A dielectrophoretic display is shifted from a low frequency closed state to a high frequency open state via at least one, and preferably several, intermediate frequency states; the use of such multiple frequency steps reduces flicker during the transition. A second type of dielectrophoretic display has a light-transmissive electrode through which the dielectrophoretic medium can be viewed and a conductor connected to the light-transmissive electrode at several points to reduce voltage variations within the light-transmissive electrode.

This invention relates to methods for driving electrophoretic displays using dielectrophoretic forces. More specifically, this invention relates to driving methods for switching particle-based electrophoretic displays between various optical states using electrophoretic and dielectrophoretic forces. The displays of the present invention may either be shutter mode displays (as the term is defined below) or light modulators, that is to say to variable transmission windows, mirrors and similar devices designed to modulate the amount of light or other electro-magnetic radiation passing therethrough; for convenience, the term "light" will normally be used herein, but this term should be understood in a broad sense to include electro-magnetic radiation at non-visible wavelengths. For example, as mentioned below, the present invention may be applied to provide windows which can modulate infra-red radiation for controlling temperatures within buildings. More specifically, this invention relates to electro-optic displays and light modulators which use particle-based electrophoretic media to control light modulation.
The term "gray state" is used herein in its conventional meaning in the imaging art to refer to a state intermediate two extreme optical states of a pixel, and does not necessarily imply a black-white transition between these two extreme states. For example, several of the patents and published applications referred to below describe electrophoretic displays in which the extreme states are white and deep blue, so that an intermediate "gray state" would actually be pale blue. Indeed, the transition between the two extreme states may not be a color change at all, but may be a change in some other optical characteristic of the display, such as optical transmission, reflectance, luminescence or, in the case of displays intended for machine reading, pseudo-color in the sense of a change in reflectance of electromagnetic wavelengths outside the visible range.
The terms "bistable" and "bistability" are used herein in their conventional meaning in the art to refer to displays comprising display elements having first and second display states differing in at least one optical property, and such that after any given element has been driven, by means of an addressing pulse of finite duration, to assume either its first or second display state, after the addressing pulse has terminated, that state will persist for at least several times, for example at least four times, the minimum duration of the addressing pulse required to change the state of the display element. It is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 7,170,670 that some particle-based electrophoretic displays capable of gray scale are stable not only in their extreme black and white states but also in their intermediate gray states, and the same is true of some other types of electro-optic displays. This type of display is properly called "multi-stable" rather than bistable, although for convenience the term "bistable" may be used herein to cover both bistable and multi-stable displays.
The term "impulse" is used herein in its conventional meaning of the integral of voltage with respect to time. However, some bistable electro-optic media act as charge transducers, and with such media an alternative definition of impulse, namely the integral of current over time (which is equal to the total charge applied) may be used. The appropriate definition of impulse should be used, depending on whether the medium acts as a voltage-time impulse transducer or a charge impulse transducer.
Particle-based electrophoretic displays, in which a plurality of charged particles move through a fluid under the influence of an electric field, have been the subject of intense research and development for a number of years. Electrophoretic displays can have attributes of good brightness and contrast, wide viewing angles, state bistability, and low power consumption when compared with liquid crystal displays. Nevertheless, problems with the long-term image quality of these displays have prevented their widespread usage. For example, particles that make up electrophoretic displays tend to settle, resulting in inadequate service-life for these displays.
As noted above, electrophoretic media require the presence of a fluid. In most prior art electrophoretic media, this fluid is a liquid, but electrophoretic media can be produced using gaseous fluids; see, for example, Kitamura, T., et al., "Electrical toner movement for electronic paper-like display", IDW Japan, 2001, Paper HCS1-1, and Yamaguchi, Y, et al., "Toner display using insulative particles charged triboelectrically", IDW Japan, 2001, Paper AMD4-4). See also U.S. Patent Publication No. 2005/0001810; European Patent Applications 1,462,847; 1,482,354; 1,484,635; 1,500,971; 1,501,194; 1,536,271; 1,542,067; 1,577,702; 1,577,703; and 1,598,694; and International Applications WO 2004/090626; WO 2004/079442; and WO 2004/001498. Such gas-based electrophoretic media appear to be susceptible to the same types of problems due to particle settling as liquid-based electrophoretic media, when the media are used in an orientation which permits such settling, for example in a sign where the medium is disposed in a vertical plane. Indeed, particle settling appears to be a more serious problem in gas-based electrophoretic media than in liquid-based ones, since the lower viscosity of gaseous suspending fluids as compared with liquid ones allows more rapid settling of the electrophoretic particles.
Numerous patents and applications assigned to or in the names of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and E Ink Corporation have recently been published describing encapsulated electrophoretic media. Such encapsulated media comprise numerous small capsules, each of which itself comprises an internal phase containing electrophoretically-mobile particles suspended in a liquid suspending medium, and a capsule wall surrounding the internal phase. Typically, the capsules are themselves held within a polymeric binder to form a coherent layer positioned between two electrodes. Encapsulated media of this type are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,930,026; 5,961,804; 6,017,584; 6,067,185; 6,118,426; 6,120,588; 6,120,839; 6,124,851; 6,130,773; 6,130,774; 6,172,798; 6,177,921; 6,232,950; 6,249,271; 6,252,564; 6,262,706; 6,262,833; 6,300,932; 6,312,304; 6,312,971; 6,323,989; 6,327,072; 6,376,828; 6,377,387; 6,392,785; 6,392,786; 6,413,790; 6,422,687; 6,445,374; 6,445,489; 6,459,418; 6,473,072; 6,480,182; 6,498,114; 6,504,524; 6,506,438; 6,512,354; 6,515,649; 6,518,949; 6,521,489; 6,531,997; 6,535,197; 6,538,801; 6,545,291; 6,580,545; 6,639,578; 6,652,075; 6,657,772; 6,664,944; 6,680,725; 6,683,333; 6,704,133; 6,710,540; 6,721,083; 6,724,519; 6,727,881; 6,738,050; 6,750,473; 6,753,999; 6,816,147; 6,819,471; 6,822,782; 6,825,068; 6,825,829; 6,825,970; 6,831,769; 6,839,158; 6,842,167; 6,842,279; 6,842,657; 6,864,875; 6,865,010; 6,866,760; 6,870,661; 6,900,851; 6,922,276; 6,950,200; 6,958,848; 6,967,640; 6,982,178; 6,987,603; 6,995,550; 7,002,728; 7,012,600; 7,012,735; 7,023,420; 7,030,412; 7,030,854; 7,034,783; 7,038,655; 7,061,663; 7,071,913; 7,075,502; 7,075,703; 7,079,305; 7,106,296; 7,109,968; 7,110,163; 7,110,164; 7,116,318; 7,116,466; 7,119,759; 7,119,772; 7,148,128; 7,167,155; 7,170,670; 7,173,752; 7,176,880; 7,180,649; 7,190,008; 7,193,625; 7,202,847; 7,202,991; 7,206,119; 7,223,672; 7,230,750; 7,230,751; 7,236,790; and 7,236,792; and U.S. Patent Applications Publication Nos. 2002/0060321; 2002/0090980; 2003/0011560; 2003/0102858; 2003/0151702; 2003/0222315; 2004/0094422; 2004/0105036; 2004/0112750; 2004/0119681; 2004/0136048; 2004/0155857; 2004/0180476; 2004/0190114; 2004/0196215; 2004/0226820; 2004/0257635; 2004/0263947; 2005/0000813; 2005/0007336; 2005/0012980; 2005/0017944; 2005/0018273; 2005/0024353; 2005/0062714; 2005/0067656; 2005/0099672; 2005/0122284; 2005/0122306; 2005/0122563; 2005/0134554; 2005/0151709; 2005/0152018; 2005/0156340; 2005/0179642; 2005/0190137; 2005/0212747; 2005/0213191; 2005/0219184; 2005/0253777; 2005/0280626; 2006/0007527; 2006/0024437; 2006/0038772; 2006/0139308; 2006/0139310; 2006/0139311; 2006/0176267; 2006/0181492; 2006/0181504; 2006/0194619; 2006/0197736; 2006/0197737; 2006/0197738; 2006/0202949; 2006/0223282; 2006/0232531; 2006/0245038; 2006/0256425; 2006/0262060; 2006/0279527; 2006/0291034; 2007/0035532; 2007/0035808; 2007/0052757; 2007/0057908; 2007/0069247; 2007/0085818; 2007/0091417; 2007/0091418; 2007/0097489; 2007/0109219; 2007/0128352; and 2007/0146310; and International Applications Publication Nos. WO 00/38000; WO 00/36560; WO 00/67110; and WO 01/07961; and European Patents Nos. 1,099,207 B1; and 1,145,072 B1.
Known electrophoretic media, both encapsulated and unencapsulated, can be divided into two main types, referred to hereinafter for convenience as "single particle" and "dual particle" respectively. A single particle medium has only a single type of electrophoretic particle suspended in a suspending medium, at least one optical characteristic of which differs from that of the particles. (In referring to a single type of particle, we do not imply that all particles of the type are absolutely identical. For example, provided that all particles of the type possess substantially the same optical characteristic and a charge of the same polarity, considerable variation in parameters such as particle size and electrophoretic mobility can be tolerated without affecting the utility of the medium.) When such a medium is placed between a pair of electrodes, at least one of which is transparent, depending upon the relative potentials of the two electrodes, the medium can display the optical characteristic of the particles (when the particles are adjacent the electrode closer to the observer, hereinafter called the "front" electrode) or the optical characteristic of the suspending medium (when the particles are adjacent the electrode remote from the observer, hereinafter called the "rear" electrode, so that the particles are hidden by the suspending medium).
A dual particle medium has two different types of particles differing in at least one optical characteristic and a suspending fluid which may be uncolored or colored, but which is typically uncolored. The two types of particles differ in electrophoretic mobility; this difference in mobility may be in polarity (this type may hereinafter be referred to as an "opposite charge dual particle" medium) and/or magnitude. When such a dual particle medium is placed between the aforementioned pair of electrodes, depending upon the relative potentials of the two electrodes, the medium can display the optical characteristic of either set of particles, although the exact manner in which this is achieved differs depending upon whether the difference in mobility is in polarity or only in magnitude. For ease of illustration, consider an electrophoretic medium in which one type of particles is black and the other type white. If the two types of particles differ in polarity (if, for example, the black particles are positively charged and the white particles negatively charged), the particles will be attracted to the two different electrodes, so that if, for example, the front electrode is negative relative to the rear electrode, the black particles will be attracted to the front electrode and the white particles to the rear electrode, so that the medium will appear black to the observer. Conversely, if the front electrode is positive relative to the rear electrode, the white particles will be attracted to the front electrode and the black particles to the rear electrode, so that the medium will appear white to the observer.
It should be noted that opposite charge "dual particle" media may contain more than two types of particle. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,232,950 illustrates, in FIGS. 6-9C, an opposite charge encapsulated triple particle system having three differently colored types of particles in the same capsule; this patent also describes driving methods which enable the capsule to display the colors of the three types of particles. Even more types of particles may be present; it has been found empirically that up to five different types of particles can usefully be present in such displays. For purposes of the present application, such multi-particle media are regarded as sub-species of dual particle media.
If the two types of particles have charges of the same polarity, but differ in electrophoretic mobility (this type of medium may hereinafter to referred to as a "same polarity dual particle" medium), both types of particles will be attracted to the same electrode, but one type will reach the electrode before the other, so that the type facing the observer differs depending upon the electrode to which the particles are attracted. For example suppose the previous illustration is modified so that both the black and white particles are positively charged, but the black particles have the higher electrophoretic mobility. If now the front electrode is negative relative to the rear electrode, both the black and white particles will be attracted to the front electrode, but the black particles, because of their higher mobility will reach it first, so that a layer of black particles will coat the front electrode and the medium will appear black to the observer. Conversely, if the front electrode is positive relative to the rear electrode, both the black and white particles will be attracted to the rear electrode, but the black particles, because of their higher mobility will reach it first, so that a layer of black particles will coat the rear electrode, leaving a layer of white particles remote from the rear electrode and facing the observer, so that the medium will appear white to the observer: note that this type of dual particle medium requires that the suspending fluid be sufficiently transparent to allow the layer of white particles remote from the rear electrode to be readily visible to the observer. Typically, the suspending fluid in such a display is not colored at all, but some color may be incorporated for the purpose of correcting any undesirable tint in the white particles seen therethrough.
Both single and dual particle electrophoretic displays may be capable of intermediate gray states having optical characteristics intermediate the two extreme optical states already described.
Also, many of the aforementioned patents and applications recognize that the walls surrounding the discrete microcapsules in an encapsulated electrophoretic medium could be replaced by a continuous phase, thus producing a so-called "polymer-dispersed electrophoretic display", in which the electrophoretic medium comprises a plurality of discrete droplets of an electrophoretic fluid and a continuous phase of a polymeric material, and that the discrete droplets of electrophoretic fluid within such a polymer-dispersed electrophoretic display may be regarded as capsules or microcapsules even though no discrete capsule membrane is associated with each individual droplet; see for example, the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 6,866,760. Accordingly, for purposes of the present application, such polymer-dispersed electrophoretic media are regarded as sub-species of encapsulated electrophoretic media.
A related type of electrophoretic display is a so-called "microcell electrophoretic display". In a microcell electrophoretic display, the charged particles and the fluid are not encapsulated within microcapsules but instead are retained within a plurality of cavities formed within a carrier medium, typically a polymeric film. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,672,921 and 6,788,449, both assigned to Sipix Imaging, Inc.
Although electrophoretic media are often opaque (since, for example, in many electrophoretic media, the particles substantially block transmission of visible light through the display) and operate in a reflective mode, many electrophoretic displays can be made to operate in a so-called "shutter mode" in which one display state is substantially opaque and one is light-transmissive. See, for example, the aforementioned U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,130,774 and 6,172,798, and 5,872,552; 6,144,361; 6,271,823; 6,225,971; and 6,184,856. Dielectrophoretic displays, which are similar to electrophoretic displays but rely upon variations in electric field strength, can operate in a similar mode; see U.S. Pat. No. 4,418,346. Other types of electro-optic displays may also be capable of operating in shutter mode.
An encapsulated electrophoretic display typically does not suffer from the clustering and settling failure mode of traditional electrophoretic devices and provides further advantages, such as the ability to print or coat the display on a wide variety of flexible and rigid substrates. (Use of the word "printing" is intended to include all forms of printing and coating, including, but without limitation: pre-metered coatings such as patch die coating, slot or extrusion coating, slide or cascade coating, curtain coating; roll coating such as knife over roll coating, forward and reverse roll coating; gravure coating; dip coating; spray coating; meniscus coating; spin coating; brush coating; air knife coating; silk screen printing processes; electrostatic printing processes; thermal printing processes; ink jet printing processes; electrophoretic deposition (See US Patent Publication No. 2004/0226820); and other similar techniques.) Thus, the resulting display can be flexible. Further, because the display medium can be printed (using a variety of methods), the display itself can be made inexpensively.
One potentially important application of shutter mode displays is as light modulators, that is to say to variable transmission windows, mirrors and similar devices designed to modulate the amount of light or other electro-magnetic radiation passing therethrough. For example, the present invention may be applied to provide windows which can modulate infra-red radiation for controlling temperatures within buildings.
As discussed in the aforementioned 2005/0213191, one potentially important market for electrophoretic media is windows with variable light transmission. As the energy performance of buildings and vehicles becomes increasingly important, electrophoretic media could be used as coatings on windows to enable the proportion of incident radiation transmitted through the windows to be electronically controlled by varying the optical state of the electrophoretic media. Such electronic control can supersede "mechanical" control of incident radiation by, for example, the use of window blinds. Effective implementation of such electronic "variable-transmissivity" ("VT") technology in buildings is expected to provide (1) reduction of unwanted heating effects during hot weather, thus reducing the amount of energy needed for cooling, the size of air conditioning plants, and peak electricity demand; (2) increased use of natural daylight, thus reducing energy used for lighting and peak electricity demand; and (3) increased occupant comfort by increasing both thermal and visual comfort. Even greater benefits would be expected to accrue in an automobile, where the ratio of glazed surface to enclosed volume is significantly larger than in a typical building. Specifically, effective implementation of VT technology in automobiles is expected to provide not only the aforementioned benefits but also (1) increased motoring safety, (2) reduced glare, (3) enhanced mirror performance (by using an electro-optic coating on the mirror), and (4) increased ability to use heads-up displays. Other potential applications include of VT technology include privacy glass and glare-guards in electronic devices.
This invention seeks to provide improved drive schemes for electrophoretic displays using electrophoretic and dielectrophoretic forces. This invention is particularly, although not exclusively, intended for use in such displays used as light modulators.
Hitherto, relatively little consideration appears to have been given to the exact manner in which the electrophoretic particles move when electrophoretic shutter mode displays, including light modulators, move between their open and closed optical states. As discussed in the aforementioned 2005/0213191, the open state is brought about by field dependent aggregation of the electrophoretic particles; such field dependent aggregation may take the form of dielectrophoretic movement of electrophoretic particles to the lateral walls of a capsule or microcell, or "chaining", i.e., formation of strands of electrophoretic particles within the capsule or microcell, or possibly in other ways. Regardless of the exact type of aggregation achieved, such field dependent aggregation of the electrophoretic particles causes the particles to occupy only a small proportion of the viewable area of each capsule or microcell, as seen looking perpendicular to the viewing surface through which an observer views the medium. Thus, in the transparent state, the major part of the viewable area of each capsule or microcell is free from electrophoretic particles and light can pass freely therethrough. In contrast, in the opaque state, the electrophoretic particles are distributed throughout the whole viewable area of each capsule or microcell (the particles may be uniformly distributed throughout the volume of the suspending fluid or concentrated in a layer adjacent one major surface of the electrophoretic layer), so that no light can pass therethrough.
The aforementioned 2006/0038772 describes various methods for driving dielectrophoretic displays. In particular, this publication describes a method for operating a dielectrophoretic display, the method comprising providing a substrate having walls defining at least one cavity, the cavity having a viewing surface; a fluid contained within the cavity; and a plurality of at least one type of particle within the fluid; and applying to the substrate an electric field effective to cause dielectrophoretic movement of the particles so that the particles occupy only a minor proportion of the viewing surface.
This publication also describes a method for operating a dielectrophoretic display, the method comprising providing a dielectrophoretic medium comprising a fluid and a plurality of at least one type of particle within the fluid; applying to the medium an electric field having a first frequency, thereby causing the particles to undergo electrophoretic motion and producing a first optical state; and applying to the medium an electric field having a second frequency higher than the first frequency, thereby causing the particles to undergo dielectrophoretic motion and producing a second optical state different from the first optical state. This method is referred to as the "varying frequency" method. In such a method, the first frequency may be not greater than about 10 Hz and the second frequency may be at least about 100 Hz. Conveniently, the electric fields have substantially the form of square waves or sine waves, though other waveforms can of course be used. It may be advantageous for the second frequency electric field to have a larger magnitude than the first frequency electric field.
In this varying frequency method, it may be advisable to apply the second frequency electric field in an "interrupted manner" with two or more periods of application of the second frequency electric field separated by one or more periods in which no electric field, or a waveform different from that of the second frequency electric field, is applied. Thus, in one form of the varying frequency method, the application of the second frequency electric field is effected by: applying the second frequency electric field for a first period; thereafter applying zero electric field for a period; and thereafter applying the second frequency electric field for a second period. In another form of the varying frequency method, the application of the second frequency electric field is effected by: applying the second frequency electric field for a first period at a first amplitude; thereafter applying the second frequency electric field for a period at a second amplitude less than the first amplitude; and thereafter applying the second frequency electric field for a second period at the first amplitude. In a third form of the varying frequency method, the application of the second frequency electric field is effected by: applying the second frequency electric field for a first period; thereafter applying for a period an electric field having a frequency less than the second frequency; and thereafter applying the second frequency electric field for a second period.
This publication also describes a method for operating a dielectrophoretic display, the method comprising: providing a dielectrophoretic medium comprising a fluid and a plurality of at least one type of particle within the fluid; applying to the medium an electric field having a high amplitude, low frequency component and a low amplitude, high frequency component, thereby causing the particles to undergo electrophoretic motion and producing a first optical state; and applying to the medium an electric field having a low amplitude, low frequency component and a high amplitude, high frequency component, thereby causing the particles to undergo dielectrophoretic motion and producing a second optical state different from the first optical state. This method is referred to as the "varying amplitude" method. In such a method, low frequency components may have frequencies not greater than about 10 Hz and the high frequency components may have frequencies of at least about 100 Hz. The components may have substantially the form of square waves or sine waves.
Consumers desire variable transmission windows with the broadest possible optical transmission range, since this gives the consumer maximum freedom to vary the light level controlled by the variable transmission windows, or conversely the degree of privacy provided by such windows. Since there is usually little difficulty in providing a sufficiently non-transmissive "closed" state of the window (electrophoretic media can readily be formulated to be essentially opaque in this closed state), maximizing the optical transmission range usually amounts to maximizing "open" state transmission for any desired degree of opacity in the closed state. Factors influencing open state transmission include the materials, display construction and production processes used for form the windows, and the methods used to drive the windows to their open and closed states.
As already mentioned the aforementioned 2006/0038772 describes varying frequency drive methods for dielectrophoretic displays in which the display is driven at a first, low frequency, which causes electrophoretic movement of electrophoretic particles, and a second, higher frequency, which causes dielectrophoretic movement of the electrophoretic particles. Such drive methods can cause the electrophoretic particles to form aggregates adjacent capsule, droplet or microcell walls, and/or the formation of chains of electrophoretic particles within the dielectrophoretic medium. It has been found that driving a display to its open state using a constant high drive frequency tends to produce loosely packed aggregates and consequently a less than optimum open state optical transmission. Use of the various methods described in this copending application can produce more closely packed aggregates and hence a more transmissive open state. However, it has now been found that methods which use abrupt large changes in drive frequency may cause an annoying flicker (i.e., rapid changes in optical transmission) visible to an observer of the display.
The aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 7,116,466 and Publication No. 2006/0256425 describe an electrophoretic display comprising: an electrophoretic medium having a plurality of charged particles suspended in a suspending fluid, and two electrodes disposed on opposed sides of the electrophoretic medium, at least one of the electrodes being light-transmissive and forming a viewing surface through which an observer can view the display, the display having a closed optical state in which the charged particles are spread over substantially the entire viewing surface so that light cannot pass through the electrophoretic medium, and an open optical state in which the electrophoretic particles form chains extending between the electrodes so that light can pass through the electrophoretic medium, the display further comprising insulating layers disposed between the electrodes and the electrophoretic medium. This patent and publication state that the display may comprising voltage supply means for applying voltages to the two electrodes, the voltage supply means being arranged to supply both a high frequency alternating current voltage effective to drive the display to its open optical state and a low frequency alternating or direct current voltage effective to drive the display to its closed optical state; the voltage supply means may be arranged to supply at least one intermediate frequency alternating current voltage having a frequency intermediate those of the high frequency alternating current voltage and the low frequency alternating or direct current voltage, the intermediate frequency alternating current voltage being effective to drive the display to a gray state intermediate the open and closed optical states of the display.
The present invention provides a modification of the variable frequency drive method, described in the aforementioned 2006/0038772, which reduces or eliminates this flicker. The modified drive method of the present invention can also improve optical transmission in the open state.
The present invention also relates to modifying the conductors used to connect display electrodes to voltage sources in dielectrophoretic displays.

Methods for driving electrophoretic displays using dielectrophoretic forces


The present invention concerns compounds and their use to treat cell proliferative diseases such as cancer. Compounds of the present invention display significant potency as inhibitors of Jak2/STAT3 pathways and downstream targets and inhibit the growth and survival of cancerous cell lines.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the treatment of cell proliferative diseases such as cancer. More particularly, it concerns caffeic acid and related analogs useful for the treatment of cell proliferative diseases such as cancer, methods of synthesis of these compounds, and methods of treatment employing these compounds.
2. Description of Related Art
The compound AG490 is a kinase inhibitor that inhibits Janus kinase 2/Signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (Jak2/STAT3) signaling pathway. AG490 belongs to a group of compounds defined by the parent natural product caffeic acid and its natural derivatives like caffeic acid benzyl ester.

Targeted inhibition of the Jak2/STAT3 pathway with caffeic acid analogs such as AG490 inhibits tumor cell growth and increases sensitivity to apoptotic stimuli; thus, inhibitors of this pathway likely represent potential therapeutics for cancer therapy (Catlett-Falcone et al., 1999; Alas and Bonavida, 2003; Burdelya et al., 2002). AG490 would not be considered a drug-like molecule due to its instability in biological matrices (blood, tissues, etc) and a lack of potency (Kondo, et al, 2007; Burdelya et al., 2002; Meydan et al., 1996; Constantin et al., 1998). Receptor-based or direct activation of Jak2/STAT3 pathway by such stimulators such as EGF, scr, and IL-6 (multiple interleukins and cytokines) promoting survival proliferation and angiogenesis of human tumors (Bharti et al., Verma et al., Kerr et al.), requires inhibitors more potent and more stable than AG490 to have potential as anti-cancer drugs.
Jak2/STAT3 signaling pathways participate in the progression of a variety of malignancies. STAT3 is constitutively activated in pancreatic carcinoma, glioblastoma multiforme, and squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, among others, and its activation has been shown to affect VEGF expression, angiogenesis, tumor growth, and metastasis in vivo. As such, STAT3 may be an excellent target for drug development (Yu and Jove, 2004). No effective inhibitors are currently available.
AG490, a caffeic acid analog, is sometimes referred descriptively as a tyrphostin. U.S. Pat. No. 6,426,366 and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2003/0013748 describe compounds that have structural similarity with AG490.
AG490, however, has limited activity in animal studies and must be used at high concentrations (˜50 to 100 μM) to achieve inhibition of Jak2/STAT3 signaling and anti-tumor effects. This low potency of AG490 is insufficient to warrant clinical investigation of this compound for the treatment of cancer (Burdelya et al., 2002; Meydan et al., 1996; Constantin et al., 1998). Thus a need exists for therapeutics that exhibit strong anti-proliferative effects through a similar mechanism at lower therapeutic concentrations.

Orally bioavailable caffeic acid related anticancer drugs

The Board of Regents of the University of Texas System


A method includes in a single trip running a completion system having an internal bore into a wellbore that penetrates a formation zone, the completion system having an upper completion connected to a lower completion, setting an isolation packer forming a barrier above the formation zone, displacing the annulus fluid above the set isolation packer and then setting an upper packer thereby providing a completion barrier above the set isolation packer. The annulus fluid may be displaced prior to setting an upper completion packer.

This section provides background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the disclosure. It should be understood that the statements in this section of this document are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.
Hydrocarbon fluids such as oil and natural gas are obtained from a subterranean geologic formation, referred to as reservoir, by drilling a well that penetrates the hydrocarbon-bearing formation. Completion equipment, which may include a complex system of equipment to regulate flow of the fluid, is then installed in the wellbore. In some applications, a lower completion and an upper completion are both deployed downhole into a wellbore. At least two runs, or trips, into the wellbore are often required for purposes of installing the completion equipment. A lower completion is commonly run first to the heel of the wellbore, which may be located furthest from the surface. Subsequent to this run, an upper completion is commonly run into the well to provide the tubing and mechanisms required to connect the lower completion to a hydrocarbon removal point or wellhead location, for example. When the upper completion is in need of service or updating, a workover is sometimes performed by pulling the entire completion. In many of these applications, the well is killed to enable safe retrieval of the completion system.

Single trip completion system and method


A disposable diaper includes a front panel and a rear panel connected to each other, tear-apart zones provided at side edges of a waist region, in which the front and rear panels can be disconnected from each other, fastening members provided on the side of inner surface of the rear panel in a vicinity of the respective tear-apart zones and adapted to reconnect the disconnected front and rear panels to each other and cover members provided on the side of the inner surface of the rear panel so as to cover the tear-apart zones as well as the fastening members.

The present invention relates to a pull-on disposable wearing article.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 1993-317356 (REFERENCE) discloses a pull-on/closed type diaper comprises a pair of fastening strips bonded to transversely opposite side edges of front and rear waist regions so as to extend outward and tear-apart lines provided immediately inside the bonded region in each of the fastening strips along which the front and rear waist regions are disconnected from each other. A distal end of the fastening strip is provided with an engaging region defined by a pressure-sensitive adhesive coated on this distal end or defined by a tape strip provided with a plurality of hooks bonded thereto. This disposable diaper provided with the tear-apart lines and the fastening strips allows the diaper to be used as an open-type diaper after the front and rear waist regions have been disconnected from each other along the tear-apart lines.
While the fastening strips are not actually used before the front and rear waist regions are disconnected from each other along the respective tear-apart lines, there is anxiety that the engaging region might be mischievously contaminated to unworkable condition and/or might come in contact with the wearer's skin and might uncomfortably irritate the wearer's skin.


Methods, apparatus, and processor-readable storage media for automated device power conservation using machine learning techniques are provided herein. An example computer-implemented method includes obtaining usage-related data from one or more processing devices; determining at least one usage pattern for the one or more processing devices by processing the obtained usage-related data using one or more machine learning techniques; automatically generating, based at least in part on the at least one determined usage pattern, instructions pertaining to controlling one or more power states of the one or more processing devices; and performing at least one automated action based at least in part on the generated instructions.

Devices that are only used during discrete periods of time are commonly kept in powered-on states during other periods of time. Additionally, certain devices consume similar amounts of power in a powered-on state regardless of whether the device is in use or not in use. However, conventional power management approaches fail to determine and leverage device-specific usage patterns, thereby creating accuracy problems and leading to premature power conservation actions or avoidable device power failures.

Automated device power conservation using machine learning techniques


A display system is configured to produce a color image formed of a plurality of differently colored images and may include at least one light source that directs light along an optical path, and at least one filter having a given optical filter characteristic. The display system may be selectively operable in a first state in which the optical path does not pass through a first filter during production of the plurality of differently colored images to form a color image having a first optical characteristic, and in a second state in which the optical path passes through the first filter during production of the plurality of differently colored images to form a color image having a second optical characteristic different than the first optical characteristic.

Various techniques for displaying images exist. One such approach is accomplished with the use of digital projectors. Typically, such projectors are configured to have a fixed gamut. In this context, gamut refers to the spectral power distribution of a range of colors, and includes specific color characteristics such as hue, saturation, and intensity or luminance. For such fixed-gamut projectors, it is typical to have a gamut that is either better suited for displaying graphical images, or one better suited for displaying video images. In this respect, a gamut for displaying graphical images may include more brightness (e.g. a higher intensity white point) at the expense of chroma, or color intensity. Conversely, a gamut for displaying video images may include more chroma at the expense of brightness.
Using a single fixed-gamut projector to display both graphical images and video images thus may result in a reduction in the quality of one type of image, or may result in a reduction of quality of both types of images. Therefore, multiple fixed-gamut projectors have sometimes been employed to achieve high-quality display of both still and video images. However, purchasing multiple fixed-gamut projectors is undesirable as such projectors may be expensive. Also, even with multiple fixed-gamut projectors, quality of mixed media images (e.g. graphical images and video images in the same presentation) may suffer.

Selectable color adjustment for image display

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


In a recording device, a playback buffer is provided between a TS decoder and an AV decoder and an internal memory is provided within the AV decoder. This being so, a video frame which is being played precedes a video frame which is being received, by about six frames. This time interval between reception and playback poses a problem when manual recording is performed. To solve the problem, the same video frames which are to be played by the AV decoder are stored in a record buffer. In this way, even if the time interval exists between reception and playback, the currently played video frame and subsequent video frames can be read from the record buffer and written onto an HDD.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a recording device for recording a digital broadcast onto a random-access recording medium such as an HDD or a DVD in compressed form, a recording method used by the recording device, and a computer-readable program that realizes the functions of the recording device. The invention in particular relates to improvements in recording digital broadcast data in response to a user's manual operation.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, television broadcasting has undergone a transition from analog signals to digital signals. This ongoing transition indicates that models which provide support for digital broadcasting will become the dominant form of recording devices. In digital broadcasting, video of a television program is transmitted via a channel in compressed form. Such compressed video takes the form of transport stream (TS) packets. Digital broadcast-ready recording devices record the video onto a recording medium in this TS packet form. Since there is no quantization loss associated with encoding/decoding operations, the recording devices can record the video with high picture quality.
Meanwhile, playback of a television program which is broadcast by digital broadcasting differs from playback of a television program which is broadcast by analog broadcasting on the following point. In digital broadcasting, there is a substantial time interval between reception and playback. That is to say, a video frame which is being played back is a video frame that was received earlier than a video frame which is being received.
This time interval is caused by a buffering delay. In digital broadcast playback systems, TS packets equivalent to a time period of about one second need be accumulated in a buffer to obtain frame data which is to be decoded. This causes a buffering delay, which results in a time interval between reception and playback. This time interval between reception and playback poses a problem when the user performs manual recording. Manual recording refers to an operation of recording data which is triggered by the user's record request. The user performs manual recording while viewing playback of a video frame. The user's intension here is to record the currently-played video frame onward. However, the currently-played video frame was received well before the currently-received video frame due to the above time interval between reception and playback, so that the recording device cannot immediately obtain the currently-played video frame. This being so, the recording device begins recording from the currently-received video frame onward. This causes first several video frames to be missing in the recording. Though the number of missing video frames is not high, this is a serious detriment to the performance of digital broadcast-ready models as compared with analog broadcast-ready models. In analog broadcasting, a video frame which is being played is approximately the same as a video frame which is being received. Therefore, a loss of first several images does not occur when manual recording is performed. A failure of digital broadcast-ready models, which are supposed to be the latest in broadcast recording technology, to achieve the same function as analog broadcast-ready models may lower their popularity on the ground that the performance of digital broadcast-ready models is poorer than that of their analog counterparts. This seriously affects manufacturers' marketing strategies in expectation of replacement demand for digital broadcast-ready models.

Recording device, recording method, and computer-readable program

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


An automatic control valve has a main valve member moveable between open and closed positions thereof in response to pressure applied to a first piston or diaphragm in a first control chamber. The valve member moves to modulate flow through the valve to maintain desired flow conditions. Pilot pressure signals are generated to reflect the flow conditions, usually upstream and downstream from the valve, which signals are processed to generate a control signal which is fed to the first control chamber to control pressure therein. Normal movement of the valve produces wear which causes leakage of the diaphragm or seals oft he piston causing loss of primary control of the valve member which tends to fail "open". This causes an initial rise in flow through the valve which is detected by the pilot pressure signal but because of the leakage, is unable to correct. This prior art problem is avoided by providing a back-up piston or diaphragm which is maintained in an inactive position during normal operation of the valve by the first piston or diaphragm, and thus does not wear. When pilot pressure signals reflect primary control failure, the back-up piston or diaphragm moves to an active position and selectively cooperates with the main valve member to control flow conditions through the valve independently of the first control chamber.

The invention relates to automatic liquid control valves to control liquid flows in many different types of applications, the present invention being particularly related to controlling liquid flows in water supplies and hydrocarbon pipelines.
Automatic control valves have many different applications, such as controlling pressure downstream from the valve, controlling levels in tanks or reservoirs either upstream or downstream from the valve, reducing undesirable effects of pressure surges in supplies due to actuating related valves or pumps, etc. The valves used in this wide range of applications are modulating or throttling valves which throttle flow through the valve to attain a desired pressure drop or flow condition across the valve. Throttling of flow is attained by positioning a main valve member with respect to a complementary valve seat to control size of clearance through the valve, if necessary by essentially continuously varying position of the valve member with respect to the seat. A liquid filled, variable volume control chamber is sealed with a movable partition means, for example a piston with a sliding resilient seal, or a flat or rolling flexible diaphragm, the partition means being coupled to the main valve member to position the valve member in response to pressure within the control chamber. Most of the valves used for these purposes are controlled automatically by use of a pilot pressure system, in which a pilot circuit senses pressures in the flow on an upstream and/or downstream side of the valve, or at some other convenient location depending on the application, for example at the base of a reservoir in which reservoir depth is to be controlled. The pilot system generates at least one type of pressure signal which is processed following conventional techniques and generates a control signal which is fed into the control chamber used to control position of the main valve member.
The sliding piston seals or the flat or rolling diaphragms used to isolate the control chamber from the main flow through the valve are subject to eventual failure due to movement and aging. Failure causes liquid loss from the control chamber, which usually causes the control valve itself to fail "open", that is, the main valve member moves to the full position, which causes flow through the valve to increase, with consequent problems arising upstream or downstream depending on the application of the valve. Because the sliding seals or diaphragm are contained within the valve itself and are not visible from the outside, inspection of the seals or diaphragm without dismantling the valve is usually impossible, and thus there is a tendency to replace the seals or diaphragm prematurely rather than risk failure in normal use. Also, the pilot control systems used to control the valves can fail, for example, due to blockage of a conduit with dirt, or failure of the pilot control valve to control properly, and thus in very critical areas preventative maintenance costs can be considerable.
Some valves are designed to fail "closed" and are termed "fail-safe" valves. While the failure of these valves can prevent damage in some applications, when they fail there is a complete cessation of flow through the valve, which in other applications can aggravate dangerous situations. Other valves use a parallel duplicate or redundant system in which both systems have some duplicating components which are operative simultaneously, and thus are both are subject to wear, usually at the same rate, and thus are likely to fail at approximately similar moments in time.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,199,567 in which the inventors are Kellogg and Crowell, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,762,436 in which the inventor is Clayton, both disclose liquid pressure regulating valves using diaphragms. U.S. Pat. No. 1,157,957, in which the inventor is Phau, also discloses a liquid pressure regulator to control in pressure in storage reservoirs. U.S. Pat. No. 3,930,518, in which the inventors are Fuller and Smith, discloses a valve which is responsive to a differential pressure switch to operate a valve closing system. U.S. Pat. No. 2,523,826, in which the inventor is Henzelman, discloses a back pressure regulator valve, and U.S. Pat. No. 2,329,323, in which the inventor Benz, discloses a ratio regulator for liquified gases and volatile liquids using a pair of diaphragms cooperating with a common shaft. While some of the patents above disclose valves which are for use in similar applications to the present invention, none of them shows a independent backup system which is normally inoperative and therefore not subject to wear, and is only brought into operation upon detection of critical or undesirable flow conditions and, when brought into operation, clearly maintains the desired flow condition.


A glass setting plate for a glass polishing system supports a lower surface of a glass in a glass polishing system for polishing a glass used for liquid crystal displays. The glass setting plate is made of a composite material obtained by molding and curing a mixture of granite particles and thermosetting resin.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a glass setting plate for a glass polishing system, and more particularly to a glass setting plate that supports a lower surface of a glass in a glass polishing system for polishing a glass used for liquid crystal displays.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, it is very important that a glass (or, a glass pane) applied to a liquid crystal display keeps its flatness to a certain level so as to accurately realize images of the liquid crystal display. Thus, fine waviness or unevenness existing on a surface of a float glass formed in a float manner should be removed.
Such a glass polishing process may be classified into so-called 'Oscar' type polishing in which glasses are individually polished one by one, and so-called 'inline' type polishing in which a series of glasses are successively polished. Also, the glass polishing process may be classified into 'single side polishing' in which only one surface of a glass is polished, and 'double side polishing' in which both surfaces of a glass are polished.
In a conventional glass polishing device, while a polishing plate (or, an upper plate) having a polishing pad installed thereto is moved in a horizontal direction and a polishing stage (or, a lower plate or a glass setting plate) having a glass located thereon is rotated, the glass is polished using a polishing slurry freely falling down onto the polishing plate.
However, as a glass to be polished becomes bigger to cope with the tendency that liquid crystal devices are larger, the upper plate serving as a polishing plate and the glass setting plate serving as a polishing stage naturally become bigger. Here, the glass setting plate should have sufficient flatness in order to ensure flatness of a glass pane completely polished. Also, it is important that the glass setting plate has a sufficient rigidity against deformation so as not to cause permanent deformation. In order to meet such requirements, it is urgently demanded to develop a glass setting plate using light and rigid materials.
A conventional glass setting plate for polishing so-called 8th generation glass panes still has a burden on weight (for example, about 10 tons) though it can ensure good rigidity against deformation, because the conventional glass setting plate is generally made of carbon steel.

Glass setting plate for glass polishing system


A housing for an electronic device is disclosed. The housing comprises a first component and a second component separated from the first component by a gap. The housing also includes a first molded element disposed at least partially within the gap and defining at least a portion of an interlock feature, and a second molded element disposed at least partially within the gap and mechanically engaging the interlock feature. The first component, the second component, and the second molded element form a portion of an exterior surface of the housing. A method of forming the housing is also disclosed.

Electronic device housings often include multiple components that are coupled together to form the housing. For example, two or more housing portions may be coupled together to form an outer surface of the housing and to form an interior cavity in which components of the electronic device are housed. For different materials and more complex geometries, existing techniques for coupling housing portions may not be suitable for creating bonds of sufficient strength between components, and may not be capable of producing a surface finish and appearance necessary for exterior surfaces of an electronic device housing.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Coupling structures for electronic device housings


A management device includes an obtaining unit that obtains the attribute data of at least a communication performed among terminal devices in a communication system; a determining unit that performs a predetermined determination operation based on the attribute data obtained by the obtaining unit, and outputs the likelihood of the communication being followed by other communication relevant to the communication; and a communication control unit that, based on the output of the determining unit, controls the period of time during which the terminal devices involved in the communication are able to use the line of the communication system on a priority basis.

The present disclosure relates to a management device, a communication system, and a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium.
In regard to communication systems, a technique is known that mobile stations not involved in communication are prevented from cutting into the line.
For example, in JP H2-202731 A, a technique is disclosed in which a timer for a fixed period of time is set at the end of a call and the calling state is maintained during the activated state of the timer, so that mobile stations not involved in the original call are prevented from cutting into the line.
In JP H2-202731 A, since a timer is set for a fixed period of time, the line is occupied for a certain period of time even after the conversation is over. That leads to a decline in the usage efficiency of the line.
Particularly, when short conversations take place in a frequent manner, the line remains occupied irrespective of the fact that the conversations are over. That might lead to issues in the operation of the communication system.

Management device, communication system, and non-transitory computer-readable recording medium


A modular type heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) utilizes multiple pairs of parallel offset upper headers and into which at least two rows of vertically-oriented tubes are connected also to a lower header. The upper headers in each pair are offset from each other by a distance equal to the overall width of up to four rows of tubes, and the tubes connected to each header of the pair are located on opposite sides of the headers. Also, the adjacent end of each header pair overlap each other by a distance equal 0.5-2 times the spacing between adjacent tubes. The header arrangement and tube configuration of each module provides a generator assembly which is compact and facilitates fabrication and installation of the modular generator assembly.

This invention pertains to heat recovery steam generators, and pertains particularly to modular type steam generators utilizing multiple pairs of parallel offset headers having tubes attached to alternate sides of each pair of upper and lower headers.
Heat recovery steam generators (HRSG) are used to provide efficient utilization of the heat content from exhaust gases of stationary gas turbines, such as used for electrical power generation. By extracting heat from the turbine hot exhaust gas, the HRSG produces steam which is used for various purposes such as for driving steam turbines to produce more electricity or space heating. In such installations, large gas turbines provide a very favorable return on investment. However, large gas turbines require large heat recovery steam generators, which generally exceed maximum dimensional limits for overland shipping of shop manufactured units. Usual alternatives to field construction for such a heat recovery steam generator are not economical, as an important factor in the favorable economics of such gas turbine installations is that the total time from power plant concept to operation should be short and result in a desirable quick return on investment.
Heat recovery steam generators which could be easily assembled from large, shippable size modules would be economically desirable. However, when such units are attempted, many design complications occur requiring field welding of high boiler pressure headers and tubing, or the addition of costly baffles and structural parts which cause resistance to the exhaust gas flow, thereby adding to the uncertainty of operation, reducing reliability, reducing power production from the gas turbine and adding to costs for heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) installation.
Various arrangements of tubular type heat exchangers for steam generators have been previously developed and used. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,336,833 to Badenhausen discloses a conventional waste heat steam generator having multiple vertical parallel tubes each connected to horizontal upper and lower headers. U.S. Pat. No. 2,926,493 to Poole et al discloses a similar steam generator enclosed within a casing for utilizing waste heat from a gas turbine exhaust. Also, U.S. Pat. No. 4,054,107 to Horlitz, Jr. discloses a compact waste heat steam generator system using serpentine shaped tubes arranged for marine type installations. However, the prior art has apparently not provided a waste heat recovery steam generator which utilizes pairs of horizontal parallel offset headers having vertical tubes to provide shippable modules of factory assembled units for efficient, low cost field installation.

Modular heat recovery steam generator having parallel offset headers


A flexible tube for an exhaust pipe for an automobile includes a bellows member (10) corrugated to have alternate ridges (11) and furrows (12) along its outer periphery; outer braids (20) provided to enclose the bellows member (10); fixing caps (30) fitted onto both side ends of the outer braids (20) respectively; and a spring member (40) provided on a circumferential surface of the outer braids (20). The bellows member (10) has lower ridges (13) in its center as well as regular ridges (11) on both sides thereof to more effectively absorb over-vibration of an exhaust system of an automobile and to enhance durability of the bellows member (10).

These days, automobiles tend to have an, increased vibration of engine roll in case of engine starting, abrupt starting and braking of an automobile, or gear shifting, due to increased output of power from the engine.
Further, while driving, depending on road conditions, an exhaust pipe is vibrated.
The exhaust pipe is connected to an engine of an automobile to discharge the exhaust gas, and in an intermediate part between the engine and the exhaust pipe, a flexible tube is provided as a decoupler joint, which is firm and compact enough to absorb and buffer displacements of vibration, load of impact, heat distortion, etc.
As shown in FIG. 1 and disclosed in EP 0410089 A1, a conventional flexible tube includes a bellows member (10) made of metallic material in the form of a corrugated cylinder to absorb stresses due to expansion, contraction or bending thereof, and an interlock member (53) provided inside of the bellows member (10) to absorb stresses due to expansion, contraction, bending, etc. and controlled to be displaced within the limit of elasticity of the bellows member (10), so that the exhaust gas can flow therethrough smoothly and the bellows member (10) can be protected from the exhaust gas in high temperatures.
The conventional flexible tube further includes outer braids (20) enclosing the external surface of the bellows member (10).
With the outer braids (20) surrounding the bellows member (10), both ends of the outer braids (20) are circumferentially compressed with fixing caps (30) and they are spot-welded together for secure attachment.
With the above structure, the conventional flexible tube is connected to the engine at one end and to the exhaust pipe at the other end, thus facilitating the smooth passage of the exhaust gas therethrough and absorbing the impact and stresses generated between the engine and the exhaust pipe through the expansion and contraction of the bellows member (10) and the interlock member (53).
The conventional flexible tube, however, has been designed to be long in its total length to improve the riding comfort of drivers and passengers of the automobile, and accordingly the bellows member (10) was corrugated long enough to have many ridges and furrows.
Accordingly, when over-vibration occurred in the exhaust system, the vibration on the flexible tube increased, in which case the outer braids (20) came into contact with the bellows member (10) intermittently and such contact caused abrasion and noise. Thus, N.V.H. (noise, vibration & harshness) evaluation deteriorated and the durability of the flexible tube became reduced.
In order to solve these problems, the inventor has proposed a flexible tube for an exhaust pipe of an automobile in Korean Patent Application No. 2004-56469.
The proposed flexible tube comprises, as shown in FIG. 2, a bellows member (10) formed in the shape of a hollow cylinder having a predetermined width and length and corrugated to have alternate ridges (11) and furrows (12) along its outer periphery; outer braids (20) woven at predetermined angles and provided at a predetermined distance from the outer periphery of the bellows member (10) to enclose the bellows member (10); fixing caps (30) fitted onto both side ends of the outer braids (20) respectively, so that both side ends of the outer braids (20) can be fixed around both side ends of the bellows member (10); and a spring member (40) having elasticity and provided on a circumferential surface of the outer braids (20) to be closely contacted thereto, whereby the spring member (40) absorbs the over-vibration generated in the exhaust system and promotes the damping effect of the outer braids (30) and the bellows member (10), and thus it cannot only absorb the over-vibration generated in the exhaust system, but also restrain the subsequent amplified over-vibration in the flexible tube.
However, in the above conventional flexible tube, since the bellows member (10) was formed to have no ridges and furrows at a part where the spring member (40) was provided, the vibration generated from the flexible tube itself could be controlled, but the expansion and contraction of the bellows member (10) was not enough to control the vibration and exhaust noise generated while driving.
Further, with the above structure of the conventional flexible tube, since the vibration to be absorbed by the bellows member (10) could not be distributed uniformly but partly concentrated over the bellows member (10), durability of the bellows member (10) remarkably deteriorated.
In addition, the flexible tube was usually constructed in a manner that the impact and vibration generated at both side ends thereof should be transmitted to its central part. However, since the ridges and furrows of the bellows member (10) were not provided partly, the impact and vibration could not be effectively absorbed in the central part of the bellows member (10).

Flexible tube for an exhaust pipe of an automobile


A continuous method using gaseous carbon dioxide or a pressurized flow of liquefied carbon dioxide is described to reduce microbial and/or enzymatic activity in a liquid product. The carbon dioxide is combined with a pressurized flow of the liquid product, or the mixture is pressurized after the mixture is formed. The pressure and temperature in the flow regions are maintained at a level which is sufficient to keep the carbon dioxide in a continuous liquid state, but which does not freeze the liquid product. The pressurized mixture of the carbon dioxide and liquid product flows through a reaction zone for a sufficient time to reduce harmful microorganisms and/or inactivate enzymes and then enters one or more expansion stages wherein the pressure of the mixture flow is sufficiently decreased to vaporize the carbon dioxide for separation from the liquid product. If necessary, heat is applied in at least one of the expansion stages to prevent a freezing of the mixture.

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for the processing of liquids to reduce microbial and/or enzymatic activity therein and, more particularly, to the use of carbon dioxide to achieve reductions of microbial and/or enzymatic activity.
There are many methods for improving the shelf life of liquid products such as orange juice, apple juice, milk, latex paints, peanut butter, soup, etc.
Commercially, thermal methods such as pasteurization are the predominant methods used to improve the shelf life of liquid foods. Ultra-high pressure treatment is also used for liquid foods, but less frequently.
In high pressure treatment facilities, fluids containing microbial contamination are pressurized hydrostatically to kill the majority of the bacteria. In such systems, pressures are created which equal or exceed 30,000 psia and commonly range from 60,000 to 120,000 psia. Such hydrostatic treatment, however, is unsafe because of the very high pressures, is a lengthy process, is batch rather than continuous, and is expensive due to the high capital costs of the required equipment.
Other methods for shelf-life extension of liquids include nuclear irradiation, ultra-violet exposure and application of microwaves. These treatments are expensive and not widely used commercially at present.
High pressure homogenization has been used to increase the shelf life of orange juice and other single-strength citrus juices as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,232,726 to Clark et al. It is disclosed that a citrus juice being processed is subjected to a high pressure of about 15,000 psia, with the result being a significant reduction in biological activity in the juice.
Carbon dioxide has been used to inactivate enzymes in food and reduce microbial populations in fruit juices as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,393,547 to Balaban et al. Balaban et al. describe a method for inactivating enzymes in liquid food products wherein the food is exposed to pressurized carbon dioxide which, in turn, produces a carbonic acid solution with a pH that is sufficiently low to irreversibly inactivate enzymes in the liquid food. The Balaban et al. method is indicated as being applicable to either batch mode or continuous flow mode processing of food. Balaban et al. further indicate that supercritical carbon dioxide is introduced at a rate sufficient to allow enough thereof to dissolve in the food to inactivate the enzymes. After enzymatic inactivation, the food flows to a section where pressure is reduced and the released carbon dioxide may be recycled for repeat usage.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,704,276 to Osajima et al. describes a method for continuous deactivation of enzymes in liquid foodstuffs, using a supercritical form of carbon dioxide. Osajima et al. indicate that the density of the supercritical fluid is less than that of the liquid food and that the supercritical carbon dioxide is injected continuously into the liquid food and is separated therefrom in a later stage of the process. Osajima et al. also indicate that their process deodorizes the liquid food and removes volatile components.
Arreola et al. in xe2x80x9cEffect of Supercritical Carbon Dioxide on Microbial Populations in Single Strength Orange Juicexe2x80x9d, Journal of Food Quality, Volume 14 (1991), pp. 275-284, describe the effect of supercritical carbon dioxide on microbial populations in orange juice. Using a batch process, Arreola et al. concluded that high pressure carbon dioxide treatment resulted in microbial reduction in single strength orange juice, even at low temperatures. Further, they conclude that a combination of high pressure, and shear forces to which the orange juice is subjected during depressurization and lower pH due to temporary formation of carbonic acid may have further inhibitory effects on the normal flora within orange juice. During the processing described in this paper, the minimum temperature utilized was 35xc2x0 C.
It is an object of this invention to provide an improved method and apparatus for reducing microbial and/or enzymatic activity in liquid products.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a method and apparatus for reducing microbial and/or enzymatic activity in liquid products using pressurized carbon dioxide, wherein the processing temperature to which the liquid is subjected does not deleteriously affect the liquid products.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide a continuous flow method and apparatus for reducing microbial and/or enzymatic activity in liquid products using pressurized carbon dioxide.
A continuous method using a pressurized flow of carbon dioxide is described for the reduction of microorganisms present in the liquid product and/or the inactivation of one or more enzymes in a pressurized flow of the liquid product. In one embodiment, the pressure in the flow regions is maintained at a level which is sufficient to keep the carbon dioxide in dense phase, but at a temperature which does not freeze the liquid product. In another embodiment, gaseous carbon dioxide is injected directly into the liquid product, forming a mixture which is thereafter pressurized.
The pressurized mixture of the carbon dioxide and liquid flows through a reaction zone for a sufficient time to reduce harmful microorganisms and inactivate enzymes and then enters one or a plurality of expansion stages wherein the pressure of the mixture flow is decreased sufficiently to allow the separation of carbon dioxide from the liquid product. Heat is applied if necessary, to the extent necessary, in at least some of the expansion stages to prevent a cooling of the mixture flow to the freezing point of the liquid product. If heat is applied, the temperature should preferably be controlled so that the liquid does not exceed a temperature at which deleterious effects are experienced. (Freezing and excessive high temperature can have negative effects on the juice quality. Temperatures over 40xc2x0 C. begin to degrade the product.)
The present invention is contemplated for use with any fluid that may be transported through a conduit, including for example, beverage products such as juices and milk, semi-liquid foods such as mayonnaise, salad dressings, soup and cottage cheese, and other fluids such as paint and sterile injectibles.

Method and apparatus for continuous flow reduction of microbial and/or enzymatic activity in a liquid product using carbon dioxide

University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.


A water-saving valve assembly has a base, a control valve device and a buffer device. The control valve device is mounted in the base. The water-saving valve assembly is mounted on an exit of a water pipe. Users can control the flowing out or stopping of water in the water pipe via the control valve device. The buffer device provides a gradual effect of switching off and can effectively reduce positive and negative pressure waves generated in the water pipe. Noises and damage to the water pipe are also prevented.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a water-saving valve assembly, and more particularly to a water-saving valve assembly having a buffer function.
2. Description of Related Art
A conventional valve assembly is mounted on a top of a tap and has a simple structure. However, a user has to raise his/her hand to switch off the valve assembly located at the top of the tap after washing And this movement wastes water.
In order to resolve the problem of wasting water, an infrared-sensor valve assembly is created. When being washed, hands of a user are placed at a sensing zone to activate the infrared-sensor valve assembly by means of infrared light. After washing, the infrared-sensor valve assembly is automatically switched off because the hands are removed. Therefore, a water-saving effect is achieved. However, the sensing zone is a specific area. Users may have to try many times to make the hands properly placed in the sensing zone and this is inconvenient.
With reference to FIG. 6, a conventional water-saving valve assembly has a sleeve mount 60 and a control valve device 70 mounted in the sleeve mount 60. The water-saving valve assembly is directly mounted on an exit of a water pipe. The control valve device 70 can be pressed down to switch on or off depending on a user's need. This can save water and is convenient in use.
However, water still tends to flow toward the exit when the water-saving valve assembly is switched off. A kinetic energy of the flowing water becomes an elastic energy. Consequently, a series of positive and negative pressure waves are generated and vibrate in the water pipe until the energy is exhausted by friction. This condition causes discordant noises and damage to the water pipe. Because the water pressure is large, a force applied to the control valve device is large to resist the water pressure. The operation is not smooth and inconvenient.
To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention tends to provide a water-saving valve assembly to mitigate the aforementioned problems.


A starting workpiece of a titanium-base alloy having a temperature-composition phase diagram with a beta region and an alpha-beta region separated by a beta transus temperature is processed by first forging the starting workpiece at a first temperature in the beta region to form a billet, thereafter second forging the billet at a second temperature in the alpha-beta region, thereafter third forging the billet at a third temperature in the beta region, thereafter fourth forging the billet at a fourth temperature in the alpha-beta region so that the step of fourth forging accomplishes a reduction in cross-sectional area of from about 5 to about 40 percent, and thereafter ultrasonic testing the billet. The beta-region third forging step combined with a relatively small reduction during the alpha-beta-region fourth forging step produce a microstructure that is conducive to ultrasonic inspection with minimal interference from noise.

Large articles of alpha-beta titanium-base alloys may be produced by casting the titanium alloy into a mold and mechanically working the cast ingot to a smaller size termed a billet. The mechanical working is typically accomplished by forging (although not the forging approach of the present invention) to accomplish the size reduction. After the mechanical reduction, the billet is further shaped, for example by additional forging and/or machining, to the final desired shape.
Large titanium-alloy forgings are often used for aerospace parts which must meet stringent requirements before they may be placed into service. For this reason, between the forging operation and the final shaping operation the billet is inspected ultrasonically to assess whether its quality is suitable for the final processing and eventual service. The ability of the ultrasonic inspection to detect flaws is limited by the noisiness inherent in the ultrasonic testing. In many cases, the noisiness results from interference from the material structure rather than from the testing technique, the electronic capabilities, and similar sources.
Several approaches have been utilized to improve the ultrasonic testing of the billet. In one, the ultrasonic inspection procedures have been improved but are not fully successful in avoiding interference by noise. In another approach, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,277,718, there is a heat treatment after the forging but before ultrasonic inspection. This heat treatment, while improving inspectability, may interfere with the subsequent processing of the billet.
There is a need for an improved approach to the processing of billets of alpha-beta titanium alloys, particularly those billets that are to be subsequently beta-processed after the billet stage. The improved approach should permit ultrasonic inspection of the billets with low interference from noise, and also be compatible with subsequent processing of the billets into articles. The present invention fulfills this need, and further provides related advantages.

Processing of titanium-alloy billet for improved ultrasonic inspectability


Dynamic path steering utilizing automatic generation of user threshold profiles is described. An example of a storage medium includes instructions for obtaining a threshold policy for a first application, the threshold policy including a set of threshold values for operational parameters; generating a migration score for a first user, the migration score based at least in part on a user score for the first user; generating a set of secondary threshold values for the first user based at least in part on the migration score and the set of threshold values; enabling operation of the first application for the first user using a first network uplink; monitoring network parameter values in operation of the first application; and upon detecting an operational parameter value exceeding a secondary threshold value, migrating operation of the first application for the first user from the first network uplink to a second network uplink.

In SD-WAN (Software Defined Wide Area Network) operation, there may be multiple possible network uplinks, such as Internet or MPLS (Multi-Protocol Label Switching) network uplink. Each network uplink may provide differing qualities of service, depending on the current conditions.
In order to provide a best user experience, a particular network uplink of the multiple possible network uplinks may be chosen for an application. In a static policy operation, a selection may be set for a particular user group and a particular application, with, for example, a primary network uplink and a fallback network uplink being established for the user group and application. Under such a static policy, the operation of the application for the users will shift from the primary network uplink to the fallback network uplink upon network conditions deteriorating beyond particular threshold conditions.
However, in a static uplink policy all users in a group would migrate to the fallback network uplink at a same threshold condition. This switching operation may require significant overhead to handle migration of all users when network conditions deteriorate, and may not provide efficient use of the available network links.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP


A boom hose apparatus for a material collection vehicle includes a telescoping boom assembly and a hose assembly supported by the boom assembly. The boom assembly includes a plurality of telescoping conduits. A flexible hose is received through the telescoping conduits and can slidably extend from, or retract into, the conduits independently from the telescoping of the conduits.

Tank trucks for collecting and transporting flowable refuse materials, such as storm drain sewage, septic tank sewage, certain chemical waste, leaves and the like, are typically equipped with a collection tank, a vacuum pump, and an at least partially flexible suction hose having one end connected to the tank and an opposite end (i.e., distal end) including a refuse pick-up nozzle. The suction hose may be supported by an adjustable boom on the truck so that at a site of refuse pick-up, the nozzle may be manipulated and positioned relative to the parked truck. For efficient and safe operations, it is desired to provide the ability to adjust the length of the suction hose between the tank of the truck and the pick-up nozzle.


A system in which first header data, second header data, a first logical array and a second logical array are stored in volatile random access memory. Each array position of the first logical array represents an identifier of a database column value and stores an offset value associated with an array position of the second logical array, and each array position of the second logical array stores a row position of the database column value. A memory size associated with the first header data, the second header data, the first logical array and the second logical array is determined, a first memory block of a non-volatile random access memory is allocated based on the determined memory size, an address of the non-volatile random access memory associated with the allocated first memory block is determined, and a portion of the first header data, a portion of the second header data, a binary copy of the first logical array and a binary copy of the second logical array are written at the address of the non-volatile random access memory.

Non-Volatile Memory (NVM) provides an intermediate alternative between high-performance Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) and cost-effective hard disk drives (HDDs). Generally, the read performance of NVM is similar to DRAM and the write performance of NVM is significantly faster than HDDs. Moreover, NVM is byte-addressable and writes to NVM are durable, so data stored therein may be accessed directly after a crash and restart, as opposed to reloading such data from HDD into DRAM.
Traditionally, data is stored in DRAM in a tree format including a root node and leaves, with DRAM pointers to downstream leaves. To persist the data, the data is written to HDD in the same format. Specifically, the root node and leaves are written into a persistence file as separate binary chunks, with their pointers mapped to account for offsets of bunches of leaves which point to the start of a new data block. A similar persistence format may be used to persist the data in NVM. As a result of this persistence format, the time required to load persisted data from NVM into DRAM is dependent on the volume of persisted data. Also, the storage of pointers in NVM can be problematic since the same data may not be assigned a same address each time it is mapped to virtual space.
NVM has been considered as a medium to persist database tables. In some implementations, each database table partition includes a delta column fragment and a main column fragment for each of its table columns. A main column fragment may include a column vector, a dictionary and data structures such as an "inverted" index mapping dictionary value IDs to positions of the column vector which store each value ID. It is desirable to persist these data structures in and load these data structures from NVM while addressing the shortcomings of conventional persistence methods.

Storage of an inverted index in non-volatile memory


An operating area for a virtual reality system may be defined based on the positions of sensors (e.g., infrared sensors) or fiducial markings within an environment where the virtual reality system is to be operated. The sensors or the fiducial markings may be provided on an operating surface in the form of a carpet, a mat or another like floor covering. When the virtual reality system is to be calibrated prior to use, positions of the sensors or the fiducial markings may be sensed by a base station, a headset or another virtual reality system unit, and an operating area may be defined based on virtual boundaries constructed using such positions.

Virtual reality systems (or "virtual environment systems," or "virtual reality environments") are configured to provide an enhanced graphical experience to users of computers, and to effectively immerse the users within their respective computing environments. Virtual reality systems may include any number of monitors or other displays, as well as one or more motion sensors that may be used to track positions and/or motion of one or more limbs or other body parts. In some instances, virtual reality systems include monitors, displays and/or sensors that may be worn on or about the human body. By rendering visual information in a three-dimensional orientation around a user, and tracking the user's movements or other responses to the rendered information, a virtual reality system may permit the user to physically interact with aspects of a simulated environment from within an actual, real-world environment. Currently, virtual reality systems are used not only in graphical applications such as video games or movies but also in other computing environments or platforms such as for virtual training (e.g., for simulating the performance of expensive or complex tasks such as surgical procedures or military operations), virtual modeling (e.g., for describing planned physical structures, such as physical structures that are under construction) or like applications, with the goal of virtually simulating an actual environment to the maximum extent practicable.
Many virtual reality systems must be calibrated prior to use, with the goal of establishing a space, sometimes called a "play area," surrounded by one or more "virtual boundaries," within an actual environment within which a user may operate while interacting with a simulated environment. In some instances, calibrating a virtual system to establish a play area involves tracking one or more portions of a user's body as the user executes one or more gestures or poses within the actual environment. Virtual boundaries may be defined based on the tracked motion of the user's body which, presumably, does not come into contact with any walls, furniture or other obstacles during a calibration process. Once a play area has been established, a user who is within the play area may be alerted by the virtual reality system when he or she has approached or breached a virtual boundary, and may be prompted to return to the play area accordingly.
Currently, many virtual reality systems are plagued by a number of limitations. For example, a play area typically must be established according to one or more calibration processes each time that a virtual reality system is used in a new location. As virtual reality systems become smaller and more portable, this requirement becomes more and more cumbersome. Additionally, not every virtual reality application requires a play area of the same size. Moreover, most virtual reality systems assume that a floor within a play area is perfectly flat, when this assumption frequently does not coincide with reality.

Defining operating areas for virtual reality systems using sensor-equipped operating surfaces


A method and apparatus for an alternative representation of information that is displayable onto a user interface display screen. The information can be displayed as at least one portion of a data range, such as data representing characteristics of one or more signals over time, while the alternative representation can be displayed in accordance with a set of one or more user selectable magnification attributes associated with the portions of the data range and associated with one or more axis directions relative to a plane of the display screen.

A logic analyzer is typically employed to monitor and visually represent characteristics of one or more signals in a digital manner over time. An oscilloscope is typically employed to monitor and visually represent characteristics of at least one signal in an analog manner over time. Visual representation of signal characteristics is typically communicated via an electronic display screen.


A child swing steering vehicle comprises: a vehicle frame; wheels disposed at the bottom of the vehicle frame; steering wheels disposed in rear or front of the wheels; a steering mechanism to steer the steering wheels when the child's body is tilted to the left or right, the steering wheels are connected to the vehicle frame via the steering mechanism; the steering vehicle further comprising auxiliary wheels; the left and right sides of the vehicle frame are respectively provided with at least one auxiliary wheel; a sum of the number of the wheels and the steering wheels is greater than or equal to three, and the bottom of the wheels and the bottom of the steering wheels are both located in the same plane; when the child swing steering vehicle is turning, the bottom of the auxiliary wheel is located in the plane, thereby enabling a good stability in steering.

In the prior art, a child swing steering vehicle is capable of steering by swinging a body side to side and used for children to ride and play, and can be a child electric vehicle. This kind of child swing steering vehicle capable of steering by swinging a body side to side, generally comprises a vehicle frame, and a front wheel assembly and a rear wheel assembly arranged at the bottom of the vehicle frame, wherein at least one of the front wheel assembly and the rear wheel assembly is connected to the vehicle frame via a steering mechanism, such that when the child tilts the body to the left or right, it allows the vehicle frame to swing relative to the front wheel assembly or the rear wheel assembly to realize steering. However, during the steering process, due to the vehicle frame swings to the left side or the right side relative to the wheels, there is a risk that the vehicle frame swings too much and rolls over, and the vehicle body is not stable enough when steering.


A piezoelectric device includes: a package including a first recessed part provided on a first surface of the package, a second recessed part provided on a second surface of the package, and a penetrating part passing partially from the first recessed part through the second recessed part; a piezoelectric element housed in the first recessed part; a lid disposed on the upper side of the first recessed part; an IC chip disposed and fixed in the second recessed part of the package so as to block a part of the penetrating part; and a sealing part provided to the second recessed part. The IC chip and the sealing part close up the penetrating part and the lid seals the first recessed part air-tightly. A piezoelectric device is provided. The piezoelectric device realizes thickness reduction thereof without undergoing warpage and breakage of an IC chip or a package thereof.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a piezoelectric device.
2. Related Art
Piezoelectric devices are provided with a piezoelectric resonator typified by a quartz crystal resonator, and an oscillation circuit. The piezoelectric devices have conventionally been used as clock frequency sources of various electronic apparatuses such as a personal computer or a mobile communication device.
As electronic apparatuses mounting piezoelectric devices are miniaturized and thinned, the piezoelectric devices are also required to be further miniaturized and thinned. For example, JP-A-3-272207, FIG. 1, pp. 4-6 discloses a piezoelectric device. The piezoelectric device has such structure that an IC chip is disposed in a housing recessed part formed in a package made of ceramic, a piezoelectric element is disposed above the IC chip, and the housing recessed part is sealed air-tightly by a lid.
In the structure of the related art piezoelectric device, it is required to make the IC chip thinner or reduce the thickness of the bottom of the housing recessed part housing the IC chip in order to realize further miniaturization and especially further thickness reduction of the device. However, making the devices thinner causes warpage and breakage of the IC chip or the package. Thus, it is difficult to realize thinner piezoelectric devices in the related art structure.


The present invention provides a method for preparing salidroside. The present invention uses β-glucoside and CoFe2O4 particles to form a cross-linked aggregate capable of effectively catalyzing the reaction of β-D-glucose and tyrosol, thereby increasing the yield of the salidroside. The steps of the preparation method of the present invention are simple and short, and the method is easy to operate and readily applicable to industrial production.

Salidroside, with the chemical name being 2-(4-hydroxy phenyl)ethyl-β-D-glucoside and the CAS being 10338-51-9, is a compound extracted from dried roots and rhizomes or dried whole herb of rhodiola crenulata of crassulaceae plants and has the effects of preventing tumors, enhancing an immunologic function, delaying senescence, resisting fatigue, anoxia and radiation, bidirectionally regulating nerves centralis, repairing and protecting organisms and the like.
At present, the salidroside can be extracted from plants, but the extraction process is tedious and the extraction rate is low. In addition, the salidroside can be synthesized by means of a chemical method and an enzyme catalysis method; however, the chemical synthesis method needs to adopt a chemical reagent, which is high in toxicity and environment-unfriendly. The enzymatic synthesis for the salidroside has the characteristics of mild reaction conditions, high stereoselectivity, simple reaction process, less environmental pollution and the like, and shows certain superiority.
At present, free β-glucosidase is mostly used for synthesizing the salidroside, the stability is poor, and particularly in some organic solvent medium reaction systems with high hydrophilicity, great reduction on the stability and catalytic activity of the free enzymes will be caused. The patent application with the application number of 201711141952.5 discloses a β-glucosidase catalyst, the catalyst is used for catalyzing β-D-glucose and an n-butyl alcohol mechanism to carry out a reverse hydrolysis reaction to synthesize n-butyl-β-D-glucoside, then a glucoside conversion reaction is carried out under the catalysis of the β-glucosidase catalyst by taking the n-butyl-β-D-glucoside as a glycosyl donor to synthesize the salidroside, but the highest yield is only 35%, which is still unsatisfactory.
In view of the above, the present invention provides a method for preparing the salidroside so as to improve the yield of the salidroside.