A cartridge including a housing, at least one blade having a blade tip, and a shaving aid positioned on said housing and having a skin contacting portion. The shaving aid includes a co-axial filament having a diameter of from about 0 nm to about 1000 nm and has a core and a sheath. Also disclosed is a method of making a shaving aid for use on a razor including: extruding a shaving aid through a die to form an extruded shaving aid, in which the shaving aid has a skin contacting surface; and electrospinning at least two components to form a co-axial nano-filament onto a portion of the skin contacting surface to form a coated shaving aid, in which the two components are immiscible.

The use of shaving aids on razor blades to provide lubrication benefits during the shave is known; see for example U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,121,754, 6,298,558, 5,711,076, 6,301,785, US2009/0223057 and US2006/0225285. Such shaving aids, typically called Lubrastrips, comprise a water-insoluble matrix material to provide structural integrity and a water-soluble polymer, such as polyethylene oxide, in order to provide lubrication during the shave once the water-soluble polymer forms a solution with the water present during shaving. Since the introduction of Lubrastrips, little development has been made in the field, even though these forms are not without limitations. For example, the polyethylene oxide lubricant can be perceived negatively by the consumer due to its inherent stringiness, the form and manufacturing process can degrade the polyethylene oxide efficacy and limit the inclusion of skin care actives and Lubrastrips are a hard non-compliant form that does not provide an appealing sensation on the skin.
Consequently, there is still a need to provide a shaving aid for razor cartridges exhibiting lubricating properties with the ability to contain and deliver a range of desirable skin actives in a controlled manner over multiple usage events, whilst also providing a differentiated and appealing visual and tactile aesthetics before and during use.
Surprisingly, it has been found that the provision of water soluble filaments on a razor cartridge, in a shaving aid for example, can provide these desired benefits. The filaments are preferably comprised of water soluble materials which act as both filament forming materials and lubricants whilst providing a desirable aesthetic before and during use. Optionally, the shaving aid may be coated or impregnated with skin care actives and/or laminated to further increase conformability and the perception of softness. Both the coating or impregnation and lamination also have the additional desired effect of controlling the rate of dissolution of the filaments and associated shaving aid in use.
Fibrous or filament forms are known for use on razor cartridges, as described for example in WO2013/096178. The fibres are described as resilient and non-water soluble and comprise a hydrophobic non-woven material including a polyamide or polyester. The function of the fibres is merely to act as an applicator and reservoir for shaving fluid dispensed into or onto the fibrous pad rather than any for an additional functional benefit. A problem with such resilient fibre or filament pads however is that the pads are prone to forming an undesirable appearance over use due to skin and hair debris collecting in the interstices.
The use of filament or fibrous substrates, often termed as non-woven substrates are described in consumer applications such as tissue towel and are characterized by a desirable cloth like feel and appearance. For example, US2013/0209272 describes a wet wipe comprising a non-woven substrate including polyvinylalcohol filaments or fibres and a surface treatment of hydrophilic material. Such webs can also be stacked or layered as described in WO20090022761 which describes stacking of dissolvable nano webs comprising fibres or filaments including starch and PVA. However, these webs have a high rate of dissolution and are not suitable for multiple usage. The use of filament forming materials that release actives in use are also described for example in US2012/0052036, US2012/0237576 and US2013/017142.
Very thin fibers have also been disclosed in other publications, see e.g., WO 2001026610, WO 2001051690, and U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,367,570 and 7,390,760. Despite these and other disclosures, there remains a need for innovation on the shaving aid space as conventional shaving aids can be limited in the amount or type of lubrication they provide and there can be a need for meaningful skin benefits which have not been offered in other shaving aids on the market.

Shaving aid for razor cartridges comprising a nano-filament comprising a core and sheath


A method for preparing an engine block casting having integral cylinder bore liners (10). A barrel slab core (14) includes barrel cores (18). Bore liners (10) surround the barrel cores (18) and are fixed in relation to the barrel slab core (14). A cylinder block mold core package (22) is assembled from the barrel slab core (14), and other cores (24, 26, 28). The liners (10) are heated while they are within the cylinder block mold core package (22) by induction heating. Access holes (30) are defined within the barrel slab core (14), each access hole (30) communicating with the interior of one barrel core (18). A heater (32) is inserted through each access hole (30). Thermal energy is thus transferred across the barrel core (18) to the cylinder bore liner (10) to assure optimum integrity of bonding between a solidified cylinder block casting and the cylinder bore liners (10). The heaters (32) are then retracted before adding the molten metal.

1. Field Of The Invention
This invention relates to the cylinders of an internal combustion engine and has particular reference to a process for the construction of cylinders having liners disposed within the bores thereof.
2. Related Art Statement
The cylinder bore walls of internal combustion engines must be made of a material which will provide resistance to the abrasive action of the combustion seal rings of a piston. In traditional cast iron engine blocks, cast iron alone will provide sufficient wear resistance for the life of the engine. However, in applications where a lighter weight engine block material is used, such as aluminum, liners must be inserted into the cylinder bores to provide the required wear resistance.
In the past, there have been various approaches to the "shrink in place" or "press-in" cylinder bore liners. Such approaches include the steps of heating a partially machined cylinder block to 400.degree.-450.degree. F. to expand the cylinder bores. Precision machined liners are then inserted therewithin. As the block cools, the aluminum contracts, and the liners become secured in place.
Other related methods include shrinking the liners by cooling them in a substance such as liquid nitrogen and inserting them into an ambient temperature engine block casting whose bores have been machined to a diameter slightly smaller than the ambient temperature outside diameter of the liner to create an interference fit. Another method, less often used, is simply to press liners, whose outside diameters are slightly larger than the cylinder bores, into engine block castings at ambient temperature.
These processes without modification tend to produce a deficiency in the finished engine which is referred to as liner migration: radial and axial movement of the liner during engine operation.
Another approach commonly used for liner insertion, referred to as cast-in liners, makes the liner an integral part of the engine block casting during the casting process. This can be accomplished using many traditional metal casting processes including die casting, semi-permanent mold and low pressure casting.
In many conventional cast-in liner aluminum block processes, notably those having metal molds, liners are typically preheated with a suitable device (such as a furnace, radiant heater, induction heater, etc.) outside the mold, before mold assembly. Such liners are then installed on mandrels within the mold.
Processes which utilize an all sand core mold render the insertion of liners during mold assembly virtually impossible. This is because the mold assembly requires complex juxtaposition of mating cores, which takes time during which a heated liner would otherwise cool. Earlier experience has led to an interest in determining whether methods might be available to heat the cylinder bore liners within the assembled mold package.
In the past, cast-in liners have been viewed as not being feasible in high volume production using sand casting processes because of the difficulty with heating the liners and inadequate control of liner location. Accordingly, it would be beneficial to have available cast-in liners which would eliminate liner migration and to reduce engine plant facility investment.
Relevant to the goal of economical manufacture of internal combustion engines are the requirements of economy in machining, simplified castings, and ease of assembly. The present invention addresses these requirements in a manner set forth below.

Method for preparing an engine block casting having cylinder bore liners


A software program assists in establishing goals and objectives and creating appraisals based on those goals and objectives. The goals for an organization are determined, and individual objectives based on the goals are defined. The software program assigns weights and compensation adjustment guidelines to the individual objectives, and obtains a plurality of appraisals based on the individual objectives. The scores from the appraisals are combined with the compensation adjustment guidelines, and a suggested compensation adjustment is automatically determined. Any of the individual objectives may also have a corresponding qualification component, and an individuals qualifications may be automatically revised based on the appraisal grades and the corresponding qualification component.

Global competition not only forces enterprises to optimize their operating business processes, it also means that they have to react to new developments on a strategic level. Although most enterprises are far from being strategically optimized, this is exactly what will separate successful enterprises from less successful ones in the future.
This dynamic change in the enterprise environment means that human resource (HR) departments, too, face completely new tasks. It is no longer enough to support enterprise strategy with cost-optimized personnel management and to provide qualified employees. The future of personnel management lies in a consistent, strategic orientation. HR departments must ask themselves what part they can play in reaching enterprise goals and how they can increase the value of the enterprise.
By proactively participating in the implementation of enterprise strategy, an HR department can develop into an important link in the value chain and position itself as consultant and partner for management and employees.
Several factors are very important here: reliable cost planning, new recruitment processes, building up compensation models that are internationally recognized and comparable, and the introduction of up-to-the-minute systems for personnel management, communication, and analysis. But until now, there have been no integrated, e-business software solutions that handle these processes and also offer complex evaluation, analysis, and simulation options.


Methods for personalized sound management are provided. A module comprising hardware and software is provided to manufacturers to build a device. A process is architected for remote enabling of a device with personalized sound management applications. Consumers select applications for managing their sound environment through purchased and subscription hardware and applications via a web environment. All products developed by manufacturers are tested and certified running the personalized sound management applications. Manufacturers and consumers may both be covered under liability insurance. Users may remotely purchase, update hardware, and add and download subscription based applications through the web environment.

The world of two hundred years ago is substantially different than the present day earth. Similarly, the acoustic environment that surrounds us is also changing. For example, the sounds of a large city have changed as the mode of transportation transitioned from walking and horse and buggy, to cars, subways, and airplanes.
In general, humans are continuously inundated by a diversity of sounds. Many of the sounds are not critical to our lives but our brain processes these sounds and tries to distinguish between them. Background sound levels can also make it difficult to hear sounds that are important. Too much acoustic information can cause an auditory overload that can impact both the health and safety of an individual.

Personalized sound management and method


A telescopic gun sight free of parallax error is introduced which can accurately display a weapon's point of aim independent of the position of the shooter's eye. Additionally, the telescopic gun sight provides a wide viewing angle and a long, comfortable eye-relief.

A gun sight is a device used to provide an accurate point of aim for firearms such as rifles, handguns and shotguns. Sights are used on other types of weapons such as bows and crossbows as well. Popular gun sights include the traditional metallic sights (also known as "iron sights") and telescopic sights (also called "rifle scope" or "scope" for short). Other types of sights include red-dot sights, holographic sights, laser sights, etc.
Traditional metallic sights are inexpensive, sturdy and light in weight. However, the shooter is required to line up the rear sight with the front sight and the target. With a telescopic sight, he simply lines up the sight's cross hairs (reticle) with the target. It is very difficult for the human eye, if not impossible, to try to switch its focus from a rear sight to a front sight to a target as required with metallic sights, and its frustrating to say the least. Telescopic sights eliminate this frustration. Furthermore, most telescopic sights also magnify, making the target appear closer, and therefore easier to see, enabling the shooter to place a more precise shot on the target.
A telescopic sight can dramatically improve the functionality of a firearm by providing the shooter with a simple yet highly accurate means for aiming at distant targets. Current designs, however, do not completely eliminate the requirement that the shooter must align his eye with the sight.
A first disadvantage of current telescopic sights is that if the shooter's eye is not aligned with the optical axis of the sight, he will not see the complete field of view. This problem becomes more prominent in high-magnification scopes where even a slight misalignment of the eye from the optical axis can cause the target image to partially or completely black out. In high stress situations, this makes fast target acquisition very difficult.
A second, more severe, disadvantage of telescopic sights is that the shooter might also misplace the shot due to a phenomenon called parallax error. Telescopic sights use an objective lens to form an image of the target on the reticle. The exact location of this image depends on the target distance. Therefore, for long and short shots, the target image is focused either in front of or behind the reticle. If the image is not coplanar with the reticle, then putting one's eye at different points behind the sight's ocular (eyepiece lens) causes the reticle to appear to be at different points on the target (see FIGS. 1a and 1b). This phenomenon is referred to as parallax error.
Parallax error is a serious issue as it prevents a shooter from aiming accurately if he happens to be looking at an angle into the sight. Most manufacturers design their telescopic sights to be free of parallax error at a fixed distance, say 100 yards. However, if the target is at any distance greater than or less than 100 yards, which is often the case, there is potential for misplacing the shot as the parallax error may cause the shooter to aim at an offset distance from the intended target point.
A telescopic sight which uses an adjustable objective (AO) to compensate for parallax error has been disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,858,732 issued Nov. 4, 1958 to E. O. Kollmorgen, et. al. By adjusting the objective, one can focus the image of targets located at various distances exactly on the plane of the reticle and eliminate parallax error. Other prior art on scopes with adjustable objective include U.S. Pat. No. 3,336, 831 issued Aug. 22, 1967 to J. Unertl, Jr. and U.S. Pat. No. 4,072,396 issued Feb. 7, 1978 to C. J. Ross and W. R. Weaver. Currently, several manufacturers (e.g., Schmidt and Bender GmbH of Biebertal, Germany) make scopes with adjustable objectives where they are also designated as Parallax Adjustable (PA), Side Focusing (SF), etc.
A major drawback with AO scopes is that to adjust the objective for parallax-free aiming, the shooter must either know the exact distance to the target or use a process of trial and error. That is, he must position his scoped firearm on a steady platform so that it is aiming at the target without any movement. Then, without touching the gun or the scope, move his head from side to side while looking through the scope. If the reticle moves around on the target, the shooter is seeing parallax error. He then needs to adjust the objective and repeat this experiment until he observes no reticle movement when he moves his head behind the scope. Clearly, this is a time consuming and often impractical task to do in the field.
Another approach to deal with parallax error has been contemplated in U.S. Pat. No. 6,865,022 issued Mar. 8, 2005 to S. J. Skinner and S. D. Moore. This patent teaches an improved reticle that can give the shooter visual indication when his eye is not properly aligned with the optical axis of the scope. This may help detect parallax error but it doesn't actually eliminate it. The shooter is still required to perfectly align his eye with respect to the optical axis of the sight. Therefore, this design is not a solution to the problem.

Telescopic gun sight free of parallax error


Devices for the discharge of bodily waste, in particular for the soiling-free discharge of bodily waste from a person situated on a bed or a seat. A bed's mattress (2) is provided with a slot (4) that may be opened and closed, and which extends continuously through the thickness of the mattress (2). The slot is controllably openable and closable via an actuated mechanism. Hygienic elimination of bodily waste while lying down or sitting may be achieved with little effort.

The present disclosure pertains to devices for the discharge of urine, in particular for the soiling-free discharge of urine from a person situated on a bed or a seat.
Soilings via splashing can occur during so-called standing urination, in particular as practiced by men. Hence, various urination aids such as, for example, tubular or tube-like urination aids according to DE 19916283A1 or DE 1010391064, have already been proposed that are to enable a splash-free drainage of urine, also for women, into a toilet.
In addition, even in the case of restricted mobility of the persons concerned, a urination or a defecation may be merely limited and/or may not be free of contamination. This is the case with bedridden persons in hospitals or nursing homes who are dependent on aids, such as sliders or bed pans, and on the support of third parties. This is uncomfortable for the persons concerned, and without the assistance of third parties, contamination of the bed may occur, giving rise to additional cleaning and maintenance expenditures.


An integrated circuit may include memory interface circuitry for communicating with off-chip memory. The memory interface circuitry may receive data signals and data strobe signals from different memory devices via respective data ports and data strobe ports. The memory interface circuitry may be operable in at least first and second modes. In the first mode, data signals from each memory device may be received at two respective data ports while the data strobe signal from one memory device is used to clock the data signals at two corresponding read capture registers. In the second mode, data signals from first and second memory devices may be received via first and second data ports, respectively. The data strobe signal from the first memory device may be ignored while the data strobe signal from the second memory device is used to clock the data signals at two corresponding read capture registers.

Programmable integrated circuits are a type of integrated circuit that can be configured by a user to implement custom logic functions. In a typical scenario, a logic designer uses computer-aided design (CAD) tools to design a custom logic circuit. When the design process is complete, the CAD tools generate configuration data. The configuration data is loaded into a programmable integrated circuit to configure the device to perform desired logic functions.
In a typical system, a programmable integrated circuit, memory devices, and other electronic components are mounted on a printed circuit board. The programmable integrated circuit includes memory interface circuitry that is used to relay data back and forth between the programmable integrated circuit and the memory devices (i.e., the memory interface circuitry is used to read data from and write data into the memory devices). When performing such memory read and write operations, the timing of control and data signals is critical.
Because programmable integrated circuits can be configured in many different ways and are installed on many different types of boards, the lengths of circuit board traces coupling the programmable integrated circuit to the memory devices can vary from one system to another. As a result, it is generally not possible to know in advance exactly how data and clock paths between a programmable integrated circuit and a given memory device will perform. In some systems, the data and clock paths may have one set of timing characteristics, whereas in other systems the data and clock paths may have a different set of timing characteristics.
During memory read operations, data signals and an associated data strobe signal are synchronously output from a given memory device (i.e., the data signals transition at the clock edges of the data strobe signal). In receiving the data signals and the data strobe signal from the given memory device, the memory interface circuitry uses a dedicated 90° phase shift circuit to shift the data strobe signal so that the rising and falling clock edges of the data strobe signal fall near the center of each data signal. Having one 90° phase shift circuit that is used for shifting the data strobe signal for each corresponding memory device, however, results in significant area overhead and increases cost.

Memory interface circuitry with data strobe signal sharing capabilities


Thermoplastic resin compositions having the following component A-1 or A-2, component B and component C:. (A-1): a polymer component having a functional group capable of reacting with an amino group, or PA1 (A-2): a composition of component (A-1) and a resin that is non-reactive with an amino group and is different from the resin used in the following component B PA1 (B) a thermoplastic resin component that is non-reactive with an amino group under the conditions required to mold the entire resin composition; and PA1 (C) a graft copolymer obtained by a graft reaction of a thermoplastic polymer, with a compound (I), or a copolymer having the repeating unit (II) and the repeating unit of an ethylenic unsaturated monomer, ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 -R.sup.4, the same or different represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an aryl group or an aralkyl group.

Engineering plastics, such as polyamide, polyacetal, polyphenylene ether, polybutylene terephthalate, polycarbonate and polyphenylene sulfide generally have excellent mechanical properties, such as impact resistance, and thermal properties, such as heat resistance. Nevertheless they have problems of inferior processing properties and higher production cost. Moreover, some desired properties other than mechanical and thermal ones, for instance, chemical resistance or low water absorption, may not be included in with one ore more of the above-mentioned engineering plastics.
On the other hand, polyolefinic resins being typified by polypropylene, polystyrene resins being typified by polystyrene, and acrylonitrile-butadienestyrene (ABS) resins are inferior to the engineering plastics in physical properties, such as impact resistance and heat resistance, although they are excellent in processing properties and production cost. Polystyrene resins and ABS resins are amorphous resins and are inferior in solvent resistance.
Hence, many efforts have been made to blend or alloy two engineering plastics having different properties, to blend or alloy an engineering plastic and a polyolefinic resin, and to blend or alloy a polyolefin resin and a polystyrene resin, so as to complement with each other in their weak points and to produce resin compositions having new functional properties.
Simple blending, however, of two engineering plastics, of an engineering plastic and a polyolefinic resin, or of an engineering plastic and a polystyrene resin does not work well, and the resulting resin compositions have a lower impact resistance. When such blended resin compositions are molded, the molded products have problems of inferior appearance and interlaminer cleavage.
It is well known that such resin compositions can be improved in impact resistance to some extent by adding an elastomer component. The addition, however, poses a problem of reduced rigidity of the resulting resins. The problems of interlaminer cleavage and defective appearance, when such resins are molded, have not been solved.
To solve such problems, attempts have been made to improve the compatibility of resins to be blended by using a compatibilizing agent.
For example, for polyamide resins, a graft polymer which is formed by the reaction in the extruder between a polyamide and a maleic anhydride-modified polyolefin is used as a compatibility agent (Kobunshi-Kagaku, Vol. 29, p. 259 (1972)). Moreover, a compatibilizing agent is known, which is produced by mixing and reacting this system with a multifunctional compound that can react with carboxyl groups, carboxylic anhydride groups, amino groups and other reactive functional groups, to cause partial bridging (Provisional Patent Publication No. SHO-64-31864). With the use of this compatibilizing agent, resin compositions can be improved further in heat resistance and impact resistance.
To blend polypropylene with an engineering plastic such as a polyamide, a polyester, an aromatic polyether, a polyacetal, a polycarbonate or an ABS resin, it has been proposed to improve the compatibility of the resins by using a compatibilizing agent which is prepared by reacting an unsaturated acid- or anhydride-modified polyolefin with a low molecular weight diol, a low molecular weight diamine, or a low molecular weight compound having a hydroxyl group and an amino group, or if necessary, by using said compatibilizing agent together with an addition of a thermoplastic urethane (Provisional Patent Publication No. HEI-2-36248).
The use of the above-mentioned known compatibility agents, however, has not sufficiently solved the problem of compatibility of resin blends, and the resulting resin compositions have insufficient impact resistance. When such resin compositions are molded, they have problems of defective appearance and/or interlaminer cleavage. Moreover, depending on the type of compatibilizing agent used, a new problem was experienced; the resin composition itself was colored as a result of high temperatures used during molding.
The present invention was made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. The present invention is intended to provide thermoplastic resin compositions which have excellent impact resistance and heat resistance and, when molded, present good appearance without any interlaminer cleavage. Another object of the present invention is to provide new copolymers which are added to said compositions singularly or in combination, as compatibilizing agents.

Compositions containing allylformamide copolymers


A contents data reproducing apparatus that continuously reproduces pieces of music without producing a soundless state between music pieces is provided. When a pickup 2 finishes reading of reproducing object piece of audio data, a microcomputer 10 stops writing of the audio data into a storage unit 4 and makes the pickup move to a front of the next reproducing object piece of audio data to start reading of the next reproducing piece of audio data. Then, when a result in a level detection unit 7 shows that the level of the next reproducing object piece of audio data is higher than the reference level, then, writing of the next reproducing object piece of audio data, which is read by the pickup 2, into the storage unit 4 is started. An audio data conversion unit 8 reads the audio data stored in the storage unit 4 and reproduces it.

This application claims a priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 11-243548 filed on Aug. 30, 1999 and Japanese Patent Application No. 11-246276 filed on Aug. 31, 1999, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
The present invention relates to a contents data reproducing apparatus that reproduces contents data such as audio data, video data, or the like recorded in a record medium such as an optical disk.
Conventionally, in an event such as various ceremonies and parties, it is prepared to liven up the event by changing a piece of BGM (Background Music) as the event proceeds. For example, in a wedding reception, different pieces of BGM are reproduced between a scene of entrance of a bride and bridegroom and a scene of the bride and bridegroom moving on among invited guests. In that case, it is necessary to smoothly change the pieces of BGM reproduced in order not to destroy the atmosphere of the wedding reception.
Thus, conventionally, for example, a plurality of pieces of BGM used in an event are selected and edited in advance, and recorded in a disk such as CD-R (Compact Disc Recordable). This disk is set to a disk player and the pieces of BGM are continuously reproduced, thus changing pieces of BGM in accordance with progress of the event.
In the case that a plurality of pieces of BGM to be used in an event are recorded in a disk with CD-DA (Compact Disc Digital Audio) format, there are soundless parts between music pieces in CD-DA. Accordingly, when this disk is continuously played in a conventional disk player, the soundless parts between music pieces are also reproduced. This may destroy the atmosphere of the event.
Further, an event does not always proceed according to a timetable. Thus, sometimes, it is necessary that reproduction of a music piece is stopped in mid course and reproduction of the next music piece is started. In such a case, in a conventional disk player, a soundless state continues while a pickup selects and searches the next music piece. This makes the attendance become aware that an operator is carrying out selecting operation, and may destroy the atmosphere of the event.
In connection with this, such a disk player is proposed that, according to an operator""s direction, starting parts of a plurality of music pieces recorded on a disk are stored in a memory in advance, and a starting part of a music piece to be reproduced is read from the memory and reproduced while a pickup is searching the disk for the music piece in question. This disk player can prevent a soundless state in a period of searching. However, an operator must carry out complicated operations such as finding positions in which music pieces of BGM used in an event are recorded in a CD and storing the starting parts of those music pieces into a memory. Further, a large memory capacity is required for storing starting parts of a plurality of music pieces, and it increases the cost.
The present invention has been made taking the above situation into consideration. An object of the present invention is to provide a contents data reproducing apparatus that can continuously reproduce various music pieces recorded in one record medium (for example, an optical disk) without bringing a soundless state.
In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a first mode of the present invention provides a contents data reproducing apparatus for reproducing plural pieces of contents data stored in a storage medium, comprising:
a pickup for reading the contents data from the storage medium;
a level comparison means for comparing between a level of the contents data read by said pickup and a predetermined reference level;
a buffer for storing the contents data read by said pickup;
a reproducing means for reproducing the contents data stored in said buffer; and
a control means for writing the contents data read by said pickup into said buffer and for reading the contents data stored in said buffer to send said contents data to said reproducing means;
wherein:
when said pickup finishes reading of a reproducing object piece of contents data, said control means stops writing of the contents data into said buffer and makes said pickup move to a front of a next reproducing object piece of contents data to start reading of said next reproducing object piece of contents data; and
when, a result of comparison by said level comparison means shows that a level of said next reproducing object piece of contents data becomes higher than said predetermined reference level, then, said control means starts writing of the next reproducing object piece of contents data, which is read by said pickup, into said buffer means.
A second mode of the present invention provides a contents data reproducing apparatus for reproducing plural pieces of contents data stored in a storage medium, comprising:
a pickup for reading the contents data from the storage medium;
a level comparison means for comparing between a level of the contents data read by said pickup and a predetermined reference level;
a buffer for storing the contents data read by said pickup;
a reproducing means for reproducing the contents data stored in said buffer;
a reproducing object designation receiving means for receiving designation of a next piece of contents data to be reproduced out of the plural pieces of contents data stored in said storage medium;
a display means for displaying that a piece of contents data whose designation is received by said reproducing object designation receiving means can be immediately reproduced;
a reproduction start instruction receiving means for receiving an instruction of starting reproduction of the piece of contents data whose designation is received by said reproducing object designation receiving means; and
a control means for wiring the contents data read by said pickup into said buffer and for reading the contents data stored in said buffer to send said contents data to said reproducing means;
wherein:
when, in the course of reading a reproducing object piece of contents data by said pickup, said reproducing object designation receiving means receives designation of a next piece of contents data to be reproduced, said control means stops writing of contents data into said buffer, and makes said pickup move to a front of the designated piece of contents data to start reading of said designated piece of contents data;
when the pickup that has started reading said designated piece of contents data moves to a position at which a result of comparison by said level comparison means shows that a level of said designated contents data becomes higher than the predetermined reference level, then, said control means makes said pickup wait at said position and makes display means display that said designated piece of contents data can be immediately reproduced; and
when said reproduction start instruction receiving means receives an instruction of starting reproduction in a state that said display means displays that immediate reproduction is possible, then, said control means cancels waiting of said pickup to make the pickup start reading said designated piece of contents data, and starts writing of said designated piece of contents data, which is read by said pickup, into said buffer.
Here, in the above-described first and second modes, the level of the contents data means audio level (sound volume level) in the case that the contents data is audio data, and brightness level in the case of video data.
Further, the predetermined reference level means the soundless level in the case that the contents data is audio data, and the black level in the case of video data.
Further, a third mode of the present invention provides a contents data reproducing apparatus for reproducing plural pieces of contents data stored in a storage medium, comprising:
a pickup for reading the contents data from the storage medium;
a buffer for storing the contents data read by said pickup;
a reproducing means for reproducing the contents data stored in said buffer;
an addressing receiving means for receiving designation of a reproduction stop address at which reproduction of a piece of contents data under reproduction out of said plural pieces of contents data stored in said storage medium is stopped, and designation of a reproduction start address at which reproduction of a next piece of contents data to be reproduced is started; and
a control means for writing the contents data read by said pickup into said buffer and for reading the contents data stored in said buffer to send said contents data to said reproducing means;
wherein:
when a position at which said pickup reads said piece of contents data under reproduction arrives at a position corresponding to the reproduction stop address received by said addressing receiving means, then, said control means stops writing of the contents data into said buffer and makes said pickup move to a position corresponding to the reproduction start address received by said addressing receiving means; and
when said pickup arrives at the position corresponding to said reproduction start address, said control means makes said pickup wait at said position corresponding to the reproduction start address;
when data corresponding to said reproduction stop address is read from said buffer to said reproducing means in a state that said pickup waits, then said control means cancels waiting of said pickup to make the pickup start reading of said next piece of contents data to be reproduced, and starts writing of said next piece of contents data to be reproduced, which is read by said pickup, into said buffer.
Further, a fourth mode of the present invention provides a contents data reproducing apparatus for reproducing plural pieces of contents data stored in a storage medium, comprising:
a pickup for reading the contents data from the storage medium;
a buffer for storing the contents data read by said pickup;
a reproducing means for reproducing the contents data stored in said buffer;
an addressing receiving means for receiving designation of a reproduction stop address at which reproduction of a piece of contents data under reproduction out of said plural pieces of contents data stored in said storage medium is stopped, and designation of a reproduction start address at which reproduction of a next piece of contents data to be reproduced is started;
a reproduction start instruction receiving means for receiving an instruction of starting reproduction of said next piece of contents data to be reproduced whose reproduction start address is received by said addressing receiving means;
a display means for displaying that said next piece of contents data to be reproduced for which the instruction of starting reproduction is received by said reproduction start instruction receiving means can be immediately reproduced; and
a control means for writing the contents data read by said pickup into said buffer and for reading the contents data stored in said buffer to send said contents data to said reproducing means;
wherein:
when a position at which said pickup reads said piece of contents data under reproduction arrives at a position corresponding to the reproduction stop address received by said addressing receiving means, then, said control means stops writing of the contents data into said buffer and makes said pickup move to a position corresponding to the reproduction start address received by said addressing receiving means;
when said pickup arrives at the position corresponding to said reproduction start address, said control means makes said pickup wait at said position corresponding to said reproduction start address and makes said display means display that the next piece of contents data to be reproduced can be immediately reproduced; and
when said reproduction start instruction receiving means receives an instruction of starting reproduction in a state that said display means displays that immediate reproduction is possible, then said control means cancels waiting of said pickup to make the pickup start reading of said next piece of contents data to be reproduced, and, after clearing said buffer, starts writing of said next piece of contents data to be reproduced, which is read by said pickup, into said buffer.
Here, the present mode may be varied as follows.
Namely, when said reproduction start instruction receiving means receives an instruction of starting reproduction, then, said control means stops writing of the contents data into said buffer and makes said pickup move to a position corresponding to the reproduction start address received by said addressing receiving means;
when said pickup arrives at the position corresponding to said reproduction start address, said control means makes said pickup wait at said position corresponding to said reproduction start address and makes said display means display that the next piece of contents data to be reproduced can be immediately reproduced; and
when said reproduction start instruction receiving means receives an instruction of starting reproduction in a state that said display means displays that immediate reproduction is possible, then said control means cancels waiting of said pickup to make the pickup start reading of said next piece of contents data to be reproduced, and, after clearing said buffer, starts writing of said next piece of contents data to be reproduced, which is read by said pickup, into said buffer.


A “data breach” or loss of sensitive data can cause an organization to lose revenues or suffer other damages. Analyzing data to locate a breach and to identify its source, however, is difficult because the data can come from many sources in an unstructured format and, typically, there is a large amount of data to analyze. A forensic analysis system, according to one embodiment, collects unstructured data from disparate sources, like the Internet, and peer-to-per filesharing and social media networks, and generates structured representations of the data, called virtual profiles. The system forms relationships among the virtual profiles. The system uses the virtual profiles and relationships to reduce the amount of information to be analyzed while including additional information that is related for analysis. By analyzing a smaller amount of related information, a cyber forensic analyst is better able to identify a data breach or other suspicious or illegal activity.

Providing open and direct access to information, while protecting sensitive and confidential data is one of the greatest challenges facing companies and organizations. Despite a discerning need to control the flow of information into and out of private networks, increased government regulation, and rapidly evolving legislation, loss of sensitive data or "data breach" is still commonplace. Data breaches of any kind can impact companies and organizations in many negative ways including loss of revenue, damage to brand, litigation, and more.

System for forensic analysis of search terms


A bracket assembly secures a running board to a rocker panel, which includes a pinch weld depending therefrom. The bracket assembly includes a receiving panel adapted to have the running board fixedly secured thereto. A rocker securing plate extends out from the receiving panel and is secured to the rocker panel. An intermediate securing tab extends outwardly between the receiving panel and the rocker securing plate for securing the bracket assembly to the pinch weld outboard thereof.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to running boards which are fixedly secured to the sides of a motor vehicle. More particularly, the invention relates to the bracket that supports the running board with respect to the motor vehicle.
2. Description of the Related Art
Running boards are elongated steps that run along the side or sides of a motor vehicle. The running boards are used principally with motor vehicles that are elevated in height, e.g., pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, to help those entering or exiting the passenger compartment. The running boards have various designs. They may have an aesthetic quality that varies. Regardless of the aesthetics, the principal purpose of the running board is to provide an intermediate step between the ground and the inside of the passenger compartment.
Running boards are typically secured to the motor vehicle using a bracket. The bracket is typically designed to include a number of pieces. The reason for the multiple piece bracket configuration is that it is difficult to obtain access to the portions of the motor vehicle that the bracket is required to be attached without doing it in parts. In addition, multiple piece brackets are required to secure the bracket to an outboard side of a pinch weld below the rocker panel of the motor vehicle, the desired configuration and placement of the bracket to the rocker panel. Having multiple parts for the bracket assembly increases the requirements for inventory and assembly. There is a need in the art to minimize both the inventory and the amount of time it takes to secure a running board to the motor vehicle.


A method of winding yarn into hanks, comprising the steps of loading a beam having a sheet of parallel ends of yarn wound thereon onto a rotatable beam stand; unwinding the sheet from the beam and passing the sheet through a nip between two reciprocating rolls; separating the parallel ends of yarn in the sheet from each other; and guiding each of the separated ends of yarn to a rotatable reel. The ends of yarn are then wound onto the rotatable reel by rotating the beam to release the sheet wound thereon; rotating the interacting rolls to draw the sheet through the nip; and rotating the reel to wind each separated end of yarn onto the reel. The rotational velocity of the beam and of the reciprocating rolls are controlled so as to keep the tension on the sheet of yarns below a defined value. By controlling tension, one reduces the likelihood of thread breakage and causes the yarns to be wound onto the reels in the form of loose hanks. The yarn may be easily unwound from the loose hanks and wound into cones for knitting and weaving.

There are several methods of packaging dyed yarn. Generally, the choice of packaging method depends on how the yarn was dyed, and on the intended end use of the yarn.
Package dyed yarn is prepared by winding undyed yarn into a cone form, and causing dye to penetrate the yarn under pressure. While this process may be used for dyeing yarn with reactive dyes, vat dyes, and direct dyes, it is not suitable for indigo dyes or sulfur dyes. Package dyed yarn has the advantage that cone-form yarn packages may be used for to make either woven fabrics or knitted fabrics. However, yarn which is dyed in this fashion is susceptible to undesirable shrinkage or weight loss.
Rope dyeing may be used for Indigo, sulfur and vat dyes, but not for reactive or direct dyes. Yarn is dyed in the form of a rope having many individual threads by passing the rope through from 2 to 7 dye-baths, and then oxidizing the dyed rope in air. A rope having about 320 threads is commonly used. The individual threads in the rope are separated and wound onto a beam. The threads on the beam may then be used for weaving.
Alternatively, the rope dyed threads on the beam may be transferred to cones for knitting. This is done by separating the threads on the beam into several groups of threads, and winding each group of threads onto a spool. For example, 8 spools having 40 threads each may be made from a beam carrying 320 threads. The threads on each spool are then unwound, and separated into individual threads. Each individual thread is wound onto a bobbin. The thread on a given bobbin may then be transferred to a cone. This is a time-consuming process, and the multiple transfer steps increase the possibility of thread breakage. The possibility of thread breakage also increases as the threads become finer, or as the number of threads transferred at one time increases.
The slasher process is another method for dyeing yarn. It may be used with Indigo, sulfur, vat, reactive and direct dyes. Typically, a sheet or web of substantially parallel and non-entangled warp yarns is passed through several dye baths in sheet form, washed, dried, and wound onto a beam. For reactive dyes, the sheet of warp yarns can be passed through 2 or 3 dye baths, and is then dried on hot cylinders for thermo-fixation at a temperature of 140-150.degree. C. for about a minute prior to washing. After washing, the sheet of warp yarns is wound onto a beam. For vat and Indigo dyes, the sheet of yarn passes through several dye baths. The sheet is then oxidized chemically or by passing the sheet through air, and wound onto a beam after washing and drying. The slasher process can also be used to dye yarn in sheet form with sulfur dyes or direct dyes. With the slasher process, different colors can be dyed simultaneously, as different groups of threads can be dyed in different dyebaths and then brought together on a single beam after drying. In package dyeing, only one color can be dyed at a time.
The slasher process of dyeing yarn has major advantages over the cone dyeing process. Slasher dyeing of a sheet of yarn is a continuous process, whereas cone dyeing is a batch process. Also, with the slasher process, the color of the yarn can be observed during the dyeing process, allowing color corrections to be carried out immediately. With cone dyeing, the color of the yarn is not seen until the dyeing process is complete, making color correction difficult at best.
Also, the slasher process is cheaper than the cone dyeing process, as smaller amounts of chemicals are used in dyeing the same weight of yarn. Also, cone dyeing calls for greater inputs of water and energy.
However, the slasher process as currently used has a significant disadvantage over cone dyeing and rope dyeing. Specifically, a sheet of warp yarns wound onto a beam after being dyed by the slasher process may not be conveniently used for knitting. To date, an effective method of transferring yarn dyed by the slasher process from the beam to cones for use in knitting or as filling yarns in weaving has not been developed.

Method of transferring individual ends of yarns from a beam to individual cones


According to various embodiments, an electronic circuit includes a plurality of clock generators wherein each clock generator is configured to store a counter value, to receive a reference clock, to change the counter value in accordance with the reference clock and to generate at least one clock signal based on the counter value. The circuit also includes a comparator configured to receive, for each of at least two of the plurality of clock generators, the counter value and compare the received counter values and an error handling circuit configured to initiate an error handling based on the result of the comparison.

A complex electronic circuit such as a system-on-chip (SoC) may have multiple clock domains, i.e. multiple circuit parts, wherein each part is supplied with its own clock signal or clock signals. Information transfer in digital logic may happen either between logic located in the same clock domain, or between different clock domain regions. In order to ensure synchronous communication, the phase relationship between the clock domains must remain constant. However, if, for example, ionizing radiation were to strike sensitive clock generation components within a clock domain, it is possible that this would bring the phase relationship between this clock domain and other clock domains out of step. If this were to occur, synchronous communication between this domain and the other domains would not be guaranteed and this could potentially lead to complete system failure. Therefore approaches to detect such a situation in order to start appropriate counter measures are desirable.


A method for culturing microorganisms belonging to the genus Pseudomonas or the genus Escherichia and having tolerance to an organic solvent such as any one of hydrocarbons, alcohols, ethers, ketones and their derivatives or their mixture in a medium containing the organic solvent in a concentration of 0.3% or more. The present method can be widely utilized in the fields of bioreactor, liquid-waste treatment, protein engineering, etc.

This invention relates to a method for culturing a microorganism having a tolerance to an organic solvent. In further detail, this invention relates to a method for culturing a microorganism having a tolerance to an organic solvent selected from among hydrocarbons, alcohols, ethers, ketones, their derivatives and their mixtures.
As conventional examples of culturing a microorganism in a medium containing hydrocarbons or their derivatives, there are such many reports as of the growing of Nocardia sp. in a medium containing hexane or hexadecane [R. L. Raymond, Appl.. Microbiol., vol. 15, pp. 857.about.865 (1967)], the growing of Bacterium JOB5 in a medium containing cyclopentane or cyclohexane [J. Ooyama and J. W. Foster, Antonie von Leenwenlook, vol. 31, pp. 45.about.65 (965)], the growing of Fseudomonas sp., Achromobacter sp., and Nocardia sp. in a medium containing benzene, ethyl benzene, toluene or xylene [D. Cleus and N. Walkes, J. Gen. Microbiol, vol. 36, pp. 107.about.122 (1964)], etc. can be enumerated. However, these microorganisms are cultured by bringing the same into contact with hydrocarbons which are concentrated low or in the form of steam in any case owing to the fact that hydrocarbons generally show toxicity to microorganisms. That is, when the fermentation is carried out by using these hydrocarbons as substrates, it is carried out by supplying these compounds in the form of steam so that the compounds are not brought into contact with microorganisms directly or by maintaining these compounds in low concentration (0.2or less) at which a toxic effect is not shown. Consequently, in the fermentation using hydrocarbons as substrates, there are problems not only of low productivity but also of operation because of the difficulty in controlling the substrates to low concentration. Furthermore, in case of using a lightly water-soluble substance, there is a disadvantage that the productivitY becomes low in &he microbial reaction going to the low solubility of the substance.

Research Development Corporation of Japan


An inflatable structure includes a first inflatable section having an interior open to an airflow from a blower, and a second inflatable section attached to the first inflatable section and having an interior that is substantially closed from the airflow such that if the airflow is stopped the second inflatable section will not deflate as fast as the first inflatable section and will support the first inflatable section.

Inflatables, such as inflatable slides, are air-inflated devices that are typically includes used for children's amusement. Inflatables have been designed to resemble real-life objects, such as ships, fire trucks, and animals. An inflatable slide typically includes a stairway, a slide portion, and side walls. The entire structure being air-inflated. Air constantly leaks from such an inflatable so a continually running blower is used to keep the inflatable pressurized and supported. If the blower is stopped or the airflow reduced, the entire structure can rapidly depressurize and deflate. What is needed is a design allowing for heightened safety for users of the inflatable.


A planar circuit has a substrate, a planar circuit conductor disposed on a first main surface of the substrate, a ground conductor disposed on a second main surface of the substrate for creating a high frequency resonator based on an electromagnetic wave field in cooperation with the planar circuit conductor, and a circuit element disposed on an opening formed in at least one of the planar circuit conductor and ground conductor to electronically control the electromagnetic wave field. The circuit element may be a variable reactance element such as a varactor diode, or a switching element. The circuit element can variably control the electromagnetic wave field which defines the resonator, so that the resonator can be controlled, for example, to resonate at a variable frequency.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a planar circuit for use in a resonator, an oscillator, an antenna, and the like in high frequency bands such as a microwave band, and more particularly, to a planar circuit which is suitable for enhancing the functionality and facilitates the manufacturing to achieve a reduction in cost.
2. Description of the Related Art
A variety of planar circuits based on the microwave integrated circuit technology are used in, for example, wireless communication system apparatuses and measuring apparatuses for implementing resonators, oscillators, antennas, and the like, and the demand for the planar circuits tends to increase year by year. In recent years, these planar circuits are also required to provide higher functionality and facilitate the manufacturing from a viewpoint of achieving higher performance of a variety of devices and improving the productivity.
FIGS. 1A and 1B are a plan view and a cross-sectional view, respectively, of a resonator which comprises a typical conventional planar circuit. Here, the figures illustrate an oscillator which utilizes a resonator.
The resonator comprises circuit conductor 2 having a circular plane shape shaped on one main surface of substrate 1 made of a dielectric material, and ground conductor 3 formed on the entirety of the other main surface of substrate 1. This type of resonator is called the xe2x80x9cplanar resonatorxe2x80x9d. In this configuration, a TM mode resonator is formed by an electric field generated between circuit conductor 2 and ground conductor 3 and a magnetic field associated therewith. As appreciated, the oscillation frequency at which the oscillator operates depends on dielectric coefficient E and thickness d of substrate 1, and area S of circuit conductor 2.
The circuit illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B further comprises Gunn diode 6 embedded in substrate 1, which forms the planar resonator, to make up an oscillator. Generally, Gunn diode 6 is placed within a through hole formed through substrate 1, and both ends of Gunn diode 6 are connected to circuit conductor 2 and ground conductor 3, respectively, for example by soldering. Then, Gunn diode 6 functions as an amplifier for oscillation to implement an oscillator circuit for amplifying and feeding back a resonant frequency component of the resonator. The resonator serves for phase synchronization and power combination as well as functions as a resonant element of the oscillator circuit. Lead line 4 extending from circuit conductor 2, and capacitive line 5 branched lead line 4 for matching are also disposed on the one main surface of substrate 1.
FIGS. 2A and 2B are a plan view and a cross-sectional view, respectively, of a planar antenna, i.e., an antenna which comprises a planar circuit.
This planar antenna comprises circuit conductor 2 having, for example, a square plane shape on one main surface of substrate 1; ground conductor 3 having an opening 7 as an intermediate layer of substrate 1; and a conductive line serving as signal line 8 on the other main surface of substrate 1. In this configuration, a planar resonator is formed by circuit conductor 2 and ground conductor 3, while a microstrip line is formed by signal line 8 and ground conductor 3. The microstrip line forms a high frequency transmission line by the action of an electric field generated between signal line 8 and ground conductor 3, and a magnetic field associated therewith. Thus, an antenna is implemented for transmitting or receiving electromagnetic waves at a resonant frequency of the planar resonator and fed through the microstrip line. The planar resonator is electromagnetically coupled to the microstrip line through opening 7 extending through ground conductor 3 which is provided as an intermediate layer.
However, both planar circuits based on a planar resonator configured as described above experience difficulties in changing the electric characteristics, so that the resonant frequency is obliged to remain fixed. It is therefore difficult to design the planar circuit to generate a variable resonant frequency, by way of example, thereby providing a highly functional planar circuit. Specifically, the electric characteristics of a planar resonator depend on a fixed electromagnetic wave field based on a boundary condition defined by a geometric shape, a connection condition of input and output lines, component materials, and the like. Thus, difficulties exist in designing a variable planar circuit. In essence, it can be said that current planar circuits, i.e., planar resonators still remain unchanged from simple utilization of the electromagnetic wave field fixedly set by given conditions.
Also, as illustrated by the exemplary configuration of the planar oscillator using Gunn diode 6, conventionally, a circuit element comprising a semiconductor device including an integrated circuit and an active circuit, a positive element, and the like is typically embedded in substrate 1 between circuit conductor 2 and ground conductor 3 and connected to conductors 2, 3. Such a configuration requires a step of piercing substrate 1 in the manufacturing, thereby giving rise to problems of making highly accurate manufacturing difficult to cause a lower productivity, and making the circuit element incompatible with surface mounting.
For disposing a circuit element on a surface of a substrate, for example, for disposing the aforementioned Gunn diode 6 on the one main surface of substrate 1, circuit conductor 2 must be connected to ground conductor 3 through a so-called via-hole, i.e., electrode through hole. In this event, however, the via hole causes an increase in the conductor length or line length to increase an inductance component, resulting in deteriorated high frequency characteristics. Therefore, conventionally, the circuit element is embedded in subrtrate 1 to reduce the line length for preventing the high frequency characteristics from being deteriorated.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a planar circuit which is capable of variably controlling an electromagnetic wave field to significantly improve the functionality and performance, and achieving a higher productivity resulting from the ease of manufacturing.
The object of the present invention is achieved by a planar circuit which includes a substrate, a planar circuit conductor disposed on a first main surface of the substrate, a ground conductor disposed on a second main surface of the substrate for creating a high frequency resonator based on an electromagnetic wave field in cooperation with the planar circuit conductor, and a circuit element disposed on an opening formed in at least one of the planar circuit conductor and the ground conductor, and connected to the at least one conductor along the periphery of the opening to electronically control the electromagnetic wave field.
Used as the circuit element may be a variable reactance element such as a varactor diode, and a switching element such as a PIN diode, Schottky barrier diode and the like, and furthermore an MMIC (monolithic microwave integrated circuit) and the like. Such a circuit element is connected to the planar circuit conductor or the ground conductor at least two points along the periphery of the opening.
In the present invention, an opening is formed in at least one of the planar circuit conductor and ground conductor which makes up a planar resonator, and the circuit element is disposed in the opening for electronically controlling the electromagnetic wave field. As a result, the boundary condition for the planar circuit can be equivalently changed to change the electromagnetic wave field, thereby realizing a variable planar circuit. Since the circuit element is disposed in the opening formed on one main surface of the substrate, surface mounting can be employed for mounting the circuit element to facilitate the manufacturing. When a variable reactance element is used as the circuit element, the characteristic of the electromagnetic wave field can be changed to vary the resonant frequency. Alternatively, when a switching element is used as the circuit element, the switching element can be controlled ON/OFF to select the resonant condition of the planar resonator to be operative or inoperative. In addition, when the planar resonator is designed to have degenerated resonance modes and a switching element is used as the circuit element, one of the degenerated resonance modes can be selected.

26-11, Nara 2-chome, Aoba-ku, Yokohama-shi


The microwave properties of numerous perovskite antimonates like A.sub.2 MeSbO.sub.6 where A=Ba or Sr, Me=a rare earth, Y, Sc, Ga, or In and A.sub.4 MeSb.sub.3 O.sub.12 where A=Ba or Sr and M=Li, Na or K were measured at 10 Ghz and 300 K. Using the microwave properties and lattice parameters of these materials, the Clausius-Mossotti relationship and a nonlinear regression fitting program, the polarizability of Sb.sup.5+ was investigated and determined to be 1.18.+-.0.49 A.sup.3. This low polarizability and the low loss of antimonates in general indicate that Sb.sup.5+ is an excellent candidate for use as a constituent in the fabrication of low dielectric constant, low loss, lattice matching perovskite oxide microwave substrates.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of low dielectric constant materials for use as substrates, buffer layers, and dielectric layers in construction of microwave and millimeterwave technology with particular emphasis toward substrates for microwave perovskite oxide devices including high critical temperature superconductors, ferroelectrics, magnetoresistors, conductors, semi-conductors, piezoelectrics, paraelectrics, pyroelectrics, etc.

Low polarizability of Sb5+ for use in fabrication of low dielectric constant materials

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army


The invention provides a photostorage solid drawing medium comprising a solvent, a resin soluble in the solvent, a photostorage pigment and a gelling agent, wherein the photostorage pigment comprises a long afterglow fluorescent substance comprising an alkaline earth aluminosilicate as a matrix activated with a rare earth element wherein the alkaline earth element is at least one selected from the group consisting of strontium, calcium, magnesium and barium. The solvent used is a polar solvent, particularly a mixture of water and a water-soluble organic solvent, or at least one alcoholic solvent selected from the group consisting of glycols, glycol ethers, glycol ether esters and monovalent alcohols.

Emission occurring only during irradiation of a substance with light, that is, only under stimulation with light, is generally called fluorescence and a substance with this property is called a fluorescent substance. Emission lasting even after termination of stimulation of the substance with light is called phosphorescence or afterglow, and a substance with this property is called a phosphorescent substance. There is a phosphorescent substance observed to exhibit afterglow for dozens of minutes to several hours after termination of light stimulation, and a substance with this property is called a photostorage or long afterglow florescent substance. Accordingly, a pigment containing the fluorescent substance emits light only during irradiation with light, while a pigment containing the photostorage fluorescent substance, unlike the fluorescent pigment, emits light over a long time even after termination of irradiation with light. Such a pigment is called a photostorage pigment.
Conventionally, an ink composition using such photostorage pigment is known. For example, JP-A-9-53034 (1997) and JP-A-9-59555 (1997) describe respectively a photostorage ink composition using a long afterglow florescent substance (Sr.Al2O4: Eu) comprised of a compound represented by the formula Sr.Al2O4 as a mother crystal and europium (Eu) as an activator. JP-A-2000-104001 and JP-A-2000-109740 describe respectively a photostorage ink composition using a long afterglow fluorescent substance (Sr.Al2-xBxO4: Eu) comprised of a compound represented by the general formula Sr.Al2-xBxO4 wherein x is a numeral in the range 0.1≦x≦1 and europium (Eu) as an activator.
However, such conventionally known photostorage pigment is chemically unstable and is particularly lacking water resistance so that when it is used as a coloring agent in an ink composition, a nonpolar hydrocarbon solvent such as xylene should be inevitably used, and there is a problem that upon subjection to writing on usual paper, such ink composition causes bleeding. Because the nonpolar hydrocarbon solvent is used as a dispersing medium of the photostorage pigment as described above, there is another problem that a container or a holder for encapsulating such ink composition is limited to the one consisting of a solvent-resistant material. Further, the conventional photostorage pigment has practically various problems; for example, there is a problem that after termination of irradiation with light, the duration of afterglow is so short that the photostorage pigment cannot be used in applications requiring long-lasting emission in the nighttime.
Conventionally, a writing instrument with the above-described photostorage ink composition charged into a container is also known. This writing instrument contains the above-described ink composition charged and sealed in an opaque container made of resin, so that while the writing instrument is not used, the ink composition in the container is not irradiated with light, and when the writing instrument is used in writing, the resulting handwriting is irradiated for the first time, and therefore there is a problem that the handwriting does not emit light not only during writing but also just after writing.


Devices for affixing sutures, grafts and tissues to bone, and soft tissue such as periosteum. In a first embodiment, the invention comprises a piton member implantable within bone having a post or eyelet formed thereon to which the suture or tissue may be attached. The piton member is designed to become more firmly secured within the bone when pressure is applied to a first axis pushing the piton member into the bone, but may be easily removed when such force is applied in a generally opposed direction. In a second embodiment, the invention comprises affixation devices that are designed to detachably ensnare with periosteum. Such devices are provided with attachment structures, such as one post, eyelet or other means for securing sutures, grafts, synthetic materials or tissues.

The use of surgical suture anchors for use in attaching soft tissue to bone is well known in the art. In this regard, such anchoring mechanisms have found widespread applicability for a number of surgical procedures, and in particular orthopedic, gynecologic and urologic procedures. Exemplary of such devices include bone screws or anchors that are implantable within bone which further have formed thereon an eyelet or other type of assembly to which may be affixed suture lines or a segment of soft tissue. Exemplary of such devices include those devices disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,370,662 and 5,443,482 to Stone, et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 4,738,255 to Gobel, et al.
Generally, prior art anchor systems take one of two forms. The first configuration typically comprises a self-tapping bone screw, typically made of titanium, having an eyelet formed thereon to which the sutures or other material may be attached. In the alternative prior art configuration, the device comprises an anchor member, which may take the form of an arrowhead or similar conical configuration, which further includes a shaft or attachment member extending therefrom, the latter being formed to have one or more apertures to which the sutures or other material may be attached.
With respect to the surgical installation of such devices, bone-screw mechanisms must necessarily be screwed in position, typically by a battery-powered screw driver, at a target site upon a particular bone. Anchor devices of the other aforementioned variety typically must be "shot" into position at a particular site within a bone, typically via a spring-loaded delivery mechanism. Exemplary of such bone-anchor insertion devices include the In-Fast and In-Tac bone screw and bone anchor fixation devices produced by Influence, Inc. of San Francisco, Calif.
Although such prior art anchor devices generally provide sufficient support to the various sutures and grafts affixed thereto, such fixation devices suffer from numerous drawbacks. In this regard, it is difficult for the surgeon to accurately deploy the insertion device such that the anchor is correctly inserted at the target site. Moreover, substantial difficulty arises in removing such devices. This latter task is especially problematic with respect to bone-screw devices insofar as the surgeon attempting to remove the same must take great care to insure that the removal device, also typically comprising a battery-powered screw driver, properly unscrews the anchor member from its seated position. Other prior art anchor devices are even further problematic insofar as the same are often irretrievable once deployed, especially in situations where the same are deployed too deeply into the bone mass.
Additional problems exist with prior art bone fixation systems insofar as the same have a tendency to become dislodged over time from their seated position. In this regard, due to the repetitive application of stress or strain upon the bone anchor via the suture or soft tissue attached thereto, such anchors can eventually become loose and slip out of engagement from their fixed position. This tendency is especially likely to the extent repetitive and persistent application of strain and stress is applied in one specific direction or orientation. Moreover, even to the extent such bone anchoring systems remain securely in position, recent research tends to indicate that such bone fixation devices have a tendency to actually cut the sutures sought to be held thereby.
Separate and apart from the drawbacks associated with the use of prior art bone anchoring systems is the fact that often times anchor systems provide far more structural support than is necessary for a given surgical application. In this respect, numerous surgical procedures requiring the fixation of sutures and/or soft tissue require only a minimal degree of tension. Exemplary of, and perhaps most well-known of such procedures include transvaginal sling surgery to treat incontinence, which essentially involves the formation of a graft positioned beneath the urethra with the opposed ends thereof being secured to either one of the abdominal fascia, Cooper's ligament or pubic bone. While such slings typically require little to no tension once fixed into position, due to the lack of alternative means for affixing the opposed ends of such sling into position relative to the pubic bone, such prior art bone anchor devices must necessarily be deployed. As a result, operative time is increased and the patient undergoing such procedures is subjected to a far more traumatic experience and has a possibly greater susceptibility of becoming infected by virtue of the deployment of such anchor devices than would otherwise occur to the extent alternative, less traumatic affixation devices could be deployed.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for systems and devices for affixing sutures, grafts, soft tissues, synthetic materials, and the like to bone that are easier to deploy, remove and can remain more firmly seated into position than prior art devices. There is additionally a need for such devices that can be utilized in a wide variety of surgical applications and may be further customized for use for particular applications such that an optimal degree of support or leverage can be provided thereby. There is further a need in the art for affixation systems and devices that can provide for a less traumatic means for affixing sutures, grafts, soft tissues, synthetic materials, and the like into position that are less traumatic, easier to deploy, and may be readily removed and repositioned at a particular site than prior art systems and devices.

Systems for securing sutures, grafts and soft tissue to bone and periosteum


The present invention discloses a system and a method for securing the privacy of cellular network subscribers and the security of data stored on the said subscribers' User Cellular Devices (UCDs)

The abundance and diversity of threats to security and privacy over cellular networks is a well-established fact. Perpetrators may tap into various sources of data that are either stored on or communicated with any cellular device. For example, they may violate the privacy of cellular network subscribers by gaining access to stored files and private information, remotely operating the cellular device's camera and microphone, implanting malicious software, and even obtaining knowledge of their physical whereabouts.
Mobile phones as well as other portable devices that are employed for business use typically posses a wide variety of communication interfaces, each of which is vulnerable to cyber attacks. Examples for such interfaces are:                Voice calls;        Text messages;        Private emails and company emails;        Private apps, and company apps;        Access to company databases, business calendars and customer data; and        Any type of media including IP.
Attackers may choose to hack data pertaining to a cellular subscriber through a variety of methods. Examples for such methods include:                International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) catcher;        Man-in-the-middle (MitM) attacks;        Network attacks, e.g. by exploiting Signaling System 7 (SS7) loopholes; and        Different types of social engineering methods, for the purpose of information gathering, fraud, or gaining system access.
Attackers may choose to interface the target User Cellular Device (UCD) through a variety of access points, e.g. through the cellular network, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or a USB connection.
Attackers may choose to target 'ordinary' cellular network interfacing devices (e.g. smartphones, tablets and laptop computers) as well as Internet of Things (IoT) devices, such as Machine to Machine (M2M) and connected cars.
Attackers may choose to target personal information stored on cellular devices (e.g. passwords), in order to ultimately target data that is stored elsewhere (e.g. email or drop-box accounts).
Prior art includes tools that provide some degree of security by monitoring the activity on the UCD from the end-users' perspective, such as various anti-malware software tools. Such tools are limited in their scope of response to threats:                They require installation of the security tool on the UCD, and rely on updates from external sources;        They do not relate to threats posed to the UCD from the cellular network's perspective; and        They do not control the interaction of cellular subscribers with the hosting network.
Some network security solutions (e.g. US2016226913: "Technologies For Scalable Security Architecture Of Virtualized Network" and US20160308837: "Methods And Apparatus To Configure Virtual Private Mobile Networks For Security") disclose methods for securing the functionality of modules of the cellular network, but do not directly address UCD data security and the privacy of cellular network subscribers.
The disclosed invention addresses the issue of cellular security in a comprehensive perspective, addressing threats of multiple categories and sources, from both the UCD's and the network's perspective.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

System and method for securing communication and information of mobile devices through a controlled cellular communication network

Abstract: The system comprises a Controlled Cellular Network (CCN), interfacing a cellular Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), hosting a plurality of cellular subscribers.

Abstract: The said CCN system provides said security services to “serviced subscribers” of the hosting PLMN.

Abstract: The CCN encapsulates communication between UCDs of serviced subscribers and the hosting PLMN, including at least part of: control, signaling, SMS and data communications.

Abstract: The CCN is configured to identify security threats to the privacy of serviced subscribers and to the data stored on their UCDs, and determine said threats' category and probability, based on analysis of said encapsulated communication.

Abstract: CCN is configured to respond to said threats in real or near-real time, and take active measures to avert said suspected threats.


A multi-use hand tool for framing includes a shaft, a head, a notch, and a close space. The head is attached to the shaft and includes an open space adapted to fit a board. The notch is adapted for pulling nails. The closed space is adapted for pulling long nails.

Framing is a term used to describe the process of erecting a framed structure, usually out of lumber. The floors, walls and roof of a framed structure are created by assembling consistently-sized framing elements of dimensional lumber (2×4, 2×6, etc.), at consistent spacing (12″, 16″, & 24″ on center). The floors, walls, and roof are typically made torsionally stable with the installation of sheathing. Spacing the studs properly allows them to align with the edges of standard sheathing. Thus, there is a need for a tool for properly spacing the studs.
Two by fours that skilled craftsman use to construct houses and buildings are often provided as twisted or bowed which makes their use more of a challenge. Often it may take two people to put up a stud instead of one because of imperfections in the lumber. It often takes one person to manipulate (push, pull, twist) a board into position so that a second person can secure it with a fastener such as a nail. Therefore, there is a need for a tool that allows a person to manipulate boards into position for framing.
Typically, the manipulation of the board by the framer was accomplished by hand. The framer would grasp the stud with one hand and twist until the end of the stud was square with the particular plate. While still grasping the stud, the framer would then attempt to nail the stud to the plate, typically with an air nail gun. Because the framer has to manipulate the board down near the target area of the nail gun, there is a risk of injury to the framer from a misfire from the nail gun. Thus, there is a need for a tool that allows a framer to manipulate studs from an elevated distance.
During the process of framing, framers often times have to loosen boards. To save on lumber costs, it is important that the boards are loosened without damaging the wood and the nails removed from the boards so that the boards can be reused. One way to loosen a board without damaging it would be to first pry the board loose and then to pull the nails from the board. Therefore, there is a need for a tool that allows a framer to pry a board loose and remove the nails from the board.
Framers today typically carry around numerous tools to aid in the different tasks that may take place during the process of framing. These tools can be heavy and cumbersome. For safety concerns, because framing may take place in many different places and elevations, it is safest for the framer to carry as little tools as possible. Thus, there is a need for a single tool that can accomplish multiple framing tasks.
The instant invention is designed to address all of these problems.


A gas trubine combustor includes a main body with a combustion portion into which mixture of fuel and air is supplied. The gas mixture is burned through a catalytic reaction at a catalyst body arranged in the main body. The gas mixture passed through the catalyst body is introduced into a gas phase combustion portion provided in the main body. Between the catalyst body and the gas phase combustion portion is arranged a dividing unit which has a plurality of branch passages. The gas mixture passed through the catalyst body is divided by the dividing unit into a plurality of gas streams flowing through the branch passages. Each of the gas streams is mixed with fuel supplied from a fuel supply tube.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a gas turbine combustor for use in a gas turbine power generating system and the like, and in particular to a gas turbine combustor provided with a catalyst which suppresses the generation of nitrogen oxides (NOx) as environmental pollutants.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, as petroleum resources have decreased, not only various alternative energy sources, but also effective use of such energy sources, are required. In order to meet these requirements, cycle power generating systems using the combination of gas turbines and steam turbines, and cycle power generating systems using the combination of coal-gasification gas turbines and a steam turbines are being developed.
These cycle power generating systems each using the combination of a gas turbine and a steam turbine have a higher power generating efficiency than the conventional generating systems employing steam turbines operated by fossil fuels, and they are expected to be viable power generating systems for efficiently converting such fuels as natural gas and coal gas, whose production is expected to increase further, into electric power.
With the conventional gas turbine combustor used in such a gas turbine power generating system, the mixture of fuel and gas containing oxygen (generally air, and hereinafter referred to as "air") is ignited by a spark plug or the like and combusted uniformly. Generally, in this type of combustor, the fuel injected from a fuel nozzle into the inner tube of the combustor is mixed with air for combustion, fed under pressure from the air duct, ignited by the spark plug, and combusted. Cooling air and diluent air are added to the resultant gas, namely the combustion gas, in order to lower its temperature to a predetermined turbine inlet temperature. Thereafter, the thus-cooled and diluted combustion gas is injected through a turbine nozzle into a gas turbine.
One of the most serious problems which occurs in this conventional gas turbine combustor is that, a great deal of NOx is produced upon combustion of the fuel, thereby causing environmental pollution. This occurrence of NOx is attributed to the development of a localized high-temperature zone, the temperature of which exceeds 2,000.degree. C., in the combustor, during combustion of the fuel.
Various combustion systems are being investigated to solve the problem of the gas turbine combustor. For example, a catalytic combustion system using a solid phase catalyst has been proposed, in which such thin fuel as cannot be combusted in an ordinary combustor can be ignited. Therefore, with this system, the combustion temperature is not as high as the temperature which produces NOx and the turbine inlet temperature is as high as that of a conventional combustor.
The catalytic combustion type combustor has as a structural feature an auxiliary fuel injection nozzle and a catalyst body, arranged in series at the downstream side of the fuel injection nozzle with respect to the combusted gas flow passage. In general, the catalyst body has a honeycomb structure in which the mixture of fuel and air is combusted.
However, this catalytic combustion type combustor is also accompanied by the following problems. In the gas turbine, the temperature of the combustion gas to be injected into the turbine must be approximately 1,100.degree. C. and will tend to be much higher so that a higher efficient can be obtained. When the gas mixture is combusted at such a high temperature, however, the catalyst itself is heated to a temperature higher than 1,100.degree. C., with the result that the catalyst body tends to be broken. Through the experiments made by the inventors of this invention, it was confirmed that the temperature of the catalyst body was raised up to 1,100.degree..about.1,300.degree. C. In spite of this problem, a catalyst which withstands a temperature from 1,100.degree. to 1,300.degree. C. has not yet developed.
The inventors of this invention have proposed, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,731,989, a catalytic combustion method which reduces the heat load exerted on a catalyst body by effectively utilizing the gas-phase combustion occurring on the downstream side of the catalyst body, in a combustor. According to this method, a diluent mixture gas of fuel and air is combusted at the catalyst body. Generally, when a diluent gas mixture which is not easily burnt is oxidized by using the catalytic body, contact combustion (catalytic combustion) on the surface of the catalyst occurs simultaneously with gas-phase combustion in the honeycomb structure. According to the above-mentioned method, however, the density, temperature and flow rate of the mixture gas are controlled such that only contact combustion occurs in the catalyst body. Since no gas phase combustion occurs in the catalyst body, the combustion temperature does not become high. Further, only part of the fuel is burnt, and combustion gas including the unburnt gas is exhausted from the catalyst body. As a result, the catalyst body can be prevented from being damaged by heat.
According to this proposal, new fuel, supplied from a fuel supply pipe provided downstream from the catalyst body, is added to the combustion gas exhausted from the catalyst body. Accordingly, the fuel density in the combustion gas is increased to induce gas-phase combustion on the downstream side of the catalyst body, thereby raising the temperature of the combustion gas to be supplied into the gas turbine. Normally, the gas-phase combustion on the downstream side of the catalyst body occurs at the thin mixing ratio side, to suppress the generation of NOx.
However, this proposed catalytic combustion method is faced with the following problem:
When high density fuel, which is not mixed with air, is delivered from the fuel supply pipe and added to the combustion gas exhausted from the catalyst body, the fuel density distribution in the combustion gas becomes uneven. In other words, an area of high fuel density and an area of low fuel density appear in the combustion gas on the downstream side of the catalyst body. Since the combustion temperature in the high fuel density area becomes higher than in the low fuel density area, a large amount of NOx is produced there.
For solving this problem, fuel supply means must be provided on the downstream side of the catalyst body so that the fuel density distribution becomes even. A means for supplying fuel from the interior of the combustor and a means for injecting fuel from the outside of the combustor are considered as such fuel supplying means.
The former means more easily equalizes the fuel density distribution than the later one. With the former means, however, the fuel supply means is exposed to gas at a high temperature, so that it is necessary to cool the fuel supply means. This causes the structure of the combustor to become complicated and lowers the reliability of the fuel supply means under high temperature. Thus, with the former means, the above problem has not yet been solved.
With the latter means, little trouble has arisen as to the heat resistance of the fuel supply means. However, a required fuel traveling distance must be obtained in order to ensure uniform fuel density distribution. The fuel traveling distance depends greatly on the fuel pressure. When the combustor is large, it is difficult to obtain the required fuel traveling distance under regular fuel pressure.


The present invention provides, in one embodiment, a battery container. In this particular embodiment, the container comprises a housing having side walls and a spacing ridge formed in and extending outwardly from the side walls. The spacing ridge forms a groove on an interior surface of the walls and has a slot formed in the spacing ridge at first and second opposing ends of the housing. In an alternate embodiment, the spacing ridge has a plurality of slots formed on opposing ends of the container. Typically, two adjacent slots are formed on each end such that opposing ends of the handle may engage the retaining pin through the slots. The container further comprises a handle and a retaining pin configured to be received within the interior groove adjacent the slot. The handle is cooperatively engageable with the retaining pin to provide a lifting point for the container when the retaining pin is received in the interior groove. The handle and the retaining pin work cooperatively together to provide a handle that can easily be removed from the container, if so desired.

In our complex society today, numerous systems rely upon electrical power to function properly. Under normal circumstances, operating power is provided by the commercial AC power distribution systems for heat, air conditioning, traffic lights, cooking, telecommunications, etc. Since many, if not all, major power distribution lines are located on poles or towers, a natural disaster, such as a tornado, hurricane, or blizzard, frequently causes the loss of commercial AC power. The failure of commercial AC power may constitute a significant danger to life or property depending upon the system impacted. For instance, failure of AC power supplying the lighting or air conditioning in a hospital or nursing home could readily result in loss of life. Therefore, backup power systems have been developed to assure that the loss of primary power does not seriously affect critical systems.
The one critical system which is most often taken for granted is the telecommunications system. Significantly, when an emergency occurs, virtually everyone expects that telephone communications will remain unaffected. Clearly this is essential; since it is through the telephone that we normally summon medical or rescue aid. Therefore, because of this essential nature, the telecommunications system has been provided with a complex backup power system in the event of commercial AC power failure.
Traditionally, backup electricity for telecommunications has been achieved by dispersing batteries throughout the telecommunications system to power the necessary switches, amplifiers, etc., of the system. These batteries, amounting to millions worldwide, may be located in special rooms, atop a telephone pole, or even atop a mountain, depending upon the local system needs. These batteries may be in place for years before a power failure requires them. These batteries, which are typically a lead-acid type, employ a very well understood and proven technology. However, the batteries still require physical maintenance from time to time, eventually do fail, and must be replaced. Because of the nature of the components, the batteries are inherently extremely heavy per unit volume. Some of the portable batteries used in telecommunications backup weigh as much as 120 pounds each. Additionally, the lead is very toxic and, when no longer useable, must be properly recycled. The acid electrolyte is also a significant hazard to those who must service the batteries, or to anyone who comes in contact with them. Therefore, handling the batteries must be as safe as possible with little chance of an accident. Dropping a battery could cause a very undesirable chemical spill, and cause possible injury to the technician.
Typically, telecommunications backup batteries are located within a steel case, with handles at opposing ends. However, as in many areas, an emphasis on optimal use of space drives a requirement to make the batteries and their cases as small as possible. Unfortunately, the batteries have been optimized to such an extent that the emphasis on space savings has shifted to the case. As the battery case is relatively thin steel, little can be done to reduce case size.
One area of the case that has only infrequent, although important, usage is the handle used for lifting. Whatever material is used for the handle, it must be: (a) resistant to the acid electrolyte in the batteries, (b) fire resistant, or at least not support combustion, and (c) of sufficient strength to support the battery weight. Previous handles have comprised metal, plastic, and synthetic cloth. Metal handles, although meeting all of the above criteria, are somewhat bulky, and thus do not help solve the space problem. Metal handles also will conduct electricity, and therefore pose something of an electrical shorting problem. Some plastics meet (b) and (c) above, but are not resistant to the acid. Most synthetic cloths, such as KEVLAR.RTM. and NOMEX.RTM. are also not acid resistant. The one material found to meet all of the above criteria is a fiber made of RYTON.TM. (polyphenylene sulfide--PPS). PPS has been successfully used for battery handles of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,565,283 to Chalasani et al, However, the design of Chalasani requires a significant amount of PPS, which is quite expensive. Therefore, it would be highly desirable to produce a design which uses significantly less material for each handle.
Accordingly, what is needed in the art is a battery handle that is both fire and acid resistant, has a minimal profile, and is cheaper to manufacture than the current design.