A co-doped lead oxide for use in the manufacture of storage battery plates, the use of such lead oxides improving the efficiency of lead-acid batteries, comprising, as co-dopants, based upon the total weight of the lead oxide, copper in an amount of from about 0.01 to 0.1% and either tin in an amount of from about 0.008 to 0.1% or antimony in an amount of from about 0.005 to 0.08%.

From a theoretical viewpoint, the reaction which occurs at the positive plate in a lead-acid battery shows that every gram of lead dioxide should yield 0.224 ampere hour of useful electrical capacity. However, as is also well known, in actual practice only 30-50% of this capacity is realized in conventional lead-acid batteries. This relatively low efficiency remains the conventional practice despite considerable efforts to provide commercially viable ways of achieving higher efficiencies.
Likewise, the concept of doping lead oxides with particular materials to improve certain operating characteristics of lead-acid batteries has been suggested. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,723,182 to Venuto discloses the addition of minor amounts of a uniformly dispersed quantity of an antimony throughout the lead peroxide active material. The antimony is believed bound in a molecular array with the lead and oxygen. Batteries built with positive electrodes using such active material were shown to be free of the defects usually associated with batteries using non-antimony lead grids, including the ability to accept charge at any stage of discharge, improved capacity and cycle life equal to that of batteries having antimonial lead grids.
It is likewise known that certain impurities may also have deleterious effects on the characteristics of lead-acid batteries. For this reason, the purity of the lead oxide and sulfuric acid used in the preparation of lead sulfate paste is of particular importance since such impurities are likely to contaminate the electrolyte or active part of the battery electrode. Accordingly, impurities such as silver, copper, aluminum, iron, zinc, manganese and others which are believed to have a deleterious effect on the electrical performance of electrochemical cells are commonly carefully controlled. As an example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,788,898 to Yarnell states that such impurities should not be present in quantities greater than 0.3 mol percent.
Some investigators have also examined the possibility of increasing the copper content in alloys used for forming grids for use in lead-acid batteries. Thus, Korov and Denev, in Metalurgiya (Bulgaria) 1972, 27, (5) 22-25, "Investigation of the Possibilities for Increasing the Copper Content of (Lead) Battery Alloys, concluded that adding copper within a certain range to pre-eutectic lead-antimony alloys has a positive effect both on the physical and mechanical properties of the alloys, as well as on their hardness and castability. The authors further note that the significant improvement in the mechanical properties of the battery grid made using such alloys means increased stability of the battery in heavy-duty applications while the reduced rate of corrosion increases the life of the battery.
Further, various studies have likewise speculated that the active material in a lead-acid battery becomes doped by the transport of an element or elements from the grid into the oxide active material in the normal service of the battery and that this can affect the performance characteristics of the battery. In particular, Burbank, J. Electrochem. Soc., Vol. 111, No. 10. page 1112, Oct. 1964, concludes that the presence of antimony in the positive grid exerts the direct and beneficial influence of causing prismatic PbO.sub.2 formation in the active material and consequently aids in the retention of a firm paste texture and cell capacity in shallow cycle test.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,329,408 to Mao et al. is predicated on the discovery that the performance of lead-acid batteries can be improved by utilizing a lead oxide incorporating a minor amount of copper. At a minimum, the '408 patent teaches utilizing at least 0.01% by weight, based upon the total weight of the lead oxide, while it is preferred to utilize no more than about 0.06 or perhaps 0.07% by weight copper. While it is preferred to utilize copper as a doping agent due to the demonstrated advantages derived, Mao et al. also state that it is believed that other elements, such as lithium, bismuth, barium, phosphorous, silver, aluminum and calcium, should have similar doping effects and may be substituted for the copper, if desired. If used, the amount of such elements should not be in significant excess of the dopant-lead rich eutectic. (Column 4, lines 5-10).
The prior art also includes a number of patents disclosing alloys used for grids and the like in which the alloying ingredients include one or more of copper, antimony and tin. These include U.S. Pat. No. 2,252,104 to Walde, U.S. Pat. No. 3,309,228 to Dodson et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,990.893 to Nijhawan et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,993,480 to Ueberschaer et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,158,563 to Hebbar et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,230.779 to Varma, U.S. 4,279,977 to Matter, U.S. 4,376,093 to Prengaman, U.S. 4,456,579 to Rao et al., and U.S. 4,708,918 to Fitzgerald et al.
Despite the considerable efforts of the prior art, there remains the need to be able to provide lead oxide materials of even higher efficiency. Thus, lead-acid battery manufacturers are being called upon to provide batteries with ever-increasing efficiency. In this regard, it would be considered significant to be able to provide an efficiency increase of 6% and higher.
It is accordingly a principal object of the present invention to provide a novel lead oxide capable of imparting improved performance characteristics to lead-acid batteries having active material made from such an oxide.
A related and more specific object provides a lead oxide capable of achieving increased efficiency of oxide utilization in a lead-acid battery using such an oxide.
Yet another object lies in the provision of the novel oxide capable of increasing, in a lead-acid battery using such an oxide, the electrical conductivity of the system so as to provide lower internal resistance and thus higher power output.
A still further object of this invention is to provide a lead oxide capable of imparting improved cycle life to lead-acid batteries using such an oxide.
Another object provides a lead oxide which can be readily made by techniques commonly employed for making conventional lead oxides.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds.

Lead oxide composition for use in lead-acid batteries


Measuring an electrical potential in a semiconductor element by applying one or more voltages over the semiconductor element, placing at least one conductor in contact with the semi-conductor element using a scanning proximity microscope while injecting a substantially zero current in the semiconductor element with the conductor, measuring an electrical potential in the conductor while injecting a substantially zero current in the semiconductor element with the conductor, changing the position of the conductor, and repeating the measuring and changing steps.

With ever decreasing feature size of semiconductor devices, the potential distribution in the device during operation and related properties such as the electrical field distribution and the extent of space-charge regions next to junctions are of great interest. Knowledge of these quantities with nanometer resolution becomes crucial for activities such as TCAD device simulator development and also for manufacturing process evaluation. Simulation software for submicron devices needs reliable data provided by characterization techniques for calibration. Measurement techniques therefore must be simple, have a high spatial resolution and sensitivity, have to be applicable to both conducting and non-conducting samples, and be affected as little as possible by the corrections caused by the measuring instruments. A semiconductor element should be subjected to as few as possible preparation steps in order to allow for such measurements. It is furthermore a specific need for quality control during production and development of semiconductor elements to determine the spatial distribution of the electrically active charge carriers therein. In particular, after annealing of doped semiconductor elements it is uncertain which part of the dopants is of significance electrically and what is the actual spatial distribution of these charge carriers in the semiconductor element. Submicron device development and fabrication hinges on the tight control of dopant incorporation and (re)distribution during the whole fabrication process. Facing the increasing costs for processing, extensive usage of process and device simulation programs (TCAD) has become a standard in technology development. However since advanced processes contain numerous less well characterized processing steps (like short time anneals, transient diffusion, stress induced diffusion, 2D-diffusion . . . ), models are not yet completely predictive. Calibration of TCAD-tools and further model development are therefore essential activities for semiconductor companies involved in deep submicron technology. An important restriction in the successful application of this strategy is the availability of suitable characterization methods. With decreasing device dimensions the requirements posed on the analysis tools have increased from moderate requirements on 1D-depth resolution and sensitivity applied to simple test structures to very stringent requests related to 2D-resolution (nm!), quantification accuracy (2-5%) and the capability to probe directly on devices. Concurrent with the TCAD-needs are the demands from failure analysis for high spatial resolution analysis of devices.
Scanning proximity microscopes are known in the prior art. Said microscopes are capable of imaging the surface of a substrate with atomic resolution. Conventional scanning proximity microscopes provide signals which correspond to changes in the topography of the sample under investigation. Scanning probe technology already has gained wide access in the semiconductor fabrication particularly for surface roughness (with sub-nm sensitivity) and dimensional metrology. The extension from a pure topographical measurement towards a more functional analysis (carrier or potential profiling) by the (additional) acquisition of a relevant electrical signal might lead to a method satisfying the TCAD- and failure analysis needs in terms of the required 2D-resolution, electrical information and applicability to devices.
Techniques are known in the prior art by which the potential distribution of a semiconductor element can be measured. The paper Scanning Tunneling Potentiometry, Appl. Phys. Lett. 48, 514 (1986) by Muralt and Pohl discloses a method for measuring the potential distribution on conductor/semiconductor elements by using a scanning tunneling microscope (STM). In said method the different frequencies constituting the tunneling current between a conducting tip and the semiconducting/conducting element under investigation are separated in order to obtain electrical potential characteristics. Said method suffers from the disadvantage that the STM-tip does not make contact with the semiconducting/conducting element under investigation. Further, the measured potential distribution is disturbed by the tunneling current, injected in the semiconducting/conducting element under investigation. Said method furthermore is sensitive to the presence of contaminants present on the semiconducting/conducting element under investigation. M. Anders et al., in the paper Potentiometry for Thin-Film Structures using Atomic Force Microscopy, J. Vac. Sci. Technol.A8, 394 (1990) discloses a STM/AFM based noncontact potential measurement. Said method is disturbed by the tunneling current, injected in the semiconducting/conducting element under investigation and is sensitive to the presence of contaminants present on the semiconducting/conducting element under investigation. U.S. Pat. No. 5,122,739 discloses a method and apparatus for measuring node voltages on integrated circuits. Said method and apparatus are based on the STM-technique. Nonnenmacher et al. disclose in the paper Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy, Appl. Phys. Lett. 58, 2921 (1991) a method for measuring the contact potential difference between different materials using Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy. The prior art fails to disclose a method to measure the electrical potential in semiconductor element without disturbing said electrical potential. The cited references fail to disclose a method to measure the electrical potential in a semiconductor element that is insensitive to the presence of contaminants on the surface of the semiconducting/conducting elements under investigation. The cited references fail to disclose a method that is a method that allows simultaneous measurements of the topography and the potential distribution of semiconductor elements and related/derived characteristics thereof using a scanning proximity microscope in contact mode.

Method for measuring the electrical potential in a semiconductor element


The electrical energy source includes a portable enclosure that houses at least one battery pack, at least one battery charger, at least one AC inverter and, optionally, a regeneration device that can power the battery charger. Operation of batteries, AC inverters and regeneration unit is coordinated by a control circuit. During operations under a load, the batteries supply an input to AC inverters which in turn provide voltage regulated AC power to the load. When the batteries have discharged to a predetermined level, the load is removed from the AC inverters, and a dedicated on-board inverter is used to power the regeneration unit which recharges the batteries. Once the batteries have been recharged, the AC inverters are again made available to the load.

1. Field of the invention
The present invention relates to electrical energy sources and more specifically to substantially autonomous portable electrical energy sources.
2. Description of the Related Art
Mobile power supplies are often needed where electric appliance operation is desired during emergency situations when the public utility grid is unavailable. Since practically every electrical appliance requires 110V AC electricity to operate, the mobile power supply must have some means of generating alternating current within an acceptable voltage range.
One commonly used method involves the use of a fuel-driven generator. Such generators, however, are bulky and lack the versatility of portability in automobiles, convoys, boats, and the like. Fuel driven generators may also pollute and emit carbon monoxide which can be dangerous to users, especially in close quarters.
An alternative and more compact form of power source is based on solar energy that is converted to electrical power through the use of solar panels in conjunction with converters, inverters, and the like. However, these systems may be costly, while being unworkable during inclement weather conditions.
Inverters are also available to invert low direct current ("DC") voltage such as around 8-12 volts to alternating current ("AC") mains voltage levels, of around 110-120 volts. However, such inverters may be costly while rapidly depleting the DC voltage source.
Additional drawbacks of conventional power supplies and/or generators, notwithstanding the fact that they may be capable of providing a maximum AC output of 1000 Watts of power on a continuous operation of 12 hours, is that these primarily gasoline operated generators emit fumes and polluting hydrocarbons during their operations. Noise levels of such generators may be excessive, ranging from 47 dBA at ¼ load up to 57 dBA and higher at full load.
Moreover, power inverter systems having 12 Volts from a battery and converting the 12V to a 115 Volt AC household power, with output power at 2500-Watts continuous with a 5000-Watts surge has been known to electrical engineers and the public for years.
Japanese Patent No. 57-193,977, published Nov. 29, 1982 to Tokunaga Kiichi, et al., appears to show DC current control device that controls for output of maximum electric power, a secondary battery, and an inverter when converting DC power from solar batteries, but does not appear to disclose the present invention as claimed.
Similarly European Patent No. 0-372-933, published Jun. 13, 1990 to Nishi Kazuo, et al., appears to disclose providing an appliance with a power supply in the form of a solar energy accumulator, but does not appear to disclose the present invention as claimed.
Additionally, Japanese Patent No. 3-74,147, published Mar. 28, 1991 to Yamamoto Yoshiro, et al., appears to show a system having solar cell and diesel engine driven generator charging means for charging a storage battery, but does not appear to disclose the present invention as claimed.
Moreover, many of the aforementioned related art systems generally require an external 12 Volt battery source to operate, while outputting only AC Power.
Also, installation is generally required by hardwiring AC output to the battery, while the inverter may need mounting as well. When connected to a vehicle, boat, or RV, the aforementioned systems may require constant running of the engine to provide the 12-Volt power source, and thus severely limit the portability when operated with a vehicle.
Moreover, it is not uncommon for such a unit to require forty or more hours to fully charge its internal rechargeable battery. It would be desirable, however to provide a power inverter system having a predetermined minimum DC internal/portable voltage supply that can produce 2500-20000 watts AC and that has a reduced amount of time to fully charge its internal rechargeable battery system.
Thus, an electrical energy source solving the aforementioned problems is desired.


The present invention provides a dried influenza vaccine preparation in which the activity of an influenza vaccine can be stably maintained even if the preparation is stored without strict temperature control and which can be stably supplied. The present invention also provides a method for producing the dried influenza vaccine preparation. Provided is a dried influenza vaccine preparation including: an influenza vaccine antigen; a disaccharide; and an amino acid.

Influenza is a type of acute infection caused by an influenza virus. The incubation period from infection with the influenza virus to onset of influenza is usually one to two days. The onset is accompanied by the following symptoms, for example: a fever of 38 degrees or higher, systemic symptoms (such as general malaise, headache, joint pain, and muscle pain), sore throat, cough, and nasal discharge. In general, recovery takes one week or less. Influenza may lead to complications such as pneumonia and bronchitis, which may become severe and result in death, in the case of onset of influenza in people such as elderly people, infants, pregnant women, patients with chronic respiratory disease, patients with chronic cardiovascular disease, diabetic patients, and chronic renal failure patients. In addition, influenza intensively occurs in epidemics in a short period of time, and thus sometimes affects the society and causes an economic loss.
Administration of influenza vaccine is the most effective method of preventing influenza from becoming severe. An influenza vaccine preparation is usually a liquid preparation used as an injectable drug or nasal preparation.
For distribution of a liquid preparation of influenza vaccine, temperature control (so-called a cold chain) is required throughout the entire process of distribution and storage in order to prevent deactivaton of the influenza vaccine. Although the epidemic season is different depending on the region, influenza is pandemic, and it is difficult to distribute the preparation while maintaining the activity of the influenza vaccine antigen in the countries and regions where the temperature control is difficult.
Currently available influenza vaccines are roughly divided into live attenuated influenza vaccines and inactivated influenza vaccines. Further, inactivated influenza vaccines are classified into the following three groups: (1) whole virus inactivated with formalin or the like; (2) split vaccine obtained by disrupting virus particles with an organic solvent or a surfactant and solubilizing lipid envelopes; and (3) subunit vaccine obtained by purifying hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA). Among these, two types of vaccines, i.e., split vaccines and subunit vaccines, are currently available as commercial influenza vaccines. Both of these vaccines are usually prepared by disrupting virus particles with an organic solvent or a surfactant and isolating or purifying viral proteins depending on the type.
However, while influenza virus particles have a high sterol content and are usually stable, problems such as a time-dependent decrease in the titer occur during a storage period in the case where the vaccine is obtained by disrupting virus particles, removing lipid substances from the virus particles, and isolating or purifying viral proteins. As described above, since the split vaccine and the subunit vaccine are not necessarily stable, temperature control is required throughout the entire process of distribution and storage in order to maintain the activity of the influenza vaccine antigen.
As a method of overcoming the above-described drawback of the liquid preparation of influenza vaccine, an attempt has been made to produce a preparation in dry form.
For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses production of particles by spray-drying an influenza virus together with a thickener. Patent Literature 2 discloses production of a powder by spray-drying an antigen together with various additives. Patent Literature 3 discloses a pharmaceutical composition in which an attenuated influenza virus as a live influenza vaccine is stabilized by lyophilizing a vaccine solution containing sucrose as a stabilizer, dextran as a bonding agent, and xanthan gum as an excipient. Patent Literature 4 discloses a pharmaceutical composition in which an influenza HA vaccine is stabilized by lyophilizing a vaccine solution containing a hydrophobic amino acid (phenylalanine, valine, leucine, and isoleucine) and arginine hydrochloride as stabilizers.
A seasonal influenza HA vaccine is a vaccine reformulated annually for specific strains, and a mixed type vaccine such as a trivalent vaccine (two strains of type A and one strain of type B) or a tetravalent vaccine (two strains of type A and two strains of type B) is a mainstream vaccine. However, since the amino acid sequence or conformation is different according to the viral type, it is difficult to stably store a pharmaceutical composition containing plural influenza HA vaccines by conventional vaccine formulation techniques.

Dried influenza vaccine preparation and method for producing dried influenza vaccine preparation


A data buffer memory management method and system is provided for increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of buffer replacement selection. Hierarchical Victim Selection (HVS) identifies hot buffer pages, warm buffer pages and cold buffer pages through weights, reference counts, reassignment of levels and ageing of levels, and then explicitly avoids victimizing hot pages while favoring cold pages in the hierarchy. Unlike LRU, pages in the system are identified by both a static manner (through weights) and in a dynamic manner (through reference counts, reassignment of levels and ageing of levels). HVS provides higher concurrency by allowing pages to be victimized from different levels simultaneously. Unlike other approaches, Hierarchical Victim Selection provides the infrastructure for page cleaners to ensure that the next candidate victims will be clean pages by segregating dirty pages in hierarchical levels having multiple separate lists so that the dirty pages may be cleaned asynchronously.

This application claims priority from Canadian patent application number 2,312,444, filed Jun. 20, 2000, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
The invention concerns generally memory management and in particular a data buffer memory management method, computer program product and system for increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of buffer replacement selection.
The invention concerns, by illustrative example, the buffer memory of a database management system or DBMS. In modern processing, a buffer memory provides a quick, relatively small-capacity interface between a processor and a generally slow, large-capacity data storage memory. Buffer memory typically comprise a set of buffers intended to store extracts from the data memory such as a cache memory for receiving blocks of data from the data memory. A DBMS may be run by a computer having a processor, buffer memory (e.g. physical memory usually extended via virtual memory techniques), I/O devices such as a keyboard and a video display terminal, and large capacity data storage. An operating system provides the environment to run the DBMS. Typically, database extracts from the slower, large-capacity data memory are stored as pages in the buffer memory for use by the processor. Memory management of the buffers in the buffer memory is accomplished via a buffer manager operated by the processor.
If there are insufficient free pages in the buffer memory to read in new data, the buffer manager employs page replacement or victim selection policies to free pages. The most commonly known replacement policy is generally referred to as Least Recently Used (LRU). This policy orders a list of the buffers in the cache memory according to the time of their last use. When pages become candidates for page replacement at the time they are unpinned, they are added to the tail of the list. When the buffer manager does not find a page in the cache memory, an event known as a cache miss, it requests the page from the database for loading into the buffer memory, while the LRU policy picks which buffer was least recently used, choosing the buffer at the head of the list in order to record the new page. Pages in the list that are referenced (i.e. cache hit) before being replaced are removed from the list and added to the tail when unpinned.
This optimization procedure suffers from the fact that it doesn""t account for pages that are accessed more frequently, making them less favorable victims. The policy assumes that the nth page in the LRU page list is less likely to be reused than the nth+1 page. It may be that the nth page has a higher access rate than the nth+1 page and is therefore less favorable as a victim for replacement.
There are similarities between data base buffer management and operating system virtual memory management. U.S. Pat. No. 5,423,017 of Parikh entitled xe2x80x9cMethod of and Apparatus for Increasing Efficiency of Agerxe2x80x9d, issued Jun. 6, 1995, discusses a novel way for operating systems to swap/page out processes from physical memory in a page based virtual memory management system. It classifies processes into four classes based on the amount of run time each has accumulated, and then chooses to swap/page out processes that have been running the least. The method and system disclosed therein handle process data, which is made of code and data segments, and does not distinguish between the clean and dirty data pages in data segments during swap/page outs. Further, processes are assigned to classes for aging based upon their most recent perceived use only as measured by counting CPU time slices.
The method disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,423,017 takes into account run time information, in this case, a count of CPU time slices, as a measure of recent activity level or perceived use to predict the need to retain a processes"" pages in the memory.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,870,551 of Ozden et al. entitled xe2x80x9cLookahead Buffer Replacement Method Using Ratio of Clients Access Order Offsets and Buffer Data Block Offsetsxe2x80x9d issued Feb. 9, 1999 introduces two manners of estimating anticipated use by measuring current use conditions in this continuous multimedia data distribution environment. In the first manner, for each data buffer in the cache, a future is determined by examining the requirements for each client that will access the buffer. The buffer with the lowest anticipated future is allocated for early replacement. In the second method, an estimate is made of the next time a buffer will be accessed by a client by analyzing the relative position or distance of the clients to the buffer. Buffers associated with a client having higher distances are allocated for release before those having lower distances.
Neither method disclosed in the respective patents employs estimates of future use that may be independent of current use conditions.
As an alternative to LRU, clock based algorithms provide a variable to point to a page considered for replacement. To approximate LRU behavior and to handle hot pages, each page has an associated weight count, which is set on page unpin, and decremented whenever the clock is pointing to the page. If the weight becomes zero, the page is chosen for replacement, otherwise, the clock is made to point to the next page to be evaluated. Access to the clock is serialized.
What is needed in the art is a more effective and efficient memory management using page buffers.
It is an object of the invention to provide a memory management and in particular a data buffer memory management method, computer program product and system for increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of buffer replacement selection.
The invention provides, in a first aspect, a method for managing memory using page buffers. The method comprises a step for determining, for each buffer, a measure of the favorability for victimizing the buffer; a step for assigning each buffer in an order to one of a plurality of levels, said one level selected according to the measure of the favorability for victimizing the buffer, the plurality of levels denoting a buffer hierarchy for prioritizing the victimization of buffers; and a step for victimizing the buffers based on the buffer hierarchy and the order of the buffers in the levels. The method may further place the buffers in cold, warm or hot levels. The method may further comprise a step for determining if the buffer has previously been assigned to a level and, if so, a step for determining a further measure of favorability for victimization for the buffer previously assigned. In such a case, the step for assigning is based additionally on the further measure of favorability for victimization.
Additionally, the method may further comprise a step for determining a buffer content characteristic for each buffer, typically a clean/dirty status of the buffer; the step for assigning is based additionally on the buffer content characteristic and, typically, the buffer hierarchy distinguishes clean buffers in the plurality of levels from dirty buffers in the plurality of levels. Further a step for transforming the dirty buffers in the buffer hierarchy to clean buffers in the buffer hierarchy may be present.
A step for aging the buffers in the levels to identify buffers as eligible for victimization according to the buffer hierarchy and the order of the buffers in the levels may also be provided.
According to the invention, the step for victimizing comprises a step for determining a preferred level from the plurality of levels from which to release a buffer according to a preferred victimization scheme; a step for locating the buffer for releasing upon examination of the preferred level; and a step for releasing the buffer. If the preferred level has no buffer for releasing, there is provided a step for examining one or more additional levels according to the buffer hierarchy and the order of the buffers in the levels to locate the buffer for releasing.
The measure of the favorability for victimizing the buffer may be indicated by either a perceived use measure of the buffer, a future use measure of the buffer or both such measures.
Further according to one method, the order by which the buffer is assigned to the level is a least recently used order.
The invention also has the subsidiary purpose of a computer program product comprising a recording medium having means recorded on the medium for instructing a computer to perform the method. As a corollary, the invention also has as its purpose a memory management system for a computer system having a memory using page buffers. Hierarchical Victim Selection (HVS) identifies hot pages and cold pages through weights, reference counts, reassignment of levels and ageing of levels, and then explicitly avoids victimizing hot pages while favoring cold pages in the hierarchy. Unlike LRU, hot and cold pages in the system are identified by both a static manner (through weights) and in a dynamic manner (through reference counts, reassignment of levels and ageing of levels). HVS provides higher concurrency by allowing pages to be victimized from different levels simultaneously. Unlike other approaches, Hierarchical Victim Selection provides the infrastructure for page cleaners to ensure that the next candidate victims will be clean pages by segregating dirty pages in hierarchical levels having multiple separate lists so that the dirty pages may be cleaned asynchronously.

Memory management of data buffers incorporating hierarchical victim selection

International Business Machines Corporation


A system for providing network management access to RF outdoor units of a point-to-multipoint wireless network. Network management signals from a network management system (NMS) are transmitted from an outdoor unit (ODU) receiver to destination ODU transmitters via modulation of a low frequency carrier over a frequency reference interconnection carrying a frequency reference signal. The frequency of the carrier is lower than the frequency reference avoiding any interference between the signals.

The present invention relates to wireless communications, and in particular to a radio subsystem for providing Local Multipoint Distribution Service (LMDS).
The ever-increasing demand for high-speed access to data networks, such as the Internet, continues to drive the need for new technologies in the computer and electronics industry. As the present day wireline telephone network strains under the demands of both corporate and individual need for high speed connections, a new world of computer communications will eventually break down into two domains, fiber networks and wireless networks.
Fiber networks provide a potential capacity for communication which is a factor of a thousand or even a million times greater than currently used copper cabling, while also providing signaling that is far less susceptible to errors. Wireless networks implemented using broadband technologies, such as LMDS, offer high capacity local access to remote networks that is less capital-intensive and faster to deploy than wireline solutions.
Through recent Federal Communication Commission (FCC) spectrum auctions in the United States, and similar activities in other countries, wireless networks implemented using LMDS are now becoming a reality for the delivery of a wide range of communication services. A point-to-multipoint radio access system implemented with LMDS is capable of providing services ranging from voice to high-speed data (e.g., speeds from T-1 up to OC-3) and serving customers ranging from small to large businesses.
Depending on the country, LMDS uses high frequency microwave signals in the frequency spectrum of 24 GigaHertz (GHz) to 44 GHz and higher for sending and receiving data signals (voice, video, Internet, etc.) wirelessly between radio equipment deployed at a central hub location and distributed remote locations. The radio equipment at the remote location is referred to as the customer premise equipment (CPE) and is typically located at the homes and buildings of LMDS subscribers. The radio equipment at the central hub location is referred to as the hub or base station equipment and is typically located at a central hub tower. Each central hub tower can serve hundreds or thousands of LMDS subscribers within a particular region (i.e., sector or cell site), while a master head-end coordinates the hub signals and connects the LMDS network to other networks via an Internet gateway and/or through land line cabling.
In a typical LMDS configuration, the primary functional modules of base station equipment are separated into an indoor unit (IDU) and an outdoor unit (ODU). The IDU includes digital equipment for transmission and reception of LMDS-compatible intermediate frequency (IF) signals. The IDU also performs the conversion between computer data signals of baseband frequency and the corresponding IF data signals. The IF data signals are typically transmitted between the IDU and the ODU over a coaxial cable connection. The ODU includes outdoor-mounted microwave equipment for wireless transmission and reception of LMDS RF data signals. The ODU also performs the conversion between LMDS-compatible IF data signals and the corresponding LMDS RF data signals.
In more detail, data transmission over an LMDS network involves an IDU that modulates computer data signals of baseband frequency into LMDS-compatible intermediate frequency (IF) signals having a frequency in the range between 10 MegaHertz (MHz) and 2 GHz using an LMDS modem module. LMDS modems are not typically provisioned to modulate baseband computer data signals directly into RF data signals having frequencies in the LMDS frequency spectrum. Instead, a coaxial cable connection carries the IF data signals from the IDU to an ODU where an IF/RF millimeter wave radio circuit performs a radio frequency (RF) up-conversion on the IF signals. The RF up-conversion shifts the carrier frequency of the IF data signals resulting in RF data signals having a frequency in the LMDS RF frequency spectrum. The RF signals are then transmitted wirelessly from an antenna packaged with the ODU to the associated customer premise equipment (CPE).
Conversely, data reception involves the antenna of an ODU receiving RF data signals transmitted wirelessly from the associated CPEs. The IF/RF millimeter wave radio circuit of the ODU performs an RF down-conversion on the RF signals resulting in intermediate frequency (IF) data signals suitable for demodulation by an LMDS modem module of an IDU. The intermediate frequency (IF) signals are forwarded over a coaxial cable connection to the IDU that demodulates them into corresponding baseband frequency data signals suitable for transmission over a computer network. The computer data signals are then transmitted to the computer network via an internetwork device (e.g., switch or router) or to a stand-alone computer.
Base station equipment in an LMDS network is physically separated into functional modules called indoor units (IDUs) and outdoor units (ODUs). The physical separation allows IDUs to directly interface with a computer network making installation and troubleshooting easier for network technicians. Similarly, ODUs can be installed up on a rooftop, tower, or pole above surrounding obstacles minimizing any signal interference during wireless transmission of LMDS RF data signals along a desired line-of-sight (LOS) propagation path within a sector or cell.
However, the separation of the base station equipment into indoor units (IDUs) and outdoor units (ODUs) makes managing this radio subsystem more complex. Since IDUs are directly connected to a computer network or stand-alone computer, IDUs can be easily managed from a network management system (NMS) server as another network device or end node. In contrast, however, ODUs are not directly connected to the network or stand-alone computer. Therefore, an NMS server indirectly manages an ODU through a communication path between an IDU coupled to the ODU.
Current deployment techniques involve complex and expensive cabling configurations in order to provide network management access to ODUs. In particular, common cabling configurations require direct cable connections capable of carrying network management signals between one or more IDUs and each ODU.
NMS servers provide the ability of managing and configuring devices through software. In the context of an LMDS wireless network, NMS servers are capable of obtaining status and telemetry information as well as providing command and control operation of base station IDUs and ODUs. An NMS server may be located on a computer network or may be a stand-alone computer. There may also be more than one NMS server on a computer network. NMS servers communicate with all of the equipment through the transmission of network management signals that implement a variety of proprietary and public management protocols, commonly SNMP. One or more IDUs typically serve as the interface for transmitting the network management signals between the NMS server and the ODUs.
FIG. 1A is a block diagram illustrating a common cabling configuration for providing network management access to ODUs. IDUs are omitted in FIG. 1A for purposes of clarity. The base station equipment 100 includes four ODUs, one ODU receiver 30 and three ODU transmitters 35-1, 35-2, and 35-3 (collectively referred to as the ODU transmitters 35). Each ODU 30 and 35 is coupled to an IDU via a power/data connection 25-1, 25-2, 25-3, and 25-4 (collectively referred to as the power/data connections 25) supplying DC power and carrying IF data signals. The power/data connections 25 are typically coaxial cables.
In addition to the power/data connections 25, each ODU 30 and 35 is coupled to a separate network management connection 27-1, 27-2, 27-3, and 27-4 (collectively referred to as the network management connections 27) that extends from one or more IDUs. The network management connections 27 are typically multi-conductor shielded cables. An NMS server (not shown in FIG. 1A) communicates with a particular ODU by transmitting network management signals over a network management connection 27 that couples an IDU to the ODU being managed.
In addition to having separate cabling connections for network management purposes, this cabling configuration requires additional network management connectors and port termination circuitry (not shown in FIG. 1A) at both the IDU and ODU ends adding to the overall time and cost of installation at a customer site. Furthermore, the existence of an additional connector in each ODU 30 and 35 presents another opening to seal for weatherproofing as well as another path for electrical surges (e.g., lightning) to potentially damage the unit.
FIG. 1B is a block diagram illustrating another common cabling configuration for providing network management access to ODUs. Regarding the base station equipment 200, there is no separate network management connection as in FIG. 1A. Instead, network management signals to and from each ODU are modulated over a low frequency carrier and multiplexed with the DC power and IF data signals on the power/data connections 25-1, 25-2, 25-3, and 25-4 (collectively referred to as the power/data connections 25). In this cabling configuration, network management signals are still transmitted directly from an IDU to each ODU being managed. The difference from FIG. 1A is that the network management signals are modulated over the power/data connections 25 rather than utilizing a separate network management connection to each ODU.
Although this configuration eliminates extra cabling and connectors dedicated for network management and avoids additional susceptibility to leaks and lightning, every IDU/ODU interconnection must still provide intermediate frequency (IF) data, DC power and NMS interface elements. Furthermore, in some cases more than one IDU device will be connected to a single ODU or the converse may be true. Management of such configurations is particularly complex for high capacity sites or sites capable of scaling to high capacity, which have increasing numbers of ODU transmitters. Such configurations become overly complex to effectively manage each ODU.
Embodiments of the present invention address these issues encountered in the actual deployment of LMDS or similar base station equipment. Embodiments of the present invention include a system for providing network management access to radio frequency (RF) outdoor units of base station equipment in a point-to-multipoint wireless network. This embodiment includes an RF outdoor unit (ODU) receiver, one or more RF outdoor unit (ODU) transmitters, and a frequency reference interconnection carrying a master frequency reference signal from the receiver to the transmitters. A network management signal destined for an ODU transmitter is modulated onto a low frequency carrier, which is duplexed with the master frequency reference signal and transmitted over the frequency reference interconnection for transmission from the receiver to the transmitter. Implementing either a public or proprietary management protocol, the network management signal is used for management and configuration of RF ODU receivers and transmitters. The low frequency carrier typically has a frequency lower than the frequency of the reference signal. Various digital modulation techniques may be utilized to modulate the network management signal onto the low frequency carrier including on-off keying, frequency shift keying, and dual tone multi-frequency.
The system for providing network management access to ODUs also includes an indoor unit (IDU). According to one embodiment, a network management connection couples the IDU to the ODU receiver and carries the network management signal from the IDU to the ODU receiver. Alternatively, a network management signal is transmitted from the IDU to the ODU receiver through a power/data connection that also couples the IDU to the ODU receiver. In particular, the network management signal is modulated onto another low frequency carrier. The modulated low frequency carrier is then multiplexed with the power and IF data signals over the same power/data connection from the IDU to the ODU receiver. The wireless network may implement a number of broadband technologies including LMDS.

Network management system access to radio frequency outdoor units in a point-to-multipoint wireless network


To enable fast startup of an audio/video receiver device and quick receipt of a first audio/video stream, is provided a method in an intermediate device in between a router device and the receiver device. The intermediate device snoops the communication between the audio/video receiver device and the router device to determine the protocol version of the router device to subscribe to a transmission of an audio/video stream and to determine that the receiver device is starting up. If the protocol version is a version not supporting Source Specific Multicast and the receiver device is booting, a message indicating the protocol version is transmitted to the receiver device during starting up of the receiver device so that the latter can switch to a protocol version supported by the IP multicast router device without further delay.

Any background information described herein is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art, which may be related to the present embodiments that are described below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light.
The Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) is a communication protocol that is part of Internet Protocol (IP) multicast. IP multicast is a method of sending IP datagrams to a group of interested receivers in a single transmission. It is a form of point-to-multipoint communication often employed for streaming media applications such as online streaming video and gaming on the Internet and private networks. IGMP operates between an IP multicast receiver device and a local IP multicast router. To receive an IP multicast stream, the IP multicast receiver device requests membership to an IP multicast group for the IP multicast stream through its local IP multicast router while the local IP multicast router listens for these requests and periodically sends out subscription queries. There exist multiple versions of IGMP. IGMP version 2 (IGMPv2) improves over IGMP version 1 (IGMPv1) by adding the ability for an IP multicast receiver device to signal desire to leave a multicast group (IGMP 'leave'). IGMP version 3 (IGMPv3) improves over IGMP version 2 mainly by supporting source-specific multicast (SSM). Source-specific multicast is a method of delivering IP multicast packets in which the only packets that are delivered to an IP multicast receiver device are those originating from a specific source address requested by the IP multicast receiver device. By so limiting the source, SSM reduces demands on the network and improves security.
While currently sold IP multicast receiver devices comply with IGMPv3, there are still many IP multicast routers functioning in IGMPv2 mode. An IP multicast receiver device, e.g., an IP Set Top Box (IPSTB) for receiving digital television over IP or an IP digital television (IPDTV), starting up in IGMPv3 mode, will not be able to request and receive IP multicast streams from an IGMPv2 IP multicast router until it is aware that the IP multicast router is using IGMPv2. This considerably slows down the reception of a first IP multicast stream upon startup of the IGMPv3 IP multicast receiver device. Upgrading of the IGMPv2 IP multicast router to IGMPv3 is not always possible. Replacement is costly.
There is thus a need for a solution to improve slow IP multicast receiver device startup due to incompatibility between IGMP versions of the IP multicast receiver device and an IP multicast router, that does not require an upgrade of the IP multicast router equipment to the latest IGMP version nor replacement of the equipment.

Method of providing information to an audio/video receiver device and corresponding apparatus


An example seal for use with a laminated window is described. The seal includes a first end formed from a first material and a second end formed from the first material, with the first material being compressible when a pressure force is applied to the first material. The seal also includes a connection portion positioned between the first end and the second end. At least some of the connection portion is formed from a second material having a greater indentation hardness than an indentation hardness of the first material. An example method for installing a seal is also described.

A window on a vehicle may include one or more seals that are positioned between the window and a frame of the vehicle. The seals may be designed to prevent air or liquid from passing between the window and the frame. By way of example, a vehicle may include a frame having a channel that is configured to hold a window. In order to seal at least one known window, a first seal (e.g., a mechanical gasket or other type of seal) is positioned between an inner surface of the window and the frame and, similarly, a second seal is positioned between an outer surface of the window and the frame.
When a vehicle operates in a pressurized environment, the effectiveness of such seals may depend upon the ability of the seals to prevent leakage while under compression. For instance, on a spacecraft, positive pressure within a cabin of the spacecraft that is greater than the pressure in the spacecraft's environment pushes a window outwards against a frame of the vehicle and, in turn, compresses a seal positioned between an outer surface of the window and the frame. If the seal is unable to withstand the compression, leakage may occur between the window and the frame. In other examples, positive pressure in a vehicle's environment that is greater than the pressure within the vehicle pushes a window inwards against a frame of the vehicle, and in turn, compresses a seal positioned between an inner surface of the window and the frame.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Single piece, redundant, bi-directional, seal damage prevention pressure seal


An energy storage device includes a case. The case includes a cover body where an electrolyte solution filling port is formed, and an electrolyte solution plug that closes the electrolyte solution filling port. The electrolyte solution plug includes a shaft part inserted into the electrolyte solution filling port, and a projecting part that projects from a periphery of the shaft part and is bonded to the cover body. In the cover body, a space adjacent to the shaft part is formed around the electrolyte solution filling port, and a tip end of the shaft part is disposed in the electrolyte solution filling port.

Conventionally, there is widely known an energy storage device including a case; and the case includes a wall where an electrolyte solution filling port is formed, and an electrolyte solution plug that closes the electrolyte solution filling port. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a sealed battery (energy storage device) including a case; and the case includes a sealing plate (wall) having an electrolyte solution filling hole (electrolyte solution filling port), and a sealing plug (electrolyte solution plug) to seal the electrolyte solution filling hole. In the sealed battery disclosed in Patent Document 1, the sealing plug includes a press-fit member that is press-fitted into the electrolyte solution filling hole to close the electrolyte solution filling hole, thereby maintaining performance of sealing the electrolyte solution filling hole for a long period of time.


Provided is a lithium secondary battery containing a cathode active material capable of preventing decreases in power and cycle life occurring at the time of adding a sulfur based additive used in order to improve high-temperature storage characteristics to an electrolyte.

A cathode active material used in a battery is an important portion for improving performance of the battery, and particularly, in order to manufacture a battery having a high-energy density and high power performance, a high-capacity cathode active material is required.
In addition to improving performance of the battery through the high-capacity cathode active material, in order to improve storage capability of the battery at a high temperature, a sulfur based additive is mainly added to and used in an electrolyte. However, in the case of using the sulfur based additive, a cycle life of the battery is decreased, and power characteristics of the battery are deteriorated. Therefore, there is a need to solve problems occurring at the time of using the sulfur based additive while using the high-capacity cathode active material to improve performance of the battery.
The development of novel technology capable of improving performance of the battery while hardly causing a trade-off of power and cycle life characteristics in spite of using the sulfur based additive as described above has been urgently demanded.
For example, a lithium battery using an electrolyte containing a solid sulfide, in which a specific metal element concentration is high in a portion contacting a solid electrolyte has been disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013-0065135. However, in most studies, these technologies are to improve performance of the battery itself, and the development of a technology for cathode active material capable of overcoming disadvantages of the lithium battery using the electrolyte containing the sulfur based additive was not reported.


The invention relates to new uses of PI3K inhibitors, wherein said inhibitors have an inhibitory action on the PI3K isoform delta for the treatment of immunopathology in a subject suffering from a disease or disorder selected from malaria, leishmaniasis, trypanosomiasis, toxoplasmosis and/or neurocysticercosis, via functional inhibition of TLR9 of the infected subject.

Parasitic infections still represent one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Among the parasites that cause human and animal pathology the phylum apicomplexa comprises a group of vector-borne parasites that is responsible for a wide variety of serious illnesses including but not limited to malaria, leishmaniasis and trypanosomiasis. Malaria alone infects 5-10% of humanity and causes around two milion deaths per year. [Schofield et al, "Immunological processes in malaria pathogenesis", Nat Rev Imm 2005], [Schofiled L, "Intravascular infiltrates and organ-specific inflammation in malaria pathogenesis], [Mishra et al, "TLRs in CNS Parasitic infections", Curr Top Micro Imm 2009], [Bottieau et al, "Therapy of vector-borne protozoan infections in nonendemic settings", Expert Rev. Anti infect. Ther., 2011].
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are germ-line encoded, phylogenetically ancient molecules that recognize evolutionary conserved structural relevant molecules (known as pathogen—associated molecular patterns (PAMPs)) within microbial pathogens. Various different cell types including cells of the immune system express TLRs and are thereby able to detect the presence of PAMPs. Sofar 10 functional TLR family members (TLR1-10) have been described in humans, all of which recognize specific PAMP molecules. Following recognition of these specific PAMPs TLRs induce and orchestrate the immuneresponse of the host to infections with bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. [Hedayat et al, "Targeting of TLRs: a decade of progress in combating infectious disease", review, Lancet Infectious disease 2011], [Kwai et al, "TLRs and their crosstalk with other innate receptors in infection and immunity", review, Immunity May-2011].
The immune system of the infected host responds to infection with the TLR induced production of pro-inflammatory cytokines mainly of the T-helper 1 type (Th1). While adequate amounts of these cytokines are beneficial and required to clear the infection an overproduction of these mediators is harmful to the host and associated with immune mediated pathology including neuropathology and tissue damage with severe and often fatal consequences. One prominent and highly relevant example of such immune mediated pathology is acute and cerebral malaria (CM) which causes severe clinical symptoms and is often fatal. [Schofield et al, "Immunological processes in malaria pathogenesis" Nat Rev Imm 2005], [Schofiled L, "Intravascular infiltrates and organ-specific inflammation in malaria pathogenesis], [Mishra et al, "TLRs in CNS Parasitic infections", Curr Top Micro Imm 2009], [Bottieau et al, "Therapy of vector-borne protozoan infections in nonendemic settings", Expert Rev. Anti infect. Ther., 2011] [Hedayat et al, "Targeting of TLRs: a decade of progress in combating infectious disease", review, Lancet Infectious disease 2011]. Despite progress made in treatment and eradication of malaria, the mortality rate that is associated with severe malaria, including CM remains unacceptably high. Strategies directed solely at the eradication of the parasite in the host might therefore not be sufficient to prevent neurological complications and death in all cases of CM. Development of new innovative adjunct therapeutic strategies to efficiently reduce the CM-associated mortality and morbidity that is caused, in part, by host-mediated immunopathology remains therefore an urgent medical need [Higgins et al, "Immunopathogenesis of falciparum malaria: implications for adjunctive therapy in the management of severe and cerebral malaria", Expert Rev. Anti Infect. Ther. 2011].
Recently further evidence has been provided that TLR9 plays a key role in the recognition and response to parasites including but not limited to Plasmodium, Leishmania, Trypanosoma and Toxoplasma [Gowda et al, "The Nucleosome is the TLR9-specific Immunostimulatory component of plasmodium falciparum that activates DCs", PLoS ONE, June 2011], [Peixoto-Rangel et al, "Candidate gene analysis of ocular toxoplasmosis in Brazil: evidence for a role for TLR9", Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 2009], [Pellegrini et al, "The role of TLRs and adoptive immunity in the development of protective or pathological immune response triggered by the Trypanosoma cruzi protozoan", Future Microbiol 2011] and that interference with the activation of TLRs including TLR9 represents a promising strategy to prevent the deleterious inflammatory responses in severe and cerebral malaria [Franklin et al, "Therapeutical targeting of nucleic acid-sensing TLRs prevents experimental cerebral malaria", PNAS 2011]
Malaria is an infectious disease caused by four protozoan parasites: Plasmodium falciparum; Plasmodium vivax; Plasmodium ovale; and Plasmodium malaria. These four parasites are typically transmitted by the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito. Malaria is a problem in many parts of the world and over the last few decades the malaria burden has steadily increased. An estimated 1-3 million people die every year from malaria—mostly children under the age of 5. This increase in malaria mortality is due in part to the fact that Plasmodium falciparum, the deadliest malaria parasite, has acquired resistance against nearly all available antimalarial drugs, with the exception of the artemisinin derivatives.
Leishmaniasis is caused by one or more than 20 varieties of parasitic protozoa that belong to the genus Leishmania, and is transmitted by the bite of female sand flies. Leishmaniasis is endemic in about 88 countries, including many tropical and sub-tropical areas. There are four main forms of Leishmaniasis. Visceral leishmaniasis, also called kala-azar, is the most serious form and is caused by the parasite Leishmania donovani. Patients who develop visceral leishmaniasis can die within months unless they receive treatment. The two main therapies for visceral leishmaniasis are the antimony derivatives sodium stibogluconate (Pentostam®) and meglumine antimoniate (Glucantim®). Sodium stibogluconate has been used for about 70 years and resistance to this drug is a growing problem. In addition, the treatment is relatively long and painful, and can cause undesirable side effects.
Human African Trypanosomiasis, also known as sleeping sickness, is a vector-borne parasitic disease. The parasites concerned are protozoa belonging to the Trypanosoma Genus. They are transmitted to humans by tsetse fly (Glossina Genus) bites which have acquired their infection from human beings or from animals harboring the human pathogenic parasites.
Chagas disease (also called American Trypanosomiasis) is another human parasitic disease that is endemic amongst poor populations on the American continent. The disease is caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, which is transmitted to humans by blood-sucking insects. The human disease occurs in two stages: the acute stage, which occurs shortly after infection and the chronic stage, which can develop over many years. Chronic infections result in various neurological disorders, including dementia, damage to the heart muscle and sometimes dilation of the digestive tract, as well as weight loss. Untreated, the chronic disease is often fatal. The drugs currently available for treating Chagas disease are Nifurtimox and benznidazole. However, problems with these current therapies include their diverse side effects, the length of treatment, and the requirement for medical supervision during treatment. Furthermore, treatment is really only effective when given during the acute stage of the disease. Resistance to the two frontline drugs has already occurred. The antifungal agent Amphotericin b has been proposed as a second-line drug, but this drug is costly and relatively toxic.
Toxoplasmosis is endemic through most of the world, which can infect a large proportion of the adult population. However, its prevalence differs in different countries. It is estimated to infect at least 10% of adults in northern temperate countries and more than half of adults in Mediterranean and tropical countries. Toxoplasma gondii is a ubiquitous, obligate intracellular protozoan and is considered to be the most common cause of infective retinitis in humans, which depends on a variety of factors, including climate, hygiene, and dietary habits. The course of disease in immunocompetent adults is usually asymptomatic and self-limiting. As soon as infection has occurred, the parasite forms latent cysts in the retina and in other organs of the body, which can reactivate years after the initial infection giving rise to acute retinochoroiditis and the formation of new retinochoroidal lesions. [Arevalo et al, "Ocular Toxoplasmosis in the developing world", Internat. Ophthal. Clin 2010]
Neurocysticercosis is the most common parasitic disease of the CNS (incidence ˜2.5 million worldwide) caused by the larvae of Taenia solium. The disease has a long asymptomatic phase in humans characterized by the absence of a detectable inflammatory response surrounding the parasite. The overall immune response during the asymptomatic phase is of the Th2 phenotype. However, the destruction of larvae by therapeutic treatment or by normal parasite attrition causes a strong inflammatory response, often consisting of a chronic granulomatous reaction and manifestation of typical symptoms of the disease. The immune response in the CNS of symptomatic patients consists of an overt Th1 phenotype or a mixed Th1, Th2, and Th3 response, depending upon the absence or presence of granulomas. The hyperinflammatory response prevailing during the symptomatic phase in the CNS is responsible for the severe neuropathology and mortality associated with neurocysticercosis [Mishra et al, "TLRs in CNS Parasitic infections", Curr Top Micro Imm 2009].
In view of the foregoing there is a strong need for the development of novel effective treatment options for the management of parasitic diseases including the diseases mentioned above, addressing especially the associated immunopathology.

Use of inhibitors of the activity or function of PI3K


A fluidic oscillator can include a fluid switch, at least two fluid paths from the fluid switch, and a sensor which measures a frequency of fluctuations in flow through the fluidic oscillator. A method of measuring a flow rate of a fluid can include flowing the fluid through a fluidic oscillator, a majority of the fluid flowing alternately via at least two fluid paths from a fluid switch of the fluidic oscillator, and a sensor detecting a frequency of the flow alternating between the fluid paths. Another fluidic oscillator can include a fluid input, at least two fluid paths from the fluid input to respective fluid outputs, whereby a majority of fluid which flows through the fluidic oscillator flows alternately via the fluid paths, and a sensor which detects pressure fluctuations due to the flow alternating between the fluid paths.

This disclosure relates generally to equipment utilized and operations performed in conjunction with a subterranean well and, in an example described below, more particularly provides a fluidic oscillator flowmeter.
There are many situations in which it would be desirable to measure a flow rate of fluid in a well. For example, in steam flooding operations or other stimulation operations, it would be desirable to measure the flow of steam or treatment fluid into a formation. In production operations, it would be desirable to measure the flow of fluid produced from the well. These are just a few examples of a wide variety of possible applications for a flowmeter.
Therefore, it will be appreciated that improvements would be beneficial in the art of measuring fluid flow. Such improvements could find use in operations other than well operations, as well.

Fluidic oscillator flowmeter for use with a subterranean well


A lighting system employs luminaires having reflectors with a fluorescent lamp support frame at the base end of the inside of the reflector. The support frame includes a plurality of extensions for holding the bases of compact fluorescent lamps arranged in a general star configuration around the center line of the reflector. The extensions are at an angle to cause the compact fluorescent lamps to follow the outwardly-flared inside surface of the reflector. A system of luminaires then provides a substantially uniform volume of light in a facility due to the patterns of overlapping light contributed by the individual luminaires.

High intensity discharge (HID) lamp fixtures are widely used to provide lighting in warehouses, airplane hangars, and other commercial buildings. Typically, fixtures using such lamps use mercury vapor, metal halide, and high or low pressure sodium lamps, depending upon the particular application and the lighting characteristics desired. Such lamps generally are high wattage (500 or 1000 Watts, for example); so that in the buildings in which they are used, significant energy consumption takes place.
For the purpose of maximizing the downward light output from such high wattage lamps, flared, generally bell-shaped reflectors have been designed to fit over the base of the bulb, which then is screwed into the power supply outlet for the lamp. The lamp itself, in at least some of these applications, forms the support for the reflector, which generally is made of polished aluminum or similar lightweight material. The lamp extends through the base end of the reflector; and the light-emitting end is either open or covered with a translucent lens to disperse the light emanating from the lamp, and to provide a more attractive appearance.
The coverage or area of illumination of a typical reflector for an HID lamp of this type generally is approximately 1.6 (that is, it is 1.6 times the height from the floor to the light-emitting opening of the fixture). The light typically is projected in a circle; so that the spacing of the lamp fixtures is selected in accordance with this formula to provide the desired amount of overlap, if any, needed for any particular application.
A primary problem with HID lamps, of any of the above types, is that the high wattage results in significant energy consumption, which, in turn, translates into high utility bills. Fluorescent lamp fixtures typically are low wattage fixtures; but for providing the desired levels of illumination in warehouses, airplane hangars and similar high-ceilinged buildings, a large number of fluorescent light fixtures must be employed to produce the desired lumens of light on the floor of the building in which they are used. The large number of fixtures required results in significantly increased initial installation cost over the fixtures required for HID lamps, typically spaced greater distances apart in a comparative installation. In addition, many applications indicate that standard fluorescent lamp fixtures cannot produce the necessary lumens of light at the floor or work surface of warehouses and the like.
High intensity discharge lamps of the mercury or metal halide variety utilize gas in a discharge tube, which is manufactured from quartz. Current passing through the gas generates light. The discharge tube is enclosed in an outer bulb which is formed from glass. Consequently, the light passes through both the quartz discharge tube and the glass bulb. The discharge tubes of these lamps emit a high degree of ultraviolet radiation along with the light.
Normally, this is not of any consequence, since ultraviolet radiation in the harmful ranges is absorbed by the outer glass bulb. In a sports area, however, it is possible (and has been known) for a ball or other object to hit a HID fixture, breaking the outer bulb but leaving the structurally stronger quartz arc tube intact. In such an event, the HID lamp continues to burn; and ultraviolet radiation of harmful wavelengths is emitted directly, and is likely to strike players or spectators. The results can be unpleasant and potentially dangerous in severe cases. On the other hand, the light generated by fluorescent lamps contains no significant ultraviolet radiation. Although some ultraviolet radiation is produced within the fluorescent tubes, the ultraviolet radiation is absorbed by the glass tube. If the tube is broken, the lamp immediately extinguishes, and there is no danger from the damaging effect of uncontrolled ultraviolet radiation.
Generally, commercial ceiling lamps for fluorescent light fixtures employ elongated fluorescent tubes, usually having a length of four or eight feet. These tubes then are placed in appropriate luminaires oriented parallel to the floor or ground to produce the desired illumination. Installation and replacement of fluorescent tubes, particularly eight foot tubes, is somewhat difficult simply because of the length of the tubes involved.
Compact fluorescent tubes have been designed in a generally "folded-over" configuration, which attach to a light fixture at one end. Three patents disclosing ceiling light fixtures for recessed lamp reflectors, and which use compact fluorescent tubes, are the patents to McNair U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,520,436; 4,704,664; and 4,922,393. These patents disclose the use of a pair of compact fluorescent lamps, mounted in a generally crossed configuration inside a dome-shaped reflector, to produce a light output which is comparable to that of an incandescent bulb in a reflector having a similar diameter light-emitting end. The reflector, itself, is designed with openings through it, in which the bases of the lamps are mounted (on the upper outside of the reflector). Provisions also are made for attaching the ballasts for the lamps to the outside of the reflector. The reflector then is placed in a recessed housing in the ceiling to accommodate all of the lamp sockets and ballasts in a space between the reflector and the end of the housing.
In the devices shown in all of these patents, the housing itself has a threaded lamp base on it to supply operating current to the ballasts and the lamps. The conventional screw-in threaded base then may be inserted into a normal incandescent lamp socket; so that the entire housing is suspended from the socket. These fixtures are designed to replace incandescent lamps in recessed ceiling fixtures of relatively low wattage (typically replacing a 60 to 100 Watt incandescent lamp). Lower power consumption results; and the lumen output, using crossed pairs of compact fluorescent lamps, is approximately equivalent to the incandescent lamp replaced. In addition to reduced power consumption, the compact fluorescent lamps typically have a life several times greater than the life of incandescent lamps.
A different approach to a lighting apparatus is disclosed in the British patent to Schmidt U.S. Pat. No. 878,534. Schmidt is directed to a very specific three-phase lighting apparatus, where each of three lamps (which may be incandescent lamps or mercury vapor lamps) are operated from a different one of the three phases of an electrical supply. As noted in Schmidt, this causes a stroboscopic effect from each individual one of the light sources; but the overall effect from the fixture itself is one of relatively uniform light supply. The Schmidt apparatus comprises a lamp base with three fairly closely spaced sockets in it. The sockets extend outwardly at angles of approximately 45.degree. relative to the vertical; and the lamps are clustered in the center of the fixture, spaced a substantial distance from the reflector which surrounds them.
It is desirable to provide a lighting apparatus which may be directly substituted for high-wattage HID lamp fixtures, or, alternatively, which may be directly substituted for HID lamps as a direct replacement, which provides the advantages of reduced power consumption, which is relatively inexpensive and which produces a lumen output comparable to the high-wattage HID lamps being replaced.


A pulse generation and tracking system for connection to an object or a subject under treatment therewith, the waveform being a train of repetitive complex pulses each pulse comprising a large amplitude, short duration positive polarity portion and a small amplitude, long duration negative polarity portion, and a zero value portion. The prescribed pulse train for a subject is delivered by a delivery device, which also provides monitoring of the averaged voltage amplitude of the positive portion in terms of either voltage or current value. The impedance of the subject is expected to change over time and cause the individual pulses to vary from predetermined limits. When this occurs, then a subsequent generation of pulses will be changed so that the pulses are again delivered within the predetermined value limits or boundary. Tracking and generation can be operationally crossed, if desired, so that a voltage out of boundary will cause the current of a subsequent pulse to be changed or vice versa.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains to the employment of a train of electrical pulses, each pulse having a positive portion of a shape different from its negative portion.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A repetitive pulse train wherein each pulse in the train is regular in shape, such as a spike, a rectangular shape, or a triangular shape, can be generated, measured and utilized in a scientific analysis or other applications using conventional procedures. The root mean square (rms) or average voltage value, similar current value or the like is measurable by conventional meters and standard generators are utilized to apply such pulse trains in scientific study or for some other useful application.
However, not all pulse trains utilize pulses of such waveshape. U.S. Pat. Application Ser. No. 095,009, Malcolm Skolnick et al, filed Sept. 8, 1987, which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes, pertains to the measurement of pulses in a pulse train, wherein in a preferred embodiment each of the pulses have a rectangular positive polarity portion, a rectangular negative polarity portion and a portion of zero value. The amplitude of the positive polarity portion is much larger than the amplitude of the negative polarity portion and, correspondingly, the duration of the negative polarity portion is much longer than the duration of the positive polarity portion. The net charge transferred during an entire pulse delivered to a test object through which the current induced by the pulse is flowing under most conditions is zero but can be set to equal a predetermined constant. The '009 apparatus and method pertain to obtaining a meaningful value for a waveform wherein the net charge delivered by each pulse is zero. The rms or averaged meter value for this pulse is very much different from the average value of either the positive or negative pulse portions.
It is assumed in the '009 apparatus and method that the pulse train subject to measurement is independently generated from the meter used to measure the voltage, current or frequency parameters of the pulses in the train. However, there are many situations where the generation and the monitoring or tracking of the pulse train is a part of the same electronics package. That is, there are one or more predetermined characteristics of the pulses in the pulse train as such pulses are generated that make it possible to track the resulting voltage or current amplitude values, for example, by more direct means than can be accomplished when the generation means and the measuring means are completely separated and independent of one another.
Therefore, it is a feature of the present invention to provide for an improved method of generating and tracking a pulse train of repetitive pulses when the on-set time and the duration of each of said pulses is predetermined.
It is another feature of the present invention to provide an improved method of generating and tracking a pulse train of repetitive pulses by utilizing the average values of the voltage and/or the current for each pulse, which values are developed, in part, from predetermined knowledge of pulse on-set time and duration.
It is still another feature of the present invention to provide for the development of the averaged current and/or voltage value of a pulse in a repetitive pulse train by integration techniques and using one of such values for subsequent control of the same or different current and voltage values in a subsequent pulse.
It is yet another feature of the present invention to provide for the modification of a subsequent pulse from the averaged value of a preceding pulse, even when the pulse is comprised of unevenly shaped positive polarity and negative polarity portions, although the total charge delivered by the combination of the positive and negative pulses taken together as a single pulse complex is set to equal a predetermined value.
It is yet another feature of the present invention to provide for the determination and calibration of the values of operating parameters used in general operation of the system generating and tracking said pulses.
It is still another feature of the present invention to provide for the recognition of conditions when the corrections indicated necessary to modify the pulse amplitude are outside predetermined limits and to report these conditions as error messages.

Pulse generation, parameter determination, and modification system


A display may have a backlight unit with a row of light-emitting diodes that emit light into the edge of a light guide layer. The light guide layer may have opposing upper and lower surfaces. The upper surface of the light guide layer may have ridges and the lower surface of the light guide layer may have bumps. The edge of the light guide layer may have light mixing structures. The light mixing structures may include an alternating pattern of protrusions with different shapes. For example, triangular protrusions of a first size may be patterned with triangular protrusions of a second size. The light mixing structures may reduce the mixing distance of the backlight unit.

This relates generally to electronic devices with displays, and, more particularly, to displays with backlights.
Electronic devices such as computers and cellular telephones have displays. Some displays such as plasma displays and organic light-emitting diode displays have arrays of pixels that generate light. In displays of this type, backlighting is not necessary because the pixels themselves produce light. Other displays contain passive pixels that can alter the amount of light that is transmitted through the display to display information for a user. Passive pixels do not produce light themselves, so it is often desirable to provide backlight for a display with passive pixels.
In a typical backlight assembly for a display, a light guide layer is used to distribute backlight generated by a light source such as a light-emitting diode light source. Optical films such as a diffuser layer and prism films may be placed on top of the light guide layer. A reflector may be formed under the light guide layer to improve backlight efficiency.
A strip of light-emitting diodes may provide light to an edge of a light guide layer. Light from the strip of light-emitting diodes is initially concentrated in the vicinity of the outputs of the light-emitting diodes. The light must travel a sufficient distance into the light guide layer to mix enough to be used as backlight illumination. Backlight units that require large mixing distances may consume more volume within a display than desired.
It would therefore be desirable to be able to provide displays with improved backlights.

Display Backlight with Light Mixing Structures


A data processor which includes at least a central processing unit adapted to execute virtual memory management. The central processing unit internally includes a translation lookaside buffer (TLB) for translating a given virtual address into a corresponding real address. The TLB also generates a distinction signal indicating whether the translated real address designates a main memory or an external input/output device. In response to the distinction signal, a control signal generator outputs a set of input/output control signals for the access of the type designated by the distinction signal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a central processing unit for use in data processors, and more particularly to an input/output control mechanism for central processing units of the pipelined architecture.
2. Description of Related Art
Heretofore, a central processing unit (called "CPU" hereinafter) has been adapted to access to an external input/output device (called "I/O device" hereinafter) by the following two methods: The first method is that when the CPU executes an input/output (I/O) instruction, data is transferred between the CPU and a selected I/O device in accordance with the I/O instruction and a read/write control signal. The second method is a so-called "memory mapped I/O", in which the addresses of I/O devices are allocated to a portion of the address space prepared for a main memory, and when instructions such as read/write instructions and arithmetic and logic instructions are executed, if an address is allocated to an I/O device, data is transferred between the CPU and the indicated I/O device in accordance with a read/write control signal.
In the memory mapped I/O as mentioned above, it is possible to designate not only a main memory but also an I/O device by using operands such as read/write instructions, ordinary arithmetic and logical operation instructions and data transfer instructions. Therefore, this is very effective in elevating the performance and function of microprocessors.
However, the memory mapped I/O has encountered the following problems which have recently been caused by speed-up of processors themselves. In low speed CPUs, it is possible to access both a main memory and I/O devices in similar input/output control manners. But, such access is not possible in high speed CPUs which operate at a clock frequency of not less than 8 MHz. This is true because, a high speed access to a main memory can be realized by adopting new architecture such interleaving, Nibble mode access, and page mode access, and in contrast, the I/O device cannot intrinsically adopt such new architectures. As a result, various differences are caused between the access to the main memory and the access to the I/O devices in the timings such as cycle time and recover time and in the access method, and therefore, the same control system cannot be applied both to the access to the main memory and the access to the I/O devices. Thus, the CPU of the memory mapped I/O system needs additional peripheral circuits in order to overcome the above problems. Namely, the required hardware becomes more complicated.
Specifically, in case that the page mode access is adopted in the CPU, which can designate the operand address by units of a byte, an operand is often bridged over a plurality of pages. In such a case, the CPU has to access to the I/O device in a manner different from that of the access to the memory.
Furthermore, the CPU of the memory mapped I/O system cannot internally discriminate between the main memory space and the I/O space. The CPU does not have the internal capability of interrupting the instruction execution in the course of access to the I/O device and then executing an internal interruption (this is called "I/O access trap function"). The CPU also cannot allow a user to settle a privileged level dedicated for the I/O access (this is called "I/O privileged level designation function"). If the CPU is required to have the above functions, the CPU also needs additional peripheral circuits and special interruption processing functions.
As mentioned above, in the memory mapped I/O system, since a portion of the address space is used as the I/O space, the entire address space cannot be used for the main memory. Therefore, if a large I/O space is reserved, for example, if the I/O space has the same capacity as that of the main memory so that the I/O space and the memory space can be distinguished by the most significant bit of the address, it is sufficient that a small-sized external address decoder is provided for distinguishing between the I/O space and the memory space. In this case, the address decoder itself for such a purpose can be omitted. In this case, however, the main memory becomes too small, and therefore, cannot have a sufficient flexibility or degree of freedom. On the other hand, if only a small I/O space is provided in comparison with the whole of the address space, the utilization efficiency and the degree of freedom in the main memory space and the I/O space are increased, but a large-scaled address decoder is required. In addition, in order to enable the I/O space to be allocated to a voluntary portion of the address space, the address decoder has to be not only large-scaled but also very complicated.
As is apparent from the above description, in the memory mapped I/O system, the proportion of the I/O space to the whole of the address space is in a trade-off relation to the scale of the external address decoder. This is not convenient to the structure of the system.
Moreover, a so-called pipeline architecture is well known as one means for parallel instruction execution which enables one to elevate the performance of the CPU. In this pipelined design, the CPU is ordinarily divided into several units so that respective steps in executing an instruction are carried out in separate units within the CPU to perform the instruction. For example, in an instruction decoding unit, a given instruction is converted into the form which can be directly executed in an instruction execution unit. In an effective address computation unit, thereafter, an effective address (or virtual address) is computed from a displacement value, an index value, a base value, etc., and, the effective address is translated into a real address in an address translation unit, while the second instruction is converted in the instruction decoding unit. Then, a read/write operation to the main memory or the I/O device is controlled in a main memory control unit, and on the other hand, the operation is executed by an instruction execution unit on the basis of the result obtained from the instruction decoding unit. At this time, the third instruction is converted in the instruction decoding unit, and the second instruction is subjected to the address translation.
As seen from the above, the pipelined architecture can be compared to an automobile assembly line. Specifically, an operand reading instruction is executed through the instruction decoding, the effective address computation and address translation, the operand reading, and the instruction execution in the named order. On the other hand, an operand writing instruction is executed through the instruction decoding, the effective address computation and address translation, the instruction execution and the operand writing in the named order. The above mentioned processing steps are actually executed in parallel as shown in FIG. 1 in the pipelined operation. Therefore, the total time of operation is shortened, with the result that the execution time of each instruction is apparently minimized. Accordingly, the CPU can operate at a high speed.
However, as seen from FIG. 1, the operand reading for a reading instruction is often executed prior to the operand writing for a writing instruction, although the writing instruction is given ahead of the reading instruction. On the other hand, when the writing is performed in the I/O device, the status and control of the I/O device are changed, and so, the succeeding reading from the I/O device is changed. As a result, as mentioned above, if the sequence of actual accesses to the I/O device is reversed in comparison with the sequence of I/O instructions to be executed, the control of the I/O device will get out of order.
In this circumstance, there has recently been proposed a CPU provided with a virtual memory management mechanism, which has removed some of problems in memory management. Namely, a voluntary portion of a virtual memory space can be allocated to I/O devices and the remaining portion can be used as a main memory. In addition, it is possible to control the access right to the I/O devices, similarly to the case for the main memory, and also to protect the I/O device from illegal access.
However, if the real address space is of the memory mapped I/O system, problems attributable to the memory mapped I/O system are still present.
For reference, if the virtual memory management is performed in the CPU which does not have the memory mapped I/O system, the CPU can internally distinguished between the main memory access and the I/O access, and therefore, it is possible to obtain the I/O access trap function and the I/O privileged level designation function. However, since the real address space does not include I/O addresses, one cannot designate I/O devices by instruction operands. In addition, the access right to the I/O devices cannot be controlled by the virtual memory management mechanism, and so, flexible protection for I/O devices is difficult to realize.

Data processor which efficiently accesses main memory and input/output devices


A technique is disclosed for creating an ultrastable ring resonator for use in the field of rotation sensing. The thermal characteristics of the ring resonator are controlled by properly choosing a substrate with thermal characteristics which cancel out the optical characteristics of the resonator.

Optical waveguides are used for many purposes including the transmission of optical signals and creation of resonators. Generally the waveguide can be configured in any number of patterns to achieve some predetermined goal. Examples include waveguides configured in closed loop configurations so as to create resonators, waveguides in linear configurations so as to comprise signal transmission mediums as well as waveguides configured to form y-splitters and optical couplers.
As previously mentioned optical waveguides can be configured in a closed loop to form an optical resonator. These optical resonators can then be used in rotation sensing devices. Within the closed loop resonator optical signals are caused to propagate around the closed loop in opposite directions. By measuring and/or combining these counterpropagating optical signs a rotation sensing device is realized.
A problem with all solid state rotation sensing devices is their sensitivity to changes in temperature. Changes in temperature have multiple affects on these solid state devices. Specifically, a change in temperature can cause physical expansion and/or contraction of the devices thus causing a change in the physical size of the waveguide. A change in temperature also affects the index of refraction of the dielectric material. Therefore changes in temperature have a dual affect on the optical waveguides.
Changes in physical size and optical index of refraction adversely affect the performance and operation of the optical waveguides. For use in rotation sensing, a waveguide configured as a ring resonator must be thermally stable since the resonant frequency must remain constant. Changes in resonant frequency due to effects other than rotation of the device adversely affects the operation of the rotation sensing device. Furthermore, since the optical signals which are being used to detect rotation are of a very high frequency, even small variations in size will affect the optical signals and subsequently reduce the accuracy and sensitivity of the rotation sensing device.

Technique for making ultrastable ring resonators and lasers