A vent plug for a milking liner has an inlet that faces the outer surface of the liner. The position of the vent inlet reduces the likelihood that it will become clogged with debris from the floor of the milking parlor. In one embodiment, the vent plug has a plurality of redundant inlets that allow the vent plug to function if one of the inlets becomes clogged. In another embodiment, the inlet is angled at a nonparallel angle with respect to the vent passage.

1. Technical Field
This invention generally relates to milking apparatus that use milking liners to draw milk from the teat. More particularly, the invention is related to the vent used with the milking liner. Specifically, the invention relates to anti-clogging vent plugs that may be selectively installed into and removed from milking liners.
2. Background Information
Automatic milking machines have been used to extract milk from different mammals through most of the past century. Most of these machines include a claw that typically has four nipples that are connected to teat cup assemblies that are attached to the teats. The teat cup assemblies include a rigid (hard plastic or metal) shell with a resilient, elastomeric milking liner (also known as a milking inflation) disposed within the shell. A short milk tube extends from the liner. A vacuum source is applied to the short milk tube and an alternating vacuum is applied to the shell to cause the liners to collapse and expand and thereby massage the teats and suck milk from the teats. The milk flows from the liners, into the short milk tube, to the nipples of the claw, and from there through a conduit to a collection tank.
The liner is one of the few components of an automatic milking machine that comes into direct contact with the cow. Liners collapse and expand to massage the teat to cause milk to flow. Liner performance may be maximized with the proper pulsation ratio. Numerous milking inflation designs have been developed for collapsing on the teat in different manners. The art desires an inflation having an open, relatively large, readily collapsible barrel that uniformly collapses around the teat to provide effective and comfortable milking. The structure of the barrel should provide a reliable collapsing configuration and a long useful life. Liners that collapse and expand slowly are undesirable. Liners that pinch or otherwise irritate the teat are also undesirable.
Air vents are also used with liners. The air vents are used to prevent the milk in the barrel or short milk tube of the liner from being drawn back towards the teat when the liner expands. An exemplary vent plug is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,055,931. A drawback with these types of vent plugs is that the air inlet opening is exposed to the environment under a cow and is frequently clogged by splattering debris (such as manure) from the floor in the milking parlor. Although the clog resistant air vent plug shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,055,931 is effective, the art desires additional air vent plug designs that do not clog.


This invention relates to the discovery that toxicity to mustard may be evaluated by diagnostic test means disclosed herein. Upon electrophoretic separation (sodium dodocyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE)) of buffered extract of human skin cells (normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK)) which had been exposed to mustard-type chemical compounds a band at approximately 50,000 to 80,000 daltons molecular weight was found. The protein band constitutes a biomarker.

This invention relates to the use of a test to evaluate exposure to mustard gas. The invention provides methods and a kit for use in evaluating exposure and response to mustard.
The use of sulfur mustard, bis-(2-chloroethyl) sulfide (HD) in chemical warfare has been long known. More recently its use in the Iran-Iraq conflict resulted in many deaths and untold suffering. It""s use was a major threat in the Gulf War. Hence, the method of identifying injury due to mustards is an important pursuit for scientists working for the armed forces.
It is believed that nitrogen and sulfur mustard-induced vesication wherein there is separation of the epidermis from the dermis due to the disruption of the connective tissues may be the result of a specific protease. The exact mechanism of its toxicity remains unclear and no effective antidote has yet been reported in the literature. DNA is considered to be its major intracellular target (Papirmeister et al., 1985). Other toxic effects are protease stimulation, cutaneous degradation and blister formation. Smith et al. (1991) and Cowan et al. (1991 ) have demonstrated that HD and another vesicating agent chloroethylethyl sulfide (CEES) stimulate protease activity in NHEK, Hela Cell line and in human peripheral blood lymphocytes. No information, however, exists with respect to the molecular mechanism of mustard-induced protease activation.
Immunohistochemical studies have been done on the protein composition changes in HD-exposed hairless guinea pig skin. Epidermal-dermal junction proteins, namely, bullous pemphigoid antigen, laminin and hemidesmosomal anchoring filament proteins were affected by exposure to HD. More recently, investigators have found that in the mini pig skin, which is more akin to human skin, only one protein in the lamina lucida, thelamini, is affected by HD. These findings strongly suggest that some specific protease(s) may be responsible for HD-induced vesication.
The concept that a specific protease is involved in pathology related to exposure to mustards is important because the use of generalized protease inhibitors could cause serious side-effects. Cowman, et al. have demonstrated that HD and chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (CEES) stimulate protease activity in vitro in human peripheral blood lymphocytes and in vivo in hairless guinea pig skin. However, a definitive characterization of the mustard-stimulated protease is not described in any previous publication.
This invention relates to a protease which can be stimulated by exposure of NHEK cells to mustard in the presence of Ca+ wherein proteolytic activity is inhibited by leupeptin at 1 mM concentration but is not inhibited by pepstatin at 1 mM concentration.
This invention relates to the discovery that toxicity to mustard may be evaluated by diagnostic test means disclosed herein.
Upon electrophoretic separation (sodium dodocyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE))of buffered extract of human skin cells (normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK)) which had been exposed to mustard-type chemical compounds a band at approximately 50,000 to 80,000 daltons molecular weight was found. (The position of the band was determined partly by the % of polyacrylamide gel used, with the band being between 65% and 80% when 12.5% concentration of the gel was used and lower when the 10% gel was used). This new protein was seen in mustard-exposed NHEK, in pig skin, and in skin of hairless mice. The mustard compounds used included chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (CEES) and 2-chloro-N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-methylethanamine hydrochloride, also known as nitrogen mustard (HN2). The protein band from NHEK cultures had protease activity that was identical to characteristics of protease stimulated by mustard. Bis-2-chloroethyl sulfide (HD), also known as sulfur mustard, may also be used in similar manner.
The protein band constitutes a biomarker. The marker protein can be used either to raise protective antibodies to protect against the protease or may be used in a kit for identifying presence or absence of the marker in study of tissues taken from individuals who may have been exposed to mustard poisoning. A sequence of 19 amino acids (NH2-GGGAGTTHLNVQWQPSGGV-COOH) from this protein has been identified. Antibodies have been raised against this sequence in rabbits. Using antibodies raised to said protein, it is possible, using means for testing antibody-antigen binding means known in the art such as Western blot, Elisa tests, tagged antibodies, etc., to identify the protein raised to mustard in a test sample. As an example, the protein raised in response to exposure to nitrogen or sulfur mustard was identified by exposing a test sample of protein to antibodies which interact with the sequence -GGGAGTTHLNVQWQPSGGV-(Seq. ID No. 1) and observing whether or not said antibodies bind to a protein in the test sample. In the example, Western blot was used. However, other methods known in the art to identify binding of antibodies to specific proteins, including use of tagged antibodies, are appropriate. Tags for use in the method of the invention include colorometric tags, fluorescing tags, and radioactive tags.
At present, pathological changes resulting from mustard poisoning are identified by histopathologic and electron microscopic means. The instant invention provides more economical and efficient means of identifying mustard-related pathologies. The improved diagnostic tests make it possible to treat such pathologies more expeditiously.
Materials and Methods
An in vitro normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK) model was used to study and characterize protease stimulated by some common mustards, including 1-chlorethyl ethyl sulphide (CEES) and 2-chloro-N-(2 chloroethyl)-N-methylethanamine hydrochloride (HN2). These cells provide an appropriate human non-tumor primary skin cell culture model which makes it possible to perform the experimental manipulations necessary to study the effect of vesicants.
CEES was obtained from Aldrich Chem. Milwaukee, Wis. HN2 was purchased from Merck and Co. West Point, Pa. NHEK stock culture was purchased from Clonetics Corp. San Diego, Calif. Sulfur mustard (HD)-exposed NHEK sample was obtained from USMRICD, APG, MD. The peptide substrate TRY (carbobenzoxy-valyl-glycl-arginine-4-nitraline acetate) was obtained from Boehringer Mannheim Biochemical in Indiana. Protease inhibitors diisopropyl fluoro phosphate (DFP), phenylmethyl sulfonylfluoride (PMSF), leupeptin, E-64 and pepstatin were purchased from Signa Chemical Company in Missouri.
Cell Culture
Secondary cultures of (NHEK) were grown up to 100% plus confluence as described previously (Mol et al., 1989). Cells were exposed to different concentrations of CEES and HN2 at ambient conditions of incubation in a humidified atmosphere of 5% CO2/95% air at 37xc2x0 C. for 24 hours.
It has been possible to identify vesicant-induced proteases. Using the methods of the invention, it is also possible to demonstrate and test protectants against the offending protease.
Chromogenic Peptide Substrate Protease Assay (CPSPA).
This assay was performed using chromozym TRY substrate (2.5 mM) following the method of Friberger (1982) as described by Smith and Cowan (Cell Biol.Toxicol. 7, 238-248 (1991)). The chromogenic peptide, when cleaved by protease, releases p-nitroaniline (pNA) producing a change in absorbance measured spectrophotometrically at 405 nm. The findings obtained by chromogzym (TRY) peptide substrate protease assay (CPSPA) revealed the optimum mustard concentration and time for protease stimulation to be about 200 xcexcM CEES or 100 xcexcM HN2 over about 16 hours.
Using the methods of the invention, it has been possible to detect an tissue injury-related protease. Both colorimetric and electrophoretic assays are disclosed.
The chromogenic peptide substrate protease assay (CPSPA) of Cowan, (1991) was practiced in order to reproduce Cowan""s work on the observation of vesicant-induced protease stimulation by studying the effects of both CEES and HN2 in NHEK. Mustard-induced protease stimulation was found only with the trypsin-specific substrate. This indicated that mustards may stimulate serine protease(s).
To identify mustard-stimulated protease, SDS-polypeptide complexes were separated by SDS-PAGE on 10% to 12.5% polyacrylamide gel. Mustard-treated cells were solubilized in sample buffer and boiled for 5 minutes at 95xc2x0 C. Several protease inhibitors were included during the wash and after solubilization using the protease inhibitor sampler kit, P6548, from Molecular Probes, Eugene, Oreg., U.S.A. following the instructions therewith. Densitometric analysis was done in the form of arbitrary optical density units (Bio-Med Instruments). Western blot analysis was done using rabbit anti-keratine wide spectrum screening primary antibody and peroxidase-conjugated swine immunoglobins to rabbit immunoglobins as secondary antibody. To demonstrate protease activity in the ≅50 to ≈80 kDa band, proteins in the cell extract were separated by Non-SDS-PAGE and then the band was eluted in phosphate buffer at 37xc2x0 C.

Protein biomarker for mustard chemical injury

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


A feedback cancellation system for a hearing instrument is described. The feedback cancellation system includes both a constrained adaptive filter, the constrained adaptive filter can be constrained by initiation coefficients, as well as an adaptive gain modification. The adaptive gain modification allows the feedback cancellation to respond to substantially different environments from the test environment used to derive the initiation coefficients for the constrained adaptive filter.

The present invention relates to feedback cancellation methods and apparatus.
A problem that can occur with hearing instruments such as hearing aids is that the output of a speaker can feed back into the input microphone and in some circumstances can result in an out-of-control positive-feedback oscillation. This can occur in systems such as hearing aids which amplify the received input signals to produce an amplified output signal to a speaker. If the amplified output signal is not sufficiently attenuated at the input microphone, input noises will continue to loop through the feedback path until the annoying ring of positive feedback occurs.
A number of methods and techniques have been designed to overcome this feedback problem. These methods typically use digital signal processing (DSP). Most DSP-based feedback-cancellation techniques typically estimate the feedback signal and then subtract this estimated feedback signal from the microphone signal. Because the feedback paths are varying, adaptive feedback cancellation is necessary.
One way to do adaptive feedback cancellation is to use a noise sequence continuously injected at a low level while the hearing instrument is in normal operation. This approach has the disadvantage of reducing the signal-to-noise ratio.
Another adaptive feedback cancellation approach is to use an adaptive filter connected to the output of the hearing aid processing unit and subtract the output of the adaptive filter from the microphone signal. FIG. 1 illustrates an example of this prior-art embodiment.
The system includes a microphone 22 which sends a signal to the subtracting unit 24. Subtracting unit 24 subtracts the microphone signal from the output of the adaptive filter 26. This combined signal is sent to the hearing aid processing unit 28 which produces an output which is then sent to the speaker 30 to produce the output.
The system of FIG. 1 operates relatively well when a broadband input signal is sent to the microphone. If the input is a narrowband signal, however, artifacts are produced and a degraded performance results.
A system that avoids some of these problems is described in the article xe2x80x9cConstrained Adaptation for Feedback Cancellation in Hearing Aids,xe2x80x9d by James M. Kates, Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 106 (2), August 1999, pp. 1010-1019. This article describes a constrained adaptive feedback cancellation scheme.
Let x(n), f(n) and v(n) denote the input of the system, the output of the feedback path and the output of the adaptive FIR filter, respectively, then we have the microphone output s(n)=x(n)+f(n) and the difference signal e(n)=s(n)xe2x88x92v(n). In the standard approach, the weights W(n) of the adaptive FIR filter are updated by minimizing the power of e(n) so that the output of the adaptive filter could track the signal f(n) provided by the real feedback path and the effect incurred by feedback could be minimized. In the ideal case, v(n) approximates f(n) so that e(n) could approximate the real input signal x(n) without any feedback signal. In the constrained adaptation scheme, the cost function for updating weights in the block-by-block processing mode is                               ε                                (            m            )                          =                                                            ∑                                  N                  -                  1                                                            n                =                0                                                                                e                n                2                                                          (                m                )                                              =                                                                      ∑                                      N                    -                    1                                                                    n                  =                  0                                                                                [                                                                                s                        n                                                                                (                        m                        )                                                              -                                                                  v                        n                                                                                (                        m                        )                                                                              ]                                2                                      +                          β                                                                                ∑                                          K                      -                      1                                                                            k                    =                    0                                                                                [                                                                                w                          k                                                                                (                          m                          )                                                                    -                                                                        w                          k                                                                                (                          0                          )                                                                                ]                                    2                                                                                Equation                          xe2x80x83                        1
and one algorithm to update the weights is                                           w            k                                          (            m            )                          =                                            w              k                                                  (                              m                -                1                            )                                -                      2                                      xe2x80x83                                                  μβ                                            [                                                                            w                      k                                                                                (                                              m                        -                        1                                            )                                                        -                                                            w                      k                                                                                (                      0                      )                                                                      ]                                              +                      2                                      xe2x80x83                                    μ                                                                        ∑                                      N                    -                    1                                                                    n                  =                  0                                                                                e                    n                                                                          (                                          m                      -                      1                                        )                                                                                d                                          n                      -                      k                                                                                (                                          m                      -                      1                                        )                                                                                Equation                          xe2x80x83                        2
where sn(m), vn(m) are the microphone output signal (corresponds to s(n)) and the output of the adaptive filter (corresponds to v(n)) at block m, respectively; N and K are the sample number in one block and the length of the adaptive filter, respectively; dnxe2x88x92k(mxe2x88x921) is the input of the FIR filter at time instant (nxe2x88x92k) of the (mxe2x88x921)""th block. The major difference between this constrained adaptive feedback cancellation scheme and the standard adaptive scheme is the inclusion of the constrained term   β                      ∑                  K          -          1                            k        =        0                                [                                            w              k                                                  (              m              )                                -                                    w              k                                                  (              0              )                                      ]            2
in the above cost function where xcex2 is a weighting factor, wk(m) is the k""th weight at m""th block, and wk(0) is the k""th initial weight. These initial weights provide a reference set of adaptive filter weights and can be obtained during the hearing-aids fitting stage by letting the system adapt in the presence of a white-noise source until the adaptive filter reaches steady state. With this constraint, the feedback cancellation filter can freely adapt near the initial coefficients but penalize coefficients that deviate too far from the initial values. Testing has shown that this constraint-based algorithm is effective in overcoming artifacts and signal cancellation problems but does not effectively model large deviations from the initial feedback path such as that caused by the placement and removal of a telephone handset. For example, if the amplitude transform function of the real feedback path is shifted above 10 dB (as happens when a telephone handset is placed to the aided ear) from the initial feedback path (corresponds to wk(0)), the real optimizing weights of the adaptive filter should be wk(M)=3.16wk(0). Obviously, this solution cannot be obtained by minimizing the Equation 1 mainly because of the constraint term (the second term of the right hand of Equation 1).
Based on these problems, it is highly desirable to develop a new scheme which can not only overcome the artifacts and signal cancellation problem but also have the ability to model large variations of the feedback path.
One embodiment of the present invention is a system that includes a sound processing unit producing an output. A multi-stage feedback canceling unit receives the output of the sound processing unit. The multi-stage feedback canceling unit produces a feedback canceling signal. The multi-stage feedback canceling unit includes a constrained adaptive filter and an adaptive gain-modifying unit. The system also includes a combining unit, combining the feedback canceling signal with an input signal, and providing the combined signal as the input to the sound processing unit.
In one embodiment the sound processing unit is a hearing aid. The sound processing unit and multi-stage feedback-canceling unit can be implemented as a software program on a processor such as a DSP.
The advantage of doing an adaptive gain modification in addition to the constrained adaptive filtering is that the adaptive gain modification can make up for some of the reduced output of the constrained adaptive filtering which is the result of the constraints. It has been found that the use of the constrained filtering has the disadvantage that when the environment of the hearing instrument is drastically different from the normal environment for which the constraining coefficients are developed, the output of the adaptive filter can be quite different than the feedback sound signal. For example, when a telephone handset is placed next to a hearing aid device using the constrained adaptive filter in the feedback canceling path, the real feedback path can be much greater than the output of the adaptive filter. The constraint terms prevent the correct operation of the feedback path.
In the present invention, by adding an adaptive gain element, the output of the two-stage feedback-canceling unit can be made relatively close to the signal of the feedback path. The constrained adaptive filtering prevents the feedback path from adjusting its filter shape so as to cause the undesired behavior for narrowband input signals. The adaptive gain modifying block changes the overall gain of the feedback-canceling path without inducing the poor behavior for the narrowband input.

Two-stage adaptive feedback cancellation scheme for hearing instruments


A method of forming a LDMOS with a self-aligned P+ implant and LVPW region at the source side and the resulting device are provided. Embodiments include forming a DNWELL in a p-sub; forming a PWHV in the DNWELL; forming an NW in the DNWELL; forming a LVPW in the PWHV; forming STI structures through the LVPW and through the DNWELL and NW, respectively; forming a gate over the PWHV; forming a first and a second P+ implant in the LVPW, an edge of the second P+ implant aligned with an edge of the gate; forming a first N+ implant in the LVPW between the first STI structure and the second P+ implant and a second N+ in the NW adjacent to the second STI structure; and forming contacts over the first and second P+ and N+ implants, respectively, and an electrical contact over the second N+ implant.

ESD impact on production yield and product quality is increasingly becoming more significant due to requirements for higher speeds and device scaling. In general, ESD protection devices work by providing a path through the integrated circuit (IC) that has high current shunting capabilities. High holding voltage (VH) enables latch-up safe operation of such devices. However, known high voltage (HV) gate-grounded N-channel metal oxide semiconductor (GGNMOS) clamps exhibit low VH, e.g., below drain voltage (VDD). In addition, known solutions fail to provide designers with the ability to efficiently control/scale VH without comprising the device area.
A need therefore exists for methodology enabling formation of an ESD device that exhibits high VH and enables efficient control of Vt1 and VH without compromising the device area and the resulting device.

High holding high voltage (HHHV) FET for ESD protection with modified source and method for producing the same


A lithographic method is disclosed that includes, on a substrate provided with a layer of a resist and a further layer of a material provided on the layer of resist, providing a pattern in the further layer, the pattern defining a space via which an area of the layer of resist may be exposed to radiation, a distance between features of the pattern defining the space, and exposing the layer of resist to radiation having a wavelength greater than the distance between features of the pattern defining the space, such that near-field radiation is generated which propagates into and exposes an area of the resist.

A lithographic apparatus is a machine that applies a desired pattern onto a target portion of a substrate. Lithographic apparatus can be used, for example, in the manufacture of integrated circuits (ICs). In that circumstance, a patterning device, which is alternatively referred to as a mask or a reticle, may be used to generate a circuit pattern corresponding to an individual layer of the IC, and this pattern can be imaged onto a target portion (e.g. comprising part of, one or several dies) on a substrate (e.g. a silicon wafer) that has a layer of radiation-sensitive material (resist). In general, a single substrate will contain a network of adjacent target portions that are successively exposed. Known lithographic apparatus include so-called steppers, in which each target portion is irradiated by exposing an entire pattern onto the target portion in one go, and so-called scanners, in which each target portion is irradiated by scanning the pattern through the beam in a given direction (the "scanning"-direction) while synchronously scanning the substrate parallel or anti-parallel to this direction.
In device manufacturing methods using a lithographic apparatus, the minimum feature size, often referred to as the critical dimension (CD), is determined by the wavelength (λ) of the exposure radiation and the numerical aperture (NA) of the projection system used by the lithographic apparatus. Various techniques have been developed to reduce the critical dimension, and the effects of these techniques are commonly combined into a scaling factor known as k1. The relationship between the scaling factor, the numerical aperture, the wavelength of the radiation used, and the critical dimension is as follows:CD=k1·λ/NA A process to obtain a reduced scaling factor comprises using near field imaging to expose a layer of resist, which involves the generation and use of near-field radiation. In a known method, the near-field radiation is generated using a specifically designed mask which is independent of a resist coated substrate to which a pattern is to be applied. In order to use the near-field radiation to apply a pattern to the resist on the substrate, the mask needs to be accurately spaced apart from the resist across all areas of the resist to be patterned, or alternatively the mask needs to be brought into contact with all areas of the resist to be patterned. In practice, it is difficult to achieve the accurate separation between the mask and the resist that is required to accurately apply patterns to the resist. Alternatively, if the mask is to be brought into contact with the resist, it is difficult to ensure that all areas of the resist to be patterned are actually in contact with the mask, and it is also possible that the mask may damage the resist when it is brought into contact with it.


A modular-type lightbar assembly has an elongated base having a bottom panel and a pair of oblique integrally extending front and rear sides. Lens elements are mounted to the base and a cover by lock and groove-type connections. Warning beacon units are mounted to platforms supported on base. The beacon units rotate for sequentially directing light through the front and rear lens elements. The beacon units have an efficient integral base which mounts the rotating beacon and a brush assembly for the motor. An electronic controller is employed to apply a pulse width modulated current to the beacon motor so that a fast and slow motor speed may be selected.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to lightbar assemblies which are mounted to the top of vehicles. More particularly, the present invention relates to modular type lightbar assemblies which may be employed by emergency vehicles, such as ambulances, police cares and fire emergency vehicles.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The lightbar assemblies to which the invention relates have in the past been built around an I-beam type structural member which spans the assembly. U.S. Pat. No. 4,588,118 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,620,268, both of which are assigned to the assignee of the present invention, each disclose lightbar assemblies which employ an I-beam as the principal structural member. The I-beam members provide an efficient low profile, modular structure of high structural integrity and a high degree of versatility. However, the I-beam does present space constraints which limit flexibility in implementing a wide range of emergency signal configurations. In particular, the conventional lightbar assemblies which employ rigid frame members spanning the lightbar assemblies have had insufficient space for installation of warning lights comprising halogen lamps with associated rotating mirrors.


Methods for producing pathogen-inducible promoters for the expression of genes in plants are provided. The pathogen-inducible promoters are inducible by one, two, three, or more plant pathogens. Methods for producing R genes that are inducible in a plant by more than one plant pathogen are further provided. Additionally, provided are R genes and other nucleic acid molecules comprising the pathogen-inducible promoters and that are made by such methods as well as plants, plant parts, plant cells, seeds, and non-human host cells comprising the R genes and other nucleic acid molecules.

Plants are hosts to thousands of infectious diseases caused by a vast array of phytopathogenic fungi, bacteria, viruses, oomycetes and nematodes. Plants recognize and resist many invading phytopathogens by inducing a rapid defense response. Recognition is often due to the interaction between a dominant or semi-dominant resistance (R) gene product in the plant and a corresponding dominant avirulence (Avr) gene product expressed by the invading phytopathogen. R-gene triggered resistance often results in a programmed cell-death, which has been termed the hypersensitive response (HR). The HR is believed to constrain spread of the pathogen.
How R gene products mediate perception of the corresponding Avr proteins is mostly unclear. It has been proposed that phytopathogen Avr products function as ligands, and that plant R gene products function as receptors. In this receptor-ligand model binding of the Avr product to a corresponding R gene product in the plant initiates the chain of events within the plant that produces HR leads to disease resistance. In an alternate model the R protein perceives the action rather than the structure of the Avr protein. In this model the Avr protein is believed to modify a plant target protein (pathogenicity target) in order to promote pathogen virulence. The modification of the pathogenicity protein is detected by the matching R protein and triggers a defense response. Experimental evidence suggests that some R proteins act as Avr receptors while others detect the activity of the Avr protein.
The production of transgenic plants carrying a heterologous gene sequence is now routinely practiced by plant molecular biologists. Methods for incorporating an isolated gene sequence into an expression cassette, producing plant transformation vectors, and transforming many types of plants are well known. Examples of the production of transgenic plants having modified characteristics as a result of the introduction of a heterologous transgene include: U.S. Pat. No. 5,719,046 to Guerineau (production of herbicide resistant plants by introduction of bacterial dihydropteroate synthase gene); U.S Pat. No. 5,231,020 to Jorgensen (modification of flavenoids in plants); U.S. Pat. No. 5,583,021 to Dougherty (production of virus resistant plants); and U.S. Pat. No. 5,767,372 to De Greve and U.S. Pat. No. 5,500,365 to Fischoff (production of insect resistant plants by introducing Bacillus thuringiensis genes).
In conjunction with such techniques, the isolation of plant R genes has similarly permitted the production of plants having enhanced resistance to certain pathogens. Since the cloning of the first R gene, Pto from tomato, which confers resistance to Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (Martin et al. (1993) Science 262: 1432-1436), a number of other R genes have been reported (Liu et al. (2007) J. Genet. Genomics 34:765-776). A number of these genes have been used to introduce the encoded resistance characteristic into plant lines that were previously susceptible to the corresponding pathogen. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,571,706 describes the introduction of the N gene into tobacco lines that are susceptible to Tobacco Mosaic Virus (TMV) in order to produce TMV-resistant tobacco plants. WO 95/28423 describes the creation of transgenic plants carrying the Rps2 gene from Arabidopsis thaliana, as a means of creating resistance to bacterial pathogens including Pseudomonas syringae, and WO 98/02545 describes the introduction of the Prf gene into plants to obtain broad-spectrum pathogen resistance.
Bacterial spot disease of tomato and pepper, caused by the phytopathogenic bacterium Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria (Xcv), can be devastating to commercial production of these crops in areas of the world with high humidity and heavy rainfall. While control of Xcv in commercial agriculture is based largely on the application of pesticides, genetic resistance to bacterial spot disease has been described in both tomato and pepper (Cook and Stall (1963) Phytopathology 53: 1060-1062; Cook and Guevara (1984) Plant Dis. 68: 329-330; Kim and Hartman (1985) Plant Dis. 69: 233-235; Jones and Scott (1986) Plant Dis. 70: 337-339). Of the two hosts, genetic resistance in pepper has been better characterized. Several single loci (Bs1, Bs2, and Bs3) that confer resistance in a "gene-for-gene" manner have been identified (Hibberd et al. (1987) Phytopathology 77: 1304-1307). Moreover, the corresponding avirulence genes (avrBs1, avrBs2, and avrBs3) have been cloned from Xcv (Swanson et al. (1988) Mol. Plant-Microbe Interact. 1:5-9; Minsavage et al. (1990) Mol. Plant-Microbe Interact. 3: 41-47). Genetic and molecular characterization of these avirulence genes has provided a great deal of information concerning the interaction between Xcv and pepper (Kearney et al. (1988) Nature 332: 541-543; Kearney and Staskawicz (1990) Nature 346: 385-386; Herbers et al. (1992) Nature 356: 172-174; Van der Ackerveken et al. (1992) Plant J. 2: 359-366). More recently, the Bs3 gene of pepper has been isolated and sequenced (U.S. Pat. No. 6,262,343)
Xcv employs a type III secretion (T3S) system to inject an arsenal of about 20 effector proteins into the host cytoplasm that collectively promote virulence (Thieme et al. (2005) J. Bacteriol. 187:7254). R protein mediated defense in response to Xcv effector proteins is typically accompanied by a programmed cell death response referred to as the HR. AvrBs3 is one Avr protein that R proteins recognize and is a member of large family (>100 sequenced members) of highly related bacterial effector proteins that are present in various Xanthomonas and Ralstonia solanacearum strains (Schornack et al. (2006) J. Plant Physiol. 163:256). Due to their structural relatedness to eukaryotic transcription factors AvrBs3-like proteins are also referred to as TAL (transcription activator like) effectors. The most characteristic feature of TAL effectors is the central repeat domain that consists of a variable number (1.5-28.5) of tandem-arranged, almost identical 34/35-(Xanthomonas/Ralstonia) repeat units. Analysis of AvrBs3 from Xcv has shown that the repeat domain mediates specific binding to a promoter element that has been termed "upa box" (Kay et al. (2007) Science 318:648-651). The full length AvrBs3 protein not only binds to promoters with a upa box but also transcriptionally activates these promoters. In pepper genotypes that are susceptible to Xcv, AvrBs3 binds to and activates the promoter of the upa20 gene, which causes cell hypertrophy (Kay et al. (2007) Science 318:648-651). In pepper plants that contain the Bs3 resistance gene, AvrBs3 triggers a cell death response (i.e., HR) that restricts pathogen growth. Molecular analysis revealed that the Bs3 promoter contains, like the upa20 promoter, a upa box. AvrBs3 binds to and transcriptionally activates the pepper Bs3 promoter thereby triggering a defense reaction (Römer et al. (2007) Science 318:645-648). Thus the Bs3 promoter represents a DNA-based decoy receptor. The AvrBs3-deletion derivative AvrBs3Δrep16 (lacks repeat units 11-14) does not activate the Bs3 promoter but its allelic variant Bs3-E (Römer et al. (2007) Science 318:645-648). Intriguingly the Bs3 and Bs3-E promoter differ in their upa boxes (herein referred to as "upaAvrBs3" and "upaAvrBs3Δrep16" boxes, respectively). Thus recognition specificity of TAL effectors is determined by a) the sum of the repeat units of a given TAL effector and b) the upa box of a given host promoter.
The TAL effector AvrXa27 from the bacterial rice pathogen Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) activates the promoter of the matching rice R gene, Xa27 (Gu et al. (2005) Nature 435:1122-1125). Thus, the R genes Bs3 and Xa27 are both transcriptionally activated by their matching TAL effectors and thus are identical in their mechanisms of activation. However, the predicted Bs3 and Xa27 proteins share neither sequence homology to each other nor to the classical NB-LRR type R proteins. Nevertheless, it seems likely that AvrXa27- and AvrBs3-mediated activation of host promoters are mechanistically similar. To date, no report has yet appeared which provides evidence demonstrating that AvrXa27 binds to the Xa27 promoter and that the Xa27 promoter contains a upa box to which AvrXa27 binds.

Pathogen-inducible promoters and their use in enhancing the disease resistance of plants


A filter cleaning device has an improved structure which is capable of effectively cleaning dust in a filter used in an air conditioner. The filter cleaning device includes: a filter; a brush unit movably installed at one side of the filter to separate dust from the filter; a brush movement unit configured so that the brush unit is movable along the filter; and brush guides installed at two sides of the brush unit to guide a movement of the brush unit. Each of the brush guides includes: a first guide groove formed so that the brush unit is moved to be in contact with the filter; and a second guide groove formed so that the brush unit is moved to be separated from the filter.

An air conditioner performs heat-exchanging by introducing outside air and discharging the heat-exchanged air to the outside. A filter is usually disposed in the air conditioner so as to filter foreign substances from the introduced outside air. Also, a filter is provided in a dehumidifier, a humidifier, and so on, in addition to the air conditioner.
When the air conditioner having the filter is continuously driven, outside air passes through the filter continuously, and foreign substances are stacked in the filter and may disturb introduction of the air. In order to prevent this problem, a cleaning device for cleaning the foreign substances attached to the filter can be used.
In some cases, a brush of the cleaning device may continuously separate dust attached to the filter. However, when the brush operates continuously, the dust can become attached to the brush such that efficiency of filter cleaning is lowered.


Systems and methods are provided for configuring parameters associated with a tomographic scanner. A tomographic scanner is configured to capture a scout image of a patient. A configuration component is configured to determine an average attenuation value representing at least a portion of the scout image and determine each of the tube voltage and tube current for the tomographic scanner from the average attenuation value.

X-ray computed tomography, also computed tomography (CT), is a medical imaging method employing tomography created by computer processing. Digital geometry processing is used to generate a three-dimensional image of the inside of an object from a large series of two-dimensional X-ray images taken around a single axis of rotation. CT imaging produces a volume of data that can be manipulated, through a process known as "windowing", in order to demonstrate various bodily structures based on their ability to attenuate the X-ray beam. Although historically the images generated were in the axial or transverse plane, perpendicular to the long axis of the body, modern scanners allow this volume of data to be reformatted in various planes or even as volumetric (3D) representations of structures. Although most common in medicine, CT is also used in other fields, such as nondestructive materials testing and imaging interior portions archaeological relics. Usage of CT has increased dramatically over the last two decades in many countries. An estimated seventy-two million scans were performed in the United States in 2007.

Automated parameter selection for a tomographic imaging device


A control system CPU card includes a control CPU chip having a first core and a second core, and a main memory for storing information. A standby system CPU card includes a standby CPU chip having a first core and a second core, and a main memory for storing information. An I/F performs communication to allow the CPU cards to share the information. In the control system CPU card, when the first core is normal, the first core performs control calculation and outputs a calculation result. When the first core is abnormal, the second core is switched to a control core, to perform control calculation and continue output of a calculation result. When the cores are both abnormal, system switching is performed from the control system CPU card to the standby system CPU card.

In a conventional control device applied to a mission critical region, a CPU unit of the control device is composed of a single-core CPU chip. In some cases, the CPU unit itself composes a dual system. Therefore, when abnormality has occurred due to an SEU (Single Event Upset: transient electronic device abnormality caused by radiation), systems are switched immediately to cope with the abnormality.
Another conventional control device uses a technique of making duplication on a CPU chip by multiple cores. This control device uses a function of hypervisor for multicore CPU. Calculators in both systems have each other's data to realize duplication. In this method, when abnormality has occurred due to an SEU, system switching occurs. Further, in the control device, since control calculation is required to be performed in real time, processing of hypervisor becomes overhead (for example, see Patent Document 1).


A system and method is provided for enabling an advanced optical magnification (zooming) function for low-power sensors, such as a remote wireless camera, using electronic methods and enabling that magnification be performed in any part of the imager. An image sensor has a set of imager pixels that have a defined field of view. A display device is also provided, which has a far lower resolution than the imager. A magnification level is selected, which results in macroblocks being defined for the sensor. A display data value is generated for each macroblock, and the set of display data values is used to drive a data display. The area of magnification is flexibly selected on the imager. As the magnification level is increased, the number of imager pixels in each macroblock decrease, enabling the display to present increasingly higher resolution images. Accordingly, an aesthetically pleasing magnification function is provided for a low-power, battery operated mobile environment.

The field of remote sensing is growing rapidly. Remote sensing has been found to be useful in security applications, as well as for monitoring environmental, commercial and industrial processes. It has also proved useful in modern social networks, allowing users to conveniently see each other during chat sessions, and allow family members to share a more intimate online experience. Remote sensing may include capturing visible light images, temperature, vibrations, seismic, infrared images, chemical or acoustic data. The remote data is either stored locally for later collection, or more typically is transmitted via a wired or wireless connection to a data collection point. One popular remote sensor is the Internet camera. It will be understood that many other different types of sensors and sensor devices are available.
An Internet camera typically has a visible light sensor (such as a CMOS or CCD imager), and a connection to a local server or other host. The data connection may be wired or wireless. The Internet camera, similar to many types of sensor systems, uses a substantial amount of power. For example, the sensor itself may be a drain, as well as a local processor and memory system. Also, if the Internet camera uses a wireless communication connection, then radio transmitter and receiver each are significant power users. Because an Internet camera uses a substantial amount of power, the Internet camera needs an enduring power source. For example, the Internet camera may use a power adapter connected to grid power, or, if it uses a wired data link, may extract power from the data connection. In another example, the Internet camera may be constructed to allow for recharging of batteries, or for regular battery replacement. In a specific example, some digital cameras are known to have a Bluetooth compatible local connection. These digital cameras may be used to take an image, and then, the user is allowed to establish a wireless communication for moving the pictures to the computer. However, the digital camera has batteries that must be regularly replaced, or recharged. In this way, the digital camera is not practical for any meaningful long-term monitoring or security applications.
Because the Internet camera needs enduring power, its placement options are limited. Take for example a security installation. It would be desirable to place Internet cameras in discreet, out-of-the-way locations, and to have multiple cameras imaging a target area. However, these discreet locations are often difficult to physically get to, and do not have ready power sources. Accordingly, either 1) the discreet locations must be wired for power, or 2) the cameras must regularly be accessed for battery replacement. Either option is costly, and disruptive of the target area.
It is also desirable that sensors be able to take detailed and high resolution data, and communicate that data to a central location. In this regard, some sensors, such as the Internet camera, generate very large data or image files. Transmitting these large files may take substantial power, particularly in a wireless installation. It may be possible to save power by reducing the size of the image file, but important resolution and in detail may also be lost.
To further enhance usability and resolution, some cameras are equipped with an optical zoom system. The optical zoom comprises a moveable lens system that allows a user to focus on a smaller section of the field of view, and to increase visible detail and resolution in that selected area. Because of the way it operates, the selected area is always centered at a fixed center area of the camera axis line, limiting the utility of the device. In order to focus on others areas, the camera must be moved, either by hand or by sophisticated motor control. If the camera is intended to be remote from the user, then any zooming must be done using electric motors couple to the lens systems. Such systems use considerable power, are expensive to implement, and subject to frequent and inconvenient repair. Accordingly, the use of a true optical zoom has been limited to higher end cameras and sensing devices, and not to webcams or other lower-end imaging devices.
Due to the complexities and expense of the true optical zoom, many commercial imaging devices rely upon the less desirable digital zoom process. In a digital zoom, the camera device captures and stores an entire image captured from an imager, and will typically display the image onto a display device. As the user selects higher levels of digital zoom, the imager still captures the entire image file, but the file is post-processed to extract a decreasingly small area in the center of the image, and that limited data is diluted to occupy the whole display screen. In this way, each level of increased digital zoom acts to dilute the image more as it appears in the display. In use, this appears to the user as the undesirable effect of having the image lose resolution as the digital zoom is advanced. Not only does the digital zoom device necessarily operate on large image files, which need larger processors, memories, and consume considerable power, but in practice the digital zoom is seldom used due its lack of aesthetic appeal.
According, there is a need for an imager system that can be installed without the need to run power or data cables, and that is able to accommodate an aesthetically pleasing low-power magnification process.

Advanced magnification device and method for low-power sensor systems


A support for a lithographic printing plate in which uniform pits are efficiently formed by electrochemically graining treatment, always independently of electrolytic conditions to give excellent printing performance, which comprises an aluminum alloy plate containing 0.05% to 0.5% by weight of Fe, 0.03% to 0.15% of Si, 0.006% to 0.03% by weight of Cu and 0.010% to 0.040% by weight of Ti, wherein the Cu concentration of a surface layer portion of from a surface to a depth of 2 .mu.m of the aluminum alloy plate is at least 20 ppm higher than that of a region deeper than the surface layer portion.

Previously, aluminum alloy plates have been used as supports for lithographic printing plates, and graining treatment is applied to the aluminum alloy plates for imparting adhesion with light-sensitive layers and water retention of non-image areas. A method of the graining treatment (i.e., the surface roughening treatment) hitherto known include mechanically graining processes such as ball graining and brush graining, electrochemically graining processes of electrolytic solutions mainly composed of hydrochloric acid or nitric acid, and electrochemically graining processes of etching a surface of aluminum alloy plate with acid solutions. In recent years, a combination of the electrochemically graining processes and other graining processes has come to constitute the mainstream, because the roughened surfaces obtained by the electrochemically graining processes have homogeneous pits (unevenness) and are excellent in printing performance.
However, even the electrochemically graining treatment is low in treating efficiency or produce the difference in the forming state of pits to cause failure to obtain homogeneous roughened surfaces in some cases, depending on the aluminum alloy plates used.
Then, for improving the efficiency of electrochemically graining treatment and equalizing roughened surfaces, the aluminum alloy composition has been variously studied. For example, JP-A-9-316582 (the term "JP-A" as used herein means an "unexamined published Japanese patent application publication") discloses an aluminum alloy plate containing 0.02% to 0.6% by weight of Fe, 0.03% to 0.1% by weight of Si, 0.04% to 0.1% by weight of Zn and 0.03% by weight or less of Cu, and having a concentration ratio of Zn to Fe (Zn/Fe) of 0.2 or more. Further, JP-A-9-279272 discloses an aluminum alloy plate containing 0.02% to 0.6% by weight of Fe, 0.03% to 0.15% by weight of Si, 0.005% to 0.05% by weight of Ti and 0.005% to 0.20% by weight of Ni, and an intermetallic compound of the above-mentioned elements having 20% to 30% by weight of Ni in addition to Al. Furthermore, JP-A-3-177528 discloses an aluminum alloy plate containing 0.03% to 0.30% by weight of Si, 0.1% to 0.5% by weight of Fe, 0.001% to 0.03% by weight of Cu, 0.005% to 0.002% by weight of Ga, 0.001% to 0.03% by weight of Ni and 0.002% to 0.05% by weight of Ti.
The alloy composition of surface layer portions (regions of from a surface to a depth of about several micron meters) of aluminum alloy plates has also been studied. For example, JP-A-10-204567 discloses an aluminum alloy plate containing 0.20% to 0.6% by weight of Fe, 0.03% to 0.15% by weight of Si and 0.005% to 0.05% by weight of Ti, wherein the Si concentration of a surface layer portion of from a surface to a depth of 3 .mu.m is 0.01% to 0.17% higher than that of the whole plate, and the surface layer portion contains 0.05% to 0.2% by weight of Si.
However, when the aluminum alloy compositions are specified as described above, it is necessary to add effective elements such as Zn and Ni in large amounts for obtaining the desired effects. Further, the necessity of adding plural kinds of elements causes increased cost. Furthermore, when the Si concentration of the surface layer portions of the aluminum alloy plates is increased, ink stains are liable to occur in non-image areas to raise a problem with regard to image quality.
Further, in the electrochemically graining treatment, the size, form and distribution of pits formed varies depending on electrolytic conditions such as supply electrical quantity, so that it is also necessary to strictly regulate and control the optimum electrolytic conditions.


A circuitized substrate designed to substantially eliminate impedance disruptions during passage of signals through signal lines of the substrate's circuitry. The substrate includes a first conductive layer with a plurality of conductors on which an electrical component may be positioned and electrically coupled. The pads are coupled to signal lines (e.g., using thru-holes) further within the substrate and these signal lines are further coupled to a second plurality of conductive pads located even further within the substrate. The signal lines are positioned so as to lie between the substrate's first conductive layer and a voltage plane within a third conductive layer below the second conductive layer including the signal lines. A second voltage plane may be used adjacent the first voltage plane of the third conductive layer. Thru-holes may also be used to couple the signal lines coupled to the first conductors to a second plurality of conductors which form part of the third conductive layer. A method of making the substrate, and an electrical assembly and information handling system (e.g., computer) utilizing the substrate are also disclosed.

To keep with increasing demand for improvements in data processing capability, it is essential that today's semiconductor devices (chips) operate at higher and higher speeds. As a result, many circuit problems have arisen, including increased cross-talk noise between adjacent signal lines (traces), improper characteristic impedance matching, etc. Overcoming these problems is made all the more difficult by the accompanying demand for higher circuit densities within both the chip and the circuitized substrate (e.g., a printed circuit board or chip carrier substrate) having the chip mounted thereon and electrically coupled thereto. Adding still further to the difficulties of finding adequate solutions for such problems is the high demand for miniaturization in many of the end products (e.g., computers, servers, mainframes, etc.) which use such chips and accompanying substrates.
As defined herein, the present invention addresses the problem associated with impedance disruption when signals pass along highly dense signal lines in a compact, circuitized substrate electrically coupled to one or more semiconductor chips specifically designed for operating at higher speeds. Such disruption is deleterious to effective signal passage and, ultimately, effective operation of the end product. As further defined herein, the invention is able to do so while providing a highly dense plurality of conductive thru-holes within the substrate to further maximize the circuit design's operational characteristics. By the term "thru-hole" as used herein is meant to include what are also referred to in the art as "vias"; that is, conductive openings within the substrate body designed to interconnect designated conductive layers (especially signal planes) to pass signals there-between. A "via" may be in the form of an opening extending substantially from an outer surface of the substrate to a designated internal plane, in which case it is also referred to in the art as a "blind via". These are distinguishable over vias which are positioned entirely within the substrate and thus encapsulated by the substrate's dielectric material, which vias are also referred to as, simply, internal or buried "vias." It is also within the scope of the invention to utilize thru-holes which extend entirely through the substrate thickness, in which case these are referred to as plated through holes (or simply as PTHs). The term "thru-hole" as used herein is meant to include all three such openings.
Various substrates, primarily printed circuit boards (hereinafter also referred to as PCBs), have addressed impedance issues, including control.
In U.S. Pat. No. 6,775,122, issued Aug. 10, 2004, there is described a printed circuit board which includes two conductive planes. A "via" spans the planes, and an impedance "component" is placed in the via. The impedance component is coupled to both of the planes and allegedly provides an impedance level for the planes without the use of traces or hand soldering of components.
In U.S. Pat. No. 6,726,488, issued Apr. 27, 2004, there is described a high-frequency printed circuit board which allegedly enables matching of characteristic impedance at a connection of a line conductor and a through conductor and inhibition of unnecessary radiation of an electromagnetic wave from between the line conductor and a same plane ground conductor. This allegedly provides good high-frequency signal transmission characteristics, even in a high-frequency band such as a microwave band and a millimeter waveband.
In U.S. Pat. No. 6,707,685, issued Mar. 16, 2004, there is described a multi-layer printed circuit board which includes an insulating substrate having, on a central part of its top surface, a semiconductor device mounting portion and having, on its under surface, an external electrode. The insulating substrate includes multilayered wiring having a first group of parallel wiring lines, a second group of parallel wiring lines arranged orthogonal thereto, and a group of through conductors for providing electrical connection there-between. Power is supplied from the external electrode to the semiconductor device through built-in capacitors formed there-within. The built-in capacitors are connected in parallel that have different resonance frequencies within a range from an operating frequency band for the semiconductor device to a frequency band for a harmonic component. At an anti-resonance frequency occurring between the different resonance frequencies, a composite impedance is equal to or below a predetermined value.
In U.S. Pat. No. 6,677,831, issued Jan. 13, 2004, there is described a method to control differential signal trace impedance by allowing flexible use of different signal trace width and spacing while maintaining constant differential impedance within a printed circuit board. Differential impedance of a signal pair is determined by the geometry of individual traces and the spacing between traces. The value of the differential impedance is inversely proportional to signal trace width and directly proportional to signal trace spacing. By decreasing or increasing trace width and spacing simultaneously, a constant differential impedance is allegedly achieved.
In U.S. Pat. No. 6,405,431, issued Jun. 18, 2002, there is described a method for manufacturing a built-up multi-layer printed circuit board in which a YAG laser is used to form a "via hole" in the board. The method includes the steps of forming a first printed circuit pattern on a copper clad laminate by applying a general photo-etching process (the laminate having a copper foil on the one face thereof), stacking a resin-coated (on one face) copper foil on the laminate with the first printed circuit pattern formed thereon, and heating and pressing this structure. Next, a YAG laser is used to form a "via hole" at a predetermined position by removing the resin-coated copper foil, then carrying out an electro-less and electro copper plating on the board with the "via hole" formed therein to form a plated layer. A second printed circuit pattern is then formed on the plated layer to electrically connect the layers on which the first and second printed circuit patterns are formed.
In U.S. Pat. No. 6,119,335, issued Sep. 19, 2000, there is described a method for manufacturing a built-up multi-layer printed circuit board for use in computers, video tape recorders, and portable telephones in which a resin-clad copper foil is stacked on a copper-clad laminate after forming a printed circuit layer, following which this structure is heated and pressed. Then, beams of an Nd-YAG laser are irradiated to remove the copper-clad layer, following which beams of a CO-2 laser are irradiated to remove the residual resin insulator, thereby forming a "via hole". Circuit patterns are then formed on the board on which the "via hole" has been formed.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,880,018, issued Mar. 9, 1999, there is described a method of making an interconnect structure having a dielectric layer with a low dielectric constant. In this method, portions of a silicon dioxide layer lying adjacent a conductive interconnect are removed to expose portions of a silicon nitride etch stop layer. A dielectric layer having a low dielectric constant is then formed overlying the conductive interconnect and the exposed portions of the silicon nitride etch stop layer. A portion of the dielectric layer is then removed to expose the top surface of the conductive interconnect to leave portions of the dielectric layer between adjacent conductive interconnects. The resulting interconnect structure allegedly has reduced cross-talk between conductive interconnects while avoiding disadvantages of reduced thermal dissipation and increased mechanical stress.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,677,241, issued Oct. 14, 1997, there is described a method of forming integrated circuitry which includes providing a pair of spaced and adjacent electrically conductive elongated lines and providing electrically insulating material over the pair of spaced lines in a manner which leaves an elongated void between the lines, the elongated void being top sealed along its substantial elongated length. The electrically insulating material is provided by depositing electrically insulating material over the pair of lines in a manner which produces a retrograde cross-sectional profile of the insulating material relative to the respective line sidewalls and which leaves an elongated top sealed void within the insulating material between the lines, the elongated void being open at one end which is subsequently sealed. The formed circuitry includes a pair of spaced and adjacent electrically conductive elongated lines being encapsulated with an electrically insulating material. A top sealed elongated void is provided relative to the electrically insulating material between the lines, allegedly facilitating electrical isolation of the lines from one another.
It is thus seen from the above patents that various approaches have been attempted with respect to improving substrate construction and particularly with respect to enhanced signal passage. Some of these patents have also addressed impedance issues. The present invention provides another solution, this with respect to impedance control, and in an expeditious manner while not requiring significant cost increases or complex manufacturing processes. The solution provided herein results in a compact, miniaturized structure capable of meeting many of today's design and operational requirements. It is believed that such an invention would constitute a significant advancement in the art, as would various products (e.g., information handling systems) capable of using this new and unique substrate.

Circuitized substrate with improved impedance control circuitry, method of making same, electrical assembly and information handling system utilizing same

Endicott Interconnect Technologies, Inc.


This disclosure describes methods, non-transitory computer readable storage media, and systems that utilize a contrastive perceptual loss to modify neural networks for generating synthetic digital content items. For example, the disclosed systems generate a synthetic digital content item based on a guide input to a generative neural network. The disclosed systems utilize an encoder neural network to generate encoded representations of the synthetic digital content item and a corresponding ground-truth digital content item. Additionally, the disclosed systems sample patches from the encoded representations of the encoded digital content items and then determine a contrastive loss based on the perceptual distances between the patches in the encoded representations. Furthermore, the disclosed systems jointly update the parameters of the generative neural network and the encoder neural network utilizing the contrastive loss.

Based on improvements to computer processing and modeling, computing systems can utilize artificial intelligence models to transform an input signal to a desired output signal. For example, many systems that utilize computer graphics, audio processing, and computer vision processing utilize machine-learning models to generate or modify digital content in a variety of ways. To illustrate, some systems utilize machine-learning processes to perform image superresolution, image denoising, and automatically generating images from labels maps. The accuracy of digital content generation or manipulation, however, depends on the accuracies of the machine-learning models (e.g., neural network parameters) that perform the processes as well as the underlying perceptual similarity measures utilized to train the artificial intelligence to differentiate between digital signals. Accordingly, utilizing perceptual similarity measures to generate and train models to accurately produce a desired output based on a specific input or set of inputs is an important aspect of audio and image processing. Although some conventional systems exist for utilizing generative neural networks to automatically generate/modify digital content, these systems have a number of technical shortcomings, particularly with regard to flexibility, efficiency, and accuracy in training the generative neural networks to a desired output utilizing perceptual similarity operators.

Modifying neural networks for synthetic conditional digital content generation utilizing contrastive perceptual loss


The invention provides an improved infant dining chair including a seat unit, a dining table unit, two front chair leg adjusting units, a front chair leg unit, two rear chair leg adjusting units and a rear chair leg unit. The seat unit is pivoted with two front and two rear connecting pipe bodies, and the dining table unit. Each of the connecting pipe bodies is sleeved with one of the chair leg adjusting units. The chair leg unit is provided with two front supporting pipe bodies including a plurality of height adjusting holes. Each of the front elastic positioners is engaged in one of the front height adjusting holes, and each of the rear elastic positioners is engaged in one of the rear height adjusting holes.

In current restaurants, infant dining chairs, which are mainly used for providing convenience and a safe environment for parents to feed infants, are required to be prepared for infants. However, infant dining chairs are provided for the general public, some consideration has to be given in terms of sanitation of such dining chairs. Some parents will carry their own simple and portable infant dining chairs which can be arranged on chairs so as to be used by their infants. However, the heights of most of such infant dining chairs cannot be adjusted as required. Therefore, it is necessary for infant dining chairs to be conveniently adjusted the heights.


The hummingbird liquid feeder includes a base, a liquid tray attached to the base, a flange that fits inside the liquid tray, and a liquid container that rotatingly engages the liquid tray in a fill mode to permit filling without removing or inverting the liquid container while preventing spillage and alternately in a feed mode to permit the flow of the nectar into a moat for access thereto through feeding ports in the base and featuring a vertically-oriented stabilization member centrally disposed on the liquid tray that receives a support post pole disposed on a plate to stabilize and support the device during windy and inclement weather conditions.

Various types of bird feeder devices are known in the prior art. Past hummingbird liquid feeders must be filled by unhooking to feeder from the support, such as a tree or post, then turning the feeder upside down, and finally filling it from the bottom end. The process results in the spilling of nectar, thus causing a mess and unnecessarily wasting nectar. In addition, past hummingbird liquid feeders are hanged from the top of the feeder to a tree branch or pole resulting in an unstable feeder that swings about during windy conditions as well as in bad weather which, in turn, prevents birds from landing on and keeping their balance on the feeder while also spilling nectar. The instant hummingbird liquid feeder solves the feeder filling, nectar spillage, and feeder stability issues by allowing the refilling of the present feeder without having to remove and invert the feeder and thus reducing nectar spillage and by providing a solid stable structure to prevent the present feeder from swinging about during windy and inclement weather conditions further reducing nectar spillage while allowing birds to land on and keep their balance.


An image processing apparatus includes a condition setting unit with which a user sets a post-quantization condition. A partial decoding and decompression unit partially decodes and decompresses coded data according to the post-quantization condition set by the user, thereby reproducing image data the same as that reproduced by decoding and decompressing coded data after post-quantization processing in accordance with the post-quantization condition. An image data displaying unit displays on a display unit the image data reproduced by the partial decoding and decompression unit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to digital cameras and other image processing apparatuses, and more particularly, to an image processing apparatus that processes coded data allowing post-quantization such as JPEG 2000 coded data.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, in image forming apparatuses, image data are subjected to compression coding prior to recording or transmission of the image data.
Taking an electronic camera device, such as a digital camera, as an example of such image forming apparatuses, in order to improve use efficiency of a recording medium for recording an image, data of a photographed still image or moving image are subjected to compression coding and thereafter recorded on the recording medium. Generally, regarding the compression coding method, JPEG is used for compression coding of a still image and MPEG is used for compression coding of a moving image.
In the compression coding methods such as JPEG, when it is desired to reduce the data amount (to increase the compression rate) of coded data of an image that are already recorded on a recording medium, it is necessary to decode and decompress the coded data and to perform compression coding again on the reproduced image data by varying a quantization parameter or the like. On this occasion, undesirable image degradation occurs. In order to avoid such image degradation caused by recompression (hereinafter referred to as "generation image degradation"), in digital cameras, for example, generally, the compression rate is designated before photographing. Commonly, the compression rate is designated by selecting an image quality mode (high quality, normal, economy, etc.).
However, freedom of choice of a user is significantly limited when compression rates are limited to those corresponding to several image quality modes as mentioned above, though arbitrary compression rates can be achieved in accordance with the degree of quantization in variable length coding methods such as JPEG. For example, even if the compression rate is excessively low in a high image quality mode and the degree of image degradation in a normal mode is not acceptable, a user has no other choice but to select one of the modes. Further, the user has to select the image quality mode in advance of photographing so as to avoid the above-mentioned generation image degradation.
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 8-339452 discloses an apparatus and a method that do not set a compression rate (that is, a parameter for compression coding) by selecting an image quality mode, but directly set the parameter for compression coding according to JPEG. In the apparatus and the method described in the above-mentioned application, resolution of an image is converted in accordance with a plurality of resolution parameters, images after the resolution conversion are displayed, and a resolution parameter is set when a user selects one of the displayed images. A sub-sampling parameter and a quantization table parameter are also set by the user in similar procedures. Then, compression coding according to JPEG is performed by using all of the parameters that are set, and the coded data are decoded, decompressed and displayed (the corresponding image is displayed). The user confirms acceptability of the setting of each parameter based on the displayed image.
With such apparatus and method, the user can arbitrarily set the parameters for compression coding (accordingly, the compression rate). When JPEG is assumed, however, a working memory having a large capacity is required, which stores original image data or original DCT coefficients at the time of parameter setting.
JPEG 2000 (ISO/IEC FCD 15444-1) and Motion-JPEG 2000 (ISO/IEC FCD 15444-3) are attracting attention as compression coding methods that take the place of JPEG and MPEG (for example, refer to "Next-Generation Image Coding Method JPEG 2000," Yasuyuki Nomizu, Triceps, Feb. 13, 2001). Motion-JPEG 2000 handles a moving image by assuming each of a plurality of consecutive still images as a frame. In terms of each frame, Motion-JPEG 2000 conforms to JPEG 2000. JPEG 2000 possesses a lot of features. One of the features is that JPEG 2000 allows adjustment of data amount or a compression rate while coded data remain coded by discarding codes of the coded data (post-quantization processing). When the data amount is reduced and the compression rate is increased by post-quantization processing, image degradation due to the increase of the compression rate occurs. However, undesired generation image degradation does not occur, unlike when decoding and decompression is performed and then compression coding is performed again.
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2001-320588 discloses a memory management method and an apparatus that provide a free (unused) area of an image memory by performing post-quantization processing on JPEG 2000 coded data by layers, resolution levels, or components. In post-quantization processing, a large capacity working memory is not required since original image data are not used.
As can be appreciated by the foregoing description, in digital cameras and other image forming apparatuses that handle coded data of images, it is desirable for the user to be able to arbitrarily adjust the data amount or the compression rate of coded data. In addition, at the time of adjustment, it is desirable for the user to be able to confirm the degree of image degradation in advance. Also, it is desirable for generation image degradation not to occur due to such adjustment. Further, in digital cameras, for example, at an arbitrary moment before and after photographing, it is desirable to be able to adjust the amount of coded data or the compression rate. Additionally, it is desirable that a large capacity working memory not be required for a process for such adjustment.

Image processing apparatus, image processing method, program, and recording medium that allow setting of most appropriate post-quantization condition


A paper material is provided herein, wherein the paper material includes a fibrous material including at least 5 dry weight percent of fibers derived from a plant of the Nicotiana species; wherein the paper material has a basis weight ranging from about 5 g/m2 to about 450 g/m2; and wherein the paper material has a caliper ranging from about 0.01 mils to about 200 mils. The paper material can be suitable for use in a smoking article in the form of at least one of a tipping material, a plug wrap and a wrapping material. The paper material can be suitable for use in at least one of a soft carton container suitable to house smoking articles, a label, a paper substrate of a barrier layer, a hard carton suitable to house smoking articles and a container suitable to house smokeless tobacco products.

Paper is a cellulose pulp derived material that can be used in a number of different products and applications. For each papermaking process, a correlation exists between the fibers used and the characteristics of the final paper product. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,582,681 to Back et al.; Sabharwal, H. S., Akhtar, M., Blanchette, R. A., and Young, R. A., Refiner Mechanical and Biomechanical Pulping of Jute, Holzforschung 49: 537-544, 1995; and Mohta, D., Roy, D. N., and Whiting, P., Production of Refiner Mechanical Pulp From Kenaf for Newsprint in Developing Countries, TAPPI Journal Vol. 3(4), 2004; each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. The quality of the final paper product and the type of paper product produced is also dependent on pulping, refining and other general papermaking processes used.
Various methods for producing a reconstituted tobacco involve the use of paper-making techniques. In a typical paper-making reconstituted tobacco process, tobacco is extracted with water, and the resulting aqueous extract and water insoluble pulp are separated from one another. The pulp portion can be refined to a desired consistency, and formed into a mat or web, much like wood pulp fibers in a traditional paper making process. The aqueous tobacco extract is applied to the mat of insoluble pulp, and the overall resulting mixture is dried to provide a reconstituted tobacco sheet incorporating the tobacco components from which that sheet can be derived. Typically, tobacco stems are used in making such a reconstituted tobacco sheet, because the fibrous nature of those stems provides strength and structural integrity to the resulting sheet. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,398,754 to Tughan; U.S. Pat. No. 3,847,164 to Mattina; U.S. Pat. No. 4,131,117 to Kite; U.S. Pat. No. 4,182,349 to Selke; U.S. Pat. No. 4,270,552 to Jenkins; U.S. Pat. No. 4,308,877 to Mattina; U.S. Pat. No. 4,341,228 to Keritsis; U.S. Pat. No. 4,421,126 to Gellatly; U.S. Pat. No. 4,706,692 to Gellatly; U.S. Pat. No. 4,962,774 to Thomasson; U.S. Pat. No. 4,941,484 to Clapp; U.S. Pat. No. 4,987,906 to Young; U.S. Pat. No. 5,056,537 to Brown; U.S. Pat. No. 5,143,097 to Sohn; U.S. Pat. No. 5,159,942 to Brinkley et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,325,877 to Young; U.S. Pat. No. 5,445,169 to Brinkley; U.S. Pat. No. 5,501,237 to Young; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,533,530 to Young, which are incorporated herein by reference.
Cigarettes, cigars, and pipes are popular smoking articles that employ tobacco in various forms. Such smoking articles are employed by heating or burning tobacco to generate aerosol (e.g., smoke) that can be inhaled by the smoker. Popular smoking articles, such as cigarettes, have a substantially cylindrical rod shaped structure and include a charge, roll or column of smokable material such as shredded tobacco (e.g., in cut filler form) surrounded by a paper wrapper thereby forming a so-called "smokable rod" or "tobacco rod." Normally, a cigarette has a cylindrical filter element aligned in an end-to-end relationship with the tobacco rod. Typically, a filter element comprises plasticized cellulose acetate tow circumscribed by a paper material known as "plug wrap." Certain cigarettes incorporate a filter element having multiple segments. Typically, the filter element is attached to one end of the tobacco rod using a circumscribing wrapping material known as "tipping paper." Descriptions of cigarettes and the various components thereof are set forth in Tobacco Production, Chemistry and Technology, Davis et al. (Eds.) 1999. Various properties of paper materials used for cigarette manufacture, and of the cigarettes manufactured using those papers, are set forth in Durocher, TJI, 188-194 (March/1985), herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Various types of containers for dispensing solid objects, particularly solid products intended for human consumption, are known in the art. Such containers are often characterized by a hand-held size that can be easily stored and transported. Exemplary consumable products that are often packaged in such containers include a wide variety of consumer products, including tobacco-related products. Cigarette packages and containers that protect the cigarettes from crushing and/or preserve the freshness of the cigarettes are known in the prior art. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,699,903 to Focke et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,161,733 to Latif; U.S. Pat. No. 7,484,619 to Boriani et al; U.S. Pat. No. 7,617,930 to Jones et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 8,016,105 to Sendo, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. Typically, such prior art packages are box-shaped containers made of a paper or cardstock material in either a "softpack" or "hardpack" form. While some designs of the softpack package are capable of retaining a measure of freshness, the softpack package offers little, or no protection against crushing. Similarly, some designs of the hardpack package help to preserve freshness to some extent and offer some protection against crushing. An example of a hardpack package is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,164,444 to Bray et al., herein incorporated by reference in its entirety, which discloses a typical hinged-lid, box-shaped container that is made from a "rigid card material." Further examples of cigarette or tobacco packages made of a paper or cardstock material are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,496,474 to Lloyd; U.S. Pat. No. 2,960,264 to Walter; U.S. Pat. No. 5,044,550 to Lamm; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,097,948 to Campbell, each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Smokeless tobacco products are typically sold in hand-held tins or pucks constructed of fiberboard, metal, or molded plastic (e.g., polypropylene), and which have an outer paper or plastic seal enclosing the container. Such containers generally have a shallow cylindrical shape with a detachable lid. See, for example, the containers set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 4,098,421 to Foster; U.S. Pat. No. 4,190,170 to Boyd; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,798,319 to Bried et al., each of which is incorporated herein by reference.
As exemplified above, there are countless uses for paper and paperboard products. It would desirable to provide further uses for tobacco in paper products.

Tobacco-derived cellulose material and products formed thereof


An apparatus in one embodiment comprises a processing platform having one or more processing devices. The processing platform is configured to obtain metadata characterizing a plurality of data sets, to generate data set operational signatures for respective ones of at least a subset of the data sets based at least in part on the obtained metadata, and to automatically perform one or more management operations for each of one or more of the data sets based at least in part on respective corresponding ones of the data set operational signatures. The processing platform may be further configured to implement a target signature for a particular data set management policy, and to automatically perform a particular management operation for a given one of the data sets based at least in part on a result of a comparison of the data set operational signature for the given data set to the target signature.

Information processing systems are commonly configured for processing of data sets ingested into data lakes from a variety of different sources. However, in many situations, data sets are not managed in an efficient way. For example, data sets that could potentially facilitate analytic or operational workflows or otherwise provide improved performance in a given information processing system are often undiscovered, unutilized or underutilized. Moreover, manual intervention by an administrator is typically required in determining appropriate data set management operations for different types of data sets ingested from diverse sources.

Processing platform configured for data set management utilizing metadata-based data set operational signatures


Methods of forming clear fragrances and formulations are described herein. The method includes providing a commercial fragrance formulation including a first concentration of a fragrance component and a second concentration of a nonessential component. The method further includes identifying the nonessential component, wherein the nonessential component includes an alcohol, an ester, a hydrocarbon, an aldehyde, a resin, other crystalline aroma chemicals, a first essential oil or combinations thereof, determining the second concentration and removing at least a portion of the nonessential component from the commercial fragrance formulation to form a first formulation, wherein the portion of the nonessential component is from about 5 wt. % to about 95 wt. % of the commercial fragrance formulation. The method further includes adding an essential component to the first formulation to form a second formulation, wherein the essential component is added to the first formulation in an amount substantially equal to the portion of the nonessential component removed from the commercial fragrance formulation. The method can further include preparing a second composition from the second formulation and processing the second composition to form the clear fragrance, wherein the processing comprises mixing, heating to a temperature of from about 20° C. to about 68° C. or combinations thereof, and wherein the clear fragrance is adapted to enhance solubility, enhance functional compatibility, enhance performance, reduce sweating or combination thereof, of the clear fragrance when added to an article.

1. Field of Invention
Embodiments of the invention relate to methods for making clear fragrances.
2. Description of Related Art
The concentration of conventional clear fragrances added to household articles is generally limited from a variety of factors, such as either the clear fragrance's or the article's solubility or compatibility, for example. Previously encountered problems have also included color problems, e.g., the fragrance is opaque, physical structure problems, performance, such as diffusion of the fragrance from the product and the longevity of the fragrance in the product, and physical appearance problems. Further, a high concentration of fragrance in the household article can provide too much color to the end product.
Therefore, it is desirable to form a clear fragrance that eliminates or minimizes the problems encountered in forming fragranced household articles. Additionally a need exists for methods of producing cheaper articles capable of producing strong fragrances.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Methods for making clear fragrances and formulations


A therepeutic brassiere for supporting breast implants includes breast receiving cups. Each of the cups is formed from a section of body engaging fabric joined together at a common seam. A chest encircling band is joined to the lower marginal edges of the cups for affixing the brassiere to the chest of a wearer. An elastic strip of material, attached to both the upper marginal edges of the cups and to the chest encircling band prevents movement or distortion of the breast implants.

After a surgical operation wherein an implant is inserted in one or both breasts of a patient, there is a tendency for the implant to move or shift to an unwanted position or even distort its shape during the initial healing period which typically lasts at least about one week. To overcome this tendency, it has been a common practice to bind the breasts with an elastic bandage which encircles the chest of the post-operative patient and exerts pressure on the upper surface of the breasts and presses them towards the wearers chest. However, changing the bandage was a relative complex procedure which could not be easily accomplished by the patient or an untrained person. Also, the force with which the bandage was applied to the breast had to be carefully controlled which was somewhat difficult to manage due to the size of the chest encircling bandage.

Therapeutic brassiere for breasts having implants


A device includes a housing, an emitter, a detector, and a processor. The housing has a body contact surface configured for affixation to a tissue site of a body. The emitter is coupled to the housing and has an emission surface and an electrical terminal. The emission surface is configured to emit light proximate the body contact surface in response to a signal applied to the electrical terminal. The detector is coupled to the housing. The detector has a sense surface and an output terminal. The detector is configured to provide an output signal on the output terminal in response to light detected at the sensor surface. The processor is coupled to the electrical terminal and coupled to the output terminal. The processor is configured to implement an algorithm to monitor for an interruption between the body contact surface and the body and configured to generate an interrupt signal corresponding to the monitoring.

For certain workers, medical and health complications can lead to public safety risks. For example, some transportation workers (such as truck drivers) are subject to regulation and are required to meet certain sleep requirements to ensure alert performance.
A home sleep test (HST) is sometimes used to determine compliance with rest requirements. The HST typically includes wearing a device for a specified period of time. The results of a HST, however, can be compromised by tampering with the sensor device or by improperly substituting a different test subject.
One effort to mitigate tampering or substitution includes equipping a device with a mechanical lock. Such efforts have been inadequate.

Interrupt detection for physiological sensor