A portable dispensing device is provided having a container configured to be moved to a plurality of locations. An access point at an opening of the container controls access into and out of the container. A scale is coupled to a bin within the container and is configured to measure a weight of the bin and contents of the bin. A computing device is in electrical communication with the access point and the scale and configured to allow or deny access to the container as well as receive the measured weight from the scale to determine a number of items in the bin. The computing device further associates an item removed from the bin with the individual or credits an item returned to the bin with the individual when the individual exits the container.

Companies typically have difficulties tracking inventory items and their usage within their facilities. Many inventory items are misused, misplaced, and improperly tracked and replenished by the employees of the companies. Therefore, companies have incentives to track the items, hold employees responsible for missing items, properly account costs, and replenish the missing items based on demand. Typically items of the inventory are kept in a controlled space that is monitored. Some companies have used locking doors with keypads that allow only employees with authorized code to enter the controlled space. In addition, computers and bar code tags have been used to track the items in and out of the controlled space. However, these systems still lack tracking information, cost accounting information, security methods, and replenishment information in the process of tracking and monitoring the items stored in the controlled space and linking the responsible employee with the items being taken in and out of the controlled space.
Many industrial plants utilize one centralized location or facility to house their inventory of consumables, expendable items, indirect material, and maintenance, repair and operating ("MRO"). Typically, the average plant will include multiple facilities with multiple floors. This poses a multitude of challenges and inefficiencies. Significant loss in personnel productivity may be realized as a result of the following: extended line queue/bottlenecks at the central warehouse, extended trip time "to" and "from" the central warehouse, liability/risk associated when not providing safety items (personal protection equipment "PPE") in close proximity to work areas.
Many industrial plants operate with shifts around the clock and are open seven days a week, but do not have the resources to supervise their store/stock rooms on every shift. For example, second and third shift distribution and tracking of usage may be greatly reduced. Some plants shift the responsibilities to floor supervisors, which many times leads to open stock environments. Open stock environments, where inventory exists in an open or unsecured environment, lack accountability and traceability. Any semblance of inventory control and accountability is marginalized as a result of the lack of control during these non-peak hours. As such, over consuming, waste, and loss are common occurrences. Additionally, there is no process to track inventory levels or identify times for replenishment. Thus, purchasing the right items at the right time becomes a daunting task.
Lack of warehouse space is another common issue or challenge encountered by industrial plants. Some industrial plants compensate for limited storage or inventory space within their centralized store room and throughout the plant by constructing a satellite or secondary facility. However, many times this is not a viable option, even though the supplemental inventory is required throughout various areas of the plant.
In-plant suppliers and other vendors face additional challenges, which may include costs associated with remotely managing inventory located at plant and/or customer sites. These challenges include an inability to remotely monitor inventory levels of product at a customer site as well as a lack of automation tools to predict customer order replenishment. Contemporary processes for these vendors are generally entirely reactive. Documentation is typically manual and consists of redundant data entry. Additional inefficiencies and costs are associated with routinely sending representatives on-site to conduct physical counts of inventory. These onsite visits contribute to increased fuel costs, additional manpower requirements to conduct services, and loss of productivity (process is very time consuming). The inability to electronically track activity of consignment inventory may also produce increased administrative cost (invoicing, etc.) plus shipping, receiving, and carrying cost. Vendors may also experience limited security of consignment inventory as well as limited protection of inventory from potentially severe environmental conditions. Shelve or storage space at customer's site may also be limited.
The problem escalates when outside of a controlled environment such as a facility. Jobsite and yard equipment theft is significant with industry loss estimates up to one billion dollars annually, according to a 2003 National Equipment Register study. Tool tracking and management systems provide one level of security, but a large percentage of theft includes tools disappearing from jobsites or yards at the end of the workday. Some contemporary solutions to this problem include security portals designed for gate entrances and exits and activated by special electronic article surveillance ("EAS") security tags. Similar to retail environments, in practice, the portal sounds an alarm when an EAS tagged tool passes through it, alerting jobsite security and management to a problem. Portals are designed to attach to any fence or gate system for a secure entry and exit point. However, these solutions still lack the tracking and access control that is beneficial on a jobsite or in a yard with combinations of employees and contractors, as well as ease and portability of the secured area.
Additionally, many of the same challenges encountered by the plant internally are comparable to that of contractor, vendor, and rental suppliers. Limited resources, manual control procedures and documentation, limited space and locations all contribute to inventory shrinkage, lost productivity, potential safety issues and project delays. Many consumable and tool suppliers do not have the proper on-site storage facilities available to manage their inventory. Instead, they provide minimal security to their temporary supply depots, which leads to inaccuracies in accounting for job costing.
Therefore there is a need in the art for a system, apparatus and method that monitors and tracks items stored in a controlled space, which is conveniently portable throughout an industrial plant or outdoor location.


The invention disclosed a kind of lactobacillus casei Bd-II, the accession number of the deposit of which is CGMCC NO.0849, and also disclosed a use of it for reducing blood lipid level. Further, a composition for reducing blood lipid level containing it and an acceptable carrier is disclosed. The carrier can be skimmed milk.

There are a lot of beneficial microbial populations in the intestinal tracts of human beings and animals as well as in the traditional fermented food etc., playing important physiological roles in digestion & absorption of nutrition, body growth & development, immunity & antagonism and so on. In recent years, microecologists have found that probiotics community such as lactobacillus, bifidobacterium and enterococcus etc. are directly related to the metabolism of cholesterol. Many researches performed in-vitro and in-vivo abroad have substantiated that some probiotic lactobacillus can lower serum cholesterol level of human beings and animals. However, lots of such bacterial resources in Chinese traditional food, which have not yet discovered by western scientists, need to be exploited further.


The present invention relates to a pyridinium-based compound of chemical formula 1, an epoxy resin composition comprising the same, and an apparatus manufactured by using the same.

Due to advantages such as low cost and suitability for mass production, transfer molding is widely used as a method of packaging semiconductor devices, such as integrated circuits (ICs) and large scale integration (LSI) chips, with epoxy resin compositions. In transfer molding, modification of epoxy resins or phenol resins as curing agents can lead to improvements in the characteristics and reliability of semiconductor devices. Such epoxy resin compositions include an epoxy resin, a curing agent, a curing catalyst, and the like.
Although imidazole catalysts and amine catalysts have generally been utilized as the curing catalyst, these catalysts exhibit a curing acceleration effect at low temperature. For example, when an epoxy resin is mixed with other components before curing, the epoxy resin composition is partially cured by heat generated from the mixture system or externally applied heat, and, after completion of mixing, the epoxy resin composition can be further cured during storage at room temperature. Such partial curing can cause the epoxy resin composition to exhibit reduction in viscosity and deterioration in fluidity. In addition, since such state change is not uniform within the epoxy resin composition, the composition is subject to local curing variation. This can cause deterioration in mechanical, electrical and chemical properties of a molded article in manufacture of the molded article from the thermosetting epoxy resin composition through curing at high temperature. Accordingly, since use of the curing accelerator requires precise control of mixing time of each component and strict management of storage at low temperature, transportation, and molding conditions, the epoxy resin composition becomes difficult to handle. Further, if the composition is curable at a wide temperature range, this can cause deterioration in productivity and processability.
In the related art, Korean Patent Publication No. 10-0290448 discloses an epoxy resin curing catalyst which is a carboxylate of a bicyclic amidine.

Pyridiniuivi-based compound, epoxy resin composition comprising same, and apparatus manufactured using same


A system for use in borehole completion is provided and includes a perforating sub, a firing sub having a first port and an interior and including a firing assembly disposable within the interior and operably coupled to the perforating sub and a drilling fluid barrier, which is formed with a second port and is displaceable toward a position at which the first and second ports align to form a fluid path through the interior that is sufficiently pressurizable to actuate the firing assembly, a drop plug selectively engageable with the drilling fluid barrier to enable displacement thereof to the position in response to applied pressures and an isolation sub, into which the drop plug is receivable following disengagement thereof from the drilling fluid barrier.

Perforation is well known in the downhole drilling and completion industry. Those of skill in the art are well familiar with "serf guns" that are run into a borehole to a selected depth and actuated to apply the energy of one or more shaped charges to perforate a casing or liner installed in the borehole.
Commonly, perforation guns use electrical signals from the surface to fire the guns. Alternative technologies allow the guns to be run by way of a mechanism on the gun that arms the charges upon reaching a selected temperature and/or pressure within the borehole. A timer can be added to fire them following a set interval. Perforation provides access to the formation for either production or treatment including frac treatments.


Methods and apparatus provide enhanced 911 (E911) services for nomadic users are disclosed. An example method comprises receiving an Internet protocol (IP) address associated with a voice over internet protocol (VoIP) device and a media access control (MAC) address associated with the VoIP device, detecting when the VoIP device is outside an access network based on the MAC address and the IP address, prompting a user of the VoIP device to provide geographic location information for the VoIP device when the VoIP device is outside the access network, and updating enhanced 911 (E911) information for the VoIP device based on the geographic location information.

Internet protocol-enabled telecommunication providers in the United States are required by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to support enhanced 911 (E911) emergency call services. That is, when a telephone user dials 9-1-1, the telecommunication carrier must be able to process the call to determine the geographic location from where the call originated to enable dispatching of emergency personnel to the location of the 911 caller. Enhanced 911 service differs from traditional (e.g., non-enhanced) 911 service in that E911 service routes an emergency call to a 911 dispatcher and provides the dispatcher with the geographic location (e.g., street address) from which the call was originated. While traditional 911 services route an emergency call to a 911 dispatcher, it does so without providing the dispatcher with geographic location information indicating where the call originated.
In traditional public switched telephone networks (PSTN), the geographic information retrieval support for E911 is implemented via fixed associations of wire line telephone numbers to geographic street addresses. Telecommunication providers usually store a subscriber's location (e.g., a street address) in a database associated with an assigned telephone number (e.g., a call back number (CBN)) during the service activation. When a PSTN user makes a 911 call, the telephone number of the caller making the 911 call (i.e., the CBN) can be used to look up the geographic location of the caller, and the retrieved location information can be used to dispatch emergency personnel to the caller.
The introduction of voice over IP (VoIP) technology introduces various challenges to service providers seeking to support E911 services. In particular, under a nomadic service (e.g., a service that allows a subscriber to connect a VoIP telephone at various network locations), a VoIP subscriber can easily disconnect a VoIP telephone from one location (e.g., the subscriber's home and/or workplace), connect the VoIP telephone in another location (e.g., a visited local area network (LAN), a coffee shop, a vacation spot, etc.), and register the VoIP telephone with the VoIP service provider to enable the subscriber to place telephone calls from the other location. This nomadic capability of VoIP phones introduces the potential for inaccurate associations between telephone numbers and physical and/or geographic locations.

Methods and apparatus to provide enhanced 911 (E911) services for nomadic users


A steering mechanism for a sugarcane harvester having pivotable forward frame sections and a pivotal topper assembly for maneuverability. The steering mechanism includes arms extending from the respective frame sections and topper assembly. Steering links pivotally interconnect the arms in a way that the topper steering arm is sandwiched between a pair of links. An eccentric pivotal connection between the topper steering arm and the links is provided to accommodate the change in radius. Actuators connect to the links to provide movement of the steering arms.

The sugarcane harvester has wide application worldwide in the mechanized harvesting of sugarcane. In many applications, the sugarcane farm is of relatively small size, particularly in the third world. With such a small size acreage and tightly spaced crops, maneuverability of the sugarcane harvester at the ends of the row becomes particularly important. This maneuverability is made even more critical by the use of a topper mechanism that extends substantially from the main frame of the harvester forward down the row to cut off the top of the sugarcane at an appropriate length to enable subsequent cutting and processing of the stalk. Because the topper mechanism extends significantly beyond the front of the harvester, the maneuverability of prior art sugarcane harvesters with fixed topper booms is extremely limited.
It has been proposed to have a sugarcane harvester with a topper mechanism that pivots with adjacent crop dividers to provide significantly increased maneuverability when approaching the beginning of a crop row. This has proved significantly advantageous in small acreage sugarcane plots and greatly increases the utility and usefulness of the sugarcane harvester. Such mechanism includes a single actuator mounted on the outboard section of the harvester to drive the pivot levers for the topper mechanism and the crop divider frame sections. This arrangement provides effective pivoting of the mechanism but has a difference in force applied depending upon the direction of the turn owing to the differential surface area in the hydraulic actuator used to power such devices. Furthermore, the actuator is on an outboard section that could be exposed to crop material.
Therefore, what is needed in the art is a mechanism that provides uniform steering, force, and protection of the steering elements.

Steering mechanism for a sugarcane harvester


The interconnection topology of a serial data communications bus allows for efficient communications within a wireless communications network. A wide-area wireless mobile communications system comprises a MSC connected to a plurality of base stations via a serial communications bus and a first serial port having a first connection order. Each base station also connects to the serial communications bus via a second serial port having an opposite connection order. In one mode, the MSC communicates with each base station over the serial bus through the first serial port. In a second mode, each base station can communicate directly with any other base station over the serial bus, with one base station utilizing the first serial port, and the other base station utilizing the second serial port. The invention is also applicable to a limited-area wireless communications system.

The wireless telecommunications industry has experienced phenomenal growth in recent years, particularly in the area of cellular telephone communications. This growth has led to a saturation of existing base station capacity in some areas. The growth in usage has also resulted in a shift in typical calling patterns of mobile telephone users. Initially, cellular telephones were primarily used to maintain communications by individuals whose jobs required mobility and those who were on-call during times that they were away from an office. Thus, the primary usage pattern was establishing a connection between a mobile cellular telephone and a fixed office within the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). As cellular telephones have became ubiquitous, and particularly as ever-increasing sophistication has evolved the cellular telephone from a purely communications device to a multi-function mobile terminal, many people have adopted the mobile terminal as their primary vehicle for telecommunications. These people are as likely to use their mobile terminal to dial another mobile terminal as to dial a telephone within the PSTN. Hence, mobile-to-mobile communications comprise a large and increasing fraction of the cellular telephony bandwidth, bypassing the PSTN altogether.
To accommodate the burgeoning volume and emerging patterns of mobile-to-mobile wireless communications, a need exists for communications techniques that make maximum, efficient use of existing equipment bandwidth, within the confines of the existing infrastructure.
In one embodiment, the present invention comprises a wide area wireless mobile communications system with inter-base station communications capability. A Mobile Switching Center (MSC) having a serial port interface is operatively connected to a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). A serial communications bus, such as a T1 or E1 line, connects the MSC to a plurality of base stations via a first serial port having a first interconnection order at each base station. Each base station also connects to the serial communications bus via a second serial port having a second, opposite interconnection order. In a first communications mode, the MSC communicates with each base station over the serial communications bus through the base station""s first serial port. In a second communications mode, each base station can communicate with any other base station over the serial communications bus, without intervention of the MSC, with one base station utilizing the first serial port, and the other base station utilizing the second serial port.
In another embodiment, the present invention comprises a limited-area wireless mobile communications system with inter-radio head communications capability. A serial communications bus, such as a T1 or E1 line, connects a Control Radio Interface (CRI) to a plurality of radio heads via a first serial port having a first interconnection order at each radio head. In a first communications mode, the CRI communicates with each radio head across the serial communications bus through the first serial port of each radio head. Each radio head also connects to the serial communications bus via a second serial port having a second interconnection order, opposite that of the first serial port. In a second communications mode, each radio head can communicate with any other radio head over the serial communications bus, without intervention of the CRI, with one radio head utilizing the first serial port, and the other radio head utilizing the second serial port.

Method to enable to peer device communication over bi-directional serial bus


Various embodiments provide systems and methods for aiding a monitored individual with monitoring compliance.

Various embodiments provide systems and methods for aiding a monitored individual with monitoring compliance.
Large numbers of individuals are currently monitored as part of parole requirements or other requirements. Such monitoring allows a monitoring agency to determine whether the individual is engaging in acceptable patterns of behavior, and where an unacceptable behavior is identified to stop such behavior going forward.
Thus, there exists a need in the art for more advanced approaches, devices and systems for monitoring.

Systems and methods for hybrid non-exclusion zone violating route determination


An epoxy resin is provided which can be described by the formula ##STR1## in which Ar is an aromatic moiety, L is a divalent cyclohexanen or bornane linking moiety, L' is a divalent cycloaliphatic moiety, Gly is a glycidyl ether group, and each of m and n is a number within the range of 0 to about 10. Such epoxy resins include the product of glycidation of the product of the addition reaction of a phenol and a cyclohexenenorbornene compound such as 5-(3-cyclohexen-1-yl)bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene. The resulting epoxy resins have low melt viscosity and low water absorbance in the cured state and are useful as the resinous component of high-performance electrical laminating and encapsulation formulations.

This invention relates to novel thermosettable epoxy resins.
Epoxy resins are a class of thermosettable materials having wide application in structural, coating and electronic applications. For high-performance electronic applications, such as circuit boards for high-speed computers, epoxy resins having increasingly low melt viscosity (for ease and speed of processing during the prepregging stage of electrical lamination preparation) and low water absorbance in the cured state are required.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an epoxy resin having low melt viscosity and low water absorption in the cured state.

Cyclohexanenorbornane epoxy resin with curing agent


Composite Ni particles each having a silica coat is improved in oxidation resistance and heat shrink characteristics. A method of preparing composite Ni particles by using an organic Ni composite includes steps of: stirring and heating a nickel salt solution and a raw material of silica coat at a temperature ranging 25° C. to 80° C. for 0.5 hours to 2 hours; filtering, cleaning and drying a resultant product into an organic nickel composite; and thermally treating the organic nickel composite at a temperature ranging from 200° C. to 500° C. for 0.5 hours to 4 hours. The resultant composite Ni particles have excellent oxidation resistance and heat shrink characteristics.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to composite nickel particles each having a silica coat formed on a nickel (Ni) core, and more particularly, composite Ni particles each having a silica coat improved in oxidation resistance and heat shrink characteristics and a method of preparing composite Ni particles by using an organic Ni composite.
2. Description of the Related Art
A multilayer ceramic capacitor (MLCC) is fabricated by alternatingly laminating dielectric material layers and internal electrode layers one atop another, bonding the laminated structure of layers together by compression, and densifying the laminated structure by hot firing. In the MLCC, the internal electrodes are fabricated generally by forming metal paste from fine metal powder, printing the metal powder on ceramic dielectric sheets, stacking a plurality of the printed dielectric sheets one atop another, heating and compressing the stack of the printed dielectric sheets, and curing the resultant structure in a reducing atmosphere. The internal electrodes have been made conventionally by noble metals such as platinum (Pt) and palladium (Pd). Recently, however, technologies of using base metals such as Ni have been researched and developed.
In fabrication of an MLCC, firing temperature is different according to the composition of a ceramic dielectric material but typically from 1000° C. to 1400° C. for barium titanate (BaTiO3) based dielectric material. However, Ni metal powder when used for the internal electrode material is subject to rapid heat shrink at a temperature from 400° C. to 500° C. which is much lower than the firing temperature. The Ni metal powder used as the internal electrode material is apt to create defects such as delamination and cracks in the firing due to heat shrink difference between ceramic dielectric material and Ni metal powder.
Accordingly, in order to prevent delamination or cracks in the firing, it is preferred to shift rapid heat shrink starting temperature of the Ni metal powder toward a high temperature range to lower heat shrinkage so that the Ni metal powder can have a heat shrink behavior as similar as possible to that of the ceramic dielectric material.
In addition, in a case where a ceramic dielectric material is fired in contact with a metal, the metal is generally oxidized and a resultant oxide has a diffusion coefficient higher than that of the ceramic dielectric material. Thus, at grain boundaries, diffusion easily takes place from a metal oxide of a higher diffusion coefficient into ceramics of a lower diffusion coefficient. Accordingly, in a case where typical paste of Ni metal powder is used, fine particles of Ni metal are oxidized and resultant Ni oxides are diffused into ceramic dielectric layers. As a result, the internal electrodes are destroyed partially or internally defected and ferrites formed damage dielectric characteristics of a portion of the ceramic dielectric material. Accordingly, in order to fabricate a miniature and slim MLCC having ceramic dielectric layers and internal electrode layers without having to damage dielectric characteristics and electric properties, it is preferred for the Ni powder of the internal electrodes to have excellent oxidation resistance.
To reduce heat shrinkage of the Ni metal powder and shift shrink and oxidation starting temperatures to a higher temperature range, several conventional approaches have been proposed, in which oxygen content of the Ni powder is reduced or an oxide coat was formed on the surface of the Ni powder.
Examples of oxides for coating the Ni powder may include single oxides such as TiO2, SiO2, MgO and Al2O3 and composite oxides such as BaTiO3, SrTiO3, Ba1-xCaxTiO3, BaTi1-xZrxO3. Methods of coating the Ni powder may include a spray pyrolysis method (U.S. Pat. No. 6,007,743), a dry mechanical-chemical mixing method (Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 1999-343501) and the like.
In the spray pyrolysis method, it is possible to fabricate Ni powder containing a composite oxide by spraying a solution containing a thermally decomposable compound and a Ni precursor into droplets and thermally decomposing the droplets. However, in the spray pyrolysis method, oxides are formed not only on the surfaces of Ni particles but also inside the Ni particles. Then, the oxides may reside as impurities after the formation of electrodes. On the other hand, in case of oxide-coated Ni powder prepared by the dry mechanical-chemical mixing method, oxide coats do not strongly adhere to the surfaces of Ni particles and thus may be separated from the Ni particles in manufacturing of paste. This makes it difficult to sufficiently prevent heat shrink of the Ni powder in firing and weak oxidation resistance may permit oxidized Ni powder to diffuse into dielectric layers.
In addition, as disclosed Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2005-163142, a silicon compound and —OH group on metal forms a silica coat on metal by condensation. Korean Patent Application Publication No. 1999-88656 discloses a method of directly attaching to metal particles by adjusting pH. However, while Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2005-163142 and Korean Patent Application Publication No. 1999-88656 relate to oxide coating of for example silica on the surface of previously prepared Ni metal particles, the present invention pertains to silica coated on the surface of Ni particles simultaneously with the formation of the Ni particles. That is, in the present invention, metal particles and silica coats are formed in one-step process, which is basically different from the two prior arts.
While Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2005-163142 discloses silica coating by using a silane coupling agent, coordinate bond by using a silane coupling agent of the invention as a raw material of a silica coat is not disclosed therein. Furthermore, since examples are limited generally to copper (Cu), the thickness of the silica coat is not easily controlled and secondary particles of silica are produced in case of silica coating by using TEOS.
Korean Patent Application Publication No. 1999-88656 pertains to a method of coating oxide on metal surface through a typical aqueous reaction, which is basically different from a method of the present invention in which a heated silane coupling agent forms a silica coat by condensation. In addition, Korean Patent Application Publication No. 1999-88656 does not use the silane coupling agent as a raw material of the coat. In this prior art, an oxide layer of fine crystal can be rarely formed and weak bonding force between the coat and the Ni particles restrict oxidation resistance and shrink characteristics.
Accordingly, there are demands for a method of preparing a composite Ni powder having a silica coat which is free from the above-mentioned technical problems, has excellent oxidation resistance and heat shrink characteristics similar to those of a ceramic dielectric material, thereby preventing defects such as delamination and cracks, and thus can be used an internal electrode material in fabrication of an MLCC.

Method of preparing composite nickel particles


An N-M tomography system comprising: a carrier for the subject of an examination procedure; a plurality of detector heads; a carrier for the detector heads; and a detector positioning arrangement operable to position the detector heads during performance of a scan without interference or collision between adjacent detector heads to establish a variable bore size and configuration for the examination. Additionally, collimated detectors providing variable spatial resolution for SPECT imaging and which can also be used for PET imaging, whereby one set of detectors can be selectably used for either modality, or for both simultaneously.

In General:
Systems and methods for medical imaging based on detection of particles emitted by decay of radioactive tracer compounds injected into the bloodstream of a subject have become important diagnostic and research tools, for example, in the fields of cardiology, oncology, and neurology, as well in pre-clinical (e.g., small-animal) studies.
There are two major types of such imaging systems, single photon emission tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET). SPECT and PET systems both rely on detection of gamma-ray photons resulting from decay of radio-isotopes, the concentration of which in tissues is indicative of metabolic or other processes within the tissues. For example, tumors are characterized by high metabolic activity and therefore high uptake of the tracer compound, and correspondingly, higher gamma photon emission, while normal tissue exhibits relatively lower metabolic activity and therefore lower uptake of the tracer compound and lower photon emission.
Emission data is obtained at multiple positions around and along the region of interest (ROI) to produce data representing a succession of 2D images or projections which are then converted by use of suitable computerized image reconstruction algorithms into 3D images.
FIG. 1A illustrates schematically major external features of an exemplary N-M tomography system, generally designated at 10. The illustration is broadly representative of the major external features of both conventional SPECT and PET systems, and of some embodiments of the present invention.
System 10 is comprised of a gantry 12 mounted in a stationary frame 14, and a patient carrier 16 including a patient bed arranged to move vertically within the gantry, and axially through the gantry on a track 19. In some installations, patient carrier 16 is stationary, and gantry 12 is axially moveable along the patient carrier.
In conventional SPECT systems, gantry 12 is a ring-like structure arranged to rotate in frame 14 around an axis that runs along the length of the patient carrier 16. (For convenience, this will be referred to herein as the "system axis" or the "patient axis".) The emission detectors in SPECT systems, or "cameras" as they are usually referred to, are typically comprised of a small number, for example, one to four detector units configured as flat plates, sometimes square and sometimes rectangular, extending longitudinally in the direction of the system axis, i.e., into the plane of FIGS. 1A-1B. When two detector units are used, they are often positioned 90 degrees apart on the gantry.
Relative axial movement between the gantry and the patient bed produces the succession of 2D emission projections from which the 3D images are reconstructed. After reconstruction, a "slice" corresponding to an axial position may be selected.
FIG. 1B shows another SPECT system configuration that is particularly useful for cardiac studies of various kinds. The device, generally denoted at 20 employs an adjustable chair 22 as the patient carrier. The detectors are located in a housing 24 moveably attached to a main system housing 26.
The detector housing 24 is generally L-shaped, and the detectors shown by dash lines 28 extend transversely to the housing and generally along the patient axis in an arc around the patient's torso.
A SPECT system configured as illustrated is available commercially at the time of filing of this application from the applicant hereof under the name D-Spect®.
As noted above, the external features of conventional PET systems are similar to those of conventional SPECT systems as illustrated in FIG. 1A. However, the detector heads of a PET system are typically mounted on a non-rotating gantry ring surrounding the patient bed. In typical commercial installations, the gantry ring is fully populated by a large number of closely spaced detectors, each comprised of one or more individual detector elements having small areas, to provide 360 degree coverage around an ROI. PET detectors typically do not include collimators.
Other configurations have also been proposed. U.S. Pat. No. 6,137,109 pertains to SPECT and positron coincidence detection (PET) systems having a small number of detector heads, e.g., two or three, arranged in a polygonal configuration around a gantry. Provision is made for the detector heads to be moved radially toward the patient examination area and tangentially on the gantry to preset the bore size, before an examination is performed.
Cherry, et al., Physics in Nuclear Medicine, Third Ed. p. 346, shows a PET system having a gantry ring partially populated by a small number of detector heads arranged in a uniformly or non-uniformly spaced relationship on the ring. In such constructions, to obtain data needed for full image reconstruction, i.e., to provide full 360 degree coverage, the gantry must be rotated to a succession of angular positions. However, a typical gantry installation including detector head positioning mechanisms can weigh hundreds of kilograms, and repositioning the gantry between images can require several minutes. This can be a significant factor in the time required for a scan. Possibly due to the lower efficiency and prolonged acquisition time, fixed-diameter rotating-only partly populated gantries have not been adopted commercially.
A PET installation also generally includes a cyclotron (not shown) which is needed for production of the isotopes used as tracers on site, or at a nearby facility. These isotopes have very short half-lives, i.e. they decay quite rapidly, and often cannot practically be used if produced off-site at a distant facility.
Some Differences Between PET and SPECT Systems and Methods:
SPECT and PET systems are structurally and functionally different in several important respects, and have generally different advantages and limitations.
Basic Physics:
In PET imaging, as a radioactive isotope of the tracer undergoes decay, it emits a positron, an antiparticle of the electron with opposite charge. The emitted positron travels in tissue for a short distance (typically about 1 mm), losing energy as it travels, to a point where it can interact with an electron. The interaction annihilates both the electron and the positron, producing a pair of gamma ray photons having energies of (typically) 511 KeV that move in approximately opposite directions. These high energy photons are detected as a "paired event" (often referred to as "coincidence") by an opposed pair of detectors. Signals from the detectors are collected and temporally correlated to find such pairs and used to generate or reconstruct the 3D images.
For SPECT imaging, radioactive decay of the tracer isotope results in emission of single gamma-ray photons without the intermediate step of positron-electron annihilation. These photons typically have energies in the range of about 40-245 KeV, and are detected as singular events.Radiotracers:
Isotopes used in PET imaging typically have short half-lives (i.e., exhibit rapid decay). Examples include carbon-11 (approximately 20 min half-life), nitrogen-13 (approximately 10 min), oxygen-15 (approximately 2 min), fluorine-18 (approximately 110 min), or rubidum-82 (approximately 1.27 min) The most commonly used radiotracer in PET imaging is fluorodeoxyglucose (also called FDG or fludeoxyglucose), an analogue of glucose labeled with fluorine-18.
For SPECT imaging, the radioisotopes can be a simple soluble dissolved ion, such as a radioisotope of gallium. Alternatively, and most commonly, a marker radioisotope is attached to another compound which is of interest for its ability to bind in a medically interesting way to tissue under investigation.
Typical tracers used in SPECT imaging include technetium-99m1 (the most commonly used), iodine-123, or iodine 131, or indium-111. These isotopes are heavier than those used in PET and exhibit half-lives measured in hours or even days.
As noted above, cells exhibiting high metabolic activity, for example, cancer cells, typically strongly absorb the radioisotope. In both PET and SPECT imaging, the intensity of the gamma-ray emission provides a measure of concentration in the tissue.
Detectors:
Since both PET and SPECT imaging involve detection of gamma photons, both can utilize detectors that function by the same basic operating principle. The original SPECT detector was the so-called "Anger Camera" (named after its inventor) developed in the 1950's, and while the technology has evolved over time, detectors employing the operating principle of the Anger camera are still used in the majority of commercial SPECT installations.
FIG. 2A shows schematically the construction of an Anger Camera as configured for SPECT imaging, generally designated at 30. Camera 30 is comprised of a detector element 32, usually formed of a thallium-doped sodium iodide (NaI:Tl) crystal optically coupled to an array of photomultipliers (PMT) 34 positioned behind detector element 32. Typically, there are 30-60 or more PMTs depending on the sizes of the detector and the PMTs, arranged in a square or rectangular array.
NaI:Tl crystal 32 functions as a scintillator to convert gamma-ray emissions from a radioactive tracer that has been injected into the blood stream of a subject 36 to visible or near ultraviolet light pulses. PMTs 34 convert the light pulses produced by crystal 32 into electrical output signals which are provided to a computer 38 programmed according to a desired algorithm to reconstruct a succession of 2D slice images into an ultimate 3D image. The 3D image is then stored electronically and/or provided to a visual display unit 40.
Many or all of PMTs 34 simultaneously detect the (presumed) same flash of light to varying degrees, at intensities generally depending on their position relative to the actual emission event. In conventional practice, spatial information about the locations of the gamma photon emissions is obtained by placing a collimator 42 in front of the detection crystal/PMT array. The collimator consists of a thick sheet of lead, typically 1-3 inches thick, with thousands of adjacent holes through it which limits the direction from which the photons can reach crystal 32. The holes are sometimes defined by septa, which block radiation at other directions. In some cases, the collimator is a machined metal plate.
SPECT cameras and especially Anger-type SPECT cameras, use collimators to ensure that photons striking the detectors do so at a relatively narrow range of angles. However, the collimator absorbs a substantial percentage of the incident photons. This limits the sensitivity of the camera system, thereby increasing the time required to obtain sufficient data for a good image. Other methods of image localization, for example, different collimator configurations, and other scintillation detector materials have been proposed but the classic Anger camera still dominates in commercial use. Compton cameras do not use a collimator for detecting the direction, instead scattering of the gamma ray from one set of detectors is detected by a second set of detectors and the path of the gamma ray reconstructed therefrom.
Also known are direct conversion semiconductors that respond directly to gamma-ray photons to produce electrical output signals, thus eliminating the need for the PMTs. Silicon-based devices, sometimes referred to as silicon photomultipliers (or SiPMs) are described in Roncali et al., Application of Silicon Photomultipliers to Positron Emission Tomography, Ann Biomed Eng. 2011 April; 39(4): 1358-1377, the content of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety herein. One example of direct conversion detectors are detectors formed of cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) or other materials.
FIG. 2B is a block diagram that illustrates schematically major electronic features of an exemplary conventional PET system, generally designated at 50. Illustrative system 50 includes a detector signal input unit 52 which receives and pre-processes the signal outputs of the detector heads received over a set of signal paths 54, As will be understood, for PET scans, a main function of input unit 54 is to perform coincidence detection of paired signals. As will also be understood, for SPECT imaging, the detector head outputs are processed without the need for coincidence detection.
Output signals from Input Unit 22 are provided to an Image Reconstruction Unit 56, typically a suitably programmed microprocessor-based system, by which the 3D images of the ROIs are created from the detected photon patterns.
The reconstructed images are provided to a display sub-system 58, typically including a user interface, e.g., a keyboard and mouse or other input device (not shown) and a display unit 58.
The operation of the system of FIG. 2B is controlled by a system controller 30, which is typically comprised of a suitably programmed microprocessor, possibly the same one that performs image reconstruction.
As mentioned above, PET imaging relies on coincidence detection of two oppositely traveling photons, and therefore different detector configurations are conventionally used for PET and SPECT imaging. One notable difference is that collimators are not needed for PET imaging since the required spatial resolution results from the coincidence detection process. The absence of a collimator also results in improved sensitivity.
Correspondingly, different image reconstruction algorithms are used for PET and SPECT imaging. One PET image reconstruction algorithm known to those skilled in the art include ML-EM algorithm. Among SPECT image reconstruction algorithms known to those skilled in the art are iterative reconstruction and back projection.
Possibly relevant discussions of PET detector technology may be found in Lewellen, Recent Developments in PET Detector Technology, Physics in Medicine and Biology, 53(2008) R-287-317, 11 Aug. 2008. Other discussions possibly relevant to PET technology may be found in Cherry, et al., supra.
A comprehensive survey of SPECT detector technology may be found in Petersen and Furenlid, SPECT detectors: the Anger Camera and Beyond, Physics in Medicine and Biology, 56(2011) R-145-182, 9 Aug. 2011 and in Cherry, et al., supra.
The contents of each of these documents are incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth.
Both conventional PET and SPECT systems are widely used in the fields of oncology and neurology, while SPECT systems are commonly used in cardiology, bone scan imagining, and pre-clinical studies. Another factor relevant to choice of one or the other modality is availability of the isotopes and tracers. Tc-99m is very commonly available for SPECT while F-18 is commonly available for PET.
Each modality is commonly accepted to have certain advantages and limitations. For example, PET systems have historically provided better spatial resolution and faster examination, but are generally much more expensive than SPECT systems, mainly due to the large number of detector elements needed to fully populate the gantry, and the complex coincidence circuitry, but also partially due to the fact that the cyclotron itself is costly and requires high-level technical support.
SPECT systems yield good results for many general purpose applications, including in the fields of cardiology and small-animal pre-clinical imaging. For example, because the gantry rotates during a scan, obtaining full 180 degree coverage may be easier. However, despite technological advances, conventional SPECT systems still provide lower resolution images than PET systems, and consequently, the SPECT images are generally less detailed than PET images due at least in part to scatter and attenuation of the lower energy of the photons. A SPECT scan also typically takes longer than a PET scan, and requires a patient not to move for a longer time, or even to be immobilized and limits the ability to visualize rapid functional changes. Also, the PET tracers' high energy of the photons results in spatial resolution that is less dependent on distance to the ROI.
Further, since SPECT detectors generally require collimators, there is an inherent tradeoff between resolution and sensitivity.
Another limitation of conventional N-M tomography systems, especially PET systems, is that reducing the number of detector heads to avoid the high cost of fully populating the gantry ring as in U.S. Pat. No. 6,137,109 and in Cherry et al. mentioned above sometimes results in reduced spatial resolution and/or longer scan times for scans of small ROIs in systems having a bore size large enough to accommodate obese patients. This limitation is often addressed by the purchase of separate systems for examining patients of large girth and for examining small ROIs.
Yet a further issue concerns the high initial cost of an N-M tomography system. Often, a customer has a limited budget or limited needs which results in purchase of a system having limited capability. For example, a facility faced with budgetary limitations might choose to invest initially in a SPECT or a PET system, but not both, depending on patient volumes and a decision to focus on cardiology or oncology and/or neurology. However, as financial resources or needs change, an entirely new system may need to be purchased. The same thing may happen when technical advances dictate a need for improved capabilities.
Commonly owned technology that may be generally relevant to SPECT imaging, protocols and doses, reconstruction and multi-dimensional imaging and image processing and is optionally used together with some embodiments of the invention may be found in one or more of the following International (PCT) or U.S. published applications or issued U.S. patents:
PCT Published Applications:
WO/2006/129301; WO/2007/010537; WO/2007/010534; WO/2010/004536, WO/2007/010537; WO/2007/010534; WO/2007/010537; WO/2008/010227; WO/2010/004536
Published U.S. Applications:
2004/0015075; 2004/0054248; 2004/0204646; 2007/0194241; 2009/0112086; 2008/0042067; 2008-0230705; 2008-0128626; 2008-0230702; 2009-0201291; 2009-0304582; 2010-0021378; 2010-0142774; 2011-0026685; 2011-0112856; 2012-0106820; 2012-0172699
U.S. Patents:
U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,173,201; 6,368,331; 6,567,687 7,652,259; 7,705,316; 7,705,316; 7,826,889; 7,872,235; 7,968,851; 7,970,455; 8,000,773; 8,036,731; 8,094,894; 8,111,886; 8,280,124; 8,338,788

Counterbalancing of detectors for nuclear medicine tomography systems


The invention is directed to an improved method to manufacture virus for use in vaccine by culturing infected cells that have been modified to overexpress miR-144. The invention is also directed to manipulating the activity or level of miR-144 in subjects in order to modulate the antiviral and immune response systems.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a phylogenetically conserved class of post-transcriptional regulators that are excellent candidates for finely tuning immune responses. These small (20-25 nucleotide) non-coding RNAs bind to target mRNAs by base-pairing to effect mRNA degradation or translational repression. The ability of microRNAs to shape host-virus interactions has been reviewed in Xiao, C., et al., Cell (2009) 136:26 and Skalsky, R. L., et al., Annu. Rev. Microbiol. (2010) 64:123. For example, miR-122 directly interacts with the hepatitis C viral genome to stimulate translation and aid viral growth, and cellular or viral-encoded microRNAs directly bind to viral mRNA transcripts to inhibit viral growth of HCV or promote latency of herpes virus and HIV. However, little is understood of the mechanisms underlying how host miRNAs shape antiviral resistance by controlling innate signaling pathways.
The present invention is based in part on our finding that miR-144 is a negative regulator of a module of antiviral interferon-induced genes controlled by TRAF6 and IRF7 which fine-tune the capacity of epithelial cells to restrict viral replication. miR-144 (and miR-451) are clustered on mouse chromosome 11, and are co-expressed as one pre-miR transcript in erythroid cells where they bind to unique sequences in target genes to play non-redundant roles in lineage differentiation (Papapetrou, E. P., et al., Stem cells (2010) 28:287; Dore, L. C., et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA (2008) 105:3333; and Fu, Y. F., et al., Blood (2009) 113:1340). It has been shown that constitutive expression levels of miRNAs provide a mechanism for maintaining mucosal homeostasis (Chassin, C., et al., Cell Host Microb (2010) 8:358).
The present invention is also based on the surprising finding that cultured cells that overexpress miR-144 offer greatly increased viral titers when then infected with virus. A variety of viral strains show this greatly enhanced production in such cells. This offers a much more convenient way to prepare viral vaccines, therefore, than methods currently employed which are quite expensive and cumbersome. Currently employed methods most commonly use fertilized eggs to culture the viruses. In this process, eggs containing embryos are infected with virus and incubated for 2-3 days before killing the embryo and physically removing the allantoic fluid. This procedure clearly is labor-intensive as well as awkward. These operations can be automated, but this requires expensive equipment.
Alternatively, cell lines such as Vero cells, MDCK cells and PER.C6® cells have been employed but these methods do not produce large quantities of virus and they, too are expensive. In general, the recovered viruses are processed by "splitting" or inactivating the harvested virus in a manner similar to the virus harvested from fertilized eggs. In an alternative to inactivating the viruses, the virus may have been attenuated by genetic modification. These standard techniques are less than satisfactory due to costs and inefficiency.

Methods and compositions to modulate antiviral and immune activity responses


An ultrasonic applicator unit (2) is used diagnostically to locate a puncture wound (316) in an artery and then therapeutically to seal the puncture wound with high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU). A control unit (6) coupled to the applicator unit includes a processor (74) that automates the procedure, controlling various parameters of the diagnostic and therapeutic modes, including the intensity and duration of the ultrasonic energy emitted by the applicator unit. A protective, sterile acoustic shell (4), which is intended to be used with a single patient and then discarded, is slipped over the applicator unit to protect against direct contact between the applicator unit and the patient and to maintain a sterile field at the site of the puncture. The apparatus and method are particularly applicable to sealing a puncture made when inserting a catheter into an artery or other vessel. Several different procedures are described for locating the puncture wound, including imaging the vessel in which the puncture is disposed and use of a locator rod to determine the disposition of the puncture along the longitudinal axis of the artery.

Various surgical procedures are performed by medical specialists such as cardiologists and radiologists, utilizing percutaneous entry into a blood vessel. To facilitate cardiovascular procedures, a small gauge needle is introduced through the skin and into a target blood vessel, often the femoral artery. The needle forms a puncture through the blood vessel wall at the distal end of a tract that extends through the overlying tissue. A guide wire is then introduced through the bore of the needle, and the needle is withdrawn over the guide wire. An introducer sheath is next advanced over the guide wire; the sheath and guide wire are left in place to provide access during subsequent procedure(s). The sheath facilitates passage of a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic instruments and devices into the vessel and its tributaries. Illustrative diagnostic procedures include angiography, intravascular ultrasonic imaging, and the like; exemplary interventional procedures include angioplasty, atherectomy, stent and graft placement, embolization, and the like. After this procedure is completed, the catheters, guide wire, and introducer sheath are removed, and it is necessary to close the vascular puncture to provide hemostasis and allow healing.
The most common technique for achieving hemostasis is to apply hard pressure on the patient's skin in the region of the tissue tract and vascular puncture to form a blood clot. Initially, pressure is applied manually and subsequently is maintained through the use of mechanical clamps and other pressure-applying devices. While effective in most cases, the application of external pressure to the patient's skin presents a number of disadvantages. When applied manually, the procedure is time-consuming and requires the presence of a medical professional for thirty minutes or more. For both manual and mechanical pressure application, the procedure is uncomfortable for the patient and frequently requires the administration of analgesics to be tolerable. Moreover, the application of excessive pressure can occlude the underlying artery, resulting in ischemia and/or thrombosis. Even after hemostasis has apparently been achieved, the patient must remain immobile and under observation for hours to prevent dislodgment of the clot and to assure that bleeding from the puncture wound does not resume. Renewed bleeding through the tissue tract is not uncommon and can result in hematoma, pseudoaneurisms, and arteriovenous fistulas. Such complications may require blood transfusion, surgical intervention, or other corrective procedures. The risk of these complications increases with the use of larger sheath sizes, which are frequently necessary in interventional procedures, and when the patient is anticoagulated with heparin or other drugs.
In recent years, several hemostasis techniques have been proposed to address the problem of sealing vessel wall punctures following percutaneous transcatheter procedures. Related prior art is described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,320,639; 5,370,660; 5,437,631; 5,591,205; 5,830,130; 5,868,778; 5,948,425; 6,017,359; and 6,090,130. In each of these patents, bioabsorbable, thrombogenic plugs comprising collagen and other materials are placed proximal to the vessel wall puncture site to stop bleeding. The large hemostasis plug stimulates blood coagulation in the vessel puncture site, but blocks the catheter entry tract, making catheter reentry more difficult, if required.
Other related prior art disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,707,393; 5,810,884; 5,649,959; and 5,350,399 provides for the use of small dissolvable disks or anchors that are placed in the vessel to block or clamp the puncture hole. However, any device remaining in the vessel lumen increases the risk of thrombus formation. Such a device also can detach and cause occlusion in a distal blood vessel, which would likely require major surgery to remove.
Additional prior art includes U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,779,719; 5,496,332; 5,810,850; and 5,868,762. In the disclosure of these patents, needles and sutures delivered through catheters are used to ligate the puncture. The suturing procedure requires particular skill. Suture material left in the vessel may cause tissue irritation that will prolong the healing process.
Still other prior art is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,626,601, wherein a procoagulant is injected into the puncture, with a balloon catheter blocking inside the vessel lumen. However, in some cases, the clotting agent may leak past the balloon into the vessel lumen and cause stenosis.
Yet other prior art references related to this topic include U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,929,246; 5,810,810; and 5,415,657, which disclose the use of a laser or of radio-frequency (RF) energy that is transmitted to the blood vessel through a catheter to thermally fuse or weld the punctured tissue together.
All of the above cited prior art references require either introducing and leaving foreign objects in the patient's body, and/or inserting a tubular probe of large diameter into the tissue channel left by the catheter in order to seal the puncture.
As will be evident from the preceding discussion, there is a clear need for an improved method and apparatus for sealing a puncture left in a blood vessel, following an intravascular catheterization procedure. The method and apparatus should cause rapid cessation of bleeding, not rely on blood clot formation, and should be independent of the patient's coagulation status. By employing such a method and apparatus, the patient will be more comfortable as a result of shortened hemostasis and ambulation times, and physician and hospital resources will thereby be minimized. In addition, the method and apparatus should not leave any foreign object in the patient's body, to reduce the risk of stenosis at or distal to the puncture wound. An ideal device will be noninvasive and should not include any component that must be inserted in the catheter tract and which might further damage the wound and impede the sealing process.

Methods and apparatus for focused ultrasound application


A processor includes a VM trap logic and a buffering logic. The VM trap logic determines whether or not an instruction acquired from a VM (Virtual Machine) satisfies a predetermined VM trap condition. The buffering logic determines whether or not the instruction acquired from the VM satisfies a predetermined buffering condition.

A virtual machine monitor (hereinafter, it is referred to as "VMM") operates on a platform hardware, and on which one or more virtual machines (hereinafter, it is referred to as "VM") can be executed. The virtual machine is a logical platform created by software, and can execute a guest operating system and a guest application (hereinafter, these are referred to as "guest" or "guest VM").
In a virtual machine technology, there are two virtualization methods, one is "emulation" and another is "direct execution". In the emulation, a guest's instruction is executed while performing a sequential conversion of it or the guest's instruction is converted into a binary code in advance and it is executed. In the direct execution, the guest's instruction is directly executed on a processor. In the direct execution, the guest's instruction may be executed in a privileged mode that is lower than the VMM, and with respect to a sensitive instruction for sensing or changing a state of a system resource, or an operation mode, the VMM traps the instruction and emulates the state changes. Generally, an execution speed of the direct execution is higher than that of the emulation.
By the way, an overhead of an instruction to execute a trap and change a mode is larger than that of a usual instruction. For example, in case of Pentium (registered trademark) 4 processor which supports Intel Virtualization Technology advocated by Intel Corporation, a VM-Entry instruction to transfer a control to the VM from the VMM and a VM-Exit instruction to transfer a control to the VMM from the VM need about two thousand cycles. Therefore, in the direct execution, when the trap of the instruction and the change of the privileged mode occur frequently, the overhead is increased and a performance of the processor is deteriorated.
As one solution to the problem of the performance deterioration caused by the trapping and the mode change, a method with which the sensitive instruction of a guest operating system is rewritten as an instruction with which the trap is not generated can be used. There are two rewrite methods, one is a method with which the rewrite is performed statically and another is a method with which the rewrite is performed dynamically at the time of execution. However, when the method with which the instruction is rewritten statically is used, it is necessary to correct a source code or a binary code in advance. On the other hand, when the method with which the instruction is rewritten dynamically is used, a new additional process is required with the execution of the rewrite and a problem occurs in which the performance is degraded.
As another solution to the problem of the performance deterioration caused by the trapping and the mode change, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-122711 discloses a technology with which a privileged instruction (instruction that needs a privileged mode) issued by the guest is trapped by the VMM, the synthetic instruction is generated sequentially to suppress an occurrence of a privilege violation, the change to the privileged mode is executed with the synthetic instruction and accordingly, a bad influence to virtualization is suppressed.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-35045 discloses a technology with which a processor device defines a virtual machine control structure (VMCS) for an execution environment of the VM and executes a change between the VM and the VMM according to the information on the VMCS.
However, in the technologies disclosed by Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-122711 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-35045, when the sensitive instruction that depends on a state of a system resource or an operation mode is executed during the execution of the VM, a control is transferred to the VMM from the VM ultimately. Namely, by using the technologies disclosed by the above-mentioned official bulletins, a number of times at which the control is transferred to the VMM from the VM can not be reduced. Therefore, a processing efficiency of a processor cannot be improved.

Method for reducing trap overhead when executing a guest in a virtual machine


Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed to reduce temperature of a networked device. An example apparatus includes, a temperature threshold monitor to identify a temperature condition associated with the device, a window information retriever to retrieve a current value of a network receive capacity parameter, and a window adjustor to reduce the temperature of the device by generating a modified network receive capacity parameter, the modified network receive capacity parameter based on a ratio of the current value of the network receive capacity parameter and a decrease factor.

In recent years, networked devices have become a ubiquitous aspect of modern society, in which the networked devices exist as mobile telephones, tablets, personal computers (PCs), Internet of Things (IoT) devices and laptops. In operation, such networked devices are expected to facilitate ever increasing voice activity and data capacities. As such, networked device manufacturers maintain competitiveness by pushing bandwidth capabilities to higher and higher levels.
The figures are not to scale. In general, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawing(s) and accompanying written description to refer to the same or like parts.

Methods, systems, articles of manufacture and apparatus to reduce temperature of a networked device


A control method of a vehicle includes a step of running the vehicle in an EV running mode in accordance with an operation of a driver, a step of performing a warming-up running, when it is determined that warming up is required, and a step of prohibiting the EV running mode such that the warming up running can be performed.

Conventionally, a vehicle that runs by drive power from at least one of an engine or a motor, i.e., a so-called hybrid vehicle, is known. The hybrid vehicle selectively uses the engine and the motor in accordance with the running state of the vehicle and the like, so as to make full use of their respective characteristics. One suggested hybrid vehicle allows a driver to select an EV running mode for stopping the engine and running the vehicle by the motor supplied with electric power from a battery. The engine is stopped and the vehicle does not produce any exhaust gases or noises of the engine during the EV running mode, and therefore it is particularly suitable for driving in a residential area late in the night or early in the morning.
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 11-75302 discloses a hybrid vehicle that can run also as an electric vehicle without operating an engine. The hybrid vehicle described in Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 11-75302 includes: an internal combustion engine; a first electric generator directly coupled to the rotation shaft of the internal combustion engine; a transmission provided on the output side of the first electric generator through a first clutch; a transmission drive selectively setting the gear ratio of the transmission in accordance with an electric signal; a power connection gear coupled between the first clutch and the transmission; a second electric generator coupled to the power connection gear through a second clutch; a clutch drive jointing/disjointing the second clutch in accordance with an electric signal; an EV mode control unit performing acceleration or braking by the second electric generator with the first clutch disjointed; and a transmission control circuit electrically coupled to the EV mode control unit and providing a controlling electric signal to the transmission drive and the clutch drive in accordance with driving operation information.
The hybrid vehicle, when the charging amount of the charging cell reaches a predetermined value, prohibits the EV mode and starts the engine to rotate the first electric generator, whereby the first electric generator is driven as a generator to charge the charging cell. Here, the second electric generator is supplied with electric power from the charging cell, whereby the second electric generator is driven as an electric motor to run the vehicle.
When the charging amount of the charging cell becomes smaller than a predetermined value, the first and second electric generators are stopped and the engine is started, to run the vehicle by the drive power of the engine.
According to the hybrid vehicle described in the publication, in a hybrid vehicle that can be driven as an electric vehicle coupling the power connection gear, coupled between the transmission and the first clutch, and the second electric generator through the second clutch while not operating the internal combustion engine, control of the second clutch and the transmission can also be attained properly and automatically, and the speed can be changed by the transmission.
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2003-23703 discloses a control apparatus of a hybrid vehicle that charges a battery just by the required amount when EV mode is requested to ensure driving in the EV mode. The control apparatus described in Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2003-23703 includes: a circuit to which a hybrid running mode, for running the vehicle by driving an electric motor while driving a generator by an engine, and an EV running mode, for running the vehicle by driving the motor only by electric power from a battery without driving the engine, are set; a mode switching circuit switching these running modes; an input circuit specifying the driving range by the EV running mode; a charging control circuit charging the battery to a charging amount required for driving in the EV running mode through the input EV running range; and a circuit enabling switching to the EV running mode when the battery is charged to a required amount.
According to the control apparatus of the hybrid vehicle described in the publication, when an EV running range is specified, the battery is charged just by the amount required for driving in the EV running mode through the running range. Therefore, the battery power will not fail or charged excessively during driving in the EV running mode. Thus, the battery is not increased in size and the EV running can surely be achieved.
As the engine is driven by combustion of fuel, the hybrid vehicle likewise emits exhaust gases, which necessitates a catalyst for purifying the exhaust gases. Additionally, the catalyst must be warmed up sufficiently in order to exert exhaust gas purifying effect. It is known that warming up to raise the temperature of the catalyst is necessary, for example, when starting up the engine that has been stopped for a long period.
However, the hybrid vehicle described in Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 11-75302, when the charging amount of the charging cell reaches a predetermined value, prohibits the EV mode and starts the engine to rotate the first electric generator, whereby the first electric generator is driven as a generator to charge the charging cell. Here, the second electric generator is supplied with the stored electric power, whereby the second electric generator is driven as an electric motor to run the vehicle. Accordingly, the engine must be driven with the output that allows the second electric generator to be driven and electric power required for charging the charging cell to be generated, even during warming-up of the catalyst.
When the charging amount of the charging cell becomes smaller than the predetermined value, the first and second electric generators are stopped and the engine is started, to run the vehicle by the drive power of the engine. Accordingly, the engine must be driven with the output required for driving the vehicle, even during warming up of the catalyst.
In either case, exhaust gases may be emitted in an amount exceeding the purifying capability of the warming-up catalyst.
The hybrid vehicle described in Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2003-23703 permits the EV running only when the charging amount of the battery satisfies the charging amount required for driving in the EV running mode through the running range. Accordingly, when the catalyst is not warmed up, for example, after stopped for a long period, and the charging amount of the battery is not in the charging amount required for driving in the EV running mode through the running range, the EV running cannot be performed and it is necessary to start the engine for running the vehicle by the drive power of the engine. Accordingly, the engine must be driven with the output necessary for running the vehicle, even during warming up of the catalyst. Thus, exhaust gases may disadvantageously be emitted in an amount exceeding the purifying capability of the warming-up catalyst.

Control apparatus and control method of vehicle


An apparatus for bracing joists comprising a pair of load distribution members and a spanning member. The load distribution members are fastened to adjacent joists and connected together by the spanning member. The load distribution members each have a connector arm which contains a plurality of holes into which tabs on each end of the spanning member are sized to fit. The spanning member can thus connect the load distribution members over a range of distances providing a length adjustable joist bracing apparatus.

Use of bracing between joists in floor construction is well known. One objective of bracing is to prevent joists from moving out of a square alignment with the floorboards they are supporting. Without bracing, joists may rotate about a horizontal axis resulting in floors that "squeak" due to a gap developing between the bottom of the floorboard and the non-horizontal surface of the joist. Bracing also strengthens the overall joist structure by distributing the load between joists.
A wide variety of bracing systems have been utilized, the traditional and most common being a pair of wooden members arranged in an X-pattern between a pair of joists. Such a brace system does not produce a consistently strong product, as the quality of wood for each brace may vary considerably. Wood braces have a tendency to warp as they dry, thus moving from their optimal support position. Further, the nailing of wood braces to joists can result in splitting of the brace where it is nailed to the joist, thus reducing structural strength.
Although various building regulations exist to specify the distance between floor joists, these regulations are not always adhered to. To reduce costs in a building that does not require standard spaced floor joists, fewer joists are installed resulting in a greater distance between joists. In addition, errors in construction can result in joists not being consistently spaced. Braces of fixed length will not support joists that are separated by variant lengths.
U.S. Pat. No. 457,664 discloses steel crossbraces designed to fit over the tops and bottoms of joists and to be adjustably connected by a nut and bolt. Such a brace requires that the bracing be installed before the floor is laid and will raise the floor above the joists in the area where the floor contacts the brace. In order to provide a level, squeak resistant floor, the installer must add material to the joists between the braces or recess the floor where it contacts the braces.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,077,009 and 3,102,306 disclose an adjustable brace and a method for manufacturing the brace. Such braces lack a secure connection to the joists and will detach from the joist if the joists warp so that the compression they provide upon the brace no longer exists.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,246,736 discloses a one piece bracing system of fixed length. Since the brace attaches only to the topmost section of each joist, it is less able to brace against joist twisting.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,794,746 discloses a bracing system of fixed length. The problem with fixed length braces is that if the joists are not spaced apart a distance equal to the length of the brace, the brace will either be too long to fit between the joists or be too short to adequately support the joists.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,301,486 discloses a cross brace that uses wooden components, each of which requires precise cuts to be made in order for the components to fit. Constructing such a brace would be costly and time consuming. As mentioned earlier, wood braces have a number of problems that make them less than optimal as bracing members.
Thus, there is a need for an inexpensive, strong, adjustable and easily installable joist bracing apparatus. There is also a need for a bracing apparatus that reduces bounce and vibration in floor systems such as I-joist supported floors. The present invention meets these criteria.

MGA Construction Hardware & Steel Fabricating Ltd.


An optical fiber cable capable of withstanding a jump in temperature to 350.degree. C. for a short period of time, the cable comprising:. (a) at least one carrier element of a composite of glass fiber and thermosetting resin; PA0 (b) an optical fiber support constituted by a grooved rod surrounding the carrier element, or a tube preferably provided with carrier elements in its thickness, or by compact structure fibers, the rod or tube being made of a thermoplastic polymer; PA0 (c) optical fibers disposed in the grooves of the rod or inside the tube; PA0 (d) a viscous material filling the grooves or the tube around the optical fibers; PA0 (e) an envelope constituted by a tape of thermoplastic polymer; PA0 wherein the grooved rod or the tube, or the secondary coating of compact structure fibers, is made of cross-linked polyethylene, wherein the viscous material filling the grooves is a silicon resin, and wherein the thermoplastic polymer of the envelope is a polyimide resin. Suitable for use as a guard cable in conjunction with high tension or medium tension electric cables.

The present invention relates to an optical fiber cable capable of withstanding a jump in temperature to 350.degree. C. for a short period of time, the cable comprising: (a) at least one carrier element of a composite of glass fiber and thermosetting resin; (b) an optical fiber support constituted by a grooved rod surrounding the carrier element, or a tube preferably provided with carrier elements in its thickness, or by compact structure fibers, the rod or tube being made of a thermoplastic polymer; (c) optical fibers disposed in the grooves of the rod or inside the tube; (d) a viscous material filling the grooves or the tube around the optical fibers; (e) an envelope constituted by a tape of thermoplastic polymer. Such cables are required, in particular as guard cables for high or medium tension electric cables which are subjected to high fault currents due to strokes of lightning or to short circuits. It has been observed that these fault currents may raise the temperature of optical cable fibers disposed in the vicinity to 300.degree. C. or 350.degree. C. for several seconds or several tens of seconds.
To this end, proposals have already been made for compact structure optical fiber cables based on silicone resins. However, such cables cannot withstand large amounts of elongation.
Proposals have also been made for cables including a core constituted by a grooved aluminum or light alloy rod together with optical fibers that are covered by means of a fluorine-containing resin. However, manufacturing a light alloy or aluminum rod requires special tooling which is more expensive than the usual tooling.
The object of the present invention is to provide an optical fiber cable capable of withstanding jumps in temperature to 300.degree. C. to 350.degree. C., which lends itself, in addition, to large amounts of elongation, but which is manufactured using a method and apparatus analogous to those used for ordinary optical fiber cables.

Optical fiber cable capable of withstanding a jump in temperature to 350.degree. C. for a short period of time


In a method for operating a tape storage device comprising a tape head for reading and/or writing data from/to a tape in the tape storage device, a first tape skew value concerning a skew of the tape is determined and the first tape skew value is converted into a first skew control signal by means of a skew feedback controller. A second tape skew value concerning the skew of the tape is determined, and the second tape skew value is converted into a second skew control signal by a feed-forward controller. At least one compensation signal for the second skew control signal is determined, and at least one of a rotational orientation of the tape head and a tape motion direction of the tape is controlled dependent on the second skew control signal and the compensation signal in case the first skew control signal fails.

The present invention relates to an apparatus and to a method for operating a tape storage device, and to a related computer program product.
In tape storage devices data typically is written to and read from a tape inserted into a tape drive of the tape storage device. The tape may be preformatted into data bands and servo bands extending next to each other in a motion direction of the tape. While the data bands provide data tracks for writing data to, the servo bands comprise prerecorded servo patterns, also denoted in a more general way as servo information, which servo information may be read by a reading element of the tape head for gaining information about a lateral position of the tape with respect to a reference position. Lateral in this context is meant orthogonal to a reference motion direction of the tape. A deviation of the lateral position from the reference position detected with the aid of the read element is also denoted as position error signal PES in this technical field. Such information, and specifically the PES, may be provided to a feedback controller, also denoted as lateral position feedback controller which converts the PES into a control signal for a realigning between the tape head and a data track currently read or written and specifically its track centerline for enabling a correct reading and writing of data. As a result, a closed-loop control system for a continuing alignment of the tape head and the tape is provided which is also denoted as closed-loop track-follow control system.
One of the key challenges for such a closed-loop track-follow control system originates from lateral vibrations of the tape. In traditional tape paths, flanged rollers are used for constraining a lateral tape motion during a transport of the tape from a supply reel to a take-up reel. Although the use of flanged rollers constrains the tape and limits lateral tape motion during operation, debris accumulation may be introduced at the flanges that not only may affect the lifetime of the tape, but may also create undesirable dynamic effects due to a contact of the tape edge with guiding elements such as flanges. These effects may be alleviated by removing the flanges from the rollers and operating the tape path without guiding elements.
However, such approach may introduce new challenges: Removing the guiding elements also removes a constraint on the lateral motion of the tape, which may result in an increase in amplitude of a typically low-frequency lateral tape motion. Specifically, an effect denoted as stack shift may become more prominent. Stack shifts are due to tape-stacking irregularities in the cartridge reel and lead to lateral tape motion events during normal operation of the drive. In general, stack shifts appear as high-amplitude low-frequency disturbances that can repeatedly be observed at the same longitudinal position when using the same cartridge.
An increased amplitude of a lateral tape motion may in addition increase a tape skew which in turn may degrade the performance of the tape storage device.

Method and apparatus for operating a tape storage device

International Business Machines Corporation


Disclosed is a fuel cell with enhanced mass transfer characteristics in which a highly hydrophobic porous medium, which is prepared by forming a micro-nano dual structure in which nanometer-scale protrusions with a high aspect ratio are formed on the surface of a porous medium with a micrometer-scale roughness by plasma etching and then by depositing a hydrophobic thin film thereon, is used as a gas diffusion layer, thereby increasing hydrophobicity due to the micro-nano dual structure and the hydrophobic thin film. When this highly hydrophobic porous medium is used as a gas diffusion layer for a fuel cell, it is possible to reduce water flooding by efficiently discharging water produced by an electrochemical reaction of the fuel cell and to improve the performance of the fuel cell by facilitating the supply of reactant gases such as hydrogen and air (oxygen) to a membrane-electrode assembly (MEA).

(a) Technical Field
The present invention relates to a fuel cell and a method for manufacturing the same. More particularly, it relates to a fuel cell with enhanced mass transfer characteristics and a method for manufacturing the same, which can reduce water flooding by efficiently discharging water produced by an electrochemical reaction using a highly hydrophobic gas diffusion layer having a new surface structure and can improve cell performance in a high power density region and in an abnormal operating condition by facilitating the supply of reactant gases such as hydrogen and air (oxygen) to a membrane-electrode assembly.
(b) Background Art
Typically, one of the most attractive fuel cells for a vehicle is a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) manufactured by stacking several hundreds of unit cells into a stack. In order to mount the PEMFC in a vehicle for use of transport, the PEMFC should exhibit a high power performance of several tens of kW or higher under various operating conditions and, to this end, should be able to stably operate in a wide current density range.
The electrochemical reaction for electricity generation of the PEMFC will be described below. Hydrogen supplied to an anode as an oxidation electrode in a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) of the fuel cell is dissociated into hydrogen ions (protons) and electrons. The hydrogen ions are transmitted to a cathode as a reduction electrode through a polymer electrolyte membrane, and the electrons are transmitted to the cathode through an external circuit so that electricity is generated by the flow of electrons. Moreover, at the cathode, the protons, electrons and oxygen molecules react with each other to produce electricity and heat and, at the same time, produce water as a reaction by-product.
The area expressing the electrochemical performance of the fuel cell is generally classified into three regions: (i) an "activation loss" region due to loss of electrochemical reaction kinetics; (ii) an "ohmic loss" region due to contact resistance at interfaces between respective components and loss of ionic conduction in the polymer electrolyte membrane; and (iii) a "mass transport or transfer loss" or "concentration loss" region due to the limitations of mass transport of reactant gases [See R. O Hayre, S. Cha, W. Colella, F. B. Prinz, Fuel Cell Fundamentals, Ch. 1, John Wiley & Sons, New York (2006), which is hereby incorporated by reference].
When an appropriate amount of water produced during the electrochemical reaction is present, it preferably serves to maintain the humidity of the polymer electrolyte membrane. However, when an excessive amount of water produced is not appropriately removed, "flooding" occurs at a high current density, preventing the reactant gases from being efficiently supplied to the fuel cell and thereby increasing voltage loss [See M. M. Saleh, T. Okajima, M. Hayase, F. Kitamura, T. Ohsaka, J. Power Sources, 167, 503 (2007), which is hereby incorporated by reference].
Recently, with the commercialization of the fuel cell, extensive research and development of gas diffusion layers as a key component of water management in the fuel cell has continued to progress. A gas diffusion layer which is typically included in the fuel cell will be described in detail below.
A typical porous medium that constitutes the fuel cell is a gas diffusion layer (GDL), which is composed of both a microporous layer (MPL) and a macroporous substrate or backing.
At present, commercially available gas diffusion layers have a dual layer structure including a microporous layer (MPL) having a pore size below 1 micrometer when measured by mercury intrusion and a macroporous substrate or backing having a pore size of 1 to 300 micrometers [See, X. L. Wang, H. M. Zhang, J. L. Zhang, H. F. Xu, Z. Q. Tian, J. Chen, H. X. Zhong, Y. M. Liang, and B. L. Yi, Electrochimica Acta, 51, 4909 (2006) which is hereby incorporated by reference].
The gas diffusion layer is attached to the outer surface of each of catalyst layers for the anode and cathode coated on both surfaces of the polymer electrolyte membrane in the fuel cell. The gas diffusion layer functions to supply reactant gases such as hydrogen and air (oxygen), transmit electrons produced by the electrochemical reaction, and discharge water produced by the reaction to minimize the flooding phenomenon in the fuel cell [See L. Cindrella, A. M. Kannan, J. F. Lin, K. Saminathan, Y. Ho, C. W. Lin, J. Wertz, J. Power Sources, 194, 146 (2009); and X. L. Wang, H. M. Zhang, J. L. Zhang, H. F. Xu, Z. Q. Tian, J. Chen, H. X. Zhong, Y. M. Liang, B. L. Yi, Electrochim. Acta, 51, 4909 (2006) which are both hereby incorporated by reference].
Typically, the microporous layer of the gas diffusion layer may be formed by preparing a mixture of carbon black powder such as acetylene black carbon, black pearl carbon, etc. and a hydrophobic agent such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP). The mixture can be coated on one or both sides of the macroporous substrate.
The macroporous substrate of the gas diffusion layer is generally composed of carbon fiber and a hydrophobic agent such as polytetrafluoroethylene and fluorinated ethylene propylene [See, C. Lim and C. Y. Wang, Electrochim. Acta, 49, 4149 (2004)] and may be broadly classified into carbon fiber felt, carbon fiber paper, and carbon fiber cloth [S. Escribano, J. Blachot, J. Etheve, A. Morin, R. Mosdale, J. Power Sources, 156, 8 (2006); M. F. Mathias, J. Roth, J. Fleming, and W. Lehnert, Handbook of Fuel Cells-Fundamentals, Technology and Applications, Vol. 3, Ch. 42, John Wiley & Sons (2003) which are both hereby incorporated by reference].
It is necessary to optimize the structural design of the gas diffusion layer for the fuel cell such that the gas diffusion layer provides appropriate performance according to its application fields, such as transportation, portable, and residential power generation devices, and the fuel cell operational conditions. In general, in the formation of the gas diffusion layer for a fuel cell vehicle, the carbon fiber felt or carbon fiber paper is preferred to the carbon fiber cloth since the carbon fiber felt and carbon fiber paper have excellent properties such as reactant gas supply properties, product water discharge properties, compression properties, and handling properties.
Moreover, the gas diffusion layer has a significant effect on the performance of the fuel cell according to complex and various structural differences such as the thickness, gas permeability, compressibility, hydrophobicity of microporous layer and macroporous substrate, carbon fiber structure, porosity/pore size distribution, pore tortuosity, electrical resistance, bending stiffness, etc. Especially, it is known that there is a significant difference in performance in the mass transport region [See D. H. Ahmed, H. J. Sung, and J. Bae, Int. J. Hydrogen Energy, 33, 3767 (2008); and Y. Wang, C. Y. Wang, and K. S. Chen, Electrochim. Acta, 52, 3965 (2007); and C. J. Bapat and S. T. Thynell, J. Power Sources, 185, 428 (2008); which are hereby incorporated by reference].
In particular, in order to increase the mass transfer characteristics and maintain high cell performance by effectively removing the water produced during the electrochemical reaction of the fuel cell, it is very important to impart hydrophobicity to the microporous layer and the macroporous substrate by appropriately introducing a hydrophobic agent such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) into them [See S. Park, J.-W. Lee, B. N. Popov, J. Power Sources, 177, 457 (2008); and G.-G. Park. Y.-J. Sohn, T.-H. Yang, Y.-G. Yoon, W. Y. Lee, C.-S. Kim, J. Power Sources, 131, 182 (2004) which are hereby incorporated by reference].
However, a wet chemical process has conventionally been used to impart hydrophobicity, and thus the manufacturing process itself is complicated and it is difficult to uniformly distribute the hydrophobic agent such as PTTE on the gas diffusion layer.
Moreover, according to the conventional process for manufacturing the gas diffusion layer, it is difficult to further impart high hydrophobicity or super-hydrophobicity corresponding to a contact angle (static constant angle) of 150° or higher to a porous medium which have already been subjected to waterproof treatment.
In conventional studies, there are various attempts to impart hydrophilicity to the surface of the porous medium using various plasma processes such as oxygen, nitrogen, ammonia, silane (SiH4), organometallics, etc., which, however, are different from the object of the present invention to impart high hydrophobicity to the porous medium.
In addition, there are attempts to employ plasma surface treatment techniques during the formation of the electrodes of the MEA, which, however, relate to a process for forming a catalyst layer comprising catalyst and binder. That is, these methods are to chemically form a hydrophilic or hydrophobic surface by modifying the surface of the catalyst layer using plasma techniques, and with these methods, it is very difficult to form high hydrophobicity on the surface of the porous medium.
The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the invention and the fore it may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known in this country to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Fuel cell with enhanced mass transfer characteristics

Korea Institute of Science and Technology