A method and apparatus for spatter painting wherein an open-loop paint applicator which can be a paint roller cover having a set of elongated interconnected members or fibers that are rolled in a shallow layer of paint, preferably a thixotropic paint, to randomly draw paint from the paint reservoirs onto peripheral portions of the open-loop members that extend into the paint reservoir to produce a partially loaded paint roller cover having randomly spaced globules and droplets of paint thereon. When the partially loaded paint roller cover is rolled over a surface the paint globules and droplets located in a random pattern on the paint roller cover are transferred to a surface to produce a xe2x80x9cspatter effectxe2x80x9d even though the paint roller cover normally produces a textured surface.

This invention relates to decorative painting and, more specifically, to a system and method for spatter painting using either a paint roller or a paint pad.
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The concept of decorative painting using a paint roller cover is known in the art. In general a decorative pattern is formed directly in the paint roller cover. Using the paint roller cover with a decorative pattern one dips the paint roller cover in a paint tray and then rolls the paint roller cover over a surface to transfer the pattern on the paint roller cover to the surface. Typically, the paint roller cover pattern is obtained by forming a sculptured pattern directly in the nap of the paint roller cover or the paint roller cover can have an irregular surface formed by adhering different materials to the paint roller cover. In either case, a sculptured pattern is first formed in the paint roller cover. Once the sculptured pattern is formed in the paint roller cover the paint roller cover is loaded with paint by rolling the paint roller cover in a paint tray to distribute the paint over the raised portions of the paint roller cover and to also squeeze out excess paint from the paint roller cover. Once loaded with paint, the paint roller cover is rolled over a surface which transfers the pattern of the paint roller cover to the surface. This type of decorative painting can be described as xe2x80x9cpattern transferxe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9croller cover pattern transferxe2x80x9d using xe2x80x9cpatterned rollersxe2x80x9d since the pattern formed in the paint roller cover is transferred by rolling the patterned paint roller cover with paint thereon over a surface to be painted.
An example of such type of xe2x80x9cpattern transferxe2x80x9d using a sculptured patterned roller cover can be found in the Notle U.S. Pat. No. 5,000,671 who uses an embossed design roller that is rolled over dry wall compound or other materials to transfer the roller pattern to the wall.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,206,979 shows pattern transfer where a rag is twisted around a paint roller cover to produce a decorative roller cover pattern.
Another type of pattern transfer roller is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,401,231 that uses a set of flexible leather discs on the roller to impart a textured effect.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,471,703 discuss an apparatus for applying paint to wall that creates a pattern transfer roller cover by wrapping a rag around the roller.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,996,166 discloses a pattern transfer paint roller that is formed by flexible strips.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,711,047 discloses a pattern transfer paint roller cover that produces a rag rolling effect.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,806,130 discloses a paint roller cover pattern formed by placing rag material on the sleeve to produce a rag rolled effect.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,142,921 discloses a paint roller cover wherein a patterned roller cover is created by having the fibers partially agglomerated so that when the roller is rolled over a surface it provides a sponge like finish.
From the above patents it is apparent the art of decorative painting involves creating a sculptured pattern surface on a paint roller cover and then loading the paint roller cover with paint and transferring the sculptured pattern of the paint roller cover to a surface. Pattern transfer with a sculptured paint roller cover is a well known technique as evidence by the many different types of patterns formed in the paint roller covers.
Another type of decorative painting is spatter painting. Typically, spatter painting is also known in the art and as the name suggests is a method of decorative painting where paint is spattered on to a surface. The method of spatter painting is to load paint onto the bristles of a paint brush and then shake the brush near the surface to spatter paint onto a surface. While this produces a true xe2x80x9cspatter effectxe2x80x9d, the difficulties with this technique is that it is difficult to coat a large surface so that the xe2x80x9cspatter effectxe2x80x9d appears visually consistent over the entire surface. As a result the xe2x80x9cspatter effectxe2x80x9d often becomes overwhelmed by a splotch effect. That is, the size and shape of the spatter painting in one area predominates over the size and shape of spatter painting in another area thereby preventing one from creating a painted surface with the desired cohesiveness.
The present invention includes the discovery that wall paint coatings of thixotropic consistency when applied with an applicator roller of xe2x80x9cloopyxe2x80x9d surface perform to pick up and transfer to a wall surface a pattern of coating material that closely resembles the pattern obtainable by spatter painting techniques.
While conventional paint are useable with the mete I have discovered that the combination of a specific applicator tool and paint coating of thixotropic consistently perform in a superior manner to pick up and carry to a wall surface significantly more of the coating than if the coating was of a non-thixotropic consistency and a liquid when at rest.
The invention includes the discovery the wall paints of thixotropic consistency when applied with the roller applicator of loopy constriction deposits xe2x80x9cspattersxe2x80x9d of larger wads that do not run or flow down a vertical wall surface, as would the case with non-thixotropic paints.
The invention includes the discovery that an applicator tool of xe2x80x9cloopyxe2x80x9d surface construction when loaded with a the thixotropic material using a painter pallet having a lay of thixotropic pain that is patterned by forming furrows of relative uniform height and spacing appropriate to the height of the loops allows a precise loading and assures a uniform pattern of xe2x80x9cspattersxe2x80x9d on a wall surface.
The invention includes the discovery that the xe2x80x9cspatter effectxe2x80x9d can be rolled onto the surface rather than thrown at the wall form an overloaded bristle type paintbrush.
The invention also includes the option of simultaneously spattering paints of two or more colors in a single application by splitting the paint pallet and the loopy applicator roller two or more paint compartments each containing a paint of a different color.
The present invention provides a solution to the difficulty in uniformly laying down a spatter pattern through the discovery that the partial loading paint onto an open loop paint applicator that contains a nap pattern that normally applies a texture surface can be used to produce a spatter effect. In the preferred method a partially loaded open loop roller cover, which is normally used to applies a texture surface, is rolled over a surface to transfer paint droplets and paint globules in a spatter pattern with the spatter pattern different from the nap pattern of the roller. As a result a spatter pattern can be rolled over an entire surface while maintaining a cohesiveness to the spatter pattern.
The present method differs from the prior art decorative painting with transfer rollers since there is no nap pattern on the open-loop paint roller that is directly transferred to the painted surface. That is, with the present system and method one can generate a xe2x80x9cspatter effectxe2x80x9d without having to actually spatter the paint on the surface. Because the paint can be rolled on the surface with an open loop paint roller cover one can paint an entire surface with a xe2x80x9cspatter effectxe2x80x9d without introducing a splotch effect.
A method and system for spatter painting with a paint pad applicator or paint roller. In the preferred embodiment an open loop paint roller cover made from material known as xe2x80x9cNomadxe2x80x9d has a nap pattern with the nap pattern formed by a set of irregular protruding members or fibers having interstitial regions therebetween. In one method the paint roller nap is partially immersed by rolling in a shallow layer of paint, preferably a thixotropic paint. Rolling the open-loop paint roller in the shallow layer of paint selectively and randomly draws paint from the paint reservoir onto random-like peripheral portions of the open-loop members. The result is a paint roller cover wherein fibers in random regions have paint globules or droplets thereon with the paint globules or droplets thereon positioned in a random like pattern throughout the peripheral surface of the paint roller cover. When the paint roller cover is rolled over a surface the random like pattern of paint globules or droplets on the paint roller cover is transferred from the paint carrying fibers to the surface. It has been discovered that the transfer of the random like pattern of globules or droplets on the nap to the surface provide a xe2x80x9cspatter paint effect.xe2x80x9d


A dehydration sensor having a stable, printable, buffered-ink composition that enables one to miniaturize the detection zone and permits both buffer and indicator dye to be applied in the same area of a detection zone, without need for a conventional, large buffer pad region. The ink composition includes a weak polymeric base as its primary buffering agent.

Dehydration is the depletion of fluids, mostly water, and associated electrolytes from the body. Normally, a person's daily, total fluid amount is regulated to be within about ±0.02% of body weight, and water in the body may comprise approximately 63% of the entire body mass. A balance of bodily fluids is achieved and maintained by matching the input and excretion of liquid from the body, and an imbalance in fluids can be linked to either dehydration or hypohydration.
Although dehydration can occur in persons of all ages, it is of particular concern for either the infirm, elderly, or infants. Dehydration can pose serious consequences to a dehydrated person if not cared for properly. These consequences can include muscle cramps, dizziness, fainting, and even death in extreme cases. Loss of body fluids in amounts of less than about 2-5% body mass have been associated with reduced heat dissipation, loss of cardiovascular function, and decreased physical stamina. At the onset of dehydration, the increase of plasma osmolarity (solute concentration in plasma) causes a sensation of thirst. This early warning sign, however, is often missed in situations where the person cannot adequately communicate with their caregiver, such as infants and the disabled or elderly. People who are incontinent also have high chance of missing this dehydration sign since they are more likely to restrict their liquid intake to avoid the chances of embarrassing accidents. Consumers such as these or their caretakers have a strong interest in choosing personal care products that include dehydration indicators.
Specific gravity of an individual's urine is a routinely measured means of evaluating the relative hydration status of the individual. Determination of urine volume and electrolyte concentrations can aid in monitoring whether the individual's body fluid amounts are in balance. Urine specific gravity (USG) refers to the ratio of the density of urine to the density of water. USG is affected mainly by the solids and ions in urine. USG correlates proportionally with the solid concentration and ion concentration of urine. USG normally ranges from 1.002 to 1.030. It is accepted that USG <1.020 is considered to be well hydrated, USG between 1.020 and 1.025 is considered to be semi-dehydrated and USG >1.025 is considered to be severely dehydrated. USG can be measured by an instrument such as either a urinometer or urine test dipsticks or strips. Modern dipsticks are commonly based on lateral flow assay technology. Three major methods, namely refractometry, hydrometry and reagent strips, are commonly used for USG measurements. Although refractometry and hydrometry are very accurate, they require special instruments and trained persons to operate.
Over the years, various manufacturers have attempted different methods to improve the performance of the dipsticks for specific gravity, such as different formulations to increase sensitivity and specificity. Problems, however, persist for all the commercially available dipsticks. A major problem is that the user has to read a change in color within a few brief minutes after dipping in the sample because the color development is not stable under test conditions. The signals that one may observe outside of the time window are often inaccurate, hence normally invalid. For some analyte tests, such as ion concentration in urine (i.e., specific gravity for dehydration), a certain time period is needed before a signal is fully developed and a valid reading can be achieved. This situation may not be a problem for a test that a user can constantly monitor; however, it becomes a problem when constant monitoring of the test is not feasible and sample introduction time is uncertain. For instance, it is difficult, if not impossible, to predict accurately when a baby or incontinent adult will urinate to provide a sample for an assay device in a diaper or other personal care product. Therefore, the assay device requires a validation mechanism to make sure that a reading is within the valid reading time window.
In recent years, reagent strips have become more popular, particularly in the over-the-counter and point-of-care markets, mainly due to their low cost and ease of use. In general, conventional reagent strips change color in response to the ionic strength of a urine sample. The ionic strength of urine is a measure of the amount of ions present in the urine. The USG is proportional to the ionic strength of the urine. Therefore, by assaying the ionic strength of the test sample, the USG can be determined indirectly and semi-quantitatively by correlating the ionic strength of the urine to the USG.
Conventional reagent strips are usually made in such a way that all the relevant reagents are diffusively immobilized together on a small porous zone on the strip. A sample of urine is then applied to the zone or the entire strip is dipped in the urine sample and then pulled out quickly to allow color to develop. Examples of such conventional reagent strips are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,318,709 to Falb et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 4,376,827 to Stiso et al.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,318,709 to Falb et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 4,376,827 to Stiso et al., both of which are incorporated by reference herein, describe the polyelectrolyte-dye ion exchange chemistry utilized in conventional test strips for measuring USG. In such conventional test strips, ions present in urine induce an ion-exchange with a polyelectrolyte, thereby introducing hydrogen ions into the urine. The change in hydrogen ion concentration is detected by a pH indicator.
However, conventional reagent strips for USG measurement suffer from major shortcomings, particularly for over-the-counter and point-of-care markets. For instance, conventional reagent strips have a limited reading window because the signal produced by such strips begins to change only a short period of time after sample application. Signal change can be caused by reagent leaching (the result of diffusively immobilized reagents) and sample evaporation. Unless the strips are analyzed shortly after application of the sample, the signal change can lead to erroneous test results. Furthermore, because the reagents in conventional strips are typically water soluble, the strips must also be pulled out quickly from the urine sample to prevent the reagents from leaching into the sample. In addition, conventional reagent strips are often designed for only a single urine sample application. Multiple urine insults can lead to erroneous test results making such strips unsuitable for applications in absorbent articles where multiple urine insults cannot be controlled. Finally, conventional reagent strips do not provide a way for a user to know if the test has been performed correctly or if enough sample has been applied.
Additionally, urine reagent strips which change color based on urine ionic strength are commercially available, but they are not applicable for personal care products due to their dye diffusion and color instability issues. Thus, an unsatisfied need exists for an assay device that can provide such assurance to caregivers in a cost effective way to help monitor a user's hydration status.
According to the present invention, we have developed dehydration sensors that can overcame these issues and can potentially be used as insert for personal care products or garments. However, the sensor design and manufacturing steps are quite complicated. This invention discloses a dehydration sensor that can be implemented in an ink form.

Dehydration sensors having polymeric base-buffered inks


An estimator program is disclosed which performs method steps for estimating the availability of an application program that runs on any computer in a cluster of at least two computers. By the availability of an application program is herein meant the probability that at any particular time instant, at least one of the computers in the cluster will actually be servicing requests from external workstations to use the application program. In one embodiment, the estimator program begins by receiving input parameters which include 1) multiple downtime periods for each computer in the cluster that occur at respective frequencies due to various downtime sources, and 2) an application failover time period for switching the running of the application program from any one computer to another. From those input parameters, the estimator program estimates first and second annual stoppage times, and then determines the availability of the application program on the cluster from the sum of the first and second annual stoppage times.

This invention relates to data processing systems of the type which include a cluster of at least two computers that execute application programs in a "failover" mode of operation; and more particularly, this invention relates to methods for estimating the "availability" of the application programs in the above type of data processing systems.
To explain the failover mode of operation as that term is used herein, consider the case where the cluster includes only two computers. Initially, the cluster operates in a first state wherein both of the computers are available to run the application programs. But in that first state, only one of the computers (computer #1) is servicing requests to use the application programs. The cluster remains in the first state until a stoppage occurs in computer #1.
Then, a transition is made to a second state wherein the other computer (computer #2) assumes responsibility for handling all requests to use the application programs but does not yet run those programs. This second state lasts only temporarily, and it is herein called the failover state. Then a transition is made to a third state.
In the third state, computer #2 services requests to use the application programs; and at the same time, repair work is performed on computer #1 to try to fix the cause of the stoppage. If computer #1 is made operable before computer #2 stops, then a transition is made back to the first state. Otherwise, if computer #1 is not made operable before computer #2 stops, then a transition is made to a fourth state wherein no requests to use the application programs are serviced.
The cluster remains in the fourth state until one of the computers is made operable. When that occurs, a transition is made back to the third state. There, the one computer which is operable services all requests to use the application programs; and at the same time, repair work is performed on the stopped computer.
By the availability of an application program is herein meant the probability that at any particular time instant, at least one of the computers will actually be servicing the requests to use the application programs. In the above described cluster of two computers, the application programs are not available for use in both the second state and the fourth state.
In the prior art, methods which are somewhat related to the availability of an application program in a cluster of computers is described in a book which is entitled "Reliable Computer Systems" (second edition) by Daniel P. Siewiorek and Robert S. Swarz, copyrighted 1992 by Digital Equipment Corporation and published in Digital Press (hereinafter Siewiorek). There, in FIG. 5-19c on page 314, a three state Markoff model is shown to describe how a the cluster of two computers operates. Also, an equation 32 on page 316 expresses the operability of a computer in the cluster whose state diagram corresponds to FIG. 5.19c.
However, one problem with Siewiorek is that the above state diagram and equation do not account for any time which it takes to switch the responsibility for handling requests to use the application programs from one computer to another. In particular in FIG. 5.19c, there is no failover state. Thus Siewiorek only addresses when a computer in a cluster is operable, and does not address when an application program is available for use.
Another problem with Siewiorek is that it only accounts for a single source of stoppage that occurs at a single rate ".lambda." which has a single repair rate ".mu.". This however, is unrealistic because in an actual cluster of several computers, each application program can become unavailable due to a hardware stoppage or a software stoppage or a system administrator stoppage which occur at different frequencies with different repair times.
Still another problem with Siewiorek is that the expression for the operability of a cluster of two computers, as given by equation 32, is quite complex. In addition, other expressions for the operability of a cluster of more than two computers, as provided by Siewiorek, are even more complex. This is evident from page 839 of the Siewiorek wherein the third formula from the top of the page applies to a cluster of N computers and is extremely complex.
Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is to provide a method for estimating the availability of application programs in a cluster of computers by which the above problems are overcome.

Estimator program for estimating the availability of an application program that runs in a cluster of at least two computers


A data management method and system for classifying shared data as new data or past data where the new data may be updated by processing and the past data may not be updated by processing. The data management method and system has a concurrency control, a central control and a sharing of data by a plurality of users wherein the past data is no subject to updating hereby precluding the need for lock processing by concurrency control of past data. In addition, together with query language, the capability of processing new and past data separately allows for an increase of concurrency control efficiency and a smoother user operation.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a database management system (hereafter referred to as DBMS) in a database system. In particular the present invention relates to a data management method or system suitable for an operational environment where concurrency control is needed and where there is a mixture of data which can be updated and data which cannot be updated such as a mixture of new and past data.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Conventional database management systems employ data management methods or systems like those described below.
(i) In an environment where more than one user has access to shared data and in which the shared data is to be updated, special care must be taken to protect the data so that it is consistently structured as data of a database. In other words, care should be taken to avoid lockup or update errors which can occur when two or more users are simultaneously updating the same data.
To meet such requirements, concurrency control is needed as explained in Chapter 18 of "An Introduction to Database System" by C. J. Date, Addison-Wesley, vol. 1, 4th ed. In most cases, moreover, the concurrency control is made possible by a process called lock which restricts the sharing of data during the execution of update processes.
Chapter 19 of the above reference also describes a database description language called SQL (See Chapter 19 of the above reference) which, through the GRANT and REVOKE operations along with the VIEW condition, permits users to look up data while prohibiting data updating.
(ii) For data accessed by particular users only, it is not necessary to apply concurrency control or lock. Such data can be managed by the system after users declare them private data during database definition.
Small-sized mass storage devices have been developed for the above database. For instance, an optical disk is a small-sized mass storage device which can re-store the data that is stored in a magnetic disk which has been used widely. This re-storing of data is conditioned on frequent use by a user. For a description of optical disks, refer to "Hikari-Kioku-Sochi" by Doi Takashi et al., Hitachi-Hyoron, vol. 66, no. 8, 1984.
In the past, after data updating in a database system, users have never looked up the original data.
Therefore, after data is updated in the DBMS of a conventional database system, the original data was retained only for a short time so that it can be recovered when a failure occurs.
However, as the number of DBMS applications increases today, users' requirements for DBMSs are becoming more varied. One is the request to leave original data as past data for reference after updating. Today users are always updating the latest data (data created by the last updating operation) which causes an increase in original data stored as past data or reference data.
Any measures taken for the situation with conventional DBMSs cannot avoid controlling all data uniformly without separating past data from new data, because they only add different data to past data.
As far as query language and storage structure are concerned, the separation of new from past data may be recognized in methods such as those described in the following references: Ahn, I. Towards an Implementation of Database Management System with Temporal Support, Proc of the Int'l Conf. on Data Engineering, , IE.sup.3, 1986. Clifford, T., et al., Formal Semantics for Time in Databases, ACM TODS, Vol. 8, No. 2, 1983.
But while original data after updating continue to be stored as past data, users only look up past data and do not update past data. This does not require either a concurrency control or lock.
In conventional DBMSs, as described earlier, all data is managed uniformly without separating past from new data. Therefore an unnecessary lock process is applied to shared past data which has no possibility of being updated, resulting in meaningless overhead.
To address the problem using conventional DBMS functions, a user inevitably performs operations such as GRANT and REVOKE, as described above, each time past data is added to memory after updating; however, this approach is not feasible at all. Furthermore, in the above noted method of recognizing the separation of new from past data, employed in query language and storage structure, an unnecessary lock process is applied to shared past data which has no possibility of being updated.
As described above, re-storing in a first storage medium the data that is stored in a second storage medium is implemented by a user's direct operation. The operation needs to be direct because it is not known in advance which data should be re-stored nor when the re-storing should be conducted.


Disclosed is an aircraft resource management system. The system may include at least one fuel cell cluster having at least one fuel cell system configured to receive and convert a hydrogen input comprising hydrogen and an oxygen input comprising a fluid having an initial oxygen content so as to yield a number of products. The products can include water, thermal energy, an oxygen-depleted product comprising the fluid having a second oxygen content lower than the initial oxygen content, and electrical power. The system may include at least one load cluster with at least one load configured to utilize at least one product of the fuel cell cluster. The system may compare a demand level of the load cluster with a supply level of the fuel cell cluster and manage operating levels of the fuel cell cluster based at least in part on the comparison.

Vast numbers of people travel every day via aircraft, trains, buses, and other commercial vehicles. Such commercial vehicles are often outfitted with components that are important for passenger comfort and satisfaction. For example, commercial passenger aircraft can have catering equipment, heating/cooling systems, lavatories, water heaters, power seats, passenger entertainment units, lighting systems, and other components. A number of these components on-board an aircraft require electrical power for their activation. Although many of these components are separate from the electrical components that are actually required to run the aircraft (i.e., the navigation system, fuel gauges, flight controls, and hydraulic systems), an ongoing concern with these components is their energy consumption. Frequently, such systems require more power than can be drawn from the aircraft engines' drive generators, necessitating additional power sources, such as a kerosene-burning auxiliary power unit (APU) (or by a ground power unit if the aircraft is not yet in flight). Energy from these power sources may have to travel a significant distance to reach the power-consuming components, resulting in loss of power during transmission and a reduction in overall efficiency of power systems. The total energy consumption can also be rather large, particularly for long flights with hundreds of passengers, and may require significant amounts of fossil fuels for operation. Additionally, use of aircraft power typically produces noise and CO2 emissions, both of which are desirably reduced.
The relatively new technology of fuel cell systems provides a promising cleaner and quieter means to supplement energy sources already aboard commercial crafts. A fuel cell system produces electrical energy as a main product by combining a fuel source of liquid, gaseous, or solid hydrogen with a source of oxygen, such as oxygen in the air, compressed oxygen, or chemical oxygen generation. A fuel cell system has several outputs in addition to electrical power, and these other outputs often are not utilized and therefore become waste. For example, thermal power (heat), water, and oxygen-depleted air (ODA) are produced as by-products. These by-products are far less harmful than CO2 emissions from current aircraft power generation processes.
Furthermore, demand from power-consuming components may vary substantially throughout the duration of a flight. The variation in demand may be difficult to predict. The variation in demand for power may also cause the demand for power to differ significantly from the amount of power that is produced, which can cause further inefficiency and/or otherwise negatively affect operation of power-consuming components. As such, systems that may be implemented to provide greater control over power production and use are desirable for improving effiency and operational life of components aboard the craft.

Aircraft energy management system for multi functional fuel cells


A cryptographic processing system includes a cipher circuit and hash circuit. An input control unit and output control unit work together to process data packets in a pipelined manner wherein the data packets move through the processing system in a single-pass. The input control unit manages data received from a read interface and the initiation of cipher processing of the data in the cipher circuit. The output control unit manages data output to a write interface and the hash processing of the data in the hash circuit. Data moves through the cipher circuit in clear data and cipher data form so that the output control unit may selectively send clear data and/or cipher data to the hash circuit and to an output FIFO memory buffer, which handles final processing under the control of the output control unit prior to sending fully processed data to the write interface.

The present invention relates in general to cryptographic processing systems and, more particularly, to a single-pass architecture and pipelining approach for a cryptographic processing core.
The rapid growth in Internet usage has increased the dependency on information stored and communicated by businesses and individuals. In particular, growth in DSL and cable modem usage by consumers and businesses and increased business-to-business Internet activity such as supply chain management have contributed to this dependency. As the desire for confidentiality, authenticity, and integrity increases, an increasing proportion of this information is sent in secure or encrypted form. Also, as the fiber-optic Internet infrastructure is built to replace older copper-wire or other existing infrastructure, an increasing proportion of Internet communication will occur at giga-bit per second speeds.
Internet communication uses two dominant standard security schemes: IP Security (IPSec) and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL). IPSec is a security protocol from the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) that provides authentication and encryption over the Internet. IPSEC is used to secure transmissions in virtual private networks (VPNs), which are used, for example, to connect remote clients within a corporation's intranet or for managing supply chain extranet procurement services between remote servers. It is currently anticipated that encryption processing will increasingly become one of the significant bandwidth bottlenecks in VPNs.
SSL is the leading security protocol on the Internet. When an SSL session is started between a server and a client computer running a browser, the server sends its public key to the browser, which the browser uses to send a randomly-generated secret key back to the server in order to set up a secret key exchange for the session. SSL is incorporated within most Internet browsers, such as the Internet Explorer browser from Microsoft Corporation, to secure financial or other transactions among businesses and consumers. Data-farm and web-hosting businesses are typical users of SSL communications, and improved SSL processing capacity would increase the number of secure transactions that such businesses could support.
Secure communications are desirable for sensitive activities like on-line financial transactions or the transmission of personal medical information, but can require significantly increased processing demands at both ends of a communications session. This processing demand is further increased by the migration to a fiber optic Internet infrastructure, which provides significantly higher communication bandwidth and increases the volume of data for security processing. As the demand for secure Internet communication increases, security processing needs consume ever increasing proportions of the available central processing capability of communications network servers.
Internet communication, including secure communication, is accomplished using standard data packet transmission protocols such as the Internet Protocol (IP). IP communication servers encrypt/decrypt and sign/authenticate inbound and outbound data packets to accomplish typical IP communication. Existing data security and acceleration co-processors work with network server or host central processors to share some of the cryptographic processing load such as, for example, the encrypting, decrypting and authenticating of data packets. However, existing co-processors have several limitations.
First, existing security co-processors handle only one channel of IP packet data, do not support packet pipelining, and do not provide simultaneous support on the same chip for both the IPSec and SSL protocols for several of the most commonly-used encryption and hash algorithms. The foregoing limitations reduce the throughput and efficiency of the co-processor because, without pipelining, portions of the co-processor chip will not be fully utilized for significant time periods. In addition, the lack of multi-channel support limits the modularity and scalability of the co-processor. Further, the lack of support of multiple encryption and hash algorithms requires that the server processor handle the security processing for those packets using encryption or hash protocols not supported by the co-processor. This may place significant packet handling duties on the server processor. For example, existing co-processors do not support both of the widely-used advanced encryption standard (AES) and ARCFOUR encryption algorithms. Accordingly, it is necessary to use more than one security co-processor to handle secure traffic that is expected to regularly use AES and ARCFOUR encryption.
Existing security co-processors also do not provide local access to different records of security association data that can be selected based on the security protocol for the currently-processed data packet. The security association data includes, among other items, the encryption keys necessary for cipher operations. Thus, the server or host processor must use host bus bandwidth to transfer security association data to the co-processor as required for processing data packets.
Another limitation of existing co-processors is that they do not exhibit packet intelligence. In other words, the co-processor is not able to locally vary the security handling of the packet data as appropriate for different security protocols. Instead, the host processor must handle items specific to a particular security protocol such as, for example, the insertion of cipher block padding and Message Authentication Code (MAC) appending for outbound data packets.
An additional limitation of existing co-processors is the use of only a single local packet data memory such as, for example, a single FIFO memory. In some cases, the single memory will become a bottleneck to high security processing throughput because the processing speeds of cipher algorithms have not kept pace with the recent, sudden increase in packet throughput requirements. Further, more than one read access of packet data from the single memory will be required for those security protocols that require the hashing of packet data prior to cipher operations—once for the cipher operation and once to obtain clear data for the hash operation. Moreover, packet data that does not require cipher or hash operations must be read from the single memory after other packet data has completed cipher and/or hash processing because packets are processed one packet at a time.
Hence, there is a need for a cryptographic processor that uses multiple independent packet processing channels, supports both the IPSec and SSL protocols and the most common encryption and hash algorithms on the same chip, and supports packet pipelining for efficient use of the processor. There is a further need for a processor that provides local access to security association data to better use the bus bandwidth between the host processor and the cryptographic processor. Also, there is a need for the processor to recognize the security protocol associated with incoming data packets and to handle certain protocol-specific operations locally on the processor chip without the need for intervention by the host processor. Additionally, there is a need for a processor that reduces local memory bottlenecks associated with existing single memory designs. The processor should accomplish the foregoing while providing improved network transparency (so that, for example, network processors can handle the most common security protocols without additional special processing requirements), maintaining optical-data line transmission rates, and exhibiting improved scalability and compatibility with evolving fiber optic security standards.

Single-pass cryptographic processor and method


A method, system and computer program product for automatically displaying the potential risk associated with cracking a password. While creating or modifying a password, feedback is provided describing the risk associated with cracking the password. Risk assessment may be presented as a percentage, accompanied by an explanation of why the value was ascertained. Risk feedback during password creation provides an opportunity to improve computer, document, and file security.

1. Technical Field
The present invention generally relates to computer security and in particular to providing computer security utilizing passwords. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to increased password security.
2. Description of the Related Art
With the increase of unwarranted computer system infiltration, or password "cracking" and system "hacking," the need for stronger, more secure, effective passwords is evident. While methods for creating secure passwords have proven to be valuable, breaches in security may increase more rapidly.
Typically, basic rules exist for creating passwords. Many times the user is given certain guidelines to follow when setting or changing a password. For example, the password must (a) be composed of at least six characters, (b) contain numeric and alphabetical characters, (c) not have three identical characters, and (d) have a symbol as one or more characters. Sophisticated password programs double-check created passwords against a dictionary, which screens out proper names or plain text words, and other common character combinations.
Constant password changes are now a staple of computer security. Typical corporate standards dictate that personal passwords must change every 90 days, or so. Many times, users choose a slight modification of an English word as their password. However, people trying to "crack" passwords know that the modification of an English word is a likely occurrence; therefore, cracking programs are altered to manipulate words and perform symbol or number substitutions. Users must be aware of the effectiveness of their created password, in an effort to avoid password cracking.

Techniques for presenting password feedback to a computer system user

International Business Machines Corporation


Novel diphenyl ether derivatives are provided that exhibit activity useful for reducing glucose, cholesterol, and/or triglyceride levels in plasma, and for treatment of obesity, inflammation, immunological diseases, autoimmune diseases, diabetes and disorders associated with insulin resistance.

The causes of type I and II diabetes are not yet clear, although both genetics and environment seem to be the factors. Type I is an autonomic immune disease and patient must take insulin to survive. Type II diabetes is more common form, is metabolic disorder resulting from the inability of the body to make a sufficient amount of insulin or to properly use the insulin that is produced. Insulin secretion and insulin resistance are considered the major defects, however, the precise genetic factors involved in the mechanism remain unknown.
Patients with diabetes usually have one or more of the following defects:                Less production of insulin by the pancreas;        Over secretion of glucose by the liver;        Independent of the glucose uptake by the skeletal muscles;        Defects in glucose transporters, desensitization of insulin receptors; and        Defects in the metabolic breakdown of polysaccharides.
Other than the parenteral or subcutaneous administration of insulin, there are about four classes of oral hypoglycemic agents used, i.e., sulfonylurea, biguanides, alpha glucosidase inhibitors and thiazolidinediones.
Each of the current agents available for use in treatment of diabetes has certain disadvantages. Accordingly, there is a continuing interest in the identification and development of new agents, which can be orally administered, for use in the treatment of diabetes.
The thiazolidinedione class listed above has gained more widespread use in recent years for treatment of type II diabetes, exhibiting particular usefulness as insulin sensitizers to combat "insulin resistance", a condition in which the patient becomes less responsive to the effects of insulin. There is a continuing need for nontoxic, more widely effective insulin sensitizers.
Recent advances in scientific understanding of the mediators involved in acute and chronic inflammatory diseases and cancer have led to new strategies in the search for effective therapeutics. Traditional approaches include direct target intervention such as the use of specific antibodies, receptor antagonists, or enzyme inhibitors. Recent breakthroughs in the elucidation of regulatory mechanisms involved in the transcription and translation of a variety of mediators have led to increased interest in therapeutic approaches directed at the level of gene transcription.
As indicated above, the present invention is also concerned with treatment of immunological diseases or inflammation, notably such diseases as are mediated by cytokines or cyclooxygenase. The principal elements of the immune system are macrophages or antigen-presenting cells, T cells and B cells. The roles of other immune cells such as NK cells, basophils, mast cells and dendritic cells are known, but their roles in primary immunologic disorders are not fully elucidated. Macrophages are important mediators of both inflammation and of processes providing the necessary "help" for T cell stimulation and proliferation. Most importantly macrophages make IL 1, IL 12 and TNF-α, all of which are potent pro-inflammatory molecules, and also provide help for T cells. In addition, activation of macrophages results in the induction of enzymes, such as cyclooxygenase II (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and the production of free radicals capable of damaging normal cells. Many factors activate macrophages, including bacterial products, superantigens and interferon gamma (IFN γ). Phosphotyrosine kinases (PTKs) and other undefined cellular kinases may also be involved in the activation process.
Cytokines are molecules secreted by immune cells that are important in mediating immune responses. Cytokine production may lead to the secretion of other cytokines, altered cellular function, cell division or differentiation. Inflammation is the body's normal response to injury or infection. However, in inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, pathologic inflammatory processes can lead to morbidity and mortality. The cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) plays a central role in the inflammatory response and has been targeted as a point of intervention in inflammatory disease. TNF-α is a polypeptide hormone released by activated macrophages and other cells. At low concentrations, TNF-α participates in the protective inflammatory response by activating leukocytes and promoting their migration to extravascular sites of inflammation (Moser et al., J Clin Invest, 83:444-55,1989). At higher concentrations, TNF-α can act as a potent pyrogen and induce the production of other pro-inflammatory cytokines (Haworth et al., Eur J Immunol, 21:2575-79, 1991; Brennan et al., Lancet, 2:244-7, 1989). TNF-α also stimulates the synthesis of acute-phase proteins. In rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic and progressive inflammatory disease affecting about 1% of the adult U.S. population, TNF-α mediates the cytokine cascade that leads to joint damage and destruction (Arend et al., Arthritis Rheum, 38:151-60,1995). Inhibitors of TNF-α, including soluble TNF receptors (etanercept) (Goldenberg, Clin Ther, 21:75-87, 1999) and anti-TNF-α antibody (infliximab) (Luong et al., Ann Pharmacother, 34:743-60, 2000), have recently been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as agents for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
Elevated levels of TNF-α have also been implicated in many other disorders and disease conditions, including cachexia, septic shock syndrome, osteoarthritis, inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
Thus it can be seen that inhibitors of TNF-α are potentially useful in the treatment of a wide variety of diseases.
While there have been prior efforts to provide compounds for inhibiting TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6, COX-2 or other agents considered responsible for immune response, inflammation or inflammatory diseases, e.g., arthritis, there still remains a need for new and improved compounds for effectively treating or inhibiting such diseases.
An object of the present invention is therefore to provide novel diphenyl ether derivatives, their analogs, their tautomeric forms, their stereoisomers, their polymorphs, their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, their pharmaceutically acceptable solvates and pharmaceutical compositions containing them, or their mixtures.
Another object of the present invention is to provide novel diphenyl ether derivatives, their analogs, their tautomeric forms, their stereoisomers, their polymorphs, their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, their pharmaceutically acceptable solvates and pharmaceutical compositions containing them or their mixtures that are useful for treatment of disorders associated with insulin resistance, such as polycystic ovary syndrome, as well as hyperlipidemia, coronary artery disease and peripheral vascular disease, and for the treatment of inflammation and immunological diseases, particularly those mediated by cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6, IL-1β and cyclooxygenase such as COX-2.
Another object of the present invention is to provide novel diphenyl ether derivatives, their analogs, their tautomeric forms, their stereoisomers, their polymorphs, their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, their pharmaceutically acceptable solvates and pharmaceutical compositions containing them or their mixtures having enhanced activities, without toxic effect or with reduced toxic effect.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a process for the preparation of novel diphenyl ether derivatives of formula (I), their analogs, their tautomeric forms, their stereoisomers, their polymorphs, their pharmaceutically acceptable salts and their pharmaceutically acceptable solvates.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A song determining method and device are provided. According to the embodiment of the present disclosure, by extracting the audio file in the video and acquiring the candidate song identification of the candidate song, to which the segment belongs, in the audio file, the candidate song identification set is obtained; then by acquiring the candidate song file corresponding to the candidate song identification and acquiring a matched audio frame, in which the candidate song file is matched with the audio file, the matched audio frame unit is obtained, wherein the matched audio frame unit includes multiple continuous matched audio frames; the target song identification of the target song, to which the segment belongs, is acquired from the candidate song identification set according to the matched audio frame unit corresponding to the candidate song identification, and the target song, to which the segment belongs, is determined according to the target song identification.

Along with the development of Internet and the development of communication network, the video technology is rapidly developed accordingly, network video is widely popularized, and more and more users watch videos through network.
Currently, segments of audio contents frequently occur in some videos, then supplemental content (e.g., lyrics, captions, etc.) need to be added for the segments of the audio contents in the videos, so that the users can see the supplemental content of the segments and the user experience can be improved. For identifying and matching supplemental content for an audio content in a video, firstly, the song, to which the segment corresponds to, needs to be determined and/or positioned (i.e., the location of the segment needs to be identified in the song). Existing manners for determining or positioning the song, to which the video segment belongs, are mainly as follows: extracting a fragment of the segment in the video, then roughly matching the video segment fragment with the song in a music library, and taking the matched song as the song, to which the video segment belongs.
According to a scheme for determining or positioning the song, to which the segment belongs, provided by related technology, because the accuracy for extracting the video segment fragment is low, and a relatively simple matching manner is adopted for song matching, the accuracy for determining the song corresponding to the video segment is relatively low. Besides users need to switch among different applications, and manually identify the song and/or locate the segment in the song, which is time consuming, and has low accuracy and bad user experience.

Song determining method and device and storage medium

Tencent Technology (Shenzhen) Company Limited


A fixing apparatus of an image forming apparatus of the present invention, in arrival timing of a temperature falling area of a heat roller passing a nip at opposite position γ of an induction heating coil from temperature detection position β by an infrared temperature sensor around the heat roller, according to detection results by the infrared temperature sensor, controls an output value of the induction heating coil under control of an inverter circuit, heats and returns the heat roller in real time to a fixable temperature, and realizes energy conversation. At the time of arrival at the nip, the heat controller is always set to a fixed fixable temperature, thus in a fixed image, a high image quality free of ripple marks can be obtained.

As a fixing apparatus used in an image forming apparatus such as an electro-photographic copier or printer, there is a fixing apparatus for inserting a sheet of paper through a nip formed between a pair of rollers composed of a heat roller and a pressure roller or between similar belts and heating, pressurizing, and fixing a toner image. As such a heating type fixing apparatus, conventionally, there is an apparatus for heating a metallic conductive layer on the surface of a heat roller or a heating belt by the induction heating method. The induction heating method supplies predetermined power to an induction heating coil to generate a magnetic field, instantaneously heats the metallic conductive layer by an eddy current generated in the metallic conductive layer by the magnetic field, and heats the heat roller or heating belt.
In such a fixing apparatus of the induction heating method, for temperature control of the heat roller or fixing belt, as an apparatus for detecting the temperature without causing damage to the surface thereof, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Publication 2002-82549, an apparatus for arranging a temperature sensor on the inner peripheral surface of the fixing belt and controlling the temperature is disclosed.
However, this conventional temperature sensor is installed on the downstream side of the nip of the fixing belt and on the downstream side of an exciting coil. As a result, the real-time control of detecting the fallen temperature of the fixing belt at the time of fixing and before a sheet of paper reaches the nip next, heating and returning to a predetermined temperature cannot be executed. Further, the temperature sensor detects the temperature inside the fixing belt, so that there is a fear that an error may be caused between the detected result and the temperatures on both fixing sides.
Further, in Japanese Patent Application Publication 2003-35601, an apparatus for detecting the temperature on the surface side of an intermediate transfer belt generating heat by an exciting coil by a non-contact temperature detector is disclosed.
However, the non-contact temperature detector detects the temperature of the transfer belt reaching the exciting coil position and does not control the fallen temperature of the transfer belt at the time of fixing in real time before the next fixing time.
On the other hand, in recent years, a fixing apparatus of an induction heating method, a fixing apparatus for installing a thinned metallic conductive layer having a small heat capacity on the surface of a heat roller to realize faster heating of the metallic conductive layer and realizing more energy conservation has been developed. Such a heat roller having a thinned metallic conductive layer with a small heat capacity shows a greatly fallen temperature due to the fixing operation. Therefore, after passing the nip, before the same position of the heat roller next reaches the nip, unless the fallen temperature is recovered immediately by heating, the next fixing temperature at the same position of the heat roller is not sufficient. When the heating of replenishing the fallen temperature due to fixing is not in time, the difference in the surface temperature of the heat roller appears in a fixed image, and on the same image, temperature ripple marks different in gloss are caused, and the image quality is deteriorated.
Therefore, in the fixing apparatus having the installed thinned metallic conductive layer, development of a fixing apparatus of an image forming apparatus for immediately heating the heat roller after passing the nip, before the same position of the heat roller next reaches the nip, controlling the induction heating coil in real time so as to return the heat roller to the predetermined fixing temperature, having an excellent fixing property, and obtaining a high image quality is desired.

Fixing device of image forming apparatus


The invention provides a lithium battery, including: a cathode plate and an anode plate; a separator disposed between the cathode plate and the anode plate to define a reservoir region; and an electrolyte filled in the reservoir region. A thermal protective film is provided to cover a material of the cathode plate or the anode plate. When a battery temperature rises over an onset temperature of the thermal protective film, it undergoes a crosslinking reaction to inhibit thermal runaway. A method for fabricating the lithium ion battery is also provided.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to lithium-ion secondary batteries, and in particular relates to a method for modifying a cathode material for safer lithium-ion secondary batteries.
2. Description of the Related Art
Along with the rapid development and availability of portable electronic products, demand for lithium-ion (Li-ion) secondary batteries, due to their properties, which include having a light weight, high voltage, and high energy density, etc., have increased. Particularly, Li-ion secondary batteries have several advantages which include a high energy density per unit weight, a high operating voltage, and a long life span. Additionally, Li-ion secondary batteries are more environmentally friendly when compared to nickel-cadmium, nickel-hydro and nickel-zinc batteries and are touted as the leading candidate for development of flexible batteries.
Safety is the most important issue in development of Li-ion batteries. In a Li-ion battery, organic solvent (typically ester-based solvent) resistant to high voltages is used. However, the organic solvent is flammable, and when temperature rises due to improper use of the battery, cathode/anode active substances may decompose to produce enough heat to ignite the organic solvent, causing combustion or an explosion.
The exothermic reaction between the electrolyte and cathode material of the Li-ion battery determines whether a Li-ion battery will explode. When charging and discharging Li-ion batteries, oxygen may be released from the cathode due to decomposition or phase transition of the cathode material. The released oxygen will react with the electrolyte and cause an abrupt increase in internal temperature of the Li-ion battery, thus resulting in a serious safety issue.
To address the above issue, conventional approaches employ surface modification of the cathode material to improve Li-ion battery safety, which include coating metal oxide or metal fluoride on an LiMO2 (M represents a transition metal) to increase the structural stability of the cathode material and reduce the amount of heat generated by reaction of the cathode material with the electrolyte. Reference may be made to JP Patent No. 1999-317230; JP Patent No. 2005-209469; W. Lu, J. Liva, Y. K. Sun and K. Amine, Journal of Power Sources, 167 (2007) 212; B.-C. Park, H.-B. Kima, S.-T. Myung, K. Amine, I. Belharouak, S.-M. Lee, and Y.-K. Suna, Journal of Power Sources, 178 (2008) 826, for further description of the conventional approaches employing surface modifications to cathode material to improve Li-ion battery safety.
However, there still remains a need in the art to improve upon the safety of the cathode material utilized in Li-ion batteries (hereinafter briefly referred to as "Li batteries").

Method for modifying cathode material and lithium battery employing the cathode material

INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE


A method for manufacturing a fixing member having a substrate, an elastic layer on the substrate, and a release layer on the elastic layer, having a thickness of 15 μm or more and 25 μm or less, and containing a fluororesin includes (1) providing a coating solution, containing: the fluororesin having a melt flow rate (MFR) of 1 g/10 min or more and 3 g/10 min or less, and an acrylic resin;                (2) forming a coating film of the coating solution on the elastic layer; and        (3) baking the coating film to melt the fluororesin therein, covering a surface of the elastic layer with the melted fluororesin, and forming the release layer.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a fixing member for use in a fixing device of an image forming apparatus employing an electrophotographic system and a method for manufacturing the same.
Description of the Related Art
In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, such as a copying machine and a laser beam printer, a system employing a fixing member, such as a fixing roller or a fixing belt, has been adopted as a method for fixing a non-fixed toner image on a recording material by heat or pressure. In this system, a fixing member as a rotation member for heating and a rotation member for pressing (pressing member) which are disposed in such a manner as to form a pair therewith are brought into pressure contact with each other to form a nip portion. Then, due to the fact that a recording material, such as paper, bearing a non-fixed toner image passes through the nip portion, the toner is melted and pressed to form a fixed image.
Used as the fixing member are those having a configuration in which an elastic layer containing a heat-resistant rubber, such as silicone rubber, and a release layer containing a fluororesin are successively formed on the outer surface of a substrate. As a method for producing such a fixing member, a method is mentioned which includes applying a coating solution for forming a release layer (aqueous dispersion coating solution) containing fluororesin particles to the surface of an elastic layer to form a coating film, and then heating the coating film to a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of the fluororesin for baking (hereinafter referred to as a "coating method").
However, in the coating method, during the heating of the coating film, the elastic layer containing a silicone rubber is also heated and expands as the temperature of the elastic layer rises. The expansion of the elastic layer may result in a formation of a crack in the release layer.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-205151 discloses a process for preventing a crack formation in a surface layer formed by the coating method. It discloses in paragraph 0028 that as a coating liquid for forming a release layer, it is preferable to use a fluororesin dispersion containing a film forming agent such as a water soluble acrylic resin. The film forming agent is considered to bind a fluororesin particles dispersed in the fluororesin dispersion until the fluororesin particles start melting, and therefore, formation of a crack in the surface layer is considered to be prevented.
On the other hand, the fixing member has been demanded to have higher durability with an increase in the printing speed in recent years. As a fixing member excellent in durability, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-167462 describes a fixing member obtained by coating a fluororesin having a melt viscosity (Melt flow rate (MFR)) of 1 g/10 min to 3 g/10 min, and then baking the coating.

Fixing member, method for manufacturing fixing member, and image forming apparatus


A cosmetic container for mixing and using heterogeneous contents, which makes it possible to discharge proper amounts of heterogeneous cosmetics from a pair of discharge ports and simply mix the same, includes an elliptical mixing part which has an inwardly inclined surface at an upper side of a cosmetic container.

A cosmetic container generally comprises a body for storing contents therein, and a discharge part which is engaged to an upper side of the body and discharges the cosmetic stored in the body, to the outside. In recent years, life quality is significantly improved, people become more interested in a skin care and beauty, so diverse cosmetics are under development to provide better beauty effects to people, and various kinds of cosmetic containers are at present under development to meet people's demands.
When a user is intended to use cosmetics by mixing heterogeneous cosmetics such as an essence, a moisturizing cream, etc. by proper amounts, a user is needed to discharge each cosmetic on his hands or in a container and then to mix the same, in this case the procedures of which are very complicated.

Cosmetic container for mixing and using heterogeneous contents


A structure includes a circuit substrate, a device, a metal layer, a lid and a thermal interface material layer. The device is disposed on and electrically connected to the circuit substrate. The device includes at least one semiconductor die laterally encapsulated by an insulating encapsulation. The metal layer is covering a back surface of the at least one semiconductor die and the insulating encapsulation. The lid is disposed on the circuit substrate, and the lid is adhered to the metal layer through the thermal interface material layer.

Semiconductor devices and integrated circuits used in a variety of electronic applications, such as cell phones and other mobile electronic equipment, are typically manufactured on a single semiconductor wafer. The dies of the wafer may be processed and packaged with other semiconductor devices or dies at the wafer level, and various technologies have been developed for the wafer level packaging.

Package structure and method of fabricating the same

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.


Systems and methods to provide provable fairness for challenges among users in an online gaming platform are disclosed. Exemplary implementations may: effectuate presentations of challenge interfaces that enable users to define objectives for challenges, define stakes for challenges, specify users to partake in the challenges, and initiate transmissions pertaining to the challenges to client computing platforms of other users as defined and specified; effectuate presentations of offers (to partake in a challenge) to other users; receive indications of acceptances of these offers; generate sets of instructions that form smart contracts that obtain determined results of challenges and distribute stakes based on the determined results; transfer generated sets of instructions to one or more decentralized ledger servers for execution; and determine the results of the challenges and distribute the stakes based on the results.

Online gaming platforms are known. Users of online gaming platforms earning or winning in-game digital assets is known, e.g., through tournaments or other types of competition. Distributed ledgers are known techniques to produce a secure record or registry of ownership of assets, transactions, and other information. For example, a distributed blockchain is a distributed ledger.

Provable fairness for challenges among players in an online gaming platform


A method of validating a credit card includes the steps of issuing a credit card to a holder, the card having an account number on it. The holder is issued with a personal identification number (PIN). Before a transaction involving the credit card can be authorized, a validation transaction must be carried out in which the credit card is inserted into an electronic terminal and the PIN code is entered. The PIN code and the account number are compared with information stored in a database, and only if the PIN code corresponds correctly to the account number is use of the credit card authorized. The method prevents credit cards being used for transactions involving amounts greater than an unauthorized transaction limit applying to the card in question.

This invention relates to a method of validating a credit card.
Credit cards are commonly sent through the post to their intended recipients. On receipt of the credit card, the holder signs the card and can then use it to conduct transactions. If the card is intercepted, in the post or otherwise, a third party can sign the card, and can then proceed to use the card fraudulently. Even in the case of large transactions where an authorisation must be obtained from the financial institution issuing the card, an unauthorized party may be able to use the credit card for some time, typically weeks or even months before it is realised that the credit card has been intercepted and it is recorded on a list of "hot" cards.
Furthermore, well made counterfeit cards are appearing in increasing numbers. If these are properly encoded, a vendor will not be able to distinguish genuine and counterfeit cards.
As a result of the above two problems, credit card issuing houses and banks are being defrauded of vast sums of money.

Preventing unauthorized use of a credit card


The present invention provides a method for reducing or deleting the function of a protein encoded by the glyT gene in an acetic acid-producing bacterium. This method significantly suppresses foam formation during the culture and enhances the acetic acid fermentation ability of the bacterium.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a gene involved in foam formation during microorganism culture. The present invention further relates to an acetic acid bacterium which is bred by reducing or deleting the function of a protein encoded by the gene involved in foam formation and which thus has a suppressed foaming ability during culture and generates a larger amount of acetic acid. The present invention still further relates to a method for producing vinegar using the acetic acid bacterium, and vinegar produced by the production method.
(2) Description of Related Art
Foam formation during microorganism culture is a major concern in the food industry and chemical industry where microorganisms are utilized. In many cases, foam is generated when microorganisms are cultured, especially when cultured under aeration and agitation. A foam layer is formed at the upper part of the culture tank and raises problems such as reduction of the working volume in the culture tank, or loss of the culture broth, compositional change of the broth and leakage of the microorganisms due to the outflow of the foam from the upper part of the tank. As such, foam formation causes problems including decrease in the production efficiency and deterioration in quality as well as environmental problems. For this reason, it has been a critical object to suppress foam formation when obtaining products by an efficient culture of microorganisms. Decrease in the production efficiency due to foam formation has similarly been a problem in vinegar production using an acetic acid bacterium.
Therefore, physical and chemical methods have been developed as defoaming methods. Physical methods include a mechanical method in which a shear force is applied to foam by such means as an agitating blade to destroy the foam, thermal method in which a liquid viscosity is decreased by heating to destabilize the foam, and electric method in which foam is broken by means such as energization, sparking and electric current. All of these methods, however, raise cost by introducing and using equipment. In addition, defoaming results brought by these methods have been insufficient.
Chemical methods include adding antifoaming agents. Compounds such as alcohols, esters, fatty acids and silicon are used as antifoaming agents. However, while a defoaming method using an antifoaming agent is simple, there have been problems caused by some antifoaming agents such as decrease in the oxygen transfer rate which is important for microorganism growth and the material production, inhibition of the microorganism growth, and adverse influence on the isolation and purification steps.
Although the foam formation mechanism during microorganism culture remains largely unknown, some genes and proteins involved in foam formation in eukaryotes have been found. One of those genes is the awal gene, which is involved in foam formation and found in yeast (see for example, Non-patent document 1). This gene encodes the glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor protein which is a protein specific to eukaryotes and this protein is involved in the cell surface hydrophobicity, and foam formation is suppressed when the gene encoding this protein is disrupted.
Further, a protein called Hydrophobin which is either hydrophobic or amphipathic was found in fungi, mushrooms, etc., and it has been found that foam formation is suppressed by disrupting the gene encoding Hydrophobin (see for example, Patent document 1).
In prokaryotes, however, knowledge of genes or proteins involved in foam formation during culture is scarcely obtained. For prokaryotes, therefore, breeding of bacterial strains with less foam formation has been desired as a novel defoaming means to replace the physical or chemical methods.
The presence of an intercellular signal communication system in which transcription of specific genes is controlled depending on the cell density has been recently elucidated in many bacteria. This system is called quorum-sensing system (a control system sensing cell density) and is involved in the expression control for various functions such as bioluminescence, exoenzyme production, virulence expression, biofilm formation, and antibiotic production.
For example, two kinds of proteins are involved in the quorum-sensing system which has been found in many Gram negative bacteria such as Vibrio fischeri (see for example, Non-Patent document 2: Fukushima, Jun, "Expression of pathogenicity and quorum sensing system in Pseudomonas aeruginosa," Bioscience and Industry, Vol. 60, No. 4, pp. 219-224 (2002)). One is an Acyl Homoserine Lactone Synthase, that synthesizes acyl homoserine lactone which is an intracellular signal molecule, and the other is an Acyl Homoserine Lactone Receptor-Type Transcription Factor, that is a receptor of acyl homoserine lactone and that also functions as a transcription factor.
Acyl homoserine lactone produced by Acyl Homoserine Lactone Synthase in a bacterial cell diffuses inside and outside the bacterial cell. As the concentration of acyl homoserine lactone is increased, it forms a complex with the Acyl Homoserine Lactone Receptor-Type Transcription Factor in the bacterial cell to control the gene transcription.
The present inventor has already obtained two kinds of genes involved in the quorum-sensing system in an acetic acid bacterium, namely, a gene encoding the Acyl Homoserine Lactone Synthase (hereinafter may be referred to as orf1) and a gene encoding the Acyl Homoserine Lactone Receptor-Type Transcription Factor (hereinafter may be referred to as orf2) and has demonstrated that the quorum-sensing system in an acetic acid bacterium is involved in the acetic acid production ability (see for example, Patent document 2).
Further, despite that the nexus between the quorum-sensing system and foam formation during microorganism culture had been totally unknown, the present inventor obtained a gene involved in foam formation during culture of an acetic acid bacterium (hereinafter may be referred to as orf3) as a gene involved in the quorum-sensing system of an acetic acid bacterium, modified the gene, and demonstrated that reducing or deleting the function of a protein encoded by the gene can suppress foam formation during culture of an acetic acid bacterium and increase the ability of an acetic acid bacterium to produce acetic acid (see for example, Patent document 3).
However, the whole picture of a family of genes involved in the quorum-sensing system of an acetic acid bacterium has not yet been sufficiently elucidated and it is possible that there are genes involved in foam formation during culture of an acetic acid bacterium other than the above genes. It has thus been expected that the gene can strongly improve the acetic acid production ability.    Non-Patent Document 1: Journal of bioscience and bioengineering, Vol. 97, No. 1, pp. 14-18, 2004.    Non-Patent Document 2: Bioscience and Industry, Vol. 60, No. 4, pp. 219-224, 2002.    Patent Document 1: Published Japanese translation of PCT international publication No. 2003-507056.    Patent Document 2: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2008-206413.    Patent Document 3: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2008-228660.

Gene associated with foam formation of acetic acid bacterium, acetic acid bacterium bred by modifying the gene and method for producing vinegar using the acetic acid bacterium


The polishing solution for CMP of the invention comprises abrasive grains, a first additive and water, wherein the first additive is at least 1,2-benzoisothiazole-3(2H)-one or 2-aminothiazole. The polishing method of the invention is a polishing method for a substrate having a silicon oxide film on the surface, and the polishing method comprises a step of polishing the silicon oxide film with a polishing pad while supplying the polishing solution for CMP between the silicon oxide film and the polishing pad.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a polishing solution to be used for chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) of semiconductor wafer materials, and to a polishing method using the polishing solution. In particular, the invention relates to a polishing solution for polishing of a silicon oxide film formed on the surface of a semiconductor wafer, and to a polishing method using the polishing solution.
2. Related Background Art
With the increasingly high performance of super-LSI devices in the field of semiconductor manufacturing, limits are rapidly being reached in terms of both high integration and high speed in techniques of micronization on extension of the prior art. This situation has spurred development of techniques for high integration in the vertical direction as well, i.e. multilayering of wirings, as micronization of semiconductor elements continues to advance.
CMP technique is one of the most important techniques used in processes for production of devices with multilayered wiring. CMP technique is a technique in which a thin-film is formed on a substrate by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) or the like, and then the surface is flattened. For example, CMP treatment is indispensable for ensuring focal depth for lithography. When convexo-concave is present on a substrate surface, inconveniences arise as focusing becomes impossible in the exposure step or fine wiring structures cannot be sufficiently formed. CMP technique is also applied in device manufacturing steps, such as steps of forming device isolation regions by polishing of plasma oxide films (BPSG, HDP-SiO2, p-TEOS), steps of forming interlayer insulating films, or steps of flattening plugs (such as Al or Cu plugs) after embedding silicon oxide-containing films in metal wirings.
CMP is usually carried out using an apparatus that can supply a polishing solution onto a polishing pad. A substrate surface is polished by pressing the substrate against the polishing pad while supplying the polishing solution between the substrate surface and polishing pad. High performance polishing solutions is one of the essential technology for CMP technology, and various polishing solutions have been developed to date (see Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2008-288537, for example).

Polishing solution for CMP and polishing method using the polishing solution


The present invention relates to a process for treating organic waste, which comprises the step of contacting an organic waste with one or more microorganisms from at least three of the following microorganism species: Bacillus sp. microorganisms, Pseudomonas sp. microorganisms, Bifidobacterium sp. microorganisms and Lactobacillus sp. microorganisms, the contacting being undertaken under conditions to at least partly convert the organic waste to organic fertilizer.

Large amounts of organic waste are generated annually from agricultural plantations, animal farms, mills, food processing plants and industrial plants. The amount of organic waste generated has been increasing each year as the agro-food industries expand. Consequently, the disposal of these wastes has been a major concern in recent years.
The conventional methods of disposal of organic waste are landfilling and incineration. Landfills require extensive areas and are both unsanitary and unsightly. Furthermore, landfills create problems such as the leaching of harmful chemicals into the soil, contaminating ground water, and causing loss of essential nutrients into the soil. Incineration is expensive, energy-intensive and creates environmental problems. For example, Malaysia, which has over 2.65 million hectares of oil palm plantations and, can generate 90% total biomass of waste annually of all harvested materials, has prohibited open burning of organic waste to prevent air pollution. The European Union has also mandated a general ban on landfilling of organic waste in 2005.
Biological treatment of organic waste has been applied in an attempt to address the problem of organic waste disposal. Biological treatment of organic waste can convert organic waste into harmless and value-added products. Biological treatment methods use naturally-occurring microorganisms to degrade complex hydrocarbon-contaminated waste into simpler low-carbon, non-toxic residues via fermentation. Desirably, the product residues of biological treatment methods are typically harmless and therefore there is typically no requirement for any post-process treatment, storage or discharge. However, the natural composting of organic waste, such as agricultural waste and animal manure, can take up to six months to mature and achieve a carbon to nitrogen ratio (C:N ratio) that is suitable for use as fertilizer, and typically results in a product with relatively low NPK values (typically less than 2) and is therefore less useful and less valuable as an organic fertilizer.
There is a need to provide a process for the treatment of organic waste that overcomes, or at least ameliorates, one or more of the disadvantages described above.
There is a need to provide an efficient, simple, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly process for treatment of organic waste to reduce the C:N ratio of the organic waste and produce organic fertilizers of high NPK values.


A surgical instrument that comprises at least one microcontroller arranged in the handle of the instrument and that communicates with the surgical apparatus—without the interposition of a radio link via the cable that already exists between the surgical apparatus and the surgical instrument. Safe data transmission is ensured not only in the high-interference environment of an active RF surgical apparatus, but also in, for example, water jet, argon plasma and cryosurgical apparatuses, endoscopes. A differential transmission technique is selected, wherein one or more conductor pairs (insulated conductors) are utilized, one of the conductors of said conductor pairs transmitting the signal and the other transmitting the inverted signal. By subtracting the two signals, the actual data signal is yielded on the receiver side. If feedback interferences from the environment act on the data transmission link, the subtractions performed on the respective receivers cancels out the interferences.

A variety of instruments are used in surgery, said instruments being operated within a surgical system and, in doing so, being powered by a surgical apparatus. Such surgical instruments are, for example, RF surgical instruments provided with electrodes or applicators used for conveying media, said media being different from electric current, to biological tissue at an active site of the operating field. Such active media can be e.g., water, cryomedia or the like. A cable/conduit for the electric current or the other active medium is used between the supplying surgical apparatus and the respectively used instrument.
Frequently, different instruments and accessory parts are provided on a surgical apparatus and driven by said apparatus for operation. The instruments may be of different types. For example, so-called monopolar handles that may be configured as an electric scalpel, a coagulation instrument, a resection instrument or the like, are used. For this, exchangeable electrodes are also frequently used. Bipolar instruments such as e.g., clamps, gripping forceps and the like are also used for coagulating, severing blood vessels or for similar purposes. As a rule, these different instruments require individually specific operating modes for electric activation.
The goal is to ensure that the instrument is not operated in an unsuitable mode. To this end, international publication WO 2009/074329 A2 suggests that the instrument be associated with an RFID transponder that communicates with an instrument antenna. Inside the surgical apparatus, there is an emitter/receiver unit that communicates with the RFID transponder and, in this manner, identifies the connected instrument. Furthermore, this publication suggests the transmission of commands from switches to the surgical apparatus via the RFID transponder, in which case the switches are arranged on the instrument. The instrument may also comprise sensors outputting signals that are being processed and output to the surgical apparatus via the RFID transponder. In doing so, the RFID transponder is arranged as closely as possible to the apparatus, preferably in the plug of the surgical apparatus that is to be connected, or in the connecting cable itself.
Furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 7,503,917 B2 discloses an instrument that comprises several control switches. These are connected with the surgical apparatus via signal cables. The control switches short-circuit individual resistors of a cascaded voltage divider and thus emit a characteristic voltage signal to the signal cables; said voltage signal being used by the surgical apparatus to detect the switch actuation assigning it to specific switches.
The electrical environment in the operating room is at times subject to very strong interferences. Radio-frequency voltages and currents in the immediate vicinity of the surgical apparatus, surgical instrument and connecting cable lead to high interference field strengths that can negatively affect the signal transmission.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,479,140 B2 also uses analog signal cables for the transmission of switch commands from the surgical instrument to the apparatus, said cables being used to connect diverse characteristic resistors with the surgical apparatus.
Furthermore, German publication DE 10 2005 044 918 A1 discloses a system for the contactless identification and communication between a surgical apparatus and a connected instrument. Again, a transponder that is arranged in the instrument plug of the surgical instrument is used. The associated apparatus socket comprises a reading unit that communicates with the transponder. Many adjustments of the surgical apparatus need to be made directly on the apparatus; the surgeon has only a few adjustment options on the instrument.

Surgical instrument with digital data interface


Even when at least one of a capacitor (C1) connected to a main loop and a capacitor (C2) connected to an amplification loop cannot be set to an optimal value, a current value of a current (I2) flowing on the amplification loop can be made sufficiently large by setting the capacitors (C1, C2) based on any of an optimal C2 curved line, an optimal C1 curved line, and an optimal C1 straight line that pass through an optimal point (C1opt, C2opt) of the capacitors (C1, C2) and extend along a ridge of contour lines each joining the points where the magnitude of the current (I2) is equal on a diagram showing a relation of values of the capacitors (C1, C2) with the magnitude of the current (I2).

In recent years, a service linked to an intention and an action of a user while purposely restricting an authentication area has been provided by using an authentication system adopting wireless communication techniques such as the near field communication (NFC) (Patent Documents 1 to 3). A loop antenna (a coil) is employed when forming the authentication area by using a magnetic field. A current applied to the antenna develops spherical magnetic field distribution on a surface of the antenna. A distance decay property of the magnetic field is shaper than that of an electric wave, and therefore has an advantage that it is possible to clearly mark off a boundary of a wireless coverage.
The sharp distance decay property of the magnetic field is a drawback from the viewpoint of expanding the wireless coverage. When expanding the wireless coverage in the wireless system using the magnetic field, a large current needs to be applied to the antenna, which may lead to a significant increase in power consumption.
A method of amplifying the magnetic field by using a magnetic field resonance effect without increasing a consumption current has been proposed as a mode of solving the aforementioned problem (Patent Documents 4 and 5).

Loop antenna and design method for loop antenna

Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation