Systems and methods for calculating a printed area metric indicative of stochastic variations of the lithographic process are disclosed. Lithography is a process that uses light to transfer a geometric pattern from a photomask, based on a layout design, to a resist on a substrate. The lithographic process is subject to random stochastic phenomena, with the resulting stochastic randomness potentially becoming a major challenge. To characterize the stochastic phenomena, a printed area metric may be generated analytically (rather than via simulations) and comprise one or more defined moments for a printed area distribution associated with the printed area that are indicative of one or more aspects associated with printing. For example, the printed area metric may be indicative of the likelihood of printing within the printed area or the variance of printing within the printed area due to stochastic randomness in one or both of exposure or resist process.

Electronic circuits, such as integrated microelectronics, are used in a variety of products, from automobiles to microwaves to personal computers. Designing and fabricating integrated circuits (IC) typically involves many steps, sometimes referred to as a "design flow." The particular steps of the design flow often are dependent upon the type of integrated circuit, its complexity, the design team, and the integrated circuit fabricator or foundry that will manufacture the IC. Typically, software and hardware "tools" verify the design at various stages of the design flow by running software simulators and/or hardware emulators. These steps aid in the discovery of errors in the design, and allow the designers and engineers to correct or otherwise improve the design.
For example, a layout design may be derived from an electronic circuit design. The layout design may comprise an IC layout, an IC mask layout, or a mask design. In particular, the layout design may be a representation of an integrated circuit in terms of planar geometric shapes that correspond to the patterns of metal, oxide, or semiconductor layers, which make up the components of the integrated circuit. The layout design can be one for a whole chip or a portion of a full-chip layout design.
Lithography is a process used to manufacture electronic circuits in which light is used to transfer a geometric pattern from a photomask, based on the layout design, to a silicon substrate by coated by a photo-sensitive resist material (photoresist). One common family of photoresists is composed of entangled polymer chains. The polymer contains certain functional groups which get modified due to chemical reactions caused by exposure to light (deprotection) and hence affects the polymer's solubility during development and thus creating a mask for the subsequent etching process. Various types of lithography processes are used, including deep ultraviolet (DUV) lithography or extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography. In DUV or EUV lithography, one or more stochastic phenomena may manifest themselves, such as line edge roughness or critical dimension (CD) non-uniformity. In more extreme cases, the stochastic phenomena may lead to stochastic pinching or bridging of the patterned features, resulting in potential failure of the electronic circuit.
DUV lithography or EUV lithography may be subject to random stochastic phenomenon based on any one, any combination or all of: (1) photon shot noise; (2) stochastic phenomena in the resist process (e.g., photo-acid generator's (PAG) activation, acids/quencher molecules random walk and reactions, deprotection of the functional groups); or (3) stochastic phenomena in the resist development (e.g., dissolution of entangled partially deprotected polymer chains). While stochastic randomness effects both DUV and EUV lithography, the effects are more severe for EUV lithography due to lower average photon counts, resulting in stochastic randomness being one of the major challenges in EUV lithography.
Stochastic randomness may affect various parts of the layout design, such as features in the layout design intended to be printed and features in the layout design not intended to be printed. Merely by way of example, sub-resolution assist features (SRAFs) and main features may be included in the layout design. SRAFs are the auxiliary features (e.g., dark or bright areas on the photomask) added typically in the vicinity of the main features. The main features are intended to print the element of the integrated circuit on the wafer, usually shaped similarly to the main feature (e.g. a via or a contact hole or an interconnect wire). The SRAFs are designed so that they do not print themselves on the wafer, but help to make the printed main features to be closer to the target shapes and to be less sensitive to the perturbations of the lithographic process parameters (e.g. dose and focus). Examples of SRAFs are disclosed in US Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0240342 A1, US Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0191792 A1, and US Patent Application Publication No. 2019/0266311 A1, each of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety.
Deviations of the lithographic process parameters from their nominal values, such as due to the stochastic perturbation phenomena described in the previous section, may result in SRAF features printing themselves (e.g., sidelobe printing). As a result, unintended printed features may occur on the wafer, resulting in lithographic defects and reducing the yield of the lithographic process of the integrated circuit fabrication. Thus, methodologies seek to determine the likelihood of SRAF printability.
Various methods seek to understand stochastic randomness in order to determine the likelihood of SRAF printability. As one example, experimental measurements are used whereby multiple instances of the pattern of interest are exposed and measured, with identical exposure, development and measurement settings. In particular, multiple instances of the pattern of interest are exposed and their scanning electronic microscope (SEM) images are measured, with identical exposure, development and SEM measurement settings. The SEM measurements results are analyzed to assess the frequency of the SRAF or sidelobe printing in these multiple experimental trials.
As another example, Monte Carlo simulations are performed using stochastic rigorous models of exposure and resist processes. Specifically, multiple simulation runs (e.g., simulation trials) are run with identical exposure, development and simulated metrology settings, differing by the random seed factors used in the stochastic simulator. The outcomes of these random simulation trials are then analyzed to assess the frequency of the SRAF or sidelobe printing in these multiple experimental trials.
As still another example, non-stochastic resist and exposure models may be used with modifications increasing the printability of sidelobes. In particular, for a positive resist, the value of the threshold may be lowered, or the nominal dose can be slightly increased, to cause SRAFs or sidelobe printability. The simulated printed SRAFs or sidelobes are then measured and the likelihood of their printability from stochastic perturbations is judged by the dimensions of the simulated printed SRAFs or sidelobes.
As yet another example, the probability of SRAF or sidelobe printing may be calculated in a certain area. In particular, the calculation may be performed using the stochastic model and the methods described in U.S. application Ser. No. 16/545,601, entitled "Method and System for Calculating Probability of Success or Failure for a Lithographic Process Due to Stochastic Variations of the Lithographic Process", incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

Method and system for calculating printed area metric indicative of stochastic variations of the lithographic process


A system and methods for generating alerts in a terrain awareness and warning system (“TAWS”) in an aircraft, using data acquired from a forward-looking radar The system comprises a forward-looking imaging device, an airport database, a navigation system, a forward-looking terrain alert (“FLTA”) processor, and a crew alerting system. The FLTA processor determines a measured clearance altitude of a highest cell within an area and compares it with a required minimum clearance altitude; if the measured altitude is equal or less than the required altitude, the crew is alerted. Alternatively, a terrain database may be used. with the FLTA processor for determining if the aircraft descends below the minimum operating altitude or is predicted to do so and then generating an alert. A method is disclosed for generating TAWS alerts using elevation angle measured by the forward-looking radar and terrain data retrieved from a terrain database.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains to the field of terrain awareness and warning systems employed in aircraft.
2. Description of the Related Art
Beginning in the early 1970's, a number of studies looked at the occurrence of "controlled flight into terrain" (CFIT)-type accidents, where a properly functioning airplane under the control of a fully qualified and certificated crew is flown into terrain (or water or obstacles) with no apparent awareness on the part of the crew. Findings from these studies indicated that many such accidents could have been avoided if a warning device called a ground proximity warning system ("GPWS") was used. There have been numerous patents issued in the field of GPWS and related art. A sampling of patents issued in the art and related art include U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,839,080; 6,092,009; 6,122,570; 6,138,060; 6,219,592; and 7,145,501.
Advances in technology have permitted vendors and designers of avionics equipment to develop newer type of GPWS that provides greater situational awareness for flight crews. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration ("FAA") has classified such systems as Terrain Awareness and Warning Systems ("TAWS"). The advancement of technologies—more precise navigation systems, increased computer memory storage, and better display technology—have allowed further development of in the common features of TAWS: (1) use of airplane position information from the aircraft's navigation system(s), (2) an onboard terrain database, and (3) a means of displaying the surrounding terrain. Aircraft position information from the aircraft's navigation system is fed to a TAWS computer. The TAWS computer compares the airplane's current position and flight path with the terrain database associated with the system. If there is a potential threat of collision with terrain, the TAWS computer sends warning alerts to the airplane's audio system.
There are scenarios for which TAWS has been implemented. These scenarios may be categorized by the flight operations in which aircraft accidents have occurred: departure operations, enroute operations, and arrival operations. First, departure operations could include accidents in which the aircraft does not climb fast enough to clear a terrain cell of interest and in which a pilot has leveled off before the aircraft has achieved the appropriate altitude to clear the terrain. Second, enroute operations could include accidents associated with level flight into terrain and descending flight into terrain. Third, arrival operations could include accidents associated with premature descents and late level-offs in a step down arrival procedure. The embodiments disclosed herein present novel and non-trivial system and methods which address these scenarios.
While traditional terrain avoidance systems have primarily comprised of acquiring the current position (e.g., latitude and longitude) of an aircraft in flight for a navigation system such as a global navigation satellite system (e.g., global positioning system ("GPS"), retrieving terrain data corresponding to the current position from a terrain database, presenting the terrain information on a display unit in the cockpit of the aircraft, and generating warnings to pilots if specified warning criteria have been met, another source of terrain information may be acquired from a forward-looking radar system. A common example of such system is a weather radar system in which weather information in front and below an aircraft may be acquired and ultimately presented on a display unit.
Forward-looking radar systems installed in aircraft are known to those skilled in the art to produce terrain images often referred to as "ground clutter." While such images are often considered negatively as impairing the quality of the acquired data, the embodiments herein utilize such data to provide an alternate source of terrain information. For instance, the embodiments herein do not require the installation of a terrain database to provide terrain clearance information. In addition, the terrain data received from forward-looking radar systems may be used in conjunction with a terrain database and GPS system to produce a hybrid measurement of terrain data having a higher confidence level than either system can produce separately.

System and method for generating alert signals in a terrain awareness and warning system of an aircraft using a forward-looking radar system


A surgical instrument for performing circumcision includes a hollow body having each of an anterior open end and an axially opposed posterior open end. A dome shaped member is attached to or formed integral with the anterior end of the hollow body and has a generally semispherical shape. At least one aperture is formed through a wall of the dome shaped member and is sized to pass urine therethrough. An elongated handle is centered on the longitudinal axis and has a portion thereof positioned adjacent a juncture with one of the anterior end of the hollow body and the apex of the dome shaped member being weaker than any other portion of the body or the generally dome shaped member, whereby a reciprocation of the elongated handle causes the elongated handle to fracture at the juncture and become detached from the hollow body or the generally dome shaped member.

As is generally well known, a Plastibell surgical instrument is often used to circumcise infant boys. Plastibell surgical instrument essentially includes a conical hollow body with a pair of axially spaced open and a handle attached to one end of the hollow body and designed for fracture and subsequently detachment at juncture therewith. It has been found that Plastibell surgical instruments currently in use, including the one described and taught in U.S. Pat. No. 7,591,824 issued on Sep. 22, 2009 and owned by the inventors of the instant invention, may, due to open ends, slide along the penile member after the handle is detached, potentially causing complications after procedure and/or injury to the infant boy.
Therefore, there is a need for an improved surgical instrument for performing circumcision that prevents sliding motion of the hollow body after the handle has been detached therefrom.


This invention concerns arylsulfonyl pyrazoline carboxamidine derivatives as antagonists of 5-ht6 receptors, to methods for the preparation of these compounds and to novel intermediates useful for their synthesis. The invention also relates to the uses of such compounds and compositions, particularly their use in administering them to patients to achieve a therapeutic effect in parkinson's disease, huntington's chorea, schizophrenia, anxiety, depression, manic depression, psychoses, epilepsy, obsessive compulsive disorders, mood disorders, migraine, alzheimer's disease, age related cognitive decline, mild cognitive impairment, sleep disorders, eating disorders, anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorders, panic attacks, akathisia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, attention deficit disorder, withdrawal from abuse of cocaine, ethanol, nicotine or benzodiazepines, pain, disorders associated with spinal trauma or head injury, hydrocephalus, functional bowel disorder, irritable bowel syndrome, obesity and type-2 diabetes. The compounds have the general formula (1) wherein the symbols have the meanings given in the description.

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine or 5-HT), a key transmitter of the peripheral and central nervous system, modulates a wide range of physiological and pathological functions, mediated through a number of receptor families termed 5-HT1, 5-HT2, 5-HT3, 5-HT4, 5-HT5, 5-HT6 and 5-HT7. Although the functions of the latter three are less well understood than those of the others, it is generally accepted that compounds which selectively interfere with 5-HT-mediated signal transduction are important novel drug targets.
The rat 5-HT6 receptor was cloned by two different groups (Ruat, 1993; Sebben, 1994), and that of the human, sharing a 89% sequence identity, shortly thereafter (Kohen, 1996). Much of the recent interest in the 5-HT6 receptor is because several psychotropic agents are high affinity antagonists at the human 5-HT6 receptor (Kohen, 1996; Roth, 1994). These compounds include amitriptyline (Ki=65 nM) and the atypical antipsychotics clozapine (Ki=9.5 nM), olanzapine (Ki=10 nM), and quetiapine (Ki=33 nM). None of these compounds, however, is selective. The first selective 5-HT6 receptor antagonists reported are Ro 04-6790 and Ro 63-0563. Their usefulness is limited by their moderate affinity (Ki=50 nM and 12 nM, respectively) and poor pharmacokinetics (Sleight, 1998). With the recent development of the selective 5-HT6 receptor antagonists Ro-04-6790 and SB-271046, there have been several reports on the activity of these compounds in models of cognitive function. SB-271046 improved performance in the Morris water maze (Rogers, 1999). These results are consistent with the finding that chronic intracerebroventricular administration of antisense oligonucleotides directed toward the 5-HT6 receptor sequence led to improvements in some measures of performance in the Morris water maze (Bentley, 1999b). Recently, the effect of 5-HT6 antagonists and 5-HT6 antisense oligonucleotides to reduce food intake in rats has been reported (Bentley, 1997; Bentley, 1999a; Woolley, 2001). Obesity is a condition characterized by an increase in body fat content resulting in excess body weight above accepted norms. Obesity is the most important nutritional disorder in the western world and represents a major health problem in all industrialized countries. This disorder leads to increased mortality due to increased incidences of diseases such as cardiovascular disease, digestive disease, respiratory disease, cancer and type-2 diabetes.
5-HT6 selective ligands have been identified as potentially useful in the treatment or prophylaxis of certain disorders of the central nervous system such as Parkinson's disease, Huntington's chorea and/or schizophrenia, anxiety, depression, manic depression, psychoses, epilepsy, obsessive compulsive disorders, mood disorders, migraine, Alzheimer's disease (enhancement of cognitive memory), age related cognitive decline, mild cognitive impairment, neurodegenerative diseases characterized by impaired neuronal growth, sleep disorders, feeding disorders such as anorexia and bulimia, binge eating disorders, panic attacks, akathisia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), attention deficit disorder (ADD), withdrawal from drug abuse such as cocaine, ethanol, nicotine and benzodiazepines, and pain, and also disorders associated with spinal trauma and/or head injury such as hydrocephalus. 5-HT6 selective ligands are also expected to be of use in the treatment of certain gastrointestinal disorders such as functional bowel disorder and Irritable Bowel Syndrome and in the treatment or prophylaxis of obesity and type-2 diabetes, to achieve reduction of body weight and of body weight gain. The reduction of body weight and of body weight gain (e.g. treating body-weight disorders) is achieved inter alia by reduction of food intake.
The goal of the present invention was to provide potent and selective 5-HT6 antagonists, metabolically more stable than known, chemically related, 5-HT6 antagonists (as disclosed in WO 2008/034863), compounds useful for the treatment of certain CNS disorders.
Surprisingly it was found that certain arylsulfonyl pyrazoline carboxamidine derivatives bearing a H-bond donor functionality on or in the arylsulfonyl moiety, are 5-HT6 receptor antagonists, more potent, and metabolically more stable than known, chemically related, 5-HT6 antagonists. The invention relates to a compound of the general formula (1):
                or a tautomer, stereoisomer, N-oxide, or a pharmacologically acceptable salt of any of the foregoing, wherein:        R1 is chosen from hydrogen or an alkyl(C1-4) group, optionally substituted with one or more halogen atoms or an hydroxyl group,        R2 and R3 are independently chosen from hydrogen, an hydroxyl group or an alkyl(C1-4) group optionally substituted with one or more substituents Q, independently chosen from: halogen, alkyl(C1-4), alkenyl(C1-4), alkynyl(C1-4), CF3, NH2, NHalkyl(C1-4), N[alkyl(C1-4)]2, OH, ═O, O-alkyl(C1-4), or OCF3, or,        R1 and R2, together with the carbon atoms marked 'a' and 'b' form a C5-8-cycloalkyl ring, optionally substituted with one or more halogen atoms, an hydroxyl group or an alkyl(C1-4) group, or,        R2 and R3, together with the carbon atom marked 'b' form a C3-8-cycloalkyl or a C4-8-heterocycloalkyl ring, optionally substituted with one or more substituents Q, as defined above,        R4 and R5 are independently chosen from hydrogen or an alkyl(C1-4) group optionally substituted with one or more substituents Q, as defined above, or,        R4 and R5 are independently chosen from a monocyclic or fused bicyclic aromatic or hetero-aromatic group, optionally substituted with one or more substituents Q, as defined above, with the proviso that Q cannot be ═O (keto) on aromatic rings, or        R3 and R4, together with the carbon atoms marked 'b' and 'c' form a C3-8-cycloalkyl or a C5-8-heterocycloalkyl ring, optionally substituted with one or more substituents Q, as defined above,        R6 and R7 are independently chosen from hydrogen, or an alkyl(C1-4) group optionally substituted with one or more halogen atoms or an hydroxyl group, or a dialkyl(C1-3)-amino-alkyl(C1-3) group, or,        R6 and R7 independently are chosen from a monocyclic or fused bicyclic aromatic or hetero-aromatic group optionally substituted with one or more substituents Q, as defined above, or,        R6 and R7 independently are a C5-8-cycloalkyl group or a C5-8-heterocycloalkyl group optionally substituted with one or more substituents Q, as defined above, or,        R6 and R7, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, form a C5-8-heterocycloalkyl group optionally substituted with one or more substituents Q, as defined above,        R8 is chosen from:
wherein:                the asterisk (*) marks the bond to the S-atom,        n is either 0 (zero) or 1,
                is an aryl or heteroaryl group,        X, Y and Z are independently chosen from C, N, O or S, with the understanding that bonds in the ring containing X, Y or Z can be single or double, and C and N are substituted with H-atoms only,        R and R′ are independently chosen from halogen, alkyl(C1-4), alkenyl(C1-4), alkynyl(C1-4), CF3, NH2, NHalkyl(C1-4), N[alkyl(C1-4)]2, OH, SH, keto, S-alkyl(C1-4), SO-alkyl(C1-4), OCF3, nitro and cyano,        with the proviso that when R1, R3, R4, R5 and R6 are hydrogen, R2 and R7 are ethyl, and R8 is either 4-aminophenyl or 3-chloro-4-aminophenyl, the compounds are not racemic mixtures but pure enantiomers (both racemic mixtures were disclosed in WO 2008/034863).
The invention relates to racemates, mixtures of diastereomers as well as the individual stereoisomers of the compounds having formula (1). The invention also relates to the E isomer, Z isomer and E/Z mixtures of compounds having formula (1).
The invention particularly relates to a compound of the general formula (1) or a tautomer, stereoisomer, N-oxide, or a pharmacologically acceptable salt of any of the foregoing, wherein:                R1, R4 and R6 are hydrogen        R2 and R3 are independently chosen from hydrogen, an hydroxyl group or an alkyl(C1-4) group, optionally substituted with one or more substituents Q*, independently chosen from: halogen, alkyl(C1-4), NH2, NHalkyl(C1-4), N[alkyl(C1-4)]2 or OH, or        R2 and R3, together with the carbon atom to which they are attached, form a C3-8-cycloalkyl or a C5-8-heterocycloalkyl ring optionally substituted with one or more substituents Q* as defined above,        R5 is chosen from hydrogen or an alkyl(C1-4) group, optionally substituted with one or more substituents Q* as defined above, or a monocyclic aromatic or heteroaromatic group optionally substituted with one or more substituents Q* as defined above,        R7 is chosen from hydrogen, or an unsubstituted alkyl(C1-4) group, optionally substituted with one or more halogen atoms or an hydroxyl group,        R8 is chosen from:
                wherein the symbols have the same meanings as given in claim 1, with the proviso that when R3 and R5 are hydrogen, R2 and R7 are ethyl, and R8 is either 4-aminophenyl or 3-chloro-4-aminophenyl, the compounds are not racemic mixtures but pure enantiomers.
In another embodiment the invention relates to compounds of formula (1) wherein either one, or both, of the two potentially asymmetric carbon atoms in the pyrazoline ring is the levorotatory or dextrorotatory enantiomer.
The compounds of the invention of formula (1), as well as the pharmacologically acceptable salts thereof, have 5-HT6 receptor antagonistic activity. They are useful in treating disorders involving 5-HT6 receptors, or treatable by manipulation of those receptors. For instance in: Parkinson's disease, Huntington's chorea, schizophrenia, anxiety, depression, manic depression, psychoses, epilepsy, obsessive compulsive disorders, mood disorders, migraine, Alzheimer's disease, age related cognitive decline, mild cognitive impairment, sleep disorders, eating disorders, anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorders, panic attacks, akathisia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, attention deficit disorder, withdrawal from abuse of cocaine, ethanol, nicotine or benzodiazepines, pain, disorders associated with spinal trauma or head injury, hydrocephalus, functional bowel disorder, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, obesity and type-2 diabetes.
Other embodiments of the invention include:
pharmaceutical compositions for treating, for example, a disorder or condition treatable by blocking 5-HT6 receptors, the composition comprising a compound of formula (1) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier;
methods of treating a disorder or condition treatable by blocking 5-HT6 receptors, the method comprising administering to a patient in need of such treating a compound of formula (1) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof;
pharmaceutical compositions for treating, for example, a disorder or condition chosen from the disorders listed herein;
methods of treating a disorder or condition chosen from the disorders listed herein, the methods comprising administering to a patient in need of such treating a compound of formula (1) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof;
pharmaceutical compositions for treating a disorder or condition chosen from the disorders listed herein, the compositions comprising a compound of formula (1) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier;
methods for treating a disorder or condition chosen from the disorders listed herein, the methods comprising administering to a patient in need of such treating a compound of formula (1) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
methods of antagonizing a 5-HT6 receptor that comprises administering to a subject in need thereof, an effective amount of a compound of formula (1);
The invention also provides the use of a compound or salt according to formula (1) for the manufacture of medicament.
The invention further relates to combination therapies wherein a compound of the invention, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or a pharmaceutical composition or formulation comprising a compound of the invention, is administered concurrently or sequentially or as a combined preparation with another therapeutic agent or agents, for treating one or more of the conditions listed. Such other therapeutic agent(s) may be administered prior to, simultaneously with, or following the administration of the compounds of the invention.
The invention also provides compounds, pharmaceutical compositions, kits and methods for treating a disorder or condition chosen from the disorders listed herein, the method comprising administering to a patient in need of such treating a compound of formula (1) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
The compounds of the invention possess 5-HT6 receptor antagonizing activity. This activity of the compounds of the invention is readily demonstrated, for example, using one or more of the assays described herein or known in the art.
The invention also provides methods of preparing the compounds of the invention and the intermediates used in those methods.
Isolation and purification of the compounds and intermediates described herein can be affected, if desired, by any suitable separation or purification procedure such as, for example, filtration, extraction, crystallization, column chromatography, thin-layer chromatography, thick-layer chromatography, preparative low or high-pressure liquid chromatography, or a combination of these procedures. Specific illustrations of suitable separation and isolation procedures can be taken from the preparations and examples. However, other equivalent separation or isolation procedures could, of course, also be used.
The compounds of the present invention may contain one or more asymmetric centers and can thus occur as racemates and racemic mixtures, single enantiomers, diastereomeric mixtures and individual diastereomers.
Depending on the nature of the various substituents, the molecule can have additional asymmetric centers. Each such asymmetric center will independently produce two optical isomers. All of the possible optical isomers and diastereomers, in mixtures and as pure or partially purified compounds, belong to this invention. The present invention comprehends all such isomeric forms of these compounds. Formula (1) shows the structure of the class of compounds without preferred stereochemistry. The independent syntheses of these diastereomers, or their chromatographic separations, may be achieved as known in the art by appropriate modification of the methodology disclosed therein. Their absolute stereochemistry may be determined by the X-ray crystallography of crystalline products or crystalline intermediates, which are derivatized, if necessary, with a reagent containing an asymmetric center of known absolute configuration. Racemic mixtures of the compounds can be separated into the individual enantiomers by methods well-known in the art, such as the coupling of a racemic mixture of compounds to an enantiomerically pure compound to form a diastereomeric mixture, followed by separation of the individual diastereomers by standard methods, such as fractional crystallization or chromatography. The coupling often consists of the formation of salts using an enantiomerically pure acid or base, for example (−)-di-p-toluoyl-D-tartaric acid and/or (+)-di-p-toluoyl-L-tartaric acid. The diasteromeric derivatives may then be converted to the pure enantiomers by cleavage of the added chiral residue. The racemic mixture of the compounds can also be separated directly by chromatographic methods utilizing chiral stationary phases: Methods well-known in the art. Alternatively, any enantiomer of a compound may be obtained by stereoselective synthesis using optically pure starting materials or reagents of known configuration by methods well-known in the art.
Cis and trans isomers of the compound of formula (1), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, also belong to the invention, and this also applies to tautomers of the compounds of formula (1) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
Some of the crystalline forms for the compounds may exist as polymorphs: as such intended to belong to the invention. In addition, some of the compounds may form solvates with water (i.e. hydrates), or common organic solvents. Such solvates also fall within the scope of this invention.
Isotopically-labeled compound of formula (1) or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, including compounds of formula (1) isotopically-labeled to be detectable by PET or SPECT, also fall within the scope of the invention. The same applies to compounds of formula (I) labeled with [13C]—, [14C]—, [3H]—, [18F]—, [125I]— or other isotopically enriched atoms, suitable for receptor binding or metabolism studies.
The compounds of the invention may also be used as reagents or standards in the biochemical study of neurological function, dysfunction and disease.

Arylsulfonyl pyrazoline carboxamidine derivatives as 5-HT


A wing for use on a supersonic aircraft that includes an inboard section a central section of the wing outboard of the inboard portion, and an outboard section. The outboard section can be a winglet oriented anhedrally relative to a lateral axis of the supersonic aircraft. Leading edge segments on the inboard section, central section and outboard winglet may have mounted thereon leading-edge flaps. These flaps are adjusted by a control system operable to reposition the leading-edge flaps in order to improve the aerodynamic performance of the supersonic aircraft. This winglet promotes sonic boom minimization. Further, the wing tip anhedral allows greater inboard dihedral. This effectively pushes lift aft for sonic boom and control purposes while minimizing the movement of control surfaces.

Air travelers have long sought the convenience and efficiency of widespread supersonic commercial aviation only to be denied by technological, economic, and political roadblocks. With operations spanning over a quarter of a century, the Concorde remains the only commercial aircraft that travels at supersonic speeds but struggles with technological obsolescence. Fuel consumption and maintenance requirements of the Concorde strain commercial feasibility in today's competitive environment. Possibly overshadowing other technological and economic shortcomings is the Concorde's thunderous sonic boom that is highly annoying due to its perceived loudness and startle, a burden that restricts the Concorde's supersonic operations to primarily oceanic routes.
The sonic boom imposes many practical limitations for commercial supersonic aviation as annoyance with sonic boom loudness and startle results in the prohibition of commercial supersonic aircraft operations over most populated landmasses.
A sonic boom occurs due to pressure waves that form when an aircraft moves at supersonic speeds. As the aircraft approaches supersonic speeds, air at the leading edge of the configuration compresses to a non-linear threshold where discontinuities in flow properties, manifest through a pressure pulse and propagated through the atmosphere. Pressure pulse intensity decreases as a consequence of propagation through the atmosphere and changes shape into an N-shaped wave within which pressure rises sharply, gradually declines, and then rapidly returns to ambient atmospheric pressure. A wall of compressed air that moves at aircraft speed spreads from the wave and, in passing over ground is heard and felt as a sonic boom. Rapid changes in pressure at the beginning and end of the N-wave produce the signature double bang of the sonic boom.
Research has demonstrated that boom intensity can be reduced by altering aircraft shape, length, and weight. An aircraft that is long in proportion to weight spreads the overpressure across a greater distance, resulting in a lower peak pressure. Furthermore, wings that are spread along the body and not concentrated in the center as in a conventional aircraft have a greater lifting length and produce a pressure pulse that is similarly spread, resulting in a smaller sonic boom.
One technique for boom reduction is shaping. Shaping alters source pressure disturbance such that a non-N-wave shape is imposed on the ground. Shaping can reduce loudness by 15-20 dB or more with no added energy beyond that to sustain flight. Minimizing loudness is based on insight regarding changes in aircraft pressure disturbances during propagation to the ground. During the sixties and seventies, Jones, Seebass, George, and Darden developed a practical analytical guideline for low boom design.
Studies have shown that sonic boom loudness at audible frequencies correlates with annoyance. Therefore supersonic over land flight could only be achieved by reducing the sonic boom to acceptable sound levels. Shaped sonic booms are only achieved deliberately. No existing aircraft creates a shaped sonic boom that persists for more than fraction of the distance to the ground while flying at an efficient cruise altitude, since non-shaped pressure distributions quickly coalesce into the fundamental N-wave shape. Audible frequencies for a sonic boom occur wherever pressure changes rapidly, essentially at the beginning and end of a typical N-waveform. Shocks become quieter at decreasing magnitudes and increasing rise times of the pressure change. The N-wave form generates the largest possible shock magnitude from a particular disturbance. On average the front of a supersonic aircraft generates an increase from ambient pressure while the rear generates a decrease in pressure. The disturbances stretch and also coalesce because shocks travel at speeds that vary in proportion to the magnitudes of the local pressure. Higher pressures travel faster moving forward and coalescing into a single front shock, and likewise, the aft low pressures coalesce into a single rear shock. Variation in propagation speed stretches the disturbance during propagation to the ground to two to three times the vehicle length—-very significant stretching. Shaped boom techniques typically attempt to prevent coalescing of the pressure disturbance by adding a large compression at the aircraft nose and an expansion at the tail with pressure between constrained to very weak compression and expansion, with correspondingly slow coalescence speeds. The shaped boom stretches the ends of the signature faster than the in-between pressures, stretching without coalescing and creating a non-N-wave sonic boom at the ground. The vehicle's pressure distribution is constrained to this particular George-Seebass-Darden shape that produces the minimum shock strength possible through the least coalescence possible.

Wing employing leading edge flaps and winglets to achieve improved aerodynamic performance


An image signal processing device includes: a color mixture correction circuit correcting color mixture among pixels arranged in the row and column directions, having plural light receiving units which perform photoelectric conversion and including filters dividing light incident on respective plural light receiving units into plural color components, wherein the color mixture correction circuit performs correction processing to a signal value of a target pixel of color mixture correction by associating respective signal values of neighboring pixels adjacent to the target pixel of color mixture correction with correction parameters unique to an address of each signal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image signal processing device, an imaging device, an image signal processing method and a program having a function of correcting so-called color mixture in a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensors using plural color filters.
2. Description of the Related Art
As arrangement of color filters of the imaging device, Bayer arrangement using two greens (G) Gr, Gb, one red (R) and one blue (B) in three primary colors which have good color reproducibility is known.
The Bayer arrangement is an arrangement in which resolution of luminance is regarded as more important than colors.
When a solid-state imaging device having plural light receiving elements on which color filters are formed is used in the solid-state imaging device, light is transmitted through adjacent light receiving elements due to factors such as incident angles and reflection of light after transmitting color filters.
As a result, so-called color mixture occurs, in which a signal value is obtained in a wavelength not in a transmission range of the color filters originally.
Incidentally, a pixel sharing system is commonly applied as a means for miniaturizing pixels.
The number of transistors per one pixel can be reduced by the system. For example, there is a zigzag type four-pixel sharing system (refer to S. Yoshihara, et al., "A 1/1.8-inch 6.4 MPixel 60 frames/s CMOS Image Sensor with Seamless Mode Change" ISSCC Dig. Tech. Papers, pp. 492-493, February, 2006 (Non-Patent Document 1)).
In the case of the sharing system, the same Gr pixel has two-types of layout structures. As the layout structure is different, the color mixture amount will be asymmetric.
The effect appears prominently in applications in which the incident angle is largely inclined to a vertical direction of a sensor surface such as in small modules used in a cellular phone application and so on. There is a need for a highly-accurate correction method which can correct asymmetric property of the color mixture amount along with miniaturization of pixels.
As one of methods of correcting of color mixture, a method in which mixture of a color to be corrected is reduced by multiplying each color of the color filters by a correction coefficient which is equal to all pixels and performs subtraction (refer to JP-A-56-147578 (Patent Document 1)).
Additionally, a method disclosed in JP-A-2005-278004 (Patent Document 2) is known as a correction method having coefficients different according to addresses.
In the method, correction of color mixture is performed by subtracting a value obtained by multiplying a signal value of a pixel adjacent to one side of a target pixel in the horizontal direction by a correction parameter unique to color temperature and an address from a signal value of the target pixel.
Operation expressions are represented by the following expressions and color mixture from the row direction can be corrected.R′(x,y)=R(x,y)−α(x,y)×Gr(x,y)B′(x,y)=B(x,y)−β(x,y)×Gb(x,y)Here, α(x,y)=R/Gr(x,y)−a(K)β(x,y)=B/Gb(x,y)−b(K)  [Expression 1]
*K represents color temperature

Image signal processing device, imaging device, image signal processing method and program


A rotor for an electrical machine includes a rotor body and an axis of revolution which extends in an axial direction and about which the rotor body is rotatable. The rotor further includes an outer casing surface which delimits the rotor body, at least one pole arrangement, and a movement mechanism for the at least one pole arrangement. The movement mechanism is designed such that the at least one pole arrangement is movable about a rotation axis which is oriented substantially parallel to the axis of revolution of the rotor. The at least one pole arrangement is also movable about the rotation axis in addition to rotation about the axis of revolution of the rotor.

The design of electric motors for example, or an electrical machine, is always a compromise between various requirements. In permanent magnet energized motors in particular, the magnetic field of the rotor—due to its operational design—is unchangeable and cannot therefore be adjusted optimally with respect to operating point, such as for example in a power-energized synchronous machine.

Permanent magnet energized motor with rotatable bar magnets


A device for automatic brake of cars and trucks on striking an obstacle, mainly in reverse driving. The device incorporates two types of impact sensors, one of which is operated by the mudguards, while the second is of a spongy bumper type. The invention's novelty lies in the spongy bumper type sensor, which appears in two alternatives: one alternative is a spongy impact sensor with a rigid casing, and the other is a spongy impact sensor with rubber switches. The device further incorporates means for operating the brakes, including, in the case of vehicles with a hydraulic brake system, an electromagnetic valve installed on the air chamber in the brake booster. A control system enabling reverse driving at a controlled speed is also described.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates, in general, to safety brake systems and, in particular, to crash-prevention systems during reverse driving.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The previous automatic brake systems were intended to prevent accidents, but they did not show much consideration for people. The sensing means themselves could cause injury.
Following is a list of several patents on the subject: U.S. Pat. Nos. 3744588, 4641871, 4403674, 3945672, 4633968, 392330.
The chief novelty of the invention is in the type of sensors. This invention is in part a continuation and enhancement of the U.S. patent application No. 06/891125, an application which is now abandoned.

Device for automatic brake of a vehicle on striking an obstacle


A high-rise building comprises an exterior wall and a sheath, which is spaced in front of said wall. Vertically extending flow channels are provided between said wall and said sheath and are open at their bottom and top and may be used to supply air to and from the interior of said building and to air-condition the interior of said building. To permit an effective control of the conditions of the ambient air adjoining said sheath, each of said flow passages communicates with the ambient air adjoining said sheath through a plurality of vertically spaced apart intake openings distributed throughout the height of said sheath.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a high-rise building comprising an exterior wall and a sheath, which is spaced in front of the exterior wall and defines vertically extending passages, which have inlet and outlet openings at their bottom and top ends and may be used to supply and withdraw air to and from the interior of the building and to air-condition the building.
2. Description of the Prior Art
EP-B1-0 090 794 discloses a building having an exterior wall and an exterior sheath, which is spaced in front of the exterior wall, and the space between the sheath and the exterior wall constitutes an air supply passage, which contains valve means for selectively opening and closing said air supply passage. To permit even adjacent to the window and door openings an adaptation of the heat insulation of the exterior wall to outdoor conditions as regards temperature and solar radiation, said valves serve also as shading means for the windows.
Published German Application 20 49 724 shows a cooling and ventilating system for buildings in which the exterior wall and the roof consist of double panels, by which air spaces are defined. An opening leading to the air spaces is provided adjacent to the ridge of the roof and is covered by a lantern-type roof light, and dampers are provided in the lower region so that the air being heated in the summer will rise between the double panels and will suck cool air to follow up and the interior wall facing the dwelling room will thus be kept cool. Hot air can be supplied to said air spaces in the winter. The air flow can be controlled by the dampers, which are provided at the lower portion of the double panels, and by an adjustment of the lantern-type roof light.
In Published German Application 35 08 876 it is proposed to permit a uniform air-conditioning of rooms and a compensation of solar irradiation in a building in that the latter is provided on at least one side facing the sun with means for absorbing solar heat and the heat which has been absorbed is transferred to that side of the building which faces away from the sun. Such an arrangement is intended to utilize an existing heat potential, particularly in moderate climates.
In high-rise or very-high-rise buildings, particularly in subtropical or tropical regions and in regions in which the insolation duration is very long, it has been found that the sheath of the building will be heated up and, as a result, the ambient air adjoining the exterior sheath of the building will also be heated unless means are provided for shading the exterior sheath of the building from the outside. Otherwise there will be a rise of the air close to the building and such rising air will be able to entrain air from the lower regions of the building and the pollutants, such as dust and gases, contained therein so that such pollutants will be carried to those regions of the building in which windows or suction fans are provided for a supply of air to interior rooms. As a result, it is not possible to provide for a natural ventilation, e.g., through an open window, and this will be particularly disadvantageous if the building has not been provided with an air-conditioning system because the latter would have secondary effects which are deleterious to health and because such system would have a high power consumption.


The present invention provides a use for the preparation of an immunopotentiator of a spergualin-related compound represented by the following general formula [I] or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof: ##STR1## wherein X represents ##STR2## or --(CH.sub.2).sub.n --, Y represents a hydrogen atom or a hydroxyl or hydroxymethyl group,. n is an integer of 3 or 5, and PA1 R represents --(CH.sub.2).sub.4 --R.sub.1 (wherein R.sub.1 is --NH.sub.2 or --OH), --(CH.sub.2).sub.3 --R.sub.2 (wherein R.sub.2 is --COOH or --CHO), --(CH.sub.2).sub.4 --NH--(CH.sub.2).sub.3 --OH or --(CH.sub.2).sub.4 --NH--(CH.sub.2).sub.2 --R.sub.2 (wherein R.sub.2 is as defined above).

Spergualin is a compound which is obtained from a culture broth of Bacillus laterosporus and has antitumor and immunosuppressive effects [cf. U.S. Pat. No. 4,518,532 (Japanese Patent Publication No. 23183/1986) and U.S. Pat. No. 4,416,899 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,851,446 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 48957/1982 and No. 129119/1986)] and there have been synthesized a number of compounds related thereto [cf. U.S. Pat. No. 4,556,735 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 185758/1985), EP-A No. 2-0241797 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.45247/1988)]. These compounds are expected to be applicable to drugs such as anticancer agents or immunosuppressive agents.
Although several immunopotentiators have been developed so far, none of them is satisfactory, so that there has been urgently required to develop a novel immunopotentiator. Thus the present invention aims at providing a novel immunopotentiator.

Immunopotentiator and spergualin-related compound therefor


Disclosed herein is a technology related to low-power, accurate location estimation for mobile devices (such as a smartphone). More particularly, the disclosed technology facilitates estimation of a physical or “real world” location (e.g., geo-location) without relying on the conventional always-on and battery-draining approaches of Global Positioning Systems (GPSs) or some form of telemetry based upon multiple radio signals (e.g., cellular). This Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

The use of mobile devices, such as smartphones, is nearly ubiquitous. Many of these mobile devices include the capability to determine their geo-physical (e.g., geographic) location. That is, the mobile device is capable of determining its location in the real world. Conventionally, location determination is typically accomplished by using Global Positioning Systems (GPS), some form of telemetry based upon multiple radio signals (e.g., cellular), internet protocol (IP) geo-location, or some combination thereof.
A collection of so-called location-based services (LBSs) are emerging that take advantage of the location-awareness capability of the mobile devices that so many people are carrying with them each day. For example, LBSs include targeted advertising, social networking, locating friends ("check-ins"), photo-tagging, life-logging, location-based games, fitness monitoring, etc. LBS may include vehicle or parcel tracking as well.
The Detailed Description references the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.


The LCD device allows the three demultiplex signal lines to connect the center portion of the data driver with the center portion of the demultiplexer.

1. Field of the Disclosure
This disclosure relates to a liquid crystal display device adapted to reduce the number of output channels.
2. Description of the Related Art
As the information society grows, display devices capable of displaying information have been widely developed. These display devices include liquid crystal display (LCD) devices, organic electro-luminescence display (OLED) devices, plasma display devices, and field emission display devices.
Among the above display devices, LCD devices have the advantages that they are light and small and can provide a low power drive and a full color scheme. Accordingly, LCD devices have been widely used for mobile phones, navigation systems, portable computers, televisions and so on. Such LCD devices control the transmittance of a liquid crystal on a liquid crystal panel, thereby displaying a desired image.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an LCD device of the related art. As shown in FIG. 1, an LCD device of the related art includes a liquid crystal panel 100, and a gate driver 110 and a data driver 120 for driving the liquid crystal panel 100.
The liquid crystal panel 100 includes a plurality of gate lines and a plurality of data lines which are arranged on it. The gate driver 110 generates gate signals for sequentially driving the plural gate lines on the liquid crystal panel 100. The data driver 120 applies the data voltages for one line to the plural data lines whenever any one of the gate lines is driven.
The data voltages for one line are applied to all the data lines on the liquid crystal panel 100 through the output channels of the data driver 120. The output channels of the data driver 120 are opposite each of the data lines on the liquid crystal panel 100.
In an LCD device of such a configuration, the data lines increase in number as the liquid crystal panel 100 becomes larger. As such, the output channels of the data driver 120 also increase in number. Consequently, enlarging the size of the data driver 120 can be a problem.

Liquid crystal display device with length of signal path minimized


Disclosed are fluid handling systems and methods for mitigating the effects of pressure drops that occur at the startup of subsea pumps associated with liquid producing reservoirs. The systems and methods are particularly useful in conjunction with subsea pumps used for producing liquids from high-pressure, low permeability hydrocarbon reservoirs. The systems and methods can mitigate damage to reservoir completions and reservoirs caused by high pressure transients downstream of the pump. A choke valve is used to restrict the flow of the liquids prior to the startup of the subsea pump. After the start of the subsea pump, the choke valve is gradually opened while a recirculation valve is gradually closed, and a full bore valve is opened.

Liquid producing reservoirs can be susceptible to reservoir damage occurring upon the startup of pumps that pump oil and gas from the reservoirs. This is a particular concern for high-pressure, low permeability hydrocarbon reservoirs. The startup of the pump introduces a sudden pressure drop that can impact all associated wells upstream of the pump. The risk of reservoir damage can be especially great for older reservoirs whose reservoir pressure has significantly dropped over time.
Depending on the long-distance power delivery system and the subsea pump design, the subsea pump can introduce a sudden pressure drop on the suction side at pump startup. As is known, the power loss in a subsea umbilical is higher at lower frequencies. The power not delivered to equipment such as the subsea pump dissipates in the umbilical as heat. In order to control the umbilical temperature, the subsea umbilical temperature design criteria specify that the subsea pump has a minimum supply frequency of 25 Hz. This corresponds to a minimum subsea pump speed of 1500 RPM. When the pump is started up, it therefore begins running at 1500 RPM thus creating a low pressure transient upstream of the pump and a high pressure transient downstream of the pump.
Over time, the cumulative effects of such pressure drops can damage the reservoir or completion.
It would be desirable to have a method to avoid deleterious effects on hydrocarbon reservoirs caused by pressure drops occurring at the start of subsea pumps.

System and method for mitigating pressure drop at subsea pump startup


A CT scanner comprising a dynamic collimator disposed near an x-ray source and a controller configured to rotate the x-ray source about a subject, wherein imaging data is acquired from a single rotation of the x-ray source, the single rotation being divided into a first half-scan and a second half-scan. The controller is further configured to position the dynamic collimator after acquiring image data from one of the first half-scan and the second half-scan and simultaneous to commencement of acquiring image data from the other of the first half-scan and the second half-scan to obstruct a central portion of an x-ray beam emitted by the x-ray source during one of the first half-scan and the second half-scan. The CT scanner is further configured to reconstruct a CT image using the first set of imaging data and the second set of imaging data.

Embodiments of the invention relate generally to diagnostic imaging and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus of computed tomography (CT) imaging capable of having high temporal resolution, reduced image artifacts due to missing data and longitudinal truncation, and reduced radiation dose.
Typically, in computed tomography (CT) imaging systems, an x-ray source emits a fan-shaped beam toward a subject or object, such as a patient or a piece of luggage. Hereinafter, the terms "subject" and "object" shall include anything capable of being imaged. The beam, after being attenuated by the subject, impinges upon an array of radiation detectors. The intensity of the attenuated beam radiation received at the detector array is typically dependent upon the attenuation of the x-ray beam by the subject. Each detector element of the detector array produces a separate electrical signal indicative of the attenuated beam received by each detector element. The electrical signals are transmitted to a data processing system for analysis which ultimately produces an image.
Generally, the x-ray source and the detector array are rotated about the gantry within an imaging plane and around the subject. X-ray sources typically include x-ray tubes, which emit the x-ray beam at a focal point. X-ray detectors typically include a collimator for collimating x-ray beams received at the detector, a scintillator for converting x-rays to light energy adjacent the collimator, and photodiodes for receiving the light energy from the adjacent scintillator and producing electrical signals therefrom.
Typically, each scintillator of a scintillator array converts x-rays to light energy. Each scintillator discharges light energy to a photodiode adjacent thereto. Each photodiode detects the light energy and generates a corresponding electrical signal. The outputs of the photodiodes are then transmitted to the data processing system for image reconstruction.
One of the key modern applications for CT imaging is its use in cardiac imaging. However, cardiac imaging techniques such as coronary CT angiography pose unique technical challenges, one of which is the need for high temporal resolution to avoid motion artifacts in the image. One way to achieve such high temporal resolution is to use wide-coverage multi-detector-row CT (MDCT) systems to scan the entire heart region within one gantry rotation. Here, the wide coverage refers to the x-ray beam coverage in the longitudinal direction, which can cover the majority of the human's heart within one axial rotation. Typically, only data from roughly half of the scan is utilized for image reconstruction to maintain the temporal resolution. Unfortunately, however, such cardiac half-scan imaging methods face severe missing data and longitudinal truncation issues when the large x-ray cone beam angle is large. The cone beam artifacts caused by this cardiac half-scan method are easily observed in the reconstructed images and greatly deteriorate the image quality.
In order to mitigate the missing data and longitudinal truncation problems associated with the cardiac half-scan technique described above, the use of wide-coverage, full-scan cardiac imaging (albeit using a half-scan reconstruction method) is one solution. This wide-coverage, full-scan cardiac imaging offers a way to maintain temporal resolution while alleviating the missing data and longitudinal truncation problems associated with half-scan imaging. However, full-scan cardiac imaging imposes a larger radiation dose on the subject as compared to half-scan cardiac imaging. In fact, the radiation dose in full-scan cardiac imaging represents a 50 percent (or greater) increase in radiation dose over half-scan cardiac imaging. With every effort made to minimize the radiation dose and scan time to which the patient is subjected, conventional full-scan cardiac imaging is less than ideal.
Therefore, it would be desirable to design an apparatus and method for CT imaging capable of having high temporal resolution, reduced image artifacts due to missing data and longitudinal truncation, and reduced radiation dose.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Dynamic collimator for wide coverage and low dose cardiac CT imaging


A method and system for font building by providing for the downloading of a subset of glyphs at a client device from a server. The subset can include one or more particular requested glyphs. The subset is accompanied by one or more further glyphs determined by selection criteria, which can include: frequency of use of the glyphs in a particular language; frequency of use of the glyphs by at least one client device; and relationships between particular glyphs.

In the field of this invention it is known that the display of characters on an output medium of a device involves the use of a font, stored in a font file of some format, and comprising many glyphs each representing a character portion. If a required character glyph is not available to the device, an appropriate font file is typically obtained (e.g., via a network download). Such font files can be large, especially where a character set includes a large number of characters (such as a Chinese character font comprising in excess of 20,000 characters).
However, this approach has the disadvantage(s) that downloading such font files over a network can therefore be time consuming, and local storage on a client device may not accommodate the entire font file.
Although it is known to download to a device only those subset(s) of glyphs or metadata that the device requests, this only partly alleviates the problem, and it still requires further download(s) whenever a glyph is required that the device has not yet been requested.
A need therefore exists for a method and arrangement for font building wherein the abovementioned disadvantage(s) may be alleviated.

International Business Machines Corporation


A window assembly for garage door panels. The assembly includes an outer frame assembly that overlaps the panel opening to be protected and it is mounted thereon. An inner frame assembly co-axially extends from the outer frame assembly and jointly define a window area. A longitudinal slot along one of the elongated members defining the inner frame assembly permits a user to removably mount a transparent member therein. Ornamental frame assemblies can be optionally mounted over the present invention to enhance the aesthetics of the resulting structure. An alternate embodiment includes a second transparent member positioned within the outer frame assembly through another elongated slot in one of the elongated frame members. Internal channels in the frame members bite into the edges of the transparent members.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a window assembly for opening closures and more particularly, for doors and windows.
2. Description of the Related Art
Window assemblies are typically mounted on panels. They are designed to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the closures (doors) while permitting daylight to go through. However, the window assemblies used in conventional garage doors include frames that cannot withstand high winds, such as those that develop in certain areas, such as South Florida. Local construction codes include wind tests that require reinforcement of these window assemblies and many times these added structures detract from the aesthetics of the window design. Garage doors, for instance, typically include a number of hingedly connected panels that are moved from a vertical position to a horizontal overhead position over tracks. The conventional window assemblies in these doors fail to meet these tests. Thus, the desirability of a sturdier structure.
The advantages of the present invention, as it will be more fully explained in the following paragraphs, include a simple window assembly that can be readily installed around the edges of the aperture defining the window. The frame assembly includes a slot with cooperative dimensions to slidably receive a transparent panel. The assembly is thus capable of retaining the transparent panel while absorbing the impact energy of high winds and flying objects.
Applicant believes that the closest references correspond to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/073,642 filed on Feb. 11, 2002 by applicant for a window assembly for garage doors that can withstand high winds. However, it differs from the previous application because the present invention includes an outer T-shape frame assembly that can be readily installed through the aperture defining the window. This simpler frame assembly includes a longitudinal slot with cooperative dimensions that permits a user to slidably mount a transparent member therein. Ornamental frame assemblies can be optionally mounted over the frame assembly to enhance the aesthetics of the resulting structure.
It is one of the main objects of the present invention to provide a window assembly that can be readily mounted through an opening having cooperative dimensions.
It is another object of this invention to provide a window assembly that can withstand high wind loads.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a window assembly where the transparent member can be readily replaced.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide such a device that is inexpensive to manufacture and maintain while retaining its effectiveness.
Further objects of the invention will be brought out in the following part of the specification, wherein detailed description is for the purpose of fully disclosing the invention without placing limitations thereon.


A compound conversion plug structure with an adjustable angle includes an adapter and a plug component. The adapter includes an outer shell, a moving block, a plurality of transfer pieces, a plurality of metal inserting pieces, and a plurality of engaging pieces. The moving block defines a guiding groove thereon, and protruding pieces defined on the transfer pieces respectively are set in the guiding groove, the metal inserting pieces are assembled with the transfer pieces, one end of which extends out of the outer shell, and additional ends of the metal inserting pieces engage with the engaging pieces respectively. Because of the structure of the moving block and the transfer piece of the adapter, the metal inserting pieces can be inserted into two types and standards of sockets. Hence, the adapter provides multiple changes to suite actual needs.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a compound conversion plug structure, and more specifically to an adapter capable of transfer engaging, and a plug component that can slide and be assembled with the adapter. The adapter suits two standards and types of sockets.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Usually a power supply cord and an electronic device are connected electronically by inserting a plug set on one end of the power supply cord into a corresponding socket. In this manner the power supply cord and the electronic device are connected electronically by the electronical connection between the power supply cord and the electronic device. However, if the standard and type of the plug is different from that of the socket, it is necessary to assemble the plug with an adapter, and then to insert the adapter plug into the socket to connect the plug with the socket electronically.
However, the adapter can only be used with a corresponding socket. If there is another type of socket then the adapter cannot be used. This causes inconvenience for users because they need to buy another type of adapter. For manufacturers costs are increased by necessitating the manufacture of more types of adapters.
Hence, the inventors of the present invention believe that these shortcomings described above are able to be improved upon and suggest the present invention which is of a reasonable design and is an effective improvement based on deep research and thought.

Compound conversion plug structure with adjustable angle and adapter


The invention relates to a visualization apparatus (1) for visualizing an image data set. The visualization apparatus (1) comprises an image data set providing unit (2) for providing the image data set, a differential property determination unit (5) for determining local differential properties for different regions of the image data set, an assigning unit (6) for assigning visualization properties to the different regions of the image data set depending on the determined local differential properties, wherein a visualization property defines the visualization of a region, to which the visualization property is assigned, and a display unit (7) for displaying the visualization properties assigned to the different regions of the image data set. By displaying the visualization properties assigned to the different regions of the image data set different objects can visually be separated from each other without requiring large computational costs.

US 2008/0080770 A1 discloses a method and a system for visualizing regions in an image data set, and, in particular, discloses a method for assigning labels to regions in an image data set. The method comprises the steps of deriving a probabilistic model for a plurality of geometrical structures, computing a regional response around a region in the image data set, computing a region score for each geometrical structure using the plurality of probabilistic models and labeling the region in the image data set based on the region score. In a particular embodiment, the principle curvatures of iso-surfaces at each voxel of the image data set are used as the regional response and the region score represents the probability of observing the computed curvature data for a region corresponding to a specific anatomical structure, such as a vessel or a nodule. The labeled regions may then be displayed to a radiologist with different colors for different anatomical structures.
This visualization of the image data set needs at lot of computational intensive calculations like the derivation of a plurality of probabilistic models for a plurality of geometrical structures, computing a regional response around a region in the image data set and computing a region score for each geometrical structure using the plurality of probabilistic models. The visualization of the image data set such that different objects are visually separated from each other requires therefore large computational costs.

Visualization apparatus for visualizing an image data set


A lock bar can be laterally slidable between an unlocked position in which the lock bar is laterally recessed relative to the side rail and a locked position in which the lock bar is laterally extended relative to the side rail. The lock bar can be engageable with, and movable by, the tailgate to slide the lock bar from the unlocked position to the locked position as the tailgate moves from an open tailgate position to a closed tailgate position. Movement of the lock bar between the locked position and the unlocked position can simultaneously interengage and disengage, respectively, with each of the locking surfaces of the plurality of rectangular elements, which interengagement limits upward movement of the rectangular elements.

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.
Trucks such as pickups having an open top cargo box can be a quite popular type of vehicle because the cargo box enables objects of various sizes to be placed therein and transported. Tonneau cover systems can be used to cover the top of cargo box in a closed or extended configuration to protect the contents against dirt, debris, and other environmental contaminants, and to improve the aesthetic quality thereof.
In some cases, the tonneau covers can be formed of a plurality of rectangular elements in the form of slats that are hingedly coupled together so they can be rolled-up into a tubular compact, storage, open or retracted storage configuration at the front of the cargo box to allow access to the cargo box. In some cases, the tonneau covers can be formed of a plurality of rectangular elements in the form of sections that are hingedly coupled together so they can be folded-up into a stacked compact, storage, open or retracted storage configuration at the front of the cargo box.
Although a forward rectangular element or header and a rear rectangular element or header are typically coupled to the sides of the cargo box in the closed or extended configuration, additional protection against unauthorized access could potentially be provided by latching or locking the sides of the rectangular elements between the forward and rear headers to the side rails. One potential solution could involve providing movable latching components on each of the plurality of rectangular elements that engage the side rail. Disadvantages of such a solution can include significant additional parts, that increase assembly and manufacturing costs, and added complexity in locking and unlocking such a large number of latches.
Another potential solution could involve providing a single long movable latching component on each side rail that rotates between a locked position in which the latching component engages the rectangular elements and an unlocked position in which the latching component is rotated away from the rectangular elements. Disadvantages of such a solution can include the lack of a positive stop along the longitudinal length of the latching component to resist upward movement of the tonneau cover.

Truck cargo box tonneau cover system including a side-locking lock bar locking multiple slats


A switch apparatus usable in a DC circuit employs a rotatable shaft having conductors that are removably connected with two or more pairs of contacts that are situated on line conductors and load conductors and that are connected in parallel by the conductors on the shaft. In rotating the shaft to open the switch, one pair of the contacts is electrically disconnected prior to electrical disconnection of the other pair of contacts. Further rotation of the shaft causes the other pair of contact to eventually become disconnected. Electrical arcs thus form only at the air gaps between the other pair of contacts and the conductor. Magnetic field elements in the form of permanent magnets are situated in the vicinity of the air gaps of only the other pair of contacts and apply Lorentz forces to the arcs to extinguish them.

1. Field
The disclosed and claimed concept relates generally to electrical switching equipment and, more particularly, to a switch apparatus for connection with a DC circuit.
2. Related Art
Numerous types of circuit interrupters are known for use in diverse applications. In certain applications, such as low power situations, the circuit interrupter can be as simple as a mechanical switch, of which many types are known.
One type of mechanical switch that is employed in somewhat higher voltage and current applications involves the use of a rotatable shaft upon which an elongated conductor is mounted. The ends of the conductor are electrically connected with a pair of contacts when the switch is in an ON condition. When the switch is moved toward its OFF condition, the shaft is rotated, which causes the elongated conductor to pivot about a pivot axis about the shaft, which causes air gaps to form between the ends of the elongated conductor and the pair of contacts as the conductor is disconnected from the contacts. While such circuit interrupters have been generally effective for their intended purposes, they have not been without limitation.
Certain applications involve DC circuits, and it has become desirable in certain applications, such as photovoltaic applications and other application, to increase the voltage and current that flow within a circuit. This increase consequently exacerbates the difficulty of extinguishing the arcs that form at the air gaps when switching a switch from an ON condition to an OFF condition. For example, it has become desirable in photovoltaic applications to increase the number of solar arrays arranged in parallel and in series, which increases current and voltage, respectively, and which must be interrupted by a circuit interrupter such as a switch. Moreover, depending upon the orientation of the contacts in relation to one another and in relation to the movable elongated conductor, it is possible that the arc created at the air gap can tend to move along the elongated conductor toward the pivot axis of the shaft. Movement of the arc toward the pivot axis of the shaft on which the elongated conductor is mounted may tend to shorten the arc and reinforce it, which is undesirable since any arc is preferably extinguished as soon as possible. While efforts have been made to employ magnets and resultant Lorentz forces to extinguish arcs in such circuit interrupters, the result has sometimes been a circuit interrupter that can only interrupt DC power of a given polarity. Moreover, magnets (such as rare earth magnets) are rather costly, and the extensive use of such magnets can undesirably increase the cost of the resultant switching device. It thus would be desirable to provide an improved circuit interrupter that provides improved performance.

Switch apparatus for connection with a DC circuit


A soft, flexible, microporous film is provided having high tensile strength and good air and water vapor transmission rates therethrough while being substantially impenetrable to liquid water. This film is prepared by stretching a casting of a composition of a polyolefin and high levels of CaCO.sub.3 or glass beads and calcium stearate in two directions from 1.5-7 times in each direction to produce a film having a Gurley porosity of from 0.1 to 85 seconds. This film is especially useful for disposable items such as feminine panty liners, diapers, bed sheets, and hospital gowns. When glass beads are substituted for the CaCO.sub.3, the film is useful for battery separators.

This invention relates to soft, flexible, microporous films having high tensile strength and good air and water vapor transmission rates therethrough but which are substantially impenetrable to liquid water. This invention also comprehends a process for making such films by stretching certain highly filled polymer compositions under controlled conditions.
Prior to the present invention, breathable microporous film were made by a variety of techniques from polymers containing solid substances dispersed therein. Sometimes the pores of the film were obtained by dissolving or leaching out those dispersed materials (fillers) and sometimes pores were formed when the filled polymer material was stretched. Often the porous films produced by stretching the filled polymer compositions were stiff, low tear strength products, irrespective of the type of matrix polymer used. Hence, there is a need in the hygienic product industry for liquid barrier yet breathable, disposable products such as in feminine panty liners, diapers, bed sheets, and hospital gowns. In order for public acceptance of breathable products, the user should be cool and comfortable and the product has to be soft and flexible without irritating the skin of the user. There is also a need for such breathable films in the battery industry for use as battery separators. The present invention solves the above-mentioned needs.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,698,372 discloses a microporous polymeric film having good water vapor transmission rates and hydrostatic resistance to water penetration thereof; the film has a filler loading of about 25-35 volume % of inorganic fillers such as calcium carbonate, among others, and uses an "antagonizer" such as stearic acid in order to reduce the effective surface tension of the filler to the approximate level of that of the matrix polymer. U.S. Pat. No. 3,903,234 discloses gas permeable biaxially oriented film prepared from compositions of polyolefins containing 26-50% by weight of inorganic filler particles. U.S. Pat. No. 4,176,148 discloses microporous oriented films composed of polybutene containing 3-80% by weight of inorganic fillers. British Patent 2,151,539 discloses a process for making water vapor permeable oriented film from polyolefins containing 33-83% by weight of barium sulfate filler.
None of the above prior references discloses the instant invention.

Breathable microporous film and methods for making it


An image processing apparatus includes: an area extracting unit that extracts a candidate area of a classification target area in which a pixel value does not correspond to a three-dimensional shape of an imaging target based on pixel values of an intraluminal image acquired by imaging the inside of a lumen or information of a change in pixel values of peripheral pixels; and an area classifying unit that classifies the classification target area out of the candidate area based on the pixel values of the inside of the candidate area, a boundary portion of the candidate area, or a periphery portion of the candidate area.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, a method of processing an image, and a computer-readable recording medium for processing an intraluminal image acquired by imaging the inside of a lumen.
2. Description of the Related Art
In Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2007-236629, a method is disclosed in which the three-dimensional image of a body tissue is estimated based on an intraluminal image (endoscopic image), and a lesion site having a protruded shape such as a polyp is detected based on shape feature data such as curvature at each position of the estimated three-dimensional shape. Here, in order to estimate the three-dimensional shape, while pixel values corresponding to the three-dimensional shape of the imaging target need to be acquired from the intraluminal image, in Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2007-236629 described above, luminance information of the intraluminal image is regarded as pixel values corresponding to the three-dimensional image, and the three-dimensional shape is estimated by performing a geometric conversion process based on the pixel values.

Image processing apparatus, method of processing image, and computer-readable recording medium


A bridge structure is provided for short bridges spans of eighty feet or less in length and includes a series of girders consisting of flanged steel beams. The girders are maintained in place by lateral braces which hold the girders with a series of tie rods or bolts affixed thereto. In one embodiment the lateral braces are formed with top and bottom steel members of relatively small size and which are notched to help maintain the girders in position. Side rail posts are affixed at the ends of the lateral braces for attachment of a guardrail or the like. The longitudinally positioned girders are not welded or weakened with bolt holes therethrough and the structure provides a convenient and economical bridge constructions for use with conventional timber or other decking.

1. Field Of The Invention
The invention herein pertains to certain bridge supporting structures, and particularly to "short span" highway bridge structures for spans which are generally eighty feet or less.
2. Description Of The Prior Art And Objectives Of The Invention
It has been estimated that as many as two hundred thousand of this nation's highway bridges are deficient and must be replaced or substantially repaired in the near future. Many of the bridges which are deficient are of the "short span" type, i.e., are less than eighty feet in length generally used by motor vehicles on secondary roads and highways. The supporting structure of these short span secondary highway bridges may be either longitudinal concrete or steel girders, positioned parallel to the centerline of the roadway which provide the primary strength and load support across the span. Steel girders usually require supplemental lateral restraints for lateral rigidity which under conventional bridge constructions involves steel cross bracing between the girders. However, conventional bridge constructions which utilize steel girders have bolt holes therein or welded clips thereto required for connecting the lateral bracing to the girders and for the attachment of the supports for the guard rails on each side of the bridge. Such bridges generally have concrete decking, however bridges with steel girders often use treated timber decking which is an established, economical and proven bridge deck comparing favorably on ability to withstand freezing weather and salting operations. Such bridges have proved uneconomical to manufacture and install and are often insufficient in long term guardrail rigidity. Conventional bridge construction is also expensive and labor intensive, and in some instances has prohibited local governments from repairing or replacing bridges until they are dangerously decrepit.
It is therefore an objective of the present invention to provide a bridge structure and design which has components that can be easily fabricated by relatively unskilled workers and which can be delivered to the job site for assembly and installation with ease and convenience.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a bridge structure in which the principal components for lateral bracing are standardized and can be utilized in any width, skew or span of bridge and which may be mass produced and warehoused for economy purposes.
It is also another objective of the present invention to provide a bridge structure easily adaptable to any skew or angle of the span crossing with minimum engineering or fabrication required.
It is still another objective of the present invention to provide the lateral bracing for a girder bridge structure whereby each lateral brace consists of a pair of steel members, one above and the other below the girders, and each steel member is continuous across the width of the bridge.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a bridge structure which utilizes a relatively small number of components yet which will provide the stability and rigidity for all state and federal requirements.
It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide a bridge structure whereby the lateral braces are securely affixed at each girder without penetrating the girder or welding thereto.
Various other objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art as a more detailed presentation is set forth below.


A lamp arrangement is provided having a lamp socket, a concave reflector body arranged on the lamp socket, an emitter arranged within the cavity of the reflector body and on the lamp socket, and preferably a filter disk, which covers an outlet opening of the reflector body for radiation. The reflector body is detachably connected with the lamp socket by a bayonet catch. Alternatively, the reflector body can be connected with the lamp socket by at least two gripping arms. The lamp arrangement is designed especially for use in the UV range.

The invention relates to a UV lamp arrangement having a lamp socket, with a concave reflector body arranged on the lamp socket, with a UV emitter arranged within the cavity of the reflector body and on the lamp socket, and especially with a filter disk, which covers an outlet opening of the reflector body for UV radiation. The invention further relates to a use of this UV lamp arrangement.
Such lamp arrangements are known from International application publication WO 97/32158 for tanning devices. In a glass bulb, which is coated inside with a reflective coating, a mercury-vapor high-pressure lamp is arranged upright as a tanning lamp. The glass bulb is closed by a UV filter. The filter and/or the tanning lamp is exchangeable herein. Accordingly, in order to be able to evacuate the glass bulb in the lamp arrangement disclosed here, the glass bulb must be closed air-tight by seals with the tanning lamp and the UV filter. Thus, changing the UV filter or the lamp has proven to be problematic in terms of a new seal.
Published European patent application EP 301 208 A2 discloses a bayonet socket for a lamp or a reflector, wherein the bayonet catch fixes the lamp socket in a lamp fixture. Between the reflector and the bayonet socket, plug or clamp connections are disclosed, which allow the reflector to be detachable from the socket.
German utility model application DE 201 06 885U1 likewise discloses a lamp with a bayonet socket, wherein the bayonet catch fixes the socket in a lamp fixture. The lamp has a lamp bulb that can be unscrewed from the bayonet socket.


The drive connection between an eccentric pin and a slider block in a scroll compressor is angled such that any vertical force between the two will drive the slider block away from the orbiting scroll member. In this manner, manufacturing tolerances will not result in any drive connection which can have a net vertical force driving the slider block toward the orbiting scroll member.

This application relates to a scroll compressor, wherein a slider block is formed with an intentional taper such that any axial force created between an eccentric pin and the slider block is in a direction opposed from the scroll pump set.
Scroll compressors have become widely utilized in refrigerant compression applications. In a scroll compressor, a first scroll member has a base and a generally spiral wrap extending from its base. A second scroll member has a base and a generally spiral wrap extending from its base. The wraps of the two scroll members interfit to define compression chambers. A motor drives a driveshaft to rotate. The driveshaft has an eccentric pin at an upper end which extends into a slider block. The slider block is positioned between the eccentric pin and a boss extending from the base of the second scroll member. Rotation of the shaft causes the eccentric pin to move within the slider block, and to in turn cause the orbiting scroll to move. A non-rotational coupling ensures that the second scroll member orbits relative to the first scroll member.
In the prior art, it is known to have a barrel shape formed on one of the pin and the slider block. This shape reduces the contact area. However, with manufacturing tolerances, there are times when a barrel shape on the pin can interfit with an unintended angled surface on the slider block such that a total force from the interaction of the pin and the slider block includes a vertical or axial component directed toward the scroll pump set. This can lead to problems, such as rubbing of an upper surface of the slider block and the lower surface of the second scroll member. Again, such an occurrence can be caused by manufacturing tolerances on the slider block drive surface.

Scroll compressor with tapered slider block