An apparatus and method for forming a fusible coating or structure comprising a combustor that is operative to combust a fuel and contain the resulting flame to produce combustion products; components for cooling the combustion products to produce a hot carrier gas stream; and elements for introducing fusible material into the hot carrier gas stream; made lightweight and easier to operate through the addition of a continuous electronic ignition system and a single air manifold.

This invention relates to the formation of fusible coatings or structures (e.g., polymer or polymer composite coatings, or reinforced polymer coatings, as well as polymer, or reinforced polymer structures) via a thermal spray process. In particular, the invention relates to formation of these coatings or structures using a flameless thermal spray process.
The background art is characterized by U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,801,020; 3,958,758; 4,416,421; 4,694,990; 5,236,327; 5,285,967; 5,503,872; 5,932,293 and 7,216,814; by U.S. Patent Applications Nos. US2006/166153 and US2009/095823; and by International Patent Application No. PCT/US2007/009021; the disclosures of which patents and patent applications are incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

Flameless thermal spray apparatus with electronic ignition and single air supply


A down conversion filter with a plurality of sampling capacitor, wherein at least one sampling capacitor is discharged in sampling phases or charge-summing phases of the other sampling capacitors.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to down conversion filters.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 1A depicts a conventional down conversion filter with switched-capacitor circuits. FIG. 1B illustrates the waveforms of signals clk1-clkN, which control the switches of FIG. 1A.
Referring to FIG. 1B, the signals clk1-clkN are periodic signals dependent on the clock pulse width, having non-overlapping and successive duty periods. Each duty period (having a length of 1/fS) lasts one clock phase. The signals clk1-clkN-2 provide sampling phases that alternatively sample the input signal (at the input terminal IN) in the sampling capacitors C1-CN-2. The signal clkN-1 provides a charge-summing phase that transfers charges from the sampling capacitors C1-CN-2 to the charge-summing capacitor CS. The signal clkN provides a discharge phase that resets the sampling capacitors C1-CN-2 for a good signal-to-noise ratio.
The down conversion filter of FIG. 1A sums out the successively sampled signals every N clock phases. Thus, each output cycle includes N clock phases, and the tap length of the circuit is N. During each output cycle (including N clock phases), one clock phase is reserved for the charge-summing phase, one clock phase is reserved for the discharge phase, and only the rest (N−2) clock phases are reserved for the sampling phases. Because the number of the sampling capacitors is dependent on the number of the available sampling phases and the performance of the down conversion filter is controllable by designing the values of the sampling capacitors, the reserved discharge phase limits the flexibility of the controllable coefficients of the system.

Industrial Technology Research Institute


A hair clipper grip attachment is provided that is configured for releasably engaging a hair clipper, and includes a body with an exterior surface, an interior surface configured for contacting an exterior of a housing of the clipper. The body is constructed and arranged for releasably engaging the hair clipper in a snap-clip fashion for providing a thermally insulating layer that protects a user's hand from heat generated by the hair clipper.

The present invention relates to powered hair cutting devices, particularly hair clippers and hair trimmers, and more specifically to a grip enhancing attachment for such devices.
Hair care professionals such as barbers and hair stylists frequently use powered hair clippers and trimmers (hereafter collectively referred to as "clippers") in the course of styling customers' hair. When work becomes busy, for example when several haircuts are performed in quick succession, or when a particular customer's hair is long, the professional often grasps the running clipper for extended periods of time. In the course of such use, the clipper housing often becomes hot to the touch, causing discomfort to the professional. Also, under such conditions, the professional's hands often become sweaty and prevent a solid grip on the clipper, which may cause the clipper to be dropped.
Many hair care professionals address this problem by merely enduring the hot temperatures, which makes work unpleasant and may cause unsatisfactory work product. Some adjust their grip on the clipper housing in an attempt to avoid the hotter locations of the housing. Others exchange the hot clipper for a fresh one, which increases the required capital investment of the professional, and which may result in unsatisfactory work product due to inconsistent performance characteristics of a particular clipper. Another problem often encountered with conventional hair clippers is that the clipper is wrenched from the professional's hands due to the professional or a colleague inadvertently stepping on the clipper power cord.

Snap-on grip attachment for hair clipper


Extended adapters for a tool having a shut-off valve assembly used on pressurized refrigeration systems comprises:

In the HVAC field it has become very important, when servicing pressurized refrigeration systems, to remove and replace leaking valve core elements. The EPA has a great concern on the handling and release of refrigerant gases. There is a tool on the market used in the HVAC field that will safely remove and replace valve core elements, such as the Schrader-type from pressurized air conditioning systems. This tool is called a valve core removal tool, comprising a shut off valve assembly, but there is issues with this tool being obstructed, and is unable to couple onto many air conditioning systems valve access points.
There seemed to be a need for a solution, so the valve core extensions were created in several variations to assist and provide the existing valve core remover tool better accessibility from obstructions.

Abstract: an extended rod assembly, a 4⅛″L adapter, a 6⅞″L adapter, a 20 degree offset adapter and a 90 degree adapter; the adapters couple the first opening and second opening of shut-off valve assembly; when the 4⅛″L or 6⅞″L extended adapter coupled to second opening of shut-off valve; wherein the extended rod assembly coupled to the adapter and adapted to couple the second opening, the extended rod assembly having a rod adapted to move through the passageway of the extended adapters and the shut-off valve when open, these adapters allow the valve core remover tool to function clear from obstructions.


A scarifier assembly including a generally rectangular shaped case with a hollow interior, a resilient generally rectangular pad located in the hollow interior of the case, and a removable work performing surface insert having work surfaces for grinding, cutting or abrading materials. The work performing surface insert includes a generally rectangular shaped flat mounting plate member having two oppositely located end portions with connected projecting securing means for removably securing the work performing surface insert in the case. The case also has two end portions and these end portions that have securing means for cooperating with the projecting securing means on the end portions of the mounting plate member for securing the work performing surface insert to the case. The mounting plate member has an upper surface and a lower surface with a series of elongated mounting blocks having work performing surfaces firmly secured to the upper surface.

This invention relates to improvements to industrial scarifier assemblies particularly of the type set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 4,702,223. The industrial scarifier assembly set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 4,702,223 generally performs in an excellent manner and has proven itself to perform very well for a number of years. However, it has become apparent that there are several portions in the industrial scarifier assembly that are in need of improvement. First, it has become apparent that the surfaces that perform the grinding or cutting or abrading of the current industrial scarifier assemblies do not wear in a uniform manner. While this is a typical occurrence with such industrial scarifiers, this has two basic adverse effects. First, this means that the portions of the industrial scarifier assembly with these grinding or cutting or abrading surfaces must be replaced while there is still usable working surface area available on the scarifier assembly. This is wasteful as well as creating an unnecessary expense for an unused surface. In addition, this means that the portion of the industrial scarifier assembly that holds the elements with the grinding, cutting or abrading surfaces must be replaced more frequently than would be the case if the grinding, cutting or abrading surface wore evenly or if the scarifier assembly portion with such surfaces could be reversed to compensate for such uneven wear. In this connection, due to the construction of the current industrial scarifier assembly set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 4,702,223 it is not possible to reverse the portion of the industrial scarifier assembly having the elements with the grinding, cutting, or abrading surfaces. In addition to these problems, the portion of the previous industrial scarifier assembly set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 4,702,223 that holds the elements with the grinding, cutting or abrading surfaces is not positively secured in place and consequently, it has come loose at times which has had the adverse effect of requiring stopping the use of the machine using the industrial scarifier assembly and reseating the portion of the industrial scarifier assembly that has the elements with the grinding, cutting or abrading surfaces.
These problems connected with the industrial scarifier assembly set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 4,702,223 have been eliminated with this improved industrial scarifier assembly. With this improved industrial scarifier assembly, the portion of the industrial scarifier assembly that holds the grinding, cutting or abrading surfaces is reversible so that it can be reversed after uneven wear occurs on the grinding, cutting or abrading surfaces to correct for this uneven wear. This corrects the previous loss of usable grinding, cutting or abrading surface that occurred with the previous industrial surfacer or scarifier assemblies due to uneven wear of the grinding, cutting or abrading working surfaces. This, of course, results in a cost savings and extends the time that portion of the improved industrial scarifier assembly with the grinding, cutting or abrading can be used before it is replaced with a new one.
The unlatching problem that occurred with the previous industrial surfacer or scarifier assemblies has also been eliminated with this improved industrial scarifier assembly. With this improved industrial surfacer or scarifier assembly, it is essentially impossible for the portion of the scarifier assembly with the grinding, cutting or abrading surface to become unintentionally separated from the rest of the improved industrial scarifier assembly due to the positive manner in which the portion of the scarifier assembly with the grinding, cutting or abrading surfaces is locked to the rest of the improved industrial scarifier assembly when the improved industrial scarifier assembly is being utilized.


An apparatus comprises a plurality of logically independent processors, a system bus, and a cache control and bus bridge device in communication with the plurality of processors such that the cache control and bus bridge device is logically interposed between the processors and the system bus, and wherein the processors and cache control and bus bridge device are disposed in a module form factor such that the apparatus is a drop-in replacement for a standard single processor module.

The complexity, capacity, and intelligence of computer systems is ever evolving. Industry standards are often developed in an attempt to provide a degree of compatibility between computer systems and/or their functional components. For instance, various processor architectures are known in the art, such as the PA-RISC family of processors developed by HEWLETT-PACKARD Company ("HP"), INTEL Corporation's (INTEL) architecture (IA) processors (e.g., IA-32 and ITANIUM Processor Family processors), and the like. ITANIUM Processor Family (IPF) architecture is a 64-bit processor architecture co-developed by HP and INTEL, which is based on Explicitly Parallel Instruction Computing (EPIC). ITANIUM and its underlying architecture provide a foundation for software for various platforms, including without limitation the server and high-end workstation platforms.
In addition to supporting a 64-bit processor bus and a set of 28 registers, the 64-bit design of ITANIUM allows access to a very large memory (VLM) and exploits features in EPIC. Features of ITANIUM provide advances in the parallel processing handling of computer instructions known as predication and speculation. An additional ITANIUM feature includes a third-level cache memory, to supplement the current first- and second-level cache memories found in most of today's microcomputers. The ITANIUM family of processors includes such processors MERCED, MCKINLEY, and MADISON.
Microprocessors are often disposed in processor modules, wherein a processor module may include, among other things, a daughter card (or processor card) and a power card. The daughter card and power card may include printed circuit assemblies (PCA's), and may often be referred to as "boards." A daughter card includes one or more processor chips and related support circuitry, and a power card includes power converters and associated support circuitry.
Processor modules are often employed in large computer systems, such as servers. Traditionally, a server computer may include several system boards, which are used to process data. Each system board therein may include a plurality of processor modules and memory resources. The memory resources may include, but are not limited to, any kind of computer-readable data storage mechanism now known or later developed, such as random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), and magnetic and/or optical data storage mechanisms. Various system boards may work together in supporting one or more applications running on the computer system. Therefore, if a server includes four system boards, and each system board includes four processor modules, and each processor module includes one processor, then that server includes sixteen processor modules and sixteen processors. Often, the number of processors in a server describes the "ways" of the server. For example, the sixteen-processor server referred to above may be called a "16-way server."

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A brush mounting structure for a cutting support surface in an automatic cutting machine capable of dismounting a desired damaged brush out of plural brushes mounted on the cutting surface and disposed in parallel on the brush mounting table. The invention comprehends allowing one to replace the removed brush with a new brush, or alternatively, to fill the gap caused by removal of a damaged brush on the brush mounting table by sliding the remaining brushes together and placing the new brush on the end of the existing brush group. In that way, the worn bristles of the used brushes are maintained at a more uniform operational height than were a new brush with longer bristles interposed therebetween.

The present invention relates to an automatic cutting machine for cutting sheet material such as knit cloth and woven cloth into a desired shape, and more particularly to a brush mounting structure for a cutting support surface in such an automatic cutting machine.
In a conventional automatic cutting machine, for example in the brush mounting table and brush for a cutting support surface as disclosed in the Japanese Laid-open Patent Hei. 3-26496, the brush can be moved by sliding on a groove in the longitudinal direction of the brush mounting table, and when mounting each brush on the brush mounting table or dismounting from the brush mounting table, the brushes are replaced by mounting each brush by sliding from the end of the brush mounting table, or by dismounting each brush from the end of the brush mounting table by moving in the longitudinal direction of the brush mounting table.
In such constitution of the brush mounting table and the brush for a cutting support surface in the prior art, it is possible to slide laterally on the brush mounting table, but not possible to detach or attach at that position. For example, if the brush for cutting support surface in the middle position of the cutting support surface formed by multiple brushes is damaged and that brush must be replaced, the other brushes must be also moved and once dismounted from the brush mounting table, and put back to the brush mounting table together with a new brush, and therefore the cutting job must be suspended in this period.
Or, in the case of brushes that can be detached and attached at specific positions without sliding the brush mounting table, a new brush is installed in that position. It means the bristles of the brush are renewed only in that position, so as to be extremely imbalanced from the worn state of the brush bristles existing in the surroundings. It was a problem from the viewpoint of maintaining a favorable cutting support surface by keeping uniform, to a certain extent, the worn state of the bristles.
The invention is devised in the light of such problems, and it is hence a primary object thereof to present a brush mounting structure for a cutting support surface in an automatic cutting machine capable of dismounting a desired brush out of the plural brushes for a cutting support surface disposed parallel on the brush mounting table for a cutting support surface, arbitrarily from the brush mounting table, and also laying parallel by filling up the gaps on the brush mounting table by feeding the slidable brushes forward.

Brush mounting structure for a cutting support surface in an automatic cutting machine


A microwave attenuator circuit is disclosed, including a combination of a plurality of quarter wave transformers and a plurality of resistive elements.

Coaxial attenuators are too bulky and expensive to be implemented on many microwave systems. Distributed ferrite load material on transmission lines have difficulty in realizing repeatable and precise attenuation values because of inconsistencies in the manufacturing the bulk material. Couplers on airstripline are not practical to realize small and precise attenuation values because of difficulties in match due to the unequal even and odd modes association with that type of transmission line.
Typical lumped element attenuator configurations utilize at minimum three resistors. Each resistor value should be held to very tight tolerances, e.g. on the order of 1% or better. Often active laser trimming is employed to achieve these precise resistor values. Laser trimming is typically preformed on printed resistor-on-ceramic substrates. This operation is prohibited for many large microwave printed circuit boards using non-ceramic material (Teflon® for example) because of the risk of damaging the board by the laser.

Attenuator circuit comprising a plurality of quarter wave transformers and lump element resistors


Provided is a disc drive device that optimally controls a speed for reading RTR-format data, such as video and audio, recorded on a DVD-format disc, thereby enabling real-time playback without interruption. In the disc drive device, information added to each sector is used for determining whether data is RTR-format data. When an error occurs at high-speed reading of RTR-format data and therefore the reading speed is changed to a low speed, the reading speed is so controlled as to be kept at the low speed for reading the following RTR-format data. Thus, for RTR-format data, overhead due to repetitive acceleration and deceleration processes can be avoided, and reading can be carried out without interfering with real-time playback. For normal data, reading can be carried out in a manner similar to that in background art.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to disc drive devices and, more specifically, a device incorporated in a DVD player, a DVD recorder, a personal computer, or the like, and capable of driving discs in DVD format (DVD-ROM discs, DVD-RAM discs, DVD-R discs, DVD-RW discs, etc.) for reading (reproducing) data on a real-time basis, such as video and audio, recorded on the DVD-format discs.
2. Description of the Background Art
As well known, DVD-format discs have such a large storage capacity that they are used mainly for recording and reproducing data on a real-time basis. Data, such as video and audio, that should be recorded and reproduced on a real-time basis is hereinafter called Real-time data. Especially, in writable DVD-format discs, such as DVD-RAM, DVD-R, and DVD-RW discs, a real-time recording (RTR) format is used for recording Real-time data. In the RTR format, Real-time data is compressed with MPEG2 at a compression rate enabling single-speed recording, and then is recorded on a disc. Therefore, the Real-time data recorded in the RTR format (hereinafter, xe2x80x9cRTR-format data xe2x80x9d) is generally reproduced at single speed (normal speed) in a disc drive device.
Unlike magnetic tapes, discs (especially, optical discs where data can be recorded or reproduced without any contact) have a feature of enabling a quick change of data locations to be read. Using this feature, one conventional scheme is to read data at a speed equal to or faster than single speed, and then sequentially store the read data in memory of the device before reproduction. In this scheme, if data fails to be read due to a scratch or stain on the disc or vibrations of the device (if a read error occurs), such data can be read again while other data stored in memory is being reproduced. In recent years, technology has been so advanced as to enable CD-ROM drives to carry out data processing at 32xc3x97 to 48xc3x97 speeds and DVD-ROM drives to carry out at 8xc3x97 to 16xc3x97 speeds.
In general, disc drive devices capable of high-speed reading at single or more speed are also capable of low-speed reading. For example, disc drive devices capable of reading DVD-ROM discs at 8xc3x97 speed at maximum are often capable of reading at quadruple speed and also at double speed. Note that which speeds are supported by a particular disc drive device depend on its vender.
An example technique using the above feature of supporting a plurality of speeds is disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 2570004, in which the reading speed is varied between Real-time data and program data in order to improve efficiency of reading and executing data that does not have to be read or executed on a real-time basis.
In general, data recorded on a disc is more likely to be successfully read at a low speed, compared with when read at a high speed. Therefore, if an error has occurred during high-speed data reading, the data is generally tried to be re-read at the high speed for several times. If an error still occurs, the data is then tried to be read at the low speed. If a plurality of speeds are supported, the reading speed is changed stepwise within the supported speeds, such as from 8xc3x97 speed, quadruple speed, double speed, and then to single speed.
Here, if the reading speed is changed to the low speed due to the occurrence of an error, and kept thereat for data reading, data reading has to be carried out always at the low speed even in a case where any further errors will not possibly occur. Such low-speed reading is a waste of time. Therefore, in general, after being changed to the low speed due to the occurrence of an error, the reading speed is returned to the high speed in such a case as after data reading has been carried out for a predetermined number of sectors; after a predetermined time passes; when data reading is carried out for a sector away from the one where the error has occurred, or others.
However, to re-read data after an error has been detected, it takes several tens to hundreds of milliseconds (seek time). Moreover, a process for decelerating or accelerating the reading speed can take several hundreds to thousands of milliseconds at a time. Therefore, such processing time greatly interferes with reproduction of Real-time data, such as RTR-format data. Especially, as for a disc that is error-prone at high-speed reading, if the reading speed is decelerated or accelerated every time when an error occurs with a sufficient amount of data not yet been stored in memory, video and audio recorded on the disc cannot be played back without interruption because data cannot be read during the deceleration or acceleration process.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a disc drive device that optimally controls a speed for reading RTR-format data, such as video and audio, recorded on a DVD-format disc, thereby enabling real-time playback without interruption.
The present invention has the following features to attain the object mentioned above.
A first aspect of the present invention is directed to a disc drive device supporting at least two types of reading speeds, a high speed and a low speed, capable of driving a DVD-format disc, reading data from the disc by following a read instruction from a host section, and sending the read data to the host section. The disc drive device includes: a processing section operable to read, from the disc at one of the reading speeds, the data corresponding to the read instruction and additional information related to the data; a determining section operable to determine, based on the additional information, whether the read data is Real-time data; a storage section operable to temporarily store the read data; and a sending section operable to send the data stored in the storage section to the host section in predetermined playback timing. When the reading speed is currently the low speed, the processing section keeps the reading speed while the determining section determines that the read data is the Real-time data.
Here, when the reading speed is currently the high speed, the processing section changes the reading speed to the low speed when the determining section determines, successively for a predetermined number of times, that the read data is the Real-time data; when a data read error occurs; or after a data read error occurs and then a predetermined condition is satisfied.
At this time, the predetermined condition is preferably whether data reading has been carried out for a predetermined number of times, or for a predetermined period.
Moreover, when the reading speed is currently the low speed, the processing section changes the reading speed to the high speed when the determining section determines that the read data is not the Real-time data and when a predetermined condition is satisfied. Here, when the disc is a DVD-RAM disc and the reading speed is currently the low speed, the processing section may change, under a predetermined condition, the reading speed to the high speed while a reading head is passing through a gap specified in DVD-RAM specifications even though the determining section determines that the read data is the Real-time data.
At this time, the predetermined condition is preferably whether data reading has been successfully carried out for a predetermined number of times or for a predetermined period after a data read error was cleared.
Still further, the additional information is a recording type bit recorded on a header of a sector that stores the data.
As described above, in the first aspect, the information added to the sector is used for determining whether the data is the one recorded on a real-time basis (RTR-format data). When an error occurs at high-speed reading of RTR-format data and therefore the reading speed is changed to the low speed, the reading speed is so controlled as to be kept at the low speed for reading the following RTR-format data. Thus, for RTR-format data, overhead due to repetitive acceleration and deceleration processes can be avoided, and reading can be carried out without interfering with real-time playback. For normal data, reading can be carried out in a manner similar to that in background art. Furthermore, the process for accelerating the reading speed of RTR-format data is carried out while the reading head is passing over the GAP. Thus, even though once changed to the low speed, the reading speed can be back to the high speed without interfering with real-time playback.
A second aspect of the present invention is directed to a disc drive device supporting at least two types of reading speeds, a high speed and a low speed, capable of driving a DVD-format disc, reading data from the disc by following a read instruction from a host section, and sending the read data to the host section. The disc drive device includes: a determining section operable to determine whether the disc has Real-time data thereon the disc based on specific information stored on the disc; a managing section operable to set a flag indicating whether the Real-time data exists based on a determination result from the determining section; a processing section operable to read, from the disc at one of the reading speeds, the data corresponding to the read instruction; a storage section operable to temporarily store the read data; and a sending section operable to send the data stored in the storage section to the host section in predetermined playback timing. The managing section sets the flag when the determining section determines that the disc has the Real-time data thereon. When the reading speed is currently the low speed, the processing section keeps the reading speed while the flag is set.
Here, when the reading speed is currently the high speed, the processing section changes the reading speed to the low speed when the determining section determines, successively for a predetermined number of times, that the read data is the Real-time data; when a data read error occurs; or speed when a data read error occurs and then a predetermined condition is satisfied.
At this time, the predetermined condition is preferably whether data reading has been carried out for a predetermined number of times or a predetermined period.
Still further, when the reading speed is currently the low speed, the processing section changes the reading speed to the high speed when the flag is not set and a predetermined condition is satisfied. Here, when the disc is a DVD-RAM disc and the reading speed is currently the low speed, the processing section may change, under a predetermined condition, the reading speed to the high speed while a reading head is passing through a gap specified by DVD-RAM specifications, even though the flag is set.
At this time, the predetermined condition is preferably whether data reading has been successfully carried out for a predetermined number of times or for a predetermined period after a data read error was cleared.
Still further, it will be more expedient to achieve the second aspect if information representing whether an SLR bit recorded on a read-in area of the disc indicates 1 or information representing whether a DVD_RTAV directory specified by the UDF format exists on the disc is used as the specific information.
As described above, in the second aspect, by using the information recorded on the read-in area or the information specified by the UDF format, it is determined whether the disc has data recorded on a real-time basis (RTR-format data). When an error occurs at high-speed reading of RTR-format data and therefore the reading speed is changed to the low speed, the reading speed is so controlled as to be kept at the low speed for reading the following RTR-format data. Thus, for RTR-format data with SLR information and a DVD_RTAV directory, overhead due to repetitive acceleration and deceleration processes can be avoided, and reading can be carried out without interfering with real-time playback. For normal data, reading can be carried out in a manner similar to that in background art. Furthermore, the process for accelerating the reading speed of RTR-format data is carried out while the reading head is passing over the GAP. Thus, even though once changed to the low speed, the reading speed can be back to the high speed without interfering with real-time playback.
Alternatively, the managing section may manage a plurality of flags according to the reading speeds, and can individually set the plurality of flags so that at least one of the reading speeds is not changed when the determining section determines that the disc has the Real-time data thereon.
As such, a plurality of flags are provided correspondingly to a plurality of drivable speeds. Thus, it is possible to carry out the process of accelerating the reading speed stepwise from the low speed to an optimal speed at which real-time playback is not interfered with.
A third aspect of the present invention is directed to a disc drive device supporting at least two types of reading speeds, a high speed and a low speed, capable of driving a DVD-format disc, reading data from the disc by following a read instruction from a host section, and sending the read data to the host section. The disc drive device includes: an extracting section operable to extract, from the read instruction coming from the host section, information indicating whether real-time playback is carried out; a processing section operable to read, based on the extracted information, and from the disc at one of the reading speeds, the data corresponding to the read instruction; a storage section operable to temporarily store the read data; and a sending section operable to send the data stored in the storage section to the host section in predetermined playback timing. When the reading speed is currently the low speed, the processing section keeps the reading speed while the information indicates real-time playback.
Here, when the reading speed is currently the high speed, the processing section changes the reading speed to the low speed when the information indicating real-time playback comes successively for a predetermined number of times; when a data read error occurs; or when a data read error occurs and then a predetermined condition is satisfied.
At this time, the predetermined condition is whether data reading has been carried out for a predetermined number of times, or for a predetermined period.
Still further, when the reading speed is currently the low speed, the processing section changes the reading speed to the high speed when the information does not indicate that the real-time playback is to be carried out and a predetermined condition is satisfied. Here, when the disc is a DVD-RAM disc and the reading speed is currently the low speed, the processing section may change, under a predetermined condition, the reading speed to the high speed while a reading head is passing through a gap specified by DVD-RAM specifications, even though the information indicates that the real-time playback is to be carried out.
At this time, the predetermined condition is preferably whether data reading has been successfully carried out for a predetermined number of times or for a predetermined period after a data read error was cleared.
Also, when an interface to the host section is ATAPI, it will be more expedient to achieve the third aspect if a streaming bit of a READ12 command is used as the information indicating whether the real-time playback is to be carried out.
As described above, in the third aspect, not the disc drive device but the host device can assume the main role of controlling RTR-format data reading.
These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


According to one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a camera module includes, disposing a first member on the image sensor, the first member includes a first non-conductor, a first metal film covering the first non-conductor, and a first insulation film covering the first metal film, disposing a second member on or above the first member, the second member includes a second non-conductor, a second metal film covering the second non-conductor, and a second insulation film covering the second metal film, and applying a predetermined voltage between the first member and the second member or between the image sensor and the second member, thereby breaking at least parts of the first insulation film and the second insulation film.

As a component of a camera module, use is made of, for example, a component which is formed of a non-conductor (plastic). A measure, such as EMC or ESD, needs to be applied to this component. In this measure, metal evaporation deposition is applied to this component, thereby setting the resistance value of the component within a fixed resistance value range. There is a case in which a plurality of such components are used in the camera module. However, in some cases, an oxide film is formed on the surface of each component to which metal evaporation deposition is applied. The components with surfaces, on which oxide films are formed, are connected to each other via the oxide films. In this manner, since the oxide films are present at the connection parts between the respective components, there is a problem that the resistance value at the connection parts between the components increases. It is thus difficult to form a camera module in which the resistance value is decreased.

Method of manufacturing camera module by breaking insulating film


The invention provides surface-layer protein coated microspheres for delivery of a therapeutic agent to the intestine. These surface-layer protein coated microspheres generally include a core encapsulated by a microsphere which is coated by surface layer protein. The core includes a therapeutic agent, such as a defensin. The invention also includes methods of making and using the surface-layer protein coated microspheres of the invention for administering therapeutic agents to a subject in need thereof. The invention also includes pharmaceutical dosage units that include the surface-layer protein coated microspheres of the invention. The invention further includes various labeled defensins for use in the study of the properties and actions of defensins, and further includes the use of defensins, particularly HD5α in the treatment of inflammatory conditions of the bowel, such as Crohn's disease.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to microspheres and delivery of therapeutic agents, and more specifically, to microspheres coated with surface-layer proteins having affinity for certain tissues for delivery of a therapeutic agent, such as, delivery of defensins, particularly HD5α in the treatment of inflammatory conditions of the bowel, such as Crohn's disease and/or ulcerative colitis.
2. Description of the Related Art
The surface properties and surface structures of bacteria are important in regulating bacterial adhesion to host cells [1]. Adherence to constituents of the extracellular matrix, such as glycoproteins like fibronectin and laminin as well as to different types of collagen, has been shown to be mediated through surface layer proteins in various bacterial species [2, 3]. These adhesive properties have been linked to the ability of bacteria to express virulence [4-7] as well as probiotic properties [8, 9].
In the case of Lactobacilli, various studies have shown the importance of the surface-layer or S-layer protein in adhesion of the bacterium to the intestinal epithelium [9-11]. S-layers are one of the most common surface structures of many archaebacteria and eubacteria. A shared feature of S-layers is the ability to self-assemble and form a regularly ordered, planar array of proteinaceous subunits [12]. Various functions have been assigned to S-layers. Most species of lactobacilli contain two or more genes encoding S-layer proteins. Three slp genes (slpB, slpC and slpD) have been identified in L. brevis ATCC 14869 whereas only a single gene slpA has been identified L. brevis ATCC 8287. Because S-layer lattices show identical pore size and morphology, they act as precise molecular sieves for the cell. They act as a protective shield against exceptionally high ion concentrations as well as certain bacterial parasites [13]. The SlpA surface protein of Lactobacillus brevis is reported to be essential for adhesion of this bacterium to intestinal cells through its interaction with the extracellular matrix component fibronectin [11].
Microbial infection and inflammation is a constant risk in the mucosal surface of the gastrointestinal tract, which comprises the first line of defense against a variety of microorganisms. Remarkably, this mucosal immune system has the ability to distinguish pathogens from the commensal microflora and to elicit the appropriate immune response [14-16]. The intestinal mucosa is covered by a single layer of epithelial cells; separating mucosa associated lymphoid tissue from surface antigens. The epithelium provides both a barrier as well as a signaling function against infection [17]. The epithelial cells as well as immune cells of the subepithelial compartment, including lymphocytes, monocytes, macrophages, polymorphonuclear leukocytes and dendritic cells, induce the host innate and adaptive immune systems. Activation of the innate host defense by microbes occurs via the specific recognition of microbial molecules, known as pathogen-associated molecular patterns or PAMPs [18].
Host cells detect these patterns through receptors, including members of the Toll-like receptor family and the nucleotide-binding site/leucine rich repeat proteins such as NOD1 and NOD2 [19-21]. Toll-like receptors are type I integral membrane glycoproteins belonging to the superfamily of interleukin-1 receptors. They play an essential role in the initiation of the innate antimicrobial immune response in plants, insects and mammals [22]. The extracellular part of the receptors contains copies of a motif known as leucine-rich repeat, thought to be directly involved in the recognition of microbial components. In humans, ten Toll-like receptors can be found, designated TLR1-TLR10, each recognizing conserved microbial molecules [23-27]. Toll-like receptors are localized on the cell surface or in endosome-lysosome intracellular compartments of immune cells [28,29]. Most of the current studies on the biological role and distribution of Toll-like receptors have focused on dendritic cells and macrophages. In contrast, the expression patterns and role of TLR's in antigen presenting cells present in the mucosal surface as well as epithelial cells has been poorly described.
Crohn's disease is a chronic disease of the intestine characterized by inflammation of the gut. The disease can be located from the oral cavity to the rectum although in almost 70% of patients the distal ileum is affected. Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis constitute the two major chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD's), affecting one in 500 individuals [30]. The etiopathogenesis of Crohn's disease has been linked recently to a diminished expression of intestinal anti-microbial peptides called defensins [31-36].
Defensins are cationic and cysteine-rich peptides with molecular weights of 3 to 5 kDa. Based on the connectivity of the six cysteine residues, human defensins are classified into α and β subfamilies [37-39]. The α-defensins are predominantly expressed in neutrophils (human neutrophil peptide 1-4) or specialized cells of the intestinal epithelium called Paneth cells (human defensin 5 and 6α) [40,41]. Human β-defensins are found predominantly in various epithelial cells and tissues. Defensins play an important role in the host innate immune defense, not only showing antibiotic and antifungal activity but also kill certain enveloped viruses and act selectively cytotoxic to tumor cells [42,43]. Importantly, human α and β-defensin also act as immune modulators in adaptive immunity [44].
Initial studies showed that α-defensins chemoattract monocytes [45]. Subsequently, α-defensins were reported to chemoattract different subsets of T lymphocytes and immature dendritic cells [46,47]. More recently, similar functions have been reported for β-defensins [48-50]. These studies showed that β-defensins selectively chemoattract memory T cells and immature dendritic cells. In addition, it was shown that human β-defensin 2 act directly as endogenous ligands for Toll-like receptors, mediating signaling for dendritic cell maturation in vivo. Defensins and chemokines share a striking structural resemblance, adopting a disulfide stabilized core structure of three anti-parallel β-sheets [51].
The recent discovery of several genetic loci showing a significant association with Crohn's disease has greatly enhanced the understanding of underlying pathogenic mechanisms. In particular, NOD2 has been identified as the first gene firmly associated with Crohn's disease susceptibility [52,53]. NOD2 is a cytoplasmic protein that senses components of the microbial cell wall and regulates inflammatory processes and apoptosis. The protein is composed of two N-terminal caspase recruitment domains, a nucleotide binding and oligomerization domain and contains ten leucine-rich repeats at its C-terminus. It is expressed constitutively in particular in macrophages, neutrophils and dendritic cells [54] as well as Paneth cells in the small intestine [55]. NOD2 specifically recognizes muramyl dipeptide, a peptidoglycan motif present in the cell wall of both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria [56]. After recognition, NOD2 has been shown to activate signaling pathways involved in inflammation in vitro through NF-κB activation [57,58]. In addition, NOD2 activation has been linked to innate immunity [59]. In NOD2 knockout mice, expression of α-defensins was markedly decreased suggesting that NOD2 plays a role in intestinal host defense. This provides further evidence to the notion that defensins and their relation to Toll-like receptors may play a key role in maintaining immune homeostasis.
Importantly, human α and β-defensin also act as immune modulators in adaptive immunity [44]. Further, the etiopathogenesis of Crohn's disease has been linked recently to a diminished expression of the anti-microbial peptides defensins [31-36]. Thus, it would be advantageous to provide a method for delivery of defensins to intestinal tissue to provide an increase of this intestinal anti-microbial peptide defensins.

Surface-layer protein coated microspheres and uses thereof


Resource contention monitoring and analysis are provided for a single system or multi-system environment. Resource contention is tracked at a task level when contention occurs by listing each owner of a resource in a blocker list and each waiter for the resource in a waiter list. Each list is ordered oldest to newest so each instance of contention is added to the end of the respective list. The resource request and contention lists are cross-linked to provide easy coordination between the resource queues and the contention lists. Techniques for analyzing contention using the lists, including deadlock analysis, are described.

This invention relates to the monitoring and control of concurrent processes in a multiprocessing, multiprogramming computing environment, and more particularly, to detection and monitoring of resource contention between multiple processes thereof.
As used herein, the term xe2x80x9ccomputing environmentxe2x80x9d includes any single system or multi-system computing environment as available or known in the art. A xe2x80x9ctaskxe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9cprocessxe2x80x9d means an independent unit of work that can complete for the xe2x80x9cresourcesxe2x80x9d of a computing environment. A xe2x80x9ctask control blockxe2x80x9d is a consolidation of control information pertaining to a task including any user-assigned priority and its state, i.e., active or waiting. The xe2x80x9cwait statexe2x80x9d is a condition of a task that is dependent upon the execution of other tasks in order for the xe2x80x9cwaitingxe2x80x9d task to become xe2x80x9cactivexe2x80x9d.
Also in this specification, a xe2x80x9cresourcexe2x80x9d is any facility of a computing environment or of an xe2x80x9coperating systemxe2x80x9d running thereon which is required for the execution of a task. Typical resources include main store, input/output devices, the central processing unit (CPU), data sets, and control or processing programs. In this regard, an xe2x80x9coperating systemxe2x80x9d is a set of supervisory routines running on a computing system for providing, for example, one or more of the following functions: determining the order in which requesting tasks or their computations will be carried out, providing long-term storage of data sets including programs, protecting data sets from unauthorized access or usage, and/or system logging and recovery.
xe2x80x9cMultiprogrammingxe2x80x9d which pertains to the concurrent execution of two or more programs by a computing environment, can be managed on a computer running under, for example, OS/390 offered by International Business Machines Corporation. Modern operating systems, by permitting more than one task to be performed concurrently, make possible more efficient use of resources. For example, if a program that is being executed to accomplish a task must be delayed (for instance, until more data is read into the CPU), then performance of some other completely independent task may proceed. The CPU can execute another program or even execute the same program so as to satisfy another task.
In today""s computing environments, mutual exclusion (or resource serialization) is often provided within the operating system itself. With IBM""s OS/390 system, a customer has the option of configuring a multi-image environment to increase capacity and enhance availability. To allow these images to co-exist, resources shared between systems need to be serialized to ensure integrity. OS/390 uses a Global Resource Serialization (GRS) component to serialize both single system and multi-system resources. These resources can number in the thousands, if not millions. For more information on GRS reference an IBM publication entitled xe2x80x9cOS/390 MVS Planning: Global Resource Serializationxe2x80x9d; doc. #GC28-1759-OS (September, 1998) (6th edition), the entirety of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
In the allocation and use of these resources, contention for a resource can occasionally cause progress of the workload to be negatively impacted for a number of reasons. For example: (1) a resource allocation deadlock might occur; (2) a long-running task might hold a resource (resource starvation); or (3) a task holding resources may have ceased to respond (xe2x80x9cenabled hangxe2x80x9d).
A task is said to be xe2x80x9cdeadlockedxe2x80x9d if its progress is blocked indefinitely because it is stuck in a xe2x80x9ccircular waitxe2x80x9d upon other tasks. In this circumstance, each task is holding a xe2x80x9cnon-preemptablexe2x80x9d resource which must be acquired by some other task in order to proceed, i.e., each task in the circle is waiting upon some other task to release its claim on a resource. The characteristics of deadlock then are mutual exclusion, non-preemption, and resource waiting. In the case of resource starvation, a long-running task or job holds one or more critical resources, in which case, workload also requiring that resource(s) must wait until the job ends. In severe cases, software errors can cause tasks that hold resources to fail without ending, causing the resource to be permanently held, thereby blocking workload that requires the task.
In view of the above, resource contention monitoring and analysis can be significant functions in today""s computing environments.
In certain systems, resource serialization managers have an ability to report on resource contention, and document blocking requests and waiting requests for resources However, such systems do not provide for any intelligent ordering of the assembled information. For example, the current GRS implementation assembles the contended resources in alphabetical order of resource name. Thus, provided herein is an enhanced approach wherein blocking requests and waiting requests are explicitly listed in a time-based manner.
Briefly summarized then, this invention comprises a method for analyzing resource contention in a computing environment. This method includes: selecting a current waiting request for a resource; using a resource queue for the resource, chaining to a current top blocker request for the resource; chaining to a task related waiter queue (TRWQ) for the current top blocker request, wherein any requests waiting for a computer environment resource are listed in a first-in/first-out manner; and searching the TRWQ for any waiting request made by a task generating the current top blocker request, and if there are no waiting requests associated with the current top blocker, dependency analysis is complete.
In a further aspect, a method for analyzing contention in a computing environment is provided. This method includes identifying at least one of a longest blocking process or a longest waiting process for a resource of the computing environment; and wherein the identifying comprises examining one of a blocking queue or a waiting queue for the resource, wherein the blocking queue comprises a time-ordered listing of all currently blocking processes requesting the resource, and wherein the waiting queue comprises a time-ordered listing of all currently waiting processes requesting the resource.
Systems and computer program products corresponding to the above-summarized methods are also described and claimed herein.
To restate, provided herein is an enhanced resource contention analysis technique which provides an ability to readily report on: (1) tasks (and resources) that have been blocking requests for the longest period of time; (2) tasks (and resources) that have been waiting for the longest period of time; and (3) tasks (and resources) involved in a request dependency chain, and whether or not that chain represents a deadlock. With the information provided by the enhanced contention analysis disclosed herein, an installation can determine if a high volume of contention is actually a problem or not. If the contention is a problem, then the tasks involved in that contention are apparent, allowing the installation to take action against a task, subsystem, or system, to alleviate the problem. With the current art, a customer would have to take the output from multiple instances of the contention display to determine whether or not the systems are making progress and then by hand build the dependency graph, and determine which resources and tasks are at fault. Obviously, the problem is nearly insolvable when hundreds of resources and tasks are involved in contention.
As noted, the blocker and waiter lists disclosed herein comprise lists sorted by the time of the event (i.e., the longest blocker or waiter is at the head of the list). The advantages of this approach are that:
(1) Finding the most effected resource/request is simplified. The element at the front of the list is the request that has been blocking/waiting (depending on the list) for the longest period of time. This means that an analysis of the resources does not have to query the state of all resources. Generally, only a very small number of resource s ( less than  less than 1%) are in contention at any one time.
(2) Deadlock analysis is simplified. Without maintaining a separate list of requests in contention, a complete search of the resource requests would be required to determine if a blocking request is, in turn, blocked by another, associated resource request. With the list, it is simple to interrogate a blocked request, go to the front of the resource request list containing the request to find the blocker, then go up to that blocker""s unit of work waiter list to see if that unit of work is blocked. This reduces the search time, since rather than interrogating every request from a task, the existence of an element indicates the oldest waiting request from a particular task.

Resource contention analysis employing time-ordered entries in a blocking queue and waiting queue


Methods and systems are provided for tracking object instances stored on a plurality of network nodes, which tracking enables a global determination of when an object has no references across the networked nodes and can be safely de-allocated. According to one aspect of the invention, each node has a local object store for tracking and optionally storing objects on the node, and the local object stores collectively share the locally stored instances of the objects across the network. One or more applications, e.g., a file system and/or a storage system, use the local object stores for storing all persistent data of the application as objects.

For purposes of performance or redundancy, modern storage systems can be built out of discrete components, called nodes, that are interconnected with a network, such as a TCP/IP network. Each node is typically a fully functional computer with CPUs, storage, memory, etc. The organization of nodes in such a system may be a peer-to-peer network, meaning all nodes are equal (i.e., there is no central management authority and no node is privileged). As equal peers, the nodes communicate among themselves to resolve state. Organizing a storage system as a peer-to-peer network can provide a more resilient and scalable storage solution, as nodes can be incrementally added for performance and/or capacity, and if one node fails, the storage system still works.
What distinguishes a peer-to-peer network storage system from just a collection of computers is that nodes in the system communicate with each other regarding the underlying data storage, health of each node, etc. Specifically, nodes in the system may copy and exchange information for purposes of performance and data integrity. This information may be in the form of data objects, or files, where an object may be a portion of a file.
As objects are propagated through the system, data structures are required to: a) know where the objects are; and b) know when the objects are no longer needed. In prior art systems where objects have reference counts, i.e., the number of times an object is referenced by another object or other data structure, an object may be safely de-allocated or deleted (e.g., garbage collection) when its reference count drops to zero.
However, keeping track of reference counts for billions of objects, when millions of objects are being passed around per second, results in unacceptable network traffic and CPU costs if simplistic algorithms are used.
Another challenge is determining that the reference count is actually zero, and then finding all object instances so they can be deleted. There is an ongoing need for more efficient and reliable protocols for tracking objects to overcome these problems.


The present invention relates to a rinse-off antimicrobial cleansing composition effective against Gram positive bacteria, Gram negative bacteria, fungi, yeasts. molds and viruses comprising from about 0.001% to about 5% of an antimicrobial active; from about 1% to about 80% of an anionic surfactant; from about 0.1% to about 12% of a proton donating agent; and from about 3% to about 98.899% of water; wherein the composition is adjusted to a pH of from about 3.0 to about 6.0; wherein the rinse-off antimicrobial cleansing composition has an One-wash Immediate Germ Reduction Index of greater than about 2.5. The invention also encompasses methods for reducing the number of germs from the skin using these products.

Human health is impacted by many microbial entities. Inoculation by viruses and bacteria cause a wide variety of sicknesses and ailments. Media attention to cases of food poisoning, strep infections, and the like is increasing public awareness of microbial issues.
It is well known that the washing of hard surfaces, food (e.g. fruit or vegetables) and skin, especially the hands, with antimicrobial or non-medicated soap, can remove many viruses and bacteria from the washed surfaces. Removal of the viruses and bacteria is due to the surfactancy of the soap and the mechanical action of the wash procedure. Therefore, it is known and recommended that the people wash frequently to reduce the spread of viruses and bacteria.
Bacteria found on the skin can be divided into two groups: resident and transient bacteria. Resident bacteria are Gram positive bacteria which are established as permanent microcolonies on the surface and outermost layers of the skin and play an important, helpful role in preventing the colonization of other, more harmful bacteria and fungi.
Transient bacteria are bacteria which are not part of the normal resident flora of the skin, but can be deposited when airborne contaminated material lands on the skin or when contaminated material is brought into physical contact with it. Transient bacteria are typically divided into two subclasses: Gram positive and Gram negative. Gram positive bacteria include pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes and Clostridium botulinum. Gram negative bacteria include pathogens such as Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, Haemophillus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus and Shigella dysenteriae. Gram negative bacteria are generally distinguished from Gram positive by an additional protective cell membrane which generally results in the Gram negative bacteria being less susceptible to topical antibacterial actives.
Antimicrobial cleansing products have been marketed in a variety of forms for some time. Forms include deodorant soaps, hard surface cleaners, and surgical disinfectants. These traditional rinse-off antimicrobial products have been formulated to provide bacteria reduction during washing. For example, Dial.RTM. liquid soaps, when used in hand washing, have been found to reduce the amount of the bacteria on the skin by from about 2.0 log (97%) to about 2.5 log (99.7%) in one 30 second handwash, as measured by standard Health Care Personal Handwash Tests (HCPHWT). That is skin washed with these soaps were contaminated with only 0.3%-3% of the number of bacteria compared to before washing. Antimicrobial liquid cleansers are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,847,072, Bissett et al., issued Jul. 11, 1989, U.S. Pat. No. 4,939,284, Degenhardt, issued Jul. 3, 1990 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,820,698, Degenhardt, issued Apr. 11, 1989, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Some of these antimicrobial products, especially the hard surface cleaners and surgical disinfectants, utilize high levels of alcohol and/or harsh surfactants which have been shown to dry out and irritate skin tissues. Dial.RTM. bar soap has been found to provide from 2.5 to 3.0 log reduction in bacteria in one wash, as measured by the HCPHWT. However, Dial.RTM. can be drying to the skin with repeated use. Ideal personal cleansers should gently cleanse the skin, cause little or no irritation, and not leave the skin overly dry after frequent use and preferably should provide a moisturizing benefit to the skin.
Previously marketed formulations of Head & Shoulders.RTM. Dandruff Shampoo, marketed until 1994, comprised anionic surfactants, an antibacterial active and citric acid as a pH adjuster. Head & Shoulders.RTM. controlled Pityrosorum ovale fungus, which causes dandruff. PCT application WO 92/18100, Keegan et al., published Oct. 29, 1992 ("Kegean") and PCT application WO 95/32705, Fujiwara et al., published Dec. 7, 1995 ("Fujiwara") teach liquid skin cleansers comprising mild surfactants, antibacterial agents and acidic compounds to buffer the pH, which provide improved germ hostility. However, the use of the acid compounds for only pH adjustment therein, result in compositions which do not deliver the undissociated acid required to enhance the antimicrobial actives in order to provide improved levels of immediate germ removal upon use. This situation is compounded in Keegan and Fujiwara by the preference of mild surfactants, including nonionic surfactants.
Hibiclens.RTM. Surgical Scrub provides 2.5 to 3.0 log reduction in germs in one wash and U.S. Pat. No. 3,141,821, issued to Compeau Jul. 21, 1964; Irgasan DP 300 (Triclosan.RTM.) technical literature from Ciba-Giegy, Inc., "Basic Formulation for Hand Disinfection 89/42/01"; Bartzokas, C. A., et al, "Evaluation of the Skin Disinfecting Activity and Cumulative Effect of Chlorhexidine and Triclosan Handwash Preparations on Hands Artificially Contaminated with Serratia marcescens", Infection Control, 1987/Vol. 8, No. 4; all set forth antibacterial skin cleansers compositions which could provide improved immediate germ reduction using certain anionic surfactants, antimicrobial actives and acids. However, the selection, therein, of highly active surfactants or cationic actives with safety issues (i.e. chlorohexidine gluconate) results in personal cleansing compositions which are potentially drying and harsh to the skin, or potentially unsafe.
Germ Reduction Germ reduction after 1 wash after 10 washes on HCPHWT on HCPHWT Low active levels 1.7-2.5 log 2.0-2.8 log Mild composition reduction reduction (Softsoap) Low active levels 2.0-3.0 log 2.7-3.2 log Harsh composition reduction reduction (Dial .RTM., fatty acid bars) High Active levels 2.5-3.0 log 3.7-4.2 log Harsh composition reduction reduction (Hibiclens)
Even with the reduction in bacteria seen with the referenced products, hundreds to thousands of bacteria can be left behind at a wash site. Given the health impacts of bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Salmonella and Escherichia coli, it would be highly desirable to formulate antimicrobial cleansing compositions which provide improved immediate germ reduction and which are mild to the skin. Existing consumer products have been unable to achieve both of these benefits.
Applicants have found that rinse-off antimicrobial cleansing compositions which provide such mildness and such improved immediate germ reduction can be formulated by using known antimicrobial actives in combination with specific organic and/or inorganic acids as proton donating agents, and specific anionic surfactants, all of which are deposited on the skin. The deposited proton donating agent and anionic surfactant enhance the selected active, to provide a new level of hostility to bacteria contacting the skin.

Mild, rinse-off antimicrobial cleansing compositions which provide improved immediate germ reduction during washing


A system for recording and/or reproducing information, including a magnetic tape formatted by a magnetic write head which is movable in a longitudinal direction (x) and which forms xe2x80x9cburiedxe2x80x9d servo tracks of different widths. The amplitude of the servo read signals, as a function of the position of the magnetic read/write head of the apparatus with respect to the xe2x80x9cburiedxe2x80x9d servo tracks of the magnetic tape in the width direction (y), is substantially the same for the all the read/write units of the read/write head in spite of the width differences.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a system for recording and/or reproducing information, comprising a magnetic tape formatted with the aid of a magnetic write head, said magnetic tape being movable in a longitudinal direction (x) with respect to said magnetic write head, and including an apparatus having a magnetic read/write head having magnetic read/write units for writing data tracks into a magnetic tape movable in a longitudinal direction (x) with respect thereto, said read/write head being movable in a width direction (y) with respect to the longitudinal direction (x) of the magnetic tape by means of an actuator, the magnetic tape being previously provided with a pattern of buried servo tracks (STn) by the write head, said buried servo tracks extending in the longitudinal direction (x) and alternately containing a different servo signal, said buried servo tracks including at least one group of juxtaposed servo tracks of a width (w1), and at least one servo track of greater width, said apparatus further including control means for controlling the actuator by means of a control signal, said control means receiving servo read signals originating from servo signals embedded in adjacent servo tracks and read by the read/write units of said magnetic read/write head, and processing said servo read signals in a processing unit so as to form said control signal for the actuator, to a magnetic write head, to a magnetic tape provided with a pattern of buried servo tracks, comprising buried servo tracks of a first type containing a first servo signal (Sa), and buried servo tracks of a second type containing a second servo signal (Sb), said servo tracks extending substantially in a longitudinal direction (x), and said track pattern, in a transverse direction (y) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (x), alternately comprising a servo track of the first type and a servo track of the second type, at least one group of servo tracks having a width w1 and at least one servo track having a greater width, said magnetic tape being able to cooperate with a magnetic read/write head of a given type is movable by an actuator in a width direction (y) with respect to the longitudinal direction (x) of the magnetic tape, as well as to an arrangement for formatting a magnetic tape including a magnetic write head and means for scanning a magnetic tape by means of the magnetic write head, in which the write head has a head face having a longitudinal direction (x) which corresponds to the longitudinal direction of movement of a magnetic tape with respect to the write head, and a width direction (y) which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and extends parallel to a generatrix of the head face, a structure of integrated write units has been provided in the write head, the write units being juxtaposed and extending in the width direction (y), and each of the write units having at least one write gap terminating in the head face and having a dimension in the width direction, said dimension corresponding to the width of the corresponding servo track, and at least one group of juxtaposed write units of a width w1 being provided and at least one write unit of greater width being provided.
2. Description of the Related Art
Such a system, such a magnetic write head, such a magnetic tape, such a cassette and such an arrangement are known from International Patent Application No. WO 98/26410, corresponding to U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,912,778 and 6,061,196, the subject matter of which, insofar as it is relevant to the present Application, is incorporated in the present Application by reference. other publications which are of relevance to the present Application are International Patent Application Nos. WO 96/30897 (corresponding to U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,966,276 and 6,097,571), WO 97/17699, WO 97/19446 (corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 5,933,290), WO 97/21213 (corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 5,805,372), and WO 97/33274 (U.S. Pat. No. 5,982,591). All said publications, insofar as relevant hereto, are incorporated in the present description by reference.
The known system, the known magnetic tape, the known magnetic write head, the known cassette and the known arrangement, make it possible to position the magnetic read/write head with a high accuracy with respect to the pattern of data tracks on the magnetic tape. This enables information to be read from and written into the pattern of data tracks during the movement of the magnetic tape in the one direction and in the reverse other direction. The described system enables the information to be read from and written into the pattern of data tracks while the servo tracks are read and the magnetic read/write head is controlled on the basis of the scanned servo signals, as a result of which, the position signal is immune to tolerances in the width of the servo track. This immunity is obtained, inter alia, in that always at least two magnetic read/write units are situated on the boundary between two adjacent servo tracks, and in that these read/write units read a servo track of the same type by means of facing parts and read a servo track of the other type by means of parts which are remote from one another. The above-mentioned tolerances influence the signals read by these read/write units to the same degree, as a result of which, the tolerances in the actuator drive cancel one another because this drive is based on the difference between the signals read by the relevant read/write units.
It has been found that the format of the inscribed servo signals gives rise to unequal amplitudes of the signals read from the servo tracks having a width larger than the data tracks. This reduces the overall signal-to-noise ratio of the servo system and may lead to an undesired degree of limitation of the track density. The reason for this is that the read/write units of the read/write head appear to be sensitive not only to the parts of the servo tracks situated directly beneath the active part of the read/write units, but also to those parts of the servo tracks which extend adjacent the active party of the read/write units. As a consequence, the servo tracks of larger width are read with a greater amplitude than the other servo tracks. This has a negative effect on the servo control of the read/write head. A reason for this is that the asymmetry of the servo signal thus read causes a reduction of the accuracy of the analog/digital conversion of the servo signal read.
It is an object of the invention to provide a system as described above, which does not have said drawbacks. The system in accordance with the invention, is characterized in that the amplitude of the servo read signal as a function of the position of the magnetic read/write head of the apparatus with respect to the magnetic tape in the width direction (y) is substantially equal for all the read/write units of the read/write head. The aforementioned undesired reduction of the signal-to-noise ratio of the servo system is avoided in that the amplitude of the servo read signals as a function of the position of a magnetic read/write head of the apparatus is substantially constant.
In one embodiment of the invention, care is taken that the servo tracks of greater width induce a signal into the relevant read/write units with an amplitude which is the same as that of the servo signals for the other read/write units.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the servo signals in the embedded servo tracks of greater width are given a suitable effective value by dividing the servo track into a plurality of signal-carrying sub-tracks alternating with one or more empty sub-tracks.
A magnetic write head, in accordance with the invention, is adapted to format magnetic tapes which are suitable for the system described above, which has signal-carrying sub-tracks and or more empty sub-tracks.
In an embodiment of write heads according to the invention, the write heads can be manufactured with the aid of a so-called thin-film technology.
The magnetic tape in accordance with the invention has been pre-formatted in such a manner that during cooperation with a magnetic read/write head of the system, the servo read signals obtained from the various servo tracks, including those from the broader servo tracks, have substantially equal amplitudes.
This can be achieved, for example, by recording a servo signal of smaller amplitude in the broader servo tracks. It is also possible to use a magnetic tape where the servo tracks of greater width have been divided into one or more signal-carrying tracks and one or more empty servo tracks.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the magnetic tape can be accommodated in a cassette.
A further embodiment of the invention offers an arrangement for formatting a magnetic tape for use in the system in accordance with the invention, which utilizes a magnetic write head in the preferred embodiment mentioned hereinbefore for writing a sub-set of tracks comprising one or more signal-carrying sub-tracks and one or more empty sub-tracks.

SYSTEM FOR RECORDING AND/OR REPRODUCING INFORMATION, MAGNETIC WRITE HEAD FOR USE IN THE SYSTEM, MAGNETIC TAPE FOR USE IN THE SYSTEM, CASSETTE FOR USE IN THE SYSTEM, AND ARRANGEMENT FOR FORMATTING THE MAGNETIC TAPE


Systems and methods for isolating a membrane during fabrication. The membrane is connected to a substrate wafer using a plurality of magnets of uniform dimensions formed into two or more magnet stack beams. The magnet stack beams provide a gap between the wafer and the membrane. The wafer connected to the membrane by the magnet stack beams is received by a substrate holder so that a space is present between the membrane and the substrate holder. The membrane is rinsed by immersing, soaking, and withdrawing the substrate holder and the wafer connected to the membrane by the magnet stack beams using a rinse bath solution.

Technical Field
The present invention relates to Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) pellicle fabrication, and more particularly to a mechanical isolation control for an EUV pellicle during EUV pellicle fabrication.
Description of the Related Art
During semiconductor wafer fabrication, extreme ultraviolet (EUV) light may be employed in, for example, a lithographic process to enable transfer of very small patterns (e.g., nanometer-scale patterns) from a mask to a semiconductor wafer. In EUV lithography, a pattern formed on an EUV lithographic mask (e.g., EUV reticle) may be transferred to a semiconductor wafer by reflecting EUV light off of portions of a reflective surface. A pellicle can be placed in front of the mask to, for example, avoid contamination of the mask and to prevent unwanted particles from reaching the mask surface, which may enable avoidance of alteration of the pattern to be transferred by the mask.
The fabrication of a pellicle (e.g., membrane) suitable for EUV imaging may be accomplished by selectively etching a silicon wafer including the pellicle material layer to create the desired free-standing membrane (e.g., pellicle). This subtractive method may employ wet processing methods and/or chemicals, and as such, the ultra-thin unsupported film (e.g., pellicle) needs to be able to withstand any forces exerted on its surface during the etch and rinse steps without breaking. In the case of EUV mask technology, as pellicles are conventionally very thin (e.g., ˜100 nm or less), managing the mechanical stability of the ultra-thin pellicle membrane in the presence of outside forces during fabrication is challenging, especially given the large surface area with respect to the thickness of an EUV pellicle. Outside forces may include, for example, mechanical vibrations (e.g., induced during manual pellicle handling, by moving parts that assist with controlled motorized translation), liquid and/or air pressure differentials on either side of the membrane (e.g., due to forced or natural convection), and/or capillary forces (e.g., due to meniscus formation at the liquid-air interface).

Mechanical isolation control for an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) pellicle

International Business Machines Corporation


A liquid fuel production process from cellulosic biomass comprises the following steps: (1) providing a mixture of cellulose and water; (2) subjecting the obtained mixture to hydrolysis and catalytic hydrogenation under the presence of acid to obtain mono-sugar alcohol and optional solid material lignin, or subjecting the obtained mixture to hydrolysis to obtain monosaccharide; (3) esterifying the obtained mono-sugar with C2-C5 organic acid to obtain a liquid fuel II, or subjecting the obtained mono-sugar alcohol or monosaccharide to dehydration/hydrogenation to obtain an organic liquid fuel I consisting of alkanes. This process avoids the loss of organic carbon atoms during fermentation, and the sugar derived from cellulosic biomass can be converted to organic carbon in the liquid fuel. The lignin produced by the process can be used for preparing aromatics.

Since the beginning of this century, the global consumption of unrenewable energy sources such as fossil energy sources, for example, coal and oil, and nuclear energy is growing rapidly. As fossil energy sources have arrived at or are approaching to their peaks of supply, mankind has to face the most vital turning point in history, due to both the incoming energy crisis and the global warming which is regarded as the prime cause of various synoptic disasters around the world in recent years and may be attributed largely to the warming gas, i.e. carbon dioxide, most of which originates from fossil energy sources. Therefore, new renewable energy sources must be developed and utilized so as to ensure the continuing existence and sustainable development of human beings.
Great importance has been attached to renewable energy resources all over the world. Biomass derived ethanol fuel is becoming a member of the technical field of liquid fuel, and the processes of producing ethanol fuel from starch and cellulose are under modification and improvement. Particularly, after we developed a technology for rapid pretreatment of cellulosic biomass and a corresponding novel production process (Patent Application No. 200610008062.2, PCT/CN2006/001129), the cost of producing ethanol fuel from cellulosic biomass in industrial scale is expected to be comparable to that of starch derived ethanol fuel, and a booming development of the production of ethanol fuel from cellulosic biomass is promising.
The current process of producing ethanol liquid fuel by fermentation of the starting material cellulosic biomass or starch comprises four major steps as follows: the first step involves pretreatment, the second step is the hydrolysis of the high molecular polymer of saccharide into monosaccharide, the third step is the fermentation of monosaccharide into ethanol, and the fourth step is the separation and dehydration of ethanol to give ethanol fuel. The production of biomass derived butanol fuel shares the same procedure.
The loss of organic carbons in the production process via fermentation is tremendous for both ethanol and butanol. When hexose is used as the monosaccharide, one third of the organic carbons are converted into inorganic carbons of carbon dioxide during fermentation. When pentose is used as the monosaccaride (xylose), sixty percent of the organic carbons are converted into inorganic carbons of carbon dioxide during fermentation. As to another pentose, namely arabinose in cellulosic biomass, it is totally lost due to the lack of good zymogens that can be used for its conversion. In addition, ethanol fuel is produced at high cost owing to the difficulty in dehydration of ethanol. In order to make better use of biomass energy sources, it is necessary to develop a new production process which can avoid the loss of organic carbons.

With coal being far more than oil in terms of storage on the earth, it may be predicted that a wide range of coal chemical engineering projects and production bases will rise in full scale, and a lot of hydrogen will be produced as the byproduct. Meanwhile, as the technology of producing hydrogen from coal will be further developed, lower cost will be achieved. Moreover, along with the development of other scientific technologies, the technology of directly producing hydrogen using solar energy will be gradually improved, and the cost will be lowered steadily. New economical and reliable technologies of power production will emerge one after another, resulting in the rapid reduction of the cost for the production of hydrogen by electrolysis. However, it is rather difficult to transport and utilize pure hydrogen. Storing hydrogen in hydrocarbon compounds is one of the best choices to store hydrogen. Thus, one of the most important applications of hydrogen will possibly be the production of biomass liquid fuel and other applications in the field of biomass.
Another consideration is the final cost effectiveness of cellulose hydrolases. Although cellulose hydrolases have already been much more cost effective than previous years thanks to the rapid development of biological technologies and the hard work done by scientific and technical workers in recent years, their cost effectiveness is still rather poor as compared with that of starch hydrolases. It needs further consideration as to whether it is possible or necessary to develop a cellulose hydrolase with high effectiveness. The fact is that cellulosic biomass is a basic energy source upon which the living of animal on the earth relies, and it evolves gradually to a life which is resistant to all cellulose hydrolases. If a super microorganism capable of breaking up cellulosic biomass readily were made successfully, the doomsday of higher animals and plants would come once this super microorganism happened to break into nature out of man's carelessness. Therefore, it is not possible that a cellulose hydrolase with perfect effect will be developed in near future, and the cost of cellulose hydrolases will not be decreased to the level of starch hydrolases. Thus, it is necessary to develop alternative processes of degrading cellulose.
Dehydration and polymerization of monosaccharides and polyols in the presence of acid catalysts are among the most common organic reactions in organic chemistry. The novel process of producing liquid fuel as disclosed in the present invention takes advantage of the undesirable side reactions of saccharides and polyols under acidic conditions, which reactions the scientific and technical workers previously made every effort to avoid. For example, hexose is converted into methylolfurfural under acidic conditions, and pentose is converted into furfural under acidic conditions, etc. These carbonyl compounds will further polymerize to produce organic compounds containing more carbons.

Process of producing liquid fuel from cellulosic biomass

China Fuel (Huaibei) Bioenergy Technology Development Co. Ltd


Method, electronic device, and computer readable medium embodiments are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving image data, manipulating the received image data based on a set of transform parameters, and analyzing the manipulated image data to generate metadata. The metadata statistically describes the received image data. The method also includes selecting a neural network from a plurality of neural networks to perform a second analysis, wherein the neural network is selected based on the generated metadata. The method additionally includes performing a second analysis of the received image data by the selected neural network based on the generated metadata to extract information from the received image data.

The sophistication and quantity of unnamed aerial vehicles, drones, aircrafts, satellites, and other aerial vehicles are increasing. Many aerial vehicles are capable of remote sensing various aspects of the earth. Remote sensing can be used in a variety of applications such as meteorology, oceanography, agriculture, landscape, geology, cartography, regional planning, education, intelligence and warfare, to name a few. Remote sensing can provide images in visible color as well as images in other spectra. Remote sensing can also provide elevation maps. Interpretation and analysis the data acquired from remote sensing of aerial vehicles is demanding due to the size and quantity of the data.

Adaptive neural network selection to extract particular results


A ceramic finger seal for use between a housing and a combustor liner to inhibit air passage therebetween and for use in fluid sealing between a rotating shaft and a housing circumscribing the rotating shaft. The ceramic finger seal has at least two annular diaphragm members constructed of two or more diaphragm segments bonded end to end by ceramic cement or other high temperature joining compounds. The diaphragm members may be partitioned into a generally continuous inner diameter portion and a segmented outer diameter portion or the reverse thereof. The segmented portion includes finger elements spaced uniformly apart forming gaps therebetween and extend radially outward or inward terminating in a foot portion. The rolled edge on the finger is formed by laser cutting to prevent gouging of the combustor liner surface.

This invention relates to sealing devices disposed relative to two generally stationary structures of approximately cylindrical shape as well as to other objects such as two relatively rotating members requiring a fluid seal therebetween. The present invention may provide for air sealing of ceramic combustor liners that typically have large temperature excursions as well as excessive surface temperature that may exceed the temperature capability of metallic sealing devices and that may experience deflection relative to the adjacent structure. The device also may be used to provide fluid sealing between a rotating shaft and a housing circumscribing the rotating shaft.
The present art uses a series of interlocking ceramic segments disposed around a combustor liner for sealing. The ceramic segments may be biased against the combustor by metallic springs or fingers. This seal structure provides air-to-air sealing between the two elements while allowing axial and radial relative motions between the bodies. Seals that use a spring loading feature in other sealing applications may be as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,415,317; however, they are expensive to manufacture, subject to premature failure of individual spring elements and are complex to install in the application.
Use of ceramic materials for seals has been hypothesized for brush type seals in U.S. Pat. No. 4,600,202. This patent discloses a brush type seal between machine components in relative motion, of which at least one member rotates, in which strands or bristles consist of composite fibers designed for good thermal conductivity in at least portions of their surface and at least a portion has flexible, elastic properties. The disclosure indicates the bristles can be made from various types of glass, glass-metals, glass-ceramics, or a combination thereof. However, this proposed type of bristle seal with ceramic content flexible enough to perform as a seal and not fracture in use has been found to be difficult to manufacture and to have low reliability in application.
Laminated finger seals are known in the art as exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 5,108,116. These seals are designed for fluid sealing between relatively rotating elements as for example a shaft and a housing. As a result of this application, the fingers, which may have a foot element, are designed to slide on the shaft element when rotating. The finger portion provides pressure through the foot portion to maintain contact with the rotating shaft. A balance must be maintained to avoid excessive wear of the foot portion and the rotating shaft. There exist various improvements in designs for the foot portion, as for example to give it aerodynamic properties to glide over the surface of the shaft. In such an application a considerable amount of pressure can be exerted by the finger elements to maintain a tight seal interface and aerodynamic or sliding motion at low friction levels is not required. However, the use of a ceramic composition as in the instant invention includes a ceramic finger seal that can withstand the excessive heat generation caused by the friction between the seal and the rotating shaft.
For the combustion liner type interface sealing application, the combustor liner in operation may be at an elevated temperature relative to the surrounding structure. A finger seal inserted therebetween may have the finger elements extended radial outward for engagement with the combustor liner. The inner circumference of the seal may then be attached to the housing. Use of ceramic composition finger seals allows application of such combustion liner seals to be used in very high temperature environment. For combustion liner applications the ceramic composition finger seals may be fabricated with the finger elements oriented radial inward for sealing the outer most portion of the combustor.
As can be seen, there is a need for a generally circular sealing device for air and fluid sealing between two bodies experiencing relative radial or axial motion and elevated temperatures.
In one aspect of the present invention, a set of laminated ceramic finger seal may be inserted between two generally stationary structures to inhibit airflow therebetween. The seal may have multiple diaphragm segments and diaphragm members laminated together and fixed in a holding device. The diaphragm members may be circumferential bands having a generally continuous inside diameter portion and a segmented outside diameter portion or a reverse orientation thereof and may be designated as inside diameter and outside diameter seals.
The segmented portion defines a circumferentially uniform array of finger elements spaced apart to define a plurality of uniform gaps. When the seal is clamped in the holding device attached to the housing and assembled into the combustor the finger elements are deflected toward the inner circumference of the ceramic finger seal thereby applying pressure against the combustor liner wall to affect the sealing between the structures. For use in sealing the outermost portion of the combustor the finger elements are deflected toward the outer circumference of the ceramic finger seal.
With relative rotating elements the circumferential bands may have a general continuous outside diameter portion and a segmented inside diameter portion. The finger elements with a foot portion contact the rotatable shaft to apply pressure to effect the sealing between the structures.
In another aspect of the present invention, the uniform gaps of the diaphragm members may have a stress reducing keyhole formed at the terminal end thereof. The diaphragm members may be laminated together with a high temperature joining compound and disposed between a pair of spacers with the combination clamped between a pair of endplates.
In a further aspect of the present invention, the finger elements have a foot portion at an outermost end for sealing engagement with a combustor liner or a rotating shaft.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

Laminated finger seal with ceramic composition