridge.
According to one particularly preferred embodiment, it is provided that the drying agent box has a base on which are arranged an outer tube piece and an inner tube piece, which are open at their side facing away from the base. A further tube piece is arranged between the outer tube piece and the inner tube piece, which further tube piece is open at its side facing toward the base and can be moved in the axial direction relative to the drying agent box by the elastic device. From the outside to the center of the air dryer cartridge, there are therefore four successive walls, formed specifically by the housing of the air dryer cartridge, the outer tube piece of the drying agent box, the further tube piece, and the inner tube piece of the drying agent box.
In this way, it is provided that the housing of the air dryer cartridge, the outer tube piece, the further tube piece, and the inner tube piece form a labyrinth through which compressed air to be dried can flow whilst undergoing three reversals in flow direction. Such a labyrinthine design serves to lengthen the air path through the drying agent. In this way, it is possible for the drying action of the air dryer cartridge to be improved, or it is possible, for an unchanged drying action, to realize an air dryer cartridge with a reduced structural height.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the further tube piece is fastened to the housing of the air dryer cartridge. This fastening may, for example, be realized by way of spot welding, with the connection between the further tube piece and the air dryer cartridge being sealed off by a seal in order to thereby reliably define the air path through the labyrinth. The seal may, for example, be provided in the form of a hardenable material.
According to a further embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the further tube piece is fastened to the compression device. The compression device, which is acted on with force by a spring, is thereby driven into the drying agent box together with the further tube piece in order to thereby provide the desired compression action of the granulate.
According to a further embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the drying agent box has a base on which is arranged a tube piece which is open at its side facing away from the base, and that the compression device is arranged within the tube piece and can be moved in the axial direction relative to the drying agent box by the elastic device. In an arrangement of this type, the air to be dried flows firstly through the region between the tube piece and the housing of the air dryer cartridge in order to then, after a flow reversal, flow centrally through the drying agent box and then out of the latter.
It may be provided that the drying agent box interacts in a sealing fashion with the valve housing by way of a radial seal. This is expedient, in particular, in so-called open systems in which the air dryer cartridge seals off directly against the valve housing.
In closed systems, in which a foot flange seals off against the valve housing, it is provided that the drying agent box interacts in a sealing fashion with a foot flange of the air dryer cartridge by way of a radial seal.
It is also expediently provided that the drying agent box is connected to the housing of the air dryer cartridge by a latching device which enables an axial relative movement of the drying agent box and housing. The enabling of the axial movement permits the relative movement, for the purpose of compressing the granulate, of the components which hold the granulate.
The invention also relates to an air dryer cartridge, in particular for use in a compressed air supply device according to the invention.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of one or more preferred embodiments when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Compressed air supply device for a utility vehicle and air dryer cartridge

Knorr-Bremse Systems fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH


The disclosed technology improves the process of generating recommended prices for retail products by optimizing revenue and profit while complying with a set of business rules by assigning a monetary value to each business rule. Then for each decision price that violates a business rule constraint, a penalty value is added to the monetary value. If the monetary value including the penalty is better than an original monetary value, the decision price is included in the recommended prices.

There has been a steady evolution in retail science towards solutions with more sensitivity to business reality. Early mathematical solutions in price optimization made retailers more revenue and profit but often generated solutions that were in conflict with business rules. For example, in most retail settings the double-size box should be more than the single-size box, but not quite twice as much. Newer price optimization techniques involve performing business-rule compliance as a post-process procedure, treating business rules as absolute constraints and resolving unavoidable conflict with rule prioritization, or leaving business-rule compliance as a user task. These techniques can produce calculations that are difficult and often not followed and can lead to sub-optimal recommended prices.

System and method for integrating retail price optimization for revenue and profit with business rules


An adjustment mechanism for setting the position of a singulator in a seed meter. The singulator comprises an arm pivotally mounted about a pivot adjacent a seed disk. A shaft with an eccentric connection to a radially outward portion of the arm has a lever pivotally connected on it. The lever has a cam mechanism to displace an actuating sleeve into a resilient sleeve to lock the shaft in a given position when the lever is extending in the direction of the axis of rotation of the shaft. When the lever is moved to a right angle orientation the shaft is free to pivot and thus set the position of the arm.

An agricultural seeding machine such as a row crop planter or grain drill places seeds at a desired depth within a plurality of parallel seed trenches formed in soil. In the case of a row crop planter, a plurality of row crop units are typically ground driven using wheels, shafts, sprockets, transfer cases, chains and the like. Each row crop unit has a frame which is moveably coupled with a tool bar. The frame may carry a main seed hopper, herbicide hopper and insecticide hopper. If a granular herbicide and insecticide are used, the metering mechanisms associated with dispensing the granular product into the seed trench are relatively simple. On the other hand, the mechanisms necessary to properly meter the seeds, dispense the seeds at a predetermined rate and place the seeds at predetermined relative locations within the seed trench are relatively complicated.
The mechanisms associated with metering and placing the seeds generally can be divided into a seed metering system and a seed placement system which are in communication with each other. The seed metering system receives the seeds in a bulk manner from the seed hopper carried by the frame. Different types of seed metering systems may be used such as seed plates, finger plates, and seed disks. In the case of a seed disk metering system, a seed disk is formed with a plurality of seed cells spaced about the periphery thereof. Seeds are moved into the seed cells, with one or more seeds in each seed cell depending upon the size and configuration of the seed cell. A vacuum or positive pressure air may be used in conjunction with the seed disk to assist in movement of the seeds into the seed cells. The seeds are singulated and discharged at a predetermined rate to the seed placement system.
The seed placement system may be categorized as a gravity drop system or a power drop system. In the case of a gravity drop system, a seed tube has an inlet end which is positioned below the seed metering system. The singulated seeds from the seed metering system merely drop into the seed tube and fall via gravitational force from a discharge end thereof into the seed trench. The seed tube may be curved in a rearward manner to assist in directing seed into the seed trench. The rearward curvature also assists in reducing bouncing of the seeds back and forth within the tube as it falls into the seed trench. Further, the rearward curvature reduces bouncing of the seed as it strikes the bottom of the seed trench.
A seed placement system of the power drop variety generally can be classified as a seed conveyor belt drop, rotary valve drop, chain drop or air drop. These types of seed placement systems provide more consistent placement of the seeds along a predetermined path at a desired spacing.
Certain seed types, notably flat corn seed with insecticide or other treatments, are difficult for vacuum meters to singulate. Poor singulation of difficult seed types is characterized by doubles, skips, and bunches of seed carried by the disk. Doubles and skips refer to multiple seeds and no seed respectively in each seed cell. Bunches are multiple seeds carried up by the seed pool accelerators which protrude from the surface of the seed disk. These seed types generally are best planted with a flat seed disk in combination with double eliminator. Compared to a celled disk, a flat disk has less favorable seed trajectory into the seed tube, generally requires more vacuum, and a production "double eliminator" adjustment is difficult.
What is needed in the art is an agricultural seeding machine having an accurate positive and efficient adjustment of a double eliminator or singulator mechanism.

Seed singulator adjuster for a seed meter


This invention relates to compounds of the formula: ##STR1## or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof wherein Z is selected from the group consisting of ##STR2## R.sub.1 is alkoxy of one to six carbon atoms; R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, CF.sub.3, hydroxy, alkoxy of one to six carbon atoms, acyl of two to seven carbon atoms, amino, amino substituted by one or two alkyl groups of one to six carbon atoms, C.sub.2 -C.sub.7 acylamino, aminocarbonyl, aminosulfone optionally substituted by one or two alkyl groups of one to six carbon atoms, C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkylsulfone and nitro;. n is 0, 1 or 2; PA1 m is 0 or 1; PA1 X is O or NR.sub.7 ; and PA1 R.sub.7 is hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms.

The present invention relates to pharmaceutical agents (compounds) which act as 5-HT.sub.4 agonists or antagonists and/or 5-HT.sub.3 antagonists in mammals. As serotonin 5-HT.sub.4 agonists, these compounds are gastrointestinal prokinetic agents useful for the treatment of human gastrointestinal (GI) hypomotility disorders such as reflux esophagitis, gastroparesis, nonulcer dyspepsia, ileus, constipation and irritable bowel syndrome (constipation predominant). As serotonin 5-HT.sub.4 antagonists these compounds are useful in the treatment of motility disorders of the GI tract such as diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome (diarrhea predominant). As serotonin 5-HT.sub.3 antagonists these compounds are useful in slowing colonic transport and therefore are useful in the treatment of diarrhea predominant irritable bowel syndrome. The serotonin 5-HT.sub.4 agonists or antagonists and/or serotonin 5-HT.sub.3 antagonists are also useful in the treatment of emesis, anxiety, visceral pain, substance abuse (either cravings or withdrawal syndrome), cognitive disorders and other CNS disorders wherein treatment with a serotonin 5-HT.sub.4 agonist or antagonist and/or serotonin 5-HT.sub.3 antagonist would be indicated.
Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) functions as a neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system (CNS) and in the periphery. Serotonin is unsurpassed among monoamine neurotransmitters in the number of receptor subtypes identified. To date, the number of subtypes is into the teens, including the major subtypes 5-HT1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 2A, 2B, 3 (perhaps subtypes), 1P, serotonin transporter, etc. Because of the multiplicity of serotonin receptor subtypes, the identification of which serotonin receptor subtype is correlated to various physiological/pharmacological actions is complicated.
Serotonin has been known for some years to promote peristalsis in the GI tract in various animal models. During the mid 1980s, several specific antagonists to the 5-HT.sub.3 receptor subtype were identified from independent laboratories. These 5-HT.sub.3 antagonists were shown to be prokinetic in various rodent models. Hence, many publications and patents have issued wherein 5-HT.sub.3 antagonists are claimed to be useful as GI prokinetic agents to treat various human hypomotility states: reflux esophagitis, nonulcer dyspepsia, gastroparesis, ileus, irritable bowel syndrome.
Gunning and Naylor (J. Pharm. Pharmacol. 1985, 37, 78) reported that metoclopramide (a 5-HT.sub.3 antagonist which blocks the 5-HT3-mediated Bezold Jarisch reflex) enhanced electrical-field stimulated contractions in guinea pig stomach strips. Simultaneously, Buchheit et al (J. Pharm. Pharmacol. 1985, 37, 664) reported that three 5-HT.sub.3 antagonists [metoclopramide, ICS-205930, and MDL 72222] both enhanced guinea pig stomach muscle strip contraction in vitro and led to increases in gastric emptying rates in vivo. H. Kimura et al (Jpn. J. Pharmacol., 49 (suppl.) Mar. 25-28, 1989, 196pp) independently reported that SN-307, a selective 5-HT.sub.3 antagonist, enhanced transit of a charcoal meal in mice. J. S. Gidda et al (Gastroenterology 1988, 95, A867) reported that several 5-HT.sub.3 antagonists [ICS-205930, GR38032, and zacopride] enhanced gastric emptying. From these reports it was concluded that serotonin 5-HT.sub.3 antagonists would be useful agents for the therapeutic treatment of human GI dysmotilities where restoration of peristalsis and enhancement of transit is indicated.
More recently several clinical reports indicate that 5-HT.sub.3 antagonists do not accelerate GI transit in man. Talley et al (Digestive Diseases and Sciences 1989, 34, 1511) has reported that GR38032, a selective 5-HT.sub.3 antagonist, did not alter small intestinal transit times or mouth-to-cecum transit times. The conclusion was that GR38032 does not have a major effect on GI transit in man. Another clinical report by S. Gore et al (Aliment. Pharmacol. Therap. 1990, 4, 139) has demonstrated that GR38032 not only failed to accelerate GI transit, but in fact slowed colonic transit in man. Thus while 5-HT.sub.3 antagonists do accelerate GI transit in rodent species (guinea pig, mouse, rat), they do not affect small bowel transit in man, and decrease, rather than increase, colonic transit.
Canine models of GI transit may more accurately reflect human results. J. M. Van Nueten et al (British J. Pharmacology, 1989, 96, 331P) reported recently that cisapride (a reported 5-HT.sub.3 antagonist) enhanced antroduodenal motility in dogs, whereas ICS-205930, another potent 5-HT.sub.3 antagonist did not. Moreover, ICS-205930 did not affect the responses to cisapride when the agents were coadministered. Nemeth and Gullikson (European J. Pharmacology, 1989, 166, 387) reported that the ability of BRL-24924 and cisapride to depolarize myenteric neurons was unrelated to their properties of 5-HT.sub.3 antagonism.
The receptor mechanism by which cisapride, BRL-24924, metoclopramide, and other serotonergic agents are prokinetic is not related to their 5-HT.sub.3 antagonist properties. The receptor mechanism responsible for their prokinetic activities is serotonergic, but at a serotonin receptor subtype, presently referred to as 5-HT.sub.4. (M. Tonini et al Pharmacological Research, 1991, 24, 5).
Initially this clarification came from the laboratory of A. Dumuis, M. Sebben and J. Bockaert (Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Arch. Pharmacol 1989, 340, 403). The prokinetic activity of a variety of benzamides, including cisapride and BRL-24924, were found to correlate with agonist activity at a novel 5-HT.sub.4 receptor subtype identified in mouse embryonic colliculi neurons. Shortly thereafter, D. Craig and D. Clarke identified the 5-HT.sub.4 receptor in the myenteric plexus of the guinea pig ileum (J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther., 1990, 252, 1378). Quite recently Craig and Clarke also demonstrated that the peristaltic reflex evoked by serotonin and the benzamide BRL-24924 (renzapride) was mediated through agonism at 5-HT.sub.4 receptors.
The natural product aristofruiticosine which contains an azanoradamantane nucleus is discussed in Tetra Lett., 1988, 29, 3355 and Helv. Chem. Acta., 1991, 74, 110.
An azanoradamantane nucleus substituted with nitriles or carboxyl groups is reported in Hetrocycles, 1979, 12, 343.
There is a need in the area of serotonin regulation for agents with broad clinical usefulness. Serotonin is one of the newer neurotransmitters to be recognized for physiological importance and agents which interact with 5-HT receptors are currently the focus of much research. P. Bonate, Clinical Neuropharmacology, Vol. 14, No. 1, pp. 1-16 (1991).
Accordingly, it is the object of this invention to produce compounds for use as pharmaceutical agents which will exhibit 5-HT.sub.4 serotonin agonist or antagonist and/or 5-HT.sub.3 serotonin antagonist activity in mammals. The compounds of the present invention meet the need for an agent which has broad clinical usefulness for treating conditions affected by 5-HT.sub.4 agonists or antagonists and/or 5-HT.sub.3 antagonists in mammals by administering therapeutically effective amount of the compounds.


A displacement arrangement for use in a combination dolly-pallet includes an impelling member movable between first and second positions. A linkage is pivotally connected to the impelling member. When the impelling member moves between the first and second positions, the linkage moves pivotally relative to the impelling member to an extended position.

This invention relates to combination dolly-pallets. This invention also relates to displacement arrangements for use in combination dolly-pallets. This invention also relates to support assemblies for use in combination dolly-pallets.
Combination dolly-pallets have retractable ground engaging members and wheels. They can be converted between an immobile pallet condition, in which the ground engaging members engage the ground, and a dolly condition, in which the ground engaging members are retracted, and the combination dolly-pallet can be moved along the ground on the wheels.


The present invention provides an optical waveguide, which at least includes: a waveguide core having a cavity therein; and a clad which encloses the periphery of the waveguide core and has a smaller refractive index than the waveguide core, wherein the optical waveguide changes a direction of a part or all of propagated light by using a part or all of an interface between the waveguide core and the cavity as a reflecting surface. The present invention further provides a method for manufacturing the optical waveguide, which at least includes: forming a core having a cavity therein on a substrate; applying an uncured clad material to a side surface and an upper portion of the core while maintaining the cavity which allows an atmospheric gas to be present in the cavity; and curing the clad material by heat or light to seal the gas in the cavity.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical waveguide having the function of changing the direction of light propagation.
2. Description of the Related Art
Since the technology of high-speed transmission of signals using electricity is approaching its limit, there are great expectations in the role of optical transmission. In this situation, the realization of an opto-electric hybrid board is regarded as a today's urgent task. In order to realize the opto-electric hybrid board, an optical waveguide corresponding to a highly integrated electrical device is required. It is required for the optical waveguide to attain a large change in the direction of light propagation in a small space within limits imposed by the integration. A polymer waveguide has a higher degree of design freedom than a waveguide formed of quartz materials. Although methods of changing the direction of light propagation using various polymer waveguides are being considered, there are problems such as those described in the following (1) to (3) are imposed.
(1) Problem Relating to Utilizing an Arc
Conventionally, an arc was used for a large change in a direction of light propagation. However, it is not possible to avoid a loss caused by utilization of a radiation mode when an arc is used. In order to reduce this loss, the arc must have a radius of curvature which is larger than a certain value, giving rise to the necessity for securing a large space.
(2) Problem Relating to Utilizing a Total Reflection
The use of total reflection by means of a clad is well known. However, since the difference in refractive index between a core and a clad is small, a large change in direction was not possible. Also, complete total reflection cannot be performed and there is a leakage of light at the total reflecting surface.
(3) Problem Relating to Involving the Production of a Mirror Surface by a Dicing Saw
It has been known widely that an optical waveguide is cut at a 45° angle by using a dicing saw and the cut surface is used as a reflecting mirror to change the direction of a light path. However, it is impossible to carry out cutting locally. Also, because the polymer optical waveguide is actually cut in this cutting process, it is difficult to attain this cutting at a place except for the end surface of the optical waveguide. Also, because accuracy of the dicing position is required, leading to an increase in the number of steps as well bringing about high costs.
Among the aforementioned methods, a method involving measures for solving the above problems is proposed in which an arc is utilized and a clad is provided within a core (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) No. 9-145943). In this method, a sandbank-clad is inserted in the arcing layer and the optical waveguide of the bent part is divided into plural narrow-width optical waveguides to greatly reduce the leakage of light. By this method, the reduction in leakage of light reduces the optical loss and the curvature radius can be made small; however, a limitation to miniaturization remains as before.
As a method of significantly changing the direction of light propagation in a small area, a method can be considered which involves expanding the conditions of total reflection by a localized use of a cladding material having a large difference in refractive index from the core. As an example of such a method, an air clad is proposed (for example, JP-A No. 2003-207661). In this method, an air clad reflecting layer is provided on the exterior of a core in addition to a 90° refraction layer and light is reflected on the air clad. However, in this method, since the air clad layer is located on the exterior, the manufacturing process is complicated and the air clad cannot be easily produced.
Besides the above examples using an air clad, optical waveguides in which a closed void (air foam cell) is provided on the exterior of a bent part of an optical waveguide core which use the planar interface between the void and the core as a reflecting surface are proposed (for example, JP-A Nos. 11-248951 and 2003-75670). In all of these optical waveguides, voids are also present outside of the core of the optical waveguide and the difference in reflection ratios between the void and the core is utilized to constitute a reflecting surface. In the configuration disclosed in JP-A No. 2003-75670, the air clad is formed by etching, but the surface formed by etching tends to be rough, giving rise to the problem that the reflecting surface has a degraded reflecting efficiency. Further, the equipment cost for etching tends to be higher, and the etching process itself is disadvantageous timewise. Also, because the void is an air cell, the whole end surface of the waveguide is not completely in contact with the void due to the method of depositing clad materials and the planar interface is not a perfectly flat surface, optical loss caused by these reasons is inevitable.
Also, the configurations in JP-A Nos. 11-248951 and 2003-75670 must have the whole core of the optical waveguide as a total reflecting surface, and it is therefore impossible to make a branched waveguide structure.
Also, in widely used methods in which a Y-branch or the like is used in a branched waveguide to divide light into plural branches, an increase in a branched angle is accompanied by an increase in light leakage and it is therefore impossible to branch light at a wide angle.
The fundamental cause of these problems is a limitation in the refractive indices of the core and the clad to be used because the NA becomes defined under the conditions of connections between the optical parts such as a fiber and the like and the optical waveguide. Accordingly, it is conceivable that if a clad, which has a different refractive index from that of the core, can be used locally at a place where a direction of light propagation is significantly changed, a large change in the direction of propagation can be realized.
Also, when a polymer having a degree of freedom is used in designing a waveguide, the refractive index of the polymer used for the clad is limited. Therefore, when designing a waveguide without considering NA, such as in the case of directly connecting the waveguide with an optical transmitting and receiving device, the clad is not allowed to have a refractive index significantly different from that of the core, with the result that the direction of light propagation cannot be significantly changed.

Optical waveguide and process for manufacturing the same


An improved damper, of the type comprising elements for progressively resisting, in exponential manner, the advance of a piston under the effect of a force of axial compression, which functions as a stop opposing any displacement of the piston beyond a predetermined value, in an intervertebral stabilization device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the application, in an intervertebral stabilization device, of certain dampers comprising means for progressively resisting in exponential manner the advance of a piston under the effect of a force of axial compression.
2. History of the Related Art
Such dampers are well known in the automobile domain. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,904,226 and NL-279 186 each describe a single- or double-effect damper which is capable of progressively resisting, in exponential manner, the advance of the piston, so that, after a certain stroke of the piston, the damper opposes any displacement of the piston beyond a determined value of the displacement.
To that end, the damper contains, between a bottom of a cylinder and a piston, an elastic body whose volume is smaller than that of a chamber determined by the position in the free state of the piston with respect to the bottom of the cylinder.
Such a damper is a so-called single-effect damper, i.e. it functions only in one direction. If a double-effect damper is desired, i.e. acting in two opposite directions, it suffices to place a second elastic body in the compartment located between the piston and a cover closing the cylinder opposite its bottom, in which the second elastic body has a volume smaller than that of the compartment.

Application of an improved damper to an intervertebral stabilization device


Provided are a pile joint, a pile coupling structure, and a pile coupling method that allow firm uniting of piles to be coupled. A joint (10) for coupling two piles (12) comprises: a tubular body (16) into which each pile (12) provided with a key (14) on a periphery thereof is inserted through an end (16A) of the body (16); and a fitting portion (22) formed on the body (16) so as to be fitted to the key (14) by the insertion and rotation of the pile (12). The fitting portion (22) is formed with: a tapered shape having a surface (22A) that is inclined so as to become distant from the end (16A) of the body (16) as the surface (22A) extends in the direction of rotation of the pile (12); or a wedge shape for fitting between a projection and a pile.

In some cases where a pile to be installed underground is not long enough, two or more piles may be coupled together to be installed underground.
In such a case, weld joining, which couples piles by welding, requires time to weld at the site of underground installation, also requires an inspection of the weld, and therefore requires a lot of time and effort. The weather at the site of underground installation and the welder's skill may cause the welding quality to vary and, in addition, welding of piles itself may not be able to be carried out depending on head clearance or other conditions of the site.
On the other hand, Patent document 1, for example, discloses coupling of a plurality of cylindrical drilling members by means of a cylindrical joint member, as a mechanical joint that does not involve welding work at the site of underground installation. Each cylindrical drilling member is provided with a lug projected on the outer periphery of its one end, and the joint member fits to the lug to perform positioning.

Pile joint, pile coupling structure, and pile coupling method


The disadvantages of operation "rigidity" found in automatic breathing apparatus according to the prior art are overcome by means of a regulator group made in a number of versions and capable of adjusting, moment by moment, according to the surrounding pressure or depth, the percentage of breathing gases forming the final breathing mixture, which can be made up of various percentages of oxygen and air, or oxygen and helium, or air and a Heliox mixture, or air, oxygen and helium.. Mixture of the various basic gases forming the final breathing mixture is controlled by means of modular adjustment and/or control elements which can be combined together in various manners to give the above mentioned operative characteristics.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an improvement in automatic breathing apparatus for underwater immersion of the semi-closed circuit type, said improvement consisting in mixing breathing gases in a controlled and optimal proportion according to depth, over a range which can extend from close to the surface of the water to relatively great depths, of up to around 150 meters.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The known automatic breathing apparatus of this kind work using a semi-closed circuit, with partial replacement of the breathing gas (He, O.sub.2) which is preprepared in varying proportions according to the depth range chosen and with re-cycling of the breathed gas through a conventional filter for elimination of carbon dioxide of the soda lime type. A typical automatic breathing apparatus for use at great depth according to the prior art, using a semi-closed circuit, is schematically illustrated in FIG. 1. As can be seen, the automatic breathing apparatus comprises a pair of gas cylinders 1, 2, for a mixture of helium and oxygen known in the field as a "Heliox" mixture. The cylinders 1 and 2 are connected to a pressure reducing valve 4 which is in turn connected, downstream, to the selector group 4A containing, at its outlet end, the "nozzles" or "holes" which condition the flow rate of the breathing gas according to the diameter of the hole itself. It should be remembered that, in this case, the pressure of the reducing valve 4 remains unchanged at all depths, and for this reason it is necessary to operate using the manual switch which changes "nozzle" or "hole", thus varying the flow rate of the gas.
The breathing gas, which passes through the chosen "hole" or "nozzle", enters the tube 5 leading to an aspiration plenum chamber or bag 6, from which a tube 7 leads to a mouthpiece 8. The mouthpiece 8 is also connected by means of a tube 9 to an expiration or discharge bag 10, which is in communication on one side with an overpressure valve 11, and on the other side with a tube 12 leading to a soda lime type carbon dioxide absorber indicated with 13. The absorber 13 communicates by way of 14 with the inspiration bag 6. The direction of flow of the gases is conditioned by no-return valves 16 and 17 and is indicated by the arrows. Finally, a by-pass device 15 is usually provided, actuated manually so as to compensate for the collapse of the "bags" 6, 10, due to increase of environmental pressure (the head of water above).

Automatic breathing apparatus for underwater immersion at medium and great depth

c/o Gilberto Alessandrini 374/C Via della Magliana


Described is a power semiconductor module that includes: a frame made of an electrically insulative material; a first substrate seated in the frame; a plurality of power semiconductor dies attached to the first substrate; a plurality of signal pins attached to the first substrate and electrically connected to the power semiconductor dies; a busbar extending from the first substrate through a side face of the frame; a current sensor module seated in a receptacle of the frame in sensing proximity of the busbar, the current sensor module including a current sensor attached to a circuit board; and a potting material fixing the current sensor module to the frame such that no air gap is present between the current sensor and the busbar. The potting material contacts the frame and the current sensor. Methods of producing the power semiconductor module are also described.

In-phase current sensors may be used in high power drive applications to determine phase currents delivered by a power module to, for example, an electric motor. One implementation of such an in-phase current sensor uses a core-based principle of magnetic current sensing. Typically, a core-based in-phase current sensor is a magnetic sensor that implements a field concentrator (e.g., an iron core wrapped around a current rail) to concentrate a magnetic field produced by a current flowing through the current rail onto a magnetic sensing element such that a measurement can be obtained. Another implementation of an in-phase current sensor uses a core-less principle of magnetic current sensing. Typically, a core-less in phase current sensor is a magnetic sensor that implements one or more sensing elements in proximity to a current rail such that a measurement can be obtained based on a magnetic field produced by a current flowing through the current rail as sensed by the one or more of sensing elements. Such an in-phase current sensor may be used, for example, in a direct current to alternating current (DC/AC) inverter, a DC/DC converter, an AC/DC converter, a DC/AC converter, an AC/AC converter, or the like.

Power semiconductor module having a current sensor module fixed with potting material


An apparatus and method are provided for forming a laser induced thermal dye transfer. The apparatus includes a dye receiving element having a ridge formed along a periphery thereof for receiving a dye donor element thereon with the only physical contact between the elements occurring along the ridge. Separation between the donor and receiver elements is maintained by the ridge by mounting the donor and receiver against mounting plates that hold the elements flat. A vacuum is applied to the holding plates to attract the elements towards their respective holders.

In a typical laser thermal printing system the donor and receiver elements are kept into close proximity to transfer dye from the donor element to the receiver element. The donor and receiver are close together but microspaced to prevent sticking between the donor and receiver, particularly when the microspace is evacuated to enhance the dye transfer efficiency. The microspace prevents impression of surface defects of the donor on the receiver. The microspace is maintained by coating a thin layer of matt beads on the donor or receiver surface. U.S. Pat. No. 4,772,582 discloses the use of beads to maintain spacing between the donor and receiver.
Although surface contact is virtually eliminated by coating a thin layer of matt beads on the donor or receiver, micro contacts, shadowing artifacts of matt beads, and artifacts due to scattering of light from the beads remain. Some post processing of the image, such as index matching of beads, lamination, high fusion, or other processing, may be required. Post processing contributes to a reduced modular transfer function (MTF) for the image. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that it would be highly desirable to eliminate matt beads as spacers between the donor and receiver elements and thereby eliminate image noise and artifacts caused by bead shadows.

Noncontact donor and receiver holder for thermal printing


A machine is provided for continuously packing food or pharmaceutical products in thermoformed plastic material containers, comprising a station for receiving and unwinding reels of plastic material film, heating stations, a thermoforming station, a dosing station, a sealing station and a cutting station, and chains for moving the plastic material film step by step from one end of the machine to the other, which are driven without slipping over drive wheels having a smooth surface.

The invention relates to a machine for continuously. packing, in particular, food or pharmaceutical products in plastic material containers which are sealed after filling.
Machines of this type are already known, in which the containers are produced by thermoforming a plastic material film, receive one or more doses of products, are sealed by welding or bonding to their upper face a film of material such as aluminium, a metal coated paper, or a plastic material, then go to a cutting station to be separated from each other or in groups of four, six, eight or twelve for example.
The essential drawback of these known machines is their lack of adaptability to a change of format of the containers. It should be understood that, when the plastic material film in which the containers are thermoformed, is moved from one end to the other of the machine, the tools and/or accessories of the different thermoforming, dosage, sealing and cutting stations must be controlled in perfect synchronism with respect to the movements of the plastic material film and must be positioned exactly with respect to the containers formed from the film. For this reason, the known machines are generally equipped with a longitudinal transmission shaft, the different stations are positioned very precisely and mounted permanently on the frame of the machine, and the synchronization of the tools with the travelling speed of the plastic material film is provided initially in the factory, at the time of construction of the machine. The result is that, when it is necessary to modify the machine because for example of a change of format of the containers or groups of containers, it is not sufficient to change some tools or accessories such as the thermoforming molds, the number and position of the product dosing nozzles, the number and position of the means for welding the covers and the cutting blades, it is further necessary to reposition the different stations and resynchronize the whole of the machine, which corresponds in fact to substantially complete reconstruction of the machine. That can only be done in the factory, by specialized staff, and these modification operations are extremely time-consuming and expensive.
The object of the invention is essentially to provide a machine of the above type but which is "flexible" and adaptable simply and rapidly, on the spot, to modifications such as change of format of the containers or groups of containers etc . . .
The invention also provides a machine of the above type which is more reliable and more accurate than those of the prior art.

Machine for continuously packing in particular food or pharmaceutical products in plastic material containers


A coaxial cable output terminal safety plug device, which comprises a driving tool to drive a plug to fastened in a coaxial cable output terminal which is not 5 in use. The plug comprises a round tube having received therein a threaded tube which has a resistor driven to insert in the signal output hole of a coaxial cable output terminal to match the impedance.

The present invention relates to a coaxial cable output terminal safety plug device for use in cable television systems (CATV), subscription television systems (STV) and master antenna TV systems (MATV) to releasably block up any signal output terminal which is not in use.
Regular cable television systems generally utilize coaxial cables to transmit audio signal to subscribers. Therefore, transformer of multiple output terminals and impedance matching and amplifying device must be used so that audio signal can be transmitted to each subscriber through coaxial cable. Because the number of subscribers is generally not equal to the number of output terminals, a plug which has an impedance matching device must be used to block up each output terminal which is not in use, so as to eliminate impedance matching problems between signal output coaxial cable and subscriber's coaxial cable.
The conventional plug which is used to block up a coaxial cable output terminal may be easily removed from an output terminal and a non-subscriber can easily connect an output terminal to a TV without paying any fee. Therefore, there is developed a kind of safety plug which requires a special tool to fastened in or remove from a coaxial cable signal output terminal and can effectively protect from piracy. However, this type of safety plug is expensive and easy to damage.

Coaxial cable output terminal safety plug device

No. 2, Lane 8, Hsin An Rd., Shih Lin District


Using a radiation image reading method and apparatus for reading a radiation image from a stimulable phosphor sheet on which the radiation image has been recorded, the radiation image is read quickly and an image signal having a preferable S/N ratio is obtained. A laser beam emitted from a laser beam source is reflected and deflected by a rotational polygon mirror and irradiated on the stimulable phosphor sheet storing the radiation image. Light emitted from the portion whereon the laser beam has been irradiated is photoelectrically converted by a line sensor composed of a plurality of solid state photoelectric conversion devices placed in line, and an image signal representing the radiation image recorded on the sheet is obtained.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image reading method and apparatus for obtaining an image signal representing a radiation image from a stimulable phosphor sheet on which the radiation image has been recorded, by exposing the sheet to stimulating rays.
2. Description of the Related Art
Image recording and reproduction by reading a recorded radiation image to obtain an image signal representing the image and then applying appropriate image processing to the image signal has been carried out in various fields. For example, a system which can obtain reproduced images having preferable quality such as preferable contrast, sharpness, and graininess has been developed (see Japanese Patent Publication No. 61(1986)-5193). In this system, an X-ray image is recorded on a film having a low gamma value designed to be suitable for subsequent image processing, and the film recording the X-ray image is read to obtain an electrical signal. A visible image such as a copied photograph is reproduced after image processing has been carried out on the electrical signal (image signal).
The applicant has already proposed a radiation image recording reproducing system using stimulable phosphor which emits light, upon exposure to stimulating rays such as visible light, in accordance with stored radiation energy originated from radiation (such as X-rays, .alpha.-rays, .beta.-rays, .gamma.-rays, electron rays, and ultraviolet rays) having been irradiated thereon (see Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication Nos. 55(1980)-12429, 56(1981)-11395, 55(1980)-163472, 56(1981)-164645, and 55(1980)-116340, for example). In this system, a radiation image of a subject such as a human body is recorded on a stimulable phosphor sheet and the sheet is scanned with stimulating rays such as a laser beam to cause the sheet to emit light. The light is photoelectrically detected by reading means such as a photomultiplier to obtain an image signal. Based on the image signal, the radiation image of the subject is then output as a visible image on a recording material such as a photosensitive material or on a CRT display.
As means in such a system for photoelectrically reading light emitted from a stimulable phosphor sheet, an image reading apparatus which comprises a line sensor having a plurality of solid state photoelectric conversion devices placed in line has been proposed (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication Nos. 60(1985)-111568 and 60(1985)-236354, for example). The image reading apparatus such as those described therein irradiates a streak of stimulating rays on a stimulable phosphor sheet by using a light source array comprising LED's or semiconductor lasers placed linearly in order to cause the LED's or the semiconductor lasers to emit light simultaneously, or by using a combination of a non-directional light source such as a fluorescent lamp or a Xe lamp and an aperture such a slit or a row of small holes. The light emitted from a portion whereon the stimulating rays have been irradiated is photoelectrically read by the line sensor.
By using a line sensor as has been described above, a light source and reading means can be made small, which leads to down-sizing of the apparatus. Furthermore, since the line sensor can be placed close to a stimulable phosphor sheet, light detection efficiency can be improved. Moreover, since a line sensor can carry out reading of one line at a time, a radiation image can be read quickly.
However, in a reading apparatus using a line sensor, since stimulating rays are irradiated on a stimulable phosphor sheet by using a slit or the like, the amount of stimulating rays to be actually irradiated on the sheet is reduced by the slit even when the amount of rays from the light source is sufficient. Therefore, sufficient-amount stimulating rays cannot be irradiated on the stimulable phosphor sheet and the light emitted from the sheet consequently decreases. As a result, the S/N ratio of an image signal obtained by the line sensor deteriorates. When a light source array such as LED's is used, a sufficient amount of stimulating rays can be obtained. However, since a variance in intensity of the rays is observed between near the center of each LED and at each space between LED's, the light emitted from a sheet has a similar intensity variance. As a result, when an image signal obtained thereby is reproduced, an image having a linear density variance can be generated. Furthermore, some light source arrays have a slit to cause a beam emitted therefrom to be thin in order to enhance sharpness of a reproduced image, which leads to S/N ratio deterioration similar to the one described above, due to reduction in the amount of stimulating rays caused by the slit.

Image reading method and apparatus having a deflecting device


Systems and methods are provided for responding to a sleep-state event. One example method includes receiving and generating, at a computing device, media content for output and receiving a sleep-state event. A type of the content being generated for output is identified and, based on the type of content, an action to perform in response to receiving the sleep-state event is identified. The action to perform is generated.

The present disclosure is directed towards systems and methods for responding to a sleep-state event. In particular, systems and methods are provided herein that enable the generation of an action to perform, based on a type of media content being received at a computing device, in response to receiving a sleep-state event.

Measuring sleep state of a user using wearables and deciding on the playback option for the content consumed


A system and method is described here for discovering capabilities of nearby telephones using a secondary communication channel. The secondary communication channel can use various media that can include infrared, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g, or any other medium that is not used for the purpose of primary telephone communication. Usage of the secondary channel isolates this feature from the state of the art system and at the same time provides for a common method of interoperability for various telephones. Infrared communication for the secondary channel is preferred, due to its cost, and easy of usage.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention defines a system and method for discovering nearby telephones and their corresponding identities and capabilities using a special broadcast and response from such devices using a secondary channel for such communication.
2. Background Information
A Service Provider is defined in this document as the entity that provides call routing and distribution. It can include a company PBX, or VoIP PBX (IP-PBX), it can be a Centrex system, or it can be a traditional telephone service provider (e.g., PacBell).
An Endpoint (EP) will be defined here as a device that provides capabilities for generating and/or terminating plurality of information streams.
In this document, the word "telephone" or "phone" will be used in its most general sense and will encompass a home telephone, office telephone, conference phone, cell phone, PDA, videophone, etc. Endpoint can be used interchangeably with Phone.
An Originating Device (OD) is a device that originally owns a telephone call, and wants to interact with a different Endpoint. For the purpose of this document, an Originating Device will be considered to be a Mobile Phone.
An Endpoint ID (EP-ID) is the identity of the Telephone. For example, it could be a normal telephone number (555-123-4567), it also could be an IP address of IP phone, or fully qualified VoIP (SIP, MGCP, H.323, etc.) address.
Endpoint Capabilities (EP-CAP) consist of features that EP supports, e.g., telephone's name (e.g., John's Phone), protocol used (POTS, SIP, H.323, ISDN), media streams supported (e.g., audio only, POTS channel, video and audio), audio compressions, etc. It also includes Endpoint ID (EP-ID). Therefore, for the purpose of this document, whenever Endpoint ID is used, it can be always substituted with Endpoint Capabilities. Information included in the Endpoint Capabilities could be used to transfer a pending call to the other telephone (either IP based, or just a different hand-set). It could also be used to invite another telephone to a conference call. Such a situation can occur when an End User moves from one room to another room while holding a telephone conversation. The other room might have a telephone that is not marked (e.g., conference room phone that does not have a label on it).
In the present state of the art, if an End User wishes to determine the location of various telephones in a vicinity and the various telephone Endpoint Capabilities, End User has to inquire, about them individually, which is awkward, time consuming, and may not even be possible at the time. In essence, there is no automated way in the present state of the art for an End User to query and determine these telephone locations and properties.

System and method for discovering identities and capabilities of nearby telephones


The invention relates to a cosmetic preparation that contains (a) at least one surfactant selected from anionic, zwitterionic or amphoteric surfactants, (b) a microemulsion and (c) at least one cationic polymer.

After washing, skin and hair often feel rough and brittle, particularly if they have already been predamaged by environmental effects. Moreover, hair can also be damaged by coloring or perming and after hair washing is then often characterized by a dry straw-like feel.
Consequently, in shampoo compositions, conditioners are often used which are intended to counteract these disadvantages. Shampoo compositions are therefore often found which comprise silicones as conditioners. However, these can attach irreversibly to the hair and thus for their part cause negative effects on the feel, and in the worst case may even cause problems during the coloring and perming of the hair.
Also suitable as conditions in these cosmetic preparations are oils and waxes. However, these are not as pronounced as the aforementioned silicones in their effect by a long way. Moreover, as a result of using these conditioners, only cloudy formulations are possible and/or these oils and waxes can in any case only be stabilized in the preparations in small amounts.
The object of the present invention was therefore to provide cosmetic compositions whose conditioning properties correspond to those of silicone-containing preparations or in the best case scenario even surpass these.

Shampoo composition having improved care properties


The present invention extends to a portable art easel that is lightweight, contains minimal parts, and is easy to transport and set-up thereby facilitating the use of the easel in virtually any desired location. The portable easel can be configured to form a box shape when closed making the easel easily transportable. The lid of the box shape can be folded open and include an adjustable canvas holder for supporting a canvas while the bottom portion of the box shape can serve as a palette or palette holder. The bottom portion can also be configured to attach to a tripod.

Conventional easels on the market today are heavy, bulky, made primarily out of wood or metal, and contain many parts that require hours of assembly and set-up. Although some of these easels are portable, it is difficult to transport, set-up, and take down such easels thus making their use less desirable when painting in different locations.
For example, many of these easels have many different parts, some of which protrude from the general shape of the easel, which make it difficult to transport the easels easily such as in a bag, luggage, or other carrier. Also, because the easels are relatively heavy, it can be difficult to manually transport them to various locations such as in nature.
Further, even if the artist is able to transport the easels to a desired location, it often requires a substantial amount of time and effort to set-up the easels in a desired configuration. Similar time and effort may also be required when taking down the easels after finishing a work or to move to another location. Additionally, due to their complexity, these easels are prone to breaking.


An ocular brachytherapy device, generally comprising a catheter and wire, impregnated with radioactive material, are provided. The wire is formed having a desired treatment shape and size such that it can be placed near an area requiring treatment and effectuate treatment while not affecting adjacent areas. For ease in placement near such areas the wire is preferably formed using materials having properties that permit formation into a desired shape while allowing the wire to be straightened for retraction into the catheter, the shape returning upon removal from the catheter. The wire is preferably impregnated with radioactive material. When the catheter is placed near the area of treatment and the wire is pushed out of the catheter, the wire retakes the desired form and provides a therapeutic radioactive treatment to the area. Preferably, the radioactive material is placed on one edge of the wire, such that the radiation can be directed to the affected area, and non-affected areas can be shielded from radiation.

The use of radiation to treat retinal and/or choroidal pathology has been investigated. Such radiation therapy, has, however, only been accomplished using either external beam radiation or an external brachytherapy device that is placed on the sclera. One drawback related to these existing therapies is that the retina overlying the choroidal pathology is irradiated as well.
Accordingly, there is a need for an intraocular brachytherapy device and method that reduces the radiation exposure to surrounding tissues. Desirably, such a device permits localized radiation exposure, while shielding surrounding tissues that do not otherwise require exposure. Most desirably, such a device permits placement of the radiation source adjacent the choroidal pathology to cover an area greater than the ingress (e.g., opening or retinotomy) through which the device is passed.

Intraocular brachytherapy device and method

Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois


The present invention is a brazed fitting suitable for use as a hydraulic coupling for pressurized fluids. A male component has a tapered surface which mates and creates an interface with a similarly tapered surface of a female component. A brazing material is heated to diffuse and alloy within the interface, forming a connection between the surface portions which is stronger than the metal being connected. A groove on the male component retains the brazing material in the middle of the surface portions so that after the components are joined in an interference fit, the assembly is heated and the brazing material melts in the middle of the interface and connects together the mating surfaces by diffusing and alloying. The counterbore of the female component does not require a base, and the resulting structure has improved fluid flow characteristics.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to hydraulic or pneumatic fittings. More specifically, the field of the invention is that of brazed fittings for forming hydraulic couplings.
2. Description of the Related Art
Hydraulic fittings are conventionally of brazed construction, particularly those fittings having a specially shaped design. Conventional brazed fittings are manufactured by a press fit methodology, whereby the typically steel components are bored or counterbored to a precise diameter. There is usually a lead-in taper of 45.degree. at the outer end of the conduit which has counterbore aiding in locating the mating port. The conduit end includes a spigot which enters the counterbore with an interference fit of between 0.0005 inches and 0.005 inches, requiring that each part be made to a maximum tolerance of .+-.0.001125 inches. A brazing material, for example a pure copper or copper compound formed in a ring, is located between the bottom of the spigot and the base of the counterbore. During the heating, the brazing material melts and is drawn up the interference fit by capillary attraction. The brazing material diffuses and alloys with the metal of the components so that the interface between the spigot and the counterbore is stronger than material of the components. Ideally, the resulting integral fitting produces a high degree of integrity and reliably performs its intended function, while minimizing production costs.
An alternative to brazed fittings involves forming fittings with multiple connection portions adapted for coupling with various sized tubes. However, the formation of the multiple connections requires additional material, as well as additional manufacturing time, which is duplicative and wasteful. Further, each connection portion provides another possible leak path for the pressurized medium within the fitting. Therefore, brazed fittings are preferable because they are generally less expensive to manufacture, have greater structural security, and have fewer potential leak paths.
However, on the rare occasions when a brazen fitting fails, the failure is typically catastrophic. For example, the intruding component of the brazed fitting may break loose from its mating part, usually while containing fluids under high pressure, resulting in a rapid deterioration of the hydraulic system. This is usually the result of the brazed fitting being poorly formed, typically due to insufficient "wetting" of the mating surfaces which are brazed together. The insufficient "wetting" may be due to misalignment or imprecise manufacture of the components which are press fit together. Poorly formed brazed fittings may leak in service, and also may have a improperly aligned mating components, both of which may contribute to a catastrophic failure.
One particular problem with such fittings involves the intruding part being subject to misalignment during assembly. For example, the lead-in of the intruding conduit end may not be evenly aligned with the corresponding lead-in chamfer of the port which allows the conduit end to cant over prior to the application of assembly force. When assembly force is applied, the conduit end is driven down the chamfer and alternating high and low portions of the interference fit are created. These high and low portions of the interference fit are areas of potential porosity and of weakness under pressurized loads.
Also, a common side effect of conventional brazing is the formation of a sharp-edged skin at the visible joint line between the assembled conduit end and the port. This is caused by the port gouging some material from the surface of the conduit end as it is press fit during assembly, and the gouged material is an unsightly blemish. Further, the seal between the brazed surfaces may become porous and have substantially reduced strength similar to misaligned components.
Another potential problem with conventional brazing techniques, although much rarer than the aforementioned problems, is that penetration of the brazing material into the interface between the mating surfaces may be insufficient to form a reliable brazed connection. The brazing connection depends on the mating surfaces being closely positioned, and on the brazing material being in contact with the mating surfaces when in the liquid state. If the mating surfaces are not properly formed, or the brazing material is not in contact with both of the mating surfaces, the liquid brazing material tends to flow away from the mating surfaces--being drawn by its own surface tension into a rounded mass of liquid away from the interface of the mating surfaces. After the rounded mass cools, it forms a solid mass which does not aid in bonding together the mating surfaces, and which also may go undetected until failure of the coupling.
What is needed is an improved method of brazing together components of hydraulic fittings.
A further need exists for a brazing method which aligns the components more precisely.
Another need exists for a brazing method which avoids gouging the components during manufacture.
Also needed is a brazing method which ensures penetration of the brazing material into the interface of mating surfaces.

Brazed hydraulic fittings and method of making same


An improved apparatus for UV wastewater purification in septic tank systems disposed in piping located between tank and drainfield and method for use, comprised of an inlet end, removable for cleaning, a descending section, a connecting section, a vertical section, with outflow tube, and containing a UV light, having provision for preventing removal when illuminated, with protective tube spanning its vertical length, with a built-in bottom insert with ports therein to restrict passage of solids and a built-in top insert with a port therein to hold the UV socket and photocell which communicates to a remote control panel.

(1) Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to UV treatment of waste water from septic tank systems and more particularly to an improved means maximizing the effectiveness of the UV light, establishing safety protection for maintainers, and provision of remote control and monitoring the effectiveness of the process and method therefore.
(2) Description of Related Art including Information Disclosed under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98
It has been long established that wastewater from septic systems needed to be purified before passing it to the drain field. Originally, the effluent was treated by exposure to the air with various types of filtering, such as T. Carlson U.S. Pat. No. 5,738,781, Jowett et al U.S. Pat. No. 5,707,513, and Vandervelde U.S. Pat. No. 5,632,896. Various efforts at increasing the aerobic biodegradation process, such as agitation, R. E. Stuth U.S. Pat. No. 5,620,602, or ozonating the wastewater, J. LaRaus U.S. Pat. No. 4,250,040 were tried. Finally, chlorination was used to purify the waste water, which had to be de-chlorinated before discharge.
The foregoing pre-treatment methods are effective at removing from 70% to 85% of the harmful microorganisms. It is now known that irradiation of the wastewater with Ultraviolet can complete the purification process and is particularly effective at eliminating E.Coli and various forms of fecal coli form bacteria.
Previous attempts to apply UV treatment to septic system wastewater have involved either broad band UV illumination, A. Wekhof U.S. Pat. No. 5,144,146 or elaborate re-treatment of the wastewater, International Patent WO 84/03880, or combining agitation, European Patent No. EP 202,820, or ultrasound cleaning of the UV light cover, E. A. Pedziwiatr U.S. Pat. No. 4,728,368. All of the foregoing are discussed in applicants' U.S. Pat. No. 6,296,775 B1.
Previous attempts to satisfy the objects of the present improvement have entailed remote monitoring, E. E. Koslow, U.S. Pat. No. 6,607,672B2, H. Kozlowski, U.S. Pat. No. 2002/0070177A1, and R. E. Culp, U.S. Pat. No. 4,230,578. Additional efforts have included lining the inner surface with reflective material, W. Vitt, U.S. Pat. No. 6,552,351 B2, and access means to maintain the UV light, G. K Bowman U.S. Pat. No. 4,715,966 and T. L. Coots U.S. Pat. No. 6,217,752B1.
None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant improvement invention as claimed.