The present invention relates generally to the field of molecular biology and concerns a method for enhancing various yield-related traits in plants by modulating expression in a plant of a nucleic acid encoding a TCP1 transcription factor. The present invention also concerns plants having modulated expression of a nucleic acid encoding a TCP1 polypeptide, which plants have enhanced yield-related traits relative to corresponding wild type plants or other control plants. The invention also provides constructs useful in the methods of the invention.

TCP1/TCP2 Polypeptides
Transcription factors are usually defined as proteins that show sequence-specific DNA binding affinity and that are capable of activating and/or repressing transcription. The Arabidopsis thaliana genome codes for at least 1533 transcriptional regulators, accounting for ˜5.9% of its estimated total number of genes (Riechmann et al. (2000) Science 290: 2105-2109). The TCP family of transcription factors is named after its first characterized members (teosinte-branched1 (TB1), cycloidea (CYC) and PCNA factor (PCF); Cubas P et al. (1999) Plant J 18(2): 215-22). In Arabidopsis thaliana, more than 20 members of the TCP family polypeptides have been identified, and classified based on sequence similarity in the TCP domain into Class I (also called Group I or PCF group) transcription factors that positively regulate gene expression, and Class II (also called Group II or CYC-TB1 group) transcription factors that negatively regulate proliferation. All TCP transcription factors are characterized by a non-canonical predicted basic-Helix-Loop-Helix (bHLH), that is required for both DNA binding and homo- and hetero-dimerization (see Cubas et al. above).
Surprisingly, it has now been found that increasing expression in a plant of a nucleic acid sequence encoding a TCP1 or a TCP2 transcription factor gives plants having enhanced yield-related traits relative to control plants. The particular subgroup of TCP polypeptides suitable for enhancing yield-related traits is described in detail below.
According one embodiment, there is provided a method for enhancing yield-related traits in plants relative to control plants, comprising modulating expression of a nucleic acid encoding a TCP1 or a TCP2 polypeptide in a plant.
Epsin-Like Proteins
Eukaryotic cells possess an elaborate membrane system that functions in uptake of molecules (endocytosis) or in delivery of molecules to the cell exterior (secretory pathway). The secretory pathway leads from the endoplasmatic reticulum via the Golgi apparatus to the cell membrane. The endocytic pathway goes from the cell membrane to the cell interior. All these pathways make use of vesicles that budd off from the organelle where they originate from and which are highly selective with respect to the content they have and to their destination. Newly synthesised proteins need to be transported to the different subcellular locations or exported to the extracellular environment. Intracellular trafficking is controlled by many proteins, which are for example part of the vesicle, or assist in vesicle formation or fusion, or regulate the trafficking or assist in selection of cargo proteins etc. Many of these proteins are shared among plants, yeast and animals, indicating that the intracellular trafficking machinery is conserved among eukaryotes. One such group of proteins is characterised by the presence of a conserved "Epsin N-Terminal Homology" (ENTH) domain. The ENTH domain is capable of binding to phosphatidylinositols and therefore thought to play a role in targeting these proteins to specific compartments and assist in clathrin-mediated budding. ANTH (AP180 N-Terminal homology) domains are postulated to have a similar function as ENTH domains, but are part of structurally different proteins.
Epsin-like proteins all comprise an ENTH domain, and are postulated to play similar roles in clathrin-coated vesicle formation; Epsin-like proteins are reported to interact with various proteins (Lee et al., Plant Physiology 143, 1561-1575, 2007; Song et al., Plant Cell 18, 2258-2274, 2006).
Adenylate-1 PTs (AMP Isopentyltransferases/ATP/ADP Isopentyltransferases)
Phytohormones control plant growth and development, in response to endogenous and environmental stimuli. Examples of phytohormones include abscisic acid, auxins, cytokinins, ethylene, gibberellins, brassinolides, salicyclic acid, jasmonates, signalling peptides, and systemin.
In plants, naturally occurring cytokinins (CKs) constitute a group of adenine derivatives carrying either an isopentenyl side chain (isoprenoid CKs; most abundant type) or an aromatic group (aromatic CKs; rare), and play an essential role in plant development. The first and rate-limiting step of the biosynthesis of isoprenoid CKs is catalyzed by isopentenyltransferases, which transfer the isopentenyl moiety from delta(2)-dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP) or hydroxymethylbutenyl diphosphate (HMBDP) to position N6 on a conjugated adenine. The isopentyltransferases can be subdivided into three subgroups, depending on which conjugated adenine they utilize:                1) AMP isopentyltransferases (also named DMAPP:AMP isopentyltransferase, EC 126.96.36.199), which preferentially use adenosine 5′-monophosphate as acceptor molecule; typical examples are found in phytopathogenic bacteria, such as in, Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Pseudomonas syringae, Pseudomonas solanacearum (Ralstonia solanacearum) and Pantoea agglomerans (Erwinia herbicola), nitrogen-fixing symbiotic cyanobacterium Nostoc, or slime mold Disctyostelium discoideum.         2) ATP/ADP isopentyltransferases (also named DMAPP:ATP/ADP isopentyltransferase), which preferentially use adenosine 5′-triphosphate or adenosine 5′-diphosphate as acceptor molecule; for example 8 ATP/ADP isopentyltransferases are found in Arabidopsis thaliana (Miyawaki et al (2006) Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 103(44): 16598-16603).        3) tRNA isopentyltransferases (also named DMAPP:tRNA isopentyltransferase, or tRNA delta(2) isopentenyl pyrophosphate transferase (IPPT), EC 18.104.22.168), which preferentially use adenine at position 37 of certain tRNAs (located in the cytoplasm, in the plastids and in the mitochondria), next to the anticodon; the enzyme has been purified and the gene cloned from bacteria, yeast, animals, and plants.
The two first subgroups (collectively named adenylate-IPTs) catalyse the direct de novo biosynthesis of free cytokinins, essentially constituted of isopentenyladenine (iP)-types and transzeatin (tZ)-types of cytokinins. The third subgroup (named tRNA-IPTs or IPPTs) catalyses cytokinin formation by isopentenylation of tRNA, which when degraded liberates cytokinin nucleotides, which in turn will be used to biosynthesize cis-zeatin (cZ)-types of cytokinins. Thus, the rate of tRNA turnover also strongly determines the availability of free cytokinin nucleotides.
While tRNA is a common source of free cytokinins in prokaryotes (Koenig et al. (2002) J Bacteriol 184:1832-1842), both tRNA- and adenylate-IPT pathways contribute to cytokinin biosynthesis in seed plants (Miyawaki et al. (2006) Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 103(44): 16598-16603). However, the tRNA pathway is generally considered to be insufficient to account for a significant source of cytokinins in seed plants. In conclusion, the two biosynthetic pathways lead to the synthesis of different cytokinins, and in different proportions.
Both adenylate-IPTs and tRNA-IPTs have in their N-terminus the ATP/GTP P-loop binding motif (A, G)-X4-G-K-(S, T). Another well-known conserved region specific to eucaryotic tRNA-IPTs and absent in prokaryotic tRNA-IPTs, is located at the C-terminus: the Zn-finger-like motif C2H2 (C-X2-C-X(12,18)-H-X5-H. The function of Zn-finger-like motif in tRNA-IPTs is possibly in connection with protein-protein interactions and nuclear localisation (Golovko et al. (2000) Gene 258: 85-93).
When an adenylate-IPT from Agrobacterium tumefaciens was constitutively overexpressed in plants, or expressed at weaker or conditionally, these showed the typical effects of cytokinin overproduction, such as uncontrolled axillary bud growth (reduced apical dominance), the formation of small curling leaves, delayed root formation, and modified senescence (for example, Luo et al. (2005) Plant Growth Regulation 47:1-47, and references therein)
Transgenic Arabidopsis and canola plants expressing a bacterial adenylate-IPT under the control of a seed-specific promoter had an average seed yield per plant that was not significantly increased compared to control plants (Roeckel et al. (1997) Transgenic Res 6(2):133-41).
US patent application 2006/0010515 describes transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana plants expressing an adenylate-IPT from Agrobacterium tumefaciens using independently three cell-cycle regulated promoters, which plants have increased leaf size/vegetative mass, increased plant height, increased branch number, increased flower and silique number.
Short Root (SHR)
Members of the GRAS gene family (an acronym based on the designations of known genes: GAI, RGA and SCR) encode transcriptional regulators that have diverse functions in plant growth and development, such as gibberellin signal transduction, root radial patterning, axillary meristem formation, phytochrome A signal transduction, and gametogenesis. Phylogenetic analysis divides the GRAS gene family into eight subfamilies, which have distinct conserved domains and functions (Tian et al., 2004 (Plant Molecular Biology, Volume 54, Number 4, pp 519-532). GRAS proteins contain a conserved region of about 350 amino acids that can be divided in 5 motifs, found in the following order: leucine heptad repeat I, the VHIID motif, leucine heptad repeat II, the PFYRE motif and the SAW motif. SHORT ROOT, or SHR, is a member of the GRAS family of plant transcription factors and is a protein involved in root development.
Granted U.S. Pat. No. 6,927,320 B1 describes SHR genes and discloses that SHR gene expression controls cell division of certain cell types in roots, affects the organisation of root and stem, and affects gravitropism of aerial structures. It is suggested that modulation of SHR expression levels can be used to modify root and aerial structures of transgenic plants and enhance the agronomic properties of such plants. It is also suggested that plants engineered with SHR overexpression may exhibit improved vigorous growth characteristics which may be identified by examining any of the following parameters: 1. the rate of growth, 2. vegetative yield of the mature plant, 3. seed or fruit yield, 4. seed or fruit weight, 5. total nitrogen content of the plant, 6. total nitrogen content of the fruit or seed, 7. the free amino acid content of the plant, 8. the free amino acid content of the fruit or seed, 9. the total protein content of the plant, and 10. total protein content of the fruit or seed.

Plants having enhanced yield-related traits and a method for making the same


A method includes: sending, by an AP, a channel measurement notification message, where the channel measurement notification message includes a STA indication and a to-be-measured channel indication; receiving, by the AP, channel sounding signals sent by M STAs, where the M STAs that need to measure a channel are divided into W groups, N STAs in a same group simultaneously send channel sounding signals on a same sub-channel in the V to-be-measured sub-channels, the channel sounding signal includes a plurality of subcarriers, every Ng consecutive subcarriers are a group of subcarriers, each STA in each group occupies a subcarrier at a fixed location in each group of subcarriers, and subcarriers that are occupied by the N STAs in the same group and that are in a same group of subcarriers are different from each other.

Long-distance transmission is mainly used in a scenario such as a sensor network or industrial control. An expected transmission radius of long-distance transmission may reach 2 km or longer. A method for implementing long-distance transmission is narrowband transmission. To be specific, energy is concentrated on narrower bandwidth, to implement longer-distance transmission.
Minimum transmission bandwidth of conventional Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) is 20 MHz. To extend a transmission range, transmission bandwidth may be reduced, for example, transmission is performed on bandwidth of 2 MHz. To improve transmission efficiency and enable WiFi to better work in a scenario in which devices are highly densely distributed, in 802.11ax, orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) and uplink multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (UL MU-MIMO) are introduced. OFDMA includes UL OFDMA and downlink orthogonal frequency division multiple access (Downlink OFDMA, DL OFDMA). UL OFDMA and UL MU-MIMO may be collectively referred to as UL MU transmission, and DL OFDMA and DL MU-MIMO (introduced in the 802.11ac standard) may be collectively referred to as DL MU transmission. In long-distance narrowband transmission, the DL MU transmission is usually difficult to implement because of a limitation of maximum transmit power of an access point (Access Point, AP). When the AP performs the DL MU transmission, power obtained by each user is less than that in single user (SU) transmission, and therefore, a purpose of long-distance transmission cannot be achieved. In other words, a DL signal may be incapable of reaching a station (STA). However, the UL MU transmission is still feasible. Energy of the UL MU transmission is jointly provided by a plurality of users, and transmit power of each user is limited only by a capability of the user and maximum transmit power that is of a device and that is required in a country and a region. Therefore, the UL MU transmission does not affect receive power that is of a transmit signal of each user and that is at the AP. In long-distance narrowband UL MU transmission, because a sub-channel occupied by each user is relatively narrow, channel frequency selectivity is apparent. In other words, channel characteristics of different sub-channels vary greatly. In this case, a UL channel needs to be measured, to allocate an appropriate sub-channel to each STA and determine an appropriate modulation and coding scheme (MCS), so that the UL MU transmission is efficiently performed.
A UL channel measurement method in the prior art is shown in FIG. 1. An access point (AP) sends a TF-S (Trigger for Sounding) frame to indicate a list of STAs that need to perform a measurement process and a set of sub-channels that need to be measured. In addition, each STA simultaneously sends channel sounding messages only on sub-channels that are considered to be idle by the STA and that are in the set of sub-channels indicated by the AP, so that the AP measures a UL channel. However, in a long-distance transmission case, each STA simultaneously sends the sounding messages on a plurality of sub-channels that are considered to be idle by the STA, and therefore, energy is distributed on the plurality of sub-channels, and in this case, the sounding messages may be incapable of reaching the AP. In addition, when the STAs send the sounding messages to the AP, only one STA performs sending in each timeslot, and before obtaining a measurement result of the UL channel, the AP needs to sequentially receive the sounding messages sent by all the STAs in the list of STAs. Therefore, time overheads of a UL channel measurement execution process are relatively high.

Channel measurement method and apparatus


A dipole antenna includes a reflector, a radiating element, and a feed element. The radiating element includes first and second dipoles above a surface of the reflector. The first and second dipoles respectively include arm segments and are arranged in a crossed dipole arrangement. The feed element includes first and second conductive transmission lines that are electrically isolated from one another and are capacitively coupled to the arm segments of the first and second dipoles, respectively. The arm segments of the first and second dipoles are between the feed element and the surface of the reflector.

Antennas for wireless voice and/or data communications typically include an array of radiating elements connected by one or more feed networks. Multi-band antennas can include multiple arrays of radiating elements with different operating frequencies. For example, common frequency bands for GSM services include GSM900 and GSM1800. A low-band of frequencies in a multi-band antenna may include a GSM900 band, which operates at 880-960 MHz. The low-band may also include Digital Dividend spectrum, which operates at 790-862 MHz. Further, the low-band may also cover the 700 MHz spectrum at 694-793 MHz. A high-band of a multi-band antenna may include a GSM1800 band, which operates in the frequency range of 1710-1880 MHz. A high-band may also include, for example, the UMTS band, which operates at 1920-2170 MHz. Additional bands included in the high-band may include LTE2.6, which operates at 2.5-2.7 GHz and WiMax, which operates at 3.4-3.8 GHz.
For effluent transmission and reception of Radio Frequency (RF) signals, the dimensions of radiating elements are typically matched to the wavelength of the intended band of operation. A dipole antenna may be employed as a radiating element, and may be designed such that its first resonant frequency is in the desired frequency band. To achieve this, each of the dipole arms may be about one quarter wavelength, and the two dipole arms together may be about one half the wavelength of the center frequency of the desired frequency band. These are referred to as "half-wave" dipoles, and may have relatively low impedance.
Dual-band antennas have been developed which include different radiating elements having dimensions specific to each of the two bands, e.g., respective radiating elements dimensioned for operation over a low band of 698-960 MHz and a high band of 1710-2700 MHz. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,295,028, 6,333,720, 7,238,101 and 7,405,710, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein. Because the wavelength of the GSM 900 band (e.g., 880-960 MHz) is longer than the wavelength of the GSM 1800 band (e.g., 1710-1880 MHz), the radiating elements dimensioned or otherwise designed for one band are typically not used for the other band.
Multi-band antennas may involve implementation difficulties, for example, due to interference among the radiating elements for the different bands. In particular, the radiation patterns for a lower frequency band can be distorted by resonances that develop in radiating elements that are designed to radiate at a higher frequency band, typically 2 to 3 times higher in frequency. For example, the GSM1800 band is approximately twice the frequency of the GSM900 band. As such, the introduction of additional radiating elements having an operating frequency range different from the existing radiating elements in the antenna may cause distortion with the existing radiating elements.
Examples of such distortion include Common Mode resonance and Differential Mode resonance. Common Mode (CM) resonance can occur when the entire higher hand radiating structure resonates as if it were a one quarter wave monopole. Wavelength is inversely proportional to frequency. The stalk or vertical structure of the radiating element is often one quarter wavelength long at the higher band frequency, and the dipole anus are also often one quarter wavelength long at the higher band frequency. Where the higher band is about double the frequency of the lower band, the total high-hand structure may be roughly one quarter wavelength long at a lower band frequency. Differential mode resonance may occur when each half of the dipole structure, or two halves of orthogonally-polarized higher frequency radiating elements, resonate against one another.

Ultra-wide bandwidth low-band radiating elements


Upon detecting a request for traffic information or abnormal motion, a mobile electronic device can generate and transmit a first signal to a remote traffic-information generator, the first signal identifying a location and motion of the device. The remote traffic-information generator can aggregate this type of data across devices and estimate traffic information, assuming that traffic is normal along roads not associated with first signals. The remote traffic-information generator can transmit a second signal with estimated traffic information back to the device. The conditioned transmission can allow real-time traffic information to be efficiently estimated while conserving devices' power usage and the remote traffic-information generator's processing and storage resources.

The present disclosure relates generally to receiving motion-identifying signals from a plurality of mobile electronic devices and determining current traffic information based on the motion.
Traffic patterns can exhibit a large degree of unpredictability. For example, vehicle accidents, new construction efforts, weather-based road damage, and road closures can cause direct traffic congestion (e.g., on an affected road) and indirect traffic congestion (e.g., on another road or on a same road with respect to traffic moving in an opposite direction).
At times, a person's traveling patterns can be flexible. For example, the person can commute to a destination along an alternative route, or a person can adjust a departure time. In order to identify whether one such strategy should be implemented, it is useful to identify a status of traffic along potential routes. A person can, e.g., watch a television traffic report prior to his morning commute and determine an initial route. However, the television traffic report may not provide adequate detail with regard to a particular route, or events can soon modify traffic conditions. Once in route, it can be difficult to determine whether to adjust a commute to avoid traffic. A driver can be trapped in deadlock traffic prior to realizing an extent of congestion, or a driver may have missed an exit to his alternative route before realizing a degree of upcoming congestion.
Encounters of high-traffic conditions are likely to frustrate a driver and to reduce the time that the driver can otherwise spend on productive or leisure activities. Additionally, accumulating more vehicles within a congested area can have environmental consequences: vehicles running for longer periods of time and subjected to larger variations in speed can result in increased pollution.


A palatable and long lasting chew for dogs combines a rawhide fraction with meat, poultry or fish. The rawhide fraction is from rawhide splits die cut into desired shapes. The rawhide fraction is then dehydrated to approximately 6% moisture. The meat, poultry or fish fraction then attaches to the rawhide component. The meat fraction is held to the rawhide fraction utilizing a food grade adhesive from milk protein hydrolysate. The milk protein hydrolysate is solubilized in hot water to a solids level between 3% and 30%. The solution is then applied to the rawhide component where the meat fraction will contact the rawhide. The meat fraction is then deposited onto the coated rawhide surface and the chew is then dehydrated to laminate the meat fraction to the rawhide fraction. Alternatively, the food grade adhesive is blended with the meat fraction and deposited in the rawhide.

This invention identifies the product and process for attaching a meat, poultry or seafood fraction to a rawhide fraction resulting in a highly palatable and long-lasting chew for dogs.
There are a wide range of products positioned in the marketplace that serve as treats for dogs. One major segment typically called "chews" are formulated and processed in such a way as to be very long lasting. Examples of products with extended "chew-time" are products such as dehydrated body parts. Specific examples are cattle bones, hooves, knuckles, ears, and skin material. They are usually marketed in dehydrated form and typically offer very long chew times as compared to such items as biscuits, jerky or semi-moist style extruded treats. Perhaps the widest range of chew products are items made from rawhide.
Rawhide is the refined skin of cows, pigs, water buffalo and other such livestock. Because of the very tough nature of the processed rawhide fraction, it typically can be utilized to produce chews with an extended chew time.
One of the major difficulties with rawhide based treats has been the fact that the base rawhide by itself is not particularly palatable to dogs. To compound this problem, the processing aids that refine and bleach rawhide are also somewhat unpalatable and serve to further reduce the acceptability of this kind of chew to many dogs.
Manufacturers have attempted to solve this problem by incorporating secondary ingredients into the rawhide fraction to increase the acceptability of the chew. The methods utilized vary widely from simple marinating of a flavoring component into the rawhide fraction to more complex dual extrusion, injection, depositing, and enrobing techniques. A review of the prior art demonstrates numerous novel approaches to increasing the acceptability of the rawhide fractions.
The patent to Fisher, U.S. Pat. No. 2,988,045, describes the basic rawhide tanning techniques and how the layers of rawhide known in the trade as "splits" can be tied into unique shapes and dried to produce a long-lasting chew for pets. Twain, U.S. Pat. No. 6,425,348, taught a method of incorporating a chemical flavoring appealing to pets into a chewable rawhide fraction. Kirch, U.S. Pat. No. 6,840,196, taught a method of impregnating a flavoring compound into one sheet of rawhide and then wrapping a second sheet of rawhide around the flavored portion in such a way as to add a flavoring system without the potentially negative effects of having a rug staining issue from the flavoring incorporated onto the surface of the product. Hague, U.S. Pat. No. 6,895,900, taught a method of infusing a chlorophyll flavoring into a hide fraction and then forming perforations to allow the flavoring to contact the dog's teeth during chewing.
While methods as described above slightly increase the acceptability of the rawhide, there is a limit to the total weight quantity of flavoring that can be applied with these methods. Also, most marinating techniques work well only with soluble flavoring fractions.
Several inventors attempted to produce more acceptable products by incorporating dried or semi-moist meat fractions within layers of the rawhide treats. Sherill, U.S. Pat. No. 5,673,653, taught a method of taking thin slices of meat and putting this slice onto sheets of rawhide. The rawhide is then rolled into a roll or rope in such a way that the meat fraction is entrapped within the layers of rawhide. A portion of the meat slice is allowed to stick out of the sides of the roll and at the end horizontal seam in such a manner that a portion of the dehydrated meat fraction is rapidly available to the dog. While novel in approach, this method restricts the amount of meat fraction that can be applied to the inside of the treat. It also suffers from a lack of initial acceptability because very little dehydrated meat fraction is available on the surface of the treat for the initial presentation to the animal. Greenburg, U.S. Pat. No. 5,635,237, taught a method of melting rawhide in a twin-screw extruder and then reforming the product into various rope or unique designs based on the shape of the die. Utilizing Greenburg's process, a meat fraction could be substituted for the moisture used as a processing aid during the extrusion step. Again however, the meat fraction is not concentrated on the surface for maximum palatability but is dispersed at only a moderate level within the body of the treat. Also, the amount of fresh meat which can be processed is limited to the approximately 20% moisture level that can be handled during extrusion. Brown, U.S. Pat. No. 6,886,496, solved the problem of low meat levels in a treat by producing a pre-extruded dried meat log and then placing it on the inside of a rolled rawhide cylinder. While this method does provide a mechanism for including high meat fractions, very little of the meat would be available on the surface for the important aspect of initial attraction by the animal. Mohilef, U.S. Pat. No. 5,897,893, attempted to solve the problem of high initial attraction by incorporating the meat fraction on the surface of the treat. This was done by utilizing a complete tubular meat byproduct such as bovine esophagus and stuffing it over the outside of a long lasting fraction such as cattle bones. While this method does produce a novel appearing product, the esophagus fraction is not particularly palatable and the process is encumbered by a high processing cost imposed by the manual labor involved in the stuffing step.
From a review of the above teachings, it is clear that what is needed is a method of producing a combination rawhide-meat treat for dogs that exposes a significant portion of the meat fraction to the surface of the product but yet maintains the long chew time that can be achieved with the use of a properly prepared rawhide fraction. The current invention provides this method.

Adhesion system for rawhide and meat chew for dogs


Techniques for processing composite commands in a file system are disclosed. A file system receives a composite command that includes an argument. The file system parses the argument and encounters a particular flag indicating that the argument includes an additional command. The file system executes the additional command using an application programming interface (API).

In computing, a file system is a structure and set of rules for storing and retrieving data. Data is grouped into units called files. The file system determines the structure of each file. The file system also is used to manage file metadata, i.e., data that provides additional information about files. There are many different types of file systems, having many different file structures and rules. File systems may be used with many different types of storage devices and media, including hard disks, flash media, optical drives, etc. In addition, file systems may be used with multiple storage devices. For example, a file system may store files using an array of hard drives or multiple storage devices connected with each other via a computer network. Many different configurations of file system storage exist.
Many file systems include an internal application programming interface (API) for executing commands in the file system. A user may access the file system's API through a command line interface (CLI), where the user types commands in a terminal window. Alternatively, a user may access the file system's API through a graphical user interface (GUI) that allows the user to manipulate graphical elements (e.g., windows, icons, etc.) to execute file system commands. Many file systems use a standardized API, such as one defined by the Portable Operating Interface (POSIX) family of standards, or a variation thereof.
When a user attempts to execute a file system command, the file system applies internal rules (also known as authorization policies) to determine whether the user is allowed to execute that command. For example, access to certain commands may be different for different users. In addition, access to certain files or groups of files (e.g., directories or containers) may be different for different users. If a GUI is used to execute commands, it is important that the GUI adhere to the file system's authorization policies, to prevent malicious or otherwise unwanted access to files. A GUI that does not properly adhere to the file system's authorization policies may introduce a security vulnerability that threatens the proper operation of the file system and of applications and services using the file system.
The set of commands available in a typical file system API is limited and predefined. Commands available in the file system may include read, write, execute, etc. Standard file system commands do not allow for more complicated types of data operations. For example, file systems typically do not include commands for accessing features of cloud storage, such as archiving, caching, etc.
For features not available through the file system directly, an application or service may be used that executes independently from the file system. Using the separate application or service may involve accessing a specialized GUI that provides access to the additional features. For example, a web application may be used to administer features of a cloud service. However, as noted above, using a specialized GUI may introduce security vulnerabilities, if the GUI does not properly adhere to the file system's authorization policies. Moreover, if some commands are executed in a CLI and other commands are executed via a GUI, user workflow may be negatively impacted due to the time and inefficiency involved in switching computing contexts.
The approaches described in this section are approaches that could be pursued, but not necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, it should not be assumed that any of the approaches described in this section qualify as prior art merely by virtue of their inclusion in this section.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A voltage reactive power control device includes a bus voltage fluctuation extracting unit that extracts a bus voltage fluctuation from a voltage of a secondary-side bus, an RE component extracting unit that extracts a fluctuation component due to renewable energy power generation from the bus voltage fluctuation, a creating unit that creates a reactive power command value for suppressing the fluctuation component based on the bus voltage fluctuation component due to the renewable energy power generation extracted by the RE component extracting unit, and a control unit that executes the reactive power control on a battery system based on the reactive power command value. The RE component extracting unit extracts the fluctuation component due to the renewable energy power generation by eliminating the fluctuation components other than the fluctuation component due to the renewable energy power generation from the bus voltage fluctuation.

A power distribution system interconnected to a power distribution transformer station employs a structure spreading dendritically to system terminals from the transformer station, and includes a plurality of consumers, such as houses, business facilities, and factories, that is, loads. Since the power consumption amounts by the consumers change from hour to hour and the number of consumers is large, the voltage of the bus of the power distribution transformer station interconnected to the power distribution system changes. In order to suppress fluctuation of the bus voltage of the power distribution transformer station due to this load change, conventionally, voltage adjusting devices, such as a transformer that can be tap switched, and phase adjusting facilities are provided to said transformer station.
Meanwhile, in recent years, introduction of renewable energy is advancing actively to cope with global environmental issues and to ensure a stable supply by the diversification of energy sources, and the introduction of distributed power supplies, such as solar power generation and wind power generation, to the power system is increasing steadily. These distributed power supplies are mainly interconnected to a power distribution system.

Voltage reactive power control device and voltage reactive power control method

TOSHIBA ENERGY SYSTEMS & SOLUTIONS CORPORATION


A constant current regulated power circuit comprises first and second voltage sources; a bias circuit connected to the first and second voltage sources for sending out a predetermined output voltage, the bias circuit having an output terminal; first and second resistors; and a transistor having a base connected to the output terminal of the bias circuit, an emitter connected to the first voltage source through the first resistor and to the second voltage source through the second resistor, respectively, and a collector operating as an output terminal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a constant-current regulated power circuit for use, for example, in an ECL (emitter coupled logic), or the like.
2. Prior Art
FIG. 1 shows an ECL circuit using a conventional constant-current regulated power circuit. The circuit is a differential amplifier circuit in which respective emitters of a pair of bipolar transistors Q.sub.6 and Q.sub.7 are connected to each other so that currents flowing in the transistors Q.sub.6 and Q.sub.7 are made to flow into a constant-current regulated power circuit 30. In this circuit, a bipolar transistor Q.sub.8 is an emitter follower constituting an output stage. On the other hand, the constant-current circuit 30 includes a bias circuit 31 which is connected between the earth and a voltage source for supplying a voltage V.sub.cc so as to generate a predetermined voltage V.sub.o from the voltage supplied from the voltage source and the earth. The voltage V.sub.o is supplied to the base of a bipolar transistor Q.sub.1. The collector of the transistor Q.sub.1 is connected to the emitters of the transistors Q.sub.6 and Q.sub.7, and the emitter of the transistor Q.sub.1 is connected to the earth through a resistor R.
In this circuit, a current I expressed in the following equation flows into the collector of the transistor Q.sub.1 to which the voltage V.sub.o produced by the bias circuit 30 is supplied. EQU ={h.sub.fe /(1+h.sub.fe)}.times.{(V.sub.o -V.sub.BE)/R} (1)
As a result, a voltage V.sub.1 produced from the emitter of the transistor Q.sub.8 becomes as follows. EQU V.sub.1 =V.sub.cc -RI-V.sub.BE ( 2)
Here, when a temperature characteristic is necessary to the voltage V.sub.1 depending on an external specification, necessary constants including h.sub.fe, V.sub.BE, and R are selected, and the bias circuit 31 for producing the suitable voltage V.sub.o is designed. That is, to what value (central value) of the output voltage V.sub.o of the bias circuit 31 be set on the assumption that the V.sub.cc does not fluctuate, to what degree a temperature factor be set, and to what degree the dependency on the V.sub.cc fluctuation be suppressed, become important problems.
In designing the conventional bias circuit taking the above problems into consideration, however, there is a problem that even if a bias circuit stable against changes in temperature can be provided, the bias circuit is extremely unstable against changes in the supply voltage V.sub.cc.
Here, examples of the conventional bias circuit are shown in FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b) and FIG. 3. In the circuit shown in FIG. 2(a), a supply voltage V.sub.cc is lowered through a resistor R.sub.41, the lowered voltage V.sub.o is supplied to a collector of a bipolar transistor Q.sub.41 and is simultaneously divided by a resistor R.sub.42 between the collector and base of the transistor Q.sub.41 and a resistor R.sub.43 between the base and emitter of the transistor Q.sub.41 so as to cause a suitable current to flow into the transistor Q.sub.41. Accordingly, the output voltage V.sub.o is made stable.
FIG. 2(b) shows a circuit in which a supply voltage V.sub.cc is supplied to the collector and base of a bipolar transistor Q.sub.42 directly and through a resistor R.sub.44 respectively so that an output voltage V.sub.o is taken out from the emitter of the bipolar transistor Q.sub.42. The output voltage V.sub.o is supplied to the anode of a diode D through a resistor R.sub.45, the anode of the diode D being connected to the respective bases of bipolar transistors Q.sub.43 and Q.sub.44. The output voltage V.sub.o is supplied to both the respective collectors of the transistors Q.sub.43 and Q.sub.44 through a common resistor R.sub.46, and an earth level is supplied to both the respective emitters of the transistors Q.sub.43 and Q.sub.44 through a common resistor 47. Further, the collector of a transistor Q.sub.45 is connected to the base of the transistor Q.sub.42, the emitter of the transistor Q.sub.45 is connected to the earth, and the voltage V.sub.o is supplied to the base of the transistor Q.sub.45 through the resistor R.sub.46. In this bias circuit, the anode potential of the diode D changes in accordance with the fluctuation of the V.sub.o so that the currents flowing in the respective transistors Q.sub.43 and Q.sub.44 change, and hence the current flowing in the transistor Q.sub.45 changes as the current flowing in the transistors Q.sub.43 and Q.sub.44 changes, whereby the voltage V.sub.o is made stable.
Further, FIG. 3 shows a circuit in which a supply voltage V.sub.cc is lowered by a resistor R.sub.48 so as to obtain an output voltage V.sub.o. That is, the voltage V.sub.o is detected by a sense amplifier 41, and an output V.sub.2 in accordance with the fluctuation of the detected voltage is supplied to a current source 42 connected between a resistor R and the earth to thereby change a current value. Specifically, the circuit is of a negative feedback type in which when the voltage V.sub.o becomes high, the output V.sub.2 becomes high, so that an I.sub.o becomes high to thereby lower the V.sub.o to the original value. Accordingly, although the negative feedback operation is generated also against the fluctuation of the V.sub.cc so as to make it possible reduce the fluctuation of the output voltage V.sub.o, the fluctuation can not be suppressed to zero. Because the ratio of the fluctuation of the V.sub.cc to the fluctuation of the V.sub.o is determined based on the gain of the sense amplifier 41, the ratio of fluctuation can be made small by making the gain large. If the gain is made high, however, there is a risk of occurrence of oscillation. Then, although it is considered to provide a capacitor in the circuit to suppress the oscillation, not only the provision of such a capacitor brings an increase of the area an IC chip but there is a case where such a capacitance can not be formed depending on the size thereof.
Thus, the conventional constant-current regulated power circuits have a problem in that the output voltage V.sub.o of the bias circuit fluctuates in accordance with the supply voltage V.sub.cc, for example, practically, when the V.sub.cc fluctuates by 1 V, the bias voltage V.sub.o fluctuates by about 50 mV. Further, if it is desired that the circuit for suppressing the fluctuation is realized, there has been a problem in that the scale of the circuit becomes large-scaled.

Constant-current regulated power circuit


A diagnostic control module includes a temperature gradient module. The temperature gradient module determines a temperature gradient across a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst of an exhaust system of an engine based on a plurality of temperature signals. A calibration module determines a weighted average based on the plurality of temperature signals. A SCR efficiency control module disables conversion efficiency monitoring based on the temperature gradient and the weighted average.

The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.
During a combustion cycle of an engine, an air/fuel mixture is delivered through an intake valve opening into a cylinder. The air/fuel mixture is compressed and combusted to provide output torque. After combustion, a piston forces exhaust gas in the cylinder out through an exhaust valve opening and into an exhaust system. The exhaust gas may contain oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and carbon monoxide (CO).
An exhaust gas treatment system of the engine may include a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst to reduce nitrogen oxides (NOx). A SCR catalyst converts the NOx into nitrogen N2 and water H2O. Reductant may be added to exhaust gas upstream from the SCR catalyst. For example only, the reductant may include anhydrous ammonia, aqueous ammonia or urea.
An exhaust diagnostic system may include a SCR catalyst monitor that monitors conversion efficiency of the SCR catalyst. The conversion efficiency refers to a rate at which the SCR catalyst reduces NOx in a certain period of time. The efficiency of a SCR catalyst may decrease over time and based on SCR catalyst usage. The SCR catalyst monitor may indicate when the conversion efficiency is less than a predetermined threshold. In some vehicles, an engine control module may limit vehicle speed and/or engine speed when conversion efficiency is less than a predetermined threshold.

Exhaust diagnostic systems and methods with SCR conversion efficiency monitor disabling


Provided are a salt compound, cationic polymerization initiator and cationically polymerizable composition, which have a superior acid-generating capacity and high sensitivity, and are free from coloration. The salt compound is represented by the following general Formula (1):

A cationic polymerization initiator has a function to polymerize cationically polymerizable compounds, such as epoxy compounds, by generating an acid upon receiving energy, such as light or heat. A photo-acid generator has a function to change the solubility of a resist composition into a developer by generating an acid upon receiving light energy. Various onium salts have been used as a cationic polymerization initiator and photo-acid generator, and as the anion component of the onium salts, it has been known that antimony hexafluoride anion (SbF6−) has an excellent acid-generating function, exhibiting superior effects.
However, the toxicity of antimony hexafluoride has been regarded as a problem; therefore, alternatives have been studied. For instance, an onium salt compound prepared by using a fluorine-substituted tetraphenyl boric acid anion represented by B(C6F5)4− is disclosed in Patent Document 1. Further, Patent Document 2 discloses B(C6F5)4− and B(C6F4OCF3)4−, which are fluorine-substituted tetraphenyl boric acid anions, as anions of an onium compound functioning as a photo-initiator, while Patent Document 3 discloses B(C6F5)4− and B(C6F4OCF3)4−, which are fluorine-substituted tetraphenyl boric acid anions, as anions of an onium compound functioning as a cationic initiator.
Furthermore, Patent Document 4 and Patent Document 5 disclose techniques in which an aromatic sulfonium salt and an aromatic sulfonium salt are used as a photo-polymerization initiator and photo-acid generator. Described therein as the anion of the aromatic sulfonium salt is tetraaryl borate.    Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. H 6-184170    Patent Document 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication (Translation of PCT Application) No. 2002-526391    Patent Document 3: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication (Translation of PCT Application) No. 2006-522432    Patent Document 4: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2000-186071    Patent Document 5: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2005-263796

Salt compound, cationic polymerization initiator and cationically polymerizable composition

Abstract: (wherein, R01 to R05 each independently represents a group selected from a hydrogen atom, a fluorine atom and —YR group, one of the R01 to R05 being a —YR group and at least two of the R01 to R05 being fluorine atoms; Y represents an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom; R represents a C1-C4 alkyl group; Ctp+ represents a p-valent cation, the p being 1 or 2; and n represents a coefficient required for maintaining electrical neutrality).


An idler wheel for a tracked machine can comprise a cylindrical hub defining a central axis, an annular tread disposed concentrically about the cylindrical hub, a pair of side plates connecting the cylindrical hub and the annular tread, and a webbing connecting the cylindrical hub and the annular tread between the pair of side plates. A method for manufacturing an idler wheel comprises assembling a cylindrical hub, an annular tread, first and second side plates and at least one web.

Machines incorporating track-type treads used in mining, construction, agriculture, and the like are supported on an undercarriage assembly that can have one or more continuous track-type treads or "continuous tracks" that enable the machine to traverse the ground or terrain. The continuous track can include a plurality of track links that are pivotally joined or linked together by pins, for example, and that are arranged in a continuous loop or belt similar to a closed chain. The continuous track can also include track shoes or track pads disposed thereon to engage the ground. The continuous track is disposed around a plurality of wheels, idlers and/or rollers arranged along a lower side of the machine and the track can be made to translate about the wheels or rollers with respect to the machine by a drive sprocket operatively coupled to a prime mover. The hinged connection between the individual track links enables the continuous track to articulate, e.g., flex or bend, as it moves in a loop about the plurality of rollers and thereby bringing the track shoes into engagement with the ground.
An advantage of continuous tracks is that they can better support and distribute the weight of the machine due to the fact the continuous track provides more surface contact with the ground and thus better traction, as compared with other forms of propulsion such as pneumatic tires or wheels. Accordingly, continuous tracks can better traverse soft or loose soil or other materials without becoming stuck or spinning. In addition, the improved traction can facilitate climbing capability or the ability to drive along steep grades in the work surface. Further, because the individual track shoes and links are often made of steel, continuous tracks are typically more durable than pneumatic tires or the like.
It can be important to maintain alignment of the continuous track around the wheels, idlers and/or rollers to facilitate movement of the vehicle without overly stressing or breaking components of the continuous track. Idler wheels, in particular, must simultaneously facilitate alignment of the continuous track and rolling of the machine, while supporting the weight of the machine. As such, for large tracked machines, such as mining excavators, idler wheels can comprise very large and heavy components.
Publication No. US 2014/0001823 A1 to Meyer et al., entitled "Dual Disk Idler for a Machine Undercarriage," and Publication No. KR 2002-0001316 A to Soon, entitled "Front Idler for Lower Driving Apparatus for Heavy Construction Equipment," disclose tracked-machine idler wheels.

Webbed idler wheel assembly for tracked machines


A self-service checkout terminal includes an optical code reader, a platform on which items to be purchased are placed, a weight sensor configured to detect a weight of objects placed on the platform, and a processor configured to operate in a first mode and a second mode. The processor carries out a registration process based on a merchandise code corresponding to a code symbol read from an item by the optical code reader while enabling a confirmation process to confirm proper item placement based on the weight detected by the weight sensor in the first mode, and carries out the registration process while disabling the confirmation process in the second mode.

A self-service checkout terminal of one type allows a customer to perform registration of merchandise to be purchased and payment for the merchandise. In such the self-service checkout terminal, a security program is provided to prevent the customer from carrying out a fraudulent activity.
On the other hand, a casher of a store may operate the self-service checkout terminal to assist a customer who is unfamiliar with how to operate the self-service checkout terminal. In this case, when the security program for preventing the fraudulent activity is activated, the cashier may not be able to smoothly operate the self-service checkout terminal. In addition, the security program may decrease usability of a reliable customer who is unlikely to commit the fraudulent activity.

Self-service checkout terminal with a security function based on detection of weight of items


High-gain MOCVD-grown (metal-organic chemical vapor deposition) AlGaAs/GaAs/AlGaAs n-p-n double heterojunction bipolar transistors (DHBTs) (14) and Darlington phototransistor pairs (14, 16) are provided for use in optical neural networks and other optoelectronic integrated circuit applications. The reduced base (22) doping level used herein results in effective blockage of Zn out-diffusion, enabling a current gain of 500, higher than most previously reported values for Zn-diffused-base DHBTs. Darlington phototransistor pairs of this material can achieve a current gain of over 6,000, which satisfies the gain requirement for optical neural network designs, which advantageously may employ novel neurons (10) comprising the Darlington phototransistor pair in series with a light source (12).

The optical implementation of computing systems, whose structure and function are motivated by natural intelligence systems, would be a unique path to optical computing and to neural network models for computation. Electronic interconnects are becoming the bottleneck in the realization of neural networks and other globally interconnected systems. The heat dissipation and interconnection delay are also serious design performance limiting factors. One possible solution is to use free space optical interconnects as implemented, for example, in volume holograms recorded in photorefractive crystals. With optics, it is possible to have large arrays of processing elements communicating with one another without wire interconnections.
The optical implementation of a neural network consists of two basic components: neurons and interconnections. The neuron is an optical non-linear processing element (e.g., threshold unit) that can be implemented by a single switching device. The practical neural computer may require millions of neurons operating in parallel. Each neuron accepts inputs from other neurons and produces a single output that is connected to many other neurons, typically several thousands. Hence, the number of interconnections in a network is much larger than the number of neurons. While this massive connectivity is relatively difficult to achieve electronically, optics is a practical means which is suitable for the realization of interconnects. This fact provides the main motivation for considering the optical implementation of neural networks.
Several emerging optical technologies have been considered for the realization of neural networks: spatial light modulators (SLMs), integrated optoelectronics, and arrays of non-linear optical switches.
SLMs have been investigated primarily for optical image processing. However, practical, useful devices are not yet available except for laboratory experiments.
The arrays of non-linear optical switches are intended either for optical communications or digital optical computing. The major problem with these arrays is the high power required to switch each element and the sensitivity of their operation to environmental conditions.
One of the most promising implementation technology appears to be optoelectronics. The optoelectronic approach to simulating an array of neurons involves monolithic integration of two-dimensional (2-D) arrays of photodetectors and light sources on a single chip. The output of each detector is connected to the corresponding light source via a saturating amplifier or an appropriate analog circuit that performs the required non-linear mapping. Light emitted from a particular neuron may be diffracted to many other neurons in a programmable fashion by gratings written in holographic optical elements, as an example. The only electrical connection would be the power and the global bias to optoelectronic integrated circuits (OEICs).
Since one of the requirements for a neuron is a detector and a saturating amplifier, a double heterojunction phototransistor (DHPT) is a likely candidate because of its structural compatibility with laser diodes and light emitting diodes (LEDs) and its ability to detect light and to provide high gain in compensating for the losses incurred in the holographic portion of the system. Assuming a detector efficiency of 0.4 A/W, a LED efficiency of 0.01 W/A to be used as the light source, and a hologram diffraction efficiency of 10%, the requirement that the loop gain of the system must be at least 1 implies that the transistor must provide a current gain of at least 2,500. To achieve this, high-gain double heterojunction bipolar transistors (DHBTs) must be developed.
Integration of a double heterostructure bipolar transistor and an injection laser is known; see, e.g., J. Katz et al, "A Monolithic Integration of GaAs/AlGaAs Bipolar Transistor and Heterostructure Laser", Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 37, pp. 211-213 (1980). No disclosure or suggestion as to use in neural networks is made, however.
There remains a need for integration of a high-gain double heterojunction phototransistor and a light source for use in constructing neurons for implementation of optical neural networks.

High-gain AlGaAs/GaAs double heterojunction Darlington phototransistors for optical neural networks

The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration


A computer is configured to enable a rapid, consistent, ply-by-ply, quantitative analytical assessment of various Finite Element Method (FEM) material models based on metrics defined for impact damage. Additionally, the computer is configured to provide a method for determining the accuracy of such FEM material model(s) by comparing the output of those models to non-destructive evaluation (NDE) test data.

Finite element analysis is an important tool for engineers when predicting damage states for composite materials, such as multi-ply composite panels and/or other composite structures, for example. One particularly beneficial aspect is that finite element analysis allows engineers to make their predictions in a non-destructive manner (i.e., without having to actually disturb a sample of a composite material as part of the analysis process). Thus, the use of finite element analysis in the prediction of damage states provides a cost-effective method in which to design and build safer vehicles, such as airplanes, for example.
However, damage state prediction using nonlinear explicit finite element analysis is complex. Particularly, conventional analysis methods utilize multiple different finite element method (FEM) models to predict damage to composite materials. Each FEM model is unique, and therefore, each yields a different model of a physical response. Currently, there is no standard process for adopting the results of these multiple models and utilizing them for such things as cross-validation and improving prediction fidelities. Further, conventional computational methods require engineers to visually compare the results of the different FEM models to one or more scan images obtained using a non-destructive evaluation (NDE) method.

Composite ply-by-ply damage assessment using correlation factors between finite element models (FEMs) and non-destructive evaluations (NDEs)


A device and a method for eliminating transitions in discrete signals. The working of the device and method is based on allowing the charge of a capacitor with one state when the state opposite the state to which it has been assigned is produced and allowing their discharge through a corresponding capacitor when their state is active. The signal is advantageously consolidated without needing processors or programs, is very simple, there is increased reliability, and the device can very easily be integrated in any sensor, such as those used in aircraft.

The present invention relates to the use of discrete signals passing from one state to another changing several times until the signal is stable, these changes being inherent to the physical phenomenon which is being measured.
The main technical problem is consolidating these signals before making decisions with them, such that actions which could cause damage are not caused to be taken. In particular, damage can be caused to the aircraft itself when making decisions which, by not being consolidated, can be dangerous or inappropriate for operating the aircraft, such as for example changing flight parameters when the aircraft is very close to the ground without having the state of already being on the ground consolidated.
The usual form of consolidation in the state of the art consists of analysing the signal and not allowing the state change until the signal is stable for more than a certain time, the consolidation time, which will be that suitable for the physical phenomenon which is being measured.
This is conventionally done with a digital process in the computing devices receiving said signals, but in some cases it would be very convenient to have said signals already filtered, such that they can be used directly.

Discrete signal consolidation device and method and aircraft with said device


The thermal performance and vacuum properties of a cryogenic NMR probe are improved when thermal control is implemented by conductive heat transfer to a cold head cooled by a heat exchanger to below the selected operating temperature. The heat load is manipulated by locating a heater to produce a more nearly constant heat load in conjunction with pulsed RF power and in one embodiment transferring such heater power through a common thermal path. In another embodiment, the heater power is conductively transferred directly to the heat exchanger.

The present work is in the field of NMR apparatus and relates particularly to an NMR probe operating at cryogenic temperatures.
An NMR probe coil couples an RF transmitter/receiver to sample nuclei. Operation of the RF coil at cryogenic temperatures contributes a very high efficiency through enhanced Q of the resonant circuit and significant reduction of Johnson noise. These factors provide enhanced sensitivity for NMR spectra and have motivated considerable effort to realize an improved cryogenic NMR probe.
A central component within the cryogenic probe is the "cold head" (that portion within the probe structure providing thermal, and often, structural support for the RF coil). As used herein, the term is inclusive of RF coil(s), heat exchanger, structural elements and the like, all intended to be sustained at a selected operating temperature. The cold head is desirably thermally regulated to maintain that selected operating temperature. A heat exchanger comprising a part of the cold head cools the cold head to somewhat below the operating temperature, while the application of RF power to the coil adds heat to the environment and increases the thermal load on the heat exchanger with a resulting temperature rise. In order to permit temperature regulation, a coolant heater is provided to raise the temperature of the coolant inflow to the heat exchanger at the cold head. By adjustment of the heater power (or alternately by adjustment of coolant flow rate), dynamic thermal equilibrium is achieved. Regulation of the temperature of the cold head within a narrow range is necessitated for a number of reasons. Salient of these is variation with temperature of magnetic susceptibility of materials employed in the environs of the cold head resulting in magnetic field disturbance in the neighborhood of the sample; temporal variation of temperature over lengthy data acquisition, and the stability of various parameters of the equipment. To the extent of such disturbance, the precision of NMR data is degraded. NMR is necessarily practiced in a time varying regime of RF power as applied in pulse sequences and often with substantial RF power application from a (second) decoupler coil. Thermal dependence of magnetic field inhomogeneities results in a broadening of the resonant lineshape.
It is also recognized that the mechanism of cryogenic pumping is operative within the cryostat to stabilize residual gasses by adsorption on cold surfaces. Utility of the cryo-pumping mechanism is known in prior art where the accumulation of residual gas on "cold plates" provides at least temporary stabilization and removal from the excitation/de-excitation process. This process is saturable and the cold plate pumping surfaces are allowed to warm at maintenance intervals to liberate these gasses for pumping by other pumping modalities. It is common to provide turbomolecular pumps, chemical getters or ion pumping apparatus to remove these residual gasses. The effectiveness of cryo-pumping depends upon the residual gasses and the nature of the cryo-pumping surfaces among other critical particulars. Such matters are outside the scope of the present work.
One prior art apparatus, exemplary of the above description, is schematically described in its essentials at FIG. 2a. Cold head 70 comprises a thermally regulated support structure and RF coil 71, coil former (not shown) and mounting flange 70a. The cold head 70 is cooled to a temperature T1−ΔT, somewhat below a nominal desired operating temperature of T1K (for example, 25 K) by heat exchanger 78. Details of the coupling of the RF coil 71 to the RF circuit are not shown. It should also be understood that the probe cryostat housing 80 has an annular geometry defining a well or bore 82 wherein a sample may be introduced at room temperature.
Coolant inflow conduit 84 provides coolant to heat exchanger 78 and warmed coolant is removed through outflow conduit 85. In order to thermally regulate the cold head, it was known in prior art to drive coolant flow at a rate sufficient to maintain the heat exchanger at a temperature ΔT, slightly lower than T1K and to provide a heater 88 disposed between a portion of the inflow conduit 84 and the heat exchanger 78 to warm the inflowing coolant sufficiently to raise the operating temperature of the heat exchanger to T1. In this manner, heat developed from RF power dissipation is transported away from the cold head 70 and the operating temperature restored by heating the coolant (or alternatively, reducing the coolant flow rate) in response to an appropriate thermal sensor. One example of this prior art is disclosed in the publication US 2005/0046423A1
The present work has detected a degree of cryo-pumping functionality at the outer surface of this inflow conduit, and that functionality is improved in the present work. Heat is applied to the inflowing coolant prior to receipt of coolant by the heat exchanger 78. This acts adversely on the cryo-pumping achieved on the outer surface of conduit 84. The cryo-pumped vapors (principally hydrogen) are in some degree released with consequent deleterious effect as increased RF noise. The present work is directed to amelioration of these undesirable characteristics.


The present disclosure relates generally to threat detection, and more particularly, to techniques for managing user access to resources in an enterprise environment. Some aspects are directed to the concept of managing access to a target resource based on a threat perception of a user that is calculated using a rule or policy based risk for the user and a behavior based risk for the user. Other aspects are directed to preventing insider attacks in a system based on a threat perception for each user logged into the system that is calculated using a rule or policy based risk for each user and a behavior based risk for each user. Yet other aspects are directed to providing a consolidated view of users, applications being accessed by users, and the threat perception, if any, generated for each of the users.

The present disclosure relates generally to threat detection, and more particularly, to techniques (e.g., systems, methods, computer program products storing code or instructions executable by one or more processors) for managing user access to resources in an enterprise environment.
Computer networks have become important tools for modern business. Today a large amount of information is stored in and accessed across such networks by users throughout the world. Much of this information is, to some degree, private or confidential and protection of the information is required. Not surprisingly then, various network security monitor devices have been developed to help uncover attempts by unauthorized persons and/or devices to gain access to computer networks and the information stored therein.
In the context of enterprise systems, a user identity generally refers to information that uniquely identifies a user. By providing some of such information to a network security monitor device of the enterprise system, a user may be permitted to access various resources available within the enterprise. These resources can include, for example, software products, applications (e.g., cloud-based applications, enterprise applications, or any other applications), cloud services, various types of data (e.g., networked files, directory information, databases, or the like) and other resources. In order to effectively manage user access to resources within an enterprise, the enterprise often has to monitor and track the users' access to information stored in multiple target systems of the enterprise.
Therefore, techniques for managing user access to available resources within an enterprise environment continues to be a priority and are desired.

Mechanisms for anomaly detection and access management


Apparatus for indexing glassware through a series of angularly spaced stations includes first and second arrays of glassware gripping fingers mounted on associated carriers that are rotatable about a common axis, both conjointly and with respect to each other. Each carrier is connected to as associated servo motor, which in turn are connected to a controller for rotating the carriers with respect to each other to grip and release glassware between the fingers, and to rotate the carriers conjointly to index the glassware between apparatus stations. One array of glassware gripping fingers includes coil springs for biasing the fingers toward the fingers of the opposing array for accommodating tolerance variations in the glassware. Drive rollers are located at at least some of the stations, and are pivotal into and out of positions for rotating the containers about their axes for inspection or other purposes.

The present invention is directed to inspection of glassware articles such as glass containers, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for conveying articles of glassware through a series of inspection stations.
In the manufacture of glassware, such as glass containers, various anomalies or variations can occur that affect commercial acceptability of the containers. These anomalies, termed xe2x80x9ccommercial variations,xe2x80x9d can involve dimensional characteristics of the container such as at the container finish, surface characteristics that can affect acceptable operation of the container such as surface variations at the container sealing surface, or variations such as stones or checks within the container finish, sidewall or bottom. It is also conventional practice to mold indicia on each container indicative of the mold of origin of the container for inspection and quality control purposes. U.S. Pat. No. 4,378,493 illustrates a starwheel-type conveyor for accepting containers in sequence from an infeed conveyor and transporting the containers through a series of inspection stations. At at least some of the inspection stations, the container is held in position and rotated about its central axis while being electro-optically inspected for commercial variations and/or mold code. The term xe2x80x9cinspectionxe2x80x9d is used in its broadest sense to encompass any optical, electrooptical, mechanical or electrical observation or engagement with the container to measure or determine a potentially variable characteristic, including but not necessarily limited to mold codes and commercial variations.
It is a general object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for indexing articles of glassware such as glass containers through a series of stations, such as stations at which the containers are to be inspected for commercial variations and/or reading the mold of origin of the containers. Among more specific objects of the invention are to provide such a method and apparatus that are characterized by increased speed of conveyance and therefore increased throughput through the inspection stations, that are versatile and accommodate a wide variety of optical, electro-optical, electrical or mechanical inspection techniques at the individual stations, that accommodate an increased number of inspection stations, preferably including all necessary inspections in a single machine, that provide unobstructed view of the container for increased versatility of electro-optical inspection, and/or that accommodate containers of differing diameter and height.
Apparatus for indexing glassware such as containers through a series of stations, such as electro-optical or mechanical inspection stations, in accordance with a presently preferred embodiment of the invention includes first and second circumferential arrays of alternately opposed glassware gripping fingers mounted on associated first and second carriers. The carriers are rotatable on a common axis, with at least one of the carriers being rotatable with respect to the other for moving the fingers of the associated arrays toward and away from each other to grip and release glassware. The carriers are also rotatable conjointly about the common axis to transport each glassware article through the series of stations. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, each carrier is coupled to an associated motor for rotation independently with respect to each other and conjointly with each other about the common axis. The first carrier preferably overlies the second carrier and is coupled to its associated motor by a shaft that extends along the common axis. The second carrier preferably is coupled to its associated motor by a sleeve that surrounds the shaft.
Each carrier preferably comprises a central hub coupled to its associated motor and a peripheral portion on which the fingers are mounted. The peripheral portion of each carrier preferably includes an annular rim coupled to the associated hub and a plurality of ring segments removably mounted on the annular rim by quick-release locks. The ring segments have radially outwardly extending legs on which the fingers are mounted, with the legs on the first carrier being interdigitally disposed between the legs on the second carrier so that the fingers of each pair are angularly spaced from each other. The fingers of one array are mounted in fixed position on the associated carrier, while the fingers of the other array are resiliently biased toward the fingers of the one array for accommodating size variations among the articles of glassware. A layer of resilient material preferably is disposed on the glassware-engaging surface of each finger for resiliently engaging the glassware articles while reducing slippage of or damage to the articles.
A drive roller in the preferred embodiment of the invention is disposed for engaging and rotating an article of glassware at at least one of the stations, and a support pad and support roller are disposed at the station for supporting the article of glassware during rotation. A pair of angularly spaced back-up rollers are disposed adjacent to the support pad for holding the article in position while the article is rotated by the drive roller. The back-up rollers may be mounted for adjustment with respect to each other and with respect to the axis of rotation of the carriers for accommodating glassware articles of differing sizes. As an alternative, the back-up rollers may be mounted in fixed position on a roller support base, which may be replaceable for accommodating containers of differing diameter. The drive roller is coupled to an associated electric motor, and preferably is selectively pivotable into and out of engagement with a glassware article at the associated station.
A method of transporting glassware through a series of stations in accordance with a presently preferred embodiment of the invention contemplates providing first and second circumferential arrays of alternately opposed glassware gripping fingers, moving at least one of the arrays toward the other for simultaneously gripping articles of glassware at the stations, rotating the first and second arrays simultaneously on a common axis to index glassware between the stations, and then moving at least one of the arrays away from the other to release the articles of glassware at the stations. The stations preferably are disposed at equal angular increments around the common axis of rotation, and the steps of gripping, rotating and releasing the articles are repeated incrementally to convey the articles through the stations. An infeed conveyor preferably is located at one of the stations, and an outfeed conveyor is located at another of the stations for transporting containers to and from the apparatus of the invention. At at least one of the stations, each article of glassware in turn is inspected for commercial variations or for mold of origin

Method and apparatus for inspecting articles of glassware


Cloud service providers are selected to perform a data processing job based on information about the cloud service providers and criteria of the job. A plan for a cloud pipeline for performing the job is designed based on the information about the cloud service providers. The plan comprises processing stages each of which indicates processing upon a subset of a data set of the job. Allocated resources of the set of cloud service providers are mapped to the processing stages. Instructions and software images based on the plan are generated. The instructions and the software images implement the cloud pipeline for performing the data processing job. The instructions and the software images are transmitted to machines of the cloud service providers. The machines and the performing of the job are monitored. If the monitoring detects a failure, then the cloud pipeline is adapted to the failure.

Embodiments of the inventive subject matter generally relate to the field of cloud computing, and, more particularly, to deploying a resource intensive data processing job over a number of resources allocated from a cloud.
In certain industries, a customer has a large amount of data (e.g., several terabytes) that require processing that can span several days. Examples of the data can be genetic sequencing for biotechnology research, geological data for mineral/petroleum exploration, and current and historical weather patterns for environmental research. The customer typically possesses the data at one location, while the processing resources (e.g., a grid and processing applications) are at a different location. The massive amount of data is typically sent to the processing location by shipping storage devices to the processing location. After the processing has completed, the results are then shipped to a customer location.

Selecting cloud service providers to perform data processing jobs based on a plan for a cloud pipeline including processing stages

International Business Machines Corporation


A gas generator includes a cylindrical ignition device chamber, a cylindrical pressurized gas chamber, a closing member having a fragile portion, a multifunctional member inside the ignition device chamber, and having a base plate portion with a first through-hole and a cylindrical wall portion with a second through-hole, an opening portion of the cylindrical wall portion abutting against the fragile portion, first and second plenum chambers, a discharge port in the ignition device chamber housing facing the second plenum chamber, and the multifunctional member movable in the axial direction to rupture the closing member. Gas passing through the first through-hole, the first plenum chamber, the second through-hole and the second plenum chamber is discharged from the gas discharge port. Gas inside the pressurized gas chamber housing entering the first plenum chamber, passes through the second through-hole and the second plenum chamber and is discharged from the gas discharge port.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a gas generator used in a restraining device of an air bag system for a vehicle and the like.
Generally, in a gas generator using a pressurized gas (a pressurized medium), an opening portion of a bottle in which the pressurized gas is sealed in is closed by closing means and the pressurized gas is discharged by rupturing the closing means during activation.
Furthermore, such a gas generator is desired that the time measured from activation (for example, when an igniting current flows in an electric igniter) until start of gas discharge is minimized and prompt gas discharge is obtained (a restraining device or the like is promptly activated).
2. Description of Related Art
US-A No. 2006/0037662 discloses a gas generator which uses a pressurized gas, wherein at an igniter 20 attached to one end of a housing 16, a projectile 22 is attached to a cylindrical body 82 charged with an ignition charge. A chamber 38 filled with a pressurized gas and the igniter 20 are separated from each other by a closure member 14, and the projectile 22 abuts the closure member 14.


A breathing gas humidifier capsule having an evaporator module with a heated, hydrophobic liquid water reservoir defined by water vapor-permeable walls. Liquid water in the hydrophobic reservoir is vaporized by a heater and the generated water vapor is entrained in a passing breathing gas stream.

For optimal inhalation therapy, the breathing gas must be warm and humidified. Without humidification the patient's lungs dry out and collapse, sometimes with fatal result, because the upper airways of a patient, i.e., the nose and the mouth, which provide natural humidification, are bypassed when artificial ventilation is utilized.
Currently available respiratory humidifiers can be placed in one of three groups according to method of operation: nebulizing, bubbling and heated evaporation. Nebulizing humidifiers rely on the flow of pressurized breathing gas through an ejector-like element to generate an aerosol spray. With bubbling humidifiers, breathing gas is forced directly through a pool of liquid water. Heated-evaporation humidifiers employ a heated contact chamber, where breathing gas is passed over heated water to absorb water vapor.
A persistent, serious problem with all known humidifiers is condensation or "rainout" in the ventilator circuit downstream of the humidifier. As humidified breathing gas travels through tubing towards the patient, it is cooled by ambient air. Tubing cleanup and system readjustments are all too frequent steps in the maintenance of ventilator circuits. Wet circuits also promote respiratory infections.
While heated evaporation humidifiers are deemed to suffer somewhat less from the rainout problem because rather than entrained droplets, such humidifiers require excessive heating and humidity as the breathing gas travels a relatively long path along the hose leading to the patient. Condensation must be monitored closely to avoid inhalation by the patient. Also, without careful monitoring, the temperature of heated water may rise above acceptable limits and cause dangerous overheating of the breathing gas. Equally dangerous are the steam surges produced when liquid water first contacts a dry heater bed following a disruption in water supply.
Another recognized disadvantage of heated evaporation humidifiers is over-dampening of ventilator pressure waves. For artificial respiration, the large gas volumes required in conventional humidifiers over dampen the pressure waves generated by the ventilator to inflate the patient's lungs.
The present capsule humidifier addresses these and other problems with existing humidifiers and provides an efficient breathing gas humidifier having a relatively small gas volume evaporator module that produces only water vapor and can be situated relatively close to the patient.


Example implementations relate to touch-sensitive input devices. As an example, a non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprises instructions that when executed cause a controller of an electronic device to receive, via a touch-sensitive input device of the electronic device, a touch input. The instructions also cause the controller to determine whether the touch input corresponds to a re-orientation input. The instructions further cause the controller to, in response to a determination that the touch input corresponds to the re-orientation input, rotate an input axis associated with the touch sensitive input device from a first orientation to a second orientation based on the re-orientation input.

An electronic device may be attached to an input device to receive input from a user of the computing device. For example, an input device may be a keyboard or a computer mouse. Some electronic devices, such as a notebook computer, may have an integrated input device, such as an integrated keyboard.

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A virtual world controller receives an identifier of a detected interaction by a user within another world, separate from a particular virtual world environment accessible by the user, from a device that detects and reports user interactions within the other world. The virtual world controller identifies at least one particular trigger tag name assigned to the identifier of the detected interaction from among a plurality of separate detectable user interactions in a trigger tag database. The virtual world controller identifies at least one particular asset class from among a plurality of asset classes specified with the particular trigger tag name within a particular trigger asset coupling from among at least one trigger asset coupling in a trigger asset coupling database. The virtual world controller accesses at least one particular asset assigned to the at least one particular asset class in an asset class database. The virtual world controller renders the at least one particular asset within the particular virtual world environment in a virtual location within the particular virtual world triggered by the particular trigger asset coupling.

1. Technical Field
This invention relates in general to virtual environments, and more particularly to a method, system, and computer program for updating assets rendered in a virtual world environment based on user interactions in another world.
2. Description of the Related Art
A virtual world, also commonly referred to as 3D Internet or a virtual universe, is a computer-based simulated environment in which one or more users traverse and interact within the environment. In a virtual world, a user is typically provided with an avatar to represent the user within the virtual world, where the user and other users can see the avatar. Virtual worlds are often simulated in a two or three-dimensional environment, including graphics, video, text, and other representations, which may, for example, resemble the real world, represent a fictitious world, or depict a gaming world. Users within a virtual world often conduct business and engage in social interactions based on the representations of each user's avatars at one or more locations within a virtual world.
In addition, some virtual world providers provide and render assets within a user's virtual world environment, such as providing a clothing asset used to define the clothing worn by a user's avatar representation within the virtual world environment, a digital media asset such as music played from the virtual world environment, or a decoration asset used to define the décor of a user's space within the virtual world environment. For example, a virtual world called Second Life (Second Life is a registered trademark of Linden Research Inc.) provided on the Second Life platform supports rendering assets within a virtual world environment in association with the user's virtual world account with Second Life.

Updating assets rendered in a virtual world environment based on detected user interactions in another world

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION


An apparatus for determining a characteristic for a fluid in a tube, the apparatus including a force applying system to cause a change in a transverse dimension of a segment of the tube, wherein the change in the transverse dimension is reversible, and an ultrasonic system that comprises a single transducer for launching and receiving ultrasonic signals. Ultrasonic signals propagate through the tube along colinear paths of different lengths that are orthogonal to the tube wall. At least one of the paths is located entirely within the segment. Each of the ultrasonic signals propagates through the tube wall in a first wall region and reflects from an inner surface of a second wall region. Path length differences between the paths are determined, and transit times are determined for each of the ultrasonic signals. The characteristic is determined based on information including the path length differences and the transit times.

Embodiments described herein relate to accurate determination of sound speed, or of other characteristics derivable from sound speed, for a fluid in a conduit or tube. Characteristics derivable from sound speed include characteristics such as: fluid density, composition, purity, and temperature; the concentration of component A in a binary fluid mixture of A and B; and total protein concentration in a fluid such as blood. The fluid of interest may be flowing or at rest. Fluid sound speed typically is determined by launching an ultrasonic signal that propagates through a fluid along a path of known length, receiving the signal after it has propagated, and calculating the sound speed based on the path length and the time elapsed between launching and receiving of the signal. The ultrasonic signal may be launched and received using one or more transducers.
Sound speed includes a real part represented by the symbol c, which is typically expressed in units of m/sec. Sound speed also includes an imaginary part that is related to energy absorption processes, and which is described by an attenuation coefficient that is typically expressed in units of dB/cm. Sound speed is influenced by composition, temperature, pressure, and other variables or characteristics of the fluid. In liquids, for example, c is inversely proportional to the square root of the product of compressibility and density; thus any factor that affects compressibility or density may change the sound speed. In gases, c is inversely proportional to the square root of the molecular weight of the gas. In gases, c is directly proportional to the square root of temperature and of gamma, where gamma is the ratio of specific heat at constant pressure to specific heat at constant volume.
Using known relationships between sound speed and other variables or characteristics, sound speed measurements can lead to determination of values for the other variables or characteristics. Sound speed measurements alone cannot solve a multivariable problem, however. Even for a simple fluid such as pure water, measuring sound speed yields a unique value for a variable such as temperature only if the temperature is within a certain range and if the pressure is known. Viewed in another way, one challenge in measuring sound speed is to eliminate interfering variables. Another challenge is to measure sound speed accurately; for example, to measure c with an error of less than 0.1 percent, or to measure the attenuation coefficient with an error of less than 1 percent.
Fluid sound speed is sometimes determined using contrapropagation; this technique is typically used in a situation where the fluid is flowing. Ultrasonic signals are launched in opposite directions along two paths that, in the absence of flow, would be congruent, i.e. in exactly the same position and of equal length. Sound speed may be determined as the average of the speed along the two paths. Contrapropagation systems often try to employ long axial paths, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,179,862 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,065,350. In the '862 and '350 systems, the transducers are positioned external to the tube wall, so the paths traverse one or more regions of tube wall in addition to traversing the fluid of interest, and the differing sound speeds in the wall and the fluid can complicate the accurate determination of fluid sound speed. The total path length in the '862 and '350 systems is very long, so the wall path length is a small fraction of the total path length, and in practice the error introduced by the wall path length is sometimes ignored in long axial path systems.
In some situations, a long axial path may be impractical. For example, the tube may be positioned within a confined space that provides access to only a small axial portion of the tube. In such situations, it may be advantageous to employ a path that is orthogonal or oblique to the tube wall. For a path that is orthogonal or oblique to the tube wall, with transducers positioned external to the tube wall, the wall path length may be a significant fraction of the total path length, leading to problems in accurately determining fluid path length and fluid sound speed. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,731,532 and 4,397,194 employ externally-positioned transducers and paths that are oblique or orthogonal to the tube wall. In the '532 apparatus, fluid sound speed is measured along one fixed path orthogonal to the tube. In the '194 apparatus, measurement of the transit time in the fluid along one fixed path orthogonal to the tube wall is interpreted in terms of tube inside diameter, assuming a known fluid sound speed. The '532 apparatus and the '194 apparatus use oblique paths to measure flow effects on transit times, from which the flow velocity is determined.
Ultrasonic determination of sound speed may use differential paths, which are paths whose lengths differ. Differential paths may help to determine sound speed accurately; multiple determinations along fluid paths of differing lengths provide information about linearity and consistency of the determinations. For example, ultrasonic determinations of fluid properties may use a flowcell or spool that includes one or more transducers, the spool being inserted into a tube or conduit containing a fluid of interest, and the transducers may be positioned on the flowcell to launch and receive signals along differential paths.
It is possible to determine fluid sound speed by penetrating a tube wall with one or more ports and positioning one or more transducers in direct contact with the fluid. This technique removes the inaccuracy caused by wall path contributions, but the technique is invasive: the fluid may become contaminated, and the transducer in contact with the fluid may disturb the flow or may cause debris to accumulate. A less-invasive technique is to use a flowcell that has no ports. Installation of the flowcell requires, for example, provision of a flanged opening of length equal to the flowcell's length or cutting of the tube wall to install the flowcell. Junctions between gasketed mating flanges or between the flowcell and the tube wall may cause problems because of seemingly minor misalignment or diameter mismatch.
A noninvasive technique for determining fluid sound speed may be advantageous in some settings, such as where the fluid-containing tube is part of a biomedical device or a semiconductor processing system. In such settings, it may be important to prevent contamination of the fluid and to maintain sterility of the fluid. In addition, it may be important to avoid any irregularity in the inner surface of the tube wall that might encourage accumulation of debris or, in the case of blood processing equipment, blood clot formation. A noninvasive apparatus may be defined as a system in which there is no penetration of the tube wall during installation or use of the fluid sound speed measuring apparatus. The systems described in the '862 and '350 patents are noninvasive, but each uses a long axial path, as noted above.
There is a need for a fluid sound speed determination system or method that is noninvasive and that eliminates unknown contributions from portions of the system that are external to the fluid of interest.

Noninvasive measurement of fluid characteristics using reversibly deformed conduit