An ink-jet pen for storing at below-ambient pressure has an orifice formed therein for providing air bubbles to prevent the back pressure from rising above a level that would cause malfunction of the pen. The amount of air drawn into the reservoir is restricted by the reservoir ink that covers the orifice whenever the pen is in an upright position. The valve operates to occlude the orifice whenever the pen is moved into a position, such as inverted, where the reservoir ink no longer covers the orifice. The occlusion of the orifice prevents the unrestricted flow of ambient air into the reservoir that would otherwise eliminate the required back pressure in the reservoir. The valve includes a sealing liquid selected so that the liquid occludes a passage between the orifice and ambient air without flowing through that passage.

Ink-jet printing generally involves the controlled delivery of ink drops from an ink-jet pen reservoir to a printing surface. One type of ink-jet printing, known as drop-on-demand printing, employs a pen that includes a print head and ink reservoir. The print head is responsive to control signals for ejecting drops of ink from the ink reservoir.
Drop-on-demand type print heads typically use one of two mechanisms for ejecting drops: thermal bubble or piezoelectric pressure wave. A thermal bubble type print head includes a thin-film resistor that is heated to cause sudden vaporization of a small portion of the ink solvent. The rapid expansion of the ink vapor forces a small amount of ink through a print head orifice.
Piezoelectric pressure wave type print heads use a piezoelectric element that is responsive to a control signal for abruptly compressing a volume of ink in the print head to produce a pressure wave that forces the ink drops through the orifice.
Although conventional drop-on-demand print heads are effective for ejecting or "pumping" ink drops from a pen reservoir, they do not include any mechanism for preventing ink from permeating through the print head when the print head is inactive. Accordingly, drop-on-demand techniques require the fluid in the ink reservoir to be stored in a manner that provides a slight back pressure at the print head to prevent ink leakage from the pen whenever the print head is inactive. As used herein, the term "back pressure" means the partial vacuum within the pen reservoir that resists the flow of ink through the print head. Back pressure is considered in the positive sense so that an increase in back pressure represents an increase in the partial vacuum. Accordingly, back pressure is measured in positive terms, such as centimeter (cm) of water column height.
The back pressure at the print head must be at all times strong enough for preventing ink leakage. The back pressure, however, must not be so strong that the print head is unable to overcome the back pressure to eject ink drops. Moreover, the ink-jet pen must be designed to operate despite environmental changes that cause fluctuations in the back pressure.
A severe environmental change that affects reservoir back pressure occurs during air transport of an ink-jet pen. In this instance, ambient air pressure decreases as the aircraft gains altitude and is depressurized. As ambient air pressure decreases, a correspondingly greater amount of back pressure is needed to keep ink from leaking through the print head. Accordingly, the level of back pressure within the pen must be regulated during times of ambient pressure drop.
The back pressure within an ink-jet pen reservoir is also subjected to what may be termed "operational effects." One significant operational effect occurs as the print head is activated to eject ink drops. The consequent depletion of ink from the reservoir increases (makes more negative) the reservoir back pressure. Without regulation of this back pressure increase, the ink-jet pen will eventually fail because the print head will be unable to overcome the increased back pressure to eject ink drops. Such failure wastes ink whenever the failure occurs before all of the useable ink within the reservoir has been ejected.
Past efforts to regulate ink-jet reservoir back pressure in response to environmental changes and operational effects have included mechanisms that may be collectively referred to as accumulators. Examples of accumulators are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/289,876, entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EXTENDING THE ENVIRONMENTAL RANGE OF AN INK JET PRINT CARTRIDGE.
Generally, prior accumulators comprise a movable cup-like mechanism that defines an accumulator volume that is in fluid communication with the ink-jet pen reservoir volume. The accumulators are designed to move between a minimum volume position and a maximum volume position in response to changes in the level of the back pressure within the reservoir. Accumulator movement changes the overall volume of the reservoir to regulate back pressure level changes so that the back pressure remains within an operating range that is suitable for preventing ink leakage while permitting the print head to continue ejecting ink drops.
For example, as the difference between ambient pressure and the back pressure within the pen decreases as a result of ambient air pressure drop, the accumulator moves to increase the reservoir volume, thereby to increase the back pressure to a level (within the operating range mentioned above) that prevents ink leakage. Put another way, the increased volume attributable to accumulator movement prevents a reduction in the difference between ambient air pressure and back pressure that would otherwise occur if the reservoir were constrained to a fixed volume as ambient air pressure decreased.
Accumulators also move to decrease the reservoir volume whenever environmental changes or operational effects (for example, ink depletion occurring during operation of the pen) cause an increase in the back pressure. The decreased volume attributable to accumulator movement reduces the back pressure to a level within the operating range, thereby permitting the print head to continue ejecting ink.
Accumulators are usually equipped with internal or external resilient mechanisms that continuously urge the accumulators toward a position for increasing the volume of the reservoir. The effect of the resilient mechanisms is to retain a sufficient minimum back pressure within the reservoir (to prevent ink leakage) even as the accumulator moves to increase or decrease the reservoir volume.
Past accumulators have been used in conjunction with devices known as bubble generators. Bubble generators permit ambient air bubbles to enter the ink reservoir once the accumulator has moved to its minimum volume position (that is, once the accumulator is unable to further reduce the back pressure within the reservoir) and the back pressure continues to rise as the print head continues to eject ink from the reservoir. The effect of the air bubbles delivered by the bubble generator is to keep the reservoir back pressure from increasing to a level that would cause failure of the print head.
Bubble generators generally comprise a small-diameter orifice that provides fluid communication between the pen reservoir and ambient air. The bubble generator orifice is small enough, and the ink surface tension is great enough, to counteract the gravitational and static pressure forces that would otherwise cause ink to leak through the bubble generator orifice. Moreover, because the reservoir ink normally covers the reservoir-end of the bubble generator orifice, ambient air is restricted from entering the reservoir until the back pressure increases to a level great enough for drawing an air bubble through the reservoir ink covering the orifice.
One problem with the use of bubble generators arises whenever the pen is moved to a position where the reservoir ink no longer covers the orifice to restrict the inflow of ambient air. As a result, the consequent unrestricted inflow of ambient air eliminates the back pressure, thereby causing ink leakage and malfunction of the print head.


Systems and methods for improving performance in an HFC architecture are provided. Incoming data associated with a plurality of signals to be included in a downstream data signal may be received, and the incoming data may be mapped to a plurality of symbols representative of the signals. Data bits for each symbol may be mapped to at least one data register. The contents of the at least one register may be read by one or more digital-to-analog converters to facilitate a direct radio frequency synthesis, and the output of the one or more digital-to-analog converters may be provided to one or more electro-optic conversion devices configured to output a downstream data signal.

Broadband service providers, such as cable service providers, provide a wide variety of services to any number of customers or households. Examples of services that are provided include television services, video on-demand services, telephone services, and Internet services. Certain service providers, such as cable service providers, typically utilize an infrastructure of fiber optic and radio frequency ("RF") cables (i.e., coaxial cables) in order to communicate broadband signals to various customer or consumer devices, such as broadband set-top boxes and broadband moderns.
In conventional hybrid fiber coaxial ("HFC") systems, a system associated with a service provider typically receives digital content from a plurality of content providers. The service provider system converts the received content into analog radio frequency ("RF") data, and multiple RF data carriers are combined together utilizing a relatively complex RF combining network. The combined RF signal is then sampled and converted into a format that can be output by the service provider system, such as a format that can be output by an optical transmitter or laser. The operations performed by conventional systems often introduce unwanted noise into the data output by the service provider. For example, noise is added by the process of combining RF signals. Additionally, noise may also be added as a result of sampling signals to recreate a received signal. Moreover, conventional systems typically consume additional power to facilitate the conversion of received data into RF data and the combination of RF data.
Therefore, improved HFC architectures are desirable. Additionally, improved systems, methods, apparatus, and devices that facilitate signal processing within an HFC architecture are desirable.


A method for forming an immersion agent film between the sample holder and the objective of a microscope, comprising an automatic immersion module for supplying immersion agent from an immersion agent reservoir to a target position on the sample holder or on the positioning stage, the automatic immersion module having a spraying device with a nozzle connected to a pump for the purpose of generating an immersion agent jet. A dosed immersion agent jet is sprayed via the automatic immersion module onto a target position on the sample holder or a position on the positioning stage, at a defined speed.

Known solutions for forming an immersion agent film are mostly based on the approach of providing the objective with a sealing collar which is filled with immersion agent by means of a permanent feed, and optionally is also emptied by means of the same. The design of the collar enables, on the one hand, the formation of the immersion, and on the other hand prevents the immersion agent from flowing off into the device. Such solutions are described, by way of example, in WO 2008/028475 A2/A3, US 2010/0027109 A1, DE 101 23 027 B4, and DE102005040828.
In one variant according to DE 101 23 027 B4, the medium is introduced by means of a cannula directly adjacent to the front lens of the microscope.

Device and method for forming an immersion agent film


The present invention provides a process for the production of 1,4-BDO and THF from furan, said process comprising: (i) contacting furan with hydrogen and water in a reactor in the presence of a catalytic composition, wherein the furan and water are contacted in the presence of a solvent, said solvent being selected from one or more of THF, 1,4-BDO and NBA, and converting at least a portion of said furan to 1,4-BDO and THF; (ii) producing a reactor product stream comprising gases, water, THF, 1,4-BDO and furan; (iii) separating gases from the reactor product stream; (iv) then separating at least a portion of each of the THF and 1,4-BDO from said reactor product stream; and (v) recycling the remainder of the reactor product stream, comprising water, optionally furan, and at least one of THF, 1,4-BDO and NBA, to the reactor.

Furan and its derivatives are useful precursors for industrial chemicals in the area of, for example, pharmaceuticals, herbicides and polymers. Furan may be converted into tetrahydrofuran (THF) and 1,4-butanediol (1,4-BDO). THF and 1,4-BDO are valuable chemicals used industrially as solvents and in the production of elastic fibres such as elastane/spandex, polybutyrate terephthalate and derivatives of gamma butyrolactone (GBL).
These chemicals are usually produced industrially via a number of routes from petrochemical feedstocks, obtainable from fossil fuels. In recent years, increased efforts have focused on producing chemicals, including 1,4-BDO and THF, from renewable feedstocks, such as sugar-based materials.
A method for obtaining furan from non-fossil fuel based sources involves the decarbonylation of furfural. Examples of reaction processes for achieving this and the subsequent conversion of the furan into its derivatives can be found in Hoydonck, H E; Van Rhijn, W M; Van Rhijn, W; De Vos, D E; & Jacobs, P A; (2012) Furfural and Derivatives, in Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry (volume 16, pp 285-313), Wiley-VCH Verlag GmBH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim; Dunlop, A P; and Peters, F N; in The Furans Reinhold Publ. Co, 1953; K. J. Zeitsch, in "The Chemistry and Technology of Furfural and its Many By-products" Sugar Series 13, Elsevier, 2000; Lange, J-P; van der Heide, E; van Buijtenen, J; and Price, R; Furfural—A Promising Platform for Lignocellulosic Biofuels; ChemSusChem 2012, 5, 150-166 and Watson, J. M.; Ind. Eng. Chem. Prod. Res. Develop., 1973, 12(4), 310. Furfural may be obtained from hemicellulose via acid hydrolysis in the liquid phase as well as in the gas phase as described in WO2002022593 and WO2012041990.
The conversion of furan to THF and 1,4-BDO by hydrogenation in the presence of water, acetic acid and Raney nickel or oxide supported nickel catalyst is described in Watson, J M; Ind. Eng. Chem. Prod. Res. Develop., 1973, 12(4), 310.
A process for the conversion of furan into 1,4-BDO and THF is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,905,159. This document teaches a process in which furan is converted as a reaction mixture with water and in the presence of hydrogen but in the absence of a water-soluble acid in a single stage over a hydrogenation catalyst. The hydrogenation catalyst of U.S. Pat. No. 5,905,159 contains at least one element of subgroup I, V, VI, VII or VIII in the form of a compound or in elemental form, with the restriction that the catalyst does not contain nickel alone being applicable. The preferred catalyst in this process is Re/Ru on active carbon. A similar catalyst is used in the process described in Pan, T; Deng, J; Xu, Q; Zuo, Y; Guo, Q-X and Fu, Y; Catalytic Conversion of Furfural into a 2,5-Furandicarboxylic Acid-based Polyester with Total Carbon Utilisation; ChemSusChem 2013, 6, 47-50.
As well as THF and 1,4-BDO, other useful products such as n-butyl alcohol (NBA) and GBL may be produced in such hydrogenation processes.
More effective catalysts for the conversion of furan into 1,4-BDO and THF are taught in co-pending applications EP14196391.8, said catalysts incorporating rhenium and palladium on solid supports and EP14199023.4, said catalyst incorporating one or more metals from those in group 8, 9, 10 and 11 of the periodic table supported on amorphous or crystalline aluminosilicate supports.
In the reductive hydration of furan wherein 1,4-BDO is a desired product, furan and water need to be reacted in the presence of hydrogen and the catalyst. For such a process to proceed effectively, the water and furan are preferably in the same liquid phase. It is also preferred to use an excess of water to furan in this reaction in order to increase the selectivity to 1,4-BDO over THF. The majority of this water may be separated and recycled after removal of the reaction products. However, the solubility of furan in water and water in furan is too low and prevents a single liquid phase to be formed at concentrations suitable for a commercial process.
Further, separation of 1,4-BDO, THF and NBA in an efficient manner from an aqueous product stream provides an on-going challenge.
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a process for the production of 1,4-BDO from furan, which overcomes these problems associated with the solubility of furan in water (and vice versa) and the separation of the reaction products and provides an efficient and effective process.

Process for the production of 1,4-butanediol and tetrahydrofuran from furan


A computer system is formed by two interconnected chips each having on chip a CPU connected to a module by an on chip and data path, for distributing event request packets, the paths of the two chips being connected through external ports so that addresses on each of the paths form part of a common address space addressable from either chip.

The invention relates to microcomputers and computer systems and to methods of operating such.
Computer systems may incorporate a processor with a plurality of other devices which may generate signals for transmission to the processor or other devices. Such signals may include interrupt request or control signals for a CPU or memory access operations. The sources and destinations of such interdevice signals may be numerous requiring complex interconnections or control systems to permit the source and destination of such signals to communicate.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved computer system and method of operating a computer system in which signals may be distributed as addressed packets on an address and data path particularly in a system involving at least two interconnected chips.
The invention provides a computer system comprising two interconnected chips each having an on-chip address and data path, a CPU arranged to send and receive addressed packets on the path and at least one module with event circuitry to generate addressed event request packets for distribution on the path, the paths on the respective chips being interconnected through respective external ports on each chip so that addresses on each of the paths form part of a common address space addressable from either chip.
Preferably each chip includes a plurality of modules other than said CPU each connected to the address and data path with a respective on-chip address and each having packet generating circuitry to generate an event request packet including a destination address.
Preferably each chip includes a memory interface as well as an external port, each connected to said address and data path and each having a respective on-chip address.
Preferably said CPU and module each have packet generating circuitry arranged to provide in a request packet a destination address identifying a selected chip within the system as well as a selected address on the address and data path of the selected chip.
Preferably the CPU and module, or modules, of each chip include packet generating circuitry responsive to receipt of a request packet to generate an addressed response packet for distribution on said address and data path.
Preferably the CPU and at least one other module include packet generating circuitry arranged to produce memory access packets as well as event request packets.
Preferably the CPU and at least one module on each chip includes packet generating circuitry arranged to provide in the packet the address of the module or CPU acting as the source of the packet as well as providing the destination for the packet.
Preferably the packet generating circuitry of the CPU is responsive to receipt of a request packet to determine from the packet a source address of the packet and to generate a response packet using said source address as the destination indicator for the response packet.
Preferably said at least one module on each chip is arranged to provide an interrupt request packet including a priority indicator for the interrupt request, said CPU including comparator means for determining the priority of the request on receipt of the packet.
The invention includes a method of operating a computer system comprising two interconnected chips each having an on-chip address and data path, a CPU and at least one module, said method comprising generating addressed event request packets for distribution on the address and data path, each request packet including a destination address for the packet, the address space allocated for a destination address being commonly addressable from either chip so that packets generated on one chip may be distributed through respective external ports to a location on the address and data path of the other chip.
Preferably the CPU on each chip is arranged to allocate an address to each request packet which identifies both the destination chip as well as the destination location on the address and data path of the destination chip.
Preferably the or each module generating an addressed event request packet includes in the destination address an identifier for the selected destination chip as well as an address on the address and data path of the selected destination chip.
Preferably the creation of a request packet on one chip for transmission to a destination on another chip includes obtaining an address translation indication to provide the selected address for both the destination chip and the required destination location on that chip.
Preferably the CPU and at least one module on each chip responds to receipt of a request packet by generation of a response packet for distribution to the source of the request packet.
Preferably the address and data path of each chip is used for distributing addressed event request packets and addressed response packets between chips as well as the distribution of memory access packets to a memory interface on each chip.
Preferably said event request packets include requests of two types, a first type forming prioritised interrupt request packets and a second type comprising control command packets.

Microcomputer chips with interconnected address and data paths


A method for providing input candidates with respect to a form which is embedded in a content to be displayed, the method comprising a parsing result obtaining step of requesting and obtaining a result of parsing performed by a parsing function which parses a content; an analyzing step of passing the result of the parsing to an analyzing function which analyzes a context of the content, letting the analyzing function execute analysis, and obtaining a result of the analysis from the analyzing function; an input candidate determining step of passing the result of the parsing to an input candidate determining function which determines input candidates, letting the input candidate determining function determine the input candidates, and obtaining the input candidates from the input candidate determining function; and an input candidate displaying step of displaying the obtained input candidates on a display as the input candidates with respect to the form.

Information browsing software for browsing information on a network (hereinafter, written as "browser") is widely known and provided for practical use. In a browser a function to parse information on a network (for example, a Web page which is a document described in a markup language such as an HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language)) and to perform rendering based on the result of the parsing is implemented. A user can browse an intended Web page on a browser by specifying a URI (Uniform Resource Identifier).
Web pages which can be browsed on a browser include, for example, a Web page in which a form to input information, about which the user wants to inquire, or key words, with which a user want to perform a search, etc., is embedded. When information is input to a form through a user operation on such a Web page, in response to the input, a CGI (Common Gateway Interface) program is executed on a Web server based on the information input to the form. Then, the result obtained by the processing with the CGI program is output in an HTML and transmitted to a client (a browser). In this manner, a user can browse dynamic information corresponding to the input to the form. For example, Japanese Patent Provisional Publication No. 2001-188641 (hereinafter, referred to as "patent document 1") discloses an embodiment of a system which supplies dynamic information to a client by using a form.

Input candidate providing device, input candidate providing system, input candidate providing method, and input candidate providing program


A liquid dispensing squirt device comprises a handle member, a barrel/loading member, and a spray nozzle member. The barrel/loading member connects to the top portion of the handle member, and contains an access hatch where the carbonated beverage is held. The liquid from the carbonated beverage can is dispensed through the spray nozzle with the can is pierced.

Current liquid dispensing guns are equipped to dispense water. While water guns are great for fun events, the water guns cannot be easily used to dispense carbonated drinks. The carbonation in such drinks, if used in a liquid dispensing squirt device, would increase both the range of the toy and the user's enjoyment. Therefore, a need exists for a liquid dispensing squirt gun that dispenses carbonated beverages.
Various attempts to meet this need have been made. One such attempt can be seen with respect to U.S. Pat. No. 4,591,071, incorporated by reference in its entirety herein, which generally discloses a squirt gun. While this disclosure does provide for a pressurized stream of water, it does not provide for a system that can utilize carbonated beverages.
Another attempt can be seen with respect to U.S. Pat. No. 1,907,839, incorporated by reference in its entirety herein, which generally discloses a revolver-shaped squirt gun. While this disclosure does provide for simple design, it also is unable to utilize carbonated beverages.
Yet another attempt can be seen with respect to U.S. Pat. No. 1,744,208, incorporated by reference in its entirety herein, which generally discloses a compression-spray device. While this patent does disclose a pressurized spray system, it is not adequately configured for use with a carbonated can nor is it suitable for recreational use.
Various attempts have been made to solve the problems which may be found in the related art but have thus far been unsuccessful. A need exists for a new liquid dispensing squirt device to avoid the above-mentioned problems.


Provided is a web firewall for automatically checking for vulnerabilities, including: an administrating server scheduling part for ordering the examination of an administrating web server according to a predetermined examination schedule; a vulnerability search database calling part for calling a vulnerability search database previously stored according to the order of the administrating server scheduling part; a vulnerability searching part for searching for potential vulnerabilities of the administrating web server corresponding to data included in the called vulnerability search database; a vulnerability information deducing part for optimizing the results searched in the vulnerability searching part to deduce vulnerability information; a vulnerability checking part for checking the vulnerabilities of the administrating web server based on the results deduced from the vulnerability information deducing part; and a detailed vulnerability information reporting part for reporting detailed information on the checked vulnerabilities.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a web firewall and method for automatically checking a web server for vulnerabilities, and more particularly, to a web firewall and method for automatically checking a web server for vulnerabilities according to a predetermined time schedule.
2. Discussion of Related Art
With the development of Internet technology, vulnerabilities of application programs have become a serious problem, and despite efforts made to prevent such vulnerabilities through inspection, violation of web servers is increasing.
Particularly, since many web servers are still very vulnerable to violation due to inappropriate management, they have to be checked regularly and any weaknesses found must be eliminated to prevent future violation. However, web servers with large-scale domains or frequently changing web contents are very difficult to manage.
Therefore, to solve these problems, a method of checking for vulnerabilities and providing the latest detailed information quickly and easily is required.

Web firewall and method for automatically checking web server for vulnerabilities

Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute


The invention provides mebendazole for use in the treatment or prophylaxis of a chronic inflammatory disease, and in particular wherein the chronic inflammatory disease is an autoimmune disease, for example sarcoidosis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Huntington's disease, end stage renal disease, systemic sclerosis (also called scleroderma), myositis, diabetes type 1, multiple sclerosis, Sjögren's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, primary biliary cirrhosis, autoimmune hepatitis, Graves' disease, Addison's disease, tuberculosis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, Alzheimer's disease and coeliac disease. A method for the treatment or prophylaxis of a chronic inflammatory disease, comprising administering an effective amount of a mebendazole or a pharmaceutical composition of mebendazole is also provided. The use of mebendazole for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of a chronic inflammatory disease is also provided.

Inflammation is part of the normal biological response to harmful stimuli, such as tissue damage, pathogens and irritants. Chronic inflammation may develop as a result of persistent stimuli such as irritants or pathogens or as a result of immune system dysfunction for example in autoimmune diseases.
Chronic Inflammatory diseases (CIDs) are a diverse array of conditions and disorders that are characterised by the presence of chronic inflammation. CIDs can cause significant and long term suffering. Many CIDs are autoimmune diseases. Examples of CIDs include dermatomyositis, Grave's disease, multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), sarcoidosis, Sjögren's syndrome, amyloidosis, Hashimoto thyroiditis, vasculitis, rheumatoid arthritis, reactive arthritis, polymyositis, scleroderma, Addison's disease, vitiligo, pernicious anemia, glomerulonephritis, celiac gravis, diabetes type 1, psoriasis and pulmonary fibrosis (MedlinePlus medical encyclopedia—autoimmune disorders, National Institutes of Health; https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000816.htm; reviewed on 21 May 2017; accessed 24 November 2017).
Treatments of CIDs vary on a condition by condition basis. Sarcoidosis is a CID that causes small patches of red and swollen tissue (granulomas) to develop in the organs of the body. It usually affects the lungs and skin. The symptoms of sarcoidosis depend on which organs are affected, but typically include cough, feeling breathless, red or painful eyes, swollen glands, skin rashes, pain in joints, muscles or bones, and numbness or weakness of the face, arms, and legs. (Information from Sarcoidosis UK website http://sarcoidosisuk.org/ accessed 24 Nov. 2017). Treatments of sarcoidosis include Prednisone, hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine, and immunosuppressants, for example methotrexate, azathioprine, or leflunomide (information from National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute website https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/sarc/treatment accessed 24 Nov. 2017).
Systemic lupus erythematosus (also referred to as "SLE" or simply "Lupus") is an autoimmune disease characterized by acute and chronic inflammation of various tissues of the body. Common lupus symptoms and signs include fatigue, low-grade fever, loss of appetite, muscle aches, hair loss, arthritis, ulcers of the mouth and nose, facial rash ("butterfly rash"), unusual sensitivity to sunlight (photosensitivity), chest pain caused by inflammation of the lining that surrounds the lungs (pleuritis) and the heart (pericarditis), and poor circulation to the fingers and toes with cold exposure (Raynaud's phenomenon). Treatments of SLE include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, hydroxychloroquine, and methotrexate. There is no known cure for SLE and none of the current treatments are completely effective in controlling the disease.
For most CIDs, the currently-available treatments are incompletely effective. There remains a significant need for further, more effective treatments. In particular, there remains a need for safe and well-tolerated treatments having manageable side-effects.
Mebendazole is an anti-parasitic agent that is clinically used for treatment of various forms of helminthic diseases. The structure of mebendazole is as follows:

Mebendazole has been used extensively for local gut helminthic infections at low dose (Vermox®; 100 mg single dose, up to 100 mg×2 for up to 5 days depending on strain) but also at considerably higher doses, e.g. 40 mg/kg/day, over months to years against invasive echinococcus infections (Luder P. J., et al, Eur J Clin Pharmacol 31:443-448, 1986; Witassek, F., et al, Eur J Clin Pharmacol 20:427-433, 1981; Woodtli, W., et al, Am J Trop Med Hyg 34:754-760, 1985; WHO: Guidelines for treatment of cystic and alveolar echinococcosis in humans. Bull World Health Org 74:231-242, 1996).
The present inventors have discovered that mebendazole finds utility in the treatment of CIDs, for example autoimmune diseases, and in particular CIDs mediated by impaired ERK activity and/or decreased ERK signalling and/or inactivation of ERK, such as sarcoidosis and SLE.


To provide a rotary table device that can prevent the occurrence of malfunction before it happens. A rotary table device equipped with both or one of a clamping mechanism and purge mechanism which operate by way of working fluid, the rotary table device including: a detection unit that detects a pressure or flow rate of the working fluid; a transition information storage unit that acquires and stores transition information related to transition of a pressure value or flow rate value of the working fluid detected by the detection unit; a judgment value storage unit that stores in advance a plurality of sets of judgment value information related to judgment values for judging a pressure value or flow rate value of the working fluid; and a notification unit that notifies of notification information according to the pressure value or flow rate value of the working fluid, based on the transition information stored in the transition information storage unit and the plurality of sets of judgment value information stored in the judgment value storage unit.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a rotary table device.
Related Art
In machine tools, rotary table devices are widely used. The rotary table device has a rotating shaft which is rotatable, and performs fixing and indexing, etc. of a workpiece, tool, etc. on a face plate of the rotating shaft. Conventionally, for retaining the index position, a clamping mechanism that makes the rotating shaft unrotatable may be mounted to the rotary table device (for example, refer to Patent Document 1). The clamping mechanism performs clamping by pushing a brake disk fixed to the rotating shaft to a fixed member by a piston, and performs unclamping by separating the piston from the brake disk. Pneumatic or hydraulic pressure is used in driving of the piston. The air used for the pneumatic pressure or oil used for hydraulic pressure for driving the piston is supplied to the rotary table device.
In addition, an air purge mechanism capable of performing air purging by supplying air to the inside of the case of the rotary table device may be included in the rotary table device (for example, refer to Patent Document 2). By performing air purging in the air purge mechanism, it is possible to prevent the intrusion of cutting fluid to the inside of the case, by setting the pressure inside of the case of the rotary table device higher than the atmospheric pressure.
Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, Publication No. 2014-30864
Patent Document 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, Publication No. 2015-160262


A flat panel display apparatus includes a sampling clock generator for generating a sampling clock signal with a frequency corresponding to a synchronous signal supplied from a host, a delay circuit for delaying the sampling clock signal, a level converter for converting an analog video signal supplied from the host to have a given digital voltage level, a phase detector for detecting the phase difference between the digital voltage level video signal from the level converter and the sampling clock signal delayed by the delay circuit to generate a phase difference data, a comparator for comparing the phase difference data with a delay data corresponding to the synchronous signal, a micro-controller for generating the delay data to increase or decrease the delay time of the delay circuit to adjust the phase of the sampling clock signal in response to the output of the comparator, and an analog to digital converter for converting the analog video signal into corresponding digital video signal in response to the delayed sampling clock signal.

1. Technical Field
The present invention concerns a flat panel display apparatus, and more particularly a flat panel display apparatus with an automatic tracking control.
2. Related Art
The flat panel display apparatus receives an analog video signal and synchronous signal from a host such as a computer system. Then the flat panel display apparatus uses an analog to digital converter (A/D converter) to convert the analog video signal to corresponding digital video signal to display. In this case, the sampling clock signal supplied to the A/D converter varies in its frequency depending on the characteristics of the synchronous signal.
Computer systems are information handling systems that are utilized by many individuals and businesses today. A computer system can be defined as a microcomputer that includes a central processing unit (CPU), a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory such as read only memory (ROM), a display monitor, a keyboard, a mouse or other input device such as a trackball, a floppy diskette drive, a compact disc-read only memory (CD-ROM) drive, a modem, a hard disk storage device, and a printer. A computer system's main board, which is a printed circuit board known as a motherboard, is used to electrically connect these components together. A computer system can be a desktop computer, a portable computer such as a notebook computer or palm-sized computer, or other type of computer. The central processing unit is often described as a microprocessor. The microprocessor is an electronic component having internal logic circuitry handling most, if not all, the data processing in the computer system. The internal logic circuitry of microprocessors is typically divided into three functional parts known as the input/output (I/O) unit, the control unit, and the arithmetic-logic unit (ALU). These three functional parts interact together and determine the power and performance of the microprocessor. The combination of the control unit and the arithmetic-logic unit can be referred to as the central processing unit. Also, the combination of the input/output unit, the control unit, and the arithmetic-logic unit can be referred to as the central processing unit. One example of non-volatile memory is read only memory (ROM). Information stored in non-volatile memory can remain unchanged even when there is a power failure. The information stored in non-volatile memory will stay there until it is changed. Read only memory is used to store important information such as instructions for the central processing unit. There are different types of read only memory including electrically-erasable-programmable-read-only-memory (EEPROM) chip and flash-read-only-memory (flash-ROM). The flash-ROM can also be referred to as flash memory. Computer systems include a basic input output system (BIOS) which is an especially important program stored in read only memory. The basic input output system tests a computer every time the computer is powered on. The basic input output system can allocate a computer system's resources automatically, making adjustments needed to accommodate new hardware. Also, the basic input output system governs how system board components interact. When the computer system is powered on, the basic input output system immediately takes control of the computer system and its components. The first duty of the basic input output system is to perform a series of diagnostic routines called the power on self test (POST) routine, which ensures that every part of the computer system's hardware is functioning properly.
Meanwhile, the point at which the A/D converter performs a sampling on the analog video signal differs according to the phase of the sampling clock signal. Hence, when the sampling clock signal has a frequency suitable for the synchronous signal but with a phase difference, the proper sampling point is not secured, resulting in distorted video data and thus degradation of the picture quality. In order to resolve such problems, the flat display apparatus is provided with a tracking control, which is to adjust the phase of the sampling clock signal to achieve the optimum sampling point at which the effective parts of the analog signal may be sampled. This is also called the fine control, and has been manually preformed.
Such tracking control should be repeated whenever the display mode is changed, and it is very hard for a general user to manually perform the tracking adjustment control. Moreover, the manual control components can be so sensitive to factors such as heat that they may change a delay time and cause the analog video signal to be incorrectly converted into the digital video signal.
I have found that manual adjustments to tracking signals can be inconvenient and inefficient. Efforts have been made with reference to display devices, tracking signals, and synchronizing signals.
Exemplars of recent efforts in the art include U.S. Pat. No. 5,748,252 issued to Draves, U.S. Pat. No. 5,333,019 issued to Okamoto, U.S. Pat. No. 5,155,417 issued to Tateishi, U.S. Pat. No. 5,021,719 issued to Arai, et. at, U.S. Pat. No. 4,491,925 issued to Richards, U.S. Pat. No. 4,483,599 issued to MacRae, et. al, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,323,924 issued to Flasza.
While these recent efforts provide advantages, I note that they fail to adequately provide a flat panel display apparatus with automatic tracking control.

Flat panel display apparatus with automatic tracking control


An infusion assembly for a machine for the preparation of beverages. The infusion assembly (1) includes an abutment member (6) and a receiving member (7) adapted to assume, in a stationary support and guide structure (2), a separated open position, as well as a coupled closed position in which an infusion chamber is defined. The relative movement of said members (6, 7) is controlled using an electrical linear actuator (14).

This invention relates to an infusion assembly for a machine for preparing beverages, in particular coffee.
More specifically the invention concerns an infusion assembly comprising an operationally stationary support and guide structure, which has an abutment member and a related hollow receiving member, the receiving member being adapted to contain a quantity or dose of a substance, possibly pre-packaged in a pod or similar, for the preparation of a beverage; said members being capable of assuming a relative closed position in which they are coupled to each other in a fluid-tight manner to define an infusion chamber, and a separated open position; the abutment member being provided with means adapted to allow water and/or steam to be injected into the infusion chamber; electrically controlled actuating means being provided to cause relative displacements of said members between the open and closed positions.
One purpose of this invention is to propose such an improved dispensing assembly.

Infusion assembly for a machine for the preparation of beverages


When the compression ratio of a variable compression ratio internal combustion engine (10) is set at a low compression ratio, a lubricating oil ejected from a lower link oil passage (25) is reflected by an upper link (11) at the piston top dead center, and supplied to a cylinder inside wall surface on the side on which a control link (15) is located in a view as viewed in the axial direction of the crank shaft. When the compression ratio of the variable compression ratio internal combustion engine (10) is set at a high compression ratio, the lubricating oil ejected from lower link oil passage (25) is reflected by upper link (11) at the piston top dead center, and supplied to the back side of the piston crown.

A multi-link piston-crank mechanism for an internal combustion engine is known. This multi-link piston-crank mechanism includes: an upper link which is connected with a piston through a piston pin; a lower link which is rotatably attached to or mounted on a crank pin of a crank shaft and which is connected swingably with the upper link through a first connecting pin; a control link which includes a first end connected swingably with the lower link through a second connecting pin; and a control shaft which is rotatably attached to or supported by a cylinder block and which is provided with an eccentric shaft supporting a second end of the control link swingably. This multi-link piston-crank mechanism is arranged so that the first connecting pin is located on one side of a cylinder center axial line and the second connecting pin is located on the other side of the cylinder center axial line.
In this multi-link piston-crank mechanism, a force is applied to the piston in the direction pressing the piston to the cylinder inside wall surface on the side on which the control link lies as viewed in the axial direction of the crank shaft, owing to the construction of this mechanism.
For a multi-link piston-crank mechanism of the above-mentioned type, a patent document 1 discloses an arrangement including an oil supply hole having a forward open end opening in a thrust bearing surface around the crank pin of the crank shaft, and an oil guide groove which is formed in an annular flange surface of the lower link sliding on the thrust bearing surface, and which extends in the radial direction of the crank pin and aligns with the forward open end of the oil supply hole at a predetermined swing posture of the lower link. With this arrangement, a lubricating oil (oil jet) is supplied to the inside wall surface of the cylinder from the lower link along the oil guide groove.
However, in the arrangement, as an example, in which the center of the crank pin is always set off largely to the other side with respect to the cylinder center axial line in the view in the crank shaft axial direction, the crank pin is located toward the other side beyond the cylinder inside wall surface on the control link's side. Therefore, in the above-mentioned multi-link piston-crank mechanism, it is not possible in some cases to set the direction of the oil guide groove extending in the radial direction of the crank pin toward the cylinder inside wall surface on the control link's side without regard to the swing posture of the lower link.

Multi-link piston-crank mechanism for internal combustion engine


A transmission of information between a secondary to a primary node in a wireless network occurs in a plurality of N logical time durations. Bundled feedback information for multiple DL transmissions is provided in one UL transmission. Each DL transmission is indicated by a DL grant comprising an M-bit downlink assignment indicator (DAI) field. The primary node increments the value of the M-bit DAI field in successively transmitted DL grants. The secondary node examines the value of the M-bit DAI field in received DL grants, to determine the bundled feedback information.

Wireless cellular communication networks incorporate a number of mobile user equipments (UEs) and a number of NodeBs. A NodeB is generally a fixed station, and may also be called a base transceiver system (BTS), an access point (AP), a base station (BS), or some other equivalent terminology. As improvements of networks are made, the NodeB functionality evolves, so a NodeB is sometimes also referred to as an evolved NodeB (eNB). In general, NodeB hardware, when deployed, is fixed and stationary, while the UE hardware is portable.
In contrast to NodeB, the mobile UE can comprise portable hardware. User equipment (UE), also commonly referred to as a terminal or a mobile station, may be fixed or mobile device and may be a wireless device, a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a wireless modem card, and so on. Uplink communication (UL) refers to a communication from the mobile UE to the NodeB, whereas downlink (DL) refers to communication from the NodeB to the mobile UE. Each NodeB contains radio frequency transmitter(s) and the receiver(s) used to communicate directly with the mobiles, which move freely around it. Similarly, each mobile UE contains radio frequency transmitter(s) and the receiver(s) used to communicate directly with the NodeB. In cellular networks, the mobiles cannot communicate directly with each other but have to communicate with the NodeB.
Control information bits are transmitted, for example, in the uplink (UL), for several purposes. For instance, Downlink Hybrid Automatic Repeat ReQuest (HARQ) requires at least one bit of ACK/NACK transmitted in the uplink, indicating successful or failed circular redundancy check(s) (CRC). Moreover, a one bit scheduling request indicator (SRI) is transmitted in uplink, when UE has new data arrival for transmission in uplink. Furthermore, an indicator of downlink channel quality (CQI) needs to be transmitted in the uplink to support mobile UE scheduling in the downlink. While CQI may be transmitted based on a periodic or triggered mechanism, the ACK/NACK needs to be transmitted in a timely manner to support the HARQ operation. Note that ACK/NACK is sometimes denoted as ACKNAK or just simply ACK, or any other equivalent term. Here, ACK refers to acknowledgement (successful CRC check) and NACK refers to negative-acknowledgement (failed CRC check). The ACK/NACK information is typically required to be highly reliable in order to support an appropriate and accurate HARQ operation. This uplink control information is typically transmitted using the physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), as defined by the 3GPP working groups (WG), for evolved universal terrestrial radio access (EUTRA). The EUTRA is sometimes also referred to as 3GPP long-term evolution (3GPP LTE). The structure of the PUCCH is designed to provide sufficiently high transmission reliability.
In addition to PUCCH, the EUTRA standard also defines a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), intended for transmission of uplink user data. The Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) can be dynamically scheduled. This means that time-frequency resources of PUSCH are re-allocated every sub-frame. This (re)allocation is communicated to the mobile UE using the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH). Alternatively, resources of the PUSCH can be allocated semi-statically, via the mechanism of semi-persistent scheduling. Thus, any given time-frequency PUSCH resource can possibly be used by any mobile UE, depending on the scheduler allocation. Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) is different than the PUSCH, and the PUCCH is used for transmission of uplink control information (UCI). Frequency resources which are allocated for PUCCH are found at the two extreme edges of the uplink frequency spectrum. In contrast, frequency resources which are used for PUSCH are in between. Since PUSCH is designed for transmission of user data, re-transmissions are possible, and PUSCH is expected to be generally scheduled with less stand-alone sub-frame reliability than PUCCH. The general operations of the physical channels are described in the EUTRA specifications, for example: "3rd Generation Partnership Project; Technical Specification Group Radio Access Network; Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA); Physical Channels and Modulation" (3GPP TS 36.211, Release 8).
A reference signal (RS) is a pre-defined signal, pre-known to both transmitter and receiver. The RS can generally be thought of as deterministic from the perspective of both transmitter and receiver. The RS is typically transmitted in order for the receiver to estimate the signal propagation medium. This process is also known as "channel estimation." Thus, an RS can be transmitted to facilitate channel estimation. Upon deriving channel estimates, these estimates are used for demodulation of transmitted information. This type of RS is sometimes referred to as De-Modulation RS or DM RS. Note that RS can also be transmitted for other purposes, such as channel sounding (SRS), synchronization, or any other purpose. Also note that Reference Signal (RS) can be sometimes called the pilot signal, or the training signal, or any other equivalent term.
In the EUTRA time division duplex (TDD) frame structure, different subframes are allocated for downlink (DL) and uplink (UL) transmissions. One property of TDD is that the number of UL and DL subframes within a radio frame can be different. In configurations where there are more DL subframes than UL subframes, multiple DL subframes are associated with one single UL subframe for the transmission of the corresponding control signals. For example, for each dynamically scheduled transmission in the DL subframes, ACK/NAK bits need to be transmitted in an associated UL subframe to support proper hybrid ARQ (HARQ) operation. If a UE is scheduled in multiple DL subframes which are all associated with one single UL subframe, then the UE needs to transmit multiple ACK/NAK bits in that UL subframe. One solution to reduce the number of ACK/NAK bits the UE needs to transmit is to adopt ACK/NAK bundling. Typically, the UE compresses the multiple ACK/NAK bits into one or two bundled ACK/NAK bits, which are transmitted in the corresponding UL subframe. A common ACK/NAK compression or bundling rule is that if all ACK/NAK bits are of value (ACK), then one (ACK) bit is transmitted in the UL subframe to acknowledge all received packets in the multiple DL subframes. If there is at least one NAK bit, then one (NAK) bit is transmitted in the UL subframe to request retransmission of all DL packets. The general operations of the TDD channels are described in the EUTRA specifications, for example: "3rd Generation Partnership Project; Technical Specification Group Radio Access Network; Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA); Physical layer procedures" (3GPP TS 36.213, Release 8).

Transmission of bundled feedback in wireless networks


A method for manufacturing a semiconductor package, the method comprising providing a substrate having opposite first and second surfaces and having one or more through openings formed therethrough from the first to the second surfaces at predefined positions; providing at least one first die having first and second opposite surfaces and having one or more first contact terminals on the first surface of the at least one first die; placing the at least one first die with the first surface thereof on the first surface of the substrate, with an adhesive applied therebetween outside the one or more through openings, such that the one or more through openings are aligned to the one or more first contact terminals, whereby a die assembly having correspondingly opposite first and second surfaces is formed; providing the first surface of the die assembly with a first plating layer of an electrically conductive plating material to electrically contact the one or more first contact terminals, wherein the plating material of the first plating layer extends in the through openings to electrically contact the one or more first contact terminals therethrough.

Today's semiconductor packages need to give outstanding performance with reduced cost. Redistribution of the device pads allows the housing of a smaller die within the package, which significantly reduces the product cost. Designs must continue to push the boundaries of performance and lever more efficient manufacturing methods to achieve cost reductions.
A conventional generation of packages has evolved to a level where the package no longer significantly impedes the performance of the device. However, there is still potentially room to reduce product cost and simplify processing for this generation of packages, which should include redistribution to expand the pad area.

Method for manufacturing a semiconductor package


An oscillating device to determine the purity of single or multi-component liquids on the basis of their dielectric permittivity, in a continuous procedure through the frequency change in the static permittivity region and with strict temperature control. The oscillator is connected to a standard thermoregulated measuring cell, a frequency meter and a power source. The improved characteristic is that the circuit does not contain the usual micrometer and standard capacitors and that it has a previously determined inductance to improve measurement conditions. In this manner, and operating in the region of static frequencies to avoid relaxation phenomena, a continuous measurement is achieved with a high degree of precision that had never been previously obtained. A measurement procedure is also disclosed that is carried out with the device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention refers to an oscillating device to determine the purity of single or multi-component liquids, on the basis of their dielectric permittivity, in a continuous form under strict temperature control and through frequency changes in the static permittivity region and to the associated measurement procedure.
More precisely it refers to an oscillator to determine in a continuous fashion the degree of coincidence of the global composition of a liquid, either single or as a mixture of two or more components with a previously established standard, by means of a high sensitivity oscillating circuit containing a temperature controlled capacitance cell.
For this purpose it is based on dielectric permittivity measurements (previously called dielectric constant, until this denomination was changed by the International Union of Single and Applied Chemistry, as stated in the 2nd Edition of Quantities, Units and Symbols in Physical Chemistry, published in 1993) taking into account that it is one of the physical properties that is most sensitive to the composition of liquids.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
The verification and continuous following of the global composition of a liquid, either single or multi-component, during production processes, at the end of it and before its use in the final destination, is one of the most important technologic problems. Especially because, very frequently, a detailed knowledge of the composition is not needed and it is only important whether or not it is within the requirements of a previously, in general physical, established standard.
Under these conditions devices that require the taking of a sample and its later analysis in a place, near or far; from the production line, are not adequate because they imply either the interruption of the process until the answer is available or the risk that an out of specification product continues in the process or is used in its final application.
This is the typical case of solvents, liquid fuels, liquid lubricants, transformer liquids and isolating liquids in general.
As is known, the permittivity of any given substance is obtained from measurements in capacitors comparing their capacitance values in vacuum and containing the substance to be examined through the following equality:
∈=Cf/Ce
wherein ∈ is the permittivity, Cf, Ce respectively the capacitance of the filled and empty capacitor. Actually the latter value corresponds to the air filled capacitor since for all practical purposes there is no substantial difference between the vacuum permittivity, taken as unity and that of atmospheric air, which under normal conditions of temperature and pressure is ∈=1, 00059.
To determine these capacitances RLC, LC or RC oscillating circuits are used, among other devices, having oscillating frequencies that run from fractions of Hertz to Gigaherts, that are clearly in the microwave region.
Depending on the frequency measuring range used for permittivity determination, the latter can be divided into two well differentiated classes: static and complex permittivities. Static permittivity is determined at frequencies never exceeding 5 MHz, although in general operations are carried out below 1 MHz. These values depend on the size of the molecules of the substance being examined because this is what determines their ability to xe2x80x9cfollowxe2x80x9d the oscillations of the applied electric field. In other words, plotting permittivity as a function of frequency, the first region (0 Hz to 5 MHz) will be represented by a straight line parallel to the abscissa (frequency) axis. Once this limit is surpassed the permittivity becomes complex being the result of the sum of two components, one real and the other imaginary, because the molecules oscillation frequency suffers a progressive phase shift with regards to the oscillation frequency of the electric field. This is the so called relaxation phenomenon that is in turn the fundamental characteristic of this region of the frequency spectrum and its amplitude changes with the size of the molecules involved.
Both the theory and the oscillators used in the determination of both types of permittivities are completely different. In general the former (static permittivity) are far more accessible and simpler than the latter (complex permittivity). In any case both have very important fields of application that vary depending on the nature of the problems to be solved.
The most important advantage of the static permittivity determinations are: their evident independence from the oscillation frequency with the consequent ease to reproduce measured values, the low influence of residual capacitances (resulting from cables, connections and eventual empty spaces in the capacitor) and the precision and high sensitivity that can be obtained with the modem circuits based on integrated electronic components. This is not the case of the complex permittivity because determinations of similar quality have not been achieved.
This latter situation is the result of the well known fact that while with complex permittivity and relaxation, determinations in general do not provide results with better than the second decimal, in the case of static permittivity the fourth decimal can be reached without difficulties.
Therefore static permittivity becomes an ideal parameter to establish macroscopic characteristics of substances (especially fluids) and compare them with preestablished appropriate standards.
Presently known procedures, that provide these results, are based on electronic circuits of the RLC type wherein the capacitance (C) is formed by a number of capacitors in parallel: a measuring cell, a standard capacitor and a micrometric capacitor. This is quite adequate for discontinuous measurements and although the sensitivity and precision are acceptable, the standard and micrometric capacitor, as mechanical devices, are a source of important difficulties, such as: mechanical backlash, sensitivity to ambient temperature, complexity in the connections that require a rigidity not easy to achieve (any movement during the measuring procedure causes appreciable changes in the results), the impossibility to develop any type of automatic processing or continuous recording, preventing the use of computers and the need to make several capacitance measurements before the desired permittivity can be calculated.
Regarding this latter mentioned fact it is necessary to take into account and review briefly the manner in which the measurements are carried out, in what can be called the traditional way, that is using capacitors through the so called substitution method.
As stated above an oscillator is used the capacity of which is formed by three capacitors in parallel:
a measuring cell
a standard capacitor, that can be any one available in the market as for instance of the General Radio brand (although any other one of similar characteristics is equally acceptable). These capacitors have a range that covers from 150 to 1000 picoFarads (pF) and a sensitivity of 0.5 pF.
a micrometric capacitor, formed by a micrometric screw, of the caliper type, with a 3 to 4 cm stem that can be introduced in a bronze cylinder the inside diameter of which is machined so that with the outer diameter of the stem a 2 pF capacitor is obtained for a length of 20 divisions of the screw.
In general the substitution method comprises the steps of:
determining the capacitance of the circuit without the three mentioned capacitors,
determining the capacitance of the empty cell, subtracting from it the value of the so called residual capacitance, that corresponds to that part of the cell that is not in contact with the liquid to be examined and all the connections that lead to the oscillator,
determining the capacity of the cell once the dielectric has been introduced.
The instruments used comprise two oscillators. One (fixed) is based on a crystal of oscillating frequency chosen between 100 and 500 kHz, depending on what is available regarding stability. To this effect the low frequency ones (100 kHz) are preferred because they are far less sensitive to changes in the at ambient temperature and therefore require less space because they do not need a heating chamber, as is the case with those of higher frequency (500 kHz). The other oscillator is variable because its oscillating frequency depends mainly on the capacitance of the already mentioned battery of three parallel capacitors. The procedure essentially requires that the variable oscillator is made to oscillate at a frequency that is very close to that of the fixed oscillator so that the difference in frequency is a whole number that can then be compared to any well known and very stable frequency signal.
Although this may sound extremely complex it is actually quite simple because the difference that is looked for between the two frequencies is of 50 or 60 Hz, depending of the frequency available in the utility power lines, or a multiple of this value (100 or 120, 150 or 180, etc). This signal can be supplied to the horizontal input of an oscilloscope (CRO), the vertical input of which is connected to the utilities power line (that may be 50 or 60 Hz). The input can be exactly the reverse because in both cases the result will be identical since a Lissajous figure is obtained the form of which varies depending on the multiplicity of the variable oscillator signal. If both are 50 (or 60) Hz signals the resulting figure is a circle that will be as motionless as close as the two frequency values are. If the difference of the to oscillators is of 100 (120) Hz the resulting figure corresponds to the 2:1 ratio. This one is preferred because it is much easier to observe.
The measuring procedure then comprises the following steps:
set the scale of the micrometric capacitor to zero
disconnect the battery of capacitors
determine the capacity of the oscillator setting the standard capacitor dial at the full capacity value that leads to the closest chosen Lissajous figure. For this purpose the marks on both the fixed and movable dial are set perfectly in line. The same mode of approach must always be followed to avoid undesirable mechanical backlash. Regardless of the width of the two lines one edge of each is chosen for all the measurements. Otherwise substantial changes will be found in successive readings. The micrometric screw is then used to adjust the capacity until the desired Lissajous figure remains absolutely still. In this way values within one thousandth of pF can be obtained. The second capacity reading is subtracted from the first one and from this value the residual capacitance is subtracted, giving the capacitance of the empty cell. Strictly speaking this is the capacitance of that part of the cell that will contain the dielectric material to be examined. The residual capacitance is obtained as indicated later.
As a matter of fact what has been done with this operation was to substitute the capacitance of the cell using the standard and micrometric capacitors. Hence the name of substitution method.
now the liquid to be examined is introduced into the cell, filling is controlled through an overflow, and the capacitance is measured in the same manner as with the empty cell,
the cell is now disconnected and the capacitance of the oscillator is measured again. This value must not differ more than 0.03 pF, because this is the experimentally determined upper limit value that will lead to permittivity values with an error smaller that 0.0001 units, in other words with four exact decimal figures.
the capacitance measured for the filled cell is then subtracted from the value of the final oscillator capacitance and from this difference the residual capacitance is then subtracted,
the capacitance of the filled cell (Cf) is divided by the capacitance of the empty cell (Ce) and the value of the permittivity (∈) is finally obtained,
the residual capacitance is determined in a totally similar fashion with the sole exception that a liquid of exactly known permittivity is used and the capacitance value is obtained form the equation wherein the ∈ of a standard liquid is used as data. For this purpose benzene or carbon tetrachloride can serve because both liquids are easily purified to values of 100% purity if kept under a pure and dry nitrogen blanket.
It has become evident in the former description that there is a high number of mechanical operations to be performed, with the consequent accumulation of mechanical backlash problems, besides the fact that there are many visual estimations to be made regarding the coincidence of lines in the dials of the two capacitors.
Therefore a situation is faced wherein resources in constant development and progress as is the case with electronic circuits, are plagued by the inconveniences and problems caused by mechanical elements the essential characteristics of which have not changed in decades. The case of the standard capacitor is typical because they are now built with materials of excellent quality, they are solid and dependable but, never the less they are still mechanical instruments. Even so it is possible to build easily, as has just been described, oscillators that lead to permittivity values with four exact decimal figures and an error in the fifth. But it is also evident that the solution to these measurement problems lies in the totally electronic realm.
It is therefore evident that all these problems could be solved through totally electronic measuring devices and procedures.
In the case of the complex permittivity the automatization problem has been successfully dealt with through procedures that imply the frequency scan from the lower limit (even within the static region) up to well into the microwaves. So much so that for quite some time there exist commercial instruments of various origins and characteristics. However, unfortunately, with them it is not possible to achieve the sensitivity provided by static permittivity measurements.
This is the case of GB 2,306,660 that describes an electrical measuring apparatus and method to determine the presence of substantial amounts of decomposition products in break fluids through the complex permittivity method. The circuit disclosed in said patent provides a first value that depends on the imaginary part and a second value that depends on the real part of the permittivity. The oscillator allows for a periodic or continuous check and, through the volume of the frequency of an audible signal that can be incorporated into the circuit, the permittivity of the fluid is obtained. However, it is important to keep in mind that no measurement is made but a value is established as the result of a massive composition change due to the presence of decomposition products.
Another type of oscillator for the determination of complex permittivity in fluids is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,677,631, that discloses a coaxial two port waveguide flowline sensor, especially adapted to determine variables in fluids and their conditions in the case of high temperatures in drilling wells. Said sensor transmits radiofrequency signals, in the transverse electric mode (TEM), through well fluids that flow through the longitudinal cavity of a waveguide. Again, as in the previous case, the purpose is to establish substantial composition changes that do not require great sensitivity.
Furthermore DE 4,004,192 discloses an apparatus that measures variation in the permittivity of breaking fluids due to water content, with compensation of temperature variations. The device uses two measuring rings that are mounted on plastic to form a capacitor that uses the brake fluid as dielectric. In this fashion, by measuring the change in permittivity due to the presence of water it is possible to establish unacceptable levels of contamination. It also uses a resistor integrated to the sensor to compensate for temperature variations. Again only variations in the composition of the dielectric are established as a checking means and without great sensitivity.
Something similar can be seen in U.S. Pat No. 5,125,265 that discloses a contamination capacitance probe system comprising a capacitance to frequency converter, a frequency to voltage converter and a Schmidt trigger that provide a first and second control signals. The device of this invention is operable with two or more fluids of different permittivities that are either immiscible or miscible.
Regarding the circuit, U.S. Pat. No. 4,559,493 discloses an oscillating circuit for determining the purity of single or multi-component liquids (water and ink) from static permittivities using a cell linked to a multimeter and a frequency metter but with no temperature control.
Material moisture detection through static dielectric measurements with a cell and an RLC oscillatoing circuit is disclosed in U.S. Pat No. 4,782,282. Although exemplified for particulate solids the use in liquids is contemplated. However, again there is no reference to temperature control.
The choice of inductance values for the coil in the RLC oscillating circuit is mentioned in U.S. Pat No. 3,319,209.
Somewhat similar is the circuit disclosed by U.S. Pat No. 3,793,585 for the continuous determination of single or multi-component liquids flowing through cell, through dielectric permittivity readings on a meter.
The same can be said of U.S. Pat Nos. 4,736,156 and 4,907,442 because they both refer to methods and systems for determining dielectric permittivity and capacitance to be used in the detection of moisture in liquids.
However, as already mentioned, none of the cited prior art indicates the need for an adequate and careful temperature control in the cell itself.
Evidently with any of these systems it would be impossible to determine continuously, with high sensitivity and precision, the presence of contaminants that, regardless of concentration, change only slightly the permittivity (∈) of the product.
Other attempts have been made to use static permittivity through frequency changes [i.e. A. Bonilla and B. Vasos, Journal of Chemical Education 54(2), 130 (1977) and R. Kurz, O. T. Anderson and B. R. Willeford, Jr., Journal of Chemical Education 54(3), 181 (1977)] the results, though interesting, were far from leading to a useful procedure to solve the problems of precision and sensitivity found in practical applications.
The problem to solve is then to find a device comprising an oscillator that will allow to measure the capacitance of a capacitor, used as cell, through the changes in frequency of the oscillator, in the static permittivity region without the need of standard and micrometric capacitors and with a strict temperature control in the cell. This implies to work at frequencies low enough so as not to be affected by relaxation phenomena, so that with a careful temperture control the static permittivity of liquids csn be determined in an automatic fashion, with sufficient sensitivity to detect the presence of contaminants having permittivities similar to that of the fluid or that are in small proportions, if of higher permittivity.
Therefore, it is the object of this invention to provide a device comprising an RLC type circuit for the measurement of frequencies in the static region having an electronic oscillator connected to a carefully temperature controlled measuring cell through which a liquid flows, the permittivity of which is to be known.
Another object is to use a standard measuring cell without standard or micrometric capacitors with an adequate inductance and a monitored temperture control system.
Another object is to use a very stable oscillating circuit, the oscillating frequency of which can be held constant for sufficiently long periods of time so as to allow high precision measurements.
Another object is to use a rigid cell, of suitable dimensions, easy to connect and disconnect, and with an adequate temperature control. based on the use of a thermistor placed in a well drilled into the measuring cell wall.
Another object is that the cell has a sufficient electric capacitance to make high sensitivity measurements possible.
Another object is that the temperature control depends on an adequate thermostatization and constant monitoring of the temperature.
Another object is to obtain a procedure to determine the permittivity of a liquid placed in a measuring cell from the electric capacitance values calculated from the frequencies measured on the oscillator.
Another object is to obtain the permittivity directly from the frequency values measured on the empty and filled cell, taking previously into account the frequency value corresponding to the residual capacitance.
As hereabove described, the oscillating device and the procedure of the present invention are centered in the electronic device to determine absolute dielectric permittivities in real time and in a continuous manner with a high degree of sensitivity and precision and also on the constant monitoring and control of the temperature in the measuring cell. To achieve this it is necessary to obtain an electronic circuit of great stability, that operates within the frequency range where no relaxation phenomena occur, that is to say below 1 MHz and preferably between 10 and 200 kHz and the frequency changes of which are sufficiently large so as to ensure an adequate sensitivity of the measurements.
Strict and careful temperature control in the measuring cell is needed in view of the substantial dependence of the permittivity of liquids on the temperature. So much so that the old term dielectric constant was abandoned because its lack of constancy with, among other variables, the temperature in the measuring cell. As an example it may be cited that the permittivity of benzene changes by 0.002 units per degree centigrade [H. Bradford Thompson, Journal of Chemical Education, 43(2), 66-73 (1966)]. Therefore in order to obtain permittivity values with better than one 0.0001 units, necessary in precise control of the purity of liquids, a very strict control and temperture monitoring is necessary.

OSCILLATING DEVICE FOR THE DETERMINATION OF THE PURITY OF SINGLE OR MULTI-COMPONENT LIQUIDS FROM THEIR DIELECTRIC PERMITTIVITY, IN A CONTINUOUS WAY AND THROUGH FREQUENCY CHANGES IN THE STATIC PERMITTIVITY REGION AND AN ASSOCIATED MEASUREMENT PROCEDURE


A method of and a solution for making a highly porous optical antireflection coating of a selectively designed index of refraction, by applying a colloidal dispersion derived from hydrolytically condensing, in the presence of water and a catalyst, one or more silicon compounds of the general formula R.sub.a SiX.sub.4-a, or precondensates derived therefrom, to a substrate. In the formula, R is an organic group having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms which may be interrupted by oxygen atoms and/or sulfur atoms and/or amino groups, X is hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, alkoxy, acyloxy, alkylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl or NR'.sub.2, R' being hydrogen, alkyl or aryl and a being 0, 1 or 2. The solution also contains colloidally dispersed organic polymers at a molar ratio, relative to the silane, between 0.1 mmol/mol silane and 100 mmol/mol silane, the median molecular mass of the polymer being between 200 and 500,000. Sol-vents, preferably alcohol, may also be present in the solution. After being applied to an optical substrate, the solution is dried and organic components are removed from it to leave a porous coating of predetermined index of refraction.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention, in general, relates to a composition for, and a method of, making a highly porous anti-flection coating, and, more particularly, to an optical anti-reflection coating for simultaneously improving the transmission and preventing or minimizing undesired reflections of visible and other electromagnetic radiation of the kind occurring, for instance, at cathode ray tubes, liquid crystal displays, instrument panels, spectacle lenses, picture tubes, solar collectors and automotive windscreens.
2. The State of the Art
When light is penetrating the interface between two media of different diffractive indices a portion of the radiation is reflected. The reflected portion of light vertically impinging upon a pane of glass having an index of refraction n=1.5 is about 4%. If, however, the light falls on the interface at an acute angle, a much greater portion is reflected.
Display devices such as, for example, cathode ray tubes or liquid crystal displays are used for many different applications. While the quality of their images has been improved, the images are often difficult to distinguish because of reflections. Furthermore, the reliability of the information transmitted, for instance, from instrument panels, watch crystals or automotive windscreens is often reduced significantly because of reflections.
Reduced reflections are desirable for a great many optical systems. Anti-reflection coatings on spectacle lenses are a well-known example. By using covers with anti-reflection coatings on solar devices their efficiency could be enhanced.
Reflection may also be reduced by the application of interference coatings. If a coating of a thickness .lambda./4 is applied to glass (n=1.5), for instance, destructive interference will result between the reflected portion at the interfaces between air and coating as well as coating and glass. Yet the conditions for destructive interference always hold only for a particular wave length and a particular angle of incidence. The refractive index of the coating determines the level of minimum reflection. For glass of optimum anti-reflection properties it has to be 1.22 in order to result in close to zero at a wavelength of .lambda.. Such a low index of refraction cannot, however, be achieved with dense coatings. A single anti-reflection coating of the kind mentioned is extremely effective for visual as well as for solar purposes. The antireflective effect of the often used treble layered interference coatings reasonably extends over the range of visible light, i.e. from about 400 nm to about 800 nm. Such coatings are, however, unsuited for solar applications because the spectrum of solar radiation covers a much wider range.
Reduced reflection may also be achieved by a surface with a graduated refractive index. That is to say, rather than changing abruptly the refractive index approaches the value for glass from the value for air (n=1) in several steps. The advantage of such a layer is that it effectively reduces reflection over a broad-band spectral range and for all angles of incidence.
Different processes for fabricating anti-reflective surfaces exist already. For example, transparent anti-reflection films or coatings of different refractive indices have been applied to surfaces to reduce undesirable surface reflections. Such processes do, however, entail problems as they involve the application of at least two coatings. This results in lower productivity and higher production costs. To render spectacle lenses or video screens anti-reflective, for instance, interference layers are applied by vapor deposition. While the layers thus produced are relatively abrasion resistant, their high costs of about $60.00 (DM 100.00) to about $100.00 (DM 150.00) per square meter of treated surface area constitute a disadvantage. On the other hand, sputtered multi-layered interference coatings are suitable only for visual anti-reflection coatings and cannot be applied to every kind of substrate geometry, such as the internal surfaces of tubes, for instance. Diffuse anti-reflection by roughening the surface is most common but does not result in enhanced transmission. Anti-reflection of high optical value may be obtained by a treble-layered system involving a sol-gel process. Such a process is suitable even for making large display windows anti-reflective. But at a cost of about $100.00 (DM 140.00) to about $150.00 (DM 200.00) it is a relatively expensive process.
German patent application 4,430,859 discloses an anti-reflection coating consisting of two layers of different indices of refraction. At least its first layer also contains a light absorber. While the processes for producing these layers are conventional, involving sputtering, vapor deposition or other common coating processes, they are, nevertheless, expensive. Moreover, another disadvantage of such an anti-reflection coating and of its manufacturing process resides in the fact that because of the light absorber it is very unlikely that the transmission is significantly increased.
European patent specification 0,514,973 discloses an anti-reflection coating for cathode ray tubes, in particular. The coating has a graduated index of refraction decreasing from the surface of the substrate in the direction of the coating surface. The coating is produced by a sol-gel process in which the conditions of the reaction during the gel formation are varied such that the resultant gel is non-porous with the degree of cross-linkage increasing from the surface of the substrate toward the outer surface of the coating. The disadvantage of this process is the dispersion occurring as a result of relatively large particles in the coating. The dispersion results in reduced transmission thus rendering it unsuited for solar applications. Also, the multiple coating application is very expensive.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,830,879 also teaches an anti-reflective coating for surfaces of glass, metal and crystal. The coating is produced by multiple coating and by a sol-gel process by hydrolytic condensation of metal alkoxides. To this end, four differently aged solutions each containing particles of a size different from those of the other solutions are produced for consecutive coatings of a substrate. The resultant antireflection coating has a gradient of particle sizes and, hence, of porosity and refractive index. While such multi-layer coatings or gradient layers lead to broad-band antireflection, they do, however, depend upon extremely porous structures (n=1.05!) in the direction of the surface of the coating. These structures tend to be very unstable mechanically. The disadvantage of this kind of coating, moreover, resides in its complex manufacturing process which, because of the numerous process steps, is very expensive.

Method of making an anti-reflection coating

Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Forderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.


This invention relates to the manufacturing of a monobloc bundle of straight tubes, laterally contiguous and fixed together. Initially, the bundle is made of tubes which are laterally contiguous and which are not fixed together. An apparatus is used to fix together the tubes at one or at both ends. This apparatus consists of a means to form the bundle of tubes laterally contiguous but not fixed together, of a means to cut the bundle perpendicular to the axis of the tubes and of means to fix together the ends of the tubes in the plane of the cut. The bundle of tubes can be used to make the core of a sandwich panel.

1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to the manufacturing of a monoblock bundle of straight tubes laterally contiguous, which can be used as the core of a sandwich panel.
A typical application, but not limited to, of the invention is the manufacturing of panels which can be used as light walls with a good transversal compression strength, for example panels for truck bodies, containers and diverse walls.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
The problem in the manufacturing of a monoblock bundle of tubes laterally contiguous is the assembly of the tubes and this assembly is known to be done by bonding the tubes one against the others on their full length.

Process for manufacturing a bundle of tubes


An electrode for electroporation comprising a plurality of electrode needles, wherein first polarity electrode needles, an electrode needle holding portion, and a syringe holding portion are provided; two or more first polarity electrode needles project from a bottom surface of a lower structural body of an outer frame support of the electrode needle holding portion toward an electroporation target side; the bottom surface of the lower structural body of the outer frame support is provided with a hole for syringe needle insertion and removal communicating with a syringe holding portion side; the syringe holding portion is provided on a side opposite to the electroporation target side of the electrode needle holding portion; and the syringe holding portion has a path for syringe needle insertion and removal, at least a portion of the path for syringe needle insertion and removal being provided with an electro-conductive portion for a second polarity.

Electroporation is a method for forming pores in the cell membranes of the target cells by electrical stimulation and achieving easy and efficient introduction of foreign substances into cells. Since electroporation is a method having broad utility as an easy method for introducing nucleic acids, medical substances, and the like, its demand has been increasing in life science research and development and the medical treatment field. However, increase in the usage of electroporation has revealed problems in particular fields. For example, though in vivo electroporation is an important method in the research fields using muscle tissue, skin tissue or the like, it is pointed out that the introduction efficiency of foreign substances is low, and the improvement of introduction efficiency is required.
The main reason for the low introduction efficiency in the in vivo electroporation in muscle tissues, skin tissues or the like is that the experimenters or technicians are required to have special handling skills.
The procedures for performing in vivo electroporation on muscle tissue, skin tissue or the like using general needle electrodes are as follows: (i) a solution containing the substances to be introduced is injected into the target tissue; (ii) the injection site is marked with a marker or the like; (iii) the injection needle is taken out; (iv) using needle electrodes, the needle insertion depth is adjusted; and (v) electric pulses are applied to the target tissue. The entire procedures need to be performed accurately and quickly. In this conventional method, skills are required upon marking the injection site and adjusting the insertion depth, and even if the operator has excellent skills, the experimental results tend to vary. Moreover, since there is a time lag of several tens of seconds to several minutes between the injection of the solution and the application of the electric pulses, there is a fundamental problem that the injected substances are dispersed by the blood flow.
A hand-held electrode device for electroporation treatment having an electrode array with a plurality of electrode needles is disclosed as an electrode device to be used in vivo (Patent Document 1). Since the hand-held electrode device for treatment disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a plurality of electrode needles, it is expected that a larger electric field is generated. However, the improvement in operability in an in vivo situation is not expected because this electrode device requires a series of operations as described above, such as taking out the injection needle after the injection of the substances to be introduced, inserting the electrode needles, and adjusting the needle depth. Therefore, a stable and significant improvement in introduction efficiency in an in vivo situation is not expected when the electrode device of Patent Document 1 is used.
Meanwhile, Patent Document 2 discloses an electrode apparatus for treatment of ailments in which, in an electrode array having a plurality of electrode needles, one or more of the electrodes are cannular. Yet, in Patent Document 2, the portion constituting the electrode array is a part of a hand-held electrode device for treatment of ailments, and the cannular needles are merely a part of the structure integrated with other electrode needles. More specifically, the electrode apparatus of Patent Document 2 is an apparatus in which the multi-electrode needles, the electrode system, cannular needles, the liquid-supplying tube system and the control system are completely integrated. Yet, parts such as the cannular needles and the liquid-supplying tubes attached thereto need to be replaced each time the apparatus is used, and there is a problem in that the assembly of the apparatus or the filling of the sample in the preparation for the experiment cannot be performed quickly or easily. Moreover, if the members for the liquid-supplying system such as the tubular members are reused, the risk of contamination or infection is anticipated.
Therefore, it is hard to admit that the electrode array of the apparatus of Patent Document 2 has a structure that can be stably and conveniently used in research or medical treatment. In this respect, the apparatus of Patent Document 2 presents a new technical problem that has not been found in other prior art.

TOKYO METROPOLITAN INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL SCIENCE