An apparatus for processing a photographic paper, includes a distributor between an exposure station and a developing station so that plural sheets of photographic papers exposed at the exposure station can be conveyed in parallel in the developing station.

The present invention relates to a photographic processing system in which photographic papers each subjected respectively to photographic printing exposure are distributed to a line or a plurality of lines and conveyed to a developing device so as to effectively carry out photographic processing.
When an image on a negative photographic film is exposed and printed on a photographic paper and the photographic paper is developed so as to provide a photographic print, there are two methods. One method is described as follows: a plurality of image frames are printed on a long size photographic paper; the images are developed; and then the plurality of image frames are individually cut off and discharged outside the apparatus. The other method is described as follows: a photographic paper is cut off to a print size; an image is exposed and printed on each photographic paper; and then each photographic paper is subjected to development processing. The former method is advantageous in the case where a large number of image frames of one size are continuously processed, however, when the operation is interrupted, a large amount of photographic paper is wasted which has been provided between the printing exposure section and the development processing section. Moreover, this method is not suitable when photographic papers of various sizes are processed. On the other hand, in the latter method, after a photographic paper has been pulled out from an accommodating section, it is cut into each printing size, and each photographic paper is independently exposed and developed. Therefore, all photographic paper on the process can be effectively utilized, and further this method is suitable when photographic papers of various sizes are processed. The present invention relates to the aforementioned latter method. More particularly, the present invention relates to improvements in photographic processing in which photographic papers that have been cut and exposed are effectively developed.
A printing-exposure operation is completed in several seconds or several tens of seconds. On the other hand, a developing processing operation requires several minutes. Consequently, when photographic papers are continuously processed, the feed speed of a printing device is high, and that of an automatic developing device is low. For that reason, the processing speed of the entire apparatus is determined by the processing speed of the automatic developing device. Accordingly, in order to improve the efficiency, the processing speed of the automatic developing device has been increased. Since development processing is carried out using chemical reactions, an increase of processing speed is limited. Therefore, it is required to increase the processing speed of the entire apparatus without increasing the developing speed.
The first object of the present invention is to break through the limitations of the conventional technique and to provide a system in which a series of printing and developing processing is quickly conducted.
However, as color photography has become popular and the demand for color photographic prints is increasing, predetermined sizes (service size, L-size and others) of prints are processed at high speed. Development has been conducted in order to quickly supply customers with color prints, that is, development has been conducted to realize what is called "simultaneous printing". On the other hand, the use of photography has been diversified, and the demand for a large size photographic print, which has been used only by professional photographers, has been increased. The sensitivity of photographic films has been improved, fine-grain photography has been achieved, and the photographic ability of cameras has been improved. Therefore, it has become possible for amateur photographers to use large size enlarged prints. In order to meet the demand for large size enlarged prints, printing and automatic developing devices are prepared which have a wide photographic paper passage to process large size prints.
Since the space in a laboratory is limited and it is necessary to increase the rate of operation of the apparatus in the laboratory, it should be avoided to provide an automatic developing device for photographic papers having a wide photographic paper passage in addition to a conventional automatic developing device having a narrow photographic paper passage. Accordingly, a small size of photographic paper is also processed by the automatic developing device having a wide photographic paper passage. However, when small size photographic papers are processed by the large size automatic developing device one by one, the efficiency is low. In order to solve the aforementioned problem, the following conventional measure has been taken: an automatic developing device is installed in a dark room; small size photographic papers that have already been exposed are conveyed into the dark room; and the photographic papers are manually arranged in the photographic paper passage of the developing device in such a manner that the entire width of the arranged photographic papers coincides with the width of the photographic paper passage of the developing device. The aforementioned manual operation can be practically carried out, however, the efficiency is not necessarily high.
The second object of the present invention is to solve the aforementioned problems and to provide a photographic distribution device by which a plurality of lines of small size photographic papers are conveyed into an automatic developing device for large size photographic papers.
Moreover, the present invention is related to a photographic material processing device provided with a conveyance means that conveys exposed, cut, sheet-shaped photographic papers to a sorter after development, wherein the sorter sorts the photographic papers for each order.
For convenience of handling, the length of a photographic film is restricted so that the outer diameter of the film magazine is made to be small. Accordingly, the number of frames is limited. In the case of a common 35 mm photographic film, the longest film is provided with 36 frames.
Recently, color photography has become popular, and there is an increasing demand for color photographic films and papers. For the convenience of users, service properties of color photographic films and papers have been improved, and the following laboratory system has been developed: When an exposed photographic film provided in a film magazine is set in an apparatus, the film is completely automatically developed, and the developed film inserted into a film case is discharged from the apparatus, and at the same time, the prints packed in a bag are also discharged from the apparatus.
There are two main types of this convenient photographic processing system. One is a mini-laboratory system. According to the mini-laboratory system, in accordance with the orders of individual customers, a relatively small amount of prints are handily processed in a shop. In this case, developing and printing operations are intermittently conducted for each order. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a particular control system. However, in this case, it is difficult to reduce the service cost.
The other is a large-scale laboratory system. In this system, the aforementioned complete automatic operation is realized, and a large amount of photographic films and papers are processed at high speed, so that the service cost can be reduced.
Important points in the large-scale laboratory system described above are how quickly and stably prints of high quality can be supplied without employing skilled workers. That is, to meet the demand of customers without making any errors and to complete an automatic system in which all operations from charging of films to packing of prints can be quickly carried out.
In the large-scale laboratory system, operations are carried out in the following manner:
After a photographic film has been exposed, the film accommodated in a film magazine is set in the apparatus. Then, the tongue of the film is pulled out from the film magazine. After that, a leader, which is a guide sheet for improving the conveyance properties of the film, is connected with the tip of the film, and the film is sent into a film automatic developing device so that the film is subjected to development processing. The rear end of the film is disconnected from the film magazine. The empty film magazine is discharged from the apparatus separately from the film. After the developing process, the film is dried, and then a plurality of films are connected with a splice tape so that a long film can be formed. Then the long film is supplied to a printing device. At this time, for the purpose of controlling the film according to its customer order, the order information is attached to the splice portion of the film. Separately, the order information is recorded by a recording means such as a magnetic tape in accordance with the connection of the long film. When the finished prints are distributed, this order information is effectively used.
When a large amount of orders are processed by the automatic photographic processing apparatus described above, the entire processing capacity is determined by the automatic developing device for photographic papers because its processing capacity is relatively low. For example, the processing time of an automatic developing device for photographic papers is several times longer than that of a printing device. Therefore, it is required to improve the processing capacity of the automatic developing device for photographic papers.
The third object of the present invention is to provide a photographic processing system in response to the needs, in which the capacity of the automatic developing device for photographic papers is improved, and the finished prints are quickly distributed and arranged in a required order.


A method of controlling a washing machine is provided. A first laundry load is first detected based on a rotational property of a pulsator. A second laundry load is detected based on a property that varies in accordance with a vertical load applied from a tub. Finally, it is determined if laundry loaded in the drum is in a dry state or a wet state by comparing the first laundry load with the second laundry load.

1. Field
Exemplary embodiments of the invention relate to a washing machine and a method of controlling the washing machine.
2. Background
In general, a washing machine is designed to wash the laundry using emulsification of a detergent, a water stream action generated by the rotation of washing blades or washing tub, and an impact action applied by the washing blades. The washing machine performs washing, rinsing, and/or spinning to remove contaminant from the laundry by using an action between water and the detergent.
The washing machine includes a tub for storing the water and a drum that is rotatably provided in the tub and in which the laundry is loaded. The tub is disposed such that it is suspended from an inner top of a casing that is referred to as a main body, a cabinet, a casing or the like that defines the appearance of the washing machine. In order for the tub to be suspended from and be supported by the inner top of the casing, a tub supporting member connecting the tub to the casing is provided.
A washing machine may detect a laundry load, after which it performs the washing, rinsing, or spinning in accordance with a preset pattern depending on the detected laundry load. The laundry load detection is performed in an indirect method based on a rotational property of a pulsator that varies in accordance with the laundry load.
For example, when the pulsator rotates in a state where the laundry is loaded in the drum, the load applied to a driving unit driving the pulsator is relatively high in a relatively large amount of laundry load. On the contrary, in a relatively small amount of laundry load, the load applied to the driving unit is relatively low. Therefore, the rotational property of the driving unit may vary in accordance with the laundry load and thus the laundry load may be detected in accordance with the rotational property.
However, because the above-described method is an indirect method in which the rotational property of the pulsator is observed and the laundry load is assumed based on the observed rotational property, it is impossible to accurately measure the laundry load. Likewise, the accuracy of detection of a degree of unbalance of the laundry is deteriorated.
For example, when the laundry gets tangled in the drum, the rotation of the pulsator cannot be smoothly realized even when a small amount of the laundry is loaded in the tub. Therefore, it may be erroneously detected that a large amount of the laundry is loaded. In addition, when wet laundry is loaded in the drum, the measured laundry load may appear greater in comparison to the same load, if that load was dry. Therefore, there is a need to devise a method that can more accurately detect the laundry load.
FIG. 15 is a washing machine according to the prior art. The washing machine includes a casing 1 defining an appearance of the washing machine, a water tank (or tub) 2 disposed in the casing 1, and a drum 3 that is rotatably provided in the tub 2. A pulsator 4 is provided under the drum 3. The drum 3 and the pulsator 4 are connected to and driven by a vertical washing shaft 13a connected to a driving unit 13.
The casing 1 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped box shape and provided with a door through which the laundry is loaded and unloaded. The tub 2 is formed in a cylindrical shape having an opened top and suspended in the casing 1 by a supporting member 152.
The supporting member 152 may be provided with a load cell 220. The load cell 220 is a sensor that can detect weight using tensile force. The load cell 220 is illustrated in an enlarged state in a circled portion of FIG. 1. In FIG. 1, the supporting member 152 is divided into upper and lower bars 152a and 152b and the load cell 220 may be mounted between the upper and lower bars 152a and 152b.
As illustrated in FIG. 15, in order to effectuate the coupling of the supporting member 152 to the load cell 220, an end portion 152c of the upper bar 152a is bent and connected to the load cell 220. However, in this configuration, vibration generated by the rotation of the drum 3 is transferred to the bent end portion 152c and acts to unfold the bent end portion 152c and thus the coupling of the supporting member 152 and the load cell 220 may be released.
Alternatively, a screw thread (not shown) may be formed on an end portion of the upper bar and screw-coupled to the load cell. However, in the prior art, the screw threads in the upper and lower supporting bars have the same direction, in such a configuration, the screw-coupling may be released by a rotational force transferred by the rotation of the drum 3.

Washing machine and method of controlling washing machine


Methods and apparatus for Exclusive OR (XOR) programming of a memory device are described. A program internal to a device calculates parity or other values using an XOR Program Rule. In some embodiments, the program generates and stores a parity result directly in the memory device itself without intervention by an external controller. A method of parity generation in a memory device comprises executing an internal self-accumulating parity program, wherein the program accumulates a parity sum by superimposing newly accumulated parity information over previously stored parity information in the auxiliary memory system. In a stand-alone device embodiment, a new command “XOR program” is received with address and input data parameters causing stored data to be read at the input address and an XOR operation of the read data and new input data is performed. The results of the computation are written into memory.

Devices and Integrated Circuit (IC) systems external to host controllers have a command set to implement different operations, such as read, write, erase, program, and other functions. The external controller or host processor perform other operations, often relying on result of commands in the command set. It is desirable to have an improved command set to improve overall efficiency of the eternal devices and device systems.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A mixer arrangement includes a first mixer having at least one signal input for receiving a first signal the frequency of which is to be changed. The mixer arrangement also includes at least one frequency input for receiving an input frequency and at least one output. The first mixer is configured to mix a first signal with an input frequency to provide an output which is output by the at least one output. A second mixer has at least one frequency input for receiving an input frequency and at least one output. At least one output of the first mixer and at least one output of the second mixer are combined to cancel unwanted components from the input frequency in the outputs of the mixers.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a mixer arrangement and, in particular but not exclusively, to a mixer arrangement for use in a base station or mobile station or similar entity in a wireless telecommunications network.
2. Description of the Related Art
An area covered by a cellular telecommunications network is divided into a plurality of cells. Each of the cells has a base station arranged to transmit signals to and receive signals from mobile stations in the cell associated with the respective base station. Mobile stations will be in active communication with the base station associated with the cell in which the mobile station is located.
Both mobile stations and base stations take signals which are at a base band frequency and up convert them to a radio frequency for transmission. The base band frequency signals are either directly converted to the radio frequency or are converted via one or more intermediate frequencies. In order to up convert the base band frequency to the radio frequency directly or via the intermediate frequency or frequencies, a mixer is used. The mixer receives one input from the signal to be up converted and a second input which includes a frequency component. The second input to the mixer is generated by a local oscillator. The mixer mixes the two inputs and the resulting signal output by the mixer will have the signal information contained in the first input and will be at a frequency which is typically the sum of the input frequencies. For example, if a signal which is to be up converted has a frequency A (first input) and the signal with which it is to be mixed has a frequency B (second input), the mixer will output a frequency of A+B (or A−B in some implementations).
However, mixers which are used for this purpose have the problem that they allow the input signals to feed through the mixer. This means that the mixer will output the A+B frequency signals but also the signal at frequency A and the signal at frequency B. This can be a problem in that the frequency B is generally much greater than frequency A so that B is relatively close to the frequency A+B. Accordingly, in order to remove the unwanted B frequency, other devices have used complicated filtering solutions. For example, surface acoustic wave (SAW) filtering may be used which is both expensive and complicated to implement.
If the unwanted signal at frequency B is not filtered, this can lead to more harmful intermodulation products that can fall within the band of the wanted output. This produces loss of performance in the transmitter as the spectral purity is degraded. The unwanted local oscillator amplitude can drive some of the following power amplifier stages into compression which in turn produces more unwanted non linearity problems.
New standards are being proposed and implemented which involve using wide band multi carrier systems. It has been found that the problem of the unwanted frequency feeding through the mixer has a significant impact on such systems and can limit their performance.

Mixer arrangement and method for mixing signals


This invention presents a method of improving enzymatic degradation of lignocellulose, as in the production of ethanol from lignocellulosic material, through the use of ultrasonic treatment. The invention shows that ultrasonic treatment reduces cellulase requirements by 1/3 to 1/2. With the cost of enzymes being a major problem in the cost-effective production of ethanol from lignocellulosic material, this invention presents a significant improvement over presently available methods.

Ultrasound can be defined as sound waves above the range of human perception (Price, 1992). Currently, many ultrasonic technologies such as SONAR, medical diagnostics, and surface cleaners are available. SONAR and medical applications typically use low power and high frequency (.gtoreq.1 MHz). Surface cleaning applications, however, depend on ultrasonic cavitations created by lower frequency (20-50 Khz) and high power ultrasound.
Ultrasonic cavitations result from the rapid compression and expansion of a liquid. In the expansion phase, the liquid is "torn apart", resulting in the formation of voids or bubbles (Price, 1992; Leeman and Vaughan, 1992). These bubbles gradually increase in size until a critical size is reached, where critical size (usually 100-200 .mu.m in diameter) is dependent on the frequency of the oscillation and the presence of any nucleating agents, e.g., dissolved gasses, cracks and crevices on a solid surface, or suspended solids (Atchley and Crum, 1988; Price, 1992). Once its critical size is reached, the bubble implodes, at times, generating temperatures approaching 5,500.degree. C. within the bubble (Suslick, 1989, Price, 1992). When collapse of a cavity occurs in a solution free of solid particles, heating is the only consequence. However, if implosion occurs near a solid surface, implosion is asymmetric. As water rushes to fill the void left by the imploding bubble (e.g., at speeds near 400 m/s) shock pressures of 1-5 Kpa can be generated (Suslick, 1988; Suslick, 1989; Price, 1992).
The physical effects of ultrasonic cavitations have been known since the early testing of the first British destroyer, the H.M.S. Daring, in 1894 (Suslick, 1990). The rapid revolution of a ship propeller creates the same, high frequency, compressions and expansions created by ultrasound (Suslick, 1989). Cavitations around the Daring's propeller caused pitting of the metals used. This effect of cavitations on metal surfaces has been confirmed in studies on ultrasonic cavitations (Leeman and Vaughan, 1992; Boudjouk, 1988). High intensity stirring, the dispersal of suspended solids, increased diffusion through cellulose gels, and emulsification of immiscible liquids are other effects attributable to ultrasonic cavitations (Ensminger, 1973).
The high temperatures, pressures and velocities produced by ultrasonic cavitation can also create unusual chemical environments (Suslick, 1989). Compounds in aqueous solution have been shown to form free radicals when subjected to ultrasound. Water, when subjected to ultrasound, creates H. and .OH intermediates, ultimately producing H.sub.2 and H.sub.2 O.sub.2 (Suslick, 1988). Other chemical effects can be caused by high velocity collisions driven by shock waves. The agglomeration of metallic particles in ultrasonic fields has been shown (Suslick, 1989; Suslick, 1990).
Ultrasonic surface cleaners have been available for use since the early 1950's (Shoh, 1988). The mechanism of the cleaning action is reliant on the formation of cavitation bubbles. The contaminant coat can be gradually eroded through cavitational action. Alternatively, the formation of cavitational bubbles between the coat and the surface, effectively peels the coat away from the surface. Other designs of ultrasonic cleaning systems have extremely high efficiency (>95%).
Most biological applications of ultrasonic technology have been directed towards the disruption of cell membranes (Shoh, 1988; Ausubel, 1996). One such device is Fisher Scientific's Model 550 Sonic Dismembrator. Recently, the effects of lower intensities of ultrasound on bacteria have been investigated. It has been shown that nonlethal doses of ultrasound may cause the induction of the SOS response and the transcription of heat shock proteins in Escherichia coli (Volmer et al., 1996). Some of the physical damage to E. coli, by ultrasonic cavitation, has been illustrated recently (Allison et al., 1996), showing the disruption of the plasma membrane and subsequent leakage of intracellular components.
In the fermentation of milk by Lactobacillus bulgaricus, the rate of lactose hydrolysis was increased with the use of discontinuous ultrasound (Wang et al., 1996). Presumably, the cause of the increased rate of hydrolysis was the release of intracellular enzymes into the media. After ultrasonic treatment was stopped, L. bulgaricus was able to recover and grow.
Recent interest in ultrasound has been shown by those involved in research in the paper industry investigating its uses as a de-inking device in the recycling of various office paper (Scott and Gerber, 1995; Sell et al., 1995; Norman et al., 1994). It was reported that, because of ultrasonic treatment, the structure of the paper was changed such that its water holding capacity increased.
Besides the recycling of paper products, there is an interest in the fermentation of waste paper and other lignocellulosic products into ethanol. The production of ethanol from such products reduces environmental waste problems and reduces reliance on petroleum-based automotive fuels. (Hohmann and Rendleman, 1993; Sheehan, 1993). Accessibility of the substrate to cellulase is a primary factor influencing the efficiency of enzymatic degradation of cellulose (Nazhad et al., 1995).
Cellulase from T. longibrachiatum is known to bind to cellulose tightly (Brooks and Ingram, 1995). The binding has also been shown to be dependent on the intensity of agitation (Kaya et al., 1994). Similar effects were seen with an intensive mass transfer reactor, where extremely high rates of hydrolysis were achieved (Gusakov et al., 1996).

University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.


A segmented flexible linear shaped charge for use with an explosive device. The segmented flexible linear shaped charge includes a flexible explosive core and a plurality of axially spaced housing segments having rigidity greater than that of the core.

The present invention relates generally to explosive devices, such as linear shaped charges and, more particularly, to a segmented flexible linear shaped charge.
Previous linear shaped charges have been used in various explosive and cutting applications. Specifically, linear shaped charges may be used for specialized cutting, such as when the use of cumbersome mechanical cutting equipment would not be practical or possible. For example, linear shaped charges may be effective for pipe-cutting applications, underwater mining operations, controlled demolition projects, and well drilling. Furthermore, linear shaped charges may add to the safety of the cutting operation because the operator of a linear shaped charge may detonate the charge remotely. The desired cutting application has typically dictated whether a rigid or a flexible linear shaped charge is required. For example, metal jacketed linear shaped charges are efficient but inflexible, making such linear shaped charges less desirable for some applications requiring contoured blast patterns. Metal jacketed linear shaped charges typically include an explosive core load of between 300 and 2,000 grains per foot but lose any inherent flexibility when the explosive load exceeds 2,000 grains per foot. Conversely, foam jacketed linear shaped charges are flexible but less efficient, requiring greater quantities of explosive material in order to achieve the effect of a similarly sized metal jacketed linear shaped charge. For example, cutting applications including steel having a thickness of at least 1.0 inch are typically the threshold at which the foam jacketed linear shaped charges are no longer effective. As such, there is a need for a flexible and efficient linear shaped charge.
The present disclosure relates to a segmented flexible linear shaped charge comprising a flexible explosive core extending axially along a longitudinal axis, and a plurality of axially spaced housing segments. Each of the housing segments has rigidity greater than that of the explosive core. The explosive core extends within the plurality of housing segments, and each housing segment includes an upper wall, a lower wall, and opposing side walls connected to the upper wall and the lower wall. Upon detonation of the explosive core, the lower walls of the housing segments and the explosive core are focused into a target.
According to another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, a segmented flexible linear shaped charge comprises a flexible explosive core extending axially along a longitudinal axis. The explosive core extends within a plurality of axially spaced, rigid housing segments. A coupler secures the housing segments to a target. A plurality of intermediate portions extends between opposing ends of adjacent housing segments. The segmented flexible linear shaped charge has at least three degrees of freedom, including rotation about the longitudinal axis of the core, rotation about a first transverse axis that extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and rotation about a second transverse axis that extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and the first transverse axis.
An illustrative method of using a segmented flexible linear shaped charge includes the steps of providing a linear shaped charge having a flexible explosive core, and providing a plurality of housing segments supported by the explosive core, the housing segments in spaced relation to each other to provide a plurality of intermediate portions between opposing ends of adjacent housing segments. The method further includes the steps of cutting the core within at least one of the intermediate portions to a desired length, and shaping the flexible explosive core to follow a desired contour. Additionally, the method comprises the step of supporting the lower walls of the housing segments in proximity to a target.
Additional features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of the illustrative embodiment exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived.
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. Although the drawings represent embodiments of various features and components according to the present disclosure, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated in order to better illustrate and explain the present disclosure. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate embodiments of the invention, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

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


The invention provides a protein in a form that is functional for the enzymatic conversion of 2C-methyl-D-erythritol 2,4-cyclodiphosphate to 1-hydroxy-2-methyl-2-butenyl 4-diphosphate notably in its (E)-form of the non-mevalonate biosynthetic pathway to isoprenoids. The invention also provides a protein in a form that is functional for the enzymatic conversion of 1-hydroxy-2-methyl-2-butenyl 4-diphosphate, notably in its (E)-form, to isopentenyl diphosphate and/or dimethylallyl diphosphate. Further, screening methods for inhibitors of these proteins are provided. Further, 1-hydroxy-2-methyl-2-butenyl 4-diphosphate is provided and chemical and enzymatic methods of its preparation.

The system of biosynthetic pathways in any organism is highly streamlined, whereby a few central trunk pathways branch into a great number of peripheral pathways. The central trunk pathways involve starting materials which are highly integrated. Therefore, central or trunk pathways are highly regulated. At the same time they are crucial for any attempts to interfere with the metabolism of any organism either by an inhibitor or by metabolic engineering. The isoprenoid pathways are a prime example for this metabolic organisation. They are very long and highly branched, leading to some 30,000 isoprenoid or terpenoid compounds. They all seem to derive from isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) and dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP). They are produced by two alternative trunk pathways (reviewed in Eisenreich et al., 2001).
By the classical research of Bloch, Cornforth, Lynen and co-workers, isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP) and dimethylallyl pyrophosphate (DMAPP) have become established as key intermediates in the biosynthesis of isoprenoids via mevalonate. However, many bacteria, plastids of all plants, and the protozoon Plasmodium falciparum synthesize IPP and DMAPP by an alternative pathway via 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate. The discovery of the pathway was mainly based on the incorporation of isotope-labelled 1-deoxy-D-xylulose into the isoprenoid side chain of menaquinones from Escherichia coli (Arigoni and Schwarz, 1999).
This mevalonate-independent pathway has so far only been partially explored (FIG. 1). For a better understanding of these aspects of the invention, the pathway shall be briefly explained. It can be divided into three segments:
In a first pathway segment shown in FIG. 1, pyruvate (1) is condensed with glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate (2) to 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate (DXP) (3). Subsequently, DXP is converted into 2C-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) (4) by a two-step reaction comprising a rearrangement and a reduction. This establishes the 5-carbon isoprenoid skeleton.
In the subsequent segment of the mevalonate-independent pathway (FIG. 1), MEP (4) is first condensed with CTP to 4-diphosphocytidyl-2C-methyl-D-erythritol (CDP-ME) (5) by 4-diphosphocytidyl-2C-methyl-D-erythritol synthase (PCT/EP00/07548). CDP-ME (5) is subsequently ATP-dependent phosphorylated by 4-diphosphocytidyl-2C-methyl-D-erythritol kinase yielding 4-diphosphocytidyl-2C-methyl-D-erythritol 2-phosphate (CDP-MEP) (6). The intermediate is subsequently converted into 2C-methyl-D-erythritol 2,4-cyclodiphosphate (cMEPP) (7) by 2C-methyl-D-erythritol 2,4-cyclodiphosphate synthase (PCT/EP00/07548). These three enzymatic steps form a biosynthetic unit which activates the isoprenoid C5-skeleton for the third pathway segment (Rohdich et al., 1999; Lüttgen et al., 2000; Herz et al., 2000).
Bioinformatic studies (German Patent Application 10027821.3), as well as studies with mutants of Synechocystis sp. (Cunningham et al., 2000) and Escherichia coli (Campos et al., 2001; Altincicek et al., 2001) demonstrate the involvement of lytB and gcpE genes in the isoprenoid pathway. However, the function and the reaction catalyzed by the corresponding gene products are still unknown.
Recently, a kinase (XylB) has been described that catalyzes the conversion of 1-deoxy-D-xylulose into 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate at high rates (Wungsintaweekul et al., 2000). Genes and enzymes participating in further downstream reactions have been described. However, the gene functions, the intermediates, and the mechanisms leading to the products are still unknown.
For numerous pathogenic eubacteria as well as for the malaria parasite P. falciparum, the enzymes involved in the non-mevalonate pathway are essential. The intermediates of the mevalonate-independent pathway cannot be assimilated from the environment by pathogenic eubacteria and P. falciparum. The enzymes of the alternative isoprenoid pathway do not occur in mammalia which synthesize their isoprenoids and terpenoids exclusively via the mevalonate pathway. Moreover, the idiosyncratic nature of the reactions in this pathway reduces the risk of cross-inhibitions with other, notably mammalian enzymes.
Therefore, enzymes of the alternative isoprenoid pathway seem to be specially suited as targets for novel agents against pathogenic microorganisms and herbicides. The elucidation of unknown steps and the identification of these targets, e.g. genes and cognate enzymes of these pathways is obligatory for this purpose.
A further source of interest in the non-mevalonate pathway derives from the fact certain pathogens like Mycobacteria, Plasmodia, Escherichia etc. use this pathway to activate γδ T cells (Fournié and Bonneville, 1996). Therefore, γδ T cells likely act as a first line of defense against infections by such pathogens. Intermediates of the non-mevalonate pathway have been suggested to be responsible for γδ T cell activation (Jomaa et al., 1999). Recently, it was show that E. coli strains lost the ability to stimulate γδ T cells when the dxr or the gcpE gene was knocked out (Altincicek et al., 2001).
Moreover, there is a great biotechnological interest in these pathways, since they lead to valuable vitamins and isoprenoid or terpenoid products.
Previous attempts to approach these goals have been hampered by the low rate of biosynthesis along these pathways in wild-type cells studied so far.

Intermediates and enzymes of the non-mevalonate isoprenoid pathway


A control system interface for a vehicle includes a primary processing unit and a secondary processing unit. The primary processing unit is configured to receive and process a trajectory generated by a trajectory computing unit for autonomous control of the vehicle. The secondary processing unit is configured to receive the trajectory concurrently with the primary processing unit, and to process the trajectory. Autonomous control of the vehicle is passed from the primary processing unit to the secondary processing unit in response to a fault condition with the primary processing unit.

The automobile industry is currently developing autonomous features for controlling vehicles under certain circumstances. According to Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) International standard J3016, there are 6 levels of autonomy ranging from Level 0 (no autonomy) up to Level 5 (vehicle capable of operation without operator input in all conditions). A vehicle with autonomous features utilizes sensors to sense the environment that the vehicle navigates through. Acquiring and processing data from the sensors allows the vehicle to navigate through its environment.

Control system interface for autonomous vehicle


The present invention is directed to heterodimeric anti-PD-1 x anti-CTLA-4. Also provided are nucleic acid compositions that encode the antibodies, expression vector compositions that include the nucleic acids, and host cells that include the expression vector compositions.

Checkpoint receptors such as CTLA-4, PD-1 (programmed cell death 1), TIM-3 (T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain 3), LAG-3 (lymphocyte-activation gene 3), TIGIT (T cell immunoreceptor with Ig and ITIM domains), and others, inhibit the activation, proliferation, and/or effector activities of T cells and other cell types. Guided by the hypothesis that checkpoint receptors suppress the endogenous T cell response against tumor cells, preclinical and clinical studies of anti-CTLA4 and anti-PD1 antibodies, including nivolumab, pembrolizumab, ipilimumab, and tremelimumab, have indeed demonstrated that checkpoint blockade results in impressive anti-tumor responses, stimulating endogenous T cells to attack tumor cells, leading to long-term cancer remissions in a fraction of patients with a variety of malignancies. Unfortunately, only a subset of patients responds to these therapies, with response rates generally ranging from 10 to 30% and sometimes higher for each monotherapy, depending on the indication and other factors. Therapeutic combination of these agents, for example ipilimumab plus nivolumab, leads to even higher response rates, approaching 60% in some cases. Preclinical studies have shown additional synergies between anti-PD-1 antibodies and/or anti-CTLA-4 antibodies with blockade of more recently identified checkpoint receptors, including LAG-3, TIM-3, BTLA and TIGIT. While the potential of multiple checkpoint blockade is very promising, combination therapy with such agents is expected to carry a high financial burden. Moreover, autoimmune toxicities of combination therapies, for example nivolumab plus ipilimumab, are significantly elevated compared to monotherapy, causing many patients to halt the therapy.
A number of studies (Ahmadzadeh et al., Blood 114:1537 (2009), Matsuzaki et al., PNAS 107(17):7875-7880 (2010), Fourcade et al., Cancer Res. 72(4):887-896 (2012) and Gros et al., J. Clinical Invest. 124(5):2246 (2014)) examining tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) have shown that TILs commonly express multiple checkpoint receptors. Moreover, it is likely that TILs that express multiple checkpoints are in fact the most tumor-reactive. In contrast, non-tumor reactive T cells in the periphery are more likely to express a single checkpoint. Checkpoint blockade with monospecific full-length antibodies is likely nondiscriminatory with regards to de-repression of tumor-reactive TILs versus autoantigen-reactive single expressing T cells that are assumed to contribute to autoimmune toxicities.
Accordingly, the invention is directed to bispecific antibodies that bind to two different checkpoint inhibitor proteins.

Bispecific checkpoint inhibitor antibodies


A method for encoding a video sequence in a scalable video encoder to generate a scalable bitstream is provided that includes encoding the video sequence in a first layer encoder of the scalable video encoder to generate a first sub-bitstream, encoding the video sequence in a second layer encoder of the scalable video encoder to generate a second sub-bitstream, wherein portions of the video sequence being encoded in the second layer encoder are predicted using reference portions of the video sequence encoded in the first layer encoder, combining the first sub-bitstream and the second sub-bitstream to generate the scalable bitstream, and signaling in the scalable bitstream an indication of a maximum decoded picture buffer (DPB) size needed for decoding the second sub-bitstream and the first sub-bitstream when the second sub-bitstream is a target sub-bitstream for decoding.

Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to video coding and more specifically relate to signaling decoded picture buffer size in multi-loop scalable video coding.
Description of the Related Art
The demand for digital video products continues to increase. Some examples of applications for digital video include video communication (e.g., video conferencing and multimedia messaging), security and surveillance, industrial automation, and entertainment (e.g., DV, HDTV, satellite TV, set-top boxes, Internet video streaming, video gaming devices, digital cameras, cellular telephones, video jukeboxes, high-end displays and personal video recorders). Further, video applications are becoming increasingly mobile as a result of higher computation power in handsets, advances in battery technology, and high-speed wireless connectivity.
Video transmission systems using the internet and mobile networks have a wide range of receiving devices, i.e., video endpoints, ranging, for example, from cellular telephones with small screens to tablet computers to personal computers with high definition displays to video conferencing systems with large screens. That is, the devices receiving a video transmission may have different resolution, frame rate, and bandwidth capabilities. Scalable video coding (SVC) is one technique that may be used to allow a video to be received by a range of receiving devices according to the capabilities of each device. In general, SVC refers to encoding a video as a single scalable video bitstream with one or more subset bitstreams that are adapted to varying video endpoint capabilities, network conditions, and/or user preferences.
A video bitstream may be referred to as scalable when parts of the stream can be removed such that the resulting subset bitstream is a valid bitstream for some target decoder, and the subset bitstream represents the original video content with a reconstruction quality that is less than that of the complete original bitstream but is high in view of the lower quantity of data in the subset bitstream. Typically, three scalability modes are considered: temporal, spatial, and quality. A spatially scaled subset bitstream represents the original video content at a reduced picture size. A temporally scaled subset bitstream represents the original video content at a reduced frame rate. A quality scaled subset bitstream represents the original video content at the same spatial and temporal resolution as the complete bitstream but at a lower quality, i.e., signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).
In scalable video coding, a single encoded bitstream, which may be referred to as a scalable bitstream herein, may include multiple layers (sub-bitstreams) of compressed video data. The base layer is the most basic, scaled down compressed data needed to reconstruct the video stream at the lowest spatial resolution, temporal resolution, and/or quality. The remaining compressed video data in the scalable bitstream is grouped into one or more enhancement layers. Each enhancement layer "builds" on the layer or layers below and includes video data that a decoder can use (in conjunction with data from the lower layer or layers) to generate an enhanced version of the video stream. Thus, the architecture of a video encoder that generates a scalable video bitstream may include a base layer encoder and one or more enhancement layer encoders. Similarly, the architecture of a video decoder that decodes a scalable video bitstream may include a base layer decoder and one or more enhancement layer decoders.
H.264/SVC is an example of a video coding standard that provides scalable video coding. More specifically, H.264/SVC is a scalable video coding (SVC) extension of H.264/AVC that supports temporal, spatial and quality scalability functions. A summary of H.264/SVC is presented in H. Schwarz, et al., "Overview of The Scalable Video Coding Extension of the H.264/SVC Standard," IEEE Trans. Circuits and Systems, vol. 17, No. 9, September 2007. The temporal scalability of H.264/SVC allows decoding of a bitstream at different frame rates by partitioning a set of pictures into a temporal base layer bitstream and temporal enhancement layer bitstreams. The spatial scalability and quality scalability of H.264/SVC allow encoding of video at different resolutions and qualities as a base layer bitstream and one or more enhancement layer bitstreams.
In general, a scalable video codec may be based on either a multi-loop architecture or a single loop architecture. In a single loop architecture, which is used in H.264/SVC, a full decoding loop takes place only in the target layer. Inter-coded blocks in intermediate layers are not reconstructed and sophisticated inter-layer prediction techniques such as residual prediction and motion prediction are used. In a multi-loop architecture, a full encoding/decoding loop is performed in every layer needed to encode/decode a target layer, thus avoiding the need for the complex inter-layer prediction techniques. Both intra- and inter-coded blocks are fully reconstructed in all layers and the reconstructed samples from lower layers may be used as reference samples for higher layers. The scalable extension currently under development by Joint Collaborative Team on Video Coding (JCT-VC) of ITU-T WP3/16 and ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 29/WG 11 for the recently completed first version of the High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) standard is based on a multi-loop architecture.

Methods and apparatus for indicating picture buffer size for coded scalable video


A check valve assembly for controlling a flow of fluid in a transmission from a first cavity to a second cavity is disclosed. Check valve assembly may include a housing having a fluid passageway therein, a biasing member supported by the housing for axial movement along a first axis, and a valve element positioned within the fluid passageway of the housing. The valve element may be moveable between a seated position and an unseated position. An intersection of a plane normal to the first axis and the valve element defines a seating boundary of the element, which may define a minimum distance from the seating surface of the fluid passageway to the valve element when the valve element is in the unseated position. The check valve may include at least one swage extending radially inwardly from the fluid passageway to limit axial movement of the valve element.

Known multi-speed planetary transmissions use a plurality of planetary gearsets, interconnectors, selective couplers, and additional elements to achieve a plurality of forward and reverse speed ratios. During or after operation of the multi-speed transmission, air may infiltrate a selective coupler assembly as fluid is drained from the assembly to a sump of the multi-speed transmission. This air may cause a delay in engagement of the selective coupler, as the air must be exhausted prior to engagement. This leads to unpredictability and inconsistency in shifting.


An antenna coil has a simple structure and a high sensitivity and can be thinner. The antenna coil includes an X Y coil unit having an X axis coil and a Y axis coil wound around a core, a Z axis coil wound around the X Y coil unit, and a resin portion insert molded around the X Y coil unit and the Z axis coil. In the antenna coil, the X axis coil, the Y axis coil, and the Z axis coil are arranged so that the three coils have an axis in a direction orthogonal to each other, and the X Y coil unit and the Z axis are integrated by the resin portion.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an antenna coil that is used, for example, in a keyless entry system for motor vehicles.
2. Description of Related Art
Previously, techniques were known for electronic key systems for motor vehicles. The techniques include an antenna coil in an IC card (a transceiver on a portable side) as an electronic key. The antenna coil is electromagnetically coupled to the antenna coil of an IC card in a card reader (a transceiver on an external side) of a motor vehicle. The antenna of the card reader on the motor vehicle side transmits an inquiry signal in the air. When the antenna coil of the IC card receives the inquiry signal, the IC card sends out an ID code signal characteristic of each vehicle as a response signal from the antenna coil. The card reader reads the ID codes from the IC card to compare the ID codes with ID codes beforehand on the vehicle side. When both of the codes are matched, some operations such as a door lock or start-up of an engine are performed, which is a known technique, for example, in Japanese Patent Publication (Laid Open) Hei 8-274682.
In recent years, in order to obtain nondirectional reception sensitivity, a three-axis antenna coil having three coils, where a direction orthogonal to the others is determined to be an axis, have been proposed. As for the three-axis antenna coil, considering downsizing and portability of the device, the three coils have to be positioned as effectively as possible, taking up as small an area as possible.
As examples, Japanese Patent Publications (Laid Open) 2003-92509 and 2004-32754 disclose that the X axis coil and Y axis coil are wound around a spool of a core, with the insulating spool located so as to encircle the X axis and Y axis coils, where a z axis coil is wound around the spool.
Japanese Patent Publication (Laid Open) 2003-249816 discloses the antenna coil, where concave portions for a cross winding are formed in four sides of a core of a flat plate, outer circumference grooves for the winding are provided in an outer circumference of the concave portions for the winding, the X axis coil and Y axis coil are wound in the concave portions for winding, and the Z axis coil is wound in the outer circumference grooves for the winding.
The three axis antenna coil of the prior art provides concave portions such as grooves in the core or spool mounted around thereof. In the concave portions, the coils are wound and held. However, in order that the coils do not come off the core or spool, the depth of the concave portions is larger than the thickness of layers which the wound coils constitute. In other words, an overhang is formed that overhangs from the outer surface in the circumference of the concave portions, which is disadvantageous in making the antenna coil smaller or thinner. Since a shape of the core or spool is complicated to hold the coils in the concave portions, it takes time and labor to wind the coils around the core or spool, which produces a problem of incurring increased manufacturing cost.
According to the inventions described in Japanese Patent Publications 2003-92509 and 2004-32754, electrodes (terminals), to which lead terminals for the coils are connected, are mounted to an upper and a lower surface of the spool, which is disadvantageous in reducing thickness of an antenna coil because the thickness of the antenna coil increases. Since a portion connecting the lead terminal and the electrode overhangs from the spool, the electrode is subject to coming off or being damaged when an impulse is applied.
Furthermore, when this kind of antenna is mounted on a printed board, if a wiring pattern formed on the printed board or a conductor such as an electronic component is provided beneath the antenna coil, an inductance of the coil and a value of Q are lowered, which deteriorates sensitivity of the antenna. Because of this, an empty region in which there is no wiring pattern or electronic component is formed on the printed board, and in the empty region, an antenna coil is placed. However, in this case, it is difficult to reduce an area for mounting the antenna coil.
For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for an antenna coil that has a simple structure and a high sensitivity, and in addition has a small thickness.
Furthermore, for the foregoing reasons, there is another need for an antenna coil that has can reduce a mounting area on a printed board where the antenna coil is provided on the printed board.


A method of supplying supplemental power from a supplemental power source in addition to that from a primary power source in order to meet power demand of a load, comprising: measuring power flow from the primary power source to the power load; developing an error signal by subtracting a fixed power offset from the actual primary power source power measurement; establishing a gain; creating an input by multiplying the error signal by the gain; creating a supplemental power source power adjustment command based upon the input; and adjusting the power output of the supplemental power source based on the supplemental power source power adjustment command.

The present invention is of a method of supplying supplemental power from a supplemental power source in addition to that from a primary power source in order to meet power demand of a load, comprising: setting a set point for power received from the primary power source; establishing a variable gain for the supplemental power source; and employing the variable gain, periodically adjusting power supplied by the supplemental power source based on deviations between power actually received from the primary power source and the set point. In the preferred embodiment, establishing comprises establishing a variable gain that is higher for negative deviations between power actually received from the power source and the set point than for positive deviations. Employing comprises adjusting via a variable gain resetxe2x80x94hold integrator and measuring power actually received from the primary power source via a digital meter. The digital meter communicates readings to a supervisory control and data acquisition system, and control personnel are permitted to change the set point and variable gain by command to the supervisory control and data acquisition system via a World Wide Web browser interface. The supplemental power source is preferably a turbine generator. The method results in load transients being absorbed by the primary power source rather than the supplemental power source. The size of the power adjustment in each period is based on the product of the variable gain and a size of the deviation between power actually received from the primary power source and the set point Adjustment is made only when deviations between power actually received from the primary power source and the set point are outside a tolerance band. The tolerance band is established at least in part based on operating limitations of the microturbine and/or on a desired insensitivity to small changes in the load. The set point is automatically reset to zero based on a turbine status bit related to an operating condition of the turbine, wherein the operating condition is chosen from the group that includes turbine speed, turbine inlet temperature, turbine exhaust temperature, fuel flow, and power output.
The invention is also of a method of maintaining a fixed flow offset between the primary flow source and the supplemental flow source in a system employing a primary flow source and a supplemental flow source to satisfy a demand, wherein the supplemental flow source supplies flow to meet at least a portion of the demand, comprising: creating an actual primary flow source measurement by measuring flow from the primary flow source to the demand; developing an error signal by establishing a difference between the fixed flow offset from the actual primary flow source flow measurement; establishing a gain; creating an input by multiplying the error signal by the gain; establishing a predetermined tolerance range; creating a supplemental flow source flow adjustment command based upon the input; and adjusting the flow output of the supplemental flow source based on the supplemental flow source flow adjustment command, thereby driving the error signal to within the predetermined tolerance range. In the preferred embodiment, the gain is a variable gain and creating a supplemental flow source flow adjustment command comprises integrating the input.
The invention is further of a method of maintaining a fixed power offset between the primary power source and the: supplemental power source in a system employing a primary power source and a supplemental power source to satisfy a power load, wherein the supplemental power source supplies power to meet at least a portion of the power load, comprising: creating an actual primary power source measurement by measuring power flow from the primary power source to the power load; developing an error signal by subtracting the fixed power offset from the actual primary power source power measurement; establishing a gain; creating an input by multiplying the error signal by the gain; establishing a predetermined tolerance range; creating a supplemental power source power adjustment command based upon the input; and adjusting the power output of the supplemental power source based on the supplemental power source power adjustment command, thereby driving the error signal to within the predetermined tolerance range. In the preferred embodiment, the gain is a variable gain and creating a supplemental flow source flow adjustment command comprises integrating the input.
The present invention is additionally of a method of maintaining a fixed power offset between the grid and the end-user""s power load regardless of the load demanded up to the microturbine""s predetermined maximum power output in a grid-connected application of a microturbine having an adjustable power output up to a predetermined maximum power output and wherein the microturbine supplies power to meet at least a portion of an end-user""s power load, comprising: creating an actual grid power measurement by measuring power flow from the grid to the end-user""s power load; developing an error signal by subtracting the fixed power offset from the actual grid power measurement; establishing a gain; creating an input by multiplying the error signal by the gain; establishing a predetermined tolerance range; creating a microturbine power adjustment command based upon the input; and adjusting the power output of the microturbine based on the microturbine power adjustment command, thereby driving the error signal to within the predetermined tolerance range. In the preferred embodiment, the gain is variable and preferably is higher for an error signal representing a negative deviation between the actual grid power measurement and the fixed power offset than for positive deviations. Creating a supplemental flow source flow adjustment command preferably comprises integrating the input. The tolerance range is established at least in part based on operating limitations of the microturbine and/or on a desired insensitivity to small changes in the end-user""s power load. Creating an actual grid power measurement preferably comprises employing a digital meter which communicates readings to a supervisory control and data acquisition system. Control personnel are permitted to change the fixed power offset and gain by command to the supervisory control and data acquisition system via a World Wide Web browser interface. The method results in load transients being absorbed by the grid rather than the microturbine. The fixed power offset is automatically reset to zero based on a turbine status bit related to an operating condition of the turbine, wherein the operating condition is chosen from the group that includes turbine speed, turbine inlet temperature, turbine exhaust temperature, fuel flow, and power output.


An image forming device includes a plurality of holding units that holds data of pixels around a target pixel, a weight generating unit that generates a weight for each holding unit, a plurality of weight applying units that applies a corresponding weight to the data held by each holding unit, and a control unit that determines an exposing energy for the target pixel in accordance with an output of each weight applying unit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image forming device such as a copy machine, a facsimile machine and a printer, and an image forming method.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a conventional laser printer known as an image forming device, when an electrostatic latent image is formed on a photoconductive body by using 100% light energy even on an inner part of a black solid part of the image, a large amount of toner adheres to the photoconductive body. Not only is the toner consumed in a large amount, but there is also a drawback of deterioration in the quality of the image recorded on paper, such as trailing of the toner. In consideration of such a drawback, by using a matrix of pixels, depending on whether surrounding pixels are white or black, a determination can be made as to whether a target pixel is located at a peripheral part or at an inner part of the black solid part. An exposing energy for pixels located in the black solid part is reduced in order to reduce an amount of toner adhered to the photoconductive body. This technology is generally known as "Toner Saving".
In the above-described technology, by using the matrix of pixels consisting of the target pixel and the surrounding pixels, depending on whether the surrounding pixels are white or black, a determination can be made as to whether or not to reduce the light energy of the target pixel. In fact, a value of the surrounding pixels is arranged in one piece of data and this piece of data is input to a memory as an address. The exposing energy is reduced in accordance with this piece of data output from the memory. That is, the toner is saved for the target pixel.
However, since it becomes necessary to provide a memory, the scale of the circuitry increases. In particular, to improve accuracy for determining whether the target pixel is located at the peripheral part or at the inner part of the black solid part, the size of the matrix increases and a greater capacity of the memory becomes necessary. Meanwhile, when image data becomes multilevel, the number of bits of data as the address increases and a greater capacity of memory becomes necessary.

Image forming device and image forming method


A method for producing an electronic assembly includes providing a printed circuit board with a first face, a second face facing away from the first face, and a first component arranged on the first face. The method further includes arranging the circuit board such that the second face lies on a reference surface, and applying a sealing material which is substantially not flowable prior to being cured onto the first face. The sealing material surrounds a sub-region of the first face of the circuit board. The method further includes arranging a second component at least partly on the reference surface such that the second component is pressed into the sealing material, electrically connecting the second component to the circuit board via an electric connection line, and applying a covering material onto the circuit board first face sub-region surrounded by the sealing material and onto the first component.

Many electronic assemblies are known. If it is for example part of a transmission control module, the electronic assembly must be sealed in an oil-proof manner, since the transmission control module is surrounded by oil. The electronic assembly usually comprises a printed circuit board with electronic components arranged on it.
Large individual components, such as for example sensors, are to some extent not arranged on the printed circuit board and are electrically connected to the printed circuit board. Since the oil often contains conductive particles, an electrical insulation of the components and of the electrical connection between the large individual component that is not arranged (completely) on the printed circuit board and the printed circuit board is necessary. Generally used for this are covers or swarf protection covers, which are clipped on, riveted or held down on the printed circuit board by other methods, in order to establish an oil-tight and/or swarf-tight seal.
A disadvantage of this is that the transmission control module with the electronic assembly or the electronic assembly is less stable and robust and involves high production costs and great production effort. Moreover, generally mechanical stresses may occur between the large individual component and the printed circuit board, as a result of which the service life or seal-tightness of the transmission control module or the electronic assembly is reduced. Furthermore, as a result of the tolerance in the thickness of the printed circuit board, the electronic assembly can generally only be placed very inaccurately in terms of height, which can lead to problems, in particular in the case of sensors.

Method for producing an electronic assembly, and electronic assembly, in particular for a transmission control module


A method and apparatus for controlling traction of a vehicle with independent drives or motors connected to the wheels or other ground engaging apparatuses. Nominal torque allocations can be determined for a set of motors, the motors connected to ground engaging elements and including a front set of motors and a rear set of motors. The nominal torque allocations can be modified based on a lateral differential correction and a fore-aft differential correction to produce modified torque commands and the modified torque commands can be applied to the set of motors.

Work machines, such as loaders are often configured with the engine behind the back wheels and the loader portion extending beyond the front wheels. This arrangement allows the weight of the engine to offset the load carried in the bucket of the loader portion. Such an arrangement allows for a significant variation in the amount of weight carried by each of the axles. This in turn is expressed by a varying effective diameter of the wheels and the torque needed to move the loader as the torque is individually applied to each wheel.
The power train in a conventional four-wheel drive loader includes a prime mover, and a device to mechanically couple the prime mover with the various wheels. Conventional power train configurations control excessive wheel spin by mechanically constraining the wheels, either laterally or transversely, or both. Work vehicles with multiple independent drive motors, such as electric motors, can utilize electric traction control.

Traction control method and apparatus for a work vehicle with independent drives


A tunable diplexer arrangement (100) comprising a first filter arrangement (110) and a second filter arrangement (120) connected to respective first (115) and second (125) filter ports of a junction (130), the junction comprising a common port (140), wherein at least the first filter arrangement (110) is a tunable filter comprising a first tuning element (111), wherein the junction (130) comprises a first junction tuning element (112) corresponding to the first tuning element (111) and arranged in connection to the second filter port (125), thereby enabling a tunable matching of the junction (130) with respect to a first frequency characteristic of the first filter arrangement (110).

Wireless communication networks comprise radio frequency transceivers, such as radio base stations used in access networks that serve wireless devices, and microwave radio link transceivers used for, e.g., backhaul into a core network.
Radio transceivers, in general, comprise antenna devices. There is often one radio branch connected to the antenna device arranged for transmission, and another radio branch connected to the antenna device arranged for reception.
The antenna device is usually connected to the transmission branch and to the reception branch via a diplexer arrangement that comprises a first band-pass filter that is connected to the reception branch, and a second band-pass filter that is connected to the transmission branch. A three-port junction connects the transmit and receive branches to the antenna device.
Such a diplexer is relatively expensive to manufacture and constitutes a quite space-consuming component. Furthermore, radio equipment such as microwave radio transceivers are manufactured and sold for many different frequency bands, and it is necessary to have one specific diplexer per frequency band, due to the frequency dependency of components.
There is a need for diplexer arrangements and radio systems which are more versatile and that can be used for more than one specific frequency configuration. WO2017084695 A1 discloses a tunable antenna connector arrangement which can be re-configured for different filter characteristics.


A lift gate assembly for a vehicle that includes a platform assembly with a platform member. The assembly also includes a linkage assembly pivotally connected to the platform member and operably coupled to a vehicle, such that the platform member is pivotally moveable between a storage position and an in-use position. The assembly further includes a pedal opener coupled to the platform member at a location above the first pivot point when the platform member is in the storage position. The pedal opener also has a rearwardly disposed, upwardly facing surface configured to receive a generally downward applied force that assists pivotal movement of the platform member from the storage position to the in-use position.

The present invention involves a lift gate assembly with a pedal opener that can be utilized for the loading of unloading of materials to be shipped. In particular, the present invention makes use of a pedal opener to assist in the safe and efficient movement of the lift gate assembly from a storage position to an in-use position.
Lift gate assemblies are used in a wide variety of applications associated with trucks, trailers and other types of vehicles to facilitate the loading and unloading of cargo. In general, they assist in the movement of cargo from a loading surface, such as the ground or a dock surface, to the height of the bed of a vehicle. Lift gate assemblies typically rely on hydraulic actuators to move cargo in this fashion.
During use, lift gate assemblies are typically extended from the rear of the vehicle and oriented in a horizontal position parallel to the vehicle bed or the ground. A platform of the lift gate assembly may rest on the ground to facilitate loading of cargo on to the assembly. After such loading, hydraulic actuators in connection with the lift gate assembly are activated and the platform of the assembly containing the load is moved vertically up to the height of the vehicle bed.
In storage, lift gate assemblies are typically stowed underneath the vehicle bed and secured with latches, shackles, chains, latching hooks or some other securing means. For example, the platform of the lift gate assembly may be folded into two sections, stored underneath the vehicle bed and secured to a hook attached to the bottom of the vehicle bed. In many configurations, the lift gate assembly is pivoted in a counter-clockwise direction toward the front of the vehicle for storage purposes.
When the lift gate assembly is needed for use, an operator disengages the securing means and moves the lift gate assembly from the storage position to one of the in-use positions. Known methods for moving the lift gate assembly from a storage position to the in-use position include the use of hydraulics or other electro-mechanical means. An operator may also move the assembly to an in-use position by engaging a handle on the platform and yanking the assembly rearward with a significant rotational force.
There are several disadvantages associated with the known designs and methods for moving lift gate assemblies from a storage position to an in-use position. For example, hydraulics and electro-mechanical system components dedicated solely for the purpose of moving the lift gate assembly from the storage position to an in-use position add significant cost and weight to the lift gate assembly. On the other hand, many operators are not physically capable of manually moving the lift gate assembly from the storage position to an in-use position by means of a handle or other equivalent means fixed to the platform. This is because the lift gate assembly is very heavy. Indeed, many operators simply lack the necessary strength to move or control the assembly in this fashion without significant risk of injury to themselves or others in the path of the lift gate assembly.
Consequently, a lift gate assembly is needed that not only provides all of the typical functions of a lift gate assembly, but also includes a means for easy deployment without significant risk of injury. Ideally, the deployment means would not significantly increase overall cost and weight to the lift gate assembly.


A method includes controlling a bearing fluid supply system to provide the bearing fluid to a hydrostatic bearing of the turbopump assembly. The bearing fluid includes a supercritical working fluid. The method also includes receiving data corresponding to a pressure of the bearing fluid measured at or near a bearing fluid drain fluidly coupled to the hydrostatic bearing, determining a thermodynamic state of the bearing fluid at or near the bearing fluid drain based at least in part on the received data, and controlling a backpressure regulation valve to throttle the backpressure regulation valve between an opened position and a closed position to regulate a backpressure in a bearing fluid discharge line to maintain the bearing fluid in a supercritical state in the hydrostatic bearing and/or at or near the bearing fluid drain.

Waste heat is often created as a byproduct of industrial processes where flowing streams of high-temperature liquids, gases, or fluids must be exhausted into the environment or removed in some way in an effort to maintain the operating temperatures of the industrial process equipment. Some industrial processes utilize heat exchanger devices to capture and recycle waste heat back into the process via other process streams. However, the capturing and recycling of waste heat is generally infeasible by industrial processes that utilize high temperatures or have insufficient mass flow or other unfavorable conditions.
Waste heat can be converted into useful energy by a variety of turbine generator or heat engine systems that employ thermodynamic methods, such as Rankine cycles. Rankine cycles and similar thermodynamic methods are typically steam-based processes that recover and utilize waste heat to generate steam for driving a turbine, turbo, or other expander connected to an electric generator or pump. An organic Rankine cycle utilizes a lower boiling-point working, fluid, instead of water, during a traditional Rankine cycle. Exemplary lower boiling-point working fluids include hydrocarbons, such as light hydrocarbons (e.g., propane or butane) and halogenated hydrocarbons, such as hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) or hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) (e.g., R245fa). More recently, in view of issues such as thermal instability, toxicity, flammability, and production cost of the lower boiling-point working fluids, some thermodynamic cycles have been modified to circulate non-hydrocarbon working fluids, such as ammonia.
The heat engine systems often utilize a turbopump to circulate the working fluid that captures the waste heat. The turbopump, as well as other rotating equipment used in the systems, typically generates thrust and other loads that arise in the system during operation and need to be minimized to reduce damage to system components. One way to handle the thrust and other load imbalances in the system is to utilize bearings, such as hydrostatic bearings, to absorb the excessive loads. In high density machinery operating with supercritical fluids, such as supercritical carbon dioxide, it may be desirable to operate the hydrostatic bearings with liquid or supercritical fluid. However, the supercritical fluid is heated as it is circulated through the bearings of the turbopump and, when drained, may experience a large pressure drop. This pressure drop may lead to erosion and/or cavitation of various components of the turbopump, thereby increasing component wear.
Therefore, there is a need for systems and methods that enable use of a supercritical fluid in the bearings of a heat engine system while reducing or eliminating the likelihood of erosion and/or cavitation.

Systems and methods for controlling backpressure in a heat engine system having hydrostaic bearings


The present invention provides an anti-hypertensive agent. The anti-hypertensive agent of the present invention contains, as an active ingredient, at least one peptide selected from the group consisting of peptides originally derived from globin proteolysate, each of which consists of one of the following amino acid sequences (1) to (6), or a globin proteolysate containing at least one of the peptides: (1) Val-Val-Tyr-Pro (SEQ ID: NO. 1); (2) Trp-Gly-Lys-Val-Asn (SEQ ID: NO. 2); (3) Trp-Gly-Lys-Val (SEQ ID: NO. 3); (4) Trp-Gly-Lys (SEQ ID: NO. 4); (5) Ala-Ala-Trp-Gly-Lys (SEQ ID: NO. 5); and (6) Phe-Glu-Ser (SEQ ID: NO. 6).

Hypertension and diseases caused by hypertension are the leading cause of death in the world. Globally, one out of four adults, which correspond to about 100 million people, are said to suffer from these conditions. In particular, the risk of developing cardiovascular complications caused by hypertension is 2 to 4 times higher for diabetic patients than for non-diabetic patients. The International Diabetes Federation advocates the necessity of strict blood pressure control.
However, in spite of various treatments, blood pressure has not been reduced to the desired values in approximately 70% of hypertensive patients and in approximately 90% of patients suffering from both diabetes and hypertension. Although hypertension is recognized as a main risk factor for cardiovascular diseases such as cerebral apoplexy and myocardial infarction, it is not well known that insufficient blood pressure control (particularly, masked hypertension) is a more serious risk factor. In fact, it is reported that about 90% of hypertensive patients with cerebral infarction have been treated for hypertension before the onset of cerebral infarction. This precisely indicates that insufficient anti-hypertensive treatment causes cerebral apoplexy. The result of another clinical test reveals that the reduction of systolic blood pressure by only 10 mmHg can reduce the onset of cerebral apoplexy by about 40%. This result also indicates that "10 mmHg increase" in blood pressure is a very high risk factor.
Pharmaceuticals currently used for treating hypertension can be roughly classified into the following 6 types according to their mechanism of action:
(A) diuretics;
(B) calcium antagonists;
(C) angiotensin-receptor antagonists;
(D) angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors;
(E) beta blockers; and
(F) alpha blockers
Recently, anti-hypertensive peptides, which have an action of reducing blood pressure, have been attracting attention. Specific examples of anti-hypertensive peptides include biogenic peptides such as natriuretic peptides (ANP, BNP, CNP) (see, for example, Non-Patent Documents 1 to 3) and adrenomedullin (see Non-Patent Document 4); an enzymatic albumin hydrolysate Arg-Pro-Leu-X-Pro-Trp (wherein X is His, Lys, or Arg) (SEQ ID: NO. 7) (see Patent Document 1); and an enzymatic hydrolysate of soybean protein (see Non-Patent Document 5).
Presently, lifestyle habits are considered to have a strong influence on the onset of hypertension and dietary habits are continually being modified. Therefore, peptides derived from egg white or soybean, as described in Patent Document 1 or Non-Patent Document 5, are considered to be highly useful because these peptides are safe and can be produced by the ingestion and subsequent digestion of egg white or soybean.    Non-Patent Document 1: F. Yoshihara et al., Plasma atrial natriuretic peptide concentration inversely correlates with left atrial collagen volume fraction in patients with atrial fibrillation. Plasma ANP as a possible biochemical marker to predict the outcome of the maze procedure. J Am Coll Cardiol, 39, 288-294, 2002    Non-Patent Document 2: T. Norio et al., Gene expression and secretion, and autocrine action of C-type natriuretic peptide in cultured adult rat cardiac fibroblasts. Endocrinology, 144, 2279-2284, 2003    Non-Patent Document 3: Y. Takami et al., Diagnostic and prognostic value of plasma brain natriuretic peptide in non-dialysis-dependent chronic renal failure. Am J Kidney Dis, 44, 419-429, 2004    Non-Patent Document 4: F. Yoshihara et al., Possible involvement of oxidative stress in hypoxia-induced adrenomedullin secretion in cultured rat cardiomyocytes. Eur J Pharmacol, 436, 1-6, 2002    Non-Patent Document 5: Toshiro Matsui, "Production of Hypotensive Peptide, SVY, from 7S Globulin of Soybean Protein and Its Physiological Functions", Soybean protein research, 6, 73-77, 2003    Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-80496