Catalyst compositions including a compound of the following general formula (I):MoVaNbbPtcMdZeOx  (I)                a is a number having a value between about 0.15 and about 0.50,        b is a number having a value between about 0.05 and about 0.30,        c is a number having a value between about 0.0001 and about 0.10,        d is a number having a value between about 0.0 and about 0.35,        e is a number having a value between about 0 and about 0.10,        x is a number depending on the relative amount and valence of the elements different from oxygen in formula (I),        M is one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Ag, Te, and Sb, and        Z is one or more element selected from Ru, Mn, Sc, Ti, Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Y, Zr, Rh, Pd, In, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Tb, Ta, W, Re, Ir, Au, Pb, B, and mixtures thereof,where the compositions are capable of simultaneously oxidizing an alkane to a desired product and by-product carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide, with only a minor change in catalyst activity and selectivity.

1. Field of the Invention
Embodiments of this invention relate to dual function catalyst compositions for the partial oxidation of alkanes and the simultaneous oxidation of incompletely oxidized carbon oxides and methods for making and using same.
More particularly, embodiments of this invention relate to dual function catalyst compositions for the partial oxidation of alkanes and the simultaneous oxidation of partially oxidized carbon oxides, where the catalyst compositions include at least one compound of the general formula (I):MoVaNbbPtcMdZeOx  (I)where:                a is a number having a value between about 0.15 and about 0.50,        b is a number having a value between about 0.05 and about 0.30,        c is a number having a value between about 0.0001 and about 0.10,        d is a number having a value between about 0.0 and about 0.40,        e is a number having a value between about 0.0 and about 0.10,        x is a number depending on the relative amount and valence of the elements different from oxygen in formula (I),        M is one or more of the following elements: Ag, Te, and Sb, and        Z is one or more element selected from Ru, Mn, Sc, Ti, Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Y, Zr, Rh, Pd, In, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Tb, Ta, W, Re, Ir, Au, Pb, B, and mixtures thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
Hydrocarbon conversion reactions are useful industrial processes to convert abundant components of a petroleum feedstock into other compounds having greater industrial utility. Examples of such reactions include the conversion of ethane to ethylene, the conversion of propane to propylene, the conversion of propylene to acrylic acid (AA), the conversion of isobutene to methacrylic acid, the conversion of hexenes to aromatics, or other similar reactions that convert a lower value feedstock into a higher value product. A specific example is the production of acrylic acid from hydrocarbon feedstocks.
Acrylic acid is an important industrial chemical. The global demand for acrylic acid in 2009 was close to 4 million tons per year. The major commercial process to produce acrylic acid is the two-stage oxidation of propylene. In the first stage, propylene is oxidized in the presence of oxygen and steam to acrolein. In the second stage, acrolein is oxidized in the presence of oxygen and steam to acrylic acid. Each stage operates at different optimum temperature and hydrocarbon concentration. Acrylic acid is an important material for the production of many useful products. Acrylic acid undergoes the typical reactions of carboxylic acids, for example esterification with alcohols. The esters and salts of acrylic acid are collectively known as acrylates (or propionates). The most common alkyl esters of acrylic acid are methyl-, butyl-, ethyl-, and 2-ethylhexyl-acrylate. Polymerization of the acids and acrylates results in the commercially important polyacids, polyacrylates and polyalkylacrylates.
Virtually all of the commercially produced acrylic acid is made from the oxidation of propylene. However, oxidation of propane to acrylic acid would be more economical, because propane is a cheaper feedstock than propylene.
Direct propane oxidation to acrylic acid has been investigated for more than two decades as an alternative to the current commercial propylene oxidation process to produce acrylic acid. See, e.g., M. Ai, Journal of Catalysis, 101, 389-395 (1986), and U.S. Pat. No. 5,380,933. So far, propane to acrylic acid has not been commercially realized despite the relative price advantage of the propane feedstock.
In the propane oxidation to acrylic acid, it is often advantageous to operate the process such that propane conversion is limited by the available oxygen. The oxygen concentration is controlled at low concentrations to ensure the feed mixture is below the flammability limit of the reaction mixture; however, limiting the available oxygen results in a limited conversion of propane. For the process to be economical, the unreacted propane must then be recovered and recycled. Also, propylene is produced as an intermediate and is recycled along with propane.
Some of the better performing catalysts for oxidizing propane to acrylic acid (AA) produce carbon monoxide (CO) as a significant byproduct, but the catalysts will not further oxidize CO to carbon dioxide (CO2). EP1930074A1 disclosed propane oxidation catalysts according to the formula (I):MoVaTebNbcZdOx  (I)wherein a=0.0-0.50, b=0.0-0.45, c=0-0.5, d≦0.05, and x is a number depending on the relative amount and valence of the elements different from oxygen in formula (I), and Z is at least one element selected from Ru, Mn, Sc, Ti, Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Y, Zr, Rh, Pd, In, Sb, Ce, Pr, Nd, Te, Sm, Tb, Ta, W, Re, Ir, Pt, Au, Pb, and Bi, provided that at least two different metal species are contained in the catalyst composition, that is, one of a, b, c, and d are not zero.
For reasons of efficiency, high yields of product from starting hydrocarbon material is desirable. One way to improve yield is to recycle unreacted and partially reacted starting material back to the reactor. In propane oxidation to acrylic acid, the unreacted and partially reacted starting materials are propane and propylene. However, the effluent stream also contains the byproduct gases carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2). With each pass, CO and CO2 accumulate in the recycle stream to the point at which they reach levels deleterious to the reaction. For this reason, it is important to remove CO and CO2 or otherwise prevent their accumulation in the recycle stream. There are standard processes to remove CO2 from the recycle stream, which are well characterized and relatively inexpensive. For example, CO2 can be scrubbed from the recycle stream by base washing. However, the removal of CO is somewhat more difficult and problematic, and as a result, more costly.
EP2179793 disclosed propane oxidation catalysts according the general formula (I):MoVaXbQcZdOe  (I)wherein X is P, which may be replaced in part by Bi, for instance up to a molar ratio Bi/P of 1/1, Q is at least one of Nb, Ta and W (which includes the combined use of Nb and Ta, Nb and W, and Ta and W, as well as the use of all three elements), a=0.15-0.50, b=0.02-0.45, in particular 0.05-0.40, c=0.05-0.45, d s 0.05 and e is the molar number of oxygen binding to the metal atoms present in this mixed oxide which follows from the relative amount and valence of the metals elements, and Z is at least one element selected from Na, K, Si, Ru, Mn, Sc, Ti, Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Y, Zr, Rh, Pd, In, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Tb, Re, Ir, Pt, Au, and Pb.
WO2006008177 disclosed metal oxide catalysts comprising the metal oxides of Mo, V, Te and Nb, and may optionally contain oxides of other metal elements, as long as these do not adversely affect the function of the resulting material as a catalyst in the oxidation reactions referred to herein. The calcined catalyst material to be leached in the method of the present invention is a material of the average general formula (I):MoVaTebNbcZdOx  (I)wherein a=0.15-0.50, b=0.10-0.45, in particular 0.10-0.40, c 0.05-0.20, d 0.05 and x is a number depending on the relative amount and valence of the elements different from oxygen in formula (I), and Z is at least one element selected from Ru, Mn, Sc, Ti, Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Y, Zr, Rh, Pd, In, Sb, Ce, Pr, Nd, Te, Sm, Tb, Ta, W, Re, Ir, Pt, Au, Pb, and Bi.
As CO levels increase in the recycle stream, the recycle stream must be purged to reduce CO levels, but these results in concurrent loss of propane and propylene reducing process efficiency as raw material is lost.
The problem of the accumulation of CO in the recycle stream can be addressed in one of two ways. CO can be removed from recycle stream. As discussed previously, this way is costly and difficult. Alternatively, CO production can be suppressed, prevented or eliminated so that CO accumulation in the recycle stream is prevented, suppressed or eliminated in the first instance.
Thus, it would be beneficial for hydrocarbon conversion processes generally, and specifically for the conversion of propane to acrylic acid, to have a means to minimize or eliminate CO accumulation in the recycle stream. The present invention focuses on the second route to CO mitigation and is directed to the preparation of dual function catalysts that combine propane oxidation to acrylic acid functionality with a mild oxidation functionality to convert CO to CO2, which is more easily removed from the recycle stream. The catalyst of the present invention accomplishes this without detrimentally affecting the propane to acrylic acid functionality.

Dual function partial oxidation catalyst for propane to acrylic acid conversion


A fastening device includes a rotational drive portion that rotationally drives a socket, an advance/retract drive portion that causes this socket to advance or retract along a rotational axis thereof, a magazine that retains a plurality of heads that retain bolts, and a switching portion that moves this magazine to selectively position one of a plurality of heads ahead and on the rotational axis of the socket. One of the heads is selected and positioned on the rotational axis of the socket by the switching portion, then the socket is advanced by the advance/retract drive portion and the head thus selected is retained by the socket, then the socket is advanced further by the advance/retract drive portion and the head to detach is detached from the magazine, and then the head is rotated by driving the rotational drive portion, thereby fastening a bolt retained in the head.

Conventionally, in the manufacturing process of automobiles, the fixing of components to a plurality of locations on a work by screws or bolts has been performed using a fastening device.
For example, this fastening device includes a robot arm and a nut runner provided to a leading end of this robot arm (refer to Patent Document 1). Then, a bolt is retained by a socket of the nut runner, and when a component is conveyed in a state temporarily fixed to the work, the robot arm is controlled to insert the bolt retained in this nut runner into a predetermined location of the work. Thereafter, the socket is made to rotate to fasten the bolt.
However, in recent years, a plurality of types of vehicle models have been manufactured on one line, as a result of which it has been demanded for a plurality of types of bolts to be fastened with one fastening device. Therefore, the following such fastening device has been proposed (refer to Patent Document 2).
Specifically, the fastening device of Patent Document 1 includes a plate-shaped pallet to which a socket is mounted, and a nut runner arranged below this pallet. A bolt is retained in the socket. According to this fastening device, first, the rotational shaft of the nut runner is made to ascend to fit together with the socket, whereby the socket is mounted to a lead end of the rotational shaft. Next, the socket mounted to the leading end of the nut runner is made to ascend slightly by moving the nut runner, after which this socket detaches from the pallet by moving in a horizontal direction. Thereafter, the nut runner is made to ascend again to make the socket approach a predetermined position on the work, and the bolt is fastened. Subsequently, the nut runner is made to descend and the head is mounted to a magazine again.
However, since the bolt is retained to the socket of this nut runner, a bolt loading device is used. Relative to bolts that have been aligned in advance, the bolt loading device makes the socket approach the head of a bolt from above the bolt while rotating, and matches the phase with the head of the bolt, thereby fitting the bolt and the socket (e.g., refer to Patent Document 3).    Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 2929879    Patent Document 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. H7-60567    Patent Document 3: Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Application Publication No. H3-96137

Fastening device, method of loading fastening member, and device for loading fastening member


Disclosed are a piping member formed by using a propylene-based resin composition comprising 100 parts by mass of a propylene-ethylene random copolymer (A) having an ethylene content of 2 to 5%, a crystallization temperature of 86 to 105° C., a melt flow rate of 0.01 to 2.00 g/10 min and a molecular weight distribution of 3 to 8, and 1 to 15 parts by mass of a styrene-butadiene-base rubber (B) having a styrene content of 10 to 40% and a weight average molecular weight of 200,000 or more as essential components, a melt flow rate after kneading being from 0.01 to 2.00 g/10 min, characterized in that the propylene-based resin composition further comprising a hindered amine-based light stabilizer (C) having a weight average molecular weight of 2,000 or more in the amount of 0.1 to 1.0 parts by mass based on 100 parts by mass of the propylene-ethylene random copolymer; and a piping member formed by using a propylene-based resin composition, wherein the styrene-butadiene-base rubber is a hydrogenated styrene-butadiene block copolymer rubber.

Conventionally, a propylene-based resin composition has excellent characteristics such as rigidity, heat resistance and chemical resistance, and a piping member made of a propylene-based resin composition is widely used in various types of industrial installations and in the fields of medical care and construction. In particular, a pipe made of a propylene-based resin has chemical resistance to acid and alkali in a high-temperature range (60 to 95° C.) and has a low price, and is therefore suited as an industrial high-temperature piping member through which a chemical solution flows at a high temperature. Regarding such piping members for high temperature, conventional metal pipes tend to be replaced by resin pipes and also a propylene-based resin is candidate for the material of the pipe, and thus increased application is expected in the future. A resinous high-temperature piping member must withstand use over a long period while allowing liquid to flow at a high temperature of 95° C. (for example, when SDR (outer diameter/wall thickness) is 11, the piping member must not fail under a load of 0.4 MPa for 10 years). In order to meet these requirements, excellent high-temperature creep characteristics are required.
Previous proposed propylene-based resin compositions having improved high-temperature creep characteristics include a resin composition which has an ethylene content of 0.1 to 2% by weight, a melt flow index (the same as a melt flow rate) of 5 dg/m or less (corresponding to 5 g/10 min) and a molecular weight distribution of 6 to 20 (refer to Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 10-53628). The high-temperature creep characteristics of this resin are in conformity with DIN 8078 (at 95° C. under a test stress of 3.5 N/mm2) and satisfy a fracturing time of a piping member of 1,200 hours or more (2,000 or more hours in the highest numerical value) and a minimum fracturing time in accordance with DIN 8078 of 1,000 hours or more.
However, when the conventional resin composition is used as a high-temperature piping member through which a chemical solution at a high temperature flows over a long period, higher-temperature creep characteristics are required. Since the molecular weight distribution (hereinafter referred to as Mw/Mn) is within a wide range from 6 to 20 and Mw/Mn is within a wide range, a high level of low molecular weight components is contained. Therefore, in the fields of food, medical care and semiconductor production, in a piping line enclosing a flow of pure water or a chemical solution for which an elution of the piping member is extremely undesirable, there was a problem that a low molecular weight component is eluted into the fluid. Also there was a problem that, when the low molecular weight component is contained, the piping member is likely to deteriorate, resulting in deterioration of chemical resistance. Furthermore, there was a problem that, since low-temperature brittleness cannot be suppressed as a result of deterioration of impact resistance (refer to Comparative Example 8: corresponding to a conventional resin composition), when the piping member is used for outdoor piping in an environment where an outdoor winter temperature is −20° C. or lower, the fluid becomes frozen and expands when flow of the fluid is stopped, and thus the piping member may be fail.
Although there is a method in which an amount of a rubber component in a conventional resin composition increases so as to suppress low-temperature brittleness, since high-temperature creep characteristics deteriorate when the amount of the rubber component increases, it was difficult to simultaneously satisfy physical strength at high temperatures and low temperatures to thus obtain a piping member having a wide application temperature range even when only the amount of the rubber component is increased.
Another method of improving high-temperature creep characteristics includes a method in which 25 to 65% by weight of glass filaments having a length of 2 to 50 mm are mixed with 35 to 75% by weight of a matrix polymer having a melt flow rate of 50 g/10 min or more which is a modified propylene homopolymer or modified propylene-ethylene copolymer prepared by modifying an isotactic propylene homopolymer or a crystalline propylene-ethylene copolymer comprising a homopolymer moiety and an isotactic propylene-ethylene copolymer moiety with an unsaturated carboxylic acid or its anhydride, or a mixture of the modified propylene homopolymer or the modified propylene-ethylene copolymer with the unmodified propylene homopolymer or the unmodified propylene-ethylene polymer to give a long fiber-reinforced polypropylene resin composition, and then the long fiber-reinforced polypropylene resin composition is molded to obtain a molded article (refer to Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 2002-212364).
The conventional resin composition has excellent high-temperature creep characteristics but contains long glass fibers. Therefore, when the resin composition is used as a piping material to be formed into a piping, long glass fibers may fall off into the fluid which flows through the piping. Also, there is a problem that glass may be attacked according to the kind of fluid flowing through the piping. Furthermore, there is a problem that a piping obtained by extrusion molding of the conventional resin composition is not suitable for use as a piping member since inner surface smoothness is deteriorated.

Piping member formed by using propylene-based resin composition

Asahi Organic Chemicals Industry Co., Ltd.


An apparatus for positioning a measuring element that is pivotably mounted, via two parallelogram-type linkage systems that are disposed at an angle to one another, in such a way as to be movable in a random fashion. The free ends of the lever arms of the two linkage systems are respectively supported on a common carrier plate via the intervention of a respective pivotably mounted intermediate member.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for positioning a measuring element, for example a Doppler signal emitter or receiver, for determining the position of a blood vessel and/or the direction in which the blood flows in this blood vessel, with the measuring element being pivotably mounted, via two parallelogram-type linkage systems that are disposed at an angle to one another, in such a way as to be movable in a random fashion.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,817,621, Rune Aaslid, dated Apr, 4, 1989, which is owned by the assignee of the present application, discloses an apparatus of this general type. In this known apparatus, the free ends of the parallelogram-type linkage systems are each pivotably held on a respective reference plate, with these plates being disposed at a given angle to one another. When a patient is being examined with this known apparatus, the reference plates are placed directly against the head of the patient at predetermined locations. Although this heretofore known apparatus functions satisfactorily, the capital expenditure for such an apparatus is considerable, especially due to the large number of linkages that are required. This known apparatus is therefore not economical to manufacture. Disruptions must also be taken into consideration since the measuring element does not maintain its assumed position. A further drawback is that examinations can be conducted only when the patient is in a horizontal position, and cannot be carried out at all locations of the head. In addition, handling of the apparatus is difficult, again due to the considerable weight of the apparatus. Furthermore, a patient should not move his head when an examination is being conducted with this known apparatus, since this can lead to incorrect results, and the position of the measuring element would have to be corrected.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus of the aforementioned general type for positioning a measuring element, with the novel apparatus having an extremely straightforward construction and hence being economical to manufacture and enabling a disruption-free manner of operation. However, a primary object is that the measuring element be easy to position and that it reliably remain in the assumed position, so that examinations can be carried out over a long period of time without having to undergo corrections. In addition, it should be possible to effect such examinations in nearly every position of the patient, especially in a sitting position, and it should be possible to secure the apparatus, without difficulty, on a head carrier, so that movements of the head will not adversely affect the positioning of the measuring element.

Apparatus for positioning a measuring element


A semiconductor device manufacturing method which achieves a contact of a low resistivity is provided.

In a semiconductor device, performance improvement, such as improvement in operating frequency, has been strongly desired. However, in the semiconductor device, a series resistance between two main electrodes, through which an electric current mainly flows, impedes the performance improvement. Patent Document 1 describes the necessity of reducing the series resistance and, specifically, the necessity of substantially reducing a contact resistance between a semiconductor region and an electrode.
Patent Document 1 proposes to use, as a material of an electrode contacting an n+ silicon region, Er, Mg, Mn, Cd, Hf, Y, or Zr each having a work function close to −4.05 eV which is a work function of the n+ silicon region, and to use, as a material of an electrode contacting a p+ silicon region, Pd, Pt, Co, Ni, or Ir each having a work function close to −5.15 eV which is a work function of the p+ silicon region.
However, Patent Document 1 does not sufficiently clarify which of the above-mentioned materials is practically preferable. Further, according to the knowledge of the present inventors, oxygen is inevitably mixed into a silicide and a gate metal during heat treatment for silicide formation or the like at a contact portion. This results in a problem that an increase of a resistance of the contact silicide or the gate metal is inevitable.

Contact formation method, semiconductor device manufacturing method, and semiconductor device

Abstract: In a state where a first metal layer in contact with a semiconductor is covered with a second metal layer for preventing oxidation, only the first metal layer is silicided to form a silicide layer with no oxygen mixed therein. As a material of the first metal layer, a metal having a work function difference of a predetermined value from the semiconductor is used. As a material of the second metal layer, a metal which does not react with the first metal layer at an annealing temperature is used.

National University Corporation Tohoku University

Foundation for Advancement of International Science


A solenoid valve of a type wherein a yoke is provided thereon with a coil, a plunger arranged in the yoke coaxial therewith so as to be brought into a linear movement upon excitation of the coil and characterized in that a coating, such as Teflon.RTM., is provided on at least one of an outer surface of the plunger and an inner surface of the yoke.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to a solenoid valve for use with a transmission device in automotive vehicles and, in particular, to a linear solenoid valve wherein a plunger is brought into linear movement when current is applied to a coil.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A conventional solenoid valve such as one disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. Hei. 6 (1994)-123378 includes a coil wound around a bobbin, first and second yokes mounting thereon opposite sides of the bobbin, respectively, first and second bearings disposed in the respective first and second yokes, and a plunger disposed within the bobbin such that opposite ends of the plunger are supported by the respective first and second bearings, the plunger being brought into linear mode movement upon excitation of the coil.
For establishing smooth or reliable movement of the plunger, magnetic isolation between the plunger and each yoke must be formed in a uniform manner. To this end, in the conventional solenoid valve, an air gap is defined between the plunger and the yoke which is in the form of an annular ring in cross-section.
On the other hand, the plunger sometimes comes out of alignment with each of the yokes or an inclination condition may occur due to an assembly error of the bearing to the corresponding yoke.
Thus, the air gap should be of a sufficient width to prevent direct contact between the plunger and each yoke even though the plunger is brought into the inclination condition.
Such an air gap of sufficient width constitutes dead space in the solenoid valve, however, resulting in a solenoid valve larger in scale.


A remote control system for actuating a central vacuum system from a remote location such as a vacuum cleaning hose handle that includes an air flow sensor. In the preferred embodiment, a small, lightweight vacuum sensor and a sensor amplifier that is connected to an LED bar graph meter and a comparator circuit are installed in the remote control hose handle. A low voltage power signal is transmitted through the vacuum cleaner hose and to the remote control handle for the purpose of providing electrical current to power the central vacuum system. The vacuum sensor will enable the consumer to instantly know if the vacuum is producing enough air flow to get proper cleanability. The sensor will also notify the consumer if the vacuum cleaner has a full bag or a problem at the vacuum unit, such as a clogged screen. The low voltage control signal travels from the remote control handle through the power supply wires running the length of the vacuum hose, which are preferably covered by a sleeve, such as of cloth or plastic, then into the vacuum cleaning motor. An electrical relay located near or inside the central vacuum cleaning system receives the control signal from the hose wiring and processes it to start or stop a central vacuum system main motor.

Central vacuum systems are popular in a variety of buildings, notably family residences. A typical central vacuum system includes a vacuum pump connected to an electric motor for driving it, a plenum for generating a vacuum and duct work to another plenum for collecting debris in a vessel such as a bag and allowing exhaust air to be vented. The motor, vacuum pump and plenums are generally located in the basement or other relatively remote location within a house. A network of tubing or ducts connects the central vacuum cleaner to each of the rooms to be serviced. One or more vacuum hose connection points are located in each of the rooms to be serviced. These openings are generally covered by an air tight flap or valve to prevent the induction of air through unused openings and to maintain a vacuum within the system. A hose with a wand end is connected to one of the connection point openings when that room is to be vacuumed. The wand normally includes a handle for the user to hold and a suction head for drawing in the air and collected debris.
Difficulties with prior central vacuum systems lie with turning the central vacuum motor on and off, conveniently and reliably, determining whether the vacuum is in fact doing its job and producing enough air flow to get proper cleanability, or whether the bag or vessel for collecting debris is full. The distance from the location from the wand, or working point, to the central pump motor, generally prohibits a switch located on the vacuum motor. Because of the normal basement location of a central pump motor, climbing up and down stairs every time the user desires to use a system is inconvenient and tiring. As a result, several approaches to this problem of providing a convenient switch for operating the vacuum motor and for determining proper cleanability have been developed in the prior art.
One such attempted resolution involved mounting an electrical switch on the handle of the portable hose and routing two low voltage wires along the hose to a coupling ring on the end of the hose. When the hose is fastened to the wall opening outlet, as by use of a bayonet mount or screw mount, contact points on the coupling ring engage matching contact points on the fitting in the wall opening. The contact points on the wall opening fixture are connected to a light gauge wire pair that runs along a tubing to an electrical relay which switches the vacuum motor on and off. This system suffers from the serious disadvantages of not telling the operator how well the system is operating or giving the operator any kind of diagnostic tool that would indicate the proper system operation. The prior art only tells the operator whether the vacuum motor is operating or not operating.
An alternative approach to solving this problem is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,829,626, issued to Harkonen et al. on May 16, 1989. Harkonen discloses a method for controlling a vacuum cleaner that includes a battery operated electrical sound signal generator mounted in the handle of the wand. When the signal generator is activated, it generates and transmits a signal to the tubing, which in turn is sensed by an electrical relay which generates an electrical pulse to start the motor of the vacuum cleaner. In the Harkonen system, when an operating lever located in the handle is moved to the on position, a flap in the wand opens, allowing air to be drawn through the wand and the network of tubing to the vacuum cleaner and permitting the sound generated by the electrical signal generator to travel more easily to the electrical relay equipment located close to the vacuum cleaner motor. The sound signal is only generated momentarily in order to start the motor. Once the sound signal has been transmitted for the predetermined brief time, the sound generator is turned off. If the motor has started as intended, the motor keeps running until the flow of air through the system is blocked. It is intended that the flap and the hose near the wand be manually swung into a position across the inlet of the hose, thereby blocking the flow of air. Then a detector detects the stopping of the flow of air and in response, turns off the vacuum motor.
This proposed solution suffers also from several disadvantages. First, a chemical battery is required for operating a sound generator. The battery will necessarily run down and require replacement. More importantly, if the operator is not careful in the use of the machine, an old or run-down battery may leak corrosive chemicals into the sensitive and delicate sound generation equipment, ruining it. The battery and sound generator combination also occupy a significant volume within the handle of the wand, making the wand heavier, larger and more unwieldy.
Perhaps, the greatest difficulty with the method of Harkonen lies in the means for stopping the vacuum cleaner. In the normal course of using a vacuum cleaner, many possible events that could block the flow of air through the hose suggest Harkonen themselves. In some cases, merely pressing the vacuum head hard against a surface to be vacuumed can block the flow of air sufficiently to cause the vacuum motor to stop. This is particularly the case when the vacuum head is operated near or on non-porous materials. Further, items too large to pass conveniently through the tubing may be inadvertently sucked into the vacuum head, thereby turning it off.
Accordingly, there is a need for a remote control switching system for central vacuum systems that can reliably be turned on from the wand and that can provide instant indication of the cleanability of the vacuum cleaner system. Additionally, there is a need for a central vacuum system that includes a monitoring function to evaluate unit performance and signal when the vessel for collecting debris such as a bag is full or there is a clogged screen.

Low voltage central vacuum control handle with an air flow sensor


Techniques are provided for executing, by one or more first processors, one or more software products associated with a measured usage pricing model. An indication is received, during the execution of the software products, to execute a set of diagnostic machine instructions related to the execution of the software products. Responsive to that received indication, the one or more first processors initiate execution, by one or more distinct second processors, of the set of diagnostic machine instructions. The initiating of the execution by the distinct second processors of that set of diagnostic machine instructions is based at least in part on such execution not being associated with the measured usage pricing model.

This disclosure relates to a method and a system to decrease measured usage license charges for diagnostic data collection.
Much of the software used on mainframe computers, minicomputers, work stations, and personal computers consists of proprietary software licensed from software vendors. Like book publishers, many software vendors retain the copyright on their products, and a software product license usually restricts the licensee's use of the product in several ways.
Certain software products may be obtained under a perpetual license, which is equivalent to buying a copy of a book. However, a software product may also be licensed based on appropriate usage metrics associated with amounts of defined computing resources utilized by the software product during execution. For example, a sorting product might be licensed based on how many sort operations the licensee uses it for. Alternatively, such software may be licensed based on the number of bytes of data sorted, on the number of records sorted, or on some combination of these factors. A product providing database inquiry capability might be licensed based on the number of inquiries performed, perhaps weighted by the complexity level of each inquiry. A product that performs a number of disparate scientific or engineering calculations might assign a charge-value for each type of calculation and base license fees on the aggregate of these values. Alternatively, the software product may instead simply keep track of the total CPU-time used in performing calculations and base licenses on this value.
The collection and capture of diagnostic data for software products is often advantageous for averting errors or unexpected results in a computing environment. Time and resources are typically spent determining the root cause of the error or unexpected result. Typically, insufficient documentation is collected on the operating systems to allow a complete diagnosis to be performed. Clients and testers are required to recreate error situations to attempt to gather additional documentation on a subsequent failure. By the time a software problem percolates up to the operating system, making itself known, the initial problem may have already disappeared from traces, making the debugging of the initial problem difficult. In contrast, First Failure Data Capture (FFDC) typically reduces corresponding Hours Per Problem (HPP) required to diagnose errors or unexpected results.
Thus, capturing diagnostic data during the initial occurrence of an error or unexpected result may be advantageous in various manners, including to prevent a user or customer of such software from spending additional time and resources to recreate the error or unexpected result. However, such diagnostic data capture results in additional computing resource usage, and may therefore result in additional monetary usage fees according to a measured usage pricing model associated with the applicable software license. Consequently, users of such software may be averse to invoking diagnostic data collection in an attempt to avoid the additional monetary usage fees associated with the resultant increased usage of computing resources. This aversion may hinder software support efforts, and often requires the customer to recreate a problem with appropriate diagnostics in place, which defeats the point of First Failure Data Capture (FFDC).
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a method and system to alleviate disincentives associated with invoking diagnostic data collection for software associated with measured usage pricing models.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method and system to decrease measured usage license charges for diagnostic data collection

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION


Pattern-forming material useful in producing highly accurate submicron patterns having unusually high aspect ratios at superior resolutions are obtained by using a solvent-soluble polyorganosiloxane having SiO.sub.4/2 units and at least one other organosiloxane unit which contains a high energy radiation sensitive group. The polyorganosiloxane has a softening temperature greater than room temperature.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a negative pattern-forming material for the purpose of forming highly accurate patterns in desired configurations on a substrate. In particular, the present invention relates to a pattern-forming material which is ideal as a mask highly resistant to the dry etching of an underlying organic material, for example, an organic insulating material or an organic planarizing layer as used in multilayer resist methods, as encountered in, for example, microprocesses in the fabrication of semiconductor devices. The present invention also relates to a pattern formation method which uses the aforesaid pattern-forming material.
2. Background Information
According to current trends toward higher densities in semiconductor devices, for example, in IC's and LSI's, both a microminiaturization of unit elements and a reduction in pattern line widths are underway, and submicron patterns will be entering into the stage of practical utilization. With regard to the formation of the corresponding micropatterns, within the field of photolithography attention has been directed at lithography using, for example, deep UV, electron beams, and X-rays, as exposure sources having excellent short-time resolving powers among the various wavelengths. In order to form high-resolution high-aspect ratio resist micropatterns using this type of lithography, the resist film must be thin and must also have a uniform thickness in order to minimize effects such as, for example, backscatter from the substrate and forward scatter. However, as in the case when circuitry has already been formed prior to such a resist coating, or in the case of the formation of multilayer circuitry or elements with a three-dimensional array structure, among others, the substrate on which the resist pattern must be formed is often not flat, and it is very difficult to form thin, defect-free (e.g., without pinholes, etc.) resist layers on such substrates. Furthermore, when the resist surface is not flat as a consequence of substrate topography, effects such as a variable electron beam dosage and scatter readily occur, and it becomes difficult to direct the process toward the formation of a micropattern with the desired layout. This makes it necessary to increase the film thickness in order to planarize the resist surface. Furthermore, a too thin resist film is undesirable from the standpoint of its resistance to dry etching, which has recently entered into widespread use.
Multilayer resist strategies have been proposed in order to meet these conflicting demands. For example, in a trilayer structure, the substrate is planarized by a first layer of an organic polymer, and this is covered with an intermediate layer of an inorganic material which is highly resistant to oxygen ion etching, for example, a silicon dioxide film or vapor-deposited metal film. On this is then formed a thin resist layer. It is this resist layer which is patterned by exposure and development, and the obtained resist pattern is then used as a mask for processing of the intermediate layer by dry etching. The image patterned into the intermediate layer is then used as a mask for the processing of the thick organic polymer first layer by oxygen ion etching, thus finally providing a micropattern on the substrate. The third layer, the resist layer, is removed during the ion etch.
With regard to the advantages of this trilayer resist approach, it becomes possible to obtain an ultramicrofine pattern through the use of a thin resist third layer, and the use of a highly dry etch-resistant organic polymer layer as the first layer makes it possible to obtain a highly dry etch-resistant resist film.
However, this methodology has the disadvantage of substantially increasing the number of processes. A bilayer resist strategy has been proposed in response to this. In the bilayer resist approach, a thin resist layer is placed on an organic polymer layer. After formation of a resist pattern, it is used as a mask for etching the organic polymer using an oxygen plasma. Thus, in a bilayer resist, the upper resist layer must have a fairly good oxygen plasma resistance, that is, resistance to oxygen ion etching, at the same time that it has a high sensitivity and high resolvability. Resist materials having a good oxygen ion-etch resistance have been proposed in the form of silicon-containing polymers into which highly sensitive groups have been introduced as described by Nippon Electric KK in Japanese Patent Application Laid Open [Kokai or Unexamined] Numbers 58-207041 [ 207,041/83], published Dec. 2, 1983; by Nippon Telegraph and Telephone in Japanese Laid Open Application No. 60-212756 [ 212,756/85], published Oct. 25, 1985; and by Nippon Telegraph and Telephone in Japanese Laid Open Application No. 61-20032 [ 20,032/86]), published Jan. 28, 1986.

Polysiloxane pattern-forming material with SiO.sub.4/2 units and pattern formation method using same


A method includes, when a UE enters a first core network device and performs a location update, determining, by the first core network device and at least according to that a timer does not time out, that context information of the UE is available, and sending, by the first core network device, to a second core network device, a location update request that includes information that the context information of the UE is available. The method further includes executing, by the first core network device, the location update at least according to saved context information of the UE. The timer is sent to the first core network device by the second core network device before the UE enters the first core network device and when the UE leaves the first core network device and performs the location update. Alternatively, the timer is saved in the first core network device in advance.

With the development of technologies, 3G technologies have already been widely applied, such as WCDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access), CDMA2000 (Code Division Multiple Access 2000) and TD-SCDMA (Time Division-Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access).
However, 2G networks have been constructed for a long time, so coverage of the 2G networks is better than coverage of 3G networks, and this phenomenon will not change in the short term. Therefore, most of current 3G terminals are 2G/3G dual-mode mobile phones supporting a 2G network and a 3G network simultaneously, such as a WCDMA/GSM (Global System of Mobile communication) dual-mode mobile phone, and a TD-SCDMA/GSM dual-mode mobile phone.
Generally, an existing 2G/3G dual-mode terminal preferably camps in a 3G network, and when a coverage problem occurs in the 3G network, the terminal reselects or is handed over to a 2G network, and when the 3G network is restored to normality, the terminal reselects or is handed back over to the 3G network. That is, the terminal performs a location update between the 2G network and the 3G network. However, a process in which the terminal frequently performs location updates will cause frequent access to a network element (such as a home subscriber server (HSS) or home location register (HLR)) of a core network, which results in overload of the network element of the core network.

Location update processing method and device


A simple means is used to realize a virtual network communication via an home network and Internet. A relay device 4 comprises bridge module 12 provided between a network protocol stack 13 and each of network devices 10, 11 for bridging for packets which are not addressed to the relay device or VLAN, or not broadcast request packets; a server address storage section 17 for storing the global address of a server; a tunneling session establishing section 20 for establishing a tunneling connection with the server based on the global address; a capsulating processing section 21 for capsulating a originating address and sending it to the server via the tunneling connection; and a virtual IP address/private IP address conversion section 22 for decapsulating a packet addressed to the relay device, converting a destination virtual network address included in this packet to a private IP address on the LAN of a client apparatus, and sending it onto the LAN via the bridge module.

In a service delivery environment through public networks centered around the Internet, values of all information are generally concentrated on a server side rather than a client side.
In other words, each client (terminal device) is basically a mere viewer browsing information on the Internet. Each client issues requests for various information to the Internet, which in return may obtain such information for the client. It means that all information is collected on the Internet and it only offers formulaic information unidirectionally. For this reason, it is difficult for manufacturers of client terminal devices to create an added value.
In order to change such a circumstance, the server-client relationship must be reversed by inverting the access direction. That is, when there is a home network connected to the Internet, it is necessary to create an environment for allowing the Internet to access the home network to receive a service therefrom.
To achieve this, each apparatus connected to the home network must be uniquely identifiable from the Internet, and intra-home routing and security problems must be solved. One of the technologies to address this issue is the IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6).
However, considering the environment surrounding the current carriers and Internet service providers in Japan, it may be considerably long before IPv6 becomes widespread. For example, the currently used IPv4 machines need at least 2 to 3 years for their depreciation and IPv6 service is offered on a test basis only.
In order to immediately achieve an IPv6-enabled network, manufacturers must expand their business to ISP level services, which is very costly and unrealistic for most of them. Since existing home networks vary broadly in their structures and also in connection mechanisms depending on the carrier and ISP, there is a need for a mechanism for absorbing all these differences to achieve the IPv6 environment with a standardized approach.
The Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2001-274845 (JP-A-2001-274845) discloses pertinent prior art, although it does not contradict with novelty and inventive step of the present invention.
In the conventional IPv4 environment, the following problems arise in an attempt to achieve such bidirectional accesses as would be possible in IPv6 networks between the home network and the Internet.
For example, when installing a network home appliance at home in the current IPv4 environment, the appliance should be connected to a router connected to the Internet through the home network. Accordingly, an IP address of the network home appliance becomes a private address and cannot be accessed from non-home network.
Thus an access to the network home appliance has been conventionally achieved by employing a dedicated router capable of controlling the network home appliance, or by first accumulating information for controlling the home network appliance at a data center provided on the Internet and then retrieving the information by performing polling from the network home appliance.
However, such a dedicated router decreases the system's versatility and increases the cost. When retrieving the control information by polling, real time accesses cannot be made and the network and server load increases.
In order to overcome these challenges, a network connection method and a relay device were disclosed by the present assignee in International Application PCT/JP 2005/9280, filed on May 20, 2005, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. This invention enables bidirectional communications between the home network and the Internet by relatively simple means by establishing a tunneling connection session between a computer system in a private network and an InterServer on the Internet.
However, the relay device disclosed in the above application mainly operates as a router or is installed in the form of a virtual device driver and a program in each client apparatus and therefore further improvement may be possible. That is, there can be provided means for operating as a non-router and establishing a connection similar to one in the above disclosure even on networks connected with apparatuses such as printers, cameras, and scanners in which said means cannot be installed as a virtual device driver and the like.
Considering the above situation, the purpose of the present invention is to provide an Internet connection system for enabling virtual network communications via the home network and the Internet by relatively simple means without having to switch routers in a private network environment connected to apparatuses with no virtual device driver installable.

Relay device and method for connecting client apparatus with server


An improved firearm laser sight comprising a pattern generating element and an enlarging lens for enhanced projection of sight patterns onto an intended target is disclosed. The device is meant to be an accessory for firearms of all types by comprising any standardized methods for attachment, and may serve to decrease the time needed to acquire an intended target before firing. The device may implement a variety of sight patterns that may be projected larger and in a more pronounced way, when compared to standard firearm sights, to provide a clear image that may be quickly acquired even over longer distances. The improved firearm laser sight may be made available with a red or green visible laser, an infrared laser, or an ultraviolet light depending on the intended use of the device.

A firearm sight is an aiming device used to assist in visually aligning ranged weapons onto an intended target. One type of firearm sight is a reflector sight, or a reflex sight, which may be an optical device comprising a reflecting glass element and an illuminated projection of an aiming point superimposed on the field of view. One specific type of reflector sight is a red dot sight, which may be a non-magnifying sight comprising a light-emitting diode (LED) at the focus of collimating optics that may generate a dot-style illuminated reticle that stays in alignment with the weapon to which it is attached regardless of eye position. Such sights may assist in target acquisition speed and tracking of moving targets, though require a user of the firearm to be viewing the intended target through the sight itself as no visual indication of aim is being projected beyond the sight hardware.
By contrast, a laser sight is a type of firearm sight that may comprise a visible-light laser, infrared laser, or a combination thereof to project a beam of light parallel to the barrel of the weapon to which it is attached. Such a beam of light may be viewed by a user of the weapon without viewing the intended target through the sight itself. Such a device provides the advantage of allowing a user of the weapon to remain focused on the intended target regardless of the weapon's position. However, the use of laser beams causes the visibility of the beam of light to be problematic (e.g., too large, low brightness) at long distances. Such sizing of a conventional laser dot, especially at long distances, may result in a user of the weapon having difficulty in finding the laser dot being projected from their weapon. Further, in sights where multiple conventional laser dots are used, the dots become skewed on angled targets, especially at long distances.
Therefore, there is a need in the art for a sight that improves on the ability to show precisely where a single projectile will hit at a time on flat, angled, or uneven surfaces, and at long distances.


A substrate in an array substrate includes a light aperture region and a winding region arranged around the light aperture region. On the substrate, an orthographic projection of a first winding in each first signal line is overlapped with an orthographic projection of a second winding in a corresponding second signal line. In this way, the distance between two adjacent signal lines in the winding region is larger, and the parasitic capacitance generated between them is smaller.

With respect to a full-screen display device, the size of a display screen can be increased without increasing the overall size of the display device due to higher screen-to-body ratio (generally up to 80% or even more than 90%). Generally, the front side of the full-screen display device (i.e., the side that is coplanar with the display surface) needs to be equipped with various photosensitive sensors such as cameras or light sensors. In order not to affect the screen-to-body ratio of the full-screen display device, a light aperture may be provided in the display screen of the full-screen display device, and it is necessary to ensure that the area where the light aperture is disposed is within the display region of the display screen. A photosensitive surface of the photosensitive sensor faces the light aperture, such that ambient light can pass through the light aperture and then enter the photosensitive surface of the photosensitive sensor, thereby allowing the photosensitive sensor to function properly.

ORDOS YUANSHENG OPTOELECTRONICS CO., LTD.


A fire-retardant adhesive and a fire-retardant adhesive film, which are suitable for producing flat cables using a non-halogen flame-retardant and have fire-retardant properties rivaling those of halogen flame-retardants while maintaining good electrical insulating properties, comprises (A) a polyester resin, (B) a nitrogen-containing organic flame-retardant and (C) a boron compound.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a fire-retardant adhesive containing a non-halogen flame-retardant with excellent insulating properties, a fire-retardant adhesive film and a flat cable that use the fire-retardant adhesive.
2. Description of the Related Art
Known are Flat cables with a structure where several conductors in lines are covered with 2 pieces of adhesive film where an adhesive layer has been formed on a base film. In recent years this type of flat cable has come to be widely used in AV equipments and computer equipments packaged in a high density.
However, the structural materials other than the conductors of flat cables (that is, the adhesive film comprised of a base film and an adhesive layer) must show good insulating properties and good fire-retardant properties in terms of their electrical use and fire prevention.
Therefore, for years halogen flame-retardants such as decabromodiphenyl ether and hexabromodiphenyl ether and auxiliary flame-retardants such as inorganic fillers (for example, silica, clay and antimony compounds) have been added to the adhesive layer of an adhesive film used in flat cables. However, non-halogen flame-retardants have recently come to be used in place of halogen flame-retardants as the flame-retardant added to adhesive layers in view of the global environmental protection. For instance, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-338225 discloses the addition of a non-halogen flame-retardant such as red phosphorus, phosphoric acid ester and magnesium hydroxide to the polyester fire-retardant layer of adhesive tape for flat cables. Moreover, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-221642 discloses that a thermoplastic polyester resin base as an adhesive film for flat cables or the adhesive layer formed on the base is made fire-retardant by using a phosphorus flame-retardant.
However, when flat cables are used as the wiring for various products related to human safety such as the air bags in automobiles and medical equipments, they must have extremely high insulating properties (in concrete terms, at least 1010 xcexa9) in order to guarantee safety.
However, there are problems with the adhesive tape and the adhesive film disclosed in the above-mentioned patent documents in that the electrical resistance of the adhesive tape or the adhesive film cannot be increased enough because of the hygroscopicity or ionicity that the non-halogen flame-retardant that is used itself displays. Moreover, when compared to conventional halogen flame-retardants, the above-mentioned non-halogen flame-retardants intrinsically do not have sufficient fire-retardant properties and the non-halogen flame-retardant content of the adhesive layer must be increased in order to realize the desired insulating properties. Therefore, there is a problem in that the adhesive strength of the adhesive layer lowers and hence the adhesive layer and conductors readily peel apart when the flat cable is produced, or the bonding force of the adhesive layer lowers.
A object of the present invention is to solve the problems of prior art, and also to give fire-retardant properties rivaling that of halogen flame-retardants to fire-retardant adhesives and fire-retardant adhesive films that use a non-halogen flame-retardant and are useful for the production of fire retardant flat cables while retaining good electrical insulating properties and good adhesion.
The inventors successfully completed the present invention upon discovering that the above-mentioned object can be accomplished by using a polyester resin with relatively low hygroscopicity as the base resin for the fire-retardant adhesive and by using a nitrogen-containing organic flame-retardant (e.g. melamine) as the flame-retardant together with a boron compound as the auxiliary flame-retardant.
That is, the present invention provides a fire-retardant adhesive, comprising the following components (A), (B), and (C):
(A) a polyester resin;
(B) a nitrogen-containing organic flame-retardant; and
(C) a boron compound.
Moreover, the present invention provides a fire-retardant adhesive film, comprising an insulating base film and provided thereon a fire-retardant adhesive layer comprised of the above fire-retardant adhesive.
Furthermore, the present invention provides a flat cable in which an electrical conductor is covered with the fire-retardant adhesive film.

Fire-retardant adhesive, fire-retardant adhesive film using the same, and flat cable


A system and method for treating persister cells with an electrochemical process, alone or in combination with antibiotics. Weak electric currents are used to effectively eliminate persister cells and the efficacy can be further improved through synergistic effects with antibiotics. The method may be adapted for novel therapies of chronic infections and strategies to control persistent biofouling. The system has a broad spectrum applications in treating chronic and drug resistant infections, such as those caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Mycobacterium tuberculosis and methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and may also be used for decontamination of medical devices.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to electrochemical control of bacterial persister cells and, more particularly, the synergistic effect between weak electric currents and antibiotics on persister cells.
2. Description of the Related Art
Previous studies of persister cells have led to important discoveries that are shifting the paradigm of research in microbiology and antimicrobial therapy. It is now well recognized that subpopulations of bacterial cells in a culture can enter a dormant (non-growing) state that are extremely tolerant to a variety of unrelated stresses such as antibiotics and heat. Such heterogeneity has been reported to exist in even well mixed shake flask cultures at exponential phase. This phenotypic variation can lead to three subpopulations in a given culture including the normal cells, type I persister cells from the stationary inoculums and type II persister cells that are generated during growth. Persister cells are not mutants with drug resistant genes, but rather phenotypic variants of the wild-type strain. Persister cells neither die nor grow in the presence of an antibiotic, and when reinoculated, they grow into a normal culture with a similar percentage of cells as persisters, leading to high antibiotic tolerance.
Although persister cells normally only make up a small portion of the population, they play a critical role in antibiotic tolerance. Most antibiotics inhibit bacteria by targeting growth related cellular activities, e.g., protein, DNA, and cell wall syntheses. They can eliminate the majority of bacterial population by killing the normal cells. For persister cells, however, antibiotics can only repress but not eliminate this subpopulation because persister cells are non-growing dormant cells. Thus, the seeming disadvantage of being dormant in normal environment becomes an advantage for persister cells when being challenged by antibiotics. When the treatment is stopped, some persister cells revert back to normal cells and reestablish the population. Such tolerance leads to reoccurrence of infections and facilitate the development and spread of multidrug resistance through true mutations.
Recent research has demonstrated that persister cell formation increases significantly in stationary-phase cultures and the surface-attached highly hydrated structures known as biofilms. Formed in a dynamic process, mature biofilms typically have mushroom-like structures with cells embedded in a polysaccharide matrix secreted by the bound bacterial cells. Biofilm cells are up to 1000 times more tolerant to antibiotics and disinfectants compared to their planktonic counterparts. Thus, deleterious biofilms cause serious problems such as chronic infections in humans as well as persistent corrosion and equipment failure in industry. Although not completely understood at the molecular level, the biofilm-associated tolerance is due to several factors acting in concert. Bacterial cells in biofilm produce a polysaccharide matrix, which creates a physical barrier that retards or blocks the toxic compounds from reaching the cells. However, protection by the polysaccharide matrix can only partially explain the tolerance because at least some antibiotics can readily penetrate the matrix yet still can not eliminate biofilm cells. Biofilm mode of growth is also associated with changes in bacterial membrane structure and reduction in cell growth rate. The changes in membrane structure could reduce the permeability to toxic compounds, while the reduction in growth rate can lead to higher tolerance to growth-dependent killing by antibiotics. Increasing evidence suggests that the slow growth, especially that associated with persister cells, is the most challenging mechanism for treating chronic infections.

System and method for controlling bacterial persister cells with weak electric currents


A method and apparatus removes bias from an initial signal-to-interference ratio (SIR). In an exemplary embodiment, an initial SIR calculator in an SIR processor calculates the initial SIR based on the signal received by the wireless receiver, while an average SIR calculator in the SIR processor generates an average SIR. Using the average SIR, a bias remover removes the bias from the initial SIR.

The present invention relates generally to signal processing in a wireless network and more particularly to estimating a signal-to-interference ratio (SIR) in a wireless receiver.
Receivers in wireless networks typically calculate performance parameters to evaluate the receiver and/or to assess certain network level parameters, such as transmit power, data rate, etc. One performance parameter of particular interest to wireless receivers in a spread spectrum network is the signal-to-interference ratio (SIR) associated with the received signals. Conventional receivers typically calculate the SIR associated with the received signals and use the calculated SIR to adapt the network level parameters to current channel conditions. For example, the calculated SIR may be used to control mobile station transmit power, data transmission rate, mobile station scheduling, etc.
The accuracy of network adaptation to current channel conditions depends on the accuracy of the SIR estimates as well as the amount of time expended to generate the SIR estimates. Currently, there are many ways to estimate the SIR in a spread spectrum network. For example, the receiver may use a combination of chip samples and despread symbols to estimate the SIR. While this approach may provide accurate SIR estimates in a timely manner, this approach requires a complex receiver architecture with access to both chip samples and despread values.
Another receiver may use symbol estimates provided by a RAKE receiver output to estimate the SIR. However, because current RAKE output symbols correspond to symbols received well in the past, the resulting SIR does not correspond to current receiver performance and channel conditions. Therefore, while this approach requires a significantly less complex receiver architecture, the resulting SIR estimates are insufficient for real-time operations, such as power control, rate adaptation, etc.
Still other receivers may use despread symbols (pilot or data) to generate a finger SIR for each finger of a RAKE receiver. Summing the finger SIRs provides an SIR estimate that may be used for real-time operations. However, because the despread symbols typically contain a considerable amount of noise, the resulting SIR estimate is often biased. Conventional networks may remove this bias by subtracting an estimate of the bias from the current SIR estimate. However, the bias estimation process can overestimate the bias. As a result, using subtraction to remove the bias can result in negative, and therefore inaccurate, SIR estimates.


A data identifier for each data portion of a first group of different data portions of a first version of data is determined. The first version of the data is represented in a tree structure that references the determined data identifiers. A second version of the data is represented in a second tree structure using at least a portion of elements of the first tree structure of the first version. The second tree structure references one or more data identifiers of a portion of the second version of the data that is different from the first version of the data. The one or more data identifiers of the portion of the second version of the data that is different from the first version of the data are identified and sent. A response indicating which of the data portions corresponding to the sent one or more data identifiers are requested to be provided for replication is received.

Often, file system data needs to be replicated from one site to another site. The replicated data may be comprised of large amounts of data (e.g., gigabytes, terabytes, petabytes, etc.). However, merely copying data from one site to another takes a long period of time. It is also possible that copying the data may cause the other site to store duplicative data. Thus, a faster and more efficient way to replicate data is needed.

Replication of data using chunk identifiers


A method for forming shallow trench isolations includes the steps of defining a wafer substrate, forming a silicon dioxide insulating layer on the substrate, depositing a silicon nitride layer on the silicon dioxide insulating layer, and forming at least one trench in the substrate through the silicon dioxide and silicon nitride layers. The method also includes the steps of depositing a silicon dioxide layer over the silicon nitride layer and in the trench, removing the silicon dioxide layer deposited over the silicon nitride layer, anisotropically etching the silicon dioxide layer to produce silicon dioxide sidewalls in the trench contiguous with the silicon nitride layer, isotropically etching to remove the sidewalls and removing the silicon nitride layer.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains in general to shallow trench isolations in a semiconductor device and, more particularly, to a method of forming substantially planar shallow trench isolations.
2. Description of the Related Art
Shallow trench isolations ("STIs") are used for device isolation in an integrated circuit. A conventional process of forming STIs begins by defining a wafer substrate. An insulating layer of silicon dioxide is then grown over the substrate, followed by depositing a layer of silicon nitride over the insulating layer. After shallow trenches are patterned and formed in the device substrate and through the insulating layer and the silicon nitride layer, silicon dioxide is deposited, filling the trenches and in the process forming a layer over the silicon nitride layer. Silicon dioxide deposited over the silicon nitride layer is removed, usually with chemicalmechanical polishing ("CMP"), to obtain a substantially planar surface.
However, the silicon dioxide layer, deposited by a conventional low pressure chemical vapor deposition ("LPCVD") technique, is often thicker at the wafer edge, or "bowl-shaped." As a result, the CMP process that leaves a substantially planar surface would also leave silicon dioxide residues over the silicon nitride layer at the wafer edge. If the residues are not removed, they act as a mask and prevent subsequent removal of the silicon nitride layer. If, however, the wafer is intentionally over-polished during the CMP process to remove the silicon dioxide at the wafer edge, the STIs closer to the center of the wafer will become bowl-shaped, i.e., nonplanar, which may impede subsequent STI formation process steps.
The process continues by etching back the silicon dioxide in the trenches using a buffered oxide etch ("BOE"), a type of isotropic etching, to yield a planar surface. The silicon nitride layer serves as an etch stop for the BOE. This is followed by the removal of the silicon nitride layer with hot phosphoric acid H.sub.3 PO.sub.4.
This conventional STI formation process, however, often leaves microtrenches that result in nonplanarity of the oxide surface, at the interface between the silicon dioxide in the trenches and the device substrate. The micro-trenches present an impediment to subsequent device formation processes. The formation of microtrenches is largely due to the BOE that leaves undesired micro-trenches between the etched material and etch-stop. When the etch-stop, i.e., silicon nitride, is stripped, the micro-trenches remain.
FIG. 1 illustrates the resulting structure. Referring to FIG. 1, micro-trenches 2 are formed at the interface between silicon substrate 4 and silicon dioxide 6 in shallow trenches 8.

Method for forming shallow trench isolations


The present disclosure belongs to the technical field of organic materials, and provides an organic compound. An adamantane spirofluorenyl and an anthryl are connected to obtain a novel compound for an organic electroluminescence device. In this compound, adamantane in the adamantane spirofluorene greatly increases the density of electron clouds on the fluorenyl through the hyperconjugation effect, which reduces the HOMO energy level of the compound and improves the hole migration ability. Both the adamantane spirofluorene and the anthryl have high hole mobility, so when the two are connected, the overall hole mobility of molecules is further improved, which is beneficial to reducing the working voltage of the device and improving the luminous efficiency. The present disclosure further provides an electronic component and an electronic apparatus including the compound. The organic compound can improve the performance of the electronic component.

An organic electroluminescent device, also known as an organic light-emitting diode, refers to a phenomenon that an organic light-emitting material is excited by current to emit light under the action of an electric field. It is a process of converting electrical energy into light energy. Compared with inorganic light-emitting materials, the organic electroluminescent device OLED has the advantages of active light emission, large optical path range, low driving voltage, high brightness, high efficiency, low energy consumption and simple manufacturing process. Just because of these advantages, organic light-emitting materials and devices have become one of the most popular scientific research topics in the scientific and industrial circles.
The organic electroluminescent device generally includes an anode, a hole transport layer, an electroluminescent layer as an energy conversion layer, an electron transport layer, and a cathode that are stacked in sequence. When voltage is applied to the cathode and the anode, the two electrodes generate an electric field. Under the action of the electric field, electrons on the cathode side move to the electroluminescent layer, and holes on the anode side also move to the electroluminescent layer. The electrons and the holes are combined in the electroluminescent layer to form excitons, and the excitons are in an excited state to release energy outward, which in turn enables the electroluminescent layer to emit light to the outside.
In the prior art, CN106206964, WO2011010843, etc. disclose electroluminescent layer materials that can be used in organic electroluminescent devices. However, it is still necessary to continue to develop new materials to further improve the performance of electronic components.
The above information in the background is only used to enhance the understanding of the background of the disclosure, so it may include information that does not constitute the prior art known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

Organic compound, organic electroluminescent device and electronic apparatus

SHAANXI LIGHTE OPTOELECTRONICS MATERIAL CO., LTD.


A method and corresponding apparatus for calculating the centroid of a fragment to be rendered is disclosed. The method calls for moving the sampling point of a pixel from its initial center point to the center of the fragment containing a portion of an image to be rendered. The method comprises the steps of receiving a coverage mask containing at least one sample point of the pixel fragment under consideration; determining which of the sample points are within the fragment; determining a value representative of the number of sample points that are within the fragment; determining offset values of the fragment centroid based on the number of sample points within the fragment; and determining the barycentric coordinates of the centroid of the fragment. The centroid of the fragment is where sampling of the primitive will occur. By sampling at the centroid of the fragment, rendered image quality is improved due to the reduced anti-aliasing effects at the edges of the primitive.

The present invention generally relates to graphics processing and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for determining the centroid of an image fragment to be sampled.
In computer graphics applications, complex shapes and structures are formed through the sampling, interconnection and rendering of more simple shapes, referred to as primitives. An example of such a primitive is a triangle. Physical attributes such as color, shading and texture are often applied to the rendered primitives to make them look more realistic.
Primitives and the attributes they possess are defined in part by the vertices thereof. Known techniques for applying attributes to a primitive include interpolating the attributes from the vertices of the primitive. Such interpolation is accomplished by sampling the plurality of pixels that comprise the primitive at their corresponding center points. The sampling is generally performed in a graphics processor by a raster engine or suitable circuitry.
The raster engine uses barycentric coordinates of the vertices of the primitives to interpolate attribute values for the individually sampled pixels. The barycentric coordinates are comprised of a weight that is applied to the respective vertex coordinates of the primitive. Each weight at a barycentric coordinate within the triangle has a value between zero and one, inclusive and the sum of the weights at each position is always one. After the raster engine has sampled the pixels, and the physical attributes applied thereto, the sampled primitive is then transferred to an image buffer. The contents of the image buffer are later displayed on a suitable display device.
A drawback associated with conventional sampling methods, occurs when using a multisampling algorithm to render an anti-aliased image. Multisampling algorithms compute attribute values at more than one position within each pixel. As a result, the center of the pixel being sampled can be located outside of the primitive present therein. In other words, the primitive to be rendered may not cover the center of the pixel. Subsequently, if the pixel is sampled without including the entirety of the fragment contained therein, artifacts may be generated in the sampled pixel. This results in the rendered image containing wrongfully colored spots at various points thereof. Consequently, sampling at the center of a pixel when the primitive lies outside the center of the pixel results in degraded rendered image quality.
Thus, there is a need for an improved sampling method and apparatus which provides for the center point of the fragment of a primitive to be rendered always being sampled notwithstanding the location within a pixel.

Barycentric centroid sampling method and apparatus


A barrel has an inner tube with a chamber at one end and a muzzle at the other. The barrel guides projectiles such as bullets as they are accelerated by a propellant. The inner tube has an aperture near its front end. Propellant passes through the aperture into a propellant chamber formed by the inner tube and an outer tube positioned about and secured to the inner tube. A plurality of ribs extend between the inner and outer tubes. Also, a coolant may be inserted into the propellant chamber to escape through the muzzle with the propellant after the projectile exits the muzzle.

1. Field
The present invention relates to barrels for guiding a projectile through an internal bore, and, more particularly, to a gun barrel having a vent chamber.
2. State of the Art
In a typical barrel, a projectile such as a bullet is typically "fired" from a case by propelling the bullet through the barrel by a propellant. Although gunpowder is typical, other propellants may be used such as compressed gases. A tight seal is formed between the barrel and the bullet to prevent escape of propellant past the bullet.
Effective stoppage of the propellant gas within the barrel is referred to as obturation. Obturation, as generally used with regard to ordnance, refers to the function of the two enclosing seals that trap propellant gas within a gun's barrel and chamber. For a typical rifle, the two gas-tight seals are the closure of the breech by an expanded case supported by a locked bolt and the seal between the bullet and the barrel rifling. That is, in the firing of a rifle, typically the high-pressure gas formed by the burning propellant is obturated by a brass case which expands and seals tightly against the chamber walls and by a portion of the soft outer jacket of the bullet which deforms against the surfaces of the barrel rifling. Obturation is lost as the bullet exits from the muzzle and gas escapes from the barrel. This coincides with the "bang" emitted by the gun.
For a typical weapon, the ejected gas is at very high pressure and temperature which leads to formation of an underexpanded supersonic flow field near the muzzle. This supersonic flow has a higher velocity than the bullet and at first overtakes and passes the bullet.
As the gas expands outward from the muzzle, the gas velocity decreases to subsonic velocity behind the advancing shock front. Turbulent shear mixing occurs between the supersonic stream and the surrounding atmosphere, forming a combustible mixture with the fuel-rich propellant gas. Although the pressure in the expanding gas is comparatively low, the temperature in the associated shock waves is comparable to the temperature of the gas inside the muzzle, and often above the ignition temperature of the gas stream. As a result, a second explosion of the propellant may occur after it has left the barrel. The second explosion may release as much energy as the initial burn of the propellant and far more noise. The atmospheric combustion or second explosion produces the luminous muzzle flash and muzzle blast over and above the normal gun report.
As a projectile leaves the barrel, it typically passes through a reversed turbulent flow, one or more shock fronts, and possible atmospheric explosions. These phenomena may degrade the accuracy of the weapon as well as cause harm to people nearby. All of these effects are related to the remaining gas in the barrel at loss of obturation. Muzzle brakes, silencers, and other devices which discharge the propellant gas at the muzzle or through ports to the atmosphere merely change the time and location for loss of obturation and do not mitigate the undesirable effects.
The pressurized propellant gas may be created in a variety of ways. In some low-energy devices such as pellet guns, air may be compressed into a chamber by a hand operated pump. When the trigger of the gun is operated (e.g., pulled), a valve is opened. In turn, the pressurized air (or gas) is released into one end of the tube or barrel behind the pellet, which is thereby accelerated through the barrel. As the pellet accelerates, the pressurized air expands and its pressure decreases.
In high energy devices, pressurized gas is created by igniting a propellant such as gun powder. A projectile such as a bullet is placed between the propellant and the throat of the barrel. Upon combustion of the propellant, a high-pressure gas is formed very rapidly to accelerate the bullet from the throat down the length of the barrel toward the muzzle. Typically, gas formation is substantially complete before the projectile exits the barrel.
In a typical gun, peak gas pressure is achieved before the projectile has traversed one-fifth of the distance through the bore. Accordingly, gas pressure is reduced considerably by further expansion when the projectile has reached the end of travel within the barrel. For example, in a high-powered sporting rifle, the peak pressure may be approximately 50,000 pounds per square inch. In contrast, just before the bullet exits the barrel, the pressure typically has declined to about 10,000 pounds per square inch. The bullet, however, accelerates throughout the entire length of travel in response to the pressure profile. Typically, more than 80% of final velocity is achieved by the midpoint of travel in the barrel. At 90% of travel, 98% of muzzle velocity has typically been reached.
In those arrangements where an effective seal is formed between the projectile and the barrel wall, the gas pressure is still considerable as the projectile reaches the muzzle. Obturation ends as the projectile leaves the tube and a pressure wave issues from the muzzle around the base of the projectile. The gas of the gun muzzle wave or blast at first, just outside the muzzle, is traveling faster than the bullet, causing an unstable environment for a short distance. Accuracy of the weapon may thereby be adversely affected. For example, any imperfections in the base of the bullet can create an uneven pressure profile across the base of the bullet and in turn affect the trajectory. Similarly, imperfections in the muzzle crown can misdirect the gas wave or introduce turbulence to disrupt the bullet trajectory.
In large weapons, the gas wave or blast may cause dust, dirt, and the like to be thrown into the air. The result may be obscured vision and other problems associated with airborne dust and grit. Further, the muzzle flash is due in part to incandescence of hot gas as it emerges from the gun and by secondary combustion of the propellant gas after mixing with oxygen in the atmosphere. The muzzle flash can interfere with vision and can otherwise be harmful.
To regulate or control gun recoil and jump, ported barrels have been employed. In a ported barrel, a port or aperture is disposed in the wall of the barrel to allow propellant gases to ventilate through the side of the barrel before the projectile exits the barrel. The gas escapes directly to the atmosphere through the port so that obturation ends. Based on the size of the port, the recoil and muzzle jump can be controlled. Recoil compensators such as the parted barrel diminish the forward momentum of the propellant gas by deflecting it radially from the muzzle. The lateral discharge of gas from a recoil compensator, however, causes an undesirable increase in noise and blast effect.
Ported barrels may also be used to reduce the report or sound as the bullet exits the muzzle. As shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,501,189 (Brandl, et al.), a port is formed in the barrel near the chamber for the purpose of dissipating propellant energy before the bullet has achieved full velocity. Bullet velocity is thus restrained to less than atmospheric sonic velocity. A chamber for receiving the discharged gas is connected to the port. The ported barrel construction of Brandl, et al., however, does not serve to silence muzzle blast. To regulate the blast, a muzzle-mounrws silencer is to be used because gas pressure remains somewhat high at the time of bullet exit from the muzzle.
As known, muzzle silencers, such as the one shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,776,093 (Leverance, et al.), may be attached at the muzzle end of the barrel. No modification of the barrel is typically required other than to provide a means of attachment. Muzzle silencers effectively reduce the sound of weapons even though the muzzle blast is still of full force. That is, the pressure has not been reduced prior to loss of obturation at the muzzle. Indeed, the effect of muzzle blast on the bullet when using a silencer is frequently worse than without the silencer. The bullet in free flight must travel through the turbulent gas in the silencer. In turn, the silencer may adversely affect accuracy.
Several other factors which affect the accuracy of a gun are barrel stiffness, barrel weight, and uneven heating of the barrel. Accuracy is typically degraded by flexure of a gun barrel during firing. A major purpose for barrel thickness and consequent weight is to provide added stiffness to improve the gun's accuracy. Barrel weight may also be increased to reduce recoil and "barrel jump," and to promote more even heating of the barrel during heavy use. Uneven heating of a gun barrel during rapid firing can cause distortion of the barrel and affect accuracy.
There remains a need for a gun barrel construction which reduces many of the deleterious effects from muzzle blast, inadequate barrel stiffness, and uneven heating of the barrel.


An information processing device includes a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory and configured to transmit, to a terminal, a program and a first identifier related to the program, the program being encrypted with a first public key corresponding to a first private key of the terminal, the first identifier being encrypted by using the first public key and a second public key not corresponding to the first private key; and when the terminal receives the first identifier decrypted by the first public key and encrypted by the second public key, register, in a blockchain, transaction information which includes the first identifier decrypted with the second private key corresponding to the second public key.

In recent software development, it is rare for a single engineer to manage the whole program, and it is actively practiced to incorporate processing for calling the API library into the program by using an application program interface (API) library provided by a cloud service. The provider of such an API library makes a profit on a service of providing the API library by charging a user according to the number of times the user calls the API library.
On the other hand, for users of the service as described above, it is important to guarantee reproducibility of the processing for calling the API library. However, generally, the contents of processing of the API library are black-boxed from the outside. Thus, when specifications of the contents of processing are changed in the service, an execution result may change over time for the user even from the processing for calling the same API. Thus, for example, it is conceivable to guarantee the reproducibility on the premise of reliability such that the provider of the API library discloses the history of changes in program specifications without tampering.
For example, Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2018-117287, Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2017-204704, Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2017-208085, Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2018-139068, International Publication Pamphlet No. WO 2019/004118, and the like are disclosed as related art.

Information processing device, information processing method, and storage medium


A driving method for LCD panels is disclosed, wherein the driver circuit includes multiple data line drivers and at least two gate line drivers, and the first gate line driver produces a normal image with sequential line scanning starting from the beginning of a frame, and the second gate line driver produces a dimmed image starting from a predetermined number of lines below at the same time to emulate one full sweep across a CRT. Therefore, a dimmed image is inserted into every digitized image, where a dimmed image is defined to be a digitized image with each pixel having a fraction 1/N of the original pixel value. The LCD panel drive using this driving method achieves performance closer to the impulse approach used in CRT displays, and the flickering phenomenon can be significantly rectified.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a driving method for liquid crystal display (LCD) panels, and in particular to a method for driving LCD panels by alternately displaying a dimmed image and a normal image in a single frame so that image display performance on LCD panels can be brought closer to the impulse approach used in cathode ray tube (CRT) displays, and the flickering phenomenon can be significantly rectified.
2. The Related Art
One effective method of improving the video display performance of and correcting the usual after-image phenomenon on LCD panels is to use pseudo-impulse drive (PID) technology, which enables the digitized image to more closely approach the performance of the impulse-emission of the CRT displays. Referring to FIGS. 1A-1C, the current method of pseudo impulse drive employs alternate display of a normal image 10 and an all-black image 20 to emulate the impulse emission of the CRT.
FIG. 5 shows an LCD panel 34 having multiple data lines connected to multiple data line drivers 31 and multiple gate lines connected to two gate line drivers 32, 33 for displaying a digitized image. A pixel in the digitized image is displayed in an overlapping area between a data line and a gate line. A selection rule is defined for selection from at least two gate line drivers of the PID, one of which is selected as the first gate line driver and the other as the second gate line driver so that the first and second gate line drivers alternately output a normal image 10 and an all-black image 20 in a single frame.
The first gate line driver starts to scan from the first line to the eleventh line one line at a time sequentially downward, as shown in FIG. 1A, to produce a normal image 10, and the second gate line driver starts to scan from the 241st line down to the 251st line sequentially downward, as shown in FIG. 1B, to produce an all-black image 20 until the bottom is reached. Thereafter, the first gate line driver then continues with the normal image 10 from the 241st line, and the second gate line driver then continues with the all-black image 20 from the 1st line as shown in FIG. 1C, and the line scanning proceeds in such a manner until all gate lines connected to the first and second gate line drivers are used, thus emulating a full sweep across the display screen.
As shown in FIG. 1C, before part of the normal image 10 is displayed, the gate lines starting from the 241st line were first used to display part of an all-black image 20 as shown in FIG. 1A, so the drive voltage of all pixels on the 241st line and following lines has been restored to non-emission state after the all-black image 20. Therefore, when the first gate line driver starts the line scanning from the 241st line to produce part of the normal image 10, the pixels of the 241st line and lines following undergo a voltage change very much like the impulse emission of the CRT, to more closely emulate the impulse drive of the CRT.
However, if the refresh rate of the LCD panel is only 60 Hz, using the above PID method to drive an LCD panel, the high-speed switching between all-black images 20 and normal images 10 could easily produce flickering phenomenon to the human eyes. Further, the all-black image 20 could be inserted before the normal image 10, thus affecting the brightness of the LCD panel by as much as 50%. Therefore, if the conventional PID method is used to drive an LCD panel, it is necessary to use a backlight source of higher luminescent efficiency.


A conduction path includes: a wire that has a circular cross section and includes a conductive body having an outer periphery covered by an insulating cover; a routing member that includes a routing groove in which the wire is routed; and a cover that is configured to be attached to the routing member and to cover the routing groove, wherein a curved surface having a curvature radius that is larger than the radius of the wire is formed in an inner surface of the routing groove, and in a state in which the cover is attached to the routing member, a distance between the cover and the inner surface of the routing groove in a direction that is perpendicular to an inward surface of the cover is the same length as the diameter of the wire.

In vehicles such as electric automobiles and hybrid vehicles, a relatively large electrical current flows to devices such as power storage elements, inverter apparatuses, and motors. For this reason, it is desirable to effectively dissipate heat that is produced by wires when the wires conduct electricity. The technique described in JP H08-235940A is known as such a technique.
In the technique mentioned above, the outer peripheral surface of an insulating cover of a wire is provided with a heat-dissipating cover member that has high thermal conductivity as well as insulating ability. Heat that is produced by the wire when the wire conducts electricity is thermally transmitted from the insulating cover to the heat-dissipating cover member, is efficiently thermally conducted inside the heat-dissipating cover member, and is efficiently dissipated from the outer peripheral surface of the heat-dissipating cover member to the outside. Thus, the level of heat dissipation of the wire is increased.