Disclosed are compositions and methods for inhibiting preventing, reducing delayed graft function, allograft rejection or ischemia reperfusion injury.

The universal organ donor shortage has greatly mitigated the benefits associated with organ transplantation and has led to expanding criteria for donors and lengthening lists for transplantation. A contributing factor to this resource shortage is the graft dysfunction that is observed in a high percentage of organ transplantation.
Delayed graft function (DGF) is a well-known complication affecting the kidney, heart, lung and liver allografts in the immediate post-transplantation period. The frequency of DGF ranges from 5 to 50% in deceased-donor kidney transplants. DGF is usually the result of predominant ischemic injury to the graft before and during procurement and is further aggravated by the reperfusion injury, a multi-factorial event in which immunologic factors also playa role. Indeed, ischemia and immune injury may playa synergistic pathological role in the syndrome. DGF generally leads to a more complex post-operative course for the patient. In addition, DGF is associated with prolonged hospitalization, higher transplantation costs and adverse effects on the rehabilitation of transplant recipients. The deleterious effects of DGF in the immediate post-transplant period are well known. If the ischemia reperfusion injury in DGF leads to incomplete recovery due to inability of the allograft cells to regenerate completely, then the functioning graft will have reduced survival due to reduced cellular mass. Furthermore, allo-immune responses that are known to be accentuated during DGF can contribute either to acute rejection or to accelerated cellular atrophy, reducing graft survival. On the other hand, if DGF is completely reversible, then there should be no effect of DGF on longer term graft survival. Recent evidence suggests that patients with DGF are at a 41% increased risk of graft loss at 3 years. Recent studies have attempted to use corticosteroids to prevent DGF but these interventions have not proven to be efficacious. What is needed are new methods and compositions for the prevention, inhibition, or reduction of DGF.

Methods and compositions for inhibiting delayed graft function

THE TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSIY OF PENNSYLVANIA


An information transmission method, including receiving, by a first node, a request message sent by a second node, where the first node and the second node belong to a same basic service set (BSS), and sending, by the first node, a response message to the second node, where the response message comprises an identifier of a BSS to which the first node belongs.

A wireless local area network (WLAN) technology has become one of major network access technologies because of its advantages of a high rate and low costs.
In a WLAN system, before transmitting data on a channel, a node needs to perform channel assessment on the channel based on a clear channel assessment (CCA) threshold. The node can transmit data on the channel if a result of the channel assessment is that the channel is idle. In a dense deployment scenario, coverage areas of a plurality of basic service sets (BSS) may overlap to form an overlapping basic service set (OBSS). A node in the OBSS can receive, on one channel, both a signal sent by another node in a BSS to which the node belongs and a signal sent by another node in the OBSS. In other words, a node in the OBSS can receive signals sent by nodes in different BSSs. If the node uses a same CCA threshold to perform channel assessment on signals that are sent by nodes in different BSSs and received on a channel, the channel assessment may be inaccurate. As a result, data transmission efficiency and a network throughput in the WLAN system are relatively low.
Therefore, it is extremely important to differentiate signals that are sent by nodes in different BSSs and received by a node.

Coordination of wireless nodes for data transmissions in overlapping basic service sets


A method and apparatus for simultaneously inspecting and grinding roll mills which utilizes a transducer assembly which produces a creeping wave propagation in conjunction with a couplant fluid provider and data acquisition circuit which allows the operator to see the crack and imperfections in on the surface of the mill rolls as they are rotated and to grind them off.

This invention relates, overall to an automated ultrasonic inspection system of mill rolls used in the process of metal fabrication, and, in particular to the use of creeping waves as the specific wave mode used for the detection of surface and near surface defects such as cracks, porosity, etc.
Mill rolls are an integral component of many metal fabricating processes. The rolling surface of a mill roll is typically subjected to high cyclic stresses created by direct loading and/or thermal cycles. The result is the formation of surface cracks that can quickly propagate to failure if not detected and removed. For this reason, mill rolls are periodically removed from service and placed in a roll grinding machine that mechanically removes a work hardened layer of material from the rolling surface. The rolls are then inspected to assure that all cracks are removed prior to reintroducing back into the mill.
The most common ultrasonic method for roll inspection is performed using a handheld Surface Wave (also called Raleigh Wave) ultrasonic transducer. This process involves applying couplant along the top of the roll and slowly moving the transducer down the roll axis while propagating sound in the circumferential direction. At the completion of this test, the roll is then turned 180 degrees and the procedure repeated. This manual exam was later developed into an automated technique where the transducer is mechanically held and scanned down the roll as the roll is rotated. However, automation of the Surface Wave technique for roll inspection never developed into a commercial success due to problems associated with water on the roll surface as described below. A serious complication to using Surface Waves for roll inspection is the sensitivity that this wave mode has to the presence of fluid, such as water drops, on the roll surface. A Surface Wave creates very small displacements in the direction perpendicular to the surface plane. As a result, any substance on the roll surface, such as a water drop, will be displaced as the wave front moves underneath it. This has two effects on the Surface Wave: 1) energy is removed from the wave front and 2) a reflected signal is produced that returns to the transducer from the water drop. The resulting reflected signal can appear identical to that produced by a surface breaking crack. Therefore, it is critical that all water, oil, etc, be removed from the roll surface prior to testing when using Surface Waves. This is made more difficult since cooling fluids are used during the grinding of the roll surface. In addition, conventional ultrasonic transducers require the use of fluid between the roll surface and the bottom of the transducer. This fluid, or couplant, is needed for transmission of sound between the roll and the transducer. During an automated scan where the roll is being rotated, this couplant layer will leave a trail of water that will interfere with the data taken on the subsequent rotation. U.S. Pat. No. 5,469,743 addresses this issue by proposing a wiper mechanism that eliminates this couplant material as well as water used to cool during grinding. This type apparatus has been found to be unreliable in practice since it cannot eliminate all surface water especially during grinding when water is splashed around the roll.
This patent describes an inspection system that uses an alternative ultrasonic method, Creeping Waves, instead of Surface Waves. Creeping Waves have been found to be highly sensitive to surface breaking cracks but not affected by surface contaminants such as water drops, oil, etc.
Ultrasonic Creeping Waves are produced by propagating high angle Longitudinal Waves into the mill roll at a location underneath the ultrasonic transducer. Since Creeping Waves are nothing more than high angle compression waves, the direction of particle displacements is always in the same direction as the direction of wave propagation. Therefore, no out of plane displacements are produced on the surface of the roll. Therefore, the sound wave is not affected by fluid on the roll surface making inspection possible during grinding processes without the need for water removal mechanisms.
The ideal system for use in the inspection of mill rolls is one that can be operated while the roll is being ground by the grinding machine. During the process of grinding, a large amount of water is sprayed on the roll at the location of the grinding stone. This water is required for cooling of the grinding wheel. This cooling fluid saturates the entire roll. The use of Surface Waves has been found to be impractical while grinding since the roll has to be completely dry in front of the ultrasonic transducer to avoid the possibility of a water drop reflection being interpreted as a surface crack. Surface Waves have been successfully implemented on mill rolls using electromagnetic acoustic transducers. However, this type of ultrasonic transducer does require that the mill roll be completely dried prior to inspection, thus making it impractical for use during the grinding process. This invention is unique since it permits the real-time ultrasonic inspection of a mill roll during the grinding process. With this capability, the operator can monitor the presence of the crack and halt grinding at the moment the crack is no longer detectable. This ability minimizes the amount of roll material removed while maximizing grinder utilization. Performing the roll inspection during grinding also eliminates the time required for roll drying and post grinding inspection.
A system based on the use of Creeping Wave transducers would appear very similar to a system using Surface Waves transducers. Both systems would require transport mechanism that lowers the transducers to the roll surface during testing. Both systems would require a couplant delivery system consisting of tubes providing water to transducer housings. Both systems could be manufactured to inspect for both circumferential defects and axially oriented defects. Two major differences exist between a Surface Wave system and a Creeping Wave system. First, the Creeping Wave system does not require any apparatus for water removal from the roll surface. Secondly, the Creeping Wave system can be used while grinding the roll. Mounting the transducer assembly at the same axial position as the grinding wheel will allow for real-time feed back to the grinder operator on defect removal status. Inspecting for defects during grinding allows the operator to terminate grinding once the defect is no longer detected. This minimizes grinding time and maximizes mill roll life, both a major advantage and cost savings for the mill. Current practice requires that the operator grind the mill roll until a predetermined amount of material has been removed from the roll. The roll is then dried and inspected manually or using an automated system. If a crack is found, the mill roll is ground some more and retested. This process is repeated until the roll is defect free.
The mill roll inspection system consists of the ultrasonic transducers, the couplant delivery system and the data acquisition system. The unique component of this system lies in the transducer used and more specifically, the Creeping Wave mode produced by this transducer. The use of this method of ultrasonic inspection permits the inspection of mill rolls while they are wet.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method to ultrasonically inspect mill rolls using ultrasonic Creeping Waves.
It is another object of this invention to provide an ultrasonic inspection that does not require the drying of the roll surface in front of the transducer assembly prior to performing an inspection.
It is another object of this invention to provide a real-time ultrasonic inspection that can be performed during the grinding operation of a mill roll without the need to remove grinding cooling fluid.
It is still another object of this invention to provide an ultrasonic inspection of mill rolls that is sensitive to surface and near surface defects such as cracks and porosity, without being effected by surface contaminates such as oil or water.
These and other objects will become apparent when reference is had to the drawings.

Creeping wave technique for mill roll inspection


A deliquification pump for deliquifying a well comprises a fluid end pump adapted to pump a fluid from a wellbore. In addition, the deliquification pump comprises a hydraulic pump adapted to drive the fluid end pump. The hydraulic pump includes a first internal pump chamber and a first pump assembly disposed in the first chamber. The first pump assembly includes a piston having a first end, a second end, and a throughbore extending between the first end and the second end. In addition, the first pump assembly includes a first wobble plate including a planar end face axially adjacent the second end of the piston and a slot extending axially through the first wobble plate. The first wobble plate is adapted to rotate about the central axis relative to the housing to axially reciprocate the piston and cyclically place the throughbore of the piston in fluid communication with the slot.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to the field of hydrocarbon production. More particularly, the invention relates to systems, methods, and apparatus for deliquifying a well to enhance production.
2. Background of the Technology
Geological structures that yield gas typically produce water and other liquids that accumulate at the bottom of the wellbore. The liquids typically comprise hydrocarbon condensate (e.g., relatively light gravity oil) and interstitial water in the reservoir. The liquids accumulate in the wellbore in two forms, both as single phase liquid entering from the reservoir and as condensing liquids, falling back in the wellbore. The condensing liquids actually enter the wellbore as a vapor and as they travel up the wellbore, they drop below dew point and condense. In either case, the higher density liquid-phase, being essentially discontinuous, must be transported to the surface by the gas.
In some hydrocarbon producing wells that produce both gas and liquid, the formation gas pressure and volumetric flow rate are sufficient to lift the produced liquids to the surface. In such wells, accumulation of liquids in the wellbore generally does not hinder gas production. However, in the event the gas phase does not provide sufficient transport energy to lift the liquids out of the well (i.e. the formation gas pressure and volumetric flow rate are not sufficient to lift the produced liquids to the surface), the liquid will accumulate in the well bore.
In many cases, the hydrocarbon well may initially produce gas with sufficient pressure and volumetric flow to lift produced liquids to the surface, however, over time, the produced gas pressure and volumetric flow rate decrease until they are no longer capable of lifting the produced liquids to the surface. Specifically, as the life of a natural gas well matures, reservoir pressures that drive gas production to surface decline, resulting in lower production. At some point, the gas velocities drop below the "Critical Velocity" (CV), which is the minimum velocity required to carry a droplet of water to the surface. As time progresses these droplets accumulate in the bottom of the wellbore. The accumulation of liquids in the well impose an additional back-pressure on the formation and may begin to cover the gas producing portion of the formation, thereby restricting the flow of gas, thereby restricting the flow of gas and detrimentally affecting the production capacity of the well. Once the liquid will no longer flow with the produced gas to the surface, the well will eventually become "loaded" as the liquid hydrostatic head begins to overcome the lifting action of the gas flow, at which point the well is "killed" or "shuts itself in." Thus, the accumulation of liquids such as water in a natural gas well tends to reduce the quantity of natural gas which can be produced from a given well. Consequently, it may become necessary to use artificial lift techniques to remove the accumulated liquid from the wellbore to restore the flow of gas from the formation. The process for removing such accumulated liquids from a wellbore is commonly referred to as deliquification.
For oil wells that primarily produce single phase liquids (oil and water) with a minimal amount of entrained gas, there are numerous artificial lift techniques. The most commonly employed type of artificial lift requires pulling 30 foot tubing joints from the well, attaching a fluid pump to the lowermost joint, and running the pump downhole on the string of tubing joints. The fluid pump may be driven by jointed rods attached to a beam pump, a downhole electric motor supplied with electrical power from the surface via wires banded to the outside of the tubing string, or a surface hydraulic pump displacing a power fluid to the downhole fluid pump via multiple hydraulic lines. Although there are several types of artificial lift used in lifting oil, they usually require an expensive method of deployment consisting of workover rigs, coiled tubing units, cable spoolers, and multiple personnel on-site.
Initially, artificial lift techniques employed with oil producing wells were used to deliquify gas producing wells (i.e., remove liquids from gas producing wells). However, the adaptation of existing oilfield artificial lift technologies for gas producing wells generated a whole new set of challenges. The first challenge was commercial. When employing artificial lift techniques in an oil well, revenue is immediately generated—valuable oil is lifted to the surface. In contrast, when deliquifying a gas well, additional expense is generated mostly from non-revenue generating liquids—typically, water and small amounts of condensed light hydrocarbons are lifted to the surface. The benefit, however, is the ability to maintain and potentially increasing the production of gas for extended time, thereby creating additional recoverable reserves. Typically, at 100 psi downhole pressure, the critical velocity, and hence need for artificial lift, occurs at less than 300 mcfd. The typical gas well in the United States averages about 110 mcfd, and about 90% of all U.S. gas wells (˜480,000 wells) are liquid loaded. The challenge is that large remaining reserve potential with lower per well revenue stream are needed to justify the price of installing traditional artificial lift technologies.
The second major shortcoming of the existing artificial lift technologies is the lack of design for dealing with three phase flow, with the largest percentage being the gas phase. For example, many conventional artificial lift pumps gas lock or cavitate when pumping fluids comprising more than about 30% gas by volume. However, in may gas wells, the pump may experience churn fluid flow where the pump intake may experience transitions between 100% gas and 100% liquid over a few seconds. In general, the goal of a downhole fluid pump is to physically lower the fluid level or hydrostatic in the wellbore as close to the pump intake as possible. Unfortunately, most conventional artificial lift technologies cannot achieve this goal and thus are not fit for purpose.
With well economics driving limited choices for deliquification, one lower cost option that has been investigated is called "plunger lift." In a plunger lift system, a solid round metal plug is placed inside the tubing at the bottom of the well, and liquids are allowed to accumulate on top of the plug. Then a controller shuts in the well via a shutoff valve and allows pressure to build and then releases the plunger to come to surface, pushing the fluids above it. When the shutoff valve is closed, the pressure at the bottom of the well usually builds up slowly over time as fluids and gas pass from the formation into the well. When the shutoff valve is opened, the pressure at the well head is lower than the bottomhole pressure, so that the pressure differential causes the plunger to travel to the surface. Plunger lift is basically a cyclic "bucketing" of fluids to surface. Since the driver is the wellbore pressure it is directly proportional to the amount of liquid it can lift. Also, the older the well, the longer shut-in times are required to build pressure. Besides the safety risks of launching a metal plug to surface at velocities around 1,000 feet per minute, the plunger requires high manual intervention and only removes a small fraction of the liquid column to surface.
Accordingly, there remains a need in the art for economical methods and systems for deliquifying wells having low volume of liquid.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


Aerial dispersion systems that may be employed to allow rapid and temporary conversion of aircraft for aerial dispersion purposes, such as aerial fire-fighting. The aerial dispersion systems may be implemented using modular components that may be configured for compatibility with conventional cargo loading and unloading systems of modern aircraft, including side-loading cargo systems of wide body passenger and cargo aircraft having high lift capacities. The aerial dispersion systems may be rapidly installed in a large fleet of high capacity aircraft in response to a wildfire or other rapidly-developing emergency such as an oil spill, chemical or biological contamination incident, building or refinery fire, etc. After use, the aircraft of the fleet may be rapidly de-modified and returned to original condition. The aerial dispersion systems may be operated with a fleet of aircraft in a coordinated manner, for example, as part of an aerial firefighting formation having multiple aircraft sharing information and/or common control.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to aircraft systems, and more particularly to aircraft systems that may be used for aerial dispersion of materials.
2. Description of the Related Art
Aircraft are commonly employed for the aerial dispersion of liquid and/or solid materials such as fire retardant or fire extinguishing materials, oil dispersant materials, bio-remediation materials, fertilizer materials, herbicide materials, defoliant materials, pesticide materials, etc. For example, specially-equipped aircraft are used to carry and deliver fire retardant materials to the area of a forest or brush fire. Such fire-fighting aircraft are typically converted World War II era bombers or propeller-driven passenger or cargo planes that have a carrying capacity limited to 3000 gallons or less of liquid fire retardant material. These vintage aircraft typically deliver their load of fire retardant material by flying to the area of the fire and then making a low altitude bombing run over the fire that often requires steep dives and climbs to accurately deliver the fire retardant payload to a targeted fire hot spot. The nature of these low altitude bombing runs often result in g-force stresses that exceed the structural rating of these aircraft, weakening the structure of the aircraft and in some cases causing in-flight structural failures leading to loss of the aircraft and crew. A limited supply of vintage aircraft and the grounding of particular types of aircraft due to structural weaknesses has resulted in a shortage of fire-fighting aircraft.
Many vintage aircraft are converted for aerial dispersion of materials by the permanent installation of material dispersion equipment. Modular aerial spraying systems have also been developed for use in conversion of C-130 cargo aircraft for aerial spraying purposes. Known as the Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System ("MAFFS"), these systems employ portable pressurized tanks which are loaded onto a C-130 aircraft through the lowered rear cargo ramp of the aircraft. The lifting capacity of the C-130 aircraft limits the amount of water or water-based retardant which may be carried by the MAFFS aircraft to about 3000 gallons. Most MAFFS are "single shot" systems that discharge a full 3000 gallon load at one time, although there exist two load MAFFS units that may split a 3000 gallon load into two separate discharges. Because of their drop pattern, MAFFS are not typically used for support in residential areas or for initial attack on a fire, which usually require multiple drops from a single air tanker. In addition to limitations in MAFFS capacity and drop pattern, certain C-130 aircraft that are employed for MAFFS purposes have been recently grounded due to excessive stresses imparted on these aircraft when using them for aerial fire-fighting.
Specialized modern aircraft have also been developed for aerial fire-fighting purposes. In this regard, the Canadair CL-415 is capable of in-flight re-filling from large bodies of water, such as lakes. However, the CL-415 is very expensive relative to vintage aircraft, has a limited carrying capacity of approximately 1621 gallons of liquid fire retardant material, and the cost of obtaining and maintaining a state-of-the-art modern fleet of such aircraft would be prohibitive. Furthermore, such a fleet of fire-fighting capable aircraft is not needed all the time. Thus, the relatively small carrying capacity, specialized nature, and high cost of such aircraft prohibits large-scale deployment in an aerial fire-fighting fleet.
Further information on practices and condition of the aerial firefighting fleet in the United States may be found in Federal Aerial Firefighting: Assessing Safety and Effectiveness, Blue Ribbon Panel Report to the Chief, USDA Forest Service and Director, USDI Bureau of Land Management, December 2002.

Systems and methods for aerial dispersion of materials


Provided is an electronic device for stabilizing a 360-degree video, the electronic device including a memory storing one or more instructions, and a processor for executing the one or more instructions stored in the memory, wherein the processor is configured to execute the one or more instructions to: when a 360-degree video is reproduced, allocate probability values to a plurality of pixels included in a frame of the 360-degree video, based on a possibility that each of the plurality of pixels is included in a user's field of view (FOV), determine a three-dimensional (3D) rotation for the 360-degree video, based on the allocated probability values, and generate a stabilized 360-degree video by applying the 3D rotation to the 360-degree video.

When a 360-degree video is reproduced, users may suffer from so-called virtual reality (VR) sickness. The VR sickness shows some similarities to motion sickness in terms of symptoms. The VR sickness may be regarded as being due to a result of users receiving a contradictory sensory input while experiencing VR. The VR sickness may be relieved by video stabilization to correct undesired camera movements (e.g., shaking or a tremor of the hand). Camera shaking in particular may be an important issue in the case of a video captured by a portable camera system.
Video stabilization is a post-processing stage, and most video stabilization techniques require two separate tasks. First, an undesired motion is detected and suppressed according to an estimated camera trajectory. Second, a new image sequence is created using a stable camera trajectory and an original image sequence. However, when different parts of a scene are moving at different speeds or in different directions, a video cannot be stabilized with respect to all parts of the scene. Thus, even after video stabilization has been applied, a user may still experience discomfort. Therefore, there is a need for an improved method of stabilizing a 360-degree video.

Electronic device and operation method therefor


A ferroelectric liquid crystal display having alignment films with different surface polarities. The alignment films induce an internal electric field through the liquid crystal. Because of the induced internal electric field, initial liquid crystal alignment, and subsequent liquid crystal alignments, can be performed without an externally applied electric field.

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. P2000-87052, filed Dec. 30, 2000, under 35 U.S.C. xc2xa7119, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a liquid crystal display, and more particularly to a ferroelectric liquid crystal display having improved liquid crystal alignment films.
2. Description of the Related Art
A liquid crystal display (LCD) controls the light characteristics of a screen to display a desired image. Liquid crystals used in LCDs are in a neutral state between a liquid and a solid. That neutral state has both fluidity and elasticity.
While there are many types of liquid crystals, one type of great interest is the smectic C liquid crystal. During a thermodynamic phase transition, a smectic C liquid crystal rotates along an outer line of a virtual cone. Such a smectic C phase liquid crystal can undergo a spontaneous polarization. Such a liquid crystal is usually referred to as a xe2x80x9cferroelectric liquid crystalxe2x80x9d (FLC). The FLC has been actively studied because of its fast response time. Furthermore, FLC LCDs can have wide viewing angles without the complications of special electrode structures or compensating films.
There are many different FLC modes, including a deformed helix FLC, a surface stabilized FLC, an anti-FLC, a V-mode FLC and a half V-mode FLC. Hereinafter, the V-mode FLC mode and the half V-mode FLC mode will be described in more detail.
FIG. 1 illustrates a liquid crystal cell having a V-mode FLC. As shown, that liquid crystal cell includes an upper substrate 1 having a common electrode 3 and an alignment film 5. That liquid crystal cell also includes a lower substrate 11 having a TFT array 9, which includes pixel electrodes, and an alignment film 7. A V-mode liquid crystal 13 is interposed between the upper and lower substrates 1 and 11. The alignment films 5 and 7 are aligned in a horizontal direction, usually by rubbing with a special cloth roller. The V-mode liquid crystal 13 forms multiple smectic layers that have molecular structures arranged with desired slopes with respect to a plane perpendicular to the smectic layers. In other words, the liquid crystal molecules have desired inclination angles with respect to the alignment directions of the alignment films. Furthermore, adjacent smectic layers have opposite polarities.
Light transmission through the V-mode FLC liquid crystal cell varies according to an applied voltage across that cell, reference FIG. 2. The liquid crystal 13 within the V-mode FLC liquid crystal cell responds to both positive and negative voltages. Since light transmissivity rapidly changes in accord with applied positive and negative voltages, the light transmissivity verses voltage curve has a V-shape as shown in FIG. 2. Thus, light transmissivity increases regardless of polarity.
FIG. 3 illustrates a liquid crystal cell having a half V-mode FLC. As shown, a half V-mode FLC liquid crystal 15 is interposed between an upper substrate 1 and a lower substrate 11. The half V-mode FLC liquid crystal 15 forms multiple smectic layers in which the liquid crystal molecules align at a desired inclination angle with respect to the alignment direction of the alignment films 5 and 7. However, as shown in FIG. 3, the liquid crystal molecules in adjacent smectic layers have the same polarity (unlike V-mode FLC liquid crystal molecules). Such a half V-mode FLC liquid crystal can be formed by applying a positive (or a negative) electric field to a hot liquid crystal while slowly lowering that liquid crystal""s temperature into a smectic phase.
A half V-mode FLC mode liquid crystal 15 formed in this manner responds to only one polarity of applied voltage. Thus, as shown in FIG. 4, the light transmissivity verse voltage curve of a liquid crystal cell having the half V-mode FLC has a xe2x80x98half Vxe2x80x99 shape. Still referring to FIG. 4, as shown, the light transmissivity verse voltage curve does react, slightly, to negative applied voltages, but dramatically to positive applied voltages.
The thermodynamic phase transition of a half V-mode FLC liquid crystal 15 is as follows:
Isotropicxe2x86x92nematic (N*) phasexe2x86x92smectic C* (Sm C*) phasexe2x86x92crystal
Such a thermodynamic phase transition expresses the phase of the liquid crystal in accordance with temperature, which becomes less as phase changes move to the right.
An isotropic phase liquid crystal 15 interposed into a liquid crystal cell aligns in parallel with the rubbing direction of the alignment layers when the liquid crystal temperature is slowly lowered to the nematic phase. If a sufficiently strong electric field is applied across the liquid crystal cell while the liquid crystal temperature is slowly lowered more, the liquid crystal 15 is phase-changed into a smectic phase in which the direction of spontaneous polarization of the liquid crystal molecules arranges according to the electric field in the cell. Consequently, when the liquid crystal 15 within the liquid crystal cell is subject to parallel alignment treated alignment layers, the liquid crystal molecules arrange in a spontaneous polarization direction that is consistent with the electric field at the phase transition, and in one of two possible molecular arrangements. As a result, the liquid crystal 15 has a uniform alignment state.
FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 help illustrate this. First, as shown in FIG. 5, if a negative electric field E(xe2x88x92) is applied during alignment of the liquid crystal 15, then the spontaneous polarization direction of the liquid crystal 15 is along the electric field. In such an aligned liquid crystal cell, as shown in FIG. 6, the liquid crystal arrangement is changed by an applied positive electric field E(+), but not by an applied negative electric field E(xe2x88x92).
To utilize the response characteristics of the liquid crystal 15, perpendicular polarizers are arranged on the upper and lower portions of the liquid crystal cell. The transmission axis of one of the polarizers is along the direction of the initial liquid crystal alignment. Assuming a liquid crystal cell having the transmission curve of FIG. 4, an applied negative electric field E(xe2x88x92) does not change the liquid crystal arrangement and the perpendicular polarizer blocks light. A positive electric field E(+) rotates the liquid crystal alignment such that light transmission increases.
FIG. 7 shows an electric field applied across a half V-mode FLC liquid crystal cell. As shown, the half V-mode FLC liquid crystal cell includes an upper substrate 1 with a common electrode 3 and an alignment film 5, a lower substrate 11 with a TFT array 9 and an alignment film 7, and a liquid crystal 15 interposed between the upper and lower substrates 1 and 11. The alignment films 5 and 7 are beneficially comprised of the same material and are subject to the same alignment treatment. An internal electric field, E-intra, which is contrary to the externally applied electric field, E-ext, depends on the alignment film material and on the polarization of the liquid crystal 15. This internal electric field E-intra is an induced polarization field.
As described above, the half V-mode FLC liquid crystal cell uses both temperature and an electric field to obtain the initial liquid crystal alignment. However, liquid crystal cells made in this manner have a problem in that the initial liquid crystal alignment can be disturbed by external impacts, which almost inevitably occurs due to grinding of a shorting bar. Furthermore, simple heating of a conventional half V-mode FLC liquid crystal cell can disturb the liquid crystal alignment. To re-establish liquid crystal alignment, both temperature and electric field treatments are required, which is difficult to do without the shorting bar.
Therefore, a new ferroelectric liquid crystal display having a liquid crystal alignment that can be thermally re-established would be beneficial.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a ferroelectric liquid crystal display having a liquid crystal cell alignment that can be thermally recovered if disturbed, such as by external impacts.
To achieve these and other objects, a ferroelectric liquid crystal display according to the principles of the present invention includes driving electrodes on an upper substrate and on a lower substrates; alignment films having different surface polarities on the driving electrodes; and a ferroelectric liquid crystal interposed between the upper substrate and the lower substrate.
In such a ferroelectric liquid crystal display the alignment films can have different surface polarities produced by different material structures. Alternatively, if the alignment films have the same material structure, the different surface polarities can be produced by different thermal treatments or by different alignment treatments.


The method of performing elliptic polynomial cryptography with elliptic polynomial hopping allows for the encryption of messages through elliptic polynomial cryptography, i.e., using elliptic polynomials with multi x-coordinates, and particularly with the utilization of elliptic polynomial hopping based upon both the elliptic polynomial and its twist, regardless of whether the elliptic polynomial and its twist are isomorphic with respect to one another. Each plaintext block is encrypted by a different elliptic polynomial, and the elliptic polynomials used are selected by an initial secret key and a random number generator. The method is particularly useful for symmetric encryption systems, and provides a block cipher fundamentally based upon a computationally hard problem.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to computerized cryptographic methods for communications in a computer network or electronic communications system, and particularly to a method of performing elliptic polynomial cryptography with elliptic polynomial hopping.
2. Description of the Related Art
Encryption systems have been categorized in the art into two types, based on the characteristics of the cryptographic key: asymmetric encryption systems and symmetric encryption systems. Asymmetric encryption systems are also called dual-key systems or public-key systems. In the public-key encryption systems, there is a public key and a private key. The public key is made public, while the private key remains secret. Encryption is performed with the public key, while decryption is done with the private key. The public key and the private key are totally different, and it is difficult to derive one by inference from the other. Thus, the ability to encrypt can be separated from the ability to decrypt.
Symmetric encryption systems are also called single-key systems, private-key systems, or traditional encryption systems. Private-key systems can be categorized into stream encryption systems and block encryption systems. In a stream encryption system, plain data is encrypted on an element-by-element basis (in computer systems, one letter, character, or bit at a time). In contrast, in a block encryption system, plain data is divided into blocks with each block containing plural elements, and encryption is carried out on a block-by-block basis (in computer systems, blocks of letters, characters, or bits at a time).
Block ciphers are the most popular algorithms in use today for providing data privacy. Block ciphers with block size n and key size k can be viewed as a family of permutations on the set of all n-bit strings, indexed by k-bit long encryption keys and possessing certain properties. Block ciphers use fix-sized blocks. A 128-bit plain text block will generate a 128-bit ciphertext block when encrypted. If the message is shorter than the block size, the message is padded to bring the block size up to whatever is required by the particular block cipher being used. If the message is longer than the block size, then the message will be encoded using a mode or method designed to make the encrypted message less vulnerable to attack.
From the mid-1970s through the 1990s, the Data Encryption Standard (DES) was probably the most popular and widely used block cipher cryptographic algorithm. DES had a block size of 64 bits and a key size of 56 bits, and implemented a Feistel structure built on a series of exclusive-or (XOR) operations. When the message size exceeded the block size, DES employed one of several modes. The simplest, electronic codebook (ECB), is too vulnerable to attack if the message is too long and has repeating phrases because two blocks of equivalent plaintext characters always encrypts to the same block of ciphertext. Other modes include cipher block chaining (CBC), cipher feedback (CFB), and output feedback (OFB), of which CBC is the most popular. In CBC, each plaintext block is XORed with the previous plaintext block, beginning with an initialization vector for the first block.
Once thought secure, DES has proved vulnerable to attach through increases in the speed and memory storage of computer hardware. It is now possible for an attacker to decrypt a DES encrypted message by an exhaustive key search in a comparatively short amount of time. Although DES, or variations of DES, such as 3DES or Triple DES, is still used, it is being replaced by the Advance Encryption Standard (AES).
AES uses a 128-bit block size and may use a key size of 128 bits, 192 bits, or 256 bits. The algorithm has a Rijndael structure, which again relies upon a series of XOR operations. Nevertheless, there are concerns about the adequacy of the AES algorithm due to its simple algebraic structure. Moreover, the increase in block size may be inconvenient to implement, is not truly scalable (only three key sizes are implemented or permitted), the hardware for a 192-bit key is not completely compatible with the hardware for a 128-bit or 256-bit key, and advances in computer hardware speed and memory may eventually make AES vulnerable to an exhaustive key search in the same manner as DES.
The fundamental problem with DES, AES, and other similar block cipher algorithms is that these algorithms are essentially based upon simple XOR operations, and not upon a computationally hard or infeasible problem, such as the discrete logarithm problem or the elliptic curve (EC) analog to the discrete logarithm problem.
Elliptic curve cryptosystems are well known in the art. Elliptic curve cryptosystems rely upon the difficulty of the Elliptic Curve Discrete Logarithm Problem (ECDLP) to provide their effectiveness as a cryptosystem. Using multiplicative notation, the problem can be described as: given points B and Q in the group (points in a finite field satisfying a given elliptic curve equation), find a number k such that Bk=Q; where k is called the discrete logarithm of Q to the base B. Using additive notation, the problem becomes: given two points B and Q in the group, find a number k such that kB=Q.
Conventional elliptic curve arithmetic and properties, including point addition, scalar multiplication, point doubling, projective coordinates, etc., are well known in the art, and have been described in numerous texts, treatises, and cryptography handbooks, e.g., Guide to Elliptic Curve Cryptography, Hankerson et al., Springer 2004. A summary of such operations and properties appears in paragraphs [0012] through [0026] of U.S. Pat. No. 7,483,533, issued Jan. 27, 2009, which are hereby incorporated by reference.
Elliptic curve cryptography is gaining increasing acceptance in public-key applications, such as public key exchange, digital signatures, etc. because elliptic curve cryptography permits smaller key size than RSA and other such algorithms, and the difficulty of attacking or solving the EC discrete logarithm problem. However, elliptic curve cryptography is not widely used for symmetric encryption systems, block ciphers, or encryption of long messages.
The difficulty with such applications arises from the process for encrypting a plaintext message using an elliptic curve. In conventional elliptic curve cryptography, conventional bit string embedding into an elliptic curve point involves and iterative algorithm to search for an x-coordinate value that will lead to a quadratic residue value of the y-coordinate starting from an initial x-coordinate value specified by the bit string to be embedded. The process normally requires several iterations, and the number of iterations needed is different for different bit strings that are being embedded. This process incurs considerable overhead in time and in memory storage, since look-up tables are often used. Also, in convention elliptic curve cryptography, an elliptic curve polynomial defined over a finite field that needs N-bits for representation of its elements, only ((nx+ny+1)N−L) bits of the message data bits can be embedded in any elliptic polynomial point, where L is the number of extra bits that do not carry data.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,483,533, issued Jan. 27, 2009 to Ibrahim (one of the present inventors), which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, described a cryptographic system based upon Ibrahim's elliptic polynomial equation, which has more than one x-coordinate into which data may be embedded. The '533 patent described methods for using an elliptic polynomial with more than one x-coordinate for digital signatures, public-key cryptography, and at least one method for use in symmetric or shared key cryptography. However, there still exists a need for an efficient, secure method for encrypting messages for symmetric encryption systems, and one that is particularly suitable for block ciphers.
Thus, a method of performing elliptic polynomial cryptography with elliptic polynomial hopping solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

Method of performing elliptic polynomial cryptography with elliptic polynomial hopping

King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals


In a vacuum container (2), a bag-shaped laminate film (12) containing a battery element (11) and having an opening (12a) is pinched at positions corresponding to two principal surfaces (11a) of the battery element (11), the battery element (11) having a positive layer and a negative layer stacked via a separator. Pressure in the vacuum container (2) is reduced. An electrolytic solution (20) is poured from an electrolytic-solution supply line (4) into the bag-shaped laminate film (12) through the opening (12a) with pressure in the vacuum container (2) kept reduced until the entire battery element (11) is immersed in the electrolytic solution (20). The reduced pressure in the vacuum container (2) is increased to make the battery element (11) absorb the electrolytic solution (20) by the difference in pressure.

Electrical devices typified by batteries and electrolytic capacitors are manufactured by filling a case which is made of metal or the like and which contains an electrode group with an electrolytic solution and then sealing the case, where the electrode group is an electrical device element.
Conventionally, a case placed upright is filled with a predetermined amount of electrolytic solution and left at rest for an extended period of time to allow the electrolytic solution to gradually permeate spaces in the electrode group. However, since an electrode group is generally made of electrode plates stacked densely, it takes time to allow the electrolytic solution to permeate the spaces in the electrode group. The case needs to be left at rest, for example, for a whole day and night in order for the electrolytic solution to permeate the spaces among the electrodes on its own. This means very inefficient production.
Also, since the electrolytic solution is absorbed very slowly, if the required amount of electrolytic solution is supplied at once into the case, the electrolytic solution will overflow the case. Methods adopted to deal with this situation include a method in which a watertight cover is placed on an opening of the case and filled with a predetermined amount of electrolytic solution. However, the method involves placing the covers one by one on the cases, making it difficult to increase manufacturing efficiency.
Japanese Patent No. 3467135 discloses an electrolytic-solution filling method intended to solve this problem. The method depressurizes an opening of a case, fills the opening with the electrolytic solution to temporarily form a pool, fills the depressurized case with the electrolytic solution, allows the electrolytic solution to permeate spaces in an electrode group, and then increases pressure in the case to make the electrolytic solution in the pool permeate the spaces in the electrode group.
By depressurizing the case once, the method expels air from the spaces in the electrode group so that the air will not obstruct permeation of the electrolytic solution. After creating a condition in which the electrode can permeate the spaces easily, the method fills the case with the electrolytic solution. Then, the method further pressurizes the case to cause the electrolytic solution in the pool to permeate. The combination of depressurization and pressurization not only reduces the time required for the electrolytic solution to be absorbed, but also prevents the electrolytic solution from spattering upon pressure release.

Manufacturing method and manufacturing apparatus for film-covered electrical device


The present invention relates to generation of functional beta cells from human pluripotent stem cell-derived endocrine progenitors. The present invention also relates to functional beta cells produced by said methods and uses of said beta cells.

Islet cell transplantation has been used to treat type 1 diabetic patients showing superior glucose homeostasis compared with insulin therapy but this therapy is limited by organ donations. Human Pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) such as human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) can proliferate infinitively and differentiate into many cell types, including beta cells (BCs) and may address the shortage of donor islets. Protocols to differentiate hPSC into definitive endoderm, (DE), pancreatic endoderm (PE) cells and endocrine progenitors (EP) in vitro have been provided in WO2012/175633, WO 2014/033322 and WO2015/028614 respectively. It is challenging to make glucose-responsive insulin-secreting BCs in vitro from hPSCs. Most protocols result in insulin-producing cells that fail to recapitulate the phenotype of BCs as they also co-express other hormones such as glucagon and are unresponsive to glucose stimulation.
Rezania, A. et al. "Reversal of diabetes with insulin-producing cells derived in vitro from human pluripotent stem cells" Nature Biotechnology 32, 1121-1133 (2014) and Pagliuca, F. W. et al. "Generation of Functional Human Pancreatic b Cells In Vitro" Cell 159(2), 428-439, Oct. 9, 2014, reported the in vitro differentiation of hESCs into insulin-secreting cells. Using static incubation studies, cells from both groups were sensitive to glucose stimulation showing approximately 2-fold increase in insulin output after glucose stimulation. This response varied however qualitatively and quantitatively from that of primary adult beta cells. As comparison, human islet stimulation index is reported to be two to ten or higher (Shapiro, J. A. M. et al. "Islet Transplantation in seven patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus using a glucocorticoid-free immunosuppressive regimen" New England Journal of Medicine 343, 230-238, July 27 (2000).
The reported stem cell-derived BCs also failed to display insulin response to glucose in a dynamic cell perfusion assay and are thus functionally immature relative to primary human BCs.
Efficient protocol for making functional mature BCs from hPSC-derived endocrine progenitors that can respond to glucose in a dynamic cell perfusion assay is not known. It is critical to improve current protocols to generate fully functional mature BCs for a more consistent cell product similar to human islets to obtain a predictable outcome following transplantation as well as for screening purposes in vitro.

Generation of functional beta cells from human pluripotent stem cell-derived endocrine progenitors


A drug delivery device is described which utilizes gas pressure from free oxygen and hydrogen derived from the electrolysis of water at the electrodes in negatively charged polymeric hydrogels by electro-osmosis. The gas pressure forces the infusion of the drugs through appropriate means into the body. The rate of electrolysis which produces the oxygen and hydrogen is controlled by an electric current. Therefore the rate of drug delivery can be predetermined and precisely controlled. The current is activated and controlled by an electronic timer or a biomedical control system. The negatively charged hydrogel polymers have mechanical strength and rigidity and allow water to flow through the polymer network toward the cathode ensuring a continuous water supply to the electrodes inside the hydrogel system by electro-osmosis. The hydrogels may be recharged (reswollen) with water or simply replaced. Because the containment of water within the hydrogel structure is not position dependent, gravity plays no part in the gel location within the gas generation unit as in prior art units. Therefore, the contact between the electrodes and water for purposes of electrolysis is position independent.

This invention relates to a system for the administration of drugs and/or biologically active materials by continuous intervenous infusion, utilizing gas pressure produced by the electrolysis of water in hydrogels. More particularly, this invention relates to a delivery device which utilizes gas pressure from free oxygen and hydrogen derived from the electrolysis of water in solid hydrogels providing strength and rigidity. The gas pressure forces the infusion of the drugs and/or biologically active materials through appropriate means into the body. The rate of electrolysis of water from within the hydrogel framework which produces the gases (oxygen and hydrogen) is controlled by an electric current. This current is supplied by a battery or is activated and controlled by an electronic timer or a biomedical control system which reacts to stimuli related to bodily functions, such as temperature, pH, muscle contractions, electroencephalography, or electrocardiography, and/or a combination of the above.

Gas pressure driven infusion system by hydrogel electrolysis


Various approaches are described for auditing integrity of stored data. In one approach, a data set is provided from a client to a storage provider, and the data set is stored at a first storage arrangement by the storage provider. An auditor determines whether the data set stored at the first storage arrangement is corrupt without reliance on any part of the data set and any derivative of any part of the data set stored by the client. While the auditor is determining whether the data set stored at the first storage arrangement is corrupt, the auditor is prevented from being exposed to information specified by the data set. The auditor outputs data indicative of data corruption in response to determining that the data set stored at the first storage arrangement is corrupt.

A growing number of online services aim to store voluminous client data indefinitely. Examples include online backup services, email services, photo sharing sites, video hosting sites, and general archiving of information. Many of these services are free, and many charge fees for basic or upgraded versions of their services. Unfortunately, storage services have the potential to lose or corrupt client data.
Despite the seeming viability of online storage services, this technology has only been casually embraced because users have no way to assess the reliability of these services Clients seeking the services of reliable storage service providers ("storage providers") may have only negative newsworthy anecdotes on which to base their decisions. A lack of bad publicity, however, may not be indicative of the actual reliability of the storage provider. Moreover, popularity may not be an accurate indicator of reliability. Today, clients are faced with making an uneducated choice when choosing a storage provider. A client may either blindly trust the storage provider or audit the data by laboriously retrieving the hosted data each time the integrity of the data is to be verified. Neither solution is satisfactory.
To make client-based auditing viable, a number of efficient challenge-response protocols have been proposed. These protocols establish trust between the storage provider and individual clients through repeatedly demonstrating that the clients' data are intact. If a storage provider loses or corrupts data, such protocols enable clients to quickly detect the fault and repair it using copies stored locally or by other storage providers. Client-based auditing, however, has two main disadvantages. First, it places the responsibility of data verification on a client. Some clients may view auditing as an undesirable burden and instead store and backup their data themselves. Second, typical clients, e.g. home users, are often unreliable. They may forget to check or lose valuable state needed to confirm the integrity of remotely stored data.

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L. P.


High aspect ratio metal microstructures may be prepared by a method involving. (i) forming a layer of a photoresist on a substrate; PA0 (ii) exposing the layer to actinic radiation in an imagewise manner and developing the exposed layer to obtain a surface which contains regions having no remaining photoresist and regions covered with photoresist; PA0 (iii) metallizing the surface to form a layer of metal on the region of the surface having no remaining photoresist and on the sides of the regions of photoresist remaining on the surface; and PA0 (iv) optionally, stripping the photoresist remaining on the surface.. Such microstructures are useful as electron emitters, anisotropic high dielectric interconnects, masks for x-ray photolithography, carriers for the controlled release of active agents, and ultramicroelectrode arrays.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to high aspect ratio metal microstructures and methods for preparing such high aspect ratio metal microstructures.
2. Discussion of the Background
There are a variety of important military and industrial applications for high resolution metal microstructures with good adhesion on a variety of technologically relevant surfaces. These include interconnects and vias in silicon based microcircuits as well as high resolution conductive paths on printed circuit boards, packaging, microwave transmitters and receivers.
These are also a variety of application for high resolution metal microstructures with high aspect ratios. These include electron beam sources which make possible the fabrication of high power microwave devices, free electron lasers, projection electron beam lithographic sources and flat panel displays. Other applications for high resolution high aspect ratio structures include x-ray masks, self shielding interconnects, controlled release microvials, microelectrodes and scanning tunneling electron tips.
Recently there has been a large amount of interest in vacuum field emission from arrays of sharp tips (T. Utsumi, IEEE Trans. Elctron Devices, vol. 38, p. 2276 (1991)). This is because of their potential use in vacuum microelectronics (C.A. Spindt, etal, J. Appl. Phys., vol. 47, p. 5248 (1976)), flat panel displays (Fortune, Dec. 2, 1991, p. 132) high power switches (C.W. Roberson, Proc. Soc. Photo-Opt. Int. Eng., vol. 453, p. 320 (1983)), etc. Another geometry has recently been reported that makes use of metal-coated biologically derived cylinders for free electron laser applications (Kirkpatrick etal, Applied Phys. Lett., vol. 60, p. 1556 (1992); and Kirkpatrick et al, Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Phys. Res., Elsevier, NY, p.1, (1991)). Numerical modeling has shown that electron beam brightness for a hollow cylinder geometry should be superior to that of a sharp tip. However, problems with the biologically derived cylinders fabrication process severely limits their performance.
The Fowler-Nordheim, (Fowler et al, Proc. R. Soc. London A, vol. 119, p-173 (1928)) field emission current density, J.sub.FN, describes the process of quantum filed emission from a onedimensional cold-cathode system, ##EQU1## where A=1.54 X10 .sup.-6, B=6.87.times.10.sup.7, y=3.79.times.10.sup.-4 (.beta..EPSILON.).sup.1/2 /.phi.), t.sup.2 (y)=1.1, v(y)=0.95-y.sup.2, .beta. is the field enhancement factor due to local geometry, .EPSILON. is the applied electric field in V/cm, and .phi. is the work function in .theta.V of the surface emission material. Precise values for t.sup.2 (y) and v (y) are reported in the literature (Miller, J. Franklin Inst., vol. 282, p. 382 (1966) , and Miller, J. Franklin Inst., vol. 287, p. 347 (1969)).
Hollow cylinders can be used to produce a local enhance ment of the applied electric field whose magnitude is dependent upon cylinder height, the average spacing between nearest neighbors, the radius of curvature of the metal wall at the edge of the exposed hollow cylinder, and the nature of the surface near the exposed edge. Detailed numerical simulations (Kirkpatrick et al, Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Phys. Res., Elsevier, NY, p.1, (1991)) of the electrostatic field in the vicinity of a hollow cylindrical structure have shown that field enhancement factors in the range .beta.=150-250 may be readily achieved with a cylinder of diameter 0.5 .mu.m and a height h=10-15 .mu.m. The enhancement factor may be increased an additional 2- to 4-fold by the inherent surface roughness of the elctrolessly deposited metal film that makes up the outer cylinder surface, yielding an enhancement factor in the range .beta.=300-1000.
The hollow nature of the protruding tubule microstructures also provides an electrostatic lensing effect for the emitted electrons: the thinner the tubule wall, the greater the self-focusing effect of the structure, and the more collimated the emitted bean. For suitably fabricated structures, with thin wall thicknesses near the emission tip, normalized electron beam brightnesses well in excess of 10.sup.6 A/cm.sup.2 -rad.sup.2 can be achieved (Miller, J. Franklin Inst., vol 287, p.347 (1969)).
However, to date no approaches have proven suitable for producing field emitter arrays (FEAs) with the above structural and functional characteristics- In addition, no technique for the production of high aspect ratio metal microstructures has been demonstrated that has the ability to precisely control the height, diameter, center to center spacing, alignment, metal type, and metal thickness required for these devices.
In addition, it is desirable to -use x-rays as the source of actinic radiation in photolithographic techniques, because the short wavelengths of such radiation provides increased resolution. To fully realize the increased resolution potentially afforded by x-ray photolithography, masks which contain structural details on the order of about 10 to 0.01 .mu.m in width are desired. Further to permit the use of such penetrating irradiation, masks with a stopping power equivalent to about 1-3 .mu.m of a metal such as gold or nickel are required. However, to date masks which combine the desired fineness of structural detail and the required stopping power have not been available. High aspect ratio metal microstructures having heights of about 1 to 3 .mu.m and structural details having widths of 1 to 0.01 .mu.m, if available, would thus be useful as masks for x-ray photolithography.
Recently, the use of microtubules as carriers for the controlled release of active compounds, such as antifouling agents, pesticides, antibiotics, etc., has been reported. Thus, high aspect ratio metal microstructures which are in the form of tubules having one or two open ends would be useful as carriers for the controlled release of active agents. However, the production of such microtubules remains problematic, especially for those with only one open end.
In addition, the ability to prepare anisotropic high dielectric interconnects between one or more microcircuits on separate layers of a semiconductor or similar device with the desired packing of today's dense microcirucuits remains an elusive goal. If it were possible to precisely, place metal structures with heights of 0.5 to 5 .mu.m and widths of 0.5 to .about.4 .mu.m on the surface of a device, such metal structures could serve as highly anisotropic interconnects between a circuit on the layer on which the structures are placed and a circuit on a layer subsequently added with an increase in shielding of the electron field between two different circuits in close proximity. For a general discussion of metal features and pillars in multilevel interconnect metallization, see Vivek D. Kulkarni et al, J. Electrochem. Soc. Solide State Sci. and Tech., vol. 135, no. 12, pp. 3094-98, (1988).
It is also desirable to provide ultramicroelectrode arrays (UMAs) for use as sensors, e.g., in solid state electrochemistry. The benefits attending such electrodes have been discussed by Fleischmann et al, J. Phys. Chem., vol. 89, pp. 5537-5541 (1985). In particular, it is desired to prepare addressable ring microelectrodes with metal line width dimensions on the order of 500 to 1000 .ANG.. However, the production of such devices is currently unachievable. Penner et al, Anal. Chem., vol. 59, pp. 2625-2630 (1987) report the production of ensembles of ultramicroelectrodes. However, the electrodes are neither regularly spaced nor arranged substantially parallel to one another. Thus, if it were possible to prepare regularly spaced addressable metal microstructures with such dimensions, such metal microstructures could serve as UMAs.
Thus, there remains a need for high aspect ratio metal microstructures which would be useful as anisotropic interconnects, electron emitters, x-ray photolithography masks, ultramicroelectrode arrays, and carriers for the controlled release of active agents. There also remains a need for a method of producing such high aspect ratio metal microstructures.

High aspect ratio metal microstructures and method for preparing the same

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy


A temperature sensor is included within a lead in proximity to distal electrodes. The temperature sensor measures temperature change at the electrode to tissue interface. Actions can be taken when the temperature exceeds a threshold due to heating from current induced by radio frequency energy from an MRI scan. The actions may include sending a signal via telemetry from the implanted device to an external device to produce an alarm to alert an MRI technician or to instruct the MRI scanner to alter the MRI scan. The actions may include activating a switch in the conduction path of an implanted lead to block some of the RF energy and/or to activate a shunt in the conduction path to divert some of the RF energy. The temperature sensor may be of various forms and may be mounted in various locations within the lead.

Implantable medical leads include electrodes at a distal end in order to provide electrical stimulation to tissue at a target site within the body and/or to provide sensing of physiological signals at the target site. The implantable medical leads have a proximal end that is coupled to an implantable medical device (IMD) that performs the electrical stimulation and/or physiological sensing. Electrical conductors extend through the implantable medical leads from the IMD, which is positioned at a convenient implantation site, to the electrodes located at the target site.
During procedures such as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan where a level of radio frequency electromagnetic energy much greater than in normal ambient conditions is present, an electrical current is induced onto the electrical conductors of the lead. This electrical current passes through the electrode to generate heating of the electrode to tissue interface, and this heating can be potentially dangerous to the patient having the implantable medical system that includes the IMD and one or more leads. Various techniques may be used to reduce the degree of heating. One example is to include a shield within the lead that surrounds the electrical conductors. Other examples include increasing the impedance of the electrical conductors via chokes and the like.
These techniques have been proven effective for implantable medical systems where the lead is routed well below the surface of the body of the patient. However, in some cases, the lead may be routed near the surface, such as for peripheral nerve stimulation therapy. In such a case, the shallow depth of the lead within the body results in exposure to higher levels of the RF energy. These higher levels may exceed the capabilities of a lead to prevent excessive heating at the electrode to tissue interface for a lead designed originally to lessen the effects of RF energy for a deeper type of implantation.

Methods, implantable medical leads, and related systems to monitor and limit temperature changes in proximty to electrodes


An approach is provided for utilizing recognition data in conducting service transactions.

Service providers and device manufacturers (e.g., wireless, cellular, etc.) are continually challenged to deliver value and convenience to consumers by, for example, providing compelling network services. One area of interest has been the development of online services where users utilize various service providers to obtain various services and goods, and/or conduct any number of transactions. For example, a user may conduct transactions to purchase goods online from various vendors and ask for the goods to be shipped to the user's address of choice. In another example, the user may access and/or download various user applications, digital media and/or services such as online banking and other financial services. Generally, to conduct these transactions, users typically have to enter any number of parameters (e.g., transaction participants, desired items, payment amounts, account information, etc.). However, providing such input can be cumbersome or otherwise burdensome for a user, particularly when attempting to enter these parameters on a device with limited input/output capabilities such as a mobile phone or if the user has limited literacy. Accordingly, service providers and device manufactures face significant technical challenges in providing easy mechanisms for users to access online services and conduct transactions within the services.

Method and apparatus for utilizing recognition data in conducting transactions


A method for inspecting an object using a structured light measurement system that includes a light source for projecting light onto a surface of the object and an imaging sensor for receiving light reflected from the object. The method includes determining a position of at least one of the light source and the imaging sensor with respect to the object based on at least one of a three-dimensional model of the object and a three-dimensional model of the structured light measurement system.

This application relates generally to inspecting objects, and more specifically to methods and apparatus for inspecting objects using a light measurement system.
Objects are sometimes inspected, for example, to determine a size and/or shape of all or a portion of the object and/or to detect defects in the object. For example, some gas turbine engine components, such as turbine or compressor blades, are inspected to detect fatigue cracks that may be caused by vibratory, mechanical, and/or thermal stresses induced to the engine. Moreover, and for example, some gas turbine engine blades are inspected for deformations such as platform orientation, contour cross-section, bow and twist along a stacking axis, thickness, and/or chord length at given cross-sections. Over time, continued operation of the object with one or more defects may reduce performance of the object and/or lead to object failures, for example, as cracks propagate through the object. Accordingly, detecting defects of the object as early as possible may facilitate increasing the performance of the object and/or reducing object failures.
To facilitate inspecting objects, at least some objects are inspected using a light measurement system that projects a structured light pattern onto a surface of the object. The light measurement system images the structured light pattern reflected from the surface of the object and then analyzes the deformation of the reflected light pattern to calculate the surface features of the object. However, because many manufactured objects have a wide range of shapes and reflectivities, data obtained from some known light measurement systems may be less optimal than desired because of variables such as the angle of view of the light source, uneven reflections from the object, and/or noise caused by ambient light and/or multiple bounce reflections of the emitted light. Accordingly, such variables may result in reduced image quality and poor measurement results, possibly leading to an incorrect interpretation of surface features of the object.
Some known light measurement systems optimize the angle of view of the light source by taking a series of data sets and guessing at the best position of the light source based on the data sets. However, this may be difficult and/or time consuming. Moreover, at least some known light measurement systems include a physical mask that is formed, for example, from a sheet of paper or metal. The physical mask limits an area illuminated by the light source to facilitate reducing inter-reflections between the test fixture and the object. However, such physical masks are sometimes formed by electronically tracing an outline of the object as seen from the light source, which may be time consuming and/or difficult. Refinement of such masks is sometimes only done visually, which may further increase a time and/or difficulty of fabricating such a physical mask.

Methods and apparatus for inspecting an object


A computer-implemented method for facilitating access to shared resources within computer clusters may include identifying a quick response code captured by at least one computing system. The method may also include identifying information encoded in the quick response code captured by the computing system. The method may further include determining that the information encoded in the quick response code contains an activation key that facilitates activation of a software application. The method may additionally include applying, in response to this determination, the activation key to the software application in order to activate the software application without requiring a user of the software application to manually enter the activation key. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

In today's world of vast computing technology, users of computing devices often download and install new software applications on a regular basis. For example, a user of a mobile computing device (such as a smartphone) may download and install tens or even hundreds of different software applications from one or more mobile software distribution platforms.
Many software applications require that a user manually enter a product activation key in order to activate one or more aspects of an application. For example, games, security software, and other similar applications may require that a user manually enter a legitimate product activation key prior to allowing the user to fully access or use the application in question.
Unfortunately, product activation keys can be inconvenient or even difficult to successfully manually enter due to their length (which may exceed 25 or more characters) and/or complexity, especially if users are required to manually enter such keys using compact and/or defective user interfaces (such as a compact and/or defective keyboard on a mobile device). As such, the instant disclosure identifies a need for systems and methods for quickly and conveniently activating software applications without requiring users to manually enter product activation keys.

Systems and methods for using quick response codes to activate software applications


A battery pack including a core pack including a plurality of unit cells, the plurality of unit cells including a first unit cell including a first electrode tab extending in a first direction, and a second unit cell including a second electrode tab coupled to the first electrode tab at a first coupling region at which the second electrode tab overlaps the first electrode tab; and a lead member coupled to the first electrode tab at a second coupling region at which the lead member overlaps the first electrode tab, the second coupling region being different from the first coupling region.

1. Field
Aspects of embodiments of the present invention relate to a battery pack, and more particularly, to a battery pack including a plurality of unit cells that are electrically connected.
2. Description of the Related Art
Unlike primary batteries, secondary batteries may be charged and discharged. Secondary batteries are used in mobile devices including mobile phones, notebook computers, and the like, and are also used as an energy source of electric vehicles, uninterruptible power supplies, and the like. According to types of external devices to which secondary batteries are applied, the secondary batteries may be used in the form of a single battery, or a battery pack which is one unit formed by electrically connecting a plurality of batteries.
A small device including a mobile phone may operate for a particular time period by using an output and capacity of a single battery. However, medium or large mobile devices including a notebook computer, or the like, and an electric vehicle demanding a long-term operation and a high power operation, may use a pack-type battery due to issues of requiring a high output and capacity. Also, it is possible to increase an output voltage or an output current of the pack-type battery by increasing the number of batteries included therein.


A method of operating an IC engine in an agricultural harvester includes the steps of: operating the IC engine in a normal mode with a base torque curve as a function of engine operating speed and engine power output, the base torque curve being generally isochronous at a rated operating speed over a power output range terminating at a rated power output; and operating the IC engine in a boost mode with a boost torque curve when a power boost is required above the rated power output, the boost torque curve having a power output which is above the base torque curve over a predefined range of the operating speed.

A work machine, such as a construction work machine, an agricultural work machine or a forestry work machine, typically includes a prime mover in the form of an internal combustion (IC) engine. The IC engine may either be in the form of a compression ignition engine (i.e., diesel engine) or a spark ignition engine (i.e., gasoline engine). For most heavy work machines, the prime mover is in the form of a diesel engine having better lugging, pull-down and torque characteristics for associated work operations.
IC engines are used to power work machines under a wide variety of load conditions and must be able to accept sudden changes in load. When the vehicle is in a transport mode, sudden increases in power and torque are required from the engine when negotiating the terrain between fields. Tillage in field also presents conditions where there are sudden increases in load due to changes in soil condition, where the resistance of the tillage tool increases significantly or the field has steep inclines. Engines of this type are expected to respond to these conditions by increasing output torque with only a small increase in engine load. This increase in torque output is typically referred to as torque rise. Engines with significant torque rise permit the torque curve to be shaped so that the rate of rise is very steep allowing the engine to decrease rpm very little at the same time output torque increases significantly. Engines that are governed use the shape of the governor curve to make the slope extremely steep for operation at or below rated rpm and torque. During conditions of higher torque, the shape of the torque limit curve determines the rate of torque rise versus decreasing engine rpm. Significant efforts are applied to shaping the torque limit curve for full throttle operation with the object of giving the tractor its feel of power and responsiveness. Some engine control systems make the curve significantly steep in the first 100-400 rpm in loaded speed below rated rpm. However, this comes at the expense of torque rise at lower engine rpm down to the peak torque of the engine. Steep torque rises encourage the operator to run in this range or at higher speeds because of the sensation of power. In a typical work vehicle equipped with a heavy duty diesel engine, the overall sound and quality of sound both increase as the engine rpm is pulled down by the increasing load requirement. This reinforces the sensation of power and responsiveness. In addition, the change in the rate of torque rise that occurs at approximately rated rpm gives a signal to the operator that the engine is approaching its limit for the operating rpm chosen.
An operational problem occurs when the engine is operated at lower power settings and lower engine rpm. In current systems the governor reduces the torque rise as the engine approaches rated engine rpm. The change in engine response signals the operator that the engine is nearing its torque limit for the chosen operating rpm. At lower power settings, when the engine encounters a step increase in load, the torque rises abruptly. Once the torque reaches the torque limit curve for that particular governor rpm setting, a further increase in torque causes the engine to operate along the torque limit curve in a region where the rate of torque rise per decrease in engine rpm is very low. This occurs because operation under these conditions does not permit the benefit of the shaped portion of the torque curve which provides a warning that the system is moving from the governor range of control to the torque limit. In terms of operator sensation, it appears that a vehicle suddenly runs out of power, (i.e. runs out of its ability to respond to an increase in load).
Work machines such as combine harvesters currently have a basic engine torque curve to provide a nominal rated power at a power level approximately 14% below the power capability envelope of the engine. Experience has shown that a 14% power bulge (from 2,200 rpm rated speed down to 2,000 rpm peak power) provides good slug handling capability and enhanced drivability for the operator. This enables the use of a power boost for unloading or a power bulge for additional power to handle gradual increases in a load or to handle slugs or other operational overloads without excessive loss of functional engine speed or the stalling of the engine. Traditional engine torque curves for combines have been developed to use this high level of power bulge above the normal rated power in order to enhance the ability of the power train and threshing system to handle the slugs and transient overloads during the harvesting operation. Such an overload may occur when clumps of moist material suddenly enter the threshing system causing higher, short duration overloads.
At the lower power end of the operational spectrum, work machines such as combines also spend significant time at very light loads, such as idling or going down hills. In these cases, the high end torque curves that work well for performance, such as slug acceptance, high threshing loads, unloading grain on the go, etc., do not return as good of fuel economy as an engine torque curve optimized for a lower power level operation.
What is needed in the art is an agricultural harvester with an IC engine which operates on a torque curve with improved performance and efficiency.

Engine for an agricultural harvester having isochronous torque curve with power bulge


A game t able having a cruciform shape when seen in plan view. A generally circular "in play" area is bounded by four generally rectangular and contiguous base areas. The table top is flat and the "in play" area and the surrounding base areas are demarcated only by a generally circular line of demarcation. Four ball-receiving pockets are equidistantly and circumferentially spaced about the periphery of the circular "in play" area, and points are scored by holing balls in those pockets. No ball can be holed unless it is in the "in play" area. However, each player may take a positioning shot to knock a ball into the "in play" area prior to taking a scoring shot. There are two different sets of balls and in some games, all members of one set must be holed before any members of the second set. A cue ball and a bogey ball are also involved in play, and detailed rules govern the several games.

The well-known game of billiards is played on a game table having a rectangular playing surface with rebound rails positioned about the periphery thereof; ball-receiving receptacles or pockets are disposed at the four enclosing corners of the game surface and mid-length of the elongate side rails.
Although this simple arrangement of parts and the game played with such parts has met with great commercial success over the years, inventors have undertaken to improve upon the game and game apparatus and have created numerous new games and new playing devices, all of which are intended to increase the pleasure derived from the games by both players and spectators.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,844,457 to Webster shows an "L"-shaped playing surface, U.S. Pat. No. 4,294,449 to Shaw shows a diamond-shaped playing surface, U.S. Pat. No. 4,834,384 to Cortesi shows a long table having an enlarged or bulbous end, and so on.
Cruciform shapes appear in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,985,355 to Shoemaker, 2,462,526 to McNair and 1,502,607 to Wright.
Despite the new shapes and game rules that have been created in an effort to make billiards-type games more stimulating, the new games have retained many important characteristics of the original game. Specifically, the new games still require the player to hit a ball into a pocket by using a cue ball and a cue stick. If the player misses the shot, play moves to another player. If the player is presented with a substantially unmakable shot, he or she has no recourse but to attempt the shot anyway. This drawback to the enjoyment of the various games has hindered development of billiard-type games, but the prior art, considered as a whole, neither teaches nor suggests how the shortcomings of the art might be overcome.


A data network storing data relating to work done by vendors for clients is described. The network includes two or more servers, each server containing (1) an exhaustive vendor data base that contains client-independent vendor data for every vendor, and (2) one or more individual client databases, each containing client information for a single client. The exhaustive vendor data base is replicated between the servers, and the client information for each client is contained by one individual client data base on one server.

It may be desirable for a client of a vendor, such as a law firm, to track work done for the client by the vendor. In particular, it may be useful for a number of clients to use a common service to track work done by a number of different vendors, in a model where each client pays to use the service to track work done for the client by one or more vendors.
Such a service may be implemented using a client-centric data model, in which the service provides a separate database or instance of the service for each client's work. For a particular client, the client's database contains information about the client's projects, and each of the vendors engaged to work on these projects. For example, a client's database may contain information such as the following for two or more different vendors: the vendor's name, contact information for the vendor, and user information for the vendor. Much or possibly all of the information in a client's database might have to be manually entered by the client.
This client-centric data model has several possible disadvantages. As one example, where a particular vendor is engaged to work for three different clients, the vendor information must be separately entered (bye either the vendor or the applicable client) in each database or instance of the service. Such data entry is redundant, and can create inconsistencies between the vendor information stored for the same vendor in different client databases, such as where (i) the information in one of the client's databases or instances of the service might have been entered incorrectly; (ii) one of the client's information about the vendor may have been inaccurate or out-of-date information, and such inaccurate information was therefore entered into the client's database or instance of the service; or (iii) information may have been initially entered correctly, but later becomes out-of-date (e.g., an attorney at a law firm leaves the law firm, and the law firm remembers to delete or deactivate the attorney in client #1's database but not in other client's databases). Moreover, where the vendor data stored for the same vendor in different client databases or instances of the service is inconsistent, the merging of this vendor with another vendor may require significant manual effort to reflect the merger in each client database containing vendor information for either of the two vendors.
Also, where a single vendor user is designated to maintain data for two or more different clients, the user may be required to maintain a different set of user credentials for each of these multiple clients and log on to the service separately to maintain data for each of the multiple clients. Such requirements may impose significant burdens on vendor users.
Alternatively, to avoid the disadvantages of a client-centric data model, a service could be implemented using a client-commingled data model, in which the service combines the information about multiple clients' projects and their vendors' information in one database. Using the client-commingled data model, a single instance of a particular vendor's information could be maintained for all clients that are using the service, so that the particular vendor's information would not have to be redundantly entered for multiple clients, and the particular vendor's information would be consistent for all clients who are using the service.
This client-commingled data model, however, also has several possible disadvantages. As one example, if clients' projects contain potential confidential data, the client-commingled data model creates potential security weaknesses. The ability to ensure that only client #1 users see information about client #1 projects (or in other words that other clients' users cannot see information about client #1 projects) is dependant on the code comprising the client-commingled data model not having any errors or bugs that could allow other clients' users (or unauthorized vendor users) to see information about client #1's projects, or accidentally cause clients' information to be commingled. Since all code has varying amounts bugs and errors, this model does not offer the security of other models, such as a model that maintains information about each client's project in a separate database and does not allow cross-database queries and routines. Scalability can be another potential disadvantage of the client-commingled data model. For example, as the number of clients, client projects, and vendors increases in a single database, the processing speed of the service may be degraded.
In view of the disadvantages of the client-centric data model and the client-commingled data model discussed above, an improved data model that overcame some or all of these disadvantages would have significant utility.

Vendor/client information system architecture


A content playback apparatus (100) includes: a viewing target content obtaining unit (20) obtaining the viewing target content; a viewer detecting unit (10) detecting a first viewer who views the viewing target content played back by the content playback apparatus; a viewer content selecting unit (204) selecting, from among viewer contents, a viewer content having a matching degree higher than a predetermined threshold, the matching degree indicating an amount of common points between the first viewer detected by the viewer detecting unit and a second viewer who views a same content as the viewing target content under temporally or spatially a different condition, and each of the viewer contents including information of video or sound of the second viewer; and a content playback unit (30) playing back the viewing target content obtained by the viewing target content obtaining unit and the viewer content selected by the viewer content selecting unit.

In recent years, the sizes of television screens or displays of personal computers have been increasing, and projectors or screens on which the projectors project images have been achieving higher functionality. Accordingly, contents can be displayed larger easily in households, or contents, text, related information of the contents, and others can be displayed simultaneously using sub-screens. Popularization of digital or video cameras enable viewers to create contents easily by recording daily occurrence and events by themselves. In addition, the environment for enabling viewers to simultaneously view these personal contents easily by displaying the contents on large-screen televisions or screens has been put in place.
Furthermore, apparatuses that record states of viewers who are viewing original contents and display the recorded states as new contents, together with the original contents are being developed to improve the entertainment effects, such as facilitating the communication between the viewers and recording the memory of the original contents for the viewers.
For example, systems that record states of behaviors of viewers who are viewing contents and display the behaviors together with the contents are being developed. When viewers view a content, the viewers tell their thoughts and ideas to the content, and when the viewers themselves are in a place where the content is being captured, the viewers tell the memory associated with the occurrence during the time when the content is being captured. Furthermore, when the viewers enjoy and are excited, they smile. When they want to tell something or receive attention, they use gestures or finger pointing.
During viewing of a content, conversations, facial expressions, attitudes, and others represent the viewers' ideas to the content. Thus, such communication between viewers can be probably used as metadata of a content of vital use. Thus, communication between viewers is recorded as content metadata and the recorded content metadata is played back together with an original content, so that a new content will be created to improve the entertainment effect of the content.
Examples of such apparatuses include an apparatus that records video of a viewer upon detection of a cheer of the viewer, and plays back a composite content of the viewer when the original video is played back (for example, see PTL 1).
Furthermore, there is an apparatus that captures images of states of a viewer when each of a volume of a playback content, a pitch of a sound, brightness of video, and toning is changed by a fixed value or larger (for example, see PTL 2).
Furthermore, there is a system that provides metadata or generates a slide show with narration, by recording behaviors of viewers when the viewers view a photographic slide show and playing back the recorded content in association with the slide show (for example, see NPL 1).

Content playback apparatus, content playback method, program, and integrated circuit

Panasonic Intellectual Property Corporation of America