The invention comprises a triform fitting 1, essentially made from non-metallic composite materials including several strengthening cross ribs 4 for joining symmetrical flanges 3 and a longitudinal flange 2. The symmetrical flanges 3 include cross slots 8 for receiving the run-out 16 of the webs 11 of several T-shaped internal stringers 9 that form part of the torsion boxes 6. The feet 10 of the stringers 9 are joined along one of their faces to the skins 7 of the torsion boxes 6, while the end zones of the free faces of said feet 10 are placed against the outer face of the symmetrical flanges 3 of the triform fitting 1. This ensures that the symmetrical flanges 3 of the triform fitting 1 remain inside the torsion boxes 6. Alternatively, the fitting 1 may not include the cross slots 8.

The horizontal stabilizer of an aircraft is mainly comprised of two torsion boxes, joined to each other along the symmetry plane of an aircraft (configuration with two lateral torsion boxes) or along their interface with the fuselage (configuration with a center torsion box, aside from the lateral torsion boxes). Said torsion boxes are in turn constituted of different elements such as skins reinforced by longitudinal stringers, spars and ribs.
Nowadays and particularly in the aeronautical industry, composite materials having an organic matrix and continuous fibres, particularly an epoxy matrix and carbon fibre are massively used in a large variety of structural elements. For example, all the elements comprised in the above-mentioned torsion boxes (ribs, spars, skins, etc.) are currently manufactured using said composite materials, which will de referred to hereinafter as "CFRP" (Carbon fiber reinforced plastic) which are their English initials.
Composite materials are divided into those that, as a raw material before being processed, contain the resin pre-impregnating the carbon fibers; and those wherein the carbon fiber is not impregnated with resin (commonly known as dry fibers) and said resin is injected during the manufacturing process itself. Among these dry fabric materials is a non crimp fabric which, as it possesses good mechanic properties, can reproduce complex geometries.
In the joint between the torsion boxes it is necessary to ensure the load transmission between the elements involved, by means of a series of reinforcing/joining elements that ensure the structural integrity of the area, given that the horizontal stabilizer must act as a large structural unity. This joint has to withstand both the aerodynamic loads as well as loads derived from the mechanism used for moving or trimming the horizontal stabilizer.
In the specific case of the skins, these elements involved are two fittings with a triform section that not only join the top and bottom skins to each other, but are also joined to each other through a flat center rib. By means of these fittings that are assembled on the outside of the torsion boxes, a structural single shear joint between the skins is defined, balancing the loads in the horizontal direction and absorbing the vertical resultant load by means of the cited center rib.
These fittings have a very significant structural importance, their weight and cost being very high. In order to reduce the weight of the fittings as much as possible, as well as improving their performance against stress or corrosion, these fittings are generally made from titanium. The manufacturing process of these fittings implies a forging process and afterwards a numeric control machining process in order to provide them with the greatest strength in the main load direction and to ensure the tight tolerances required for the assembly thereof. Due to all of these factors the cost of these parts is very high.
Furthermore, it should be emphasized that the drilling of holes in this mechanic joint where, later on, the rivets that transmit the loads from some elements to others will be installed, are very complex due to the fact that it is a hybrid junction between metallic elements (fittings) and elements made from non-metallic composite materials (CFRP). These non-metallic elements are the skins (cover) including the feet of the stringers (longitudinal stiffeners elements). This complexity, mainly due to the presence of metal elements, implies that said drilling operations are long and costly.

Structure for joining torsion boxes in an aircraft using a triform fitting made from non-metallic composite materials


Technologies are generally described for methods and systems effective to store data in a memory module. The memory module may include a volatile portion and a non-volatile portion. The methods may comprise receiving, by a processor, a request to store the data. The request may include an indication of a virtual address. The methods may further include determining, by the processor, a persistency of the data based on the virtual address. The methods may further include performing a first operation of identifying a particular portion of the memory module based on the virtual address. The methods may further include generating a command to store the data in the particular portion of the memory module. The methods may further include controlling the operating system to perform a second operation of updating a translation lookaside buffer to indicate the persistency of the data.

Unless otherwise indicated herein, the materials described in this section are not prior art to the claims in this application and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.
A computing device may include a processor and a memory module. The memory module may include one or more memories. The memory module may include volatile memories and non-volatile memories. Data stored in non-volatile memories may be retained without using power.

Data storage based on memory persistency


The present invention provides a method for generating negative-stranded segmented RNA viruses using linear expression constructs in the presence of helper virus.

Negative-strand RNA viruses are a group of animal viruses that comprise several important human pathogens, including influenza, measles, mumps, rabies, respiratory syncytial, Ebola and hantaviruses.
The genomes of these RNA viruses can be unimolecular or segmented, and are single stranded of (−) polarity. Two essential requirements are shared between these viruses: their genomic RNAs must be efficiently copied into viral RNA, a form which can be used for incorporation into progeny virus particles and transcribed into mRNA which is translated into viral proteins. Eukaryotic host cells typically do not contain the machinery for replicating RNA templates or for translating polypeptides from a negative-stranded RNA template. Therefore negative-strand RNA viruses encode and carry an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase to catalyze synthesis of new genomic RNA for assembly into progeny viruses and mRNAs for translation into viral proteins.
Genomic viral RNA must be packaged into viral particles in order for the virus to be transmitted. The processes by which progeny viral particles are assembled and the protein/protein interactions that occur during assembly are similar within the RNA viruses. The formation of virus particles ensures the efficient transmission of the RNA genome from one host cell to another within a single host or among different host organisms.
Virus families containing enveloped, single-stranded RNA with a negative-sense genome are classified into groups having non-segmented genomes (Paramyxoviridae, Rhabdoviridae, Filoviridae and Borna Disease Virus, Togaviridae) and those having segmented genomes (Orthomyxoviridae, Bunyaviridae and Arenaviridae). The Orthomyxoviridae family includes the viruses of influenza, types A, B and C viruses, as well as Thogoto and Dhori viruses and infectious salmon anemia virus.
Influenza virions consist of an internal ribonucleoprotein core (a helical nucleocapsid) containing the single-stranded RNA genome, and an outer lipoprotein envelope lined inside by a matrix protein (M1). The segmented genome of influenza A virus consists of eight molecules of linear, negative polarity, single-stranded RNAs which encode eleven polypeptides (ten in some influenza A strains), including: the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase proteins (PB2, PB1 and PA) and nucleoprotein (NP) which form the nucleocapsid; the matrix membrane proteins (M1, M2); two surface glycoproteins which project from the lipid-containing envelope: hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA); the nonstructural protein (NS1) and nuclear export protein (NEP). Most influenza A strains also encode an eleventh protein (PB1-F2) believed to have proapoptotic properties.
Transcription and replication of the viral genome takes place in the nucleus and assembly occurs via budding on the plasma membrane. The viruses can reassort genes during mixed infections. Influenza virus adsorbs via HA to sialyloligo-saccharides in cell membrane glycoproteins and glycolipids. Following endocytosis of the virion, a conformational change in the HA molecule occurs within the cellular endosome which facilitates membrane fusion, thus triggering uncoating. The nucleocapsid migrates to the nucleus where viral mRNA is transcribed. Viral mRNA is transcribed by a unique mechanism in which viral endonuclease cleaves the capped 5′-terminus from cellular heterologous mRNAs which then serve as primers for transcription of viral RNA templates by the viral transcriptase. Transcripts terminate at sites 15 to 22 bases from the ends of their templates, where oligo(U) sequences act as signals for the addition of poly(A) tracts. Of the eight viral RNA molecules so produced, six are monocistronic messages that are translated directly into the proteins representing HA, NA, NP and the viral polymerase proteins, PB2, PB1 and PA. The other two transcripts undergo splicing, each yielding two mRNAs which are translated in different reading frames to produce M1, M2, NS1 and NEP. In other words, the eight viral RNA segments code for eleven proteins: nine structural and 2 non-structural (NS1 and the recently identified PB1-F2) proteins.
The generation of modern vaccines for influenza viruses, especially for highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses, relies on the use of reverse genetics, which allows the production of influenza viruses from DNA. The first reverse genetic systems for construction of negative-strand RNA influenza viruses involved the transfection of a single viral gene mixed with in-vitro reconstituted ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes and subsequent infection with an influenza helper virus. RNP complexes were made by incubating synthetic RNA transcripts with purified NP and polymerase proteins (PB1, PB2 and PA) from influenza viruses, and a helper virus was used as an intracellular source of viral proteins and of the other vRNAs (Luytjes et al., 1989, Cell, 59, 1107-1113).
Neumann et al. (1994, Virology, 202, 477-479) achieved RNP formation of viral model RNAs in influenza-infected cells after expression of RNA from a murine RNA polymerase I promoter-responsive plasmid. Pleschka et al. (1996, J. Virol., 4188-4192) described a method wherein RNP complexes were reconstituted from plasmid-based expression vectors. Expression of a viral RNA-like transcript was achieved from a plasmid containing a truncated human polymerase I (polI) promoter and a ribozyme sequence that generated a 3″end by autocatalytic cleavage. The poll-driven plasmid was cotransfected into human 293 cells with polII-responsive plasmids that expressed the viral PB1, PB2, PA and NP proteins. Transfection efficiency was very low, however, with approximately 10 transfectant virus particles per transfection. Additionally, this plasmid-based strategy was dependent on the aid of a helper virus.
In WO 01/04333, segmented negative-strand RNA viruses were constructed using a set of 12 expression plasmids for expressing genomic vRNA segments and RNP proteins. The vectors described in WO 01/04333 were based on well known pUC19 or pUC18 plasmids. According to the description, this system requires a set of 8 plasmids expressing all 8 segments of influenza virus together with an additional set of 4 plasmids expressing nucleoprotein and subunits of RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (PB1, PB2, PA and NP).
WO 00/60050 covers a set of at least two vectors comprising a promoter operably linked to an influenza virus segment cDNA (PA, PB1, PB2, HA, NP, NA, M) and linked to a transcription termination sequence, and at least two vectors comprising a promoter operably linked to an influenza virus segment DNA (PA, PB1, PB2, NP). This system attempted to overcome the difficulties in using of a large number of different vectors by using plasmids with eight RNA polymerase I transcription cassettes for viral RNA synthesis combined on one plasmid.
WO 01/83794 discloses circular expression plasmids comprising an RNA polymerase I (polI) promoter and a polI termination signal, inserted between a RNA polymerase II (polII) promoter and a polyadenylation signal. The term vector according to this application is described as a plasmid which generally is a self-contained molecule of double-stranded DNA that can accept additional foreign DNA and which can be readily introduced into a suitable host cell.
WO 2009/00891 describes a linear expression construct and its use for expression of influenza virus gene segments.
Ozawa M. et al (J. Virol, 2007, vol. 81, pp. 9556-9559) describes a reverse genetics system for the generation of influenza A virus using adenovirus vectors. Hoffmann E. et al (Virology, 2000, 267, pp. 310-317) disclose a system for creating influenza virus by generating viral RNA and mRNA from one template using a bidirectional transcription construct. The rescue of influenza B virus from eight plasmids was also disclosed in Hoffmann et al. (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., 2002, 99, pp. 11411-11416).
Epidemics and pandemics caused by viral diseases are still claiming human lives and are impacting the global economy. Influenza is responsible for millions of lost work days and visits to the doctor, hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations worldwide (Couch 1993, Ann. NY. Acad. Sci 685; 803), tens of thousands of excess deaths (Collins & Lehmann 1953 Public Health Monographs 213:1; Glezen 1982 Am. J. Public Health 77:712) and billions of Euros in terms of health-care costs (Williams et al. 1988, Ann. Intern. Med. 108:616). When healthy adults get immunized, currently available vaccines prevent clinical disease in 70-90% of cases. This level is reduced to 30-70% in those over the age of 65 and drops still further in those over 65 living in nursing homes (Strategic Perspective 2001: The Antiviral Market. Datamonitor. p. 59). The virus's frequent antigenic changes further contribute to a large death toll because not even annual vaccination can guarantee protection. Hence, the U.S. death toll rose from 16,363 people in 1976/77 to four times as many deaths in 1998/99 (Wall Street Journal, Flu-related deaths in US despite vaccine researches. Jan. 7, 2003).
Especially in case of the outbreak of pandemic viral diseases, it can be of utmost importance to provide vaccinations or treatments immediately after outbreak of the disease. In view of the urgent need for providing efficient protection and treatment of viral diseases there is a still high demand for the development of economic, fast and efficient expression systems for virus production which can overcome the disadvantages and difficulties of the present expression technologies and provide an alternative method for virus expression. The object is achieved by the provision of the embodiments of the present application.


An exercise apparatus is provided. The exercise apparatus includes a substantially round, hollow element having an exterior surface and an interior cavity, with the round, hollow element having a U-shaped cross-section, the U-shape including two distal ends. The exercise apparatus also includes at least two rims, each rim positioned about a portion of the round, hollow element at each distal end of the U-shape. A spacer member is located between each distal end of the U-shape and between the rims and at least two fasteners extend between both of the at least two rims, the fasteners providing a clamping force to the at least two rims so that the spacer member and both distal ends of the round, hollow element are fixed relative to each other.

The core muscles in the torso help stabilize the spine and pelvis. These muscles are important, yet commonly neglected, as many people lack the time and energy required to go to the gym every day. A weak core can lead to poor posture, lower back pain and overall physical weakness. A solution is needed to allow users to work out these core muscles quickly and efficiently at home or in other locations, whenever convenient.
However, few devices are available to the consumer that are inexpensive, portable, and easy to use. Therefore, there remains a need to overcome one or more of the limitations in the above-described, existing art. The discussion of the background to the invention included herein is included to explain the context of the invention. This is not to be taken as an admission that any of the material referred to was published, known or part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of the claims.
It will be recognized that some or all of the Figures are schematic representations for purposes of illustration and do not necessarily depict the actual relative sizes or locations of the elements shown. The Figures are provided for the purpose of illustrating one or more embodiments of the invention with the explicit understanding that they will not be used to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.


Disclosed is a radial tilt pad bearing assembly comprising: an outer carrier; a plurality of tilt pads retained within the outer carrier; and a corresponding plurality of retaining pins to retain the tilt pads in given circumferential positions, each fixed in the bearing assembly outer carrier so as to abut a side face of a cavity in the corresponding tilt pad. At least one retaining pin and the corresponding cavity are respectively shaped such that, when in use, a clearance in a plane transverse to the axes of the bearing assembly and the tilt pad between the retaining pin and the side face is lesser at a first location which lies substantially at the inner surface of the carrier, than at all corresponding locations at radially inner portions of the side face, with respect to the first location. A contact point between the retaining pin and the tilt pad when in use, lies substantially at the inner surface of the outer carrier. The tilt pad is accordingly able to tilt without being substantially displaced circumferentially about the outer carrier. Further disclosed is a retaining pin for use in such a bearing system.

Gas turbine engine rotor shaft bearing assemblies may be of the plain bearing type which are segmented (radially self-aligning), retained in an outer carrier, oil pressure lubricated and known as tilt pad bearings. Such bearings are subject to high speed and load when the engine is running and very small out of limit wear in a bearing can have disastrous effects on an engine. It may cause engine shut-down which, for this kind of engine, is usually a very costly matter. For acceptable engine life it is therefore vital that the bearings perform reliably.
It is typical in such segmented plain bearing arrangements to restrain circumferential movement of each segment by use of retaining pins which are fixed in the bearing assembly outer carrier and abut to segments either at segment end faces or at the side face of an internal hole or passage in the segment body. The pin may be a parallel round pin throughout its length, but a known variation is for a pin with spheroid tip on a round pin stem, the sphere diameter being greater than the round pin stem.
It has been found that at contact faces between the bearing segments and bearing outer carrier, fretting wear may occur which allows segments to move beyond design limits and thus cause bearing related engine problems. It is believed the fretting is caused by a small amount of circumferential sliding action under pressure between segment and carrier and that the action is made possible with prior art pin designs.


The invention relates to an arrangement including an internal combustion engine ignition device having a spark plug and a spark plug seat (in which the spark plug can be fastened in a fastening zone), and a cylinder head in which the spark plug is or can be mounted via the spark plug seat. The cylinder head has a cylinder head cooling cavity. The spark plug seat includes a temperature control medium chamber which is separate from the cylinder head cooling cavity and has a cooling medium feed line and a cooling medium discharge line. The temperature control medium chamber and the cylinder head cooling cavity are connected to separate medium temperature control devices and form separate medium systems.

The invention concerns an arrangement including an internal combustion engine ignition device having a spark plug and a spark plug mounting in which the spark plug can be fastened in a fastening region, and a cylinder head in which the spark plug is or can be mounted by way of the spark plug mounting. The cylinder head has a cylinder head cooling cavity, and the spark plug mounting has a temperature control medium chamber which is separate from the cylinder head cooling cavity and has a medium feed conduit and a medium discharge conduit. The invention further concerns an internal combustion engine ignition device including a spark plug, a spark plug mounting which receives the spark plug and which can be fitted in a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine, as well as an internal combustion engine, in particular a gas engine, having the arrangement and internal combustion engine ignition device.
In the case of internal combustion engines, particularly stationary gas engines, there are basically two possible ways of fitting or screwing spark plugs in a cylinder head.
The first option is that of screwing the spark plug directly into a screwthreaded bore on the cylinder head end. The screw-in screwthread is in that case provided directly in the casting material of the cylinder head.
The second possibility involves providing a separate spark plug mounting (spark plug sleeve) which in turn is screwed or clamped in the cylinder head. Particularly in the case of gas engines with prechamber ignition—that is to say where mixture ignition is effected by means of ignition sparks in a prechamber and from there a mixture is ignited in the main combustion chamber by way of the ignition jets issuing from the transfer bores—it is necessary to use separate spark plug mountings for structural reasons.
Intensive development activities in the field of gas engines in recent years have meant that it has been possible to greatly increase the specific power levels (for example power per piston displacement) of the gas engines. The result of this however is that the spark plugs are subjected to a high thermal loading. Therefore the methods of cooling used hitherto are in part no longer sufficient.
To avoid severe heating of the spark plugs in the high-load mode of the engine, the spark plug mountings are generally water-cooled for that reason. Particularly with high thermal loadings it is already known to provide cooling bores in the spark plug mounting in order to pass the cooling medium in the cylinder head closer to the spark plug screwthread and there achieve a better cooling action. A disadvantage in that respect is inter alia that temperature control of the spark plug is always dependent on the temperature of the cooling medium in the cylinder head cooling cavity and the bores only extend in point configuration in the direction of the spark plug. As a result, this does not involve uniform temperature control of the spark plug.
In that respect, JP 7-14596 discloses a spark plug mounting, by way of which a spark plug is fitted in a cylinder head. In that case, a cooling chamber is provided in the cylinder head and a water passage is provided in the spark plug mounting. Those two water passages or chambers are supplied from a single common water supply and are connected together. The disadvantage with that configuration is that the temperatures of the cooling passages always influence each other. In other words, if for example, the water in the region of the spark plug mounting is very greatly heated, then during the further cooling operation that also has a strong inevitable direct influence on the temperature of the cooling medium in the cylinder head.

Internal combustion engine ignition device


A deployment mechanism is disclosed for deploying a deployable member supported on tracks relative to a base member and comprising a brake system operable in response to relative skewing of the tracks.

Aircraft wings commonly comprise deployable control surfaces such as slats, droop noses, airbrakes or ailerons. Slats, for example, are commonly supported on the wing fixed leading edge by two tracks driven by actuators arranged to achieve the correct slat to position for take off and landing of the aircraft. Failure in one of the actuators can lead to a jam of the slat deployment mechanism due to the high back driving torque in the actuator. Such failure can lead to differential track movement causing high tensional stresses in the slat body and high stresses in the slat attachment and the fixed leading edge. Such high stress levels increase the possibility of slat detachment from the aircraft wing.


An assembly of two parts, one of the parts being made of composite material with fiber reinforcement obtained from a fiber preform made by three-dimensional weaving and densified with a matrix, the assembly including a mechanical anchor element secured to one of the parts and inserted inside the other part.

The invention relates to the general field of assembling together two parts of a structure in which one of the parts is made of composite material with fiber reinforcement obtained from a fiber preform made by three-dimensional weaving and densified with a matrix.
Non-limiting examples of applications of the invention include in particular assembling a metal strip on a leading edge of a turbojet blade made of composite material, and assembling a shell on a spar-forming structural core made of composite material for a turboprop propeller blade.
It is known to make a turbojet blade out of composite material by using fiber reinforcement obtained from a fiber preform made by three-dimensional weaving and densified with a matrix. Compared with other known techniques for fabricating a composite material blade, making a fiber preform by three-dimensional weaving presents numerous advantages, in particular such as that of not needing any recourse to inserts or fitting any other separate element. Reference made by made to Document EP 1 526 285, which describes a method of fabricating such a fan blade.
Furthermore, it is known to fit a metal strip (or reinforcement) on the leading edge of such a composite material turbojet blade in order to protect the composite structure from abrasion/erosion and also in the event of an impact against a foreign body. This applies in particular for the fan blades of a turbojet, which are exposed to ingesting a bird, hail, ice, etc.
Typically, the metal strip, which by way of example is made by mechanical techniques such as stamping, forming, or electroforming, is adhesively bonded on the leading edge of the composite material blade by means of a bead of adhesive. That operation can be performed in a mold used for bonding the metal strip, or in a stove in order to cure the bead of adhesive that is applied on the strip, if any.
Assembling metal strip on the leading edge of a composite material blade in that way presents numerous drawbacks. In particular, when the blade is subjected to deformation in its chord direction or in its length direction, the local warping of the unit subjects the bead of adhesive to significant traction and tearing forces, which can cause the flanges of the metal strip to become unstuck. Unfortunately, once those flanges have become unstuck, the inertia of the metal strip under the effect of centrifugal force causes the strip to be ejected outwards.
Providing the strip with local reinforcement can then constitute a solution for limiting propagation of any unsticking, but the solutions that have been proposed, such as drilling and machining the airfoil and the strip in order to pass a mechanical fastener through them, give rise to an additional operation and damage the airfoil locally. Furthermore, the position zones of the strip need to be highly aerodynamic, which requires the means for assembling the strip to fit as closely as possible to the shape of the strip. Unfortunately, with fan blades having shapes that are ever more complex, this constraint becomes difficult to satisfy when using the assembly solutions of the prior art.

Assembly of two parts, one of which is made of composite material, the parts being assembled together by a mechanical anchor element


A transmission shift lever biasing assembly includes a plunger pin having a shoulder, the pin containing a plurality of reduced diameter detent grooves along its longitudinal axis at an end opposite the shoulder. Each groove defines a pair of opposed ramps, and an end cap is adapted to receive and contain a portion of the plunger containing the grooves and ramps. An annular pusher element surrounds the plunger pin, and includes angled cam surfaces adapted to engage a plurality of balls interposed between the pusher element and an end face of the housing. The pusher element bears against the balls by means of a spring contained within the housing. The spring is seated on the shoulder of the plunger pin and bears against the pusher element to urge the balls into one of the detent grooves corresponding to a selected shift rail.

This invention relates to apparatus for biasing a transmission shift lever relative to a plurality of shift rails within a transmission. More particularly, the invention relates to the use of a plunger pin system designed to minimize reactive or "kick out" forces on the lever during selection of a rail.
The use of spring loaded plunger pins for achieving shift lever biasing is not new. Such devices are typically employed to align a shift lever with a "preferred" rail whenever the transmission is in neutral. Such devices also enhance the "feel" of selection, or provide "rail definition" to improve the ergonomics of the shifting process, particularly appreciated in the shifting of heavy duty truck transmissions.
Very few heavy duty transmission designs, however, provide for a noticeable force relief or "breakthrough" feel whenever a new rail position is selected. In the past, those which have been designed to provide such a feel have been expensive to manufacture. Moreover, typical breakthrough designs involve only springs and plungers, which tend to increase rather than to decrease the "kick out" forces associated with selections of chosen rails.

Transmission shift lever biasing assembly


An improved method and apparatus for client-side application analysis is provided. Client-side application analysis involves determining and testing, using client-side application interfaces and the like, data input points and analyzing client requests and server responses. A security vulnerability analyzer can be employed to analyze content for client-side application files, such as Flash files and Java applets, extract addresses and data parameters embedded in the client-side application file, and modify the data parameters according to user-defined test criteria. The modified data parameters are transmitted as part of a request to a respective server used to service requests from the client-side application files. The security vulnerability analyzer analyzes the response from the server to ascertain if there are any security vulnerabilities associated with the interface between the client-side application file and the server.

Millions of people worldwide bank, shop, purchase goods and services, perform research, etc. using the World Wide Web. With each transaction, private information, including names, addresses, phone numbers, credit card and debit card numbers, and passwords, are routinely transferred and stored in a variety of locations. Billions of dollars and millions of personal identities and pieces of private information are vulnerable to hackers who find their way through security vulnerabilities in web applications.
One approach to identifying security vulnerabilities in a web application is to examine the code for the web application to identify risk-prone operations within the code. However, this might not provide a complete picture of vulnerabilities, as the execution structure of the code might not be apparent from reviewing the code and the interplay of the examined code and other parts of a web application might introduce other vulnerabilities. Additionally, while examined code might be secure, it is possible for an unauthorized client device to modify client-side code to do something other than what was intended by the web application. Therefore, web application testing should also involve testing the limits of what unauthorized client-side code could perform.
Difficulties with properly executing security scans of web applications from the client-side include being able to correctly determine the possible paths of interaction between a user and a client and the web application. Often, this is made difficult because the client is provided with code to execute that has varied points of entry to the web application that is not in a readily understood format. For example, if the client-side code comprises a webpage formatted with simple HyperText Markup Language (HTML), a reader or a computer program can easily determine all of the entry points of that code, such as the form fields and embedded URLs.
Therefore, what is needed is a system and method to detect security vulnerabilities in server-based web applications using client-side applications that are simple to implement and cost effective.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

System for detecting vulnerabilities in applications using client-side application interfaces


A yoke of an actuator of an active vibration isolation support system, which controls an internal pressure of a liquid chamber by reciprocally oscillating a movable core by energizing a coil, includes a cylindrical portion and a flange portion. The cylindrical portion is disposed on an outer side of the yoke in a radial direction and faces an inner peripheral surface of the coil, while the flange portion faces an end surface of the coil. The yoke further includes an inner inclined surface formed in an inner side of an intersection of the cylindrical portion and the flange portion, and inclined in such a manner that an outer side thereof in the radial direction with respect to an axis of an actuator inclines upward. Accordingly, the vector of a magnetic flux generated through the energization of the coil can be oriented toward the movable core from the flange portion of the yoke via the inner inclined surface thereof. The magnetic flux is thus allowed to flow smoothly from the yoke to the movable core, so that the efficiency of the magnetic circuit is enhanced. As a result, the operational response of the actuator can be improved.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an active vibration isolation support system comprising: an actuator for reciprocally oscillating a movable core on an axis of the actuator by energizing a coil wound in a cylindrical shape; and a liquid chamber being disposed on the axis of the actuator, having a volume which varies depending on a load inputted thereto from an outside, and being connected to the movable core, so that an internal pressure of the liquid chamber is controlled.
2. Description of the Related Art
Such an active vibration isolation support system has been known as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2004-291737. A yoke of an actuator of this active vibration isolation support system includes: a cylindrical portion extending in the axial direction so as to face an inner peripheral surface of an upper portion of a coil; and a flange portion extending in the radial direction so as to face an upper end surface of the coil. Moreover, the cylindrical portion and the flange portion are connected to each other as orthogonally intersecting each other.
When the coil of the actuator of this active vibration isolation support system is energized, the magnetic flux flows through a closed magnetic path from a fixed core, to a housing, to the yoke, to a movable core, and again to the fixed core, surrounding the coil. The flow of the magnetic flux causes the movable core to be attracted by the fixed core in such a manner that an air gap formed between the fixed and movable cores is reduced in size. In this event, if the magnetic flux can be caused to flow smoothly between the yoke and the movable core, the efficiency of the magnetic circuit is enhanced, and as a result, the operational response of the actuator can be improved.

Active vibration isolation support system


A computer implemented method for optical character recognition (OCR) of a character string in a text image. The method efficiently combines two different OCR engines with the computation that needs to be done by the second OCR engine depending on the results found by the first OCR engine. This method provides, in particular, a high speed and accurate results when the first OCR engine is fast and the second OCR engine is accurate. The combination is possible because the second OCR engine identifies each segment to be processed by the second OCR engine without needing to process all segments.

In general, OCR methods are used to convert one or more strings of characters in a text image into machine-readable code by using a character recognition method to identify the characters represented in the text image. An OCR method is typically implemented in an OCR engine. These OCR engines have to work fast with limited computing resources and have to accurately recognize characters. Speed, limited resources and accuracy are contradictory requirements and, in practice, a good OCR engine is based on trade-offs between these characteristics.
US-A-2015/0356365 discloses an OCR system that combines two different OCR engines to accurately recognize a character string comprising different characters. Specifically, the first OCR engine is designed for Asian characters and the second OCR engine for Latin characters with the first OCR engine deciding which segments need to be processed by the second OCR engine. This is disadvantageous as the first OCR engine may make mistakes in selecting the segments for processing by the second OCR engine. Therefore, in practice, both OCR engines are used to analyze the entire character string. As such, this system with two OCR engines either requires duplicated computing resources or is not fast enough.

Computer implemented method and system for optical character recognition


A method and apparatus for encrypting an electronic document involves a computer having a first monitor and a signature capture apparatus configured to capture a handwritten signature on a second monitor. A hash sum of the electronic document generated in the computer is transmitted to the signature capture apparatus. The electronic document and the first hash sum thereof are displayed on the first monitor. The first hash sum is also displayed on the second monitor. After electronically capturing the handwritten signature, the signature data and the first hash sum are encrypted in the signature capture apparatus and then transmitted to the computer. The encrypted signature data, the first hash sum and the signed document are stored on a computer-readable medium.

Nowadays, it is becoming increasingly necessary to provide a signed electronic document in a revision-proof manner. A so-called biometric-electronic signature has the advantage that a media breach, i.e. printing out an electronic document on paper for signature, is omitted. Moreover, a biometric feature, such as e.g., a signature, cannot be copied, stolen or forgotten.
The signature is an unambiguous declaration of intent and a long-recognized method for documenting intention. The usual signature method is not changed with the biometric-electronic signature; however, the signer is not required to be a member of a so-called trust center, as is necessary for a digital signature method. Furthermore, the, e.g., handwritten biometric-electronic signature can be examined by a handwriting expert and for example, can also be compared with signatures on paper; the same applies to a biometric-electronic signature using a fingerprint or voice sample, inter alia, whose features can also be examined by recognized experts according to time-tested methods.
For example, the law covering electronic signatures passed in the Federal Republic of Germany regulates the basic conditions for all paperless signature methods, such as e.g., the digital signature, as used in connection with so-called smart cards and the biometric-electronic signatures relevant herein. This law is based upon the EU-Guidelines for electronic signatures and thereby replaces the law covering digital signatures of 1997, which was limited to only Germany. Thus, a European-wide foundation has been created, based upon which products for electronic signature can be employed in a cross-border manner. It can be assumed that the electronic signature will thereby gain a larger foothold in Europe.
Many large companies now produce their internal workflow almost exclusively electronically. However, up to now, the interface to the "outside world"—e.g., outside contractors such as insurance agents, etc.—has remained paper-bound nearly everywhere. Studies have shown that, for every dollar spent on the production of paper, another 30 to 60 dollars are incurred for the further processing thereof. The biometric-electronic signature thus offers companies the possibility of having electronic documents signed electronically instead of on paper.
In spite of substantial efforts, a biometric-electronic signature of an outside person could not, as of yet, be integrated into an electronic workflow without a media-breach using electronic methods. This shortcoming was due to the legal situation, which was applicable until recently, and also to the previous approaches to solving this problem. The electronic signature captures, which were previously known, now allow every end customer to provide an unmistakable declaration of intent without having to possess a special apparatus or certificate; the declaration of intention is directly transferred into an electronic document as a biometric-electronic signature. This form of biometric signature certainly already possesses a high degree of acceptance today (e.g., in the form of handwritten electronic signatures), in particular due to the well-known package delivery services. However, the misgivings relating to improper use and manipulation of signatures, which are utilized for the execution of contracts, etc., are still very high.
Nevertheless, the biometric-electronic signature is increasingly gaining in importance. From a simple document to a complex agreement, the biometric signature can no longer be ignored for everyday matters. However, the precautions for preventing the manipulation of a biometrically-signed electronic document can still be improved.
It has become known in the interim, with the aid of devices for electronically capturing the signature—so-called signature pads (see e.g., DE 10 2006 000 859.6 and the signature pads of StepOver GmbH/Germany offered under the product names: blueMobile Pad, blueMobile Pad LCD, plusPad and plusPad LCD)—, to realize the handwritten electronic signature without a media-breach during the processing of a digital document from the writing thereof until the archiving thereof. Thus, the central aspect of the problem is the unambiguous correlation of a handwritten electronic signature to a document and to a person. It is also known in the interim to make possible an automatic authenticity-check using the captured biometric data from the handwritten electronic signature and thus to almost completely exclude an improper use. However, it has been shown that security can be still further improved to prevent modification and manipulation of a biometrically-signed (e.g., a handwritten signature) electronic document, or to prevent modification and manipulation of the biometrical data. In particular, known signature systems comprising a computer device, e.g., a personal computer, and a signature capture apparatus, e.g. a signature pad, may have the problem that biometrical data representing the signature of the handwritten signature of a signer are not secure during the transfer of the data from the signature capture apparatus to the computer apparatus.
These signature capture apparatus do not have a monitor/screen applicable to display the electronic document to be signed. The reason is that the monitor/screen of the signature capture apparatus has normally not the dimensions applicable to display the document to be signed. The signature capture device or signature pad normally has a screen or monitor with dimensions which are only applicable to show a field or area where the signature has to be made and very limited information can be displayed. The electronic document to be signed is stored on a separate computer apparatus and the signer executing his signature to this electronic document has to rely on that this signature is really used to electronically signing the document shown on a monitor/screen of the separate computer apparatus. Consequently, the split-up of the computer apparatus and the signature capture apparatus may be a source for manipulation of the signature or the electronic document. Furthermore, the signer may hesitate to sign the document which can only be shown on the monitor/screen of the separate computer apparatus and not on the device on which the signer executes his signature.
WO 2006/111979 A discloses a method and apparatus for incorporating a digital signature to within a document for paper-less office. The method comprises generating the document to be signed on a computer and transferring it and displaying it on a device for incorporating digital signature. The device for incorporating the digital signature comprises a screen, signature means such as an electronic pen or finger print capturing device, and at least one smart card reader. Then, the document is being digitally signed. The digitally signed document is being encrypted and transferred to the computer so as to prevent restoration of the digital signature. From the customer side, the procedure is based on "what you see is what you sign". This known method and apparatus requires a special device for incorporating digital signature, namely a device having a screen with dimensions applicable for displaying the documents to be signed. In addition, a smart card reader is necessary.
Another electronic signature management system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,307,955 B1. Here, the electronic signature management system includes a graphic tablet digitizer for signaling position coordinates of stylus being moved to produce a hand-written signature, a clock circuit of the digitizer defining a fixed interval between successive stylus position managements measurements, a computer processor electrically interfaced with the tablet and programmed for receiving and storing a multiplicity of the coordinates in sequential order as an electronic signature forming a time history of the stylus movement. The computer is also programmed for verifying the fixed time intervals of the measurements, and for comparing the electronic signature with a reference signature. The electronic signature is preferably encrypted using a hash function or message digits of the document as a key. Also disclosed are methods for electronically signing a document, wherein the electronic signature is electronically bound to the document. The electronic signature is encrypted using a key derived from the document and not saved.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,024,562 B1 discloses a method for carrying out digital signature and a system therefore. In this known method a data packet is sent from a sender to a recipient. The sender and the recipient are connected to a data network via network connection means. A biometric sample of the person is sampled and converted to a digital form. A first digital seal is produced from the combination of the digital data packet and the biometrics sample, or from two or more digital seals derived from the digital data packet and the biometric sample. The digital data packet and the biometric sample and the digital seal are sent to the recipient. A second digital seal is produced from the combinations of received digital data packet and the received biometric sample. The first and the second seals are compared and in the first and second seals are identical, the authentication of the digital signature is approved. Otherwise, the authentication of the digital signature is denied.
A similar method and system is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,68,567. Here, a signature object document is hashed to generate a hash sum. The signature image is encrypted with the hash sum generated. Then, the encrypted signature image is encrypted in accordance with the secret information to generate a signature document.
For the sake of clarity, various important terms for the present disclosure are defined as follows:
Electronic reference is made to the corresponding definition in thesignature:Guidelines 1999/93/EG of the European Parliament andthe European Council concerning the CommunityFramework for Electronic Signatures, which werepublished on Jan. 19, 2000 in the Official Journal ofthe European Community (AB1. L 13 of Jan. 19, 2000,Page 12).Biometric like an electronic signature, supplemented with anelectronic unambiguous biometric identification feature of a person,signature:such as e.g., a fingerprint, a handwritten signature, voicerecording, etc., which is securely linked with an electronic data set and/or is inserted therein and is connected by means of a check sum with the data content present at the time point of the signature.Signature image:a visualization of the signature feature (that is, e.g., thetwo-dimensional image of a fingerprint, a signature, etc.).Biometric data:a data set and/or file of a person linked to a feature (suchas a fingerprint, a voice recording, a signature, etc.). Incontrast to the signature image, biometric data includes, in part, higher resolution and not two-dimensionallydepictable information concerning the respectiveidentification feature (e.g., 3-D fingerprint, script imageinclusive of writing speed, pressure procession, time ofsignature, etc.).Signature data:a data set and/or file and/or data relating to the signatureexecuted by a person, e.g. a combination of the signatureimage data and the biometric data.Electronic a data set and/or file, which includes data that can bedocument:provided or represented in a form readable orunderstandable by a human using an appropriate device.

Method and device for electronically capturing a handwritten signature and safeguarding biometric data


The present invention provides for an image-processing device capable of printing oblique lines with an angle of approximately 45 degrees and constant width at any time to obtain a printed image of superior quality. The line-work path information whose coordinate position has been specified by a path processing section (3) is passed to a path control section (4), which stores and controls the path information. When there is an oblique line in the path information to be printed, a 45-degree line determining section (5) judges whether or not the oblique line has an angle within a given range of approximately 45 degrees relative to a horizontal axis or a vertical axis, and once determined as such, the determining section (5) passes the path information to a 45-degree line approximating section (6). The 45-degree line approximating section (6) secures and fixes all the path information of oblique lines received to a 45-degree oblique line and thereafter passes it to a line-drawing processing section (7). In this manner, all oblique lines determined to have angles within the prescribed range of approximately 45 degrees relative to the horizontal axis or the vertical axis are drawn as 45-degree oblique lines.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image-processing device such as a printer or a hybrid copier, which is used in drawing image data including straight lines having various angles such as CAD data.
2. Description of Related Art
A CAD system is capable of creating design drawings for machines and architectural structures or the like on a computer, then transmits created CAD data to an image-forming device such as a printer to be printed. In creating drawings on the computer, the user operates a mouse while viewing the drawing on the display screen of the computer. For example, if the user intends to draw a straight line, he points to or clicks a point of origin and an end point with the use of the mouse.
Then, to print an image that has been inputted in this manner, the computer converts the image into processible print data by means of the image-forming device and passes it to the image-forming device, which converts the print data received from the computer into bitmap data and the printing engine executes printing. On such an occasion, when the image of an oblique straight line is created, for example, the dots (pixels) of edge portions of the image are not equally represented to form a straight line image at a particular angle thereof, such that the image printed could be a line having uneven thickness at certain points.
To correct such a phenomenon, an image-forming method has been disclosed in Japanese Laid Open Patent Publication No. 10-149443 (see FIGS. 1 and 2), for example. The object of the image-forming method disclosed in the above-mentioned patent document is to provide a image-forming method for smoothing the shape of an oblique line having a tilt angle of 45 degrees and for easily determining changes in pixel processing. Then, sample windows are set up at predetermined regions of the original image, and edge data showing whether the four boundaries of each pixel is an edge in the sample windows is established, and by referring to the edge data, determination is made as to whether a given pixel is included in the 45-degree oblique line. The predetermined pixel then selects a pixel conversion pattern previously prescribed for a 45-degree oblique line or a pixel conversion pattern for an oblique line having a tilt angle other than 45 degrees and is converted to form an oblique line having a smooth shape.
However, while the image-forming method disclosed in the above-mentioned patent document was intended to form an oblique line having a smooth shape, it does not address the situation where an oblique line having an angle slightly 45 degrees off is formed, i.e., 44.5 degrees, due to unsteadiness of the user's hand while operating the mouse or a calculation error of floating point in the software or the like. Thus, if the oblique line had a 1-dot width, thick areas and narrow areas alternately appeared and its thickness became uneven in the longer direction.
To illustrate this point, reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 will be made. FIG. 3 is a drawing of a 45-degree oblique line, while FIG. 4 shows an oblique line having an angle slightly 45 degrees off. Line width is set to 1-dot width and the dots are designed to turn on when the center of a pixel is included in a path. The entire length is drawn with a uniform thickness when the angle of the oblique line is exactly 45 degrees as shown in FIG. 3. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, when the angle is slightly 45 degrees off, the line width becomes 1-dot width after some time of being 2-dot width, and reverts to 1-dot width, alternately appearing in such manner for a relatively long period, and the unevenness of line width is noticeable as to reduce image quality.
Since a regular image-forming device is equipped with a smoothing function and smoothing is performed to achieve the drawing result shown in the above-mentioned patent document, the changes in dot width become less conspicuous to a certain extent. However, such function cannot correct the changes in line width for a predetermined period, while a problem also arises where the line printed is thicker by a certain amount than its intended line width as drawn, when dot interpolation occurs due to smoothing.

Image-processing device capable of printing oblique lines


Disclosed herein are systems and methods for providing a compressible interconnect for allowing electrical communication between an electronics unit and an analyte sensor in an on-body analyte monitoring device. In other embodiments, systems and methods are provided for reducing the Z-height of an on-body analyte monitoring device by utilizing novel interconnects.

The detection and/or monitoring of glucose levels or other analytes, such as lactate, oxygen, A1C, or the like, in certain individuals is vitally important to their health. For example, the monitoring of glucose is particularly important to individuals with diabetes. Diabetics generally monitor glucose levels to determine if their glucose levels are being maintained within a clinically safe range, and may also use this information to determine if and/or when insulin is needed to reduce glucose levels in their bodies or when additional glucose is needed to raise the level of glucose in their bodies.
Growing clinical data demonstrates a strong correlation between the frequency of glucose monitoring and glycemic control. Despite such correlation, many individuals diagnosed with a diabetic condition do not monitor their glucose levels as frequently as they should due to a combination of factors including convenience, testing discretion, pain associated with glucose testing, and cost.
Devices have been developed for the automatic monitoring of analyte(s), such as glucose, in bodily fluid such as in the blood stream or in interstitial fluid ("ISF"), or other biological fluid. Some of these analyte measuring devices are configured so that at least a portion of the devices are positioned below a skin surface of a user, e.g., in a blood vessel or in the subcutaneous tissue of a user, so that the monitoring is accomplished in vivo.
With the continued development of analyte monitoring devices and systems, there is a need for such analyte monitoring devices, systems, and methods, as well as for processes for manufacturing analyte monitoring devices and systems that are cost effective, convenient, and with reduced pain, provide discreet monitoring to encourage frequent analyte monitoring to improve glycemic control.
Typically, a glucose monitor consists of an analyte sensor that is implanted in a patient and an electronics unit adapted to establish electrical communication with the analyte sensor. The electrical communication may be accomplished utilizing a number of different interconnects. For example, some electronics units utilize pogo pins, polymer pins, solid pins, or springs as interconnects. However, each of these known interconnects has potential drawbacks. For example, pogo pins are not durable and moisture can seep into the spring mechanism, thereby degrading their performance. Similarly, polymer pins can degrade and wear after multiple cleanings Solid pins generally require extensive modification of existing systems, leading to higher costs for the patient. Spring connections are delicate, and may be prone to failure after extended use. Therefore, there clearly exists a need for a low-cost, waterproof, flexible interconnect that allows for efficient and reliable electrical communication between an analyte sensor and an electronics unit.
In other instances, a user may need to wear an on-body analyte monitoring device for an extended period of time. Generally, the on-body monitoring device includes a mounting unit housing an analyte sensor and an electronics unit unit. However, such devices can be bulky and uncomfortable due to the size and vertical height ("Z-height") of the electronics unit and the size of the mounting unit, which should be sufficiently large to house the electronics unit. Therefore, there exists a need for an on-body analyte monitoring device having a streamlined body and low profile (e.g., reduced Z-height) for a more comfortable wear and patient compliance.

Interconnect for on-body analyte monitoring device


A bus termination scheme that minimizes signal reflection and that minimizes the effect of the number of devices coupled to the bus. In this invention, a resistor is provided between a signal driver and the transmission bus. In addition, a resistance is provided between the bus and each receiving means. The driver resistor reduces the effective capacitance of the transmission line as well as effectively source terminating the line. The receiver resistor reduces effective capacitance and damps signal reflections. Thus, the performance of the bus is increased by minimizing the effects of the number of drivers and receivers on the bus. In addition, the drivers can be lower powered than prior art drivers because no static and a reduced dynamic load is presented to the driver. Finally, the resistors do not dissipate power continuously but only when a transmitter changes the bus state or potential, further enhancing low power operation. The present invention also provides a method for providing a clock signal from any signal source coupled to the bus. In a data transfer transaction, the present invention utilizes a protocol that permits the transfer of two data words with only a single acknowledgement so that the data rate is decoupled from the control signal rate. This permits data to be transmitted at a double word rate even though control signals are provided at a lower rate.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of communication paths, such as a bus, in a computer system, and the transmission of clock and/or data signals on a bus.
2. Background Art
A computer system consists of a number of modules or components. Computer systems typically include a central processing unit (CPU) such as a microprocessor. The microprocessor is a program controlled device that obtains, decodes and executes instructions. A computer system also includes program storage components for storing program instructions, and data storage components for storing data. These storage components may be read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), disk or tape storage, or any other suitable storage means.
A computer system also includes input/ouput (I/O) components for connecting external devices to the microprocessor. Special purpose components, such as memory management units or co-processors, may also be part of the computer system.
The various components of a computer system are linked by a communication path referred to as a "bus". The bus is a communication path (such as a set of conductors) used to transfer inforamtion such as instructions, data, addresses or control signals between the components of a computer system. The components coupled to the bus can both place a signal onto the bus (signal source) or receive a signal from the bus (signal receiver).
In operation, a signal sourc,e also known as a "driver", asserts a signal on the bus by varying the potential of the bus. The signal source drives the potential on the bus to some predetermined level (high state) and/or pulls the bus to a ground level (low state). Either state of the bus can represent digital information such as logical "1's" or "0's". The signal generated by the driver travels on the bus until it reaches an intended receiver. The receiver, by detecting the state of the bus, receives the information transmitted on the bus.
The performance of the bus, and therefore, the performance of the computer system associated with the bus, depends on the "delay time" of signal generated on the bus. The delay time of a signal is a combination of the "propagation delay" (the time it takes a signal to go from the active driver to the furthest end of the bus) and "reflection delay" (the time it takes for any signal reflections to fall below a threshold level, permitting the bus to be driven with a new signal).
For an ideal bus, propagation delay depends only on bus length and the characteristic impedance associated with the bus. In reality, however, propagation delay depends on the number of devices coupled to the bus. Each device coupled to the bus has an associated parasitic capacitance.The effect of this parasitic capacitance is to increase the propagation delay time, lowering bus performance. The more devices coupled to the bus, the greater the effects of the parasitic capacitance and the lower the bus performance.
Reflection delay is also a limiting factor in bus performance. When a signal is driven onto a bus, it travels the length of the bus and is reflected back along the bus toward the source. This reflected signal may be reflected again at the source, resultign in a plurality of reflected signals on the bus. The amplitudes of these reflected signals decay with time until they are no longer detectable. The time it takes a reflected signal to decrease below a predetermined level is known as the settling time or reflection delay.

Method and apparatus for clock and data delivery on a bus


In a case where a semiconductor chip is mounted over a first package, 80 pads are coupled to 80 terminals of the package, and in a case where the semiconductor chip is mounted over a second package, 100 pads are coupled to 100 terminals of the second package. An internal circuit of the semiconductor chip operates as a microcomputer with 80 terminals in a case where electrodes are insulated from each other and operates as a microcomputer with 100 terminals in a case where the electrodes are shorted therebetween by an end part of a bonding wire. Therefore, a dedicated pad for setting the number of terminals of the packages is no longer required.

The present invention relates to a semiconductor chip, and more specifically to a semiconductor chip mountable over a desired one of two packages with mutually different numbers of terminals.
Conventionally, there is a semiconductor chip mountable over a desired one of a first package having N-number (N is a natural number) of terminals and a second package having M-number (M is an integer larger than N) of terminals. This semiconductor chip is provided with: a dedicated pad for setting the number of terminals of the package mounted with the semiconductor chip; and M-number of pads.
In a case where the semiconductor chip is mounted over the first package, the dedicated pad and a power supply pad receiving supply voltage are coupled to each other by a bonding wire. Moreover, N-number of pads of the M-number of pads of the semiconductor chip are respectively coupled to N-number of terminals of the first package by N-number of bonding wires. An internal circuit of the semiconductor chip operates as a first semiconductor device having N-number of terminals in response to provision of the supply voltage to the dedicated pad.
Moreover, in a case where the semiconductor chip is mounted over the second package, the dedicated pad and a grounding pad receiving grounding voltage are coupled to each other by a bonding wire. Moreover, the M-number of pads of the semiconductor chip are respectively coupled to M-number of terminals of the second package by M-number of bonding wires. The internal circuit of the semiconductor chip operates as a second semiconductor device having the M-number of terminals in response to provision of the grounding voltage to the dedicated pad.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-198491 discloses a technology of dividing a pad into a plurality of electrodes for reducing adverse effect exerted on a transistor by plasma via the pad in semiconductor chip manufacturing processes.


A new cultivar of ×Heucherella named ‘Art Nouveau’, that is characterized by its a vigorous growth habit, its leaf coloration that is dark green with a conspicuous large dark brown coloration in the centers, its long blooming habit; blooming late spring to late summer in Belgium, and its flowers that are white in color on tall flowering stems.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of ×Heucherella and is hereinafter referred to by its cultivar name 'Art Nouveau'.
The new cultivar was derived from a controlled breeding program conducted by the Inventor in Pellenberg, Belgium with the objective of creating new cultivars of ×Heucherella that exhibit strong, healthy and vigorous plant habits. The Inventor made a cross in May of 2007 between an unnamed and unpatented plant of Heuchera×villosa as the female parent and an unnamed and unpatented plant of a Tiarella of hybrid origin as the male parent. The Inventor selected 'Art Nouveau' in August of 2008 as a single unique plant amongst the seedlings that resulted from the above cross.
Asexual propagation of the new cultivar was first accomplished by tissue culture using meristem tissue under the direction of the Inventor in Beervelde, Belgium in August of 2008. Asexual propagation of the new cultivar by tissue culture has shown that the unique features are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.


A semiconductor structure and a method for fabricating the same. The semiconductor structure includes at least a first channel region and a second channel region. The first channel region and the second channel region each include metal gate structures surrounding a different nanosheet channel layer. The metal gate structures of the first and second channel regions are respectively separated from each other by an unfilled gap. The method includes forming a gap fill layer between and in contact with gate structures surrounding nanosheet channel layers in multiple channel regions. Then, after the gap fill layer has been formed for each nanosheet stack, a masking layer is formed over the gate structures and the gap fill layer in at least a first channel region. The gate structures and the gap fill layer in at least a second channel region remain exposed.

The present disclosure generally relates to metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFET), and more particular relates to nanosheet transistors.
The MOSFET is a transistor used for switching electronic signals. The MOSFET has a source, a drain, and a metal oxide gate electrode. The metal gate is electrically insulated from the main semiconductor n-channel or p-channel by a thin layer of insulating material, for example, silicon dioxide or high dielectric constant (high-k) dielectrics, which makes the input resistance of the MOSFET relatively high. The gate voltage controls whether the path from drain to source is an open circuit ("off") or a resistive path ("on").
N-type field effect transistors (NFET) and p-type field effect transistors (PFET) are two types of complementary MOSFETs. The NFET uses electrons as the current carriers and with n-doped source and drain junctions. The PFET uses holes as the current carriers and with p-doped source and drain junctions.
As semiconductor devices scale to smaller dimensions, nanosheet (nanowire) devices provide advantages. Stacked nanowires provide area efficiency. Stacked nanowires provide, for example, increased drive current within a given layout area.

Enabling residue free gap fill between nanosheets

International Business Machines Corporation


The invention provides methods of preventing flooding of a cavity within a shoot restraint of a manufactured seed by lowering the water potential of the nutritive media relative to the water potential of a plant embryo disposed within the cavity.

Modern silviculture often requires the planting of large numbers of genetically identical plants that have been selected to have advantageous properties. Production of new plants by sexual reproduction, which yields botanic seeds, is usually not feasible. Asexual propagation, via the culturing of somatic or zygotic embryos, has been shown for some species to yield large numbers of genetically identical embryos, each having the capacity to develop into a normal plant. Plant embryos created by in vitro cultures, however, lack the natural protective and nutritive features of natural botanic seeds. Attempts have been made to provide the protective and nutritive structures found in natural botanic seeds to plant embryos cultured in a laboratory by using manufactured seeds. Manufactured seeds are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,564,224; 5,687,504; 5,701,699; and 6,119,395.
Problems with manufactured seeds remain. Both the rate of successful germination and the quality of germinants produced from manufactured seeds are lower than the rate and quality obtained from natural botanic seeds. One of the problems encountered with manufactured seeds is that excess water may accumulate in the cavity of the manufactured seed that holds a plant embryo, and such condition may result in inhibition of germination, abnormal growth, and/or drowning of the embryo.
The flow of water into the cavity holding the embryo in a manufactured seed is a function of the relative water potentials of the components of the manufactured seed. Water potential is the potential energy of water per unit volume relative to pure water. Water potential is measured in Pascal units, with pure water having a potential of 0 Mpa. Water potential represents the flow of water from one area to another. Water will flow from an area of higher potential to an area of lower, or more negative, potential.
A manufactured seed, generally, comprises a seed coat, nutritive media, a shoot restraint, and a cavity within the shoot restraint that holds a plant embryo. In order for an embryo to survive and thrive in a manufactured seed, the embryo must be able to obtain water and nutrients from nutritive media. The relative water potential of the nutritive media, shoot restraint, and embryo must be such that the embryo has a more negative potential than the shoot restraint, which has a more negative potential than the nutritive media, so that the water and dissolved nutrients will flow from the nutritive media, through the shoot restraint, to the cavity, and to the embryo in the cavity. However, the relative differences in the water potentials of the components of a manufactured seed must be balanced so that the embryo receives a sufficient amount of water and nutrients without an excess amount of water flowing into the cavity so as to be detrimental to the embryo.
Therefore, there is a need to improve the rate of germination and the quality of germinants obtained from manufactured seeds by preventing an excess amount of water from flowing into the cavity of a manufactured seed, in which an embryo is disposed, while providing a sufficient amount of water and nutrients to the embryo. The present invention addresses these and other needs.

Methods of preventing flooding in manufactured seed


The present invention relates to the use of specific styrene derivatives in the production of an elastomeric copolymer. The invention further relates to methods for producing an elastomeric copolymer and an elastomeric copolymer. Moreover, the invention relates to a method for preparing a rubber comprising vulcanizing the elastomeric copolymer, and a rubber as obtainable according to the method. Further, the invention relates to a rubber composition, a tire component comprising the rubber composition, and a tire comprising the tire component.

It is important for elastomeric copolymers that are used in tires, hoses, power transmission belts and other industrial products to have a good compatibility with fillers, such as carbon black and silica. To attain improved interaction with fillers, such elastomeric copolymers can be functionalized with various compounds, such as amines. It has also been recognized that carbon black, when employed as reinforcing filler in rubber compounds, should be well dispersed throughout the rubber in order to improve various physical properties.
EP 0 316 255 A1 discloses a process for end-capping polydienes by reacting a metal terminated polydiene with a capping agent such as a halogenated nitrile, a heterocyclic aromatic nitrogen-containing compound or an alkyl benzoate. Additionally, EP 0 316 255 A1 discloses that both ends of the polydiene chains can be capped with polar groups by utilizing functionalized initiators, such as lithium amides.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,894,409 teaches a rubber composition comprising not less than 20% by weight of an amino group-containing diene based polymer in a rubber component, and 10 to 100 parts by weight of silica as a filler with respect to 100 parts by weight of the rubber component.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,935,471 A discloses methods of synthesizing living anionic polymerization initiators based on aromatic N-heterocyclic compounds such as pyrrole, imidazole, pyrazole, pyrazinyl, pyrimidine, pyridazinyl and phenanthroline derivatives and their use in the production of N-functionalized polybutadienes. A similar approach is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,515,087 B2, EP 0 590 491 A1 and WO 2011/076377 where acyclic and cyclic amines are used in the preparation of the active anionic polymerization initiators and are utilized in a further step in the synthesis of di-N-functionalized butadiene-styrene copolymers.
The synthesis of di-N-functionalized butadiene-styrene polymers is also disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,196,154 A, U.S. Pat. No. 4,861,742 A and U.S. Pat. No. 3,109,871 A. However, in the processes for their preparation, aminofunctional aryl-methyl ketones are used and also serve as functionalizing terminating agents. The above described N-modification methods only allow the preparation of polydienes in which the polymer chain may contain no more than two moieties with amine functionality.
Another approach to prepare N-functionalized polymers with a different content of N-functional groups would be the incorporation of suitable styrene monomers into the polymer chain, which controlled addition into the reaction system would lead to a wide variety of styrene-butadiene rubbers with a different content of N-functional groups and thus exhibiting different ability to disperse inorganic fillers. EP 1 792 892 A2 discloses a method for the preparation of N-functionalized styrene monomers (by the reaction of a variety of acyclic and cyclic lithium amides with 1,3- or 1,4-divinylobenzene, 1,3-di(iso-propylene)benzene or a mixture of isomeric chloro-methylvinylbenzenes) that are used in a further step in the preparation of butadiene-styrene copolymer rubbers containing different amounts of amino-functional groups.
According to U.S. Pat. No. 6,627,722 B2, polymer-containing units of a vinylaromatic ring-substituted with one or two alkyleneimine-alkyl groups, especially pyrrolidinylmethyl or hexamethylene-iminomethyl groups, can be polymerized into elastomeric copolymers having low hysteresis and good compatibility with fillers, such as carbon black and silica. Improved polymer properties are achieved because the styrene derivatives improve the compatibility of the rubber with the fillers.
EP 2 772 515 A1 teaches a conjugated diene polymer obtained by polymerizing a monomer component including a conjugated diene component and a silicon-containing vinyl compound. The silicon-containing vinyl compound may be a silyl-substitued styrene. However, the compounds according to EP 2 772 515 A1 are hydrolytically unstable under the typical processing conditions, compare the N,N-bis(SiMe3)2 aniline derivatives disclosed in Org. Lett. 2001, 3, 2729.
Therefore, it was the object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages associated with the prior art and to provide functionalized styrene derivatives whose application in the synthesis of polydienes leads to end-chain and/or in-chain modified polymer compositions that have better affinity to both of the two typical fillers commonly applied in tire production, i.e. silica and carbon black. The functionalized styrene derivatives should also be hydrolytically more stable than those of EP 2 772 515 A1.
This object was achieved by the use of [bis(trihydrocarbyl-silyl)aminosilyl]-functionalized styrene derivatives of formula (I). These styrene derivatives are preferably used as co-monomers in the production of elastomeric copolymers. Alternatively, or additionally, they are preferably used in the preparation of polymerization initiators.

Elastomeric copolymers based on [bis(trihydrocarbylsilyl)aminosilyl]-functionalized styrene and their use in the preparation of rubbers

SYNTHOS DWORY 7 SPOLKA Z ORGANICZONA ODPOWIEDZIALNOSCIA SPOLKA JAWNA


A compact wireless IC tag incorporating a pressure sensor in an IC chip. The IC chip of the wireless IC tag has SOI structure comprising a silicon sheet layer, a silicon device layer which is formed on the upper side of the silicon sheet layer, and a thin silicon oxide layer having about 0.01 μm to 5 μm thickness sandwiched between the silicon sheet layer and silicon device layer. In the silicon device layer, a capacitive element of a pressure sensor comprising of a gap, and a first metal wiring and a second metal wiring respectively disposed on the upper and lower sides of the gap, is formed. In the silicon sheet layer on the lower side of the capacitive element, an aperture filled with rubber-like elastic material is formed.

JP-A No. 128118/1997 discloses a switch which transmits open/close status via wireless transmission. JP-A No. 306188/2000 discloses a sensor which detects pressure based on the change in characteristics of a bridge circuit having a resistance film, and converts the change to a digital form to be transmitted via wireless transmission. JP-A No. 014572/2003 discloses a sensor which detects pressure by a piezoelectric element, and transmits the detected pressure value via wireless transmission. JP-A No. 150771/1993 discloses a technology wherein a pressure sensor is mounted at the tip of a groove, the sensor transmits a signal representing the pressure of each finger to a wireless device via a signal line, and the wireless device transmits the signal via wireless transmission. JP-A No. 228042/2001 discloses a technology wherein a signal from a pressure sensor module is transmitted via wireless transmission.

Wireless IC tag and manufacturing method of the same


A Bowden-type cable containing a cable (14) is provided with proximal (14P) and distal extremities arranged in a jacket (18) having proximal (18P) and distal extremities blocked by proximal (20P) and distal arresting units. At least the first extremity (18P) of the jacket (18) is connected to the first arresting unit (20P) with the aid of a liaison unit (22) which is arranged on the first extremity (18P) of the jacket (18). In a preferred embodiment, the liaison unit is moulded on the first extremity (18P) of the jacket (18) and welded by ultrasound to the first arresting unit (20).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an improved control device for a module forming a lock mechanism.
2. Description of the Related Art
The prior art already discloses a control device for a module forming a lock mechanism, of the type comprising a Bowden-type cable containing a cable having two ends, a proximal end and a distal end respectively, this cable being housed in a jacket having two ends, a proximal end and a distal end respectively, which are immobilized by two proximal and distal retaining elements.
This type of control device is used particularly for controlling a lock for the opening leaf of a motor vehicle, particularly for the side door of the vehicle.
The proximal end of the cable is connected to a control lever, also known as a paddle handle, pivot-mounted on the opening leaf so that it can be actuated from the inside of the vehicle. The distal end of the cable is connected to a control element for the module forming the lock mechanism. This module, provided with a latch, is arranged on the opening leaf so that, when the opening leaf is in the closed position, the latch engages with a striker borne by a corresponding frame.
When fitting the control device, it is particularly advisable to adjust the length of the proximal end of the cable protruding outside the jacket, through the proximal end of the latter, so as to allow for take-up of various functional play in the lock module and the control device. This adjustment makes it possible to achieve a desired travel for the control lever.
After carrying out the adjustment above, the proximal end of the jacket is immobilized with respect to the proximal retaining element. It is known practice to fasten the proximal end of the jacket to the proximal retaining element by an ultrasonic welding process.
However, the jacket is generally formed by a wire, particularly a metal wire, wound into a spiral with contiguous turns. This structure of the jacket does not always make it possible to obtain a quality ultrasonic weld providing the jacket with good pull-out resistance. In fact, the ultrasonic waves in some cases cause deformation of the spiral forming the jacket of the cable.

Control device for a module forming a lock mechanism


In one embodiment of the present invention, a memory cell includes a first resistive switching element having a first terminal and a second terminal, and a second resistive switching element having a first terminal and a second terminal. The memory further includes a three terminal transistor, which has a first terminal, a second terminal, and a third terminal. The first terminal of the three terminal transistor is coupled to the first terminal of the first resistive switching element. The second terminal of the three terminal transistor is coupled to the first terminal of the second resistive switching element. The third terminal of the three terminal transistor is coupled to a word line.

Semiconductor industry relies on device scaling to deliver improved performance at lower costs. Flash memory is the mainstream non-volatile memory in today's market. However, Flash memory has a number of limitations that is posing a significant threat to continued advancement of memory technology. Therefore, the industry is exploring alternative memories to replace Flash memory. Contenders for future memory technology include magnetic storage random access memory (MRAM), ferroelectric RAM (FeRAM), and resistive switching memories such as phase change RAM (PCRAM), metal oxide based memories, and programmable metallization cell (PMC) or ionic memories. These memories are also called as emerging memories.
To be viable, the emerging memory has to be better than Flash memory in more than one of technology metrics such as scalability, performance, energy efficiency, On/Off ratio, operational temperature, CMOS compatibility, and reliability.
One of the challenges of memory design relates to cell margin. For example, the switching element, which switches between a first state and a second state has to maintain a sufficient difference between the two states so that a subsequent read operation may distinguish between them. If the difference between the two states becomes smaller than the sensitivity of the reading process, then the memory cell may lose the stored data.


An indexing mechanism for use in a garment pressing machine includes a support frame, a guide rail secured to the frame, a carriage supported by the guide rail for linear movement between dressing and pressing positions, and a fluid actuator for moving the carriage. The carriage carries a pressing buck or mannequin. The indexing mechanism includes an indexing bar having one end pivotally attached to the carriage for linear movement therewith and a second end slidably and pivotally mounted within a guide attached to the support frame. The actuator is connected between the support frame and a central portion of the indexing bar. Extension and retraction of the fluid cylinder causes the indexing bar to pivot and slide about one end within the guide space and to drive the carriage between its dressing and pressing positions at its other end. The other end of the guide bar attached to the carriage moves a greater distance than the actuator extension motion due to the motion amplification effect of the indexing bar.

This invention pertains to the art of laundry pressing systems having carriages which support a buck or mannequin and which are moveable between dressing and pressing positions. More particularly, the invention pertains to an indexing mechanism for moving and guiding the carriage between the dressing and pressing positions.
In such laundry pressing systems, the carriage is moved between its dressing and pressing positions a distance sufficient to assure that the operator stationed at the dressing position remains a safe distance away from the pressing position. It is known in the prior art to have such carriages mounted upon one or more guide rails and driven between the dressing and pressing positions by motor driven cables, chains, or fluid cylinders. This invention is directed to a fluid cylinder or actuator driven carriage arrangement.
In such prior art systems in which a carriage is moved between its dressing and pressing positions by a fluid cylinder or actuator, exceptionally long stroke cylinders have been required in order to drive the carriage between its dressing and pressing positions. Such long stroke cylinders generally require larger work areas, are more expensive to set up and operate due to the required stroke length of the cylinder, and are prone to malfunction due to bending stresses on the long piston rod of the cylinder.
It is the object of the present invention to accomplish the movement of the carriage between its dressing and pressing positions by use of a fluid actuator cylinder having a relatively short stroke. In order to accomplish this objective, a short stroke cylinder is used with a motion transfer guide linkage that produces an effective long travel of the buck or mannequin with a short piston stroke. Therefore, the arrangement in the present invention is capable of moving a carriage between a dressing position and a pressing position through a distance equal to that known in the prior art, but with a relatively short stroke cylinder and with very simple, inexpensive components.

Indexing mechanism for a mannequin carriage having a slidable, pivotable support and index bar moveable by a fluid cylinder for movement between a dressing position and a garment press


A water-resistant base device for optical-fiber Christmas trees, consisting of a main base unit, a upper base cover, a rotating unit, a fixing unit, a water-resistant hood, a top cover and a tree unit. The rotating unit is installed on the fixing unit structure on the upper cover of the base, using a ringed wall protruding from the top periphery of the main base unit, the water-resistant hood fastened onto the top of the upper base cover, and the arched top cover covering the top of the water-resistant hood, to enable heat radiation and water resistant functions to the entire base assembly, so the Christmas tree can be installed for indoor and outdoor purposes.

(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a water resistant device for the base of fiber-optic Christmas tree, particularly to one enabling insertion by a Christmas tree made with optical fibers, using an interior light-emitting device and a transmission structure, driving the Christmas tree to rotate slowly, emitting multiple and varying colors and patterns of light through the terminal ends at the top of the fiber-optic Christmas tree, demonstrating a structural design of a base unit with a water resistant mechanism; it comprises mainly a main base unit, a upper base cover, a rotating unit, a fixing unit, a water resistant hood, a top cover and a tree unit, wherein, protruding from the top rim of the main base unit is a ringed wall, installed at the bottom inside the rotating unit is a transparent bottom plate, the fixing unit can be covered and tightened onto the upper base cover, to fasten the rotating unit. The water resistant hood is shaped like a reversed hopper, serving to cover the top of the upper base cover, the top cover is mounted at the top of the water resistant hood. The tree unit is accommodated inside the rotating unit, serving to insert and fasten the fiber-optic Christmas tree. Such a structure will be able to achieve heat radiation and water resistance, so the Christmas tree can be secured for indoor or outdoor applications, thereby effectively enhancing its flexible uses and efficiency.
(b) Description of the Prior Art
The development of fiber-optic Christmas trees has been changed from traditional static status with simple colors of lighting to modern-day fiber-optic Christmas trees that can be rotated, and have multiple colors and changing patterns of lighting effects transmitted out of the terminals at the top of the fiber-optic Christmas tree. When displayed at festivals and holiday celebrations, the fiber-optic Christmas tree can bring much fun and better atmosphere. The popularly used fiber-optic Christmas tree has a base to accommodate the Christmas tree, which is generally consisted of a main base unit and an upper base cover. Installed at the top of the main base unit is a transmission device consisting of a motor, a speed reducing gear set, a color disc and a lamp bulb. Installed at the center of on top of the upper base cover is a rotating unit, using a fixing unit to cover and fasten it. The fiber-optic Christmas tree is fastened onto the rotating unit. When the light-emitting transmission device in the main base unit is activated, the motor drives the color disc to rotate slowly through the speed reducing gear set, the light of the bulb project colors through the color disc (having semi-transparent patterned blocks in various colors) into the base of the fiber-optic Christmas tree, the changing colors and patterns then come out of the terminal ends at the top of the tree, on the other hand, the transmission gear fixed at the top of the color disc drives the rotating unit in mesh to rotate, so the entire Christmas tree fastened on the rotating unit creates an elegant appearance of slow rotation. However, since high heat is generated in the use of the light-emitting transmission device. For the sake of safety and longer working life, the upper base cover is generally equipped with a plurality of heat radiating groove holes, allowing air to flow through the inside of the base unit, to radiate high heat effectively out of the light-emitting transmission device. However, due to the design of such radiating groove holes, conventional fiber-optic Christmas trees can only be used inside a building. When it is laid outdoors and subjected to rain or invaded by water (also applicable to indoor use), the inside light-emitting transmission device will be short-circuited or burned, which result in high risks and narrowed range of applications (only applicable for indoor use).
In view of those disadvantages, the inventor has devoted in research, based on many years of experience in the research, development and production of related products and peripherals, and after repeated conceptions, test productions, tests and revisions, has finally come up with the present invention of water resistant device for the base of fiber-optic Christmas tree, providing a light-emitting transmission device to enhance safety, enable indoor and outdoor use, enhance variable applications and efficiency.
To enable better understanding of the structural characteristics and physical performance of the present invention, please refer to the drawings of preferred embodiments.

Water resistant device for base of fiber-optic Christmas tree