Chemical compounds derived by in silico molecular modelling, having a well defined structure suitable for the blocking of the phosphorylation event, through the specific interaction of the chemical with the Casein Kinase 2 enzyme substrate phosphorylation domain or it's neighbourhood. This invention comprises also the pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds, and their use in the preparation of medicines or agents for the treatment of diseases or conditions related with neoplasic processes.

Casein Kinase 2 (CK2) is a serine/threonine enzyme involved in the increment of the cell proliferation, being the nucleus it main intracellular location during the malignant transformation process. (Tawfic S., Yu S., Wang H., et al. (2001) Protein kinase CK2 signal in neoplasia. Histol. Histopathol. 16:573-582). Moreover some key viral proteins for the pathogeny of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) have been reported as CK2 substrates (Meggio F., Marin O., et al. (2001) Mol Cell Biochem 227:145-151; Franck N., Le Seyec J., et al. (2005) Hepatitis C virus NS2 protein is phosphorylated by the protein kinase CK2 and targeted for degradation to the proteasome. J Virol. 79:2700-2008).
Findings of other groups worldwide, had also confirmed the existence of elevated levels of CK2 in different solid tumours of epithelial origin, in orders ranging from 3 to 7 times higher, respect to the normal tissue. (Tawfic S., Yu S., et al. (2001) Protein kinase CK2 signal in neoplasia. Histol Histopatol. 16:573-582; Faust R. A., Gapany M., et al (1996) Elevated protein kinase CK2 activity in chromatin of head and neck tumors: association with malignant transformation. Cancer Letters 101:31-35), besides the phosphorylation activity of the CK2 enzyme being a very important event in the malignant transformation of the cells it constitutes a strong marker on the tumour progression, (Seldin D. C., Leder P. (1995) Casein Kinase IIα transgene-induced murine lymphoma: relation to theileroiosis in cattle. Science 267:894-897), the over expression of CK2 on the other hand leads to the tumorigenesis of mammary cells by the up regulation in the signalling cascade Wnt/beta-catenin (Landesman-Bollag E., Romien-Mourez R., et al (2001) Protein Kinase CK2 in mammary gland tumorigenesis. Oncogene 20:3247-3257). Recent findings also suggested that CK2 plays an essential role in some other processes like chromatin remodelling (Barz T., Ackenmann K., et al. (2003) Genome-wide expression screens indicate a global role for protein kinase CK2 in chromatin remodelling. J Cell Sci. 116:1563-1577) and the regulation of cell survival (Unger G. M., Davis A. T., Slaton J. W., Ahmed K. (2004) Protein kinase CK2 as regulator of cell survival: implications for cancer therapy. Curr Cancer Drug Targets, 4:77-84). Of paramount importance for the understanding of the cancer development process, had been the findings proving that CK2 mediated phosphorylation is a very strong signal for cell survival, therefore considering this enzyme as an antiapoptotic mediator for the cell physiology (Ahmed K., Gerber D. A., Cochet C. (2002) Joining the cell survival squad: an emerging role for protein kinase CK2. Trends Cell Biol, 12:226-229; Torres J., Rodriguez J., et al (2003) Phosphorylation-regulated cleavage of the tumour suppressor PTEN by caspase-3: implications for the control of protein stability and PTEN-protein interactions. J Biol Chem, 278:30652-60).
On the basis of the foregoing findings, the CK2 mediated phosphorylation has been confirmed as a biochemical event, suitable to be used as a potential target for the therapeutic intervention on cancer, rendering all potential inhibitors of such event as prospective candidates for the treatment of such condition. Up to date several research groups worldwide have been developing different strategies to inhibit CK2 mediated phosphorylation with two experimental approaches: a) The direct inhibition of the CK2 enzyme, or b) The blocking of the phosphorylation site near to the acidic domain described as common to all CK2 substrates.
For both approaches, the authors have been able to demonstrate the concept by which the inhibition of the CK2 mediated phosphorylation event, yield to the induction of apoptosis on tumour cells, which implies an experimental validation of CK2 as a very promissory target in the finding of drugs for cancer treatment.
Example of the latter is a direct inhibitor of the enzyme like the 4,5,6,7-tetrabromotriazole (TBB) tested as a potent apoptosis and caspase dependent degradation inducer in Jurkat cells on the micro molar concentration range. (Ruzzene M., Penzo D., Pinna L. (2002) Protein kinase CK2 inhibitor 4,5,6,7-tetrabromobenzotriazole (TBB) induces apoptosis and caspase-dependent degradation of haematopoietic lineage cell-specific protein 1 (HS1) in Jurkat cells. Biochem J., 364:41-47). Also, by inhibiting the expression of the CK2 enzyme by using anti-sense oligonucleotides, an in vitro apoptotic effect and antitumoral action in an experimental cancer model in mice. (Guo C., Yu S., et al. (2001) A potential role of nuclear matrix-associated protein kinase CK2 in protection against drug-induced apoptosis in cancer cells. J Biol Chem, 276:5992-5999; Slaton J. W., et al. (2004) Induction of apoptosis by antisense CK2 in human prostate cancer xenograft model. Mol Cancer Res. 2:712-721).
Other compounds like antraquinone derivatives, flavonoids, and halogenated azobenzylimidazoles have been described as CK2 ATP binding site inhibitors (Sarno S., et al. (2002) Toward the rational design of protein kinase casein kinase-2 inhibitors. Pharmacol Therapeutics 93:159-168), and 5-oxo-5,6-dihidroindolo(1,2-a)quinazolin-7-yl acetic acid (IQA) have been reported as a selective CK2 inhibitor using high throughput screening, (Vangrevelinghe E., et al. (2003) Biochemical and three-dimensional-structural study of the specific inhibition of protein kinase CK2 by [5-oxo-5,6-dihydroindolo-(1,2-a)quinazolin-7-yl]acetic acid (IQA). J. Med. Chem. 46:2556-2662).
The aforementioned compounds have shown their CK2 activity inhibiting effect in the micro molar range for the Inhibitory Concentration 50 (IC50), but no evidences have been reported of any antitumoral action in experimental models of cancer.
The other approach to inhibit the CK2 activity have been to interfere with the phosphorylation site on the substrate, in the patent application WO 03/054002 and the work of Perea S. E et al. (2004) Antitumor effect of a novel proapoptotic peptide impairing the phosphorylation by the protein kinase CK2. Cancer Res. 64:7127-7129, the authors are limited to propose the use of a cyclic peptide family to block the CK2 mediated phosphorylation on the substrate site, showing tumour cell cytotoxicity and antitumoral effect in cancer pre-clinical models. However the described peptides have the limitation of not being able per se to penetrate into the cells, hence requiring a membrane permeation peptide being fused to them.
In general terms, when compared to small molecules, the use of peptides have the drawbacks of a decreased in vivo stability in the circulation, degradation, being very difficult to formulate in oral administration and they are not easily transported inside the cells. (Ludger Wess, Isogenica: Improving peptides, Biocentury Oct. 25, 2004). Other problems of peptides widely described in the literature are the faster clearance, their immunogenic potential, and their cost per therapeutic dose is known to be generally superior to non-peptidic drugs.

Antineoplastic compounds and pharmaceutical compositions thereof

Centro de Ingenieria Genetica y Biotechnologia


One or more embodiments characterize workloads in a data warehouse system. A set of accounting data associated with a data warehouse system comprising at least one database is collected. A set of query concurrency information associated with the database is determined determining based on the set of accounting data. The set of query concurrency information identifies a plurality of queries executed on the database simultaneously and a duration of this execution. A set of processor utilization distribution information associated with the plurality of queries is determined based on the set of accounting data. A set of data access information indicating a quantity of data accessed by each query in the plurality of queries is determined. A workload profile associated with the database is generated based on the set of query concurrency information, the set of processor utilization distribution information, and the set of data access information.

The present invention generally relates to databases, and more particularly relates to characterizing workloads associated with databases.
Data warehouse and business intelligence workloads vary widely across customer implementations. The ad-hoc and scheduled work that enters the system is the root of the workload variation. Random numbers of users, data set size, and Structured Query Language (SQL) query complexity all contribute to the unpredictability. This results in effectively estimating and configuring the appropriate amount of hardware for the supporting database a difficult task. If the solution is undersized, the customer may suffer poor performance and possibly missed service level agreements (SLAs). In certain situations, this might force the provider to supply additional capacity for free. If oversized, the customer is left dissatisfied having spent more money than was necessary for the solution. In either case, when resource estimates are off target, customers are not happy.

Characterizing business intelligence workloads

International Business Machines Corporation


The invention relates to a waterborne high solids emulsion resin system that can be formulated in a way to provide excellent water proofing, chemical resistance, scratch and mar resistance, resistance to hot tire pickup, while minimizing the possibility of osmotic blistering and being able to use any desired cosolvent to produce a one-coat, clear, high gloss coating or sealant for wood, cement, concrete, stone, stucco and cement-based substrates. Preferably, the resin system comprises ultra-fine particles of a hydrophobic acrylic latex copolymer resin having a high Tg temperature and a low coalescent demand that can produce a final coating or sealant at VOCs of 50 g/l or less. The acrylic resin is combined with an additional water resistance additive formed from an silane/siloxane emulsion blend of a type and amount that provides additional water resistance while simultaneously allowing water vapor pressure in the substrate to pass through the coating.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to an intermediate resin blend that can be used to formulate improved coatings for various substrates and more particularly to an intermediate resin blend that can be used to manufacture a final coating that provides water, abrasion, chemical and hot tire pick up resistance while minimizing the possibility of osmotic blistering of the coating.
2. Description of Related Art
Various polymer coatings and sealants are often applied to substrates such as wood, cement, concrete, stone, stucco and cement-based substrates in order to provide beneficial properties to the substrate. One such quality often desired in a coating is the ability to provide a waterproof or water resistant coating. Other desirable characteristics of a coating or sealer is include one that is highly resistant to different types of chemicals as well as scratch and mar resistance.
One conventional method of providing water resistance to a substrate is to use a penetrating sealer. These types of sealers penetrate into the substrate to seal the surface. While providing some measure of water resistance, since these sealers do not form a film on the surface of the substrate, they are generally not able to confer much chemical and abrasion resistance. Nor are they particularly useful to change the appearance of the underlying substrate.
Another conventional method of providing the desired water resistance, in particular to a cement or concrete substrate, is to use an impermeable sealant coating that forms a film on the surface of the substrate. One such impermeable sealant is a 2-part epoxy coating. This coating uses epoxy chemistry to provide a low or no permeable coating that isolates the concrete substrate. The epoxy sealant may be used as a primer below another coating or can be tinted or used alone as a final coating.
One drawback of using an impermeable sealant coating such as a 2-part epoxy is that the coating is subject to osmotic blistering and delamination. As an initial matter, to the extent the coating is applied to a concrete slab that is on the ground and at a grade that is below the water table, there will be hydrostatic pressure against the underside of the coating that would tend to create blisters and/delaminate the coating from the concrete substrate. However, even if the concrete slab is above the water table or even above grade, it can still be subject to osmotic blistering.
Osmotic pressure is the spontaneous flow of water through a semi-permeable membrane from a dilute solution to a more concentrated solution of salts or water-soluble organics. As a result, the liquid volume of the initially more concentrated side increases until it generates a hydrostatic pressure that is equivalent to the remaining osmotic pressure. This osmotic pressure can greatly exceed the other forces present in concrete and are several orders of magnitude greater than the hydrostatic forces observed in uncoated concrete. Some reports indicate that the osmotic pressure can be as high as 3000 psi, which is much greater than the bond of epoxies and other coatings to a concrete substrate. Currently there is no test available to determine if osmotic blistering will occur in a given situation. Osmotic blistering can occur even when the moisture vapor emanating out of a 100 square foot section in 24 hour is less than 3 pounds of moisture vapor, which is considered by the construction industry to be the maximum amount permitted to emanate from a concrete slab that is to be coated or covered with an impermeable coating or flooring.
The concrete slab itself can act as semi-permeable membrane by allowing the passage of water but not larger water soluble materials. The pore size found in good quality concrete can be a suitable size (1-2*10-5 mm) to form a semi-permeable membrane. Even if the pore size is not small enough, application of a primer coat can often reduce the pore diameter sufficient for it to act as a semi-permeable membrane. The presence of water and salts or water soluble organics are typically found in concrete. Even when considered completely dry, a concrete slab will still contain up to 5% free water by weight and on average measures roughly 70% insitu relative humidity. When the concrete slab is in contact with the ground, additional water may be present from the migration of water vapor up through the slab.
The water soluble materials can be anything from the resin ingredients in the epoxy coating, materials from acid etching the concrete before coating, sodium/potassium silicates, sulfates resulting from the sulfur trioxide used in the concrete, hydrolysis products, salts present in the water or aggregate used to make the concrete, or unreacted paste. In fact, it has been known that there can be a significant increase in the soluble salt concentration at the surface of a concrete slab from which moisture is evaporating. When any water soluble materials form in a pocket between the concrete and the coating it can create a high concentration solution that draws additional water through the concrete slab thus forming osmotic blistering and delamination of the coating.
A pocket between the concrete slab and the coating can form from pre-existing pits in the concrete surface that are not adequately filled by the coating when applied. Alternatively, pockets can form as a result of hydrolysis. Corrosive hydrolytic attack can destroy chemical bonds in the sealant film that both results in the formation of a pocket as well as the necessary water soluble material to form a high concentration solution. In some cases, water in the concrete itself can exert sufficient pressure to debond a portion of the resin, especially if it is not yet fully cured, thus forming one or more pockets.
Depending on the particular context, the presence of osmotic blistering and/or delamination of the coating can range the gamut from being merely a cosmetic nuisance all the way to being a major health code violation. For example, food processing facilities are required by law and/or regulation to have their floors sealed in order to prevent microbial growth. This would mean that the presence of delamination and osmotic blistering in the coating would require that the coating be immediately stripped and the concrete floor recoated. In addition to the added cost of recoating the concrete flooring, this could result in significant additional costs due to the unscheduled facility downtime required to conduct such recoating.
There have been some attempts at addressing the problem of osmotic blistering. However, high water resistance is generally considered mutually exclusive to a high vapor passage through the film. As a result, these attempts have generally used a two layer approach where a first layer or primer attempts to minimize and/or prevent the buildup of osmotic pressure and a second topcoat layer, typically of a 2-part epoxy is used to provide the desired water resistance and other properties.
In addition to the osmotic blistering issue when trying to provide a water resistant coating or sealant, there are a number of other characteristics that are important for a coating or sealant to possess. Where the coated substrate will be subject to vehicular traffic, another concern for the polymer coating is to avoid hot tire pickup. When a vehicle has been driven for a sufficient period that its tires are hot and then parked on the coated substrate for a period of time. At this point the entire weight of the vehicle is dispersed over the relatively small surface area of the tires that are actually in contact with the coated floor. Especially since many coatings are thermoplastic in nature, the heat and pressure generated between the tire and the coated floor it is in contact with can be sufficient to delaminate the polymer coating. This results in the coating peeling off the substrate when the vehicle is next moved.
Current and proposed environmental regulations create additional challenges in addressing these issues. Current regulations limit the amount of volatile organic compounds (VOC) that are permissible in coatings as well as limiting the potential solvents or coalescent used in the coating product. The regulatory trend is to further reduce the permissible VOC levels and the particular solvents that can be used. The allowable level of VOCs as well as the particular solvents that can be used can vary based on the particular jurisdiction in which the final coating is ultimately sold.
Many of the low VOC coatings currently available achieve their low VOC values by using soft emulsion particles. Unfortunately, this generally leads to a soft film, which is not desirable for coatings used on certain substrates such as concrete. Harder coatings in general are desired for sealers as they will withstand abrasion much better as long as it is no so hard that it becomes brittle and can shatter if a heavy object were dropped on the coated substrate. If the substrate is wood or another substrate that have some natural structural movement the coating also needs to be flexible enough to move with the underlying structural movement of the substrate.
A coating's hardness can usually be predicted by the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the resin used to make the coating. A resin with a higher Tg would result in a harder coating. An old rule of thumb is that the amount of coalescing solvent required to form a fully coalesced film is determined by taking the Tg temperature of the resign in ° C. and dividing it by two. This yields the number of parts of solvent required per 100 parts of resin solids. Thus, lower VOC emulsion resin based coatings were generally achieved by using resins with lower Tg temperatures because it reduced the amount of coalescing solvent that is required. However, this also results in a softer overall coating, which is often less desirable. In contrast, resins with higher Tg values that result in harder film coatings typically require higher levels of cosolvent to coalesce, rendering it more difficult or impossible to meet current VOC requirements as well as expected future reductions in permissible VOC levels.
For a floor coating, it is also important for the final coating to have a coefficient of friction that falls within a desired range. For example, in the U.S. the 1990 American with Disabilities Act (ADA) as well as the U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) recommends a coefficient of friction (C.O.F.) rating of from 0.5 to 0.8. A lower coefficient of friction would result in a surface that is too slippery and could results in individuals slipping and losing footing on the coated substrate. In contrast, too high a coefficient of friction can result in too much adhesion and the impression that an individual's feet are "sticking" to the floor.
Thus, there remains a need for improved resin blends that can be used to form coatings or sealants on various substrates such as wood, cement, concrete, stone, stucco and cement-based substrates in order to provide beneficial properties to the substrate.

Intermediate resin blend for improved coatings


An automatic lubricator for an injection molding machine, capable of performing proper lubrication in accordance with operation environment of the injection molding machine. A lubrication interval Ls is controlled according to length of cycle time S of the injection molding machine so that the lubrication interval Ls is increased when the cycle time S is long and it is decreased when the cycle time S is short. Further, when a ball screw temperature t1 is high the lubrication interval Ls is accordingly decreased by .DELTA.DL, and when the ball screw temperature t1 is low the lubrication interval Ls is accordingly increased by .DELTA.DL. Also, when the ambient temperature t2 is high the operation time Tp of a lubricating pump 2 is decreased, and when the ambient temperature t2 is low the operation time Tp is increased to stabilize the lubrication quantity.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an improvement in an automatic lubricator for an injection molding machine.
2. Description of the Related Art
Movable parts of an injection molding machine, for example, a sliding part or a rotating part in an injection mechanism section, a mold clamping section, a mold thickness adjusting section and an ejector mechanism section are generally lubricated by direct supply operation of lubricant using a grease gun or the like.
An automatic lubricator which is used to perform centralized lubrication by using an electrically-driven lubricating pump connected to piping has been known conventionally. However, the conventional automatic lubricator performs only lubricating operation by automatically operating a lubricating pump at predetermined lubrication intervals. If a variation occurs in the operation environment such as cycle time and ambient temperature of the injection molding machine, the conventional lubricator cannot respond to this variation, so that excess or insufficient lubricating operation is performed undesirably.
Also, even if the lubrication intervals are fixed, the lubrication quantity per one pump operation is varied by the operation environment, so that the residual quantity of grease in a reserve tank cannot be predicted accurately. Therefore, there is a fear that the lubricant refilling work delays, resulting in hindrance to lubricating operation.

Automatic lubricator for injection molding machine


The embodiments disclose an ultrasound system comprising: a probe configured to obtain ultrasound data relating to a scanning region including at least part of a pleural interface of a lung; and a data analyzer, configured to automatically detect information for determining lung sliding and/or lung point using one or more cross correlation maps derived from the data. The embodiments also disclose a method thereof.

Chest trauma accounts for 20% of all trauma cases in the world. Chest trauma is estimated to be the primary cause of death in 25% of traumatic mortalities and a contributing factor in another 25% of deaths. Early detection and timely selection of the appropriate investigations and treatments are all critical components for optimal outcome. Ultrasound imaging is widely used for the initial diagnosis to evaluate patients with blunt thoracic trauma. Identifying or detecting pneumothorax (PTX) is critically important in making an accurate diagnosis and is considered a key feature to be detected.
At present, PTX detection approaches using ultrasound are based on visual observations of images following the Bedside Lung Ultrasound in Emergency (BLUE or its updated version) protocol, which are time consuming and dependent on operators' experiences. For inexperienced ultrasound operators, the detecting sensitivity is only 57%, compared to 91% for well-trained and experienced operators. The ultrasound detection of PTX is the most difficult part of training: much experience is required to acquire appropriate skills to recognize lung sliding and its abolition. The detection is even more difficult in the presence of partial PTX or small PTX. The patient should lie strictly supine to allow location of pleural gas effusion in non-dependent lung regions. The major problem for detecting PTX via ultrasound is the need for advanced training, and its accuracy is highly operator dependent.
WO 2006/044996 A2 discloses system and method for the automatic detection of the boundary of a structure in an ultrasound image. The method includes providing a matrix of pixel values corresponding to the image. An autocorrelation calculation is performed on the matrix of pixel values to generate a new, correlation matrix to emphasize the difference in echogenicity between the structure and the surrounding image.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Device and method for automatic pneumothorax detection


A sliding roof system for a motor vehicle includes a guide rail, a cover support, a cover attached to the cover support, a front bearing block articulated to the cover support, and a carriage that is movably received in the guide rail and engages the cover support. The cover support is articulated on the front bearing block such that the cover support can be swiveled around a virtual swiveling point.

The invention relates to a sliding roof system for a motor vehicle. The sliding roof system includes a guide rail, a cover support, a cover attached to the cover support, a front bearing block articulated to the cover support, and a carriage movably received in the guide rail, and which engages the cover support.
In a sliding roof system of this type, the cover can be transferred by the cover support and the carriage to a so-called "venting" position in which a rear edge of the cover—as seen in a direction of travel of the vehicle—is raised outwardly. When in the venting position, a gap is formed between the rear edge of the cover and a rim of an opening in a vehicle roof, which normally is closed by the cover. The gap serves for venting an interior space. In conventional sliding roof systems, in which the cover can be swiveled into a venting position, the cover support is articulated on a front bearing block by a stationary swivel axle. Thus, the cover is swiveled around a swivel axle on the front bearing block when the cover support is raised outwardly.
Due to constructional conditions, the bearing block is usually arranged underneath and behind a front edge of the cover. As a result, swiveling movement of the cover support towards the venting position results in the front edge of the cover being swiveled to the front and downwardly. This has the effect that a weather strip, which seals in a region of a gap between the cover and an opposite rim portion of the vehicle roof, is compressed and subjected to shear strain. This generates undesirable noise and friction.
In addition, this arrangement of the swivel axle in combination with a cover, which has a curved front edge as seen in top view, has the effect of pushing lateral regions of the front edge upwardly when the cover is transferred to the venting position. This is also undesirable.
It is the object of the invention to further develop a sliding roof system of the type initially mentioned to the effect that unwanted noises and friction are avoided when the cover is moved from a closed position to a venting position, and that any unwanted displacements of the front edge of the cover are avoided.


A source driver that drives source lines of an LCD panel includes a first driver block including first to pth source output blocks arranged along a first direction, each of the source output blocks including a first output circuit that drives a source line, a second driver block including (p+1)th to qth source output blocks arranged along the first direction, each of the source output blocks including a second output circuit that drives a source line, and a precharge line that supplies a precharge voltage for precharging each of a first output of the first output circuit and a second output of the second output circuit. The precharge voltage is supplied to a voltage supply point of the precharge line provided so that a load from the voltage supply point to an edge of the pth source output block is equal to a load from the voltage supply point to an edge of the (p+1)th source output block.

The present invention relates to a source driver, an electro-optical device, and an electronic instrument.
In an active matrix type liquid crystal display (LCD) panel (electro-optical device in a broad sense) or the like, source lines may be driven by a multiplex drive. When forming a demultiplexer on an LCD panel, a source driver which drives source lines multiplexes grayscale voltages corresponding to grayscale data of dots forming one pixel by time division, and supplies the multiplexed grayscale voltage to the LCD panel. The demultiplexer separates the multiplexed grayscale voltage into the grayscale voltages corresponding to the source lines. In this case, the number of source outputs of the source drivers can be reduced.
When a demultiplexer is not formed on an LCD panel, a source driver is configured to include a demultiplexer. In this case, the circuit of the source driver can be used in common for the time-division multiplexed dots, whereby the circuit scale can be reduced.
Precharge technology is known which increases the liquid crystal drive speed of such an LCD panel. According to this precharge technology, a source line is precharged to a specific potential before driving the source line based on grayscale data, thereby reducing the amount of charging/discharging of the source line along with supplying a drive voltage based on the grayscale data.
This precharge technology is disclosed in JP-A-10-11032, for example. In JP-A-10-11032, different direct-current potentials are provided in advance, and a switch is provided between each direct-current potential and a source line. A connection between the direct-current potential and the source line is controlled by controlling the switch corresponding to the polarity of liquid crystal inversion drive. According to this precharge technology, the amount of charging/discharging of the source line along with driving can be reduced, even if the precharge cycle is reduced, whereby the liquid crystal drive time can be reduced while suppressing an increase in power consumption.
The precharge technology disclosed in JP-A-10-11032 changes the potential of the source line before the drive period in order to reduce the drive period. Therefore, the precharge voltage need not have a high accuracy.
In recent years, the resolution and the number of grayscales of an LCD panel have increased remarkably. Therefore, when the effective values of the voltages written into pixel electrodes differ, the difference in grayscale display between pixels can be clearly identified. The effective value corresponds to the integral value of the voltage applied to the pixel electrode in one horizontal scan period, for example. Therefore, even if pixels are connected with source lines to which an identical grayscale voltage is supplied, the difference in grayscale display can be identified when the precharge voltages differ, whereby the image quality deteriorates. In particular, since the grayscale characteristics cannot be changed in units of multiplexed pixels when using a multiplex drive in which the source lines are driven using the grayscale data of two or more pixels, the image quality deteriorates to a large extent due to the difference in precharge voltage.
A source driver which drives the source lines of such an LCD panel is divided into two source driver blocks from the viewpoint of layout efficiency, for example. The source lines in the left display area of the LCD panel and the source lines in the right display area of the LCD panel are driven by the respective source driver blocks. Therefore, when the precharge voltage differs between the two source driver blocks, the boundary between the left display area and the right display area of the LCD panel is identified, even when displaying an identical grayscale value.
Since the above problem is caused by the effective value of the voltage applied to the pixel, the above problem is applied not only to a source driver which multiplex-drives the LCD panel, but also to a source driver which does not multiplex-drive the LCD panel. Therefore, it is desirable that the source driver which precharges the source lines before driving the source lines be able to set the precharge voltage with high accuracy.

Source driver, electro-optical device, and electronic instrument


A flyback converter can include a series-parallel mode (SPM) active clamp circuit. The active clamp circuit, coupled in parallel with the primary coil, may include multiple networks in parallel. The first network, comprising a switch, one or more snubber capacitors, and one or more diodes, may be configured to absorb and retain the leakage energy from the leakage inductance of the flyback converter. The second network, comprising another switch and a diode, may be configured to create a circulating circuit for the flow of current through the primary coil in a reverse direction and clamp the current to a threshold level. With the active clamp circuit, the flyback converter may first re-capture the leakage energy in the active clamp circuit and then recover it back to the power source.

Flyback converter is one of the most common types of power converters in low-power, switched-mode power supplies. They are widely used in, e.g., electronic gadgets, cell phones, notebook computers, and/or other types of consumer electronics, especially when galvanic isolation is needed between input power source(s) and output load(s). A flyback converter may comprise a primary coil and a secondary coil, which are electromagnetically coupled with each other. By controlling the flow of current through the primary coil using a switch (a metal oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET), for example), energy may be transferred from the power source (coupled to the primary coil) to the load (coupled to the secondary coil).
In practice, the primary and secondary coils may have an associated parasitic leakage inductance that also captures energy. The leakage inductance may cause additional losses unless its leakage energy is recovered. For consumer electronics, especially battery operated electronics, the energy recovery may become even more important because of limited power availability and thermal management challenges in miniaturized electronics. Another practical challenge is the mitigation of electromagnetic interference (EMI). Flyback converters, being operated by turning on and off switches, may generate EMI. Specific features in consumer electronics may place EMI constraints on a power supply of such device. For example, the "Multi-Touch" technology used with touch screens may demand low common-mode noise within specific frequency band(s). Such requirements may require flyback converters to be operated at appropriate fixed switching frequencies. Therefore, the inventor has recognized the need for a flyback converter capable of recovering the leakage energy in high efficiency and operable with fixed switching frequencies.

Fixed frequency series-parallel mode (SPM) active clamp flyback converter


Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) circuits and methods are described for reducing leakage and increasing repaired yield. These objects are accomplished according to the invention by grouping refresh cycles within a single activation of power control, the use of limiting circuits or fuses to mitigate power losses associated with micro-bridging of bit-lines and word-lines, modulating the bit-line voltage at the end of precharge cycles, configuring refresh control circuits to use redundant word-lines in generating additional refresh cycles for redundant rows of memory cells, and combinations thereof. In one aspect, word-line fuses indicate modes of use as: unused, replacement, additional refresh, and replacement with additional refresh. The refresh control circuit utilizes these modes in combination with the X-address stored in the word-line fuses for controlling the generation of additional refresh cycles toward overcoming insufficient data retention intervals in select memory cell rows.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains generally to semiconductor memory, and more particularly to control circuits within dynamic random access memories (DRAMs).
2. Description of Related Art
Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) circuits and devices have been utilized as main memory for servers, personal computers, and a wide range of other electronic devices.
A conventional DRAM comprises arrays of memory cells which each comprise a switching device coupled to a charge storage element as shown in FIG. lA. The switch typically comprises a transistor, such as an NMOS transistor, while the storage device typically comprises a capacitor. The logic state of the cell ("1 "or "0 ") is determined with respect to the level of charge stored on the capacitor, for example a "1 " state is typically represented by the presence of charge, and a "0 " state by its absence. The switch is activated for writing to the cell, or reading from the cell, and then is switched off so as to retain cell state. It will be recognized that over time the charge stored on the capacitor dissipates as a result of various forms of leakage. At some point in time the charge stored for the "1 "cell state drops to that of the cells held in the "0 " state, wherein memory data becomes lost. FIG. 1B depicts a typical sense amplifier section to which bit line pairs SA BL1, SA BLB1 through SA BL256, SA BLB256 are coupled. A CMOS latch portion is shown bounded by a dashed line, with power source and ground source transistors marked.
In response to this leakage, DRAM devices require incorporation of a periodic charge-restoring operation to maintain cell information. These charge-restoration operations are referred to as refresh operations, or cycles, such as performed by a memory controller, and more preferably by an internal memory controller performing what is referred to as self-refresh.
DRAM chips have different current consumption characteristics depending on operating mode. When a word-line is enabled for write or read operation it is in active mode, and in pre-charge state the word-line is disabled. Normally, the current consumption during pre-charge state is less than during active mode and consists of standby current for the DC generator, leakage current in core and peripheral circuits, and current used by circuits that detect changes in the chips operating mode. As chip density increases and process technology shrinks, more leakage paths arise during standby state, such as in the case of micro-bridges, which are created in response to process defects.
Normally, when a micro-bridge arises between a word-line and a bit-line, the corresponding cell cannot be used and the associated row (or column) of memory cells is replaced with another using a redundant row (or redundant column). In response to utilizing this repair cell, the cell density and functionality of the device as originally intended can be maintained. However, during stand-by state, the bit-line of the defective cell is at Vblp level and the word-line is at a certain predetermined stand-by level. Typically, the stand-by level of the word-line is 0V, or less, to keep the NMOS cell access transistor in an off state to maintain cell data. Thus, a leakage path exists between the bit-line and word-line through the micro-bridge. The bit-line level is provided by a Vblp generator, wherein the leakage current flows from the Vblp generator to ground or to the negative bias generator connected to the word-line. Therefore, micro-bridges contribute to increases in standby current and thus indirectly still result in lower factory yields.
A DRAM contains many word-lines, bit-lines, and storage cells which are subject to process defects and variation. As a consequence of these defects and variations, a certain portion of the memory storage cells do not function properly, or have inadequate retention time according to chip specification. Currently, the rows of faulty memory cells cannot be used for write/read functions regardless of whether the row is completely non-functional or merely suffers from insufficient data retention period (less than the specified retention duration).
In order to replace the rows of memory associated with these defective cells, a certain number of redundant (extra) storage cells, redundant word-lines, and redundant bit-lines are built into each DRAM chip to access these spare cells. When using a redundant word-line, the information that enables the redundant word-line is the address of the corresponding defective word-line, and this address, referred to as an X-address, is stored in a physically or electrically programmable fuse.
In conventional memory repair methods, each of these redundant word-lines is only usable for row repair when all of the redundant memory cells contained within the associated row are functional (not defective) and have cell retention times that meet specification. However, like the original rows of memory cells, a portion of these redundant rows are also generally unusable due to retention time issues. Therefore, since the number of redundant rows is limited, a certain proportion of memory chips are not able to be repaired to meet first bin specifications according with these conventional memory repair methods, and thus these chips are either downgraded or disposed of.
Accordingly, a need exists for circuits and methods for reducing self refresh and leakage power consumption while improving self refresh characteristics within memory circuits, and in particular dynamic memory circuits. These needs and others are met within the present invention, which overcomes the deficiencies of previously developed circuits and methods.

Dynamic memory refresh configurations and leakage control methods


The invention provides an organic electroluminescence display device that makes it possible to obtain a highly reliable display. The organic electroluminescence display device has an organic electroluminescence element that includes a first layer (3) that contains a first substance that exhibits electron transport properties, and a second substance that exhibits electron-donating properties with respect to the first substance; a second layer (4) that is composed of a third substance that exhibits hole transport properties; a third layer (light-emitting layer (5) that contains a light-emitting substance; and a fourth layer (6) that is formed from a substance that exhibits electron transport properties.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an organic electroluminescence display device in which an electric field is applied to an organic electroluminescence element provided with an organic electroluminescence layer between a pair of electrodes to cause to emit light, and particularly relates to a layered structure of an organic electroluminescence element.
2. Description of the Related Art
Liquid crystal display devices (LCD), plasma display devices (PDP), field emission displays (FED), organic electroluminescence display devices (OLED), and the like are currently either in practical use or in the research stage for practical use as flat panel display devices. Among these, organic electroluminescence display devices are display devices having considerable promise as typical future self-illuminating display devices that are thin and lightweight. There are so-called bottom emission and top emission types of organic electroluminescence display devices.
In a bottom emission organic electroluminescence display device, an organic electroluminescence element is configured having a light-emitting structure in which a transparent electrode as a first electrode or as one electrode, an organic electroluminescence layer (also called an organic multilayer film) that emits light by the application of an electric field, and a reflective metallic electrode as a second electrode or another electrode are sequentially layered on a transparent substrate for which a glass substrate is preferably used. Numerous such organic electroluminescence elements are arrayed in the shape of a matrix and sealed by an insulating substrate, also called a sealed can, and the light-emitting structure is isolated from the external atmosphere.
Carriers (electrons and positive holes) are then injected into the organic electroluminescence layer, and the organic electroluminescence layer is caused to emit light by application of an electric field between the two electrodes in which, e.g., a transparent electrode is an anode and a reflective metallic electrode is a cathode. The emitted light departs from the transparent substrate to the exterior.
By contrast, in a top-emission organic electroluminescence display device, an organic electroluminescence layer is caused to emit light by application of an electric field between two electrodes, wherein one of the electrodes described above is a reflective metallic electrode, and the other electrode is a transparent electrode. The emitted light is emitted from the other electrode (transparent electrode) described above. A transparent substrate is used as a sealed can in a top emission display device.
In relation to this type of organic electroluminescence display device, the configuration of the electron injection side in which the layer structure of the organic electroluminescence element is formed in the sequence of an anode, a hole injection layer, a hole transport layer, and a light-emitting layer is disclosed in Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2006-156997.
Specifically, an organic electroluminescence element is disclosed in which an organic electroluminescence structure having a hole injection electrode, an electron injection electrode, and an organic layer that includes one or more types of light-emitting layers disposed between the electrodes is accommodated in an airtight case; one or more types of calcium hydride, strontium hydride, barium hydride, and aluminum hydride are placed in the airtight case; and the electron injection electrode contains one or more types of either alkali metal and either alkaline-earth metal.
Additionally, although there is a description in Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2006-156997 stating that an alkali metal may be contained in the electron transport layer and the light-emitting layer, there is no description that alkali metal is contained in the hole injection layer. Furthermore, although there is a concept related to a carrier generation layer in Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2006-156997, only the layered structure between the electron transport layer and the cathode is disclosed, and no consideration whatsoever is given to the layered structure between the anode and the hole transport layer.

Organic electroluminescence display device

Panasonic Liquid Crystal Display Co., Ltd.


A system for generating a psychographic device fingerprint includes a server in communication with a network and memory storing a program which, when executed by the server, performs steps for (a) detecting reception at a computing device of media content delivered via the network, (b) reading device elements stored on the computing device, (c) reading a geographic indicator from the computing device, (d) reading a content indicator identifying the media content, (e) determining a timing parameter associated with reception of the content at the computing device, and (f) deriving from the device type, the geographic indicator, the content indicator, and the timing parameter, the psychographic device fingerprint as computer readable code uniquely identifying a user of the computing device. The steps may further include recording media content received by multiple computing devices, and generating a viewership report relating computing devices and psychographic device fingerprints to the media content received.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed generally to technology for identifying remote computing devices through network communications. More specifically, the invention is directed to identifying an active user of a remote computing device by detecting a combination of device element data and user behavioral data to differentiate among multiple users of a common device.
2. Description of the Related Art
The science of determining consumer values, likes, and dislikes through the prism of human interaction with technology has modern roots in ratings systems developed for measuring the response of mass population to television broadcasting. Advertisers and broadcasters have customarily relied on ratings systems such as the Nielsen system to determine viewership or audience size, i.e. an estimate of the total population of viewers tuned in to a particular TV program, so that the value of advertising slots broadcast during the program can be fairly assessed. The Nielsen system in its earliest application relied on written diaries kept and submitted by a sampling of consumers. Statistics gathered by this system are of questionable reliability, as the accuracy depends on the truth and diligence of consumers lazily engaged in the leisure activity of watching television.
Until recently, video entertainment for the consumer at large has been broadcast almost exclusively for reception on conventional television sets. Advancements in computers and compression technologies have now made it possible for consumers to receive much of the same entertainment as streaming video on a computer monitor or a hand-held computing device such as a smart phone or an Apple® iPod®. The computing devices enable consumers to interact with the broadcasting experience, by providing the consumer with an abundance of programming selections from an ever increasing number of entertainment-providing sites accessible via the world-wide web. Today, consumers on the go who prefer to stream video entertainment into their mobile devices are even less likely to make meaningful diary entries.
In a later application of the Nielsen system, set meters were developed in an effort to eliminate inaccuracies introduced by human data collection. Set meters are electronic devices that monitor which station the television displays at a given sampling time, and transmit the information to a central database using telephone lines. Set meters, however, introduce other sources of inaccuracy. For example, a set meter can erroneously report viewership habits when a TV is left on when no one is home or when everyone in the house has fallen asleep. Set meter technology has not kept pace with advances in TV technology, which have in recent years introduced new digital broadcasting standards and a proliferation of manufacturers and models that create compatibility problems.
The Nielsen diary and set meter methods for collecting viewership data have been made even more impractical with the advent of streaming video that is deliverable directly to a personal or laptop computer or mobile computing device. Consumers may now watch video programs, or portions of programs, while working on a PC, while traveling, or wherever they may be. The many types of computing devices available to the consumer that are capable of receiving streaming video have rendered set meter technology inadequate for effective viewership capture. There is now more interest than ever in collecting viewership data that not only indicates whether a program is being watched, but also the types of devices that are receiving it. What is needed is a reliable system for collecting viewership data for video entertainment that is delivered to a wide variety of computing devices.


A system for ventilating the cavity of a fixed or movable window or door construction of a building, the window or door having an upper sill or header and a low sill provided with weep holes and a pair of jamb elements, the system comprising a vent member operative associated with the upper sill portion, the vent member is in fluid communication with the upper sill at one end thereof and also with the interior of the building at an opposite end thereof, the vent member extends vertically above the upper sill a distance sufficient to vent pressure within the cavity to the interior of the building so that water is caused to be readily conveyed out of the weep holes regardless of any pressure differential between the interior and exterior of the building.

A common problem associated with window and door constructions is the accumulation of water with the sill structure during storm conditions. Water will collect on the inside of the sill plate due to leakage around or under the movable sash or because the sash did not properly seal against the sill and vertical frame members.
Prior art efforts to mitigate the accumulation of water include providing a series of vents with flaps on an exterior face of the top sill or head of the window. This permits outside air pressure to enter the head. A series of weep or drainage holes are provided in the bottom sill to allow entrapped water to be forced out of the sill under pressure from the vent.
While the above system performs reasonably well at lower pressures, it becomes increasingly difficult to drain entrapped water at higher pressures, namely during storm conditions. For optimal drainage a window, door or wall frame would preferably vent to a neutral pressure. However, when the prior art system is subjected to the relatively high pressures such as those encountered during windy and rainy weather, the cavity inside the window or door sill is at that same pressure and draining becomes difficult if not impossible. This is best shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings which illustrates the prior art pressure imbalance and resultant accumulation of water within the sill. In view of the fact that storm conditions involve large amounts of water; a need has existed in the art for a building cavity ventilation system that functions under varying conditions including those involving high exterior pressures. Further, the vents provided in the top sill of the prior art window or doors are predisposed to allow entry of excess water into sill which undesirably increases the quantity of water that needs to be drained.


A frame and suspension assembly is capable of a low frame rail orientation and enhanced on-road stability when incorporated in a motor vehicle. An air spring suspension system is mounted outwardly of the frame rails and the frame rails include a reinforced notch to provide the required structural clearance for the rear axle to compensate for the low-to-the-ground frame rail positioning. An anti-sway bar which spans the distance between the two sides of the frame is also included for further stabilization.

The present invention relates to a frame and suspension assembly for motor vehicles. More specifically, the invention relates to a frame and suspension assembly having stabilizing means associated therewith wherein the assembly, when incorporated in a vehicle presents a low frame rail height above ground. The assembly of the present invention includes an air spring suspension system mounted outwardly of the frame rails to thereby provide the aforementioned low frame rail height and to provide improved stabilization for a motorized vehicle. A reinforced notch in each of the frame rails of the assembly maintains adequate clearance for the rear axle of the vehicle and an anti-sway bar is positioned to prevent excessive swaying of the frame.
Frame assemblies for motor vehicles such as light trucks are known in the prior art which have incorporated various means for stabilizing the vehicle to prevent excessive bounce and sway and the like during operation. Such frame assemblies have included air spring suspension systems and anti-sway bars. The air springs suspension systems generally include a walking beam or trailing arm pivotally mounted to a mounting bracket and extending rearwardly to an air spring mounted between the walking beam and the bottom of the frame rail so that the entire frame rail is positioned on top of the air spring. Anti-sway bars are often mounted to the differential housing and to one of the frame rails of the assembly.
Although the prior assemblies incorporating air spring suspension systems and anti-sway bars have provided a measure of stabilization for vehicles incorporating those assemblies, they heretofore could not be incorporated in a vehicle to provide a low frame rail height so that light duty trucks, such as delivery trucks and the like can be constructed with lower load carrying surfaces or compartments which can be loaded and unloaded with less effort than is required with more conventional truck designs. Previous assemblies which utilize an air spring suspension system have failed to provide a high degree of frame stability while also providing the aforementioned low frame rail height. This is because it has been difficult in such assemblies to simultaneously lower the frame rail height while maintaining adequate structural clearance for the rear axle and at the same time providing a high degree of on-road stability which is at least comparable or better than has been previously possible.
The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a frame and suspension assembly for motor vehicles such as delivery and other light duty trucks where it is desirable to have a low chassis frame height. The assembly of the invention includes a pair of frame rails having reinforced notches over the rear axle housing. An air spring suspension system is mounted outwardly of the frame rails along a pivotally mounted walking beam which extends from a mounting bracket rearwardly along the frame rail to an air spring mounted between upper and lower mounting plates. The air spring mounting plates extend outwardly from the frame for positioning of the air springs therebetween in a manner which allows each frame rail to be lower to the ground than was previously possible. The rear axle extends transversely underneath the parallel frame rails and is affixed at its ends to the walking beams. A reinforced notch is provided in each of the frame rails to provide structural clearance for the rear axle to maintain the frame rails in their low-to-the-ground position, as is further discussed and described herein
Positioning of an air spring suspension system outwardly of the frame rails provides, in addition to a lower chassis frame height, improved suspension and overall stability. An anti-sway bar is preferably mounted behind the rear axle and positioned between a frame rail and the opposing walking beam which also stabilizes the assembly. The frame and suspension assembly is preferably constructed to prevent the rear axle and the differential from rising above the tops of the frame rails even when the frame and suspension assembly is subject to heavy loads. Accordingly, the body of the motor vehicle incorporating the frame assembly to the present invention does not have to be raised to accommodate the differential or axle housing thereby allowing a vehicle manufacturer to maintain the load carrying portion of the vehicle in a low-to-the-ground position for easy access thereto.
It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a frame and suspension assembly for a motorized vehicle.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a frame and suspension assembly having a low frame rail height when incorporated in a motor vehicle.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be readily understood by those skilled in the art upon further consideration of the remainder of the disclosure.

Motor vehicle frame and suspension assembly


A method of data transfer using short range technology. An originating short range wireless technology enabled device wirelessly communicates a first portion of content to a destination short range wireless technology enabled device along with location information that enables retrieval of a remaining portion of the content from a back office location. The destination short range wireless technology enabled device processes the first portion of content. The remaining portion of the content may be retrieved for processing by the destination short range wireless technology enabled device before the completion of processing of the first portion of content.

Short range wireless technology enables the transfer of data between devices. The devices usually must either make physical contact or pass within a close range of each other in order for data transfer to occur. Multiple passes are often required in order to accomplish a complete data transfer of large amounts of data. Transferring large amounts of data may also require the devices to remain in a close proximity or be in contact with each other for an extended period of time. The quality of service and user experience when using short range wireless technology may be negatively impacted when the user has to wait a long period of time for a complete data transfer before using the data.

Peer-to-peer transfer of files with back-office completion


Micro-components having at least one individual layer are produced according to the method, which have functional layers 3 on the walls of inner structures, for example of flow channels. The micro-components are intended to be suitable for a large number of different applications in chemical reaction technology, for heat exchanging, for mixing substances or for evaporating liquids. In particular, the micro-components are intended to have no problems in respect of leaks in the flow channels. The method has the following method steps: A. producing the at least one individual layer by: a. producing a first metal layer or a metal foil 1; b. forming the inner structures in and/or on the first metal layer or metal foil 1 by suitable etching methods and/or metal deposition methods; and c. forming the functional layers 3 solely on the walls of the inner structures and thereafter B. stacking up and joining the one individual layer to a segment terminating the inner structures, or a plurality of individual layers to one another and to the terminating segment.

The invention relates to a method of manufacturing micro-components having at least one individual layer, which can be used in the chemical industry inter alia for synthesis reactions and in other fields, for example as reactors for generating hydrogen for energy conversion (fuel cells), as well as heat exchangers, mixers and evaporators.
In the literature, there have been reports for some years now of chemical microreactors which have advantages in comparison with the traditional production plants for manufacturing chemical compounds. Here it is a question of an arrangement of reaction cells, the dimensions of which range between a few micrometers and several millimeters, and thus are very much smaller than the traditional reactors. These reaction cells are so designed that in them physical, chemical or electrochemical reactions can take place. In contrast to a traditional porous system (heterogeneous catalysis), the dimensions of these cells are defined by their construction, therefore may be manufactured systematically by means of a technical method. The arrangement of individual reaction cells in the assembly of the reactor is ordered, particularly periodically in one, two or three dimensions. Amongst the chemical microreactors are counted, in a wider sense, also the necessary supply and discharge structures for the fluids (liquids, gases) and sensors and actuators, for example valves which control the flow of substance through the individual cells, and heating elements.
The use of chemical microreactors for generating hydrogen for fuel cells for the conversion of energy has been described for example by R. Peters et al. in xe2x80x9cScouting Study about the Use of Microreactors for Gas Supply in a PEM-Fuel Cell System for Tractionxe2x80x9d, Proc. of the 1st Int. Conf. on Microreaction Technology, Frankfurt, 1997.
This concept for chemical microreactors has also been applied to heat exchangers. In this case, at least two fluid channels separate from one another are present in the heat exchanger and serve to transfer heat from fluid in the one channel to fluid in the other channel.
There is a series of proposals for the manufacture of chemical microreactors or heat exchangers:
For example the LIGA-process (lithography, electroforming, moulding) is used. In this process a plastics material layer, mostly polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) is exposed to synchrotron radiation and then developed. The structure produced in this way is filled with metal by means of an electrolytic process. The metal structure can then be multiplied in further method steps by means of plastics moulding (plastics injection moulding). This method was described by W. Ehrfeld and H. Lehr in Radiat. Phys. Chem., Vol. 45, pages 349 to 365.
The methods which have been developed in the semiconductor industry for structuring silicon surfaces have also been adopted for manufacturing of microreactors. For instance in xe2x80x9cMicrofabricated. Minichemical Systems: Technical Feasibilityxe2x80x9d, DECHEMA Monographs, Volume 132, pages 51 to 69 a method is described by J. J. Lerou et al. in which three etched silicon wafers and two end wafers are connected to one another on the outer sides. Furthermore, a heat exchanger filled with polycrystalline silver particles is used which was also configured as a microreactor.
In the same way, the method of manufacturing microreactors which is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,534,328 also proceeds from etched silicone wafers which are joined into a stack. However, other materials are also mentioned for the microreactors, for example metals, polymers, ceramics, glass and composite materials. To carry out catalytic reactions it is proposed inter alia that the walls of the reaction channels in the reactors be coated with a catalytic layer.
In EP 0 212 878 A1, a method of manufacturing a heat exchanger is described in which the flow channels of the heat medium are formed in steel plates by chemical etching. The steel plates are then welded to one another by diffusion bonding.
In WO-A-9215408, a method of manufacturing microstrainers is described in which perforations are etched in a certain pattern through plasma technology into a flat carrier coated with an etch-resistant layer. Several of these perforated carriers are then connected to one another.
In DE 197 08 472 A1, a method of manufacturing chemical microreactors is described in which fluid channels are formed in individual planes, by substrates provided with metal surfaces being structured by means of photolithographic techniques or screen printing methods, and the channel structures obtained being formed by methods of removing or depositing metal. The individually produced planes are then combined to form a stack and securely connected to one another. For example, the channels can be produced by partial etching away of the metal layer on the substrate.
The previously known methods for manufacturing chemical microreactors and heat exchangers have manifold disadvantages. For example complicated and/or expensive techniques are necessary for producing the channels. In some cases, the manufacture of reactors is limited exclusively to silicone as a material.
It is frequently also necessary to produce a functional coating on the channel walls to set pre-determined properties of the micro-components. Thus for example a microreactor can be produced from a heat exchanger manufactured from copper, by the channels being coated with a metal layer deposited in an electroless manner, for example with palladium. In chemical reaction technology, the functional surface layers serve for example the catalysis of chemical reactions. Subsequent coating of the flow channels in the planes by means of a galvano-technical method is however frequently not possible since the functional layers in this case cannot be applied electrolytically on account of the electrical shielding by the reactor or heat exchanger itself. In electroless metallisation, also, it has emerged that secure coating is not possible since the metallisation baths usually used react very sensitively to different flow speeds of the metallisation fluid on the surfaces to be coated. Under these conditions, inter alia those surface regions past which the metallisation fluid flows slowly are metallised in an electroless manner whilst surface regions past which the fluid flows at a high speed are not coated with metal. With very narrow channels, problems can occur in electroless metal deposition which is based on the very high bath load (surface to be coated per bath volume), such that only inadequate layer qualities are produced. Possibly a layer formation with total covering of the surface becomes completely impossible. Moreover by means of electroless methods only certain metals can be deposited.
Gas deposition methods for applying layers are in this case practically unusable.
In the cases in which the functional layers are applied before the individual layers are joined to form the micro-component, the connection of the individual component layers has proved to be problematic since no reliable connection can be produced between the individual layers. Frequently the components produced from the individual layers have leaks from which fluid which is under relatively high pressure penetrates outwards from the channels.
Furthermore the functional layers are not stable in relation to the joining temperatures usually used to join together the individual layers. The functional layers, particularly in cases in which the material has a lower melting or transition temperature than the temperature during joining, are damaged or even destroyed. In particular also noble metals such as platinum, iridium, palladium and gold can be applied to form the functional layers. These metals admittedly have a higher melting point than the copper usually used as a basic material for the micro-component and should therefore be thermally resistant in a joining process in which the basic materials of two individual layers are welded to one another. However, in this and other similarly layered cases, it has been noticed that for example in diffusion bonding micro-structured reactor foils coated in this way, such high bonding temperatures are necessary that the functional layer and the basic material become mixed with one another even before there is sufficient connection of the basic materials to one another. Thus the functionality of the layer is destroyed, for example a palladium layer on an individual layer consisting of copper, since palladium diffuses very quickly into the copper under these conditions.
For these reasons, manufacturing methods in which the functional layers are applied before the individual layers are joined together, have not been considered practicable.
The problem underlying the present invention, therefore, is to manufacture micro-components having at least one individual layer, which have inner structures delimited by walls, for example flow channels, in the components and functional layers on the walls of the structures. The micro-components should be suitable for a large number of different applications in chemical reaction technology, for heat exchanging, for mixing substances or for evaporating liquids. In particular it should be possible to apply different coatings to the channel surfaces for different applications of the micro-component. Furthermore, the method of manufacturing should be able to be carried out as quickly and as cheaply as possible without high failure rates occurring in the production of the micro-components. Microreactors, heat exchangers, mixers and evaporators of this kind should also be able to be manufactured in large numbers simply and cheaply. In particular it should be possible to produce micro-components which have no problems in respect of leaks from the flow channels, and in which no problems occur in respect of the stability of the functional layers when the individual layers are joined.
This problem is solved by the method according to Claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are quoted in the subordinate claims.
In particular the problem that the known manufacturing methods do not succeed in producing microreactors and other micro-components which are completely free of leaks at the joining points, can be solved by the method according to the invention. Only by extensive experiments was it possible to explain the cause of the leaks by the fact that the functional layers frequently exercise a harmful influence on the cohesion of the layers to one another. A solution to this problem has proved to be the functional layers being formed exclusively on the walls of the channels before the individual layers are stacked up and joined to one another and to a segment terminating the flow channels. What is namely thereby avoided is that functional layers are also formed at the locations on the micro-structured layers which are necessary for joining the layers together.
The method according to the invention also offers the advantage that the joining process can be carried out at a low temperature. By this means, micro-components with temperature-sensitive functional layers can also be produced without these layers being impaired. Since under these conditions, a diffusion of the functional layers into the basic material of the first metal layer or metal foil can be largely prevented, thermally sensitive functional layers can also be used.
Through the method, also, the problems do not appear which occur if the functional layers are only applied after the individual layers have been joined together to form the micro-component. In particular, gas deposition methods can also be used without problem to apply layers, for example to form layers which cannot be produced with an electroless metal deposition method. Furthermore, electroless or electrolytic metallisation is also readily successful.
The method according to the invention serving to manufacture the micro-components consists of the following sequence of method steps:
A. producing an individual layer by
a. producing a first metal layer or a metal foil;
b. forming the inner structures in and/or on the first metal layer or metal foil, for example the flow channels, by suitable etching methods and/or metal deposition methods;
c. forming the functional layers solely on the walls of the inner structure;
B. thereafter stacking and joining the individual layer to a segment terminating the flow channels or a plurality of individual layers to one another and to the terminating segment.
The flow channels in and/or on the first metal layer or metal foil are formed in one embodiment of the invention preferably by the following method steps:
b. copying the flow channels on the first metal layer or metal foil by a structuring method; and
bxe2x80x2. selective etching of the regions of the first metal layer or metal foil which are exposed during structuring.
As copying methods, the following method alternatives can be used:
b1. coating at least one surface of the first metal layer or metal foil with a photosensitive layer, for example a photoresist usually used in printed circuit board technology or semi-conductor technology, exposing the photosensitive layer with the pattern of the flow channels and exposing the first metal layer or metal foil at all the locations which correspond to the channels to be formed;
b2. coating at least one surface of the first metal layer or metal foil with a screen-printing. lacquer layer at the locations on the surface which do not correspond to the channels to be formed;
b3. laminating a perforated foil, for example a plastics film, onto at least one surface of the first metal layer or metal foil, the perforations being provided at all the locations of the surface which correspond to the channels to be formed.
In principle a metal resist can also be used, i.e. a second metal layer which is applied to the first metal layer or the metal foil, and which is structured by means of one of the methods described above. To this end, one of the previously mentioned covering layers or respectively the perforated foil is applied to the metal resist layer, structured itself and perforations are introduced in the metal resist layer at the locations at which the metal resist layer is exposed. Thereafter, the covering layer or the perforated foil is removed again before further processing.
The photosensitive layer, the screen-printing lacquer layer or the perforated foil can be removed again between the method steps c (forming the functional layers solely on the walls of the flow channels) and B (stacking and joining together the individual layers and the terminating segment) or after method step B. In a further embodiment of the invention, additional metal layers can also be applied, before the individual layers are joined together, solely on the surface regions of the first metal layer or metal foil which are not coated with the functional layers, by the following method steps being carried out:
d. coating solely the functional layers by a protective film which is soluble in a different solvent from the photosensitive layer, the screen-printing lacquer layer or the perforated foil;
e. forming additional metal layers after removing the photosensitive layer, the screen-printing lacquer layer or the perforated foil on the bare surface regions of the first metal layer or metal foil; and
f. removing the protective film.
With this method variant, for example metal layers can be applied to the surface regions of the first metal layer or metal foil, which serve as solder layers when the-individual layers are joined together. For example a tin/lead or a tin/bismuth alloy layer can be deposited.
In a further variant of the last mentioned method, instead of the additional metal layer also an adhesive layer can be applied solely to the surface regions of the first metal layer or metal foil which are not coated with the functional layers, by
d. only the functional layers being covered by a protective film;
e. the adhesive layers being formed after removing the photosensitive layer, the screen-printing lacquer layer or the perforated foil on the bare surface regions of the first metal layer or metal foil; and
f. the protective film being removed again.
Adhesive layers serve just like the previously mentioned solder layers to join together the individual layers, the adhesive layers being used in particular if particularly temperature-sensitive functional layers are formed in the flow channels, such that an increased temperature may not be set during the joining process.
In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the flow channels, provided with functional layers, are formed in the first metal layer or metal foil by the following sequence of method steps:
c. forming a functional layer on the first metal layer or metal foil;
b. copying the flow channels by one of the following method alternatives:
b1. coating at least one surface of the functional layer with a photosensitive layer, exposing the photosensitive layer with the pattern of the flow channels and exposing the first metal layer or metal foil, coated with the functional layer, at all the locations which correspond to the channels to be formed; or
b2. coating at least one surface of the functional layer with a screen-printing lacquer layer at the locations on the surface which do not correspond to the channels to be formed; or
b3. laminating a perforated foil onto at least one surface of the functional layer, the perforations being provided at all the locations of the surface which correspond to the channels to be formed; and
bxe2x80x2. forming depressions in the functional layer and possibly in the first metal layer or metal foil by selective etching of the bare regions of the functional layer and possibly of the first metal layer or metal foil;
bxe2x80x3. forming metal webs exclusively in the depressions formed in method step bxe2x80x2.
In the case where the photosensitive layer, the screen-printing lacquer layer or the perforated foil protrudes beyond the metal webs formed in the depressions, by grinding and/or polishing a substantially flat surface can be produced formed by the metal webs and the photosensitive layer, the screen-printing lacquer layer or the perforated foil. In this case too, the photosensitive layer, the screen-printing lacquer layer or the perforated foil is removed again before the individual layers are joined together. The webs form the walls of the flow channels.
After the individual layers have been produced by one of the method alternatives described above, the micro-component is produced by stacking and joining the individual layers to one another and to the terminating segment. For this purpose, according to the technology used, a soldering or welding method, for example a diffusion bonding method, or a gluing method can be used.
The first metal layer or metal foil consists preferably of copper, steel or aluminium.


A housing includes a main housing body with an opening in at least one side face of the main housing body; a sealing element on the at least one side face, the sealing element surrounding the edge of the opening; a frame element on the at least one side face, the frame element surrounding the edge of the sealing element; and a cover element for closing the opening, which cover element abuts the frame element and the sealing element in a planar manner when the opening is closed.

Industrial housings of this kind can, for example, be used as switch cabinets, terminal boxes and the like for electrical switchgears, connectors, terminals, etc., for a machine control device, breaker panels and building installations for example. They usually comprise a main housing body, it being possible for one side face of the main housing body to be open in order to be able to provide access to the housing interior for the purpose of assembly, maintenance, adjustments, etc. This open side face can be closed by means of a door. Furthermore, the main housing body can comprise one or more openings on one or more other side faces, for example for cable feedthroughs, which openings can each be closed by a cover element, for example a flange plate.
These housings are used in different environmental conditions, and therefore they have to correspond to specific types of protection, for example against the ingress of moisture and dust and also against the effect of mechanical loads. The opening in one of the side faces of the main housing body that is closed by a cover element is in particular often a weak point.

Housing, in particular an industrial housing


The present invention provides a light emitting device which emit light having a high-order level without increasing a current injection density to an active layer. A light emitting device according to the present invention includes an upper electrode layer, a lower electrode layer, and an active layer provided between them. In this case, light is emitted by injection of electric current to the active layer through the upper electrode layer and the lower electrode layer, the active layer has a plurality of quantum-confined structures, and a first quantum-confined structure has a ground level having an energy level E0 and a high-order level having an energy level E1, and a second quantum-confined structure has an energy level E2 which is higher than the E0, and the E1 and the E2 are substantially matched.

A super luminescent diode is a light emitting device capable of providing a relative high optical output of 1 mW or higher like a semiconductor laser while having a wideband spectrum distribution like a light emitting diode. Such a super luminescent diode will be called an SLD in some descriptions below. The SLD have received attentions in medical fields and measurement fields because of its characteristics and may be used as a light source in optical coherence tomography (OCT) capable of acquiring a tomogram of a biological tissue, for example. As a light source in OCT, an SLD may be applicable which has a wide light emission wavelength band for a higher depth resolution. According to NPL 1, in order to increase a light emission wavelength band of an SLD, a single quantum well structure is used which has a plurality of different energy levels of an emission spectrum as an active layer. Electric current to be injected to the active layer of the SLD may be increased to produce light emission with a ground level corresponding to emitted light having a long wavelength and light emission with a high-order level (primary level) corresponding to emitted light having a short wavelength and thus achieve an emission spectrum having a half-width of 48 nm.

Light emitting device, light source system including the light emitting device, and optical coherence tomography including the light source system


A vibration damper in a wheel suspension of a vehicle, which damper is supported on a wheel-guide element of the wheel suspension via two resilient bearings which are provided laterally of a damper tube of the vibration damper and which are diametrically opposed in relation to the damper tube. Each bearing has a rubber-elastic bearing element in which a damper receptacle is supported which is force-transmittingly connected to the damper tube. The damper receptacle is supported on the damper tube via a releasable securing element.

The invention relates to a vibration damper in the wheel suspension of a vehicle, which damper is supported on a wheel-guide element of the wheel suspension via two elastic bearings which are provided laterally of a damper tube of the vibration damper and which are diametrically opposite one another in relation to this damper tube, and wherein each bearing has a rubber-elastic bearing element in which there is supported a damper receptacle which is in force-transmitting connection with the damper tube. With regard to the prior art, reference is made not only to EP 1 036 677 B1 but also to DE 102 47 503 B4.
Particularly to reduce the required installation height of vibration dampers supported on a wheel-guiding link, it is known that a bearing of the vibration damper, and customarily of the damper tube via which the bearing is supported on the wheel-guide element, such as, for example, a transverse link of a vehicle wheel suspension, can be provided not, as customary, below the damper tube or below a damper tube bottom part but laterally of the damper tube. With a view to as far as possible symmetrical loading and to avoid undesired tilting moments and transverse forces, preference is given here to providing two bearing points which are situated diametrically opposite one another in relation to the damper tube or its longitudinal axis. However, the known arrangement with screws which are to be fitted transversely to this longitudinal axis at each bearing point necessitates a relatively complicated assembly process.
Demonstrating a remedial measure for this highlighted problem is an object of the present invention.
The achievement of this object is obtained in that the damper receptacle is supported on the damper tube via a releasable securing element.
Instead of two screws, the present invention requires only a single releasable securing element which can also be mounted in a simpler manner than the known screws. In particular, this securing element can be applied as it were from below to the damper tube or be fastened to the lower bottom part of the damper tube. In order to allow an exchange of the vibration damper in the case of a defect, this securing element is configured to be releasable. For example, this securing element can be designed in the form of a screw nut which is screwed onto the (or a) damper tube or damper tube bottom part provided with a suitable thread, wherein the longitudinal axis of the thread of this screw nut coincides with the longitudinal axis of the damper tube. Should this securing element not be accessible in a simple manner, for example on account of the design of the wheel-guide element, it is also possible to provide this securing element, for example a screw nut, fixedly on the wheel-guide element and as it were to screw the vibration damper into this screw nut during assembly.
According to an advantageous embodiment, the damper receptacle can be supported between a so-called damper support, which is provided on the damper tube and configured in the manner of a collar or web, and the securing element releasably fastened to the damper tube or to a damper bottom portion, the securing element being in particular in the form of a screw nut screwed on the damper tube or the damper bottom. This annular damper support can be formed onto or into the damper tube or be, for example, welded onto the damper tube as a separate structure. During operation, the majority of the axial forces to be transmitted are transmitted via this damper support, to be precise in interaction with the damper receptacles which for their part are mounted in the elastic bearings in the wheel-guide element (for example transverse link). Each damper receptacle thus transmits the force to the associated bearing. The two aforementioned bearings can preferably be arranged in a cardanically reduced manner and for example in the leg of a wheel-guiding link, which can have a U-shaped cross section for example, or be pressed into in each case a bearing receptacle welded into the legs. These bearings thus also fix the damper receptacles in the link. The bearing receptacle for its part can be connected to the link in an integrally bonded or force-fitting manner.
What is to be understood by an aforementioned cardanically reduced arrangement is that the common axis of rotation of the two rubber bearings is normal to a plane which is formed by the axes of the damper tube in its two end positions, that is to say with minimum compression and with maximum rebound of a supporting spring element assigned to the vibration damper. The load on the rubber bearings in vehicle operation is thus kept as low as possible when a spring compression and rebound occurs or the damper, or to be more precise damper piston, is situated at and between its two end positions, namely at the tension stop or at the compression stop.
According to an advantageous embodiment, the damper receptacles of the two bearings can be combined to form a structural unit which is plugged onto the damper tube by an annular portion. On the one hand, this reduces the assembly effort; in particular, however, such a structural unit can optimally guide the vibration damper or the damper tube when mounting the damper on the link or wheel-guide element. However, it may be required when using such a structural unit to configure the wheel-guide element, for example a link, to the effect that such a structural unit can be inserted in a simple manner, wherein this insertion can occur in a relatively simple manner at first without the supporting elastic bearings. The latter can then be pressed in from outside. Alternatively, that is to say for example in the case of a simple link of U-shaped cross section in whose legs there are provided, for example, circular apertures for receiving the bearings which support the damper receptacles, a dedicated damper receptacle can also be inserted for each bearing, which damper receptacles, given a suitable design, supplement one another in the installed state in a separating joint to give a body which forms a structural unit in a form-fitting manner.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of one or more preferred embodiments when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
In the text which follows, the invention will be explained further by way of an exemplary embodiment.

Vibration damper in a wheel suspension of a vehicle

Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft


A foot correcting and balancing shoe assembly includes at least one sole unit having an imaginary transverse line dividing the sole unit into front- and rear-half regions. The rear-half region includes left and right rear-half sections, and a heel area spanning rear portions of the left and right rear-half sections. A foot arch correction device is mounted detachably to the sole unit. At least one balancing pad is mounted detachably within the sole unit below the foot arch correction device, and at a predetermined location in at least one of the left and right rear-half sections to maintain foot balance for a user.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a shoe assembly, more particularly to a foot correcting and balancing shoe assembly and a method for correcting and balancing a user's foot when the foot correcting and balancing shoe assembly is worn by the user.
2. Description of the Related Art
Our feet have good flexibility and can bear the weight of our body. However, some foot arches are not normal, so that the distribution of pressure on the bottom of the foot is not balanced, gait is also affected, and the body's center of gravity is moved to an incorrect position. Thus, foot arch correction devices are developed to correct the foot arch of a user. However, since the foot is made up of many bones and joints, as one grows older, the muscles, ligaments, and joints tend to loosen and/or change, and many problems arise because of the pressure brought about by the body weight, especially if a portion(s) of the foot has been previously hurt. Under such circumstances, the use of a foot arch correction device is not sufficient to restore complete balance. Further, even when the foot arch correction device is providing the proper and necessary correction, the foot condition resulting from old habits may seem normal to some. Thus, after using the foot arch correction device for a certain period of time, a new imbalance and a new feeling of discomfort may be experienced.

Foot correcting and balancing shoe assembly and method for correcting and balancing user's foot


Provided is a system and method for reconstructing and visualizing transformation steps that are performed to an optimized database query. In one example, the method may include receiving a database query including an initial set of execution steps, generating a plurality of alternative sets of execution steps for the database query based on transformations to the initial set of execution steps, selecting an alternative set of execution steps from among the plurality of alternative sets of execution steps based on a performance of the alternative set of execution steps, identifying transformations that are used to transform the initial set of execution steps into the selected alternative set of execution steps, and displaying information about the identified transformations via a user interface.

A database query is a mechanism for retrieving data from a database table or a group of database tables. For example, Structured Query Language (SQL) is a declarative querying language that is used to retrieve data from a relational database. In a distributed database system, a program often referred to as a database back-end can run constantly on a server, interpreting data files on the server as a standard relational database. Meanwhile, programs on client computers allow users to manipulate that data, using tables, columns, rows, fields, and the like. To do this, client programs send SQL statements (queries) to the server. The server then processes these statements and returns result sets to the client program.
SQL queries can suffer from performance issues. For example, performance degradation may occur if the database being accessed is not being properly maintained. As another example, the initial query may have a set of execution steps (referred to as a query execution plan or query plan) that is not efficient. Therefore, the database can rewrite (i.e., transform) the query execution plan to make it more efficient during execution. The process of query optimization can be a complex task. For example, a query optimizer may generate hundreds or even thousands of alternative execution plans for the original query before making a selection of an optimal execution plan. Because of this, it can be difficult for an end user (such as a database operator, programmer, etc.) to understand how a particular query optimization was derived.
Throughout the drawings and the detailed description, unless otherwise described, the same drawing reference numerals will be understood to refer to the same elements, features, and structures. The relative size and depiction of these elements may be exaggerated or adjusted for clarity, illustration, and/or convenience.

Transformation reconstruction for optimized database query