A plate assembly on which a wafer is supported in the processing chamber of a processing apparatus facilitates a precise transfer of the wafer therefrom even when a vacuum atmosphere is present in the chamber. The plate assembly includes an underlying support plate and a pad dedicated to support the rear surface of the wafer. A plurality of recesses, in the form of parallel grooves, extend in the upper surface of the pad so that the rear surface of the wafer can also be exposed to the vacuum atmosphere in the processing chamber. Accordingly, a pressure difference at both sides of the wafer is minimized. Thus, the wafer can be raised off of the plate assembly while the precise position thereof is maintained.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a plate assembly that supports a workpiece in a processing chamber while the workpiece is processed in a vacuum. More specifically, the present invention relates to apparatus for processing a semiconductor wafer in a high vacuum atmosphere, and to a plate assembly for supporting the wafer in the processing chamber of such an apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
Currently, due to the widespread use of computers, semiconductor memory devices are being rapidly developed to provide greater memory storage and faster operating speeds. To this end, current processing technology in the art of manufacturing semiconductor devices is focused on developing and realizing memory devices having a high degree of integration, response speed, and reliability. These technologies include thin film forming, fine pattern forming, and ion-implantation processes.
Furthermore, the conditions of pressure, temperature, and gas flow must be accurately controlled during these semiconductor device manufacturing processes. If the processing conditions are not accurately controlled, the resulting semiconductor devices may fail or produce process errors. That is, the ability to accurately control the processing conditions during the manufacturing of semiconductor devices has a direct affect on the reliability of the devices and the productivity of the manufacturing process
In particular, recent semiconductor device manufacturing processes rely on the creation of a stable high vacuum condition. For example, current ion-implantation processes may be carried out in a vacuum of 1.0xc3x9710xe2x88x926 to 1.0xc3x9710xe2x88x927 Torr.
Furthermore, a semiconductor device is manufactured by repeatedly carrying out the thin film forming process, the fine pattern forming process, the ion-implantation process and the like. In the manufacturing of semiconductor device, therefore, a wafer must be accurately positioned throughout the course of its being transported and processed several times.
As can be seen from the description above, the manufacturing of a semiconductor device requires not only controlling the processing conditions (vacuum, temperature and gas flow), but also the position of the wafer, the processing order, and the like. For example, an ion-implantation process must be carried out as follows. A vacuum of 1.0xc3x9710xe2x88x926 Torr, for example, must be established in a processing chamber. The wafer is placed on a plate, i.e., a chuck, in the processing chamber. In particular, the wafer is set on a predetermined portion of the plate. As mentioned above, a high degree of vacuum is established in the processing chamber. Therefore, members are disposed on the plate to position the wafer as the wafer is set on the plate.
Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 1999-6995, Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2000-34535, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No Heya 7-221042 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,971,676 issued to Doue et al. all disclose examples of a wafer support plate having positioning members disposed thereon.
Now, an example of the way in which a wafer is set on a wafer support plate in a high vacuum atmosphere in a processing chamber will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an apparatus for implanting ions into a wafer W. The apparatus includes a processing chamber 10 and a plate assembly 12 disposed in the processing chamber 10. The plate assembly 12 has a pad 12a whose surface contacts the rear surface of the wafer W when the wafer W is positioned on the plate assembly 12, and a plate 12b supporting the pad 12a. The plate assembly 12 may also include a fence 20 as a stop for the wafer W, and a flange 22 that guides the wafer W during the movement of the wafer W onto the pad 12a. The fence 20 and the flange 22 extend along half the periphery of the pad 12a. The apparatus for implanting ions in the wafer W also includes a robot arm 14. The robot arm 14 is used to transport the wafer W from outside the processing chamber 10 onto the plate assembly 12 and from the plate assembly 12 to the outside of the processing chamber 10. Furthermore, the apparatus includes a lifter 18 having lifter pins 16. The lifter 18 and the lifter pins 16 support the rear surface of the wafer to position and/or lift the wafer on/from the plate assembly 12.
Referring now to FIG. 2, the wafer W is moved by the robot arm 14 onto/from the plate assembly 12. More specifically, the lifter 18 and the lifter pins 16 are raised. At this time, the robot arm 14 is positioned between the plate assembly 12 and the wafer W which is resting on the lifter pins 16. Then, the lifter 18 is lowered. Accordingly, the wafer W is placed on the robot arm 14, and is in turn transported by the robot arm 14.
At this time, the wafer W is positioned on the robot arm 14 by members (not shown) disposed on the plate assembly 12. If the wafer W is not positioned precisely on the robot arm 14, the wafer W may be damaged, for example, scratched, by the robot arm 14 In an extreme case, the mis-positioned wafer W may be dropped while being carried by the robot arm 14. Specifically, in many instances, the wafer W may not settle precisely on the robot arm 14 despite the presence of the wafer-positioning members of the plate assembly 12. The reason for this is that a pressure difference may be present or suddenly created in the space between the plate assembly 12 and the wafer W at the time the wafer W is being raised by the lifter 18 and the lifer pins 16. The pressure difference is created by a vacuum of 1.0xc3x9710xe2x88x928 Torr, for example, produced in the processing chamber 10.
When the surface of the wafer W is scratched or when the wafer W has fallen from the robot arm 14 for the reasons described above, the damaged wafer must be reworked or discarded. Therefore, the use of the prior art apparatus lowers the productivity of the semiconductor device manufacturing process.
An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problem of the prior art.
More specifically, one object of the present invention to provide a plate assembly that will allow a vacuum atmosphere in a processing chamber to act on the rear surface of a workpiece supported by the plate assembly.
It is likewise another object of the present to provide an apparatus for processing a workpiece in a vacuum wherein a minimal pressure difference is produced at both sides of the workpiece while the workpiece is being supported. thereby minimizing the tendency of the workpiece to be mis-positioned when it is raised off of the support
The plate assembly includes an underlying plate and a pad having a plurality of recesses in the upper surface thereof. Preferably, the recesses are parallel grooves that extend straight across the upper surface from one side thereof to the other. Furthermore, the plate assembly is generally disc-shaped and has a larger area than that of the workpiece so that the entire rear surface of the workpiece is situated on the pad.
The plate assembly is disposed in a processing chamber in which a process is carried out on the workpiece under a vacuum. The workpiece is supported on the pad of the plate assembly One or more lift pins are provided to lower the workpiece onto the plate assembly or raise the workpiece up off of the plate assembly. A robot arm can moved into position to receive the workpiece from the lifter pin(s) or transfer the workpiece to the lifter pin(s). Preferably, the robot arm has a bifurcated (Y-shaped) free end so as not to interfere with the operation of the lifter pin(s). Also, the robot arm has a working range that allows it to transfer the wafer from the vicinity of the plate assembly to the outside of the processing chamber and vice versa.
The workpiece may be a wafer used in the manufacturing of semiconductor devices. In this case, the processing apparatus may be an apparatus for forming a film on the wafer, an apparatus for forming a pattern on the wafer or an apparatus for implanting ions into the wafer.
In the processing apparatus, the wafer is placed on the plate assembly and is processed. After the workpiece is processed, the lift pin(s) is/are raised into contact with the rear surface of the workpiece to transfer the workpiece off of the pad of the plate assembly. At this time, the recesses in the upper surface of the pad of the plate assembly allow the vacuum atmosphere in the processing chamber to act at the rear surface of the workpiece. Because the pressure is significantly equalized at both sides of the wafer, the workpiece is not disturbed as it is raised by the lift pin(s). As a result, the wafer will not be scratched by the robot arm and thus, the wafer can be safely transported.

Wafer support plate assembly having recessed upper pad and vacuum processing apparatus comprising the same


A body temperature monitoring system comprises a mouth guard, a temperature-sensing unit associated with the mouth guard, and an indicator unit responsive to the temperature-sensing unit. The indicator unit indicates if a body temperature sensed by the temperature-sensing unit is outside of a pre-selected range. The indicator unit may be programmed to actuate an indicator when the temperature-sensing unit senses one or more temperatures that fall outside the pre-selected range. In one implementation, the indicator unit receives a string of multiple temperature readings and determines which temperatures are valid and invalid, and averages the valid temperatures. A method of monitoring a person's body temperature that parallels the above device is also described.

In recent years, recognition has become widespread of the problem of excessive changes to core body temperature during physical exertion. The problem has the potential to affect a broad swath of the population, including athletes from the professional level to the recreational. Excessive body temperature may manifest itself in the form of heat stroke or heat exhaustion. In the other extreme, hypothermia may result from excessive reduction of body temperature.
Monitoring body temperature during athletic events poses special challenges. The wearer must maintain mobility, so that devices protruding from the mouth or ears are impractical. Furthermore, it is often normal and safe for body temperature to fluctuate substantially during physical exertion, so that it may be necessary to monitor body temperature over some period of time in order to accurately determine whether body temperature is outside of a safe range. Additionally, the measurement of body temperature should accurately measure core body temperature. For this reason, systems and methods that monitor skin temperature are deficient, because temperature often at the skin may differ significantly from core body temperature.
Thus, there remains a need for a system or method for effectively monitoring body temperature during physical exertion.

System and method of monitoring body temperature


A modular implant that is effective to replace a damaged or degenerated spinal disc is provided. The implant includes a central core member having superior and inferior surfaces, a superior endplate member having a bone-contacting surface and a mating surface effective to mate with the superior surface of the central core member, and an inferior endplate member having a bone-contacting surface and a mating surface effective to mate with the inferior surface of the central core member. The modularity of the implant allows the surgeon to select and properly fit each modular endplate member separately during the surgical procedure, thereby eliminating the need to prepare the endplates of each adjacent vertebrae, and/or the bone-contacting surfaces of the implant.

The present invention relates to disc prosthesis, and more particularly, to a modular disc prosthesis which is effective to accommodate a variety of vertebral body endplates.
Advancing age, as well as injuries, can lead to changes in the various bones, discs, joints and ligaments of the body. In particular, these changes can manifest themselves in the form of damage or degeneration of an intervertebral disc, the result of which is mild to severe chronic back pain. Intervertebral discs serve as xe2x80x9cshockxe2x80x9d absorbers for the spinal column, absorbing pressure delivered to the spinal column. Additionally, they maintain the proper anatomical separation between two adjacent vertebra. This separation is necessary for allowing both the afferent and efferent nerves to exit and enter, respectively, the spinal column.
Treatment for a diseased or damaged disc can involve the removal of the affected disc and subsequent fusion of the opposing vertebra to one another. Spinal fusion consists of fusing the adjacent vertebrae through the disc space (the space previously occupied by the spinal disc interposed between the adjacent vertebral bodies). Typically, a fusion cage and/or bone graft is placed into the disc space to position the vertebrae apart so as to create more space for the nerves, to restore the angular relationship between the adjacent vertebrae to be fused, and to provide for material that can participate in and promote the fusion process.
In general, the ability to achieve bone fusion appears to be related to certain factors, such as the quality and quantity of bone graft material present, the surface area available for the fusion to occur over, and the stability of the construct being fused. The fusion cage and/or bone graft should, for example, occupy a significant portion of the disc space to provide a large surface area over which fusion can occur, and should contour the vertebral endplates adjacent the disc space to provide stability and further promote fusion. The fusion cage and/or bone graft used for the purpose of interbody fusion, however, cannot always be shaped to precisely fit the complex contours of the vertebral endplates adjacent the disc space. Moreover, the process of preparing and shaping an implant to contour adjacent vertebral endplates can be very time consuming.
Rather than shaping the fusion cage to contour the disc space, procedures have been developed to remove at least a portion of the outermost layer of the vertebral endplates. These procedures, however, can also present the surgeon with several challenges. The vertebral endplates should be prepared to match the implant to provide the greatest possible interface congruity between the endplates and the implant, as well as provide for the optimal contact surface, enhanced fusion area, and enhanced graft and construct stability. In order to achieve this, the amount of bone removed must be to a specified depth and width. Excess removal or penetration of the vertebral endplate can result in a weakening of the structural integrity of the vertebrae, thereby potentially causing the vertebral bodies to collapse around the fusion implant. Moreover, if the shape of the vertebral endplates does not match the shape of the implant, shifting can occur resulting in misalignment of the vertebrae.
Accordingly, there is a need for an implant which allows greater modularity to accommodate a variety of vertebral body endplates, without requiring the vertebral endplates to be prepared or the implant to be shaped and prepared during the procedure.
The present invention provides a modular implant for promoting fusion of adjacent vertebrae to the implant, and optionally provides a shock-absorbing function. The modularity of the implant allows the surgeon to select components which have a shape and size that conforms to the complex contours of the vertebral endplates adjacent the disc space. In general, the implant includes a central core member having superior and inferior surfaces, a superior endplate member having a bone-contacting surface and a mating surface effective to mate with the superior surface of the central core member, and an inferior endplate member having a bone-contacting surface and a mating surface effective to mate with the inferior surface of the central core member. The superior and inferior endplate members can be adapted to fixedly engage the central core member.
The superior and inferior surfaces of the central core member can each include an attachment member adapted to mate with the superior and inferior endplate members, respectively. The attachment members can be mated to the central core member, and can be slidably matable with the endplate members. The modular implant can further include a connecting element disposed on the superior and inferior attachment members and effective to slidably mate the superior and inferior attachment members to the superior and inferior endplate members. In one aspect, the implant includes a posterior portion and an anterior portion, and the superior and inferior endplate members are slidably matable with the superior attachment members in the posterior and anterior directions or, alternatively, in a posterio-lateral or anterio-lateral direction.
In one embodiment, the connecting element is a first complementary member formed on each of the superior and inferior attachment members, and a second complementary member formed on each of the endplate members. The first complementary member, e.g., a female dovetail, is slidably matable with the second complementary member, e.g., a male dovetail. In another embodiment, the connecting element can be formed from at least one protruding element formed on one of the attachment members and the endplate members, and at least one bore formed on the other one of the attachment members and the endplate members. The protruding element is adapted to be disposed within the bore to mate each endplate member to the attachment members of the central core.
The modular implant can optionally include a locking mechanism formed on at least one of the attachment members and the endplate members. The locking mechanism is effective to fixedly engage the superior attachment member to the superior endplate member and the inferior attachment member to the inferior endplate member. In one embodiment, the locking mechanism is a bore which extends through the complementary male and female dovetail complements, and a pin slidably disposed through the bore. The pin is effective to prevent movement of the attachments members with respect to the endplate members. In another embodiment, the locking mechanism can be a bore which extends through the attachment member and the endplate member, and a pin member adapted to be disposed through the bore.
The modular implant system of the invention can include a plurality of superior and inferior endplate members. The bone-contacting surfaces of the various superior and inferior endplate members can each have specific geometries and sizes adapted to conform to vertebral body endplates of various shapes and sizes. The geometries of the superior and inferior endplate members can be, for example, a convex shape, a domed shape, a serpentine shape, a ramped shape, and an angled shape, and combinations thereof. This type of modular system allows surgeons to construct an implant having superior and inferior endplate members which are adapted to fit within the vertebral space.
The present invention also provides a method for inserting an implant between a superior vertebrae and an inferior vertebrae.


An electrical generator having a stator assembly and a rotor assembly is provided. The rotor assembly has a rotor member, a first collector ring, and first and second rotor coils. The first collector ring is disposed proximate an exterior surface of the rotor member. The first collector ring has first and second balance resistors and first and second electrical terminals. The first and second balance resistors are disposed on an exterior surface of the first collector ring. The first and second balance resistors have first and second apertures, respectively extending therethough that are adjacent third and fourth apertures extending into the first collector ring. The first and second electrical terminals extend through the first and second apertures, respectively, and extend through the third and fourth apertures, respectively. The first and second balance resistors conduct first and second electrical currents to the first and second electrical terminals, respectively, that energize the first and second rotor coils, respectively. The first electrical current is substantially equal to the second electrical current.

Super-conducting generators including a rotor assembly and a stator assembly have been developed. The rotor assembly has a plurality of rotor coils that are rotated to generate an electrical current in the stator assembly. A resistance of each of the rotor coils, however, may not be equal to the other rotor coils. As a result, a current through one of more of the rotor coils may not have a desired current level, which may result in an inoperabe super-conducting generator.
Accordingly, there is a need for adjusting a resistance of a current path associated with each rotor coil such that the electrical current in each rotor coil can be made substantially equal to one another.

Current collector ring for a generator having balance resistors


A method and apparatus for altering the focal length of a focusing element o one of a plurality of pre-determined focal lengths by changing heat transfer within selected portions of the element by controlled quantities. Control over heat transfer is accomplished by manipulating one or more of a number of variables, including: the amount of heat or cold applied to surfaces; type of fluids pumped through channels for heating and cooling; temperatures, directions of flow and rates of flow of fluids; and placement of channels.

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for the control of the shape of a planar structure, and in particular to an instrument in which thermal gradients are used to control the shape of the surface of a diffraction crystal.
It is well known in the prior art that photons may be focused by specular reflection from mirror surfaces and by diffraction from crystallographic planes. Instruments incorporating these features include spectrometers, medical devices used to focus or increase the intensity of a beam for treatment purposes, satellite telescopes used for focusing parallel beams of photons such as x-rays and gamma rays from deep space, and devices useful for research purposes where beams of photons or particles are directed against samples to determine particular characteristics of the samples.
Mirrors have been used in these instruments to direct and to focus beams of photons because they can be fabricated in various curvatures, thereby providing precise control over the direction and shape of the beams. In instruments where complex focusing is required, mirrors can be fabricated as both cylindrical and ellipsoidal surfaces and can be used to obtain both single and double focusing.
However, mirrors can be used conveniently only in instruments utilizing low energy photon beams. Mirrors work well for energies below 10 keV and are useful for energies between 10 and 20 keV. Above 20 keV mirrors become very impractical because extremely large mirrors are required to accomplish even minor changes in angles of reflection. The maximum angle of reflection, .theta..sub.max, of photons from a mirror is given by the relation: EQU sin.theta..sub.max =A/E (1)
where "A" is a constant that is a characteristic of the reflecting surface, and "E" is the energy of the photons. For small angles this relation becomes: EQU .theta..sub.max =A/E (2)
If the energy of the incident photons is 20 keV and the reflecting surface is platinum, the maximum angle of reflection is about 0.0030 radians. A parallel beam of photons, 1 cm high, would require a mirror 333 cm (11 ft) long to reflect it and a mirror two to three times as long (22 to 33 ft) to focus it at some reasonable distance. If the photon beam were not parallel but diverging by 0.001 radians, as would be the case for a point source at a distance of 12 m, the mirror would have to be 500 cm long to reflect it and at least 1000 cm (33 ft) long to focus it. If the divergency of the beam were greater than the critical angle (0.0030 radians) then no length of mirror would be long enough to focus the full beam.
Because of this practical limitation, diffraction crystals are more suitable for use at energy levels above 20 keV. Theoretically, the range of energies in which diffraction crystals can be used is limited only at the low end. Diffraction will occur if the Bragg condition for diffraction is satisfied based on the equation: EQU n.lambda.=2d sin .theta.
where "n" is the order of diffraction, ".lambda." is the wavelength of the photons, "d" is the crystalline plane spacing, and ".theta." is the Bragg angle or incident angle. An incident beam will not be diffracted if the wavelength of the beam is longer than twice the distance between the crystalline planes.
The use of bent diffraction crystals has been limited, however, because bending of diffraction crystals has not been easily accomplished. Presently most bent crystals are bent with mechanical forces applied to the surface of the crystal. The bend is almost always only in one plane and compound curves such as spherical and ellipsoidal surfaces are very difficult to obtain (see U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,853,617 issued Sept. 23, 1958 to D. W. Berreman, 4,461,018 issued July 17, 1984 to Ice et al., and 4,737,973 issued Apr. 12, 1988 to Ogawa et al.).
It is an object of this invention to provide a method and apparatus for shaping the surface of a diffraction crystal without mechanical bending.
It is another object of this invention to provide a method and apparatus for controlling the shape of the surface of a diffraction crystal so that the crystal will function as a variable focus crystal diffraction lens.
It is another object of this invention to provide an instrument in which thermal gradients are used to control the shape of the surface of a diffraction crystal.
Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following and by practice of the invention.

Crystal diffraction lens with variable focal length

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


Fire fighting foam discharge is produced by introducing water, surfactant, and compressed air into a single mixing chamber from separate sources. A power source includes an internal combustion engine coupled by operator-controlled clutch to an output shaft for driving concurrently a water pump and air compressor.

The present invention relates to fire fighting apparatus, and particularly to foam discharge for fighting fires.
Cities have water delivery systems with fire hydrants for providing a source of fire fighting water. Unfortunately, such a plentiful water supply is not always available to fight fires. Many rural areas do not have a fire hydrant system. Similarly, no water supply is available in many remote areas. Consequently, to fight fires in such areas, water must be carried to the fire. Large water tanks carried on trucks and in aircraft aid in bringing water to a fire site, but when these tanks are empty it is difficult or impossible to successfully fight the fire. Water, therefore, is always a precious commodity when fighting fires, especially where the water must be carried to the fire site.
To extend a water supply at a fire site, it is known to intermix water with a surfactant, i.e., soap, to create a foam discharge for wetting and extinguishing the fire. In accordance with such known methods, the foam is generated in the turbulence of the water and surfactant mixture as it travels along a conduit. In many cases, 30 to 100 feet of conduit are required to provide sufficient turbulence to produce the desired foam discharge.
It is desirable to produce as much foam discharge as possible from a given volume of water. In this manner, the precious resource, water, is more fully used.

Apparatus for compressed air foam discharge


A cap assembly for protecting a head of a stylus, the cap assembly comprise a hollow cap and a resisting element. The cap has chamber defined therein. The resisting element is mounted in the chamber, the resisting element includes a resisting portion that has a receiving space defined therein. The receiving space has a shape and profile conforming to the head; so when the head is received in the receiving space, the head resisting an inner surface of the receiving space.

1. Technical Field
This exemplary disclosure generally relates to retractable/extendable styluses.
2. Description of Related Art
A typical stylus includes a housing, a retractable stylus body slidably accommodated in the housing and having a tip formed one end thereon, and a cap covering and protecting the tip. To retract the stylus body, an exterior force is directly exerted on the tip to make the stylus body retract into the housing. Thus, the tip may be easily damaged after the tip is used many times.
Therefore, there is room for improvement within the art.

Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd.


A method for constructing dentures which completely accommodate a patient's mandibular movements is provided. The method includes the steps of mounting a three dimensional recording device to the patient's jaws and forming intra-oral tracings of the patient's mandibular excursions and a Gothic arch tracing of the patient's mandibular excursions. The recordings and the tracing are utilized to mount upper and lower denture bases in a dental articulator, which also forms a part of the present invention, and to calibrate the articulator to precisely duplicate the patient's mandibular movements. Teeth are mounted on the upper and lower denture bases and ground to provide dentures which completely accommodate the patient's mandibular movements.

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for constructing dentures. More particularly, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for constructing dentures which completely accommodate a patient's mandibular excursions.
The human jaw is capable of a wide variety of movements, and each individual exhibits his or her own unique set of such movements. Consequently, one of the most difficult aspects of general dentistry is providing dentures constructed to accommodate completely the excursions of the patient's jaws. In addition to accurately determining all of the physical parameters of tooth and jaw position, the dentist must at the same time attempt to satisfy the patient's needs for fit, function and esthetics.
To construct a set of dentures which meet all of the above criteria, it is first necessary to model the movements of the patient's jaws. Intra-oral tracing devices are known which utilize moldable material and scribing pins to form three dimensional recordings of the patient's mandibular excursions along the Gothic arch, curve of Wilson and curve of Spee. However, to this point no method has been devised for using the recordings to accurately position denture bases in a conventional dental articulator or to calibrate such an articulator to precisely reproduce the patient's mandibular excursions.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,273,533 to Della Croce discloses a method for constructing dentures which utilizes intra-oral recordings of the patient's mandibular movements to calibrate an articulator; however, the articulator is of Della Croce's own design and is not of the type generally known and almost universally employed by those skilled in the art.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method for constructing dentures which completely accommodate the patient's mandibular excursion.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method for constructing such dentures on a conventional dental articulator calibrated to precisely duplicate the patient's mandibular movements.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a conventional dental articulator which is calibrated to precisely duplicate a patient's mandibular excursions.

Method and apparatus for constructing dentures


An optical device comprising a sheet of optical fibers having different lengths so that the fiber ends are distributed uniformly over a given area. The device is mounted in a digitizer tablet above or below its electrode array. When light is pumped into the free fiber ends, a pattern of light spots are formed which can be spread out to illuminate the tablet's working surface. When driven by a light pen, a similar optical device can be used to locate the light pen for menu-picking functions.

Digitizer tablets are well known in the art. Reference is made to the January, 1989 issue of Byte Magazine, page 162-174, which describe different kinds of currently available digitizers. Most digitizers nowadays rely on room illumination as the light source for the tablet surface. There are however digitizer tablets known as surfacelit or backlit tablets. These are for the most part used, in a variety of sizes of active work areas, in applications requiring high resolution and superior accuracy, such as for accurate tracing of drawings and/or CAD or CAM applications. However, known surfacelit or backlit tablets tend to be expensive, bulky, and of heavy weight. There is thus a need in the art to provide a surfacelit or backlit digitizer which is of significantly smaller size and bulk and of reduced cost.
Known digitizer tablets frequently supply menu-picking capabilities. A menu template is placed over the tablet, the tablet switched into its menu-picking mode, and then the normal pointing device, typically a stylus, is used as a mouse to point to various menu items. The tablet electronics, when told it is in the menu-picking mode, typically uses software or a look-up table to associate the stylus location with the various menu items, and then branches to a subroutine to execute the user's choice. This, however, has the disadvantage that the user has to switch from normal tablet mode to the menu-picking mode in order to select a menu item. There is thus a need in the art for a digitizer tablet that can always be maintained in its normal mode, yet enable a user to make and execute a menu choice.

Distributed optical fiber device for digitizer tablet


A control device for an electric motor includes: a controller configured to apply switching control to an inverter configured to execute power conversion in accordance with a torque command, to thereby control AC power to be supplied to the electric motor; and a current sensor configured to detect a phase current, which flows through an AC cable configured to connect the electric motor and the inverter to each other, wherein the controller includes a disconnection detection unit configured to acquire the phase current detected by the current sensor as a phase current detection value, calculate based on the torque command a phase current command value directed to the electric motor, and determine presence or absence of a disconnection of the AC cable in each phase from a transition result of a difference value between the phase current command value and the phase current detection value in each phase.

In recent years, a vehicle on which an internal combustion engine and an electric motor are mounted, which is a so-called hybrid vehicle, and an electric vehicle, on which only an electric motor is mounted for traveling, have come to be widely used in order to reduce emission of carbon dioxide or to increase fuel efficiency. On those electrically driven vehicles, on which the electric motor is mounted, a power storage device configured to output DC power and a power conversion device configured to convert the DC power from the power storage device to AC power to supply the power to the electric motor are mounted in addition to the electric motor.
When a disconnection or a short circuit occurs in a power connection line configured to couple the electric motor and the power conversion device to each other in such an electrically driven vehicle, there is a fear that the electric motor may not be able to normally operate and an excessive current may flow through the power conversion device and the electric motor. As a result, a failure of the electric motor and the power conversion device may be caused. Moreover, the electric motor does not operate normally, and thus there is a rear that unintended vehicle vibration may occur, resulting in discomfort for a driver and passengers.
In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, there is a related art for detecting the disconnection of the power connection line configured to couple the electric motor and the power conversion device to each other (for example, see Patent Literature 1).

Control device for electric motor and cable disconnection detection method


The present invention is a basketball rebound training apparatus including a rebound unit and an installation tool. The rebound unit includes a dome portion as well as a rim mount structure including a rim catch tab and a latch mechanism. The dome portion is shaped to deflect a basketball shot in a direction that will generally correspond to the likely path and direction of a similar missed shot. The rim catch tab projects under the basketball goal rim while the latch mechanism engages the opposite side of the rim. The installation tool is used to raise the rebound unit for installation on a basketball goal rim.

Retrieving missed attempted shots in the game of basketball, or making rebounds, contributes much toward victory in the game of basketball. Numerous training devices have been devised for helping players improve their ability to make rebounds. Generally such devices include some type of structure that is mounted to the basketball goal to prevent passage of the ball through the basketball hoop. One important disadvantage of present rebound training devices is that they are relatively difficult to install. Because the basketball hoop is elevated ten feet above the playing surface, a typical prior art rebound training device must often be installed and removed using a ladder. The time and effort involved in installing prior art rebound training devices discourage their use. Further, when is ladder is required to install a rebound device, the risk of injury is also increased. It is even the case that when young, but athletically inclined players find they have no ladder, then even more dangerous strategies may be attempted to install a prior art rebound device, namely players actually lifting other players who then install a prior art device.
Some prior art rebound training devices deflect the basketball in a random or unpredictable manner. The random deflection of shots may seem advantageous because it would seem to develop quick player reactions. However, the random deflection of shots actually defeats the object of rebound practice. A rebound training apparatus would preferably deflect a shot in the general direction of a similar missed shot. Deflecting a shot in a direction corresponding to that of a similar missed shot trains players to position themselves on the court at a location where a missed shot may be most likely rebounded. Anticipating the correct location for rebounding is preferable to reacting quickly to the rebound direction. Accordingly, what is needed is a basketball rebound training apparatus which can be easily installed and removed without the use of a ladder and which will generally deflect a shot in a direction generally corresponding to that of a similar missed shot.


According to certain embodiments, a method is provided by a distribution node for location aware scheduling. The method includes determining information about a condition associated with a packet. At least one Quality of Service, QoS, parameter is adjusted based on the information about the condition associated with the packet. The at least one QoS parameter is used to schedule the packet for transmission to a receiver based on the at least one adjusted QoS parameter.

Wireless Networks typically differentiate different types of traffic by assigning appropriate Quality of Service (QoS) parameters to different services (e.g., File Transfer Protocol (FTP), Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), . . . ). Each QoS class is typically associated to network Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in terms of latency, throughput, relative priority, reliability, etc. In 5G/NR, the concept of QoS is being extended by the use of "flows" which differentiate different traffic QoS parameters within a common radio bearer.
Some network services use geocast delivery where data is distributed in limited geographical areas. A typical example is high definition (HD) map dissemination for Voice-to-Everything (V2X) services. FIG. 1 illustrates some example types of V2X communications services from the application point of view. One such type of communication includes vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication. V2V communication includes any communication between vehicles using V2V applications and is predominantly broadcast-based. V2V may be realized by either direct communication between the devices in the respective vehicles, or via infrastructure such as a cellular network. An example of V2V is the transmission of a cooperative awareness message (CAM) with vehicle status information (such as position, direction and speed) transmitted to other vehicles in the proximity repeatedly (every 100 ms to 1 s). Another example is the transmission of a decentralized environmental notification message (DENM), which is an event-triggered message to alert vehicles. These two examples are taken from the ETSI Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) specification of V2X applications, see also 2.1.2, which also specifies the conditions under which the messages are generated. A main characteristic of V2V applications is the tight requirements on latency that can vary from 20 ms (for pre-crash warning messages) to 100 ms for other road safety services.
Another type of V2X communication is vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication. V2I communication includes any communication between vehicles and a Roadside Unit (RSU). The RSU is a stationary transportation infrastructure entity which communicates with vehicles in its proximity. An example of V2I is transmission of speed notifications from the RSU to vehicles, as well as queue information, collision risk alerts, curve speed warnings. Due to the safety related nature of V2I, delay requirements are similar to V2V requirements.
Yet another type of V2X communication is vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P) communication. V2P communication includes any communication between vehicles and vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians, using V2P applications. V2P typically takes place between distinct vehicles and pedestrians either directly or via infrastructure such as cellular network.
Still another type of V2X communication is vehicle-to-network (V2N) communication. V2N communication includes any communication between a vehicle and a centralized application server (or an ITS Traffic Management Center) both using V2N applications, via infrastructure (such as a cellular network). One example is a bad road condition warning sent to all vehicles in a wide area, or traffic flow optimization in which V2N application suggests speeds to vehicles and coordinates traffic lights. Therefore, V2N messages are supposed to be controlled by a centralized entity (i.e. the Traffic Management Center) and provisioned to vehicles in a large geographical area, rather than in a small area. Additionally, unlike V2V/V2I, latency requirements are more relaxed in V2N because it is meant to be used for non-safety purposes, e.g. is latency requirement is typically considered.
In vehicular V2X communications, a timely HD map is a need for safer and more comfortable semi- or fully autonomous driving experience. In a practical way, an off-board, system such as, for example, an application server, precisely aggregates and collects context information, such as vehicles, pedestrians, road structure reference objects and so forth from different sources, and then uses the information to construct an HD map. The HD map is distributed to vehicles or road users in real-time, which is then used for an optimal route selection or to complete critical maneuvers in a safe and comfortable manner. To acquire the HD map, an application server typically gathers all the information from different sources and constructs an HD map. The HD map is divided into sectors or polygons, which are then disseminated to the vehicles in the geographical areas corresponding to the sectors or polygons. The surface of the geographical area depends on the driving environment, which may include highway, urban conditions, and other factors.
However, there currently exist certain challenges. For example, traffic load in the network can vary greatly over time. Where a large amount of data requires reliable and urgent delivery, the scheduler has little freedom in assigning resources and system performance is degraded.


A method is provided for non-invasively predicting characteristics of one or more cells and cell derivatives. The method includes training a machine learning model using at least one of a plurality of training cell images representing a plurality of cells and data identifying characteristics for the plurality of cells. The method further includes receiving at least one test cell image representing at least one test cell being evaluated, the at least one test cell image being acquired non-invasively and based on absorbance as an absolute measure of light, and providing the at least one test cell image to the trained machine learning model. Using machine learning based on the trained machine learning model, characteristics of the at least one test cell are predicted. The method further includes generating, by the trained machine learning model, release criteria for clinical preparations of cells based on the predicted characteristics of the at least one test cell.

Many biological and clinical processes are facilitated by the application of cells. These processes include cell therapy (such as stem cell therapy), drug discovery, and testing toxic effects of compounds. Assays for cell death, cell proliferation, cell functionality, and cell health are very widely performed in many areas of biological and clinical research. Several kinds of assays are used to assess cell health, death, proliferations, and functionality, including but not limited to staining with dyes, antibodies, and nucleic acid probes. Barrier function assays, such as transepithelial permeability (TEP) and transepithelial electrical resistance (TER), provide useful criteria for toxicity evaluation and cell maturity. Other selected functional assays include, but are not limited to techniques using: electron microscopy (EM); gene (DNA or RNA) expression; or electrophysiological recordings, or techniques assessing secretion of specific cytokines, proteins, growth factors, or enzymes; rate and volume of fluid/small molecule transport from one side of cells to another; phagocytic ability of cells; immunohistochemical (IHC) patterns; and the like. Some of these assays can be used as "release" criteria to validate functionality of a cell therapy product before transplantation.
However, existing release assays used for cell therapies have significant limitations. Some of the aforementioned techniques are not quantitative, such as IHC and EM. Other release assays were found to exhibit a high degree of variability (e.g., cytokine release, TER) or were found to be too destructive (e.g., gene expression and phagocytosis) or too expensive (cytokine release and gene arrays). Also, current methods require, at a minimum, opening the cell culture dish to sample media and, at a maximum, require the complete destruction of the cells being measured. In several cases, these assays cannot be made throughout drug screening and toxicity testing and often do not provide high content information about cell health and functionality. This means that longitudinal assessment of cells with current methods as these cells grow, develop and differentiate, cannot occur without disturbing the cells, e.g., prior to administration to a patient or for testing drugs or toxic compounds. More specifically, many assays in current use increase the odds of contamination and/or inability to use the cells under examination in any further assessment/implantation, are not high throughput compatible and do not provide a complete overview of cell health.
Biologists can often predict whether certain types of cells (such as retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells) are functional just by looking at them under a bright-field/phase contrast microscope. This approach is non-invasive, versatile and relatively inexpensive. In spite of these advantages, image based analysis by humans has some drawbacks, such as, but not limited to, sampling bias, difficulty to directly correlate visual data and function and difficulty to draw causation.
Accordingly, in order to deliver cell and tissue therapies to patients and to discover novel drugs and potentially toxic compounds in a more efficient manner, there is a need in the art for automated analysis capable of addressing the above limitations of current approaches.

Using machine learning and/or neural networks to validate stem cells and their derivatives (2-D cells and 3-D tissues) for use in cell therapy and tissue engineered products

The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary, Department of Health & Human Services


A catheter arrangement including a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end and at least one continuous fluid channel, at the proximal end of which a fluid connection and at the distal end of which a nozzle is arranged, which has a cross section that can be varied by a force applied to the distal catheter end; a liquid feed unit, connected to the proximal fluid connection of the catheter feeds liquid into the at least one fluid channel at a predetermined operating pressure. A flow sensor measures, during operation of the catheter arrangement, a pressure drop at the fluid channel. A pressure evaluation unit, connected on the input side in a signal-based manner to the flow sensor, determines a force applied to the distal end of the catheter from the measured pressure drop at the fluid channel and from predetermined deformation characteristics of the associated nozzle.

In specific fields of use of catheters or similar devices, for example, electrode lines, a contact pressure against adjacent tissue is significant for the function of the catheter or similar device, such that a measurement of this contact force is of interest. This is applicable, to a particular extent, for what are known as ablation catheters, with which areas of tissue or tissue parts are removed.
An ablation catheter (e.g., "TactiCath" manufactured by Endosense) is known that enables measurement, during an ablation procedure, of the magnitude and direction of a force applied to the distal catheter end—during use that is to say the mentioned contact force. This catheter utilizes the principle of what is known as the FBG (Fiber Bragg Grating) sensor, wherein three fibers, each having an FBG sensor at the fiber end, form the group of sensors required for a 3D force measurement, it being possible to incorporate said sensors for joint measurement signal processing on a signal processing machine. The sensors are attached externally on a deformable cylinder at an angular distance of 120°.
In U.S. Publication No. 2008/0285909, the operating principle of FBG sensors for determining twists or curvatures of the catheter body is described in detail, and the operating mode of the aforementioned force sensor having a plurality of FBG fibers on a deformable cylinder is also explained in this document.
As described in International Publication No. WO 2009/138957, a temperature compensation is provided by means of three electrical thermocouples, because, in the case of the FBG measurement method, even small changes in temperature or deviations between the individual sensors can cause severe measurement uncertainties and, in the case of an electrothermal ablation procedure, rather considerable temperature fluctuations at the tip of the ablation catheter can occur.
The optical measurement principle of the FBG sensor is known in general and, in particular, also in its application for force measurements and temperature measurements; for example see "www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiber_Bragg_grating" or A. Othonos, K. Kalli: "Fiber Bragg Gratings: Fundamentals and Applications in Telecommunications and Sensing" Artec House 1999, and (specifically based on voltage measurements and temperature measurements) U.S. Pat. No. 5,399,854. A detailed explanation of the FBG sensor measurement principle is therefore not necessary here.
Irrespective of this measurement principle, other solutions for a contact force measurement on a guide wire or catheter are also known, for example, with use of an optical sensor, as described in International Publication No. WO 2009/007857, or with use of a semiconductor sensor at the tip of a guide wire, as described in International Publication No. WO 2008/003307.
More recent improvements to the aforementioned solutions are the subject of U.S. Publication No. 2012/0220879 and U.S. Application No. 61/703,272, also in the name of the Applicant herein.
The present invention is directed toward overcoming one or more problems associated with current catheters.

Catheter arrangement and method for determining a force applied to a catheter end


An electronic equipment rack is disclosed in which multiple electronic equipment components can be vertically mounted and vertically stacked within the rack. A component of electronic equipment, such as a standard rackable 1U-3U server chassis, having a configuration with its typical depth plane or dimension (z-axis) being both greater than or equal to its width plane or dimension (x-axis) and greater than its height plane or dimension (y-axis), is mounted in a vertical orientation on the rack, wherein the component is oriented and mounted on the rack such that the component's typical z-axis is substantially parallel to and in the same plane as the rack's x-axis and the component's typical x-axis is substantially parallel to and in the same plane as the rack's y-axis. Preferably, the component is further so oriented and mounted on the rack such that a user's desired surface (e.g., top or bottom) of the component's typical z-axis plane is readily accessible by the user.

Field of the Invention
The field of the invention relates to an electronic equipment rack in which multiple standard electronic equipment chassis can be vertically mounted, as opposed to horizontally mounted, and vertically stacked within the rack, without any modification required to the electronic equipment chassis being so mounted.
Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 37 CFR 1.98
A key disadvantage of prior art server racks is the servers are installed into or mounted on a rack in a horizontal axis configuration and then vertically stacked from top to bottom in the rack. This requires the storage space area within the rack to be at least as deep as the server when horizontally installed on the rack. However, this further means that the space where the rack is placed must be at least twice the depth of the rack, or as defined and used herein, a "standard storage space area," so that an installed server can be slid out and removed from the rack in order to service the server in any manner. In addition, space at the back of the rack must be reserved, which is typically an area about a width of the rack and by about at least 1″ or 2.5 cm in depth, for servicing physical power connections and including cabling and associated wiring harnesses that provide power and communications to the servers contained within the rack.
Another disadvantage of prior art server racks is proprietary rails that allow the server to be slid in and out for installation and maintenance must be designed for each server type in order to maintain standard clearances for installing into server racks.
Some prior art server storage racks allow for a server to be installed into or mounted on a rack in a vertical axis configuration and then horizontally stacked from side to side in the rack. Optionally, multiple rows of such horizontally stacked servers in turn can be vertically stacked upon each other from top to bottom in the rack. However, yet again, usually the storage space area for the rack must be at least twice the depth of the server, or a standard storage space area, so that an installed server can be slide out and removed from the rack in order to service the server in any manner.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,481,582 issued Nov. 19, 2001, by Rinderer for "Rack" discloses a rack, especially for holding units of electrical equipment one above another, comprising an open rectangular frame having opposite faces. The frame comprises a base, sides constituted by channels, a head and feet on the base for standing it upright, components being configured to be self-squaring for facilitating assembly. Components are mounted on the rack in a horizontal axis configuration and vertically stacked and the rack would require a standard storage space area.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,775,143 issued Aug. 10, 2004, by Yen et al. for "Server Apparatus" discloses a server apparatus, comprising a case, a backboard, a signal-exchange device and a plurality of computer devices. There are two breaches on the front and the back of the case, and there is a plurality of symmetric guiders in the vertical inner side. The backboard has two faces, one sticking on the breach of the back of the case and there is a plurality of connect-slots, each slot connecting the others through electric signals. The back of the signal exchange device and computer device respectively sets at least a first and second connector and the vertical width of the signal-exchange device is smaller than the width of the guider; thereby, a user can set the signal-exchange and computer device into the symmetric guiders. While the computer device and the signal-exchange device completely slide into the case, the first connector and the second connector wedge in the corresponding connect-slots. Components are mounted on the rack in a vertical axis configuration and horizontally stacked and in turn can be vertically stacked and the rack would require a standard storage space area.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,289,612 issued Nov. 20, 2007, by Malone for "Server with Vertical Drive Arrangement" discloses a planar backplane arranged in a horizontal orientation in a server configured for rack mounting. The planar backplane is configured to accept and mount a plurality of disk drives in a vertical orientation in a dense server arrangement. Components are mounted on the rack in a vertical axis configuration and horizontally stacked and in turn can be vertically stacked and the rack would require a standard storage space area.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,817,464 issued Aug. 26, 2014, by Jau et al. for "Server System" discloses a server system that includes a rack, a power supply module, a switch, and a plurality of servers. The rack can be divided into a plurality of rack units. The rack units are parallel to each other and vertically arranged. The power supply module and the switch are disposed in close proximity to each other in at least one of the rack units. The power supply is adjacent to the rear side of the rack. The switch is adjacent to the front side of the rack. Each of the servers is disposed in one of the other rack units and electrically connected to the power supply module and the switch. Components are mounted on the rack in a horizontal axis configuration and vertically stacked and the rack would require a standard storage space area.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,879,270 issued Nov. 4, 2014, by Chen et al. for "Rack Mountable Server Apparatus" discloses a rack mountable server apparatus disposed on a plane of a rack. The rack mountable server apparatus includes a chassis and a plurality of server units. The chassis is disposed in the rack, and the appearance of the chassis is a rectangular cuboid. When the chassis is installed in the rack, a first surface constructed by a length and a width of the chassis is parallel to the plane. The server units are disposed in the chassis. Each of server units has a circuit board, and the circuit boards are arranged parallel to a second surface which is constructed by the length and the height of the chassis or the width and the height of the chassis, and are perpendicular to the first surface. Components are mounted on the rack in a vertical axis configuration and horizontally stacked and in turn can be vertically stacked and the rack would require a standard storage space area.
U.S. Patent Application 20020190011 issued Dec. 19, 2002, by Caporale for "Rack System with Minimum Dead Space" discloses a rack system for minimizing dead space that includes a frame having a top, a device to be housed, and at least two ears adapted to horizontally secure the device from the top. The ears may be fastened directly to the top of the frame or fastened to two parallel horizontal rails which are braced to the top of the frame. The device is attached to each ear such that the device is parallel to the horizontal rails. The device's position relative to the top of the frame may be adjusted due to vertical slots in a side flange of each of the ears. An alternative embodiment includes a rack system having a frame with a top, a device to be housed, and a tray upon which the device may horizontally sit. The tray is fastened directly to the top of the frame or fastened to two parallel horizontal rails which are braced to the top of the frame. An additional clamp may be provided to secure the device between the tray and the clamp. Methods and kits for minimizing dead space in rack systems are also provided. A component is mounted on the rack in a horizontal axis configuration and the rack would require a standard storage space area.
U.S. Patent Application 20040189161 issued Sep. 30, 2004, by Davis et al. for "Zero Rack Unit Space Utilization" discloses an enclosure that stores accessories for computer-related devices in zero unit space. The enclosure comprises a frame with horizontal and vertical members coupled with frame tracks. The frame supports computer-related devices, such as server blades, in a rack unit space. The computer-related devices, being supplied by different vendors, have varying sizes, shapes, and attachment requirements. The frame tracks are adapted to attach accessories, such as a power source, a cooling device, or a wire guide, in a zero rack unit space. The frame is configured according to the EIA-310-D standard. The accessories and computer-related devices are mounted to the frame and the frame tracks using tool-less adapters. Components are mounted on the rack in a horizontal axis configuration and vertically stacked and the rack would require a standard storage space area.
There are known options to increase the number of components that may be mounted on a rack in order to maximize the utilization of a standard storage space area. However, if less than a standard storage space area is available, then there is a need for a rack upon which a user is able to mount and stack multiple components in order to maximize the utilization of a less than standard storage space area.

Electronic equipment vertical mount and stack rack


A method for assessing a corrosion inhibitor in a coolant, comprises providing a test kit comprising a first chamber containing an acid buffer and a solvent immiscible therein and a second chamber containing an indicator, the second chamber being in fluid communication with the first chamber and being configured such that retraction of the second chamber draws fluid into the first chamber and advancement forces fluid into the second chamber; drawing a coolant sample into the first chamber; contacting the coolant sample with the acid buffer and solvent in the first chamber and extracting the corrosion inhibitor into the solvent; allowing the solvent and buffer to separate in the first chamber; forcing a portion of the separated solvent into the second chamber; contacting the separated solvent with the indicator in the second chamber, and obtaining a visual indication of the presence of corrosion inhibitor in the coolant sample.

The systems, apparatus, and methods described herein are particularly suited for determining the constituents of such heat exchange fluids as organic acid technology coolants. Referred to as "extended life coolants," these heat exchange fluids typically contain carboxylate salts of long-chain alkyl-based organic acids or of aromatic-based organic acids (hereinafter "acid-based corrosion inhibitors") as corrosion inhibitors. These corrosion inhibitors inhibit corrosion of the metallic surfaces that are contacted by the heat exchange fluid. The organic acid-based corrosion inhibitors are also formulated for longer or extended service lives as compared to inorganic acid-based corrosion inhibitors. The recommended service life for "extended life coolants" (ELC) (under normal driving conditions) is commonly about five years, whereas the recommended service life for conventional coolants may be about two years.
Corrosion inhibitors that are suitable for this use are known and include carboxylate salts of long chain alkyl monocarboxylic organic acids (such as 2-ethyl hexanoic acid, octanoic acid, etc.), of dicarboxylic acids (e.g., sebacic acid), or of aromatic organic acids (such as benzoic acids and p-toluic acids). An expanded description of the type of heat exchange fluid that is a subject of the present invention and its application are provided in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,997,763 (commonly owned with the present application) and 6,475,438. Such heat exchange fluid types are widely used. It is further noted that the subject heat exchange fluids may be aqueous and/or glycol compositions and used for automotive, heavy duty, marine and other industrial applications.
The level of corrosion inhibitor(s) present in the coolant may diminish over time. For that reason, it may be desirable to test the coolant in order to determine its continued functionality. There is not currently available a reliable and convenient method or equipment for evaluating heat exchange fluids having corrosion inhibitors therein, so as to, for example, determine the sufficiency of the corrosion inhibitor content to provide ongoing corrosion protection. Analytical methods exist, but such methods typically require equipment, facilities and/or time that are not readily available or convenient to use in the field. Moreover, used heat exchange fluids typically include an array of components, including interferents. These interferents can alter the accuracy of conventional analytical techniques.
Thus it is desirable to provide a simple, easy-to-use device that can be used to determine the sufficiency of the corrosion inhibitor content, particularly in the field, where time and operator resources are relatively scarce.

Device for evaluating a heat exchange fluid


Providing 1- or 6-deoxy products corresponding to all of aldohexoses, ketohexoses and sugar alcohols, as based on Deoxy-Izumoring, as well as a method for systematically producing those products. A method for producing deoxyketohexose and a derivative thereof using a deoxyketohexose isomerase derived from Pseudomonas cichorii ST-24 (FERM BP-2736), comprising epimerizing 1-deoxy D-ketohexose or 6-deoxy D-ketohexose or 1-deoxy L-ketohexose or 6-deoxy L-ketohexose at position 3 to produce the individually corresponding 1-deoxy D-ketohexose or 6-deoxy D-ketohexose or 1-deoxy L-ketohexose or 6-deoxy L-ketohexose as an intended product.

A great number of complicated hydrocarbons play major roles in biological recognition processes such as recognitions between cells, cell growth and cell differentiation (non-patent reference 1). They compose blood type determinants (non-patent reference 2) and form cancer-related antigens (non-patent reference 3). In the plant kingdom, they exert coordination functions as hormones (non-patent reference 4) and form binding sites to lectin (non-patent reference 5).
For example, modified sugars such as deoxy- and fluoro-sugars and epimers of naturally occurring sugars provide important approaches for research works about interactions of them. Absolutely in the same manner as in the case of the interactions between specific enzymes and substrates, general rules about the interactions between proteins and carbohydrates are mostly focused in their association, interestingly. In other words, the information about the activity center of an enzyme can be obtained by continuous modifications of a substrate for the enzyme. Furthermore, attention is focused on deoxyglycosides, in particular, because of the fact that deoxyglycosides exist in a great number of antibiotics (non-patent reference 6).
It is reported that 2-deoxyglucose inhibits glycolysis in cancer cells and proliferation of cancer cells. It is also reported that 2-deoxyglucose delays cancer proliferation in some animal models. Additionally, research works are under way about combinations of other cytokines with anti-cancer drugs (patent reference 1). As described above, it is expected that deoxyhexose may be applicable to research works about metabolism and biological signals, in particular.
Izumori Ken as one of the inventors publicly discloses the Izumoring coordination scheme about tetrose, pentose and hexose in the patent reference 2 and describes the usefulness thereof. Specifically, the Izumoring coordination scheme is a scheme totally showing the coordination among all monosaccharides with 4 to 6 carbon atoms by linking them via production processes and molecular structures (D forms, L forms) as shown in FIG. 4. In other words, what is indicated in FIG. 4 is that all monosaccharides with 4, 5 and 6 carbon atoms are linked together. The whole scheme shows the linking in the Izumoring C6, the linking in the Izumoring C5, the linking in the Izumoring C4, and the linking of C4, C5 and C6 together. The concept is very important. So as to reduce the number of the carbon atoms, mainly, fermentation processes are used. The Izumoring scheme is characteristically a significant coordination scheme linking all monosaccharides with different carbon atoms together.
As shown in the lower column in FIG. 4, and in FIG. 5 and FIG. 8, the Izumoring of monosaccharides with 6 carbon atoms (hexose) shows that monosaccharides with 6 carbon atoms (hexose) include 34 types in total, where aldose includes 16 types; ketose includes eight types; and sugar alcohol includes 10 types. Rare sugars are defined as monosaccharides (aldose and ketose) and derivatives thereof (sugar alcohol) which exist rarely in the natural kingdom. Since the definition is not a definition according to the sugar structure or the sugar properties, the definition itself is so ambiguous. In other words, no definition about the amount such that rare sugars exist at a certain level or less is given. However, the aldose abundantly existing in the natural kingdom includes six types of D-glucose, D-galactose, D-mannose, D-ribose, D-xylose and L-arabinose. Therefore, aldose types except those described above are defined as rare sugars. D-Fructose exists as the ketose, while ketose types except D-fructose are defined as rare sugars. The other ketose types include D-psicose, D-tagatose, D-sorbose, L-fructose, L-psicose, L-tagatose and L-sorbose. Meanwhile, sugar alcohol is prepared by reducing monosaccharides. In the natural kingdom, D-sorbitol exists relatively abundantly, but sugar alcohols except D-sorbitol exist at so smaller amounts quantitatively that these sugar alcohols are also defined as rare sugars.
It has been known by research works including research works of the inventors that these sugars can be converted via redox enzyme reactions, aldose isomerase reactions, and aldose reduction enzyme reactions. D-Glucose (grape sugar) and D-fructose exist abundantly in the natural kingdom and are inexpensive, but these rare sugars have never been synthetically prepared yet. Herein, a novel enzyme was discovered. Quite unexpectedly, D-sorbose was found in a liquid culture of a bacterium generating an enzyme synthesizing D-sorbose from galactitol. That was the beginning. The cause was examined. Consequently, it was found that the bacterium generated an enzyme D-tagatose 3-epimerase (DTE) (patent reference 3). It is indicated that DTE is an enzyme linking between D-tagatose and D-sorbose, which have never been linked together. More surprisingly, DTE is an enzyme epimerizing all ketose types at position 3, and having such wide substrate specificity to interact with D-fructose and D-psicose, L-sorbose and L-tagatose, D-tagatose and D-sorbose, and L-psicose and L-fructose, which have never been synthetically connected together. In other words, it is indicated that the enzyme is a unique enzyme capable of selecting a substrate in a very wide range. Via the discovery of DTE, all monosaccharides are linked together in a ring shape, so that information about monosaccharides can be structurally constructed, which was designated Izumoring.
In a thorough view of FIG. 5, L forms are shown on the left side; D forms, on the right side; and DL forms, on the center. Additionally, L forms and corresponding D forms thereto locate to each other in point symmetry on the center (asterisk) of the ring. For example, D-glucose and L-glucose position to each other in point symmetry on the center point as the base. The value of Izumoring additionally resides in the design scheme for producing all monosaccharides. When intending to produce L-glucose from a starting material D-glucose, in the previous example, Izumoring shows that L-glucose can be prepared from D-glucose through isomerization, epimerization, reduction, oxidation, epimerization and isomerization.
Using Izumoring about monosaccharides with 6 carbon atoms (hexose), relations between sugars abundantly existing in the natural kingdom and rare sugars existing at a trace of amounts are shown. D-Glucose, D-fructose, D-mannose and D-galactose generated from lactose in cow milk exist abundantly in the natural kingdom, while sugars except those described above are grouped as rare sugars existing at extremely small amounts. The discovery of DTE enabled the production of D-fructose and D-psicose from D-glucose and also the production of D-allose, allitol and D-talitol. A rare sugar D-psicose has hardly been available so far, but a method for producing rare sugars from monosaccharides abundantly existing in the natural kingdom is now being developed. By utilizing the technique, the rare sugar D-psicose can be produced.
Herein, the meaning of Izumoring about monosaccharides with 6 carbon atoms is now described collectively below: all monosaccharides are structurally coordinated (structurally constructing information) via production processes and molecular structures (D forms, L forms) to catch the whole image of monosaccharides; an effective and efficient approach about research works thereof can be selected; an optimal production route can be designed; and defective parts may be anticipated.
Izumoring about monosaccharides with 5 carbon atoms (pentose) is of a ring smaller than the ring of Izumoring about monosaccharides with 6 carbon atoms, as shown in the middle column of FIG. 4 and in FIG. 6. Nonetheless, the Izumoring includes all of eight aldose types, four ketose types and four sugar alcohols, like C6 Izumoring, so that all monosaccharides are linked together via enzyme reactions. All the monosaccharides are linked together in a ring shape in the same manner except for a different point that the monosaccharides are produced only by redox reaction and isomerization reaction. It is indicated that by using DTE, a more efficient production route can be designed. As apparently shown in FIG. 6, in particular, the characteristic feature of the Izumoring with 5 carbon atoms is the symmetry on the right and left sides in contrast to the Izumoring with 6 carbon atoms, where all monosaccharides are arranged in point symmetry. Since all these pentose types are linked together with enzyme reactions, all the pentose types are structurally arranged (information construction) in the same manner as in the case of the Izumoring with 6 carbon atoms, so that the whole image can be given; an effective and efficient approach for research works about such pentose types can be selected; the optimal production route can be designed; and a defective part can be anticipated, significantly.
As shown in the upper column of FIG. 4 and FIG. 7, the Izumoring about monosaccharides with 4 carbon atoms (tetrose) cannot form a complete ring due to the characteristic structural feature of tetrose. The Izumoring with 4 carbon atoms has a structure corresponding to the upper half of the Izumoring with 5 carbon atoms. The ring is also in linking via redox and isomerization reactions absolutely in the same manner as the Izumoring with 5 to 6 carbon atoms does. Because DTE never reacts with ketose with 4 carbon atoms, currently, no reaction exists between ketose types. However, the existence of a novel epimerase is anticipated, so research works about the existence thereof are now under way.
The whole arrangement is in symmetry on the right and left sides, like the arrangement in the Izumoring with 5 carbon atoms and includes all four aldose types, two ketose types and three sugar alcohol types. In other words, the same meaning as the Izumoring with 5 and 6 carbon atoms exists.
D-Glucose in the Izumoring C6 is linked to D-arabitol in the Izumoring C5 and to erythritol in the Izumoring C4. The lines show that D-arabitol and erythritol can be produced from D-glucose by a fermentation method. In other words, the Izumoring C6, the Izumoring C5 and the Izumoring C4 are linked together. The linking is mainly due to reactions by fermentation, causing the reduction of carbon atoms. The Izumoring C6, the Izumoring C5 and the Izumoring C4 may be linked together by fermentation methods other than the two conversion reactions to D-arabitol and erythritol. For example, D-ribose may be produced from D-glucose.
As described above, all monosaccharides (aldose, ketose and sugar alcohol) with 4, 5 and 6 carbon atoms are linked together via the three Izumoring schemes. Therefore, the locations of individual monosaccharides in all the monosaccharides can be clearly identified. It is readily confirmed that the most famous Xylitol can be produced readily by reducing D-xylose prepared from wood pulp as a source not utilized.
In case that a specific monosaccharide is obtained abundantly via a reaction in a biological organism, the conversion of the specific monosaccharide to a novel monosaccharide will possibly be found readily. Because the locations of all monosaccharides as raw materials can securely be obtained on the basis of the whole image, a useful method for the utilization thereof can be designed. Particularly, the method for using any monosaccharide obtained from wastes or by-products can readily be anticipated.
When monosaccharides are reduced, aldehyde group and ketone group therein are converted to alcohol group, so that polyhydric alcohols with the same carbon atoms, namely sugar alcohols are produced. Many of reducing sugars are useful in fields of food, etc.; for example, L-arabinose as a pentose has a taste close to sucrose and is slightly absorbed, so L-arabinose is a non-caloric sugar. Additionally, it is known that disaccharides such as sucrose and maltose inhibit disaccharide hydrolases in exerting its function during the absorption thereof into biological bodies. It is expected that such disaccharides may be utilized as diet sweeteners or sweeteners for diabetic patients. Additionally, L-arabinose is a useful sugar as a raw material for synthetically preparing pharmaceutical products.
In case of intending to obtain reducing sugars, the origin may be screened for in naturally occurring materials. For example, recently, a method for producing L-arabinose comprising allowing an enzyme and an acid to react with corn fiber, gum Arabic and beet pulp has been developed as an approach for obtaining L-arabinose. Crude fibers such as arabinan, arabinoxylan and arabinogalactan as raw materials frequently exist in mixtures with for example pectin and unnecessary crude fiber. In solutions resulting from the enzyme decomposition and acid hydrolysis of them, pectin, crude fibers or decomposition products thereof in addition to reducing sugars such as L-arabinose are mixed together and concurrently exist. As to a method for purifying L-arabinose, there are proposed for example a method of fractionation of the intended L-arabinose from xylose and oligosaccharides in an L-arabinose-containing sugar solution by chromatography with ion exchange resins; a method by chromatography with ion exchange resins for the purpose of separating L-arabinose from polysaccharides, oligosaccharides and salts; and film treatment.
As to deoxy monosaccharides, alternatively, effective methods for producing such deoxy monosaccharides and substances recognized as deoxy monosaccharides are very few. Therefore, the establishment of a method for producing deoxy monosaccharides is first desired.    Patent reference 1: JP-T-2006-515883 (the term "JP-T" means a published Japanese translation of a PCT patent application)    Patent reference 2: WO 2004/063369    Patent reference 3: Japanese Patent 3,333,969    Non-patent reference 1: G. E. Edelman, Spektrum Wiss. 1964 (6), 62    Non-patent reference 2: V. Ginsburg, Adv. Enzymol. 36, (1972), 131    Non-patent reference 3: G. M. W. Cook, E. W. Stoddard, "Surface carbohydrates of the Eucaryotic Cell", Academic Press, London, 1973    Non-patent reference 4: P. Albersheim, A. G. Darvill, Spektrum Wiss. 1985(11), 86    Non-patent reference 5: T. W. Rademacher, R. B. Parekh, R. A. Dwek, Ann. Rev. Biochem., 57, (1988), 785    Non-patent reference 6: T. Reichstein, E. Weiss, Adv. Carbohydr. Chem. 17, (9162[sic]), 65

Deoxyketohexose isomerase and method for producing deoxyhexose and derivative thereof using same

National University Corporation Kagawa University

Rare Sugar Production Technical Research Laboratories, LLC.


Disclosed are IC partitioned packaging and interconnection constructions that provide for improved distribution of power, ground, cross chip interconnections and clocks.

The current state of semiconductor lithography has enabled electrical circuits on a scale which has been unthinkable even a few years ago. As semiconductor chip features shrink into the nanometer range, overall integrated circuit performance becomes limited by numerous factors among them are cross chip routes, on-chip clock skew and power and ground distribution. Moreover, as IC chips get larger with greater numbers of transistors, they require more signal routing, more I/O and more power to operate. Thus with such a large quantity of circuit elements, the challenges of delivering common signals and power to millions of circuit elements, has become a significant impediment to increasing overall chip performance.
While limited I/O IC packages can normally be easily packaged in leadframe type structures, higher I/O devices typically require more complex interconnection structures. These structures all serve to redistribute the fine pitch I/O of the IC chip to coarser pitches that are more manageable for interconnection at the next level of assembly such as when they are interconnected to a printed circuit board. While ceramic based interconnection structures are not uncommon, most users prefer reinforced organic materials for packaging ICs due to the lower dielectric constant and lower cost.
Present generation printed circuit based IC packaging technologies follow traditional design practices which typically involve the manufacture of monolithic substrates having one, two or more interconnection layers as required to redistribute the IC chip terminations to the more manageable pitch, while providing the best possible interconnection signal integrity. While there have been continuing advances to meet the needs of higher I/O devices, there remain limits to the performance potential of these solutions and it is not clear that the advances achieved will be capable of meeting the performance needs of next generation IC chips at reasonable costs and with reasonably short design cycles. For example, there are proposed solutions that involve total packaging of the IC on the wafer that include power, ground and redistribution wiring in the packaging elements that are bonded to the surface of the wafer. While attractive and offering the potential to reduce the number of I/O by managing, to a degree, the power and ground distribution inside the packaging portion of the completed structure, the manufacturing infrastructure is not yet prepared to deliver this type of solution because of the yield risks associated with assembly of a complete wafer.
Another challenge of present design practice is the management of circuit clocks which are vital to the efficient operation of the IC chip. Clock drivers are in normal practice integrated into the design of the IC chip. As such, they tend to be located in areas of convenience which often results in clock skew and timing errors that must be then addressed either using software or complex circuit routing solutions. Given the present challenges it is clear that there is opportunity and need for improvements which will address the gap between present approaches to and future requirements.

Partitioned integrated circuit package with central clock driver


This invention relates to a photoinitiator compound comprising: a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) moiety and a photoinitiator moiety, wherein the photoinitiator compound having the structure according to formula (I): [R—SiO1.5]n (I), wherein n is 6, 8, 10 or 12 and R is independently selected from the group consisting of H, linear or branched (hetero)alkyl, linear or branched (hetero)alkenyl, (hetero)aryl, (hetero)alkyl aryl, (hetero)aryl alkyl and a photoinitiator moiety, wherein at least one R is a photoinitiator moiety and the photoinitiator compound is a nanoparticle. The present invention also relates to a method for the production of the photoinitiator compound of the invention, a photopolymerizable composition comprising the photoinitiator compound of the invention, the use of the photoinitiator compound of the invention for photopolymerization. The present invention is further related to a coated substrate comprising the photopolymerizable composition of the invention.

Photopolymerization is a process of formation of cross-linked polymers from monomers or oligomers under exposure of light. Photopolymerization is also commonly recognized as a green and sustainable technology characterized by low electrical power input and energy requirements. The phase transition from liquid to solid in the light-induced polymerization reactions forms the basis of numerous traditional industrial applications of photopolymers in coatings, inks, adhesives, and optoelectronics. Photopolymerization technology is now expanded into a number of new emerging applications such as additive manufacturing (stereolithography and polyject) and nanotechnology due to their unique benefits of low temperature operation and no volatile organic compounds release (1. Photoresponsive Polymers; Krongauz, V., Trifunac, A., Eds.; Chapman and Hall: New York, N.Y., USA, 1994; 2. Belfied, K. D.; Crivello, J. V. Photoinitiated Polymerization; ACS Symp. Ser. 847; American Chemical Society: Washington, D.C., USA, 2003; 3. Green, W. A. Industrial Photoinitiators; CRC Press: Boca Raton, Fla., USA, 2010; 4. Photochemistry and Photophysics of Polymer Materials; Allen, N. S., Ed.; Wiley: Hoboken, N.J., USA, 2010).
Free radical photopolymerization (FRP) is undoubtedly the most popular photopolymerization technique, which involves a polymerizable radical matrix and a photoinitiating system (PIS). The PIS contains at least a photoinitiator (PI) and/or a photosensitizer (PS) to absorb the light (Fouassier, J. P.; Lalevée, J. Photoinitiators for Polymer Synthesis: Scope, Reactivity and Efficiency; Wiley VCH: Weinheim, Germany, 2012). FRP process is based on the application of a photoinitiating system, which converts absorbed light radiation into chemical energy in form of initiating species, such as free radicals, to induce polymerization of monomers. Nowadays, the FRP has made significant inroads in replacing traditional thermally cured and solvent-based technologies in large scale and high throughout manufacturing applications due to its high rates of polymerization and elimination of the use of volatile organic solvents. Along with many examples of commercial success of FRP in industry applications, the use of PIs in the polymerization processes still remains some safety and engineering issues. The discovery of contamination of baby milk with Isopropyl Thioxanthone (ITX) in 2005 caused a huge stir in the European food packaging market, where ITX was used as a photoinitiator in UV curable printing inks on the outer surface of liquid milk cartons. In 2009, the German authorities reported a migration of 4-Methyl Benzophenone (4-MBP) to muesli above the Specific Migration Limit (SML). Both PIs (ITX and 4-MBP) were able to migrate into the food due to their very small molecular weight. Furthermore, the residual PIs in the resulting polymer resins often lead to decrease of the mechanical properties and thermal stability of the resulting materials. Therefore, a new strategy to decrease PIs migration together with enhanced mechanical and thermal properties for photopolymerization is greatly anticipated (Oku J. Impact Properties of Acrylic Denture Base Resin. Part 2 Effects of Temperature and Residual Monomer on Impact Characteristics. Dent Mater J 1989; 8:186-193).
Hou et al. (Hou et al., Adv. Mater. Interfaces 2014, 1, 1400385) report the preparation of F2-POSS-(SH)4-TX-EDB and its use in initiating photopolymerization. However, each molecule of said compound comprises four thiol groups, two fluorinated carbon chains, the photoinitiator moiety TX and the co-initiator moiety EDB. These functional groups may course sterical issues (specifically after curing of the photopolymerizable polymer) that massively influence the chemical and physical properties of the prepared resin. Moreover, thiol groups and fluorinated carbon chains may provide safety drawbacks if the prepared resin is exposed to sensitive products, such as food, drinks, cosmetics etc.
EP 2370449 B1 discloses a photoactive moiety and an amine functionality, preferably a tertiary amino group, bonded to a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane. Due to the branched amine functionality also these compounds, as described above, may course sterical issues (specifically after curing of the photopolymerizable polymer) that massively influence the chemical and physical properties of the prepared resin.
Hence, there is need in the art for photoinitiator compounds and resins/polymers prepared from said photoinitiator compounds that provide a safe use (also in sensitive products) and that demonstrate improved chemical and physical properties.

Photoinitiators functioned as both initiators and nanofillers

Agency for Science, Technology and Research


Squaraine dyes are used to detect the presence of protein in a test sample, which is a substance that may contain protein. A squarine dye is placed in water, and in some instances joined with an aggregation agent, to create an aqueous dye solution. That dye solution is joined with a test sample. When the dye solution is joined with the test sample and the resultant test solution is excited by the application of photons, a resulting fluorescence or absence thereof reveals if protein was present in the test sample.

Protein detection is of profound importance in clinical research. Traditional methods of detecting proteins are generally based on absorption spectrometry, such as Bradford method and Lowry method, which involve complicated steps and have limited sensitivity with narrow linear response range. Fluorescence detection of proteins offers an attractive alternative method, which exhibit high sensitivity and fast response. Fluorescent detection is widely used in modern biomedical techniques for analysis and quantification of proteins.
It is the presence, abundance and activity of protein that controls cell function and disease. Clinical research requires protein profiling techniques which reveal characteristic protein patterns that can be compared between normal and diseased states to improve diagnosis and prognosis. Since the abnormal protein levels is related to the early disease, the protein levels can be an invaluable tool for early disease detection, which likely leads to effective treatments on patients in alleviating or stabilizing the disease process. For clinical applications, it is highly desirable to develop fluorescent probes that can quantify the protein concentration in a cost-effective manner.
For efficient drug delivery and therapeutic application, it is essential to discover site-selective and protein-selective fluorescent probes for BSA. Few BSA-selective fluorescent sensors are available and most of them are chosen from molecule library developed with major synthetic efforts

Using squaraine dyes as near infrared fluorescent sensors for protein detection


A system, method and apparatus for monitoring the performance of a gas turbine engine. A counter value Indicative of the comparison between the engine condition and the threshold condition is adjusted. The aircraft operator is warned of an impending maintenance condition based on the counter value and determines an appropriate course of action.

Engine health and trend monitoring typically involves the recording and monitoring of engine parameters, and subsequent monitoring and analysis of such parameters in an attempt to determine engine operating trends, and particularly those which may be indicative of an engine condition requiring maintenance. Some sophisticated systems include apparatus to upload engine data, upon aircraft arrival at its destination, to remote monitoring sites to provide on-going oversight of engine performance. Such systems, however, require significant equipment and infrastructure in support, and typically provide the operator with little real time information on engine health.

Method of monitoring gas turbine engine operation