A method and apparatus for managing a loop network, the loop network (200) including at least one loop (206, 208), a plurality of devices (210) connected to the at least one loop (206, 208) via ports (211, 212), wherein at least two of the devices are initiators (207, 209). The method includes each initiator (207, 209) sending a frame to all other initiators (207, 209) in the loop network (200) identifying any ports (211, 212) which should not be used. Each initiator (207, 209) merges the information from all other initiators (207, 209) with its own information identifying any ports (211, 212) which should not be used resulting in all the initiators (207, 209) generating a single list of ports (211, 212) to be used which is consistent across all the initiators (207, 209). Each initiator (207, 209) applies an algorithm (300) to determine a common set of ports (211, 212) to be used by all the initiators (207, 209) and to balance port accesses across the loop network (200).

Fibre Channel Arbitrated Loop (FC-AL) architecture is a member of the Fibre Channel family of ANSI standard protocols. FC-AL is typically used for connecting together computer peripherals, in particular disk drives. The FC-AL architecture is described in NCITS working draft proposal, American National Standard for Information Technology "Fibre Channel Arbitrated Loop (FC-AL-2) Revision 7.0", Apr. 1, 1999.
Electronic data systems can be interconnected using network communication systems. Area-wide networks and channels are two technologies that have been developed for computer network architectures. Area-wide networks (e.g. LANs and WANs) offer flexibility and relatively large distance capabilities. Channels, such as the Small Computer System Interface (SCSI), have been developed for high performance and reliability. Channels typically use dedicated short-distance connections between computers or between computers and peripherals.
Fibre Channel technology has been developed from optical point-to-point communication of two systems or a system and a subsystem. It has evolved to include electronic (non-optical) implementations and has the ability to connect many devices, including disk drives, in a relatively low-cost manner. This addition to the Fibre Channel specifications is called Fibre Channel Arbitrated Loop (FC-AL).
Fibre Channel technology consists of an integrated set of standards that defines new protocols for flexible information transfer using several interconnection topologies. Fibre Channel technology can be used to connect large amounts of disk storage to a server or cluster of servers. Compared to Small Computer Systems Interface (SCSI), Fibre Channel technology supports greater performance, scalability, availability, and distance for attaching storage systems to network servers.
Fibre Channel Arbitrated Loop (FC-AL) is a loop architecture as opposed to a bus architecture like SCSI. FC-AL is a serial interface, where data and control signals pass along a single path rather than moving in parallel across multiple conductors as is the case with SCSI. Serial interfaces have many advantages including: increased reliability due to point-to-point use in communications; dual-porting capability, so data can be transferred over two independent data paths, enhancing speed and reliability; and simplified cabling and increased connectivity which are important in multi-drive environments. As a direct disk attachment interface, FC-AL has greatly enhanced I/O performance.
Devices are connected to a FC-AL using hardware which is termed a "port". A device which has connections for two loops has two ports or is "dual-ported".
The operation of FC-AL involves a number of ports connected such that each port's transmitter is connected to the next port's receiver, and so on, forming a loop. Each port's receiver has an elasticity buffer that captures the incoming FC-AL frame or words and is then used to regenerate the FC-AL word as it is re-transmitted. This buffer exists to deal with slight clocking variations that occur. Each port receives a word, and then transmits that word to the next port, unless the port itself is the destination of that word, in which case it is consumed. The nature of FC-AL is therefore such that each intermediate port between the originating port and the destination port gets to 'see' each word as it passes around the FC-AL loop.
FC-AL architecture may be in the form of a single loop. Often two independent loops are used to connect the same devices in the form of dual loops. The aim of these loops is to provide an alternative path to devices on a loop should one loop fail. A single fault should not cause both loops to fail simultaneously. More than two loops can also be used.
FC-AL devices typically have two sets of connections allowing them to be attached to two FC-ALs. Thus, in a typical configuration, two independent loops exist and each device is physically connected to both loops. When the system is working optimally, there are two possible loops that can be used to access any dual-ported device.
A FC-AL can incorporate bypass circuits with the aim of making the FC-AL interface sufficiently robust to permit devices to be removed from the loop without interrupting throughput and sacrificing data integrity. If a disk drive fails, port bypass circuits attempt to route around the problem so all disk drives on the loop remain accessible. Without port bypass circuits a fault in any device will break the loop.
In dual loops, port bypass circuits are provided for each loop and these provide additional protection against faults. A port can be bypassed on one loop while remaining active on the dual loop.
A typical FC-AL may have one or two host bus adapters (HBA) and a set of six or so disk drive enclosures or drawers, each of which may contain a set of ten to sixteen disk drives. There is a physical cable connection between each enclosure and the HBA in the FC-AL. Also, there is a connection internal to the enclosure or drawer, between the cable connector and each disk drive in the enclosure or drawer, as well as other components within the enclosure or drawer, e.g. SES device (SCSI Enclosure Services node) or other enclosure services devices.
Components in a loop can be categorised as "initiators" or "targets", or both depending on their function in the loop. For example, a host bus adapter is an initiator and a disk drive is a target. Initiators can arbitrate for a communication path in the loop and can choose a target. A target can request the transfer of a command, data, status, or other information to or from the initiator.
If there is a single initiator in a loop, the initiator will login with all the targets in the loop. Targets may accept or reject this login attempt. At any later stage a target can log out with any logged in initiator. In a multi-initiator environment, an initiator operates as both a sender and recipient login attempts.
When target devices such as disk drives are provided on dual loops with a port on each loop, such devices do not necessarily cope with being accessed by the same or by different initiators on both ports. This may even cause data transfer rates to be reduced because of the overhead in switching between ports. It is also possible that there are ordering issues to worry about.
There may be other advantages in only accessing target devices via one port, such as being able to bypass redundant ports. Therefore, accessing multi-ported targets via only one port is proposed.
Devices may not accept or correctly complete log in procedures and this is a problem if devices do not present the same view to each initiator.
Providing multiple initiators in a loop network should increase performance levels and achieve a higher degree of connectivity. Therefore, management of a loop network with more than one initiator is proposed. Accesses to dual-ported devices in a loop network should be balanced to evenly distribute the accesses to devices over both of the dual ports. This needs to be co-ordinated with the proposal to access devices through only one port for all initiators.
It is an aim of the present invention to provide management of a loop network with more than one initiator to provide a consistent view of the devices in the loop network and to balance the accesses to the devices.

Method and apparatus for managing a loop network


An electrophoretic device is composed of a pair of electrodes that are arranged opposite to each other with a prescribed space therebetween, which contains an electrophoretic dispersion liquid containing electrophoretic particles which are dispersed in a liquid phase dispersion medium. At least one ferroelectric substance layer is arranged at a prescribed position within the space between the electrodes, and at least one of the electrodes is made of a transparent material. Applying a drive voltage between the electrodes, the electrophoretic particles are deposited on one electrode while ions of reverse polarity move towards another electrode, thus establishing the polarized state of the electrophoretic dispersion liquid, which is maintained for a long time due to the residual polarization characteristics of the ferroelectric substance layer.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to electrophoretic devices such as electrophoretic displays which contain electrophoretic dispersion liquids containing electrophoretic particles dispersed in a liquid phase dispersion medium, wherein the electrophoretic dispersion liquid is arranged between electrodes that are arranged opposite to each other and are electrified to attract the particles in different directions respectively. In addition, this invention also relates to methods of manufacturing the electrophoretic devices.
2. Description of the Related Art
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 9-185087 discloses the general structure of a conventional electrophoretic display. FIG. 8A shows a structure of the disclosed electrophoretic display, wherein an electrode 3 is arranged on a substrate 1 while a transparent electrode 4 is arranged below a transparent substrate 2. The space between these electrodes 3 and 4 is filled with electrophoretic dispersion liquid 50. In addition, spacers 7 are provided to prevent bleeding of the electrophoretic dispersion liquid 50 from the electrophoretic display. Incidentally, FIG. 8A shows only a selected section of the electrophoretic display for one pixel.
The electrophoretic dispersion liquid 50 contain electrophoretic particles 5 that are dispersed in liquid phase dispersion medium 6. Different colors are applied to the electrophoretic particles 5 and the liquid phase dispersion medium 6 respectively.
The electrophoretic display is connected to two voltage sources 9a and 9b by way of a switch 8. The voltage sources 9a and 9b apply voltages between the electrodes 3 and 4 with opposite polarities. That is, the electrode 4 is directly connected with the negative terminal of the voltage source 9a and the positive terminal of the voltage source 9b, whereas the electrode 3 is connected with either the positive terminal of the voltage source 9a or the negative terminal of the voltage source 9b by way of the switch 8. The aforementioned connections allow alternation of the polarity of the voltage by switching the switch 8. By simply changing the direction of the voltage applied between the electrodes 3 and 4, the electrophoretic dispersion liquid 50 is adequately subjected to polarization to enable the desired images to be displayed by the electrophoretic display. When selectively applying the voltage of the voltage source 9a between the electrodes 3 and 4 as shown in FIG. 8B, the electrophoretic particles 5 move towards the transparent electrode 4, which is observed by a human observer. In this state, the human observer views the color of the electrophoretic particles 5 with his/her eyes. When selectively applying the voltage of the voltage source 9b between the electrodes 3 and 4 as shown in FIG. 8C, the electrophoretic particles 5 move towards the electrode 3, which is arranged opposite to the transparent electrode 4 being observed by the human observer. In this state, the human observer views the color of the liquid phase dispersion medium 6.
The aforementioned structure of the electrophoretic display shown in FIG. 8A allows the human observer to view two colors, which can be displayed on the screen by switching the direction of the voltage applied between the electrodes 3 and 4. Therefore, the overall configuration of the electrophoretic display can be realized by providing the aforementioned structure for each pixel on the screen.
It is possible to produce an electronic paper by forming the aforementioned electrophoretic display on the flexible board or the like. Such electronic paper requires the displayed images to be retained over time. That is, once some display contents are written and are displayed on the electronic paper, it is necessary to retain the display contents even though a voltage is no longer applied.
Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. Sho 50-15115 teaches a technique for retaining the display contents. Specifically, it teaches the use of a specific dispersion medium that is solidified at normal temperatures and that can be softened by heat or a solvent. The aforementioned technique requires complicated steps in writing images, such as heating steps.
Japanese Unexamined Utility-Model Publication No. Hei 2-51325 discloses another technique that uses liquid crystal for the dispersion medium. However, this technique is disadvantageous because only a limited range of materials can be used for the dispersion medium.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,961,804 discloses an electrophoretic display having the specific structure in which charged elements having the polarity opposite to that of the particles are restrained inside of microcapsules containing dispersion liquids. However, it is very difficult to carry out the charge restraining method, which complicates the manufacturing processes. In addition, it is disadvantageous because only a limited range of materials can be used for the microcapsules.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 3-213827 discloses a technique for refreshing displayed images by periodically applying a drive voltage to the electrophoretic display. However, it is complicated in control and is disadvantageous because of the large consumption of electricity. For this reason, it is very difficult to apply the aforementioned technique to the electronic paper.
It is an object of the invention to provide an electrophoretic device that has remarkably improved display characteristics for retaining images on the screen when producing an electronic paper.
It is another object of the invention to provide a method for manufacturing the electrophoretic display with simple processes and practically without limitations in selecting the materials for use in the manufacture.
This invention provides unique and easy-to-manufacture structures for electrophoretic devices such as electrophoretic displays, in which an electrophoretic dispersion liquid containing electrophoretic particles dispersed in the liquid phase dispersion medium is contained in a space between electrodes, at least one of which is composed of transparent materials. This invention is characterized by arranging ferroelectric substance layers between the electrodes, which are arranged opposite to each other. The provision of the ferroelectric substance layers, which are arranged between the electrodes, allows the polarized state of the electrophoretic dispersion liquid to be maintained for a long time. Thus, it is possible to improve the image retaining capability of the electrophoretic device.
In the first aspect of the invention, the ferroelectric substance layers are connected in series within the space formed between the electrodes. Therefore, it is possible to enlarge the overall effective area of the ferroelectric substance layers, which makes it effectively maintain the polarized state of the electrophoretic dispersion liquid. In addition, it is possible to simplify the structure of the electrophoretic device, which can be manufactured with ease.
In the second aspect of the invention, ferroelectric substance layers are arranged in parallel between the electrodes. In this case, it is possible to reduce the drive voltage applied between the electrodes because of the parallel arrangement of the ferroelectric substance layers between the electrodes.
In the third aspect of the invention, there is further provided a switch enabling repetitive and reversible switching between the electrophoretic dispersion liquid and the ferroelectric substance layers to be electrically connected in series or in parallel. When the ferroelectric substance layers and the electrophoretic dispersion liquid are electrically connected in parallel, it is possible to reduce the drive voltage, which is applied between the electrodes. During the non-drive mode, the ferroelectric substance layers and the electrophoretic dispersion liquid are electrically connected in series, which makes it possible to effectively retain the polarized state of the electrophoretic dispersion liquid.
Because the ferroelectric substance layers are composed of organic polymer ferroelectric substances, it is possible to form the ferroelectric substance layers by prescribed printing and painting methods using an organic solvent solution, for example. This provides an easy way to manufacture the electrophoretic device.
At least one of the electrodes is partitioned into a plurality of sections in relation to a plurality of pixels on the screen. In addition, the ferroelectric substance layers can be also partitioned into a plurality of sections in relation to the pixels respectively. These sections of the ferroelectric substance layers are not necessarily provided for all of the pixels on the screen. Hence, it is possible to provide them for desired locations of the pixels respectively. This enables different contents to be displayed with respect to the pixels respectively. Therefore, it is possible to display the desired images on the screen.
The ferroelectric substance layer is formed by a prescribed method using an organic solvent solution for use in organic polymer ferroelectric substances and the like. As the prescribed method, it is possible to employ the inkjet printing method, screen process printing method, spin-coating method, roll-coating method, etc. These methods do not require the special equipment such as a vacuum chamber. Hence, it is possible to manufacture the electrophoretic device at a relatively low cost.
A first manufacturing method is to form the layer of the electrophoretic dispersion liquid after formation of the ferroelectric substance layers in accordance with a prescribed method. Thus, it is possible to provide a parallel arrangement of the ferroelectric substance layers, which create spaces for arranging microcapsules between the electrodes.
A second manufacturing method is to form the ferroelectric substance layers after the formation of the layer of the electrophoretic dispersion liquid in accordance with a prescribed method. Thus, it is possible to provide a serial arrangement of the ferroelectric substance layers within the space formed between the electrodes.

Electrophoretic device and method of manufacturing it


A wireless communication system has an access point managing a first wireless local area network. To transmit the frame, the access point: obtains data to be transmitted in multicast mode; obtains data to be transmitted in unicast mode; and constructs a physical-layer header including: in a common signalling field, an identification of each channel resource intended to be used for making the frame transmission, whether this be for the data to be transmitted in unicast mode or in multicast mode; and, in each field in a series of specific signalling fields, information representing an association between a channel resource identifier used and a unique identifier of the destination concerned or group of destinations concerned. Thus each destination can determine each channel resource to listen to in order to receive the data that are addressed to it, whether this be in unicast mode or in multicast mode.

The establishment of wireless local area networks WLAN offers great flexibility to the users of roaming communication devices, such as computers, tablets, smartphones, etc. Such WLAN networks are established by access points AP. Such wireless local area networks WLAN thus facilitate the interconnection of devices within a dwelling or an office, by providing wireless local connectivity in order to avoid having recourse to interconnection cabling.
Wireless local area networks WLAN of the Wi-Fi type are for example known, as defined in IEEE 802.11 and the amendments thereof, such as for example the amendment IEEE 802.11ax.
So as to improve the use of the channel resources, the access point of a network compatible with the IEEE 802.11ax amendment (in the "Draft 2.0" version thereof) can make transmissions of the MU-MIMO type ("Multi-User-Multiple Inputs Multiple Outputs"). This makes it possible, by means of beamforming, to transmit data to a plurality of wireless terminals on the same channel resource. However, when the same data must be transmitted to a plurality of wireless terminals, the use of transmissions of the MU-MIMO type requires duplication of said data, so that each of the spatial streams contains said same set of data. Apart from this duplication of data, the use of transmissions of the MU-MIMO type requires the wireless terminals concerned to be sufficiently distant spatially so as to limit interferences, which is not always possible in the context of a wireless local area network WLAN.
Being able to send data to a plurality of destinations using dedicated link-layer addresses, e.g. Ethernet MAC (medium access control) or network layer (e.g. IP (Internet Protocol), is also known. However, this approach requires performing a link-layer decoding, or respectively network-layer decoding, in order to determine the actual destination of said data.
It is desirable to overcome these drawbacks of the prior art. It is thus desirable to provide a solution that makes it possible to make data transmissions to a plurality of destinations in a wireless local area network WLAN without having to duplicate said data and while limiting the decoding requirements at the link and network layers (and higher layers).

Method for the transmission of a frame by an access point of a wireless local area network


Current is regulated in an LED lamp by sensing, in a manner electrically isolated from a primary side of a transformer, an LED current in an LED; creating a digital control signal based on the LED current; transmitting the digital control signal from the secondary side of the LED circuit to the primary side; and controlling power delivered to the primary side based at least in part on the transmitted digital control signal.

LED light sources are attractive alternatives to traditional incandescent, fluorescent, or halogen lamps because of their high light output and low power consumption. LED lamps, however, require specialized driver and/or control circuits in order to properly supply power to the LEDs (typically, via a regulated current) using traditional power sources (e.g., an AC line voltage). As a further constraint, safety standards created by organizations such as UL and CE require that hazardous voltages (e.g., voltages above approximately 50 volts) must be isolated from users.
A popular LED driver circuit that fulfills these requirements uses a flyback converter, which applies the input voltage to a primary side of a flyback transformer (i.e., a charge-storing transformer) to induce a current therein. A switch periodically shuts off the application of the input voltage, during which time the flyback transformer discharges its stored charge as a current through its secondary side. This secondary-side current is used to drive the LEDs. As an added benefit, the separation between the primary and secondary sides of the flyback transformer provides the electrical isolation required by the safety standards.
Because the LED drive current requires regulation, however, the flyback-converter circuit must also sense any variations in the secondary-side current and adjust the power delivered to the primary side of the flyback transformer accordingly. For example, if the secondary-side current is too low, the primary-side control circuit may increase the amount of time per cycle that the switch is on and thereby apply more input power to the primary side. The sensed secondary-side LED current must be therefore transmitted back to the primary side, and it must be done while preserving the primary/secondary electrical isolation.
An existing circuit 100 for feeding back the sensed LED current to the primary side of the circuit is shown in FIG. 1. An input line voltage 102 is applied to a filter and rectifier 104 and thereafter to a primary side 106 of a flyback transformer 108. A primary-side control circuit 110 periodically shuts off a transistor switch 112, at which time the secondary side 114 applies a current to the LEDs 116 (through a rectifier diode 118 and a filter capacitor 120). A current-sense circuit 122 senses the current through the LEDs 116 and sends a corresponding sensing signal through an opto-isolator 118. The opto-isolator 118 passes the signal across the isolation barrier using a light-emitting diode and a photodiode, thereby preserving the electrical isolation. The primary-side control circuit 110 receives the feedback signal from the opto-isolator 118 and adjusts the switching time of the switch 112 accordingly.
There are a number of drawbacks to the use of the opto-isolator 118, however. The accuracy of the current regulation depends on the quality of the analog signal passed therethrough; if the opto-isolator 118 is poorly calibrated, out of specification, and/or changes or degrades over time, the light produced by the LEDs 116 may undesirably vary and/or the lifespan of the LEDs 116 may shorten. These issues may be mitigated (but not eliminated) by the use of a higher-quality opto-isolator 118, but the higher cost of such a component may be undesirable or prohibitive.
The shortcomings of the use of the opto-isolator 118 are exacerbated if the LEDs 116 are to be used with a dimming signal. Any errors introduced into the feedback signal by the opto-isolator 118 produce erratic, inconsistent, or time-varying levels of light output by the LEDs 116 for a given dimmer setting. Furthermore, if one dimmer signal is used to control multiple LED lamps, differences in each of the opto-isolators in each lamp may produce different levels of output light from each lamp.
A need therefore exists for an LED lamp driver circuit that complies with safety standards while providing accurate and consistent current regulation and dimming control.

Secondary-side sensing of phase-dimming signal


This invention relates to a novel process for the synthesis of R-biphenylalaninol and to intermediate compounds that are formed in the process according to the invention, i.e. novel intermediates useful in the synthesis of R-biphenylalaninol. The invention also relates to R-biphenylalaninol, The process according to the invention, the intermediates to of R-biphenylalaninol and of R-biphenylalaninol are all useful in the synthesis of pharmaceutically active compounds.

The present invention relates to methods to prepare N-Boc protected biphenylalaninol, which is a key intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceutically active compounds, e.g. neutral endopeptidase (NEP) inhibitors (see e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 4,722,810 and EP0059442.
R-biphenylalaninol is a novel compound. However, S-biphenylalaninol is mentioned and used in PCT-application WO9902153 (Table 1, page 25). However, the origin/preparation of this material is not disclosed. The synthesis of the racemic compound is described in CN101362708 (based on information disclosed in English abstract) The route described therein, however, is relatively long and requires an additional resolution step to obtain the desired enantiomerically enriched product. The S-enantiomer of Boc protected biphenyl alaninol has also been reported in U.S. Pat. No. 7,618,981; US2007056469; WO2005107762; WO2007056469; and WO2008138561. The typical synthetic method described therein to prepare the S-enantiomer of Boc protected biphenyl alaninol is based on the hydride reduction of Boc-protected biphenyl alanine which in turn can be prepared from enantiomerically pure biphenyl alanine using well established chemistry (Greene's Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, 4th edition, page 725).
Several synthetic methods for preparation of D-biphenyl alanine have been reported. However, these are based on the use of expensive raw materials (D-Tyr; J. Med. Chem. 1995, 38, 1689) or rely on an (enzymatic) resolution of the corresponding racemic ester (EP1980622), which makes them less attractive from a commercial point of view. In addition, synthetic routes based on asymmetric hydrogenation of the N-acyl dehydroamino acid derivatives are known (Adv. Synth. Cat. 2003, 345, 308). The disadvantage of this approach is that the required hydrolysis of the N-acetyl group is time consuming and may give rise to erosion of enantiomeric excess.
Therefore, there is a strong need to develop inexpensive methods to prepare N-Boc protected biphenylalaninol. It is found that the present invention meets this objective and thus provides a process that is industrially advantageous.


An ink jet recording media system is described which comprises at least one coating layer that comprises a copolymer or cooligomer, which copolymer or cooligomer comprises monomer units derived from at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of the acrylate and acrylamide monomers, at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of the amine containing ethylenically unsaturated monomers and at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of the polyacrylates of polyols. The copolymer or cooligomer is at least partially neutralized with acid. The media system exhibits excellent dye wash fastness, fast dry times, high gloss and excellent light fastness.

Ink jet printing technology is used for example for presentation (transparency), graphic arts, banners and signage, engineering drawing and home office applications. The performance requirements for ink jet recording media used for these applications include efficient ink absorption, fast drying, good colorfastness, high image resolution, archivability and curl performance.
The individual layers that receive ink jet ink images are referred to as ink jet media or ink jet receivers. Ink jet media may simply consist or cellulosic fiber paper or of cellulosic fibers and a filler in order that inks may be absorbed in the space between fibers.
Ink jet recording papers may also be of the coated type, which consists for example of a paper (or support), an ink-receptive layer or ink-absorbing layer or layers, and optionally a protective coating layer. The ink-receptive layer is the ink-receiving or image drying layer. Thin protective coating layers are typically employed to provide physical protection for the underlying layer or to protect the image. Protective layers may reduce tackiness, provide a glossy appearance, and like other layers, offer an ink-receptive surface that may serve as a carrier for specific components of the ink.
A barrier layer between a paper support and the ink receptive layer or layers is also typically employed.
Attempts have been made to employ certain polymers or blends of polymers as components of ink jet recording media. In general, blends are used to find the proper balance of ink absorption, dry time and image permanence.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,575,465 discloses ink jet transparencies that comprise a transparent support carrying a layer comprising a vinylpyridine/vinylbenzyl quaternary salt copolymer and a hydrophilic polymer selected from gelatin, polyvinyl alcohol and hydroxypropyl cellulose.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,206,071 teaches an ink jet film composite comprising a support, a water-insoluble, water-absorptive and ink-receptive matrix layer, which matrix layer comprises a hydrogel complex and a polymeric high molecular weight quaternary ammonium salt.
U.S. 2002/0127376 discloses cationic colloidal dispersion polymers for ink jet coatings.
JP2001200199 teaches ink jet recording media with a surface coating containing a copolymer containing a cationic group.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,245,421, WO 00/46035 and WO 00/46036 teach printable media comprising an ink receptive, thermoplastic image layer that contains a copolymer having a plurality of tertiary amine sites, which sites are at least partially neutralized with acid.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,830,911 teaches recording sheet for ink jet printers coated or impregnated with certain water soluble polymers.
JP10272830 (JP3160710B2) teaches a coating agent of an ink jet recording sheet that is prepared from a copolymer of a quaternary ammonium base, a compound having a carboxyl group and a specified compound having an alkyl ester.
It has been found that certain copolymers or cooligomers, which copolymers or cooligomers comprise monomer units derived from at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of the acrylate and acrylamide monomers, at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of the amine containing ethylenically unsaturated monomers and at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of the polyacrylates of polyols, provide for superior ink jet media when incorporated therein. The amine sites of the copolymers or cooligomers are at least partially neutralized with acid prior to film casting the coating formulation. The ink jet media, which receives ink jet ink, is provided excellent dye wash fastness, fast dry times, high gloss and excellent lightfastness.


A hybrid driving device that includes a first input that is linked to an internal combustion engine; a rotary electric machine; a transmission that changes a speed of rotation of a second input, and transmits the rotation to an output; a rotor support which rotates integrally with a rotor of the rotary electric machine; a first engagement device; a second engagement device; and a case.

The present disclosure relates to a hybrid driving device.
For example, in JP-A-2013-96552, a hybrid driving device including: a first input member which is linked to an internal combustion engine; a rotary electric machine; a transmission apparatus which changes a speed of rotation of a second input member, and transmits the rotation to an output member; a rotor supporting member which rotates integrally with a rotor of the rotary electric machine; a first engagement device; a second engagement device; and a case, is disclosed. In a technology described in JP-A-2013-96552, the first input member and the second input member are configured to be linked to or separated from each other in accordance with a state of engagement of the first engagement device, but the second input member and the rotor supporting member are linked to each other.


In method for operating a gas turbine (11), the compressed air is fed to a combustor (18, 19) for the combustion of a coal syngas, and the resulting hot gases are expanded in a subsequent turbine (16, 17). Some of the compressed air is separated into oxygen and nitrogen, and the oxygen is used for producing the syngas. In a first combustor, (18) syngas is combusted and the resulting hot gases are expanded in a first turbine (16), and in a second combustor syngas is combusted, using the gases which issue from the first turbine (16), and the resulting hot gases are expanded in the second turbine (17). The two combustors (18, 19) are operated with undiluted syngas, and the first combustor flame temperature (TF) is lowered compared with the operation with natural gas (TNG), while the second combustor (19) is operated in the normal operation (TNG) for natural gas.

1. Field of Endeavor
The present invention relates to the field of power plant technology. It refers to a method for operating a (stationary) gas turbine, and also to a gas turbine useful for carrying out the method.
2. Brief Description of the Related Art
A gas turbine with reheating (reheat gas turbine) is known (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,577,378, or "State-of-the-art gas turbines—a brief update", ABB review 02/1997, FIG. 15, turbine type GT26), which combines a flexible operation with very low exhaust gas emission values.
The machine architecture of gas turbine of type GT26 is uniquely and suitably characterized for the realization of a concept which is the subject of the present invention, because:                in the compressor there is already a significant tapping off of compressor air at medium compressor pressures,        sequential combustion enables a high stability of combustion in the case of reduced values of oxygen surplus, and        a secondary air system is available which enables air to be tapped off from the compressor and cooled down, and the cooled-down air to be used for cooling the combustor and the turbine.
The principle of the known gas turbine with reheating is reproduced in FIG. 1. The gas turbine 11, which is part of a combined-cycle power plant 10, includes two compressors, specifically a low-pressure compressor 13 and a high-pressure compressor 14, which are connected in series and arranged on a common shaft 15, and also two combustors, specifically a high-pressure combustor 18 and a reheat combustor 19, and associated turbines, specifically a high-pressure turbine 16 and a low-pressure turbine 17. The shaft 15 drives a generator 12.
The principle of operation of the plant is the following: air is inducted via an air intake 20 by the low-pressure compressor 13 and first compressed to an intermediate pressure level (about 20 bar). The high-pressure compressor 14 then further compresses the air to a high pressure level (about 32 bar). Cooling air is tapped off both at the intermediate pressure level and at the high pressure level and cooled in associated OTC coolers (OTC=Once-Through Cooler) 23 and 24, and via cooling air lines 25 and 26 is transmitted to the combustors 18, 19 and turbines 16, 17 for cooling. The remaining air from the high-pressure compressor 14 is guided to the high-pressure combustor 18 and heated there by combustion of a fuel which is fed via the fuel feed line 21. The resulting exhaust gas is then expanded in the subsequent high-pressure turbine 16 to a medium pressure level, performing work. After expansion, the exhaust gas is reheated in the reheat combustor 19 by combustion of a fuel which is fed via the fuel feed line 22, before it is expanded in the subsequent low-pressure turbine 17, performing further work.
The cooling air which flows through the cooling air lines 25, 26 is injected at suitable points of the combustors 18, 19 and turbines 16, 17 in order to limit the material temperatures to an acceptable degree. The exhaust gas which issues from the low-pressure turbine 17 is sent through a heat recovery steam generator 27 (HRSG=Heat Recovery Steam Generator) in order to produce steam which, within a water-steam cycle, flows through a steam turbine 29 and performs further work there. After the heat recovery steam generator 27 has been subjected to throughflow by the exhaust gas, the exhaust gas is finally discharged to the outside through an exhaust gas line 28. The OTC coolers 23, 24 are part of the water-steam cycle; superheated steam is produced at their outlets.
A high flexibility in operation is achieved as a result of the two consecutive combustions, which are independent of each other, in the combustors 18 and 19; the combustor temperatures can be set so that the maximum efficiency is achieved within the existing limits. The low exhaust gas values of the sequential combustion system are produced as a result of the inherently low emission values which can be achieved in the case of reheating (under certain conditions the second combustion even leads to a consumption of NOx).
On the other hand, combined-cycle power plants with single-stage combustion in the gas turbines are known (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,785,622 or U.S. Pat. No. 6,513,317), in which is integrated a coal gasification plant which is supplied with oxygen from an air separation unit (ASU) in order to provide the fuel, in the form of syngas which is produced from coal, which is required for the gas turbine. Such combined-cycle power plants are referred to as IGCC plants (IGCC=Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle).
The present invention is now based on the knowledge that, by the use of gas turbines with reheating according to FIG. 1 in an IGCC plant, the advantages of this gas turbine type can be utilized for the plant in a special way.
The highest flexibility and efficiency during the operation of an IGCC plant can be achieved if the air separation unit is not integrated and if undiluted fuels can be combusted. Using a gas turbine with reheating according to FIG. 1, this can be realized, while at the same time the emissions can be minimized on account of an alternative concept of the NOx controls. This type of process profits from the advantages of reheating.
The integration of a gas turbine in an IGCC plant typically influences both the compressor and the combustors, as is clear in FIG. 2. The combined-cycle power plant 30 of FIG. 2 includes a gas turbine 11 with a low-pressure compressor 13, a subsequent high-pressure compressor 14, a high-pressure combustor 18 with a subsequent high-pressure turbine 16, and a reheat combustor 19 with a subsequent low-pressure turbine 17. The compressors 13, 14 and the turbines 16, 17 are seated on a common shaft 15, by which a generator 12 is driven. The combustors 18 and 19 are supplied via a syngas feed line 31 with syngas as fuel which is produced by gasification of coal (coal feed line 33) in a coal gasification plant 34. A cooling device 35 for the syngas, a cleaning plant 36, and a CO2 separator 37 with a CO2 outlet 38 for discharge of the separated CO2, are connected downstream to the coal gasification plant 34.
For coal gasification in the coal gasification plant 34, oxygen (O2) is used, which is produced in an air separation unit 32 and fed via an oxygen line 32a. The air separation unit 32 obtains compressed air from the outlet of the low-pressure compressor 13. The nitrogen (N2) which also results during the separation is fed for example via a nitrogen line 32b to the low-pressure combustor 19 (and/or to the high-pressure combustor 18) for diluting the syngas.
For cooling the components of the combustors 18, 19 and turbines 16, 17, which are stressed by the hot gas, compressed cooling air is tapped off at the outlets of the two compressors 13 and 14, cooled in a downstream OTC cooler 23 or 24, and then via corresponding cooling lines 25 and 26 fed to places which are to be cooled.
At the outlet of the low-pressure turbine 17, a heat recovery steam generator 27 is arranged, which together with an associated steam turbine 29 is part of a water-steam cycle. The exhaust gas which issues from the heat recovery steam generator 27 is discharged to the outside via an exhaust gas line 28.
Such an integration of the gas turbine leads to                air being tapped from the compressor for the air separation unit in order to compensate for the fuel mass flow which is fed via the combustors; and        nitrogen (N2) being added for diluting the syngas fuels (CO-rich and H2-rich fuels) in order to control the production of NOx.
When using syngas fuels, there are basically two possibilities for controlling the NOx:                It is general practice to control the NOx level in the case of CO-rich and subsequent H2-rich syngas fuels by the fuel being diluted with N2 from the air separation unit after the gasification (see FIG. 2).        An alternative to N2 dilution is the reduction of the flame temperature or, in the case of an afterburner or reheating, the reduction of the inlet temperature in the second stage of combustion.
This possible alternative for a gas turbine with reheating offers the opportunity of controlling the production of NOx without noticeably forfeiting output.


An object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus for observing inside structures and a specimen holder, wherein aging degradation of a good sample to a bad sample can be tracked in the same field of view, using the same specimen in order to determine the mechanism of failure. The present invention is a method for observing inside structures. The method comprises irradiating a specimen with a corpuscular beam generated from a corpuscular beam source, detecting transmitted particles transmitted by the specimen, applying a voltage to a portion of the specimen, and observing of a detection status of the transmitted particles in the voltage-applied portion as needed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a novel method and apparatus for observing the inside structure of a device while evaluating the performance of electronic devices, and to a specimen holder for the observation of inside structures.
2. Background Art
Conventionally, as a means of evaluating the electric characteristics of an electronic device, a prober is known wherein a probe is brought into contact with a semiconductor electronic device. For example, device characteristics are evaluated by bringing a probe into contact with an electrode for device evaluation while confirming the position using an optical microscope, thereby establishing electrical connection with an electrical measuring system. Also, the characteristics of a specific part of the device can be evaluated by bringing the probe into contact with an interconnection.
However, the observation of submicron interconnects is limited and it becomes difficult to bring the probe into contact with the finer interconnects with the confirmation of contact location of the probe using an optical microscope. To deal with this problem, Patent Document 1 discloses microscopic means which consists of an electron or ion irradiation system and a secondary electron detection unit for confirming a specific location within a sample with which the probe should be brought into contact, so that the probe contact position can be confirmed in a high resolution. Following the contact of the probe in a high resolution, a voltage contrast of secondary electrons detected by a scanning electron microscope can be obtained with 10 mV accuracy, enabling the observation of interconnection electric potential at a specific location during operation. Also, the use of a probe makes it possible to measure electrical characteristics, current-voltage characteristics, and the like only at a specific location.
In Patent Document 2, the use of a high-resolution compound microscope that has combined functions of a transmission electron microscope and a scanning probe microscope, such as an atomic force microscope, makes it possible to observe and measure inside structures, the surface structure of a plane parallel with the direction of incidence of an electron beam, mechanical characteristics, and electrical characteristics.
Patent Document 1: JP Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 9-326425 (1997)
Patent Document 2: JP Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 2002-279925

Method and apparatus for observing inside structures, and specimen holder


A computer implemented method for deforming a 3D polygon mesh using non-linear and linear constraints. The method includes creating a coarse control 3D polygon mesh that completely encapsulates the 3D polygon mesh to be deformed, projecting the deformation energy of the 3D polygon mesh and the constraints of the 3D polygon mesh to the vertices, or subspace, of the coarse control 3D polygon mesh, and determining the resulting deformed 3D polygon mesh by iteratively determining the deformation energy of the subspace. The constraints may be either linear or non-linear constraints, for example, a Laplacian constraint, a position constraint, a projection constraint, a skeleton constraint, or a volume constraint.

Three dimensional computer graphics are typically comprised of a polygon mesh including one or more graphical textures which may be applied to the exterior surfaces of the polygon mesh. When rendered by the computer, the polygon mesh and applied graphical textures may appear as a solid three dimensional form. Typically, a user may create a polygon mesh and associated textures using a 3D editor computer application such as MAYA® from AUTODESK®. Once the user has created the polygon mesh and associated textures, the polygon mesh and associated textures may be submitted to a 3D renderer software application, for example, a 3D video game graphics display engine.
A user may also animate a polygon mesh. Typically, a user may specify that a region of a polygon mesh is a unit, for example, if the polygon mesh resembles a human being, a user may specify that the polygon mesh representing a human arm is a single unit. The user may then specify the manner in which polygon mesh units are attached to one another. For example, a user may specify that the polygon mesh unit representing an arm is comprised of a forearm and an upper arm with a joint representing the elbow connecting the forearm and upper arm.
Once the user has created the polygon mesh units and the manifolds between the polygon mesh units, the user may specify a range of motion for the polygon mesh units. For example, the user may specify that the polygon mesh unit representing the forearm begins at a starting point in three dimensional space and then moves towards the polygon mesh unit representing the upper arm, the animation representing a human arm bicep contraction. Such a method for specifying movement in a set of polygon mesh units may be known as mesh deformation.
Because the polygon mesh units do not behave as their physical counterparts in the real world, there may be problems with rendering the result of the user's beginning and end points in the range of motion. For example, a real human arm is comprised of bones and other physical structures surrounded by flesh. When a real human arm contracts, the physical structures within the arm maintain the length of the arm while the real human flesh stretches and contracts where necessary to allow movement. Because a set of polygon mesh units and accompanying graphical textures lack the internal physical structures and elastic flesh of a real human arm, such properties must be modeled using other methods.
For example, a user may add constraints to the polygon mesh units to preserve volume and length. However, such constraints may also increase the number of computations a computer application is required to perform to render the animation in three dimensional spaces. A more computationally efficient method for allowing a user to place volume and length constraints on a three dimensional polygon mesh, deform the polygon mesh, and render the polygon mesh may be useful.

Three dimensional polygon mesh deformation using subspace energy projection


In one embodiment, a device in a network determines a first channel hopping schedule for the device to receive unicast communications from one or more neighbors of the device. The first channel hopping schedule differs from channel hopping schedules used by the one or more neighbors to receive unicast communications. The device determines a second channel hopping schedule for the device that includes a common channel that is common to the device and the one or more neighbors at any given point in time, wherein the second channel hopping schedule is self-generated by each of the device and the one or more neighbors. The device switches from the first channel hopping schedule to the second channel hopping schedule, in response to a network event. The device causes a particular neighbor to join the network using the second channel hopping schedule.

Low-Power and Lossy Networks (LLNs), e.g., sensor networks, have a myriad of applications, such as Smart Grid and Smart Cities. Various challenges are presented with LLNs, such as lossy links, low bandwidth, battery operation, low memory and/or processing capability of a device, etc. Changing environmental conditions may also affect device communications. For example, physical obstructions (e.g., changes in the foliage density of nearby trees, the opening and closing of doors, etc.), changes in interference (e.g., from other wireless networks or devices), propagation characteristics of the media (e.g., temperature or humidity changes, etc.), and the like, also present unique challenges to LLNs.
Gas and water meters are common components of a Smart Grid Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) network, but are also typically more limited in resources than their counterpart electric meters. In particular, gas and water meters are often battery powered, in contrast to electric meters that may be powered by the electric utility. The expected battery life of a meter is often twenty years or more, since a single service call can often exceed the cost of the meter itself. Due to the long lifetime requirement, nearly all gas and water meters use lithium thionly chloride (LiSOCl2) batteries due to their low self-discharge behavior. However, these batteries are also typically expensive, meaning that many gas and water meters have limited energy resources, which places significant constraints on the operation of a meter. For example, smart gas and water meters typically do not support routing or forwarding packets generated by other devices.

Network discovery in low-power and lossy networks


An ultrasonic flow meter includes a first ultrasonic sensor, a second ultrasonic sensor, a volume-flow operation portion, a temperature operation portion, a pressure operation portion, and a correction operation portion. The ultrasonic sensors transmit and receive a plurality of ultrasonic waves of different frequencies and are disposed on opposite sides of a flow channel in which fluid flows. The volume-flow operation portion calculates a volume flow of the fluid based on a propagation time difference of the ultrasonic wave. The temperature operation portion analyzes signals from one of the ultrasonic sensors and calculates a temperature of the fluid. The pressure operation portion analyzes signals from one of the ultrasonic sensors and calculates a pressure of the fluid. The correction operation portion corrects the volume flow with the temperature and the pressure.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an ultrasonic flow meter that measures volume flow or mass flow of fluid using an ultrasonic wave.
2. Description of the Related Art
JP-A-56-67716 discloses an ultrasonic flow meter that uses a propagation time difference method FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the ultrasonic flow meter. The ultrasonic flow meter includes devices 91 and 92 disposed on a sidewall of a pipe 90 in which fluid flows. The device 91 is disposed upstream in a flow direction of the fluid and the device 92 is disposed downstream in the flow direction of the fluid. The devices 91 and 92 are obliquely arranged so that a radiation axis of an ultrasonic wave crosses the flow direction of the fluid at an acute angle.
When a propagation time of an ultrasonic wave from the device 91 to the device 92 is indicated by "tA," a propagation time of the ultrasonic wave from the device 92 to the device 91 is indicated by "tB," a distance between the devices 91 and 92 is indicated by "L," a sound speed is indicated by "C," a flow rate of the fluid is indicated by "V," and an angle between the flow direction and the radiation axis of the ultrasonic wave is indicated by "θ" and when the flow rate V=0, the relationship of tA=tB=L/C is satisfied. When V>0, a relationship of tA=L/(C+V cos θ) and tB=L/(C−V cos θ) is satisfied. That is, V=L((1/tA)−(1/tB))/2 cos θ. When a cross-sectional area of the pipe 90 is indicated by "S" the volume flow "Q" is calculated from Q=SV.
The sound speed depends on a pressure of the fluid and a humidity of the fluid. Thus, in order to calculate the volume flow with accuracy, it is required to correct the volume flow based on the pressure of the fluid and the humidity of the fluid. WO 2007/020113 A1 (corresponding to US 2009/0178490 A1) discloses an ultrasonic flow meter that measures a pressure of fluid and a humidity of the fluid by providing an ultrasonic sensor, a pressure sensor, and a temperature sensor on a flow channel and corrects a volume flow based on the measured values. The temperature sensor is used when the sound speed is corrected with the humidity.
Because the above-described ultrasonic flow meter needs the pressure sensor and the temperature sensor, a dimension of the ultrasonic flow meter increases, and an installing space of the ultrasonic flow meter increases. In addition, a manufacturing cost of the ultrasonic flow meter increases.

Ultrasonic flow meter having ultrasonic sensor with plurality of transmitters for transmitting ultrasonic waves at different frequencies


There is described a system for authenticating a client device in a network having a plurality of IDM components. One or more of the IDM components subscribes (using the publish-subscribe message pattern) to authentication requests published by client devices. The client device publishes an authentication request into the network. The most appropriate IDM component to process the published authentication request is selected, and the authentication request forwarded to the selected IDM component. The selected IDM component is then operated to negotiate with and authenticate the client device.

Identity and access management (IDM) is an important component of computing based systems and networks. The purpose of an IDM is to allow legitimate users to access resources. IDM systems have evolved over the years, from centralised to distributed access control, from multiple logons to a single sign-on mechanism, from backend federation to frontend federation, and so on. The appropriate nature of IDM depends on the nature of the whole system.
The introduction of distributed systems such as Cloud brings new features and challenges for IDM systems. Cloud provides an abstraction of unlimited resources to consumers. The resources of a cloud are shared among the consumers (tenants) using a concept called multi-tenancy. This allows multiple tenants to share (use) the same physical resource on a pay per use basis. One of the main characteristics of the cloud system is scalability and elasticity. Scalability ensures that the cloud abstracted resources increase or decrease (horizontally scale) their capacity based on the load of the system. To ensure this, cloud based services are designed in a modular fashion so that each service can be scaled by adding or deleting an instance of that service. This also applies to the identity and access management system.
In the cloud, the cloud service provider (CSP) will require an easy way to control access to resources in the system. One way of addressing this requirement is with a centralised IDM solution. One possible approach for centralised access control is illustrated in FIG. 1, which is a schematic diagram of elements of a network 100 including a client 101, identity server 102, and two service providers 103, 104. If the client 101 wishes to access a service provided by one of the service providers 103, it authenticates itself with the identity server 102. As a result of authentication process an assertion token is returned to the client 101. This token is subsequently used by the client 101 to provide proof of identity (and/or of authorisation to use the requested service) to the service provider 103, which can be thought of as an identity consumer. It may be that the client is able to access a different service, for example from another service provider 104, without first having to obtain a specific assertion token.
This approach is widely used by many computer systems. A typical network authentication protocol provides mutual authentication in a client-server fashion (i.e., the client and the server authenticate each other). One possible approach involves the client authenticating with the Authentication server to receive a 'Ticket' for a particular service. The 'Ticket' is further used to access the desired service. The drawback of this approach is the centralised authentication server, which represents a single point of failure.
In contrast, distributed authentication mechanisms generally allow users, and parties that rely on proof of identity (identity consumers), to choose an identity provider for authentication from a set of identity providers. This eliminates the need to have a single identity provider for user authentication. The problem with this approach is the establishment of a trust anchor—i.e., to establish trust of an identity provider by the identity consumers.
Centralised identity systems provide easy maintenance and control over the system. However, centralisation is not a good choice for the cloud and distributed systems due to the problem of a single point of failure. In a cloud ready system (application), all components should be elastic and horizontally scalable. Currently available centralised identity management systems do not achieve this property. It would therefore be desirable to achieve both the control flexibility of a centralised identity system and the scalability of a distributed system

Systems and methods for providing distributed authentication of service requests by identity management components


Immunogenic compositions and methods for eliciting an immune response against S. epidermidis and other related staphylococci are provided. The immunogenic compositions can include immunogenic conjugates of poly-γ-glutamic acid (such as γDLPGA) polypeptides of S. epidermidis, or related staphylococci that express a γPGA polypeptide. The γPGA conjugates elicit an effective immune response against S. epidermidis, or other staphylococci, in subjects to which the conjugates are administered. A method of treating an infection caused by a Staphylococcus organism that expresses cap genes is also disclosed. The method can include selecting a subject who is at risk of or has been diagnosed with the infection by the Staphylococcus organism which expresses γPGA from the cap genes. Further, the expression of a γPGA polypeptide by the organism can then be altered.

Coagulase-negative staphylococci, with the leading species Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis), have over the past decade become the most prevalent pathogens involved in hospital-acquired infections (Vuong, C., and Otto, M. Microbes Infect. 4: 481-489, 2002). For example, in the United States alone, S. epidermidis infections on in-dwelling medical devices cost the public health system approximately one billion dollars per year (Vuong, C., and Otto, M. Microbes Infect. 4: 481-489, 2002).
S. epidermidis is usually an innocuous commensal microorganism on human skin. This microorganism can cause severe infection after penetration of the epidermal protective barriers of the human body. To survive on the human skin and during infection of in-dwelling medical devices, S. epidermidis circumvents human innate host defenses (Hornef, M. W., Wick, M. J., Rhen, M., and Normark, S. Nat. Immunol. 3: 1033-1040, 2002). For example, S. epidermidis is frequently resistant to common antibiotics (Vuong, C., and Otto, M. Microbes Infect. 4:481-489, 2002). The formation of surface-attached cellular agglomerations known as biofilms is believed to contribute significantly to antibiotic resistance and protection of the organism from innate host defense (Costerton, J. W., Steward, P. S., and Greenberg, E. P. Science. 284: 1318-1322, 1999). Further, it has been suggested that resistance of S. epidermidis biofilms to some antibiotics is in part due to a status of generally reduced metabolism (Yao, Y., Sturdevant, D. E., and Otto, M. J. Infect. Dis. 191: 289-298, 2005). Thus, S. epidermidis is one of the difficult hard-to-treat infectious agents that can be transmitted nosocomially to patients in hospitals, especially such patients who have in-dwelling medical implants.
It would be advantageous to provide compositions and methods of treating staphylococcal infections, such as coagulase-negative staphylococcal infections, for example S. epidermidis infections.

Targeting poly-gamma-glutamic acid to treat

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services


A content addressable memory (CAM) system is disclosed including a dual mode cycle boundary latch (CBL). The CBL includes a master latch coupled to a slave latch. The CBL operates in a high speed functional mode and a lower speed test mode. In the high speed functional mode, input data bypasses the master latch and transports directly to the CBL output via the slave latch. The CBL effectively removes the master latch from the circuit in the high speed functional mode. However, in the lower speed test mode, input test data travels via both the master and slave latches to the CBL output.

A content addressable memory or CAM may be viewed conceptually as a search engine that is fabricated from hardware rather than software. Software search engines, which are algorithmically based, tend to be substantially slower than hardware-based CAMs. CAMs can be formed from arrays of conventional semiconductor memory, for example, static random access memory (SRAM), together with additional comparison circuitry that enables a search operation to finish in a single system clock cycle. One routine search-intensive task that benefits significantly from CAM is the address lookup task performed in routers such as Internet routers. Other typical uses of CAM include caches such as processor caches, translation look aside buffers (TLBs), segment lookaside buffers (SLBs) used in the industry for processor memory management, effective to real address translators (ERATs), database accelerators, and data compression applications.
A conventional CAM is configured as an array of individual CAM core cells. A typical binary CAM core cell supports the storage and searching of binary bits, namely zero or one (0, 1). A single CAM cell stores a binary bit in what is referred to as a "true and complement" data form, meaning a zero will be stored in both a zero state and a complemented one state within the core cell. In contrast, a one will be stored both as a one state and a complemented zero state. Horizontal and vertical rows of NOR-based architecture CAM core cells can be configured to form a large CAM array. In such an array, the CAM size is determined first by the number of horizontal cells which is also called the word size. And second, the CAM size is determined by the vertical cell count which corresponds to the number of words stored and available during a compare operation. In a compare operation, input data, also called compare data, is simultaneously compared against each word stored in the CAM.
CAM core cells include both storage and comparison circuitry. Search lines runs vertically through the CAM cell and broadcast the search data, or compare data, to all CAM cells at the same time. Match lines run horizontally across the array and indicate whether or not the search data matches a particular row's word. In more detail, an activated match line (an active high logic state) indicates a match and a deactivated match line (a low logic state) indicates a mismatch for a particular word corresponding to that match line. These match lines which describe the output of the CAM array are typically coupled to an address lookup memory, for example an RAM array, to provide the actual output match data.
A CAM search operation begins with precharging all match lines high, thus placing all match lines temporarily in the match state. Next, the search lines broadcast the search data in binary vertically simultaneously across all words of the array. Next, each CAM core cell compares its stored single binary data against the bit on its corresponding search lines. Cells with matching data do not affect the corresponding word's match line, but cells with a mismatch pull down the corresponding word's match line. The aggregate result is that the match line of any word having at least one bit mismatch is pulled low. All other match lines remain activated (precharged high). Usually almost all match lines are driven low thus indicating mismatches for the words corresponding to those match lines. Typically, one or a small number of match lines will remain high to indicate a matching word or words. Finally, the match lines that remain high, indicating a match, are used as the input to an address lookup memory (RAM array) that is coupled to the CAM array. The data thus addressed in the address lookup memory is then read from the address lookup memory as output data to provide the ultimate result of the search.
A cycle boundary latch is coupled to the address lookup memory to receive and store the output data. A master slave latch is one type of latch that may be employed as a cycle boundary latch. A master slave cycle boundary latch includes a master latch having an input for receiving data and an output coupled to the input of a slave latch. The CAM system first clocks search result data into the master latch and then into the slave latch. This two step transmission of data through a master slave cycle boundary latch consumes valuable time because the data is clocked through two stages until it finally reaches the output of the slave latch. Cycle boundary latches can be coupled together to form an array of latches for storing multi-bit search result data such as matching words. It is desirable that such arrays of cycle boundary latches be testable to assure that they are performing correctly.
What is needed is a method and apparatus for operating a cycle boundary latch which achieves faster transport of search result data through the latch while permitting testing of the latch performance.

Content addressable memory including a dual mode cycle boundary latch

International Business Machines Corporation


Hyperbranched copolymers comprising at least one C2-C20 xcex1-monoolefin monomers and 0.2 to 20 mole % of at least one xcex1, xcfx89-non-conjugated diene monomers having 5 to 18 carbon atoms are prepared by coordination (metallocene) copolymerization of the monomers and quenching the reaction prior to the formation of a gelled product. The building blocks of the products are characterized by a number average molecular weight less than 5 times the entanglement molecular weight of a homopolymer prepared using the same catalyst but in the absence of the diene component.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the production of hyperbranched xcex1-olefin polymers.
2. Description of the Related Art
It is known in the art to prepare copolymers of at least one xcex1-olefin and an xcex1,xcfx89-diene. For example, selected dienes have been copolymerized with xcex1-olefins in order to introduce unsaturation into the polymer as a site for chemical reactions such as crosslinking. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,658,770 to Longi et al., it is taught that these dienes should be non-conjugated and should have two different kinds of double bonds, the first double bond being copolymerizable with the-xcex1-olefin and the second double bond being non-copolymerizable by Ziegler-type catalysts. Thus, useful classes of dienes for introduction of unsaturation into ethylene-propylene terpolymers are straight-chain and branched-chain acyclic dienes, single ring alicyclic dienes, and multi-ring alicyclic and bridged ring dienes, wherein one of the double bonds will copolymerize while the second is inert to the catalyst. Such useful dienes are 1,4-hexadiene, dicyclopentadiene and 5-ethylidene-2-norbornene.
The copolymerization of branched 1,4-dienes with ethylene, propylene or 4-methyl-1-pentene is similarly described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,366,296 to Kitigawa et al. While the copolymerization of propylene with xcex1,xcfx89-dienes of at least 6 carbon atoms using a Ziegler type catalyst in a hydrocarbon diluent is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 3,351,621 to Bacskai, the copolymerization has invariably led to a copolymer insoluble in hot decahydronaphthalene, indicative of the presence of cross-links and gel.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,931,526 discloses the preparation of relatively linear copolymers by copolymerizing a branched xcex1-olefin having 5 to 10 carbon atoms and xcex1,xcfx89-non-conjugated diene having 6 to 20 carbon atoms using a solid inhomogeneous or heterogeneous catalyst containing a titanium, magnesium, halogen and electron donor component, an organo aluminum component and an electron donor. The copolymer is characterized as being partially crystalline and contains recurring units of the copolymerized diene component at least partially in cyclized form.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,984,610 discloses branched copolymers of ethylene and an xcex1,xcfx89-diene having at least 8 carbon atoms, wherein each double bond is readily polymerizable. The copolymers are partially crystalline and are prepared using a coordination catalyst comprising an alkyl aluminum chloride/vanadium oxychloride complex.
In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 5,504,171 discloses the preparation of crystalline, gel-free copolymers of an xcex1 olefin, e.g. propylene, and up to 5 mole % of an xcex1,xcfx89-diene. The copolymer is prepared using a solid-phase, insoluble, heterogeneous coordination catalyst, e.g., a Ziegler catalyst, in a solvent free medium. The product is characterized as containing unsaturated side chains and branched chains, and has a branching index (gxe2x80x2) stated as ranging from 0.2 to 0.9. The patent discloses that soluble catalysts such as biscyclopentadienyl titanium (I) dichloride-aluminum alkyl systems are unsuitable because gelled polymer products are obtained.
Hyperbranched polymers and dendrimers are a relatively new class of polymers which have a highly branched backbone structure. Dendrimers are exact, monodisperse structures built layerwise (in generations) around a core moiety, with a polymer branching point in every repeating unit. Typical dendritic macromolecules based on vinyl-cyanide and fumaryl dinitrile units are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,530,092. Hyperbranched polymers possess a number of characteristics which are similar to dendrimers but they are polydisperse and contain relatively linear segments off of which a plurality of highly branched segments are grown or attached. WO 97/06201 discloses the preparation of hyperbranched polymers containing a plurality of polyolefin arms linked to a polymer backbone by coupling a polyolefin pre-arm with a polymeric backbone or difunctional monomer containing functional groups reactive with the polymer pre-arm.
Hyperbranched polymers are characterized by the fact that once a backbone polymer segment is defined or chosen, the vast bulk of the molecular weight of the polymer is accounted for by the branched polymer segments and a smaller amount of the molecular weight is accounted for by the relatively linear segments to which the branched segments are attached. This means that even relatively high molecular weight hyperbranched polymers will exhibit a relatively low viscosity making them ideal candidates as rheology modifiers, oil additives, polymer plasticizers, low volatile organic content additives for theremosettable coatings and paints and similar applications. Unfortunately, however, hyperbranched polymers and dendrimers have been made by relatively expensive and laborious pathways which adds considerably to the cost.
The present invention provides a method for preparing hyperbranched polymers by coordination polymerization of one or a mixture of xcex1-olefin monomers and up to about 20 mole % of an xcex1,xcfx89-non-conjugated diene. The invention also provides hyperbranched copolymers containing relatively linear, low molecular weight xcex1-olefin polymer segments randomly copolymerized at one olefinic end of an xcex1,xcfx89-non-conjugated diene which in turn is copolymerized at the other olefinic end with a highly branched olefin copolymer segment.
The invention also provides a hyperbranched olefin copolymer made by coordination polymerization comprising one or more linear or branched xcex1-monoolefin monomers having from 2 to 20 carbon atoms randomly copolymerized with from at least 0.2 to 20 mole % of at least one xcex1,xcfx89-non-conjugated diene having from 5 to 18 carbon atoms, said copolymer characterized by highly branched polymer segments comprising said copolymerized xcex1-monoolefin and diene copolymerized at one olefinic end group of said diene, said copolymer having a number average molecular weight as measured by GPC-Viscosity of less than about 5 times the entanglement molecular weight of said polymer if made using the same catalyst system under the same conditions but without the presence of the xcex1,xcfx89-diene component and having a gel content of less than about 1.5 wt %.
The invention further provides a process for preparing a hyperbranched olefin copolymer comprising copolymerizing one or more linear or branched xcex1-mono-olefin monomers having from 2 to 20 carbon atoms and at least 0.2 to 20 mole % of one xcex1,xcfx89-diene monomers having from 5 to 18 carbon atoms in the presence of a coordination catalyst until a polymer having a weight average molecular weight as measured by GPC-Viscometry of less than about 5 times the entanglement molecular weight of said polymer if made using the same catalyst system but without the presence of the xcex1,xcfx89-diene component is achieved, and quenching said copolymerization reaction prior to the formation of a gelled copolymer product.

Hyperbranched polymers by coordination polymerization


Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method, device, and computer program product for managing a backup system. The method comprises obtaining a state of a backup system, wherein the backup system comprises a plurality of backup servers and a plurality of backup clients, the plurality of backup servers is communicatively coupled to the plurality of backup clients via a network, and wherein at least one backup server from the plurality of backup servers is configured to back up data of at least one backup client allocated from the plurality of backup clients to the at least one backup server, determining a reward score corresponding to the state of the backup system and, determining, based on the state of the backup system and the reward score, configuration information for the backup system, the configuration information indicating allocation of the plurality of backup clients to the plurality of backup servers.

To avoid data loss, a backup system is often used for storing data. The backup system typically includes a backup server and a backup client, where the backup client is connected to the backup server via a network, and the backup server is used to back up data at the backup client.
In a large-scale backup system, there are often a plurality of backup servers and a plurality of backup clients, where each backup server is used to perform data backup on one or more backup clients allocated to the backup server. The plurality of backup servers may be interconnected to one another for backup client migration or other operations. The plurality of backup clients needs to be allocated appropriately to the plurality of backup servers to ensure the efficiency of data backup and improve the utilization of the backup server.

Method, apparatus and computer program product for managing backup system


The present invention provides comprehensive compositions for treating problems associated with hair graying and balding via the incorporation of: (i) the cell growth factor of HSCF to induce the migration of melanocyte stem cells and keratinocyte stem cells and then to increase the growth of melanocytes and keratinocytes in hair follicles, (ii) a formula of amino acids and vitamins to provide the nutritional factors for hair growth and pigmentation, and (iii) minoxidil to enhance the function of HSCF on hair re-growth. The compositions comprising at least one of (i), (ii) or (iii) are administered on skin and/or scalp through liposome in the follicular delivery systems, including penetration enhancers and suitable carrier bases. The compositions packaged in liposome in the follicular delivery systems in this invention has been proven to reach the dermis from the skin surface within 15-30 min.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention provides comprehensive compositions for treating The problems associated with hair graying and balding via the incorporation of: (i) Cell growth factor of HSCF to induce the migration of melanocyte stem cells and keratinocyte stem cells and then to increase the growth of melanocytes and keratinocytes in hair follicles, (ii) a formula of amino acids and vitamins to provide the nutritional factors for hair growth and pigmentation, and (iii) minoxidil to enhance the function of HSCF on hair re-growth. The compositions comprising at least one of (i), (ii) or (iii) are administered on skin and/or scalp through the liposome in the follicular delivery systems, including penetration enhancers and suitable carrier bases. The composition packaged in liposome in the follicular delivery systems of this invention has been proven to reach the dermis from the skin surface within 15-30 min. The essential function of the liposome is to maintain the activity of the growth factor of HSCF for at least one to three years.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Dual therapies of hair graying and balding in topical delivery systems have never been claimed in the market. When a graying hair derives in large part from a mixture of pigmented and white hair, it can clearly be noted that individual hair follicles indeed exhibit pigment dilution or true graying. This dilution could be due to a reduction in tyrosinase activity of hair bulbar melanocytes, sub-optimal melanocyte-cortical keratinocyte interaction, or defective migration of melanocytes from a reservoir in the upper outer root sheath to the pigment-permitting microenvironment close to dermal papilla of the hair bulb(12). Some studies have reported that stem cell factor (SCF) has the functions to proliferate and migrate to the melanoblasts and keratinoblasts restored in the upper outer root sheath, called hair bulge(1, 2). These melanoblasts and keratinoblasts, called melanocyte and keratinocyte stem cells, respectively, in hair bulge, could proliferate and migrate to dermal papilla in hair bulb and then differentiate to become melanocytes and keratinocytes(12, 13, 14). Hair pigmentation is mostly produced by melanin accumulation, which is secreted from melanocytes(12, 16). And hair shaft is mostly produced by keratin accumulation, which is secreted from keratinocytes. This growth factor of SCF has been proven to stimulate stem cells in hair bulge(3, 6, 9). However, mice with homozygous SCF gene mutation (SL−/SL−) show the symptoms of white hair, infertility, and anemia(1, 5). It suggests the importance of SCF in hair pigmentation(7, 13), but effects on hair growth are limited because the mutated mice still have hair. In addition, many growth factors and signals through different pathways control the hair growth. Especially, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) has been reported to induce growth of hair in many papers(4, 15). Based on our previous data, the same results have also been obtained. Although the amino acid sequence and protein structure of recombinant human SCF has been clearly studied(17) and also been applied as a patent (U.S. Patent Publication No.: 20050080250, application Ser. No. 10/620,642, filed: Jul. 16, 2003. Methods of stimulating growth of stromal cells in a human.), SCF and other ingredients are incorporated to claim the dual therapies for hair aging in our experimental data.
The combination of the two growth factors, SCF and IGF-I, has been studied to have the more advanced functions on the hair follicles in our study, because it significantly stimulates the hair growth and melanin synthesis at the same time. We gave the definition of the two growth factors of SCF and IGF-I as HSCF (hair stem cell factor), meaning either the combination, named HSCF-I, or the recombinant protein, named HSCF-II. The recombinant protein of HSCF-II is first established by our group, which is produced by a cloning vector inserted with a combination of human SCF and IGF-I sequence together. The medium containing HSCF results in a higher increase of shaft length of mouse hair follicles cultured in vitro, when compared with SCF or IGF-I alone. After the above compositions are administered along with a hair follicular delivery vehicle and/or device on the skin of mice, longer hair length and darker pigmentation of hair shaft are obtained.
Minoxidil, being a potassium channel opener, has been proven to induce human hair growth from many papers and is popular in the market to treat patients with androgenic alopecia. But the effects of minoxidil on treating hair balding are still limited(10). The functions of minoxidil could reduce continuous hair loss, but couldn't increase hair amount and density or recover the pigment of graying hair. We tried to amplify the function of minoxidil by adding the above compositions, because it has been proven by the inventors of this invention that HSCF could stimulate the stem cells in hair bulge to migrate into hair bulb, and then differentiate to melanocyte and keratinocyte to regenerate a newly pigmented hair in a hair follicle.
The results showed that compositions of (i) HSCF, (ii) a formula of some amino acids and vitamins, and (iii) minoxidil could achieve the best efficiency on hair growth and melanin synthesis. It also has been proven to treat the graying and balding problems by the in vitro culture of hair follicle organ and also by the in vivo animal models of graying and balding mice. The invention could be further applied to treat the hair aging of human beings.

Compositions and methods for dual therapies of hair graying and balding in follicular delivery systems


A X-MAC encoder enables a plurality of components to be encoded, each having a sequence of packets, with the packets being distributed in successive bursts each occupying a predetermined fraction of a television frame line. It comprises a plurality of blocks each having at least one packet encoder provided with a buffer memory for storing digital data coming from a source, and an encoder for distributing the packets in bursts of adjustable duration not greater than the duration of one television line. A base encoder assembly contains a programmable device for allocating a determined window of the television frame to each block. It calls a burst of length corresponding to the width within the window that is allocated by the programmable device, on the basis of the respective block burst encoder, at the beginning of each window in a line.

The present invention relates to a multicomponent encoder suitable for making up a multiplex that may be referred to as a "X-PACKET" multiplex (where this term covers structures known under the names D2 MAC, DMAC, full time D2, full time D, and HD-MAC), each component comprising a sequence of packets and the packets being distributed in successive bursts each occupying a predetermined fraction of a TV frame line, said fraction lying anywhere in the range 0/1 to 1/1 and to a corresponding multicomponent decoder. The term "digital components" is used herein to designate all of the data from a source where the data is identified by a window in the frame: a sequence of bursts is an example of digital component.
A particularly important application of the invention lies in providing an encoder enabling a full time D2 or D type digital multiplex to be made up with the fraction of each component possibly extending up to the entire time allocated to active lines. An important complementary application lies in providing a decoder, particular a community decoder, enabling such a broadcast signal to be processed and distributed amongst subscriber lines.
Such a multiplex, and in particular a full time multiplex, must be adaptable to the needs of the broadcaster and to its program suppliers. Such needs may change. The number of sources to be broadcast may be increased, thereby increasing complexity. To make optimum use of resources, it is necessary that the time fractions allocated to different sources be easily changed.

Modular encoder for generating a digital multiplex signal and decoder for processing such a signal


A box enclosing a chamber for carrying at least one object, such as a quantity of objects, is provided. The box comprises at least one wall, wherein said wall comprises a pair of overlapping flaps. The outer flap of said pair is adhesively attached to the inner flap of said pair to prevent access to the object(s) within the box. The outer flap is also arranged to release fragments without providing access to said objects if being tampered with.

Packages, such as boxes, have been proposed heretofore for carrying and dispensing articles such as individual objects from a quantity of objects, such as chewing gums, one at a time through an opening in the packet. Such packages are typically carried along by the consumer to have said objects at hand.
At home, such boxes are often found in readily accessible locations, such as on table tops. However, this may regarded as a safety risk for children, as they may get access to the box and thus also to the objects within the box. Thus, there is a need for packages which are childproof or at least child resistant and which may withstand tampering for some time without providing access to the objects within the box.
While there are examples of childproof or child resistant boxes within the art, such as the one disclosed in WO 08/054,305, the design of such boxes is only concerned with preventing children from getting access to the content of the box via the route intended to provide authorized access. Thus, alternative routes, which may be used to access the content in such boxes, are not addressed.
However, such packaging as currently exists in the prior art is generally concerned with the problem of providing evidence of tampering rather than preventing children from opening the packaging. Accordingly, such packaging may be opened easily and access to the content gained via other routes than the intended one.
Packages intended for pharmaceuticals, which are to be childproof, are typically plastic and glass jars/cans with a lid or cap requiring special handling to be opened. Further, the content may only be accessed via the opening covered by the lid.
Pharmaceuticals are also packaged in carton boxes. However, many such boxes are not childproof or child resistant and do thus require to be locked in upon storage in households with children.
While carton boxes are suitable to be brought along, such as in a jacket pocket, childproof plastic and glass jars/cans are typically not as readily portable as they are too bulky.
Accordingly, there is as a need for a childproof or child resistant packaging intended for pharmaceuticals, which is not unduly bulky and which is readily portable.


In an image processor system, a processor includes a first two-dimensional look-up table for receiving first and second digital data as an address, a second two-dimensional look-up table for receiving an output digital data of the first two-dimensional look-up table and a third digital signal as an address, and a latch circuit for temporarily storing the output digital data of the second look-up table. The processor is flexible and the functions thereof can be varied by changing the contents of the look-up tables.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image processor system having look-up tables for gray-scale digital pictures. More particularly, it relates to an image processor system applied to a Hough conversion system, an edge extraction system and a polygon segmentation system for gray-scale digital pictures.
(2) Description of the Related Art
In an image processor system, various basic functions, such as a gradation conversion, a special differential operation, a convolution calculation, edge level calculation, gradient angle calculation, and a Hough conversion calculation, are carried out, and in the prior art, one type of processor is provided for each of the basic functions. Namely, a processor used for one basic function cannot be used for other basic functions. Therefore, to assemble an image processor system, a large number of special purpose processors are required, thus increasing the hardware and the manufacturing cost thereof.

Image processor system having multifunction look-up table units


The invention provides a signal redundancy control system. The system includes multiple first signal collecting devices, second signal collecting devices and a controller, wherein the multiple first signal collecting devices are configured to collect the dynamic information of default devices where the first signal collecting devices are located in real time; one second signal collecting device corresponding to each of the first signal collecting devices is disposed on each default device, and is configured to collect the dynamic information of the default device where the second signal collecting device is located in real time; the controller is configured to determine whether the first signal collecting devices include fault information or not, and positions each default device according to the dynamic information acquired by the first signal collecting devices or the second signal collecting devices.

In the technical field of railway traffic, according to the working principle of a turnout system of a train track, the turnout open direction is driven by controlling the synchronous movement of a plurality of driving devices under a turnout beam in the turnout system, and pulse signals generated by the plurality of driving devices in movement present certain regular features.

Signal redundancy control system and method used for turnout system and computer readable storage medium