A magnetic recording medium on glass or Al substrates with a film structure of Crxe2x80x94X or (Crxe2x80x94X)Ox seedlayer/underlayer/magnetic layer/carbon overcoat, in which the solid solubility of X is at least 3 atomic percent in Cr, the heat of oxide formation of X is less than that of Cr or a lattice tuning capability of X is at least 2% that of Cr and a manufacturing process thereof are disclosed.

This invention relates to magnetic recording media, such as thin film magnetic recording disks, and to a method of manufacturing the media. The invention has particular applicability to high areal density magnetic recording media exhibiting low noise, and high coercivity.
The increasing demands for higher areal recording density impose increasingly greater demands on thin film magnetic recording media in terms of remanent coercivity (Hr), magnetic remanance (Mr), coercivity squareness (S*), medium noise, i.e., signal-to-medium noise ratio (SMNR), and narrow track recording performance. It is extremely difficult to produce a magnetic recording medium satisfying such demanding requirements.
The linear recording density can be increased by increasing the Hr of the magnetic recording medium, and by decreasing the medium noise, as by maintaining very fine magnetically non-coupled grains. Medium noise in thin films is a dominant factor restricting increased recording density of high-density magnetic hard disk drives, and is attributed primarily to inhomogeneous grain size and intergranular exchange coupling. Accordingly, in order to increase linear density, medium noise must be minimized by suitable microstructure control.
A conventional longitudinal recording disk medium is depicted in FIG. 1. It typically comprises a non-magnetic substrate 10 having sequentially deposited on each side thereof an underlayer 11, 11xe2x80x2, such as chromium (Cr) or Cr-alloy, a magnetic layer 12, 12xe2x80x2, typically comprising a cobalt (Co)-base alloy, and a protective overcoat 13, 13xe2x80x2, typically containing carbon. Conventional practices also comprise bonding a lubricant topcoat (not shown) to the protective overcoat. Underlayer 11, 11xe2x80x2, magnetic layer 12, 12xe2x80x2, and protective overcoat 13, 13xe2x80x2, are typically deposited by sputtering techniques. The Co-base alloy magnetic layer deposited by conventional techniques normally comprises polycrystallites epitaxially grown on the polycrystal Cr or Cr-alloy underlayer. A conventional perpendicular recording disk medium is similar to the longitudinal recording medium depicted in FIG. 1, but does not comprise Cr-containing underlayers.
Conventional methods for manufacturing longitudinal magnetic recording medium with a glass, glass-ceramic, Al or Alxe2x80x94NiP substrate comprise applying a seedlayer between the substrate and underlayer. A conventional seedlayer seeds the nucleation of a particular crystallographic texture of the underlayer. Typically, a seedlayer is the first deposited layer on the non-magnetic substrate. The role of this layer is to texture (alignment) the crystallographic orientation of the subsequent Cr-containing underlayer.
Furthermore, there exists a texture relationship between the underlayer and the magnetic layer. Therefore, the influence of the seed layer in terms of a texture relationship permeates even into the magnetic layer.
Conventional Cr-alloy underlayers comprise chromium (Cr), vanadium (V), titanium (Ti), tungsten (W) or molybdenum (Mo). Conventional magnetic layers are CoCrTa, CoCrPtB, CoCrPt, CoCrPtTaNb and CoNiCr.
A conventional longitudinal recording disk medium is prepared by depositing multiple layers of metal films to make a composite film. In sequential order, the multiple layer typically comprise a non-magnetic substrate, one or more underlayers, a magnetic layer, and a protective carbon layer. Generally, a polycrystalline epitaxially grown cobalt-chromium (CoCr) alloy magnetic layer is deposited on a chromium or chromium-alloy underlayer.
The seedlayer, underlayer, and magnetic layer are conventionally sequentially sputter deposited on the substrate in an inert gas atmosphere, such as an atmosphere of argon. A conventional carbon overcoat is typically deposited in argon with nitrogen, hydrogen or ethylene. Conventional lubricant topcoats are typically about 20 xc3x85 thick.
It is recognized that the magnetic properties, such as Hr, Mr, So and SMNR, which are critical to the performance of a magnetic alloy film, depend primarily upon the microstructure of the magnetic layer which, in turn, is influenced by one or more underlying layers on which it is deposited. It is also recognized that underlayers having a fine grain structure are highly desirable, particular for growing fine grains of hexagonal close packed (HCP) CoCr deposited thereon to form an intermediate layer. The HCP layer is thin and is used to absorb the interfacial strain occurring from the transition from a cubic crystal structure of the underlayer to a HCP structure of the magnetic layer.
In co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/152,326 filed on Sep. 14, 1998, a magnetic recording medium is disclosed comprising a surface oxidized NiAl seedlayer, and sequentially deposited thereon a Cr-containing underlayer, a CoCrTa intermediate layer and a CoCrPtTa magnetic layer.
Adding various elements, including oxygen, to one or more underlayers has been shown to increase the coercive force in recording media. U.S. Pat. No. 5,523,173 discloses that a higher SMNR can be obtained if boron is added to an magnetic layer consisting of a CoPtCr alloy with a 1120 crystallographic orientation deposited on an underlayer with 100 orientation. U.S. Pat. No. 5,316,631 to Ando et al., discloses the incorporation of oxygen into a Cr underlayer. The Cr underlayer contains 4 to 50 atomic percent oxygen. Oxygen may also be added to a CoCr underlayer in an amount of 15 to 30 atomic percent.
In order to squeeze as much digital information as possible on a recording disc medium there will be a continuing need for improved areal density magnetic recording media exhibiting high coercivity and high SMNR.
The invention provides a magnetic recording medium for high areal recording density exhibiting low noise, high coercivity. One way of achieving this goal is to produce a magnetic film with substantial directional magnetic isotropy.
Another aspect of this invention is a method of manufacturing a magnetic recording medium which exhibits excellent overwrite properties, little or no modulation of magnetic properties, relatively high SMNR and high areal recording densities.
An embodiment of this invention is a magnetic recording medium, comprising: a substrate; a seedlayer disposed on the substrate, wherein the seedlayer comprises a Crxe2x80x94X containing material; and a magnetic layer, wherein a solid solubility of the X is at least 3 atomic percent in Cr. Preferably, a heat of oxide formation of the X is less than that of Cr and a lattice tuning capability of the X is at least 2% that of Cr. Typically, X is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, calcium, titanium, vanadium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, zinc, or a mixture thereof. The magnetic recording medium could further comprise an underlayer comprising a Cr-containing material, for example, a CoCr underlayer to form a first magnetic recording medium. The first magnetic recording medium could exhibit a stronger CoCr (11.0) peak by X-ray crystallography than that of a second magnetic recording medium that is similar to the first magnetic recording medium except that the seedlayer of the second magnetic recording medium contains substantially pure Cr with no Crxe2x80x94X containing material. For example, the seedlayer of the first magnetic recording medium could comprise Cr-10W and the CoCr underlayer could comprise Co-37Cr.
In another embodiment, the seedlayer could have a Crxe2x80x94X (110) interplanar spacing that is roughly equivalent to a (0002) interplanar spacing of a HCP alloy of a CoCr underlayer or a magnetic layer. In yet another embodiment of this invention, a portion of the seedlayer is oxidized.
One embodiment of this invention is a method of manufacturing a magnetic recording medium, comprising: depositing a seedlayer comprising a Crxe2x80x94X containing material on a substrate; and depositing a magnetic layer on the seedlayer, wherein a solid solubility of the X is at least 3 atomic percent in Cr.
Another embodiment of this invention is a magnetic recording medium comprising: means for low noise recording and a magnetic layer.
A xe2x80x9cmeans for low noise recordingxe2x80x9d comprises a layer comprising a Crxe2x80x94X containing material, wherein a solid solubility of said X is at least 3 atomic percent in Cr, a heat of oxide formation (xe2x88x92xcex1Hf) of said X is greater than 200 kcal/(gmol) or a lattice tuning capability of said X is at least 2% that of Cr. Preferably, the means for low noise recording is a seedlayer comprising a Crxe2x80x94X material, a portion of which is oxidized.
As will be realized, this invention is capable of other and different embodiments, and its details are capable of modifications in various obvious respects, all without departing from this invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

Chromium-alloy seedlayers for recording media


A dual-arm wafer hand-off assembly includes a pair of pickup arms for transferring wafers within a wafer processing system. The two pickup arms are adapted to move such that the wafer on one of the arms can be positioned over the other arm and handed off. In one version, a Bernoulli-style wand translates along a linear guideway and may be positioned over a paddle-style pickup arm. The wafer carried by the Bernoulli wand can be handed off to the paddle by shutting off the flow of gas from the Bernoulli wand jets. The two pickup arms may be mounted on linear slides and adapted to translate between a load/unload chamber and a processing chamber, or the guideway may be adapted to rotate to allow transfer of wafers to multiple processing chambers in a cluster system. One of the pickup arms is preferably an all-quartz Bernoulli-style pickup arm having a proximal arm portion and a distal wand. The arm portion is formed by a pair of juxtaposed plates with a gas passage therethrough, and the distal wand is also formed by a pair of juxtaposed plates with a plurality of gas passages therethrough. The arm portion and the wand are fused together at their junction region. A wafer stop element is formed by a single quartz rod and is clipped to the arm portion to present a plurality of wafer stop pegs at a proximal periphery of the wand. The wafer stop element may be rapidly installed or removed without fasteners or bonding.

In the processing of semiconductor devices, such as transistors, diodes, and integrated circuits, a plurality of such devices are fabricated simultaneously on a thin slice of semiconductor material, termed a substrate or wafer. Such wafers are extremely brittle and easily contaminated. During manufacturing of semiconductor integrated circuits, therefore, care must be taken to avoid physical damage and particulate contamination to the wafers.
Various systems are known for handling wafers within semiconductor processing systems. The particular application or environment from which the wafer is lifted often determines the type of pickup device. One class of pickup devices, known as Bernoulli wands, are typically used for high temperature applications. Bernoulli wands utilize jets of gas downward from the wand toward the wafer to create a region of low pressure above the wafer, therefore lifting it. The advantage being that the hot wafer need not contact the pickup wand, except perhaps at one or more small locators depending underneath the wand. Such a Bernoulli wand is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,080,549 to Goodwin, et al.
Another type of wafer pickup wand utilizes a vacuum force and thus must be in intimate contact with the wafer. U.S. Pat. No. 4,566,726 to Corenti, et al., discloses a combination Bernoulli and vacuum-type pickup device.
A third type of wafer pickup device is a simple paddle augmented with a vacuum which supports wafers from underneath. Such a paddle is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,951,601, to Maydan, et al. This patent also illustrates a typical movement device for translating wafers from location to location within processing systems. The wafer handler is capable of linear retraction and extension, as well as rotation about an axis.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,135,349 to Lorenz, et al., discloses a robotic handling system utilizing two paddle style pickups mounted on a common rotating base. Both pickups are adapted to extend linearly away from one another to speed up handling of wafers within the processing system. Again, the paddles are augmented with a vacuum generated through a plurality of holes in an end effector portion of each paddle; the vacuum being transmitted along a channel within the paddle.
There are two main drawbacks to prior wafer handling systems. A single wafer handler may not be appropriate for picking and placing wafers into or out of particular processing environments. That is, a Bernoulli wand might be suitable for high temperature environments, but has a relatively high profile which may limit its maneuverability between closely spaced wafers. Furthermore, rotating handling robots, such as the ones shown in the patent to Maydan, et al., require a significant amount of horizontal room to maneuver. Although the device in the Maydan patent is a multiple chamber processing system, many systems only include a single processing chamber, and thus such a rotational wafer handler is inefficient.

Dual arm linear hand-off wafer transfer assembly


The present invention provides a method for detecting onset of, or the risk of development of, a protein misfolding disease, and a method for predicting the age of onset of a protein misfolding disease using nerve cells derived from iPS cells. The present invention also provides a kit to be used in these methods.

Protein misfolding diseases are known as neurodegenerative diseases caused by cytotoxicity due to abnormally aggregated proteins (misfolded proteins) (1). Alzheimer's disease is a representative protein misfolding disease, which causes deposition of the amyloid β-protein (Aβ) outside nerve cells in brain. Since initiation of therapy as early as possible leads to effective therapy of Alzheimer's disease, development of a method of early diagnosis of the disease is an important task in an aging society.
At present, NINCDS-ADRDA and DSM-IV, which are excellent for diagnosis of positivity of Alzheimer's disease, are employed as clinical diagnostic criteria, but with these criteria, the possibility that a patient is diagnosed as negative for the disease at an early stage of onset cannot be eliminated. Needless to say, it is impossible to give a diagnosis before onset.
It has been revealed that Alzheimer's disease is caused by accumulation of Aβ, and there have been reports wherein decrease in the Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio and increase in phosphorylated tau (p-tau) protein in the cerebrospinal fluid, and their combination p-tau/(Aβ42/Aβ40), were used as diagnostic indices. However, nerve cell death has already been progressed in the period wherein these values as diagnostic indices increase. Therefore, even with these indices, early diagnosis and prediction of onset of Alzheimer's disease are difficult.
On the other hand, recently, it has been revealed that neprilysin functions as a protease that degrades Aβ in brain (2), and it has been reported that early accumulation of Aβ oligomers in brain as well as cognitive dysfunction occur in neprilysin-deficient model mice for Alzheimer's disease (3 and 4).
Further, it has been reported that, in Alzheimer's disease patients, expression of neprilysin is decreased in hippocampus and temporal lobe gyri, wherein senile plaques are observed, so that the relationship between neprilysin and Alzheimer's disease has been suggested also in human (5).
On the other hand, in the fields of regenerative medicine and the like, a technology that enables conversion of a cell convenient as a biomaterial into a cell of a desired type is demanded, and recently, mouse and human iPS cells were established in succession. Yamanaka et al. introduced four genes, that is, Oct3/4, Sox2, Klf4 and c-Myc, into human skin-derived fibroblasts and succeeded in establishment of iPS cells (6 and 7). Since iPS cells that are obtained in such a process may be produced using cells derived from a patient to be treated and then allowed to differentiate into cells of various tissues, they are considered to enable reproduction of the diseased state in vitro. In fact, by the above method, iPS cells derived from a patient suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which is a neurodegenerative disease, were produced, and the cells were successfully induced to differentiate into nerve cells (8).
So far, however, there has been no report in which nerve cells derived from iPS cells are used to analyze expression and functional change of a molecule involved in development of a protein misfolding disease, especially Alzheimer's disease, and the diseased state is reproduced, thereby carrying out early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.

Method for diagnosing a protein misfolding disease using nerve cells derived from iPS cells


A method for braking a host vehicle receives input indicative of transmitted travel data of an external object. A current distance between the host vehicle and the external object is calculated based upon travel data of the host vehicle and the external object. Pressure in a brake system of the host vehicle is precharged based upon the current distance, to reduce delay in a response of the brake system. A controller configured to perform the braking method is provided. A host vehicle is also provided with a brake system and the vehicle controller.

Operation of a motor vehicle requires a driver to be aware of multiple external factors, such as objects. Urban or city driving involves many varied and complex driving situations. City drivers are alert to other vehicles, buses, delivery trucks, bicyclists, pedestrians, parked cars, one-way streets, and various other factors. The presence of these various factors induces sudden changes to the driving environment and can make city driving challenging. Some examples of complexities associated with city traffic include: vehicles exiting parking structures; traffic coming from an alley way; vehicles that are parked/stationary; vehicles blocking the view of other traffic or pedestrians; pedestrians entering/exiting buses; delivery truck drivers going to-and-from their trucks; vehicles stopping suddenly; bicyclists; pedestrians; congested driving environments with intersections spaced close together; stop-and-go traffic; and various other situations.
Light detection and ranging (LIDAR) has been employed for detecting external objects. LIDAR can detect targets directly in front of the vehicle. LIDAR information on the vehicle ahead is utilized to obtain a target range and range rate and determine the possibility of collision. LIDAR employs three beams and has a range capability of zero to ten meters, with an effective detection range of one to eight meters. A horizontal field of view of LIDAR is typically twenty-five to twenty-seven degrees, with a vertical field of approximately seven degrees. A cycle time for LIDAR detection is approximately twenty milliseconds.

Vehicle braking based on external object communications


The invention relates to a device and a method for the optical detection of substances contained in exhaust gases of chemical processes, wherein exhaust gases are conducted all the way through a channel element that forms an optical measuring section; at the channel element there are two flanges, closed off to the ambient area, and at least one window element through which electromagnetic radiation for the optical detection can be directed from a radiation source to a optical detector through the channel element; a purge gas is fed through the flanges into the channel element, whereby with a purge gas led into one of the flanges a closed laminar purge gas flow is to be formed in the bottom area of the interior of the channel element.

The invention relates to a device and a method for the optical detection of substances contained in the exhaust gases of chemical processes where said substances are formed, released and transported as a component of an exhaust gas flow from a reaction or vacuum chamber in various chemical processes.
With conventional solutions it is normal practice to extract individual samples successively from the exhaust gas flow and to perform a corresponding detection in more or less large time intervals for the individual samples in each case. Subsequently, no time-proximal intervention in the individual process can take place.
The extraction of a partial flow from the overall exhaust gas flow is also disadvantageous. Here, the overall exhaust gas volume subjectable to detection is reduced and, in particular, the absolute volume of the substances to be detected is reduced accordingly, whose component can already be very small in any event. As a result, detection errors can occur that can be of such an extent that traces of even essential substances in the exhaust gas cannot be recognised or can be recognised with a great timing delay only. Due to the timing delay, unstable compounds (so-called intermediates) cannot be detected or can be detected with limitations only. The intermediates are often process-domineering, so that their correct verification can be particularly important for a process control.
With a continual detection, also on the optical route in the comprehensive exhaust gas flow as described for example in EP 0 768 525 B 1, solid particles and/or aggressive gases, which are frequently contained in the exhaust gas flow in a relative large volume therein, lead to considerable disadvantages.
Solid particles disturb not only the optical detection as such because, as a rule, they are not transparent for the individual electromagnetic radiation or are light-scattering and on the route through an optic measuring cell they frequently and optically block or obstruct the beam path of the radiation, but they are also a problem as a result of the frequent adhesion to the wall or also to windows within measuring cells. This causes a layer formation which leads to a reduction of the cross-section and this again leads to an increase of the flow velocity and to turbulence formation of the exhaust gas flow. The window scale deposit reduces the transmissivity and, subsequently, a cleaning and/or a replacement of windows is required within short time intervals.
As a result, a cleaning of measuring cells in more or less short time intervals is required which often do not coincide with cleaning or maintenance cycles of the process technology as required in any event. Downtime results in this way or at least a redundant additional measuring system is required. Both are undesirable from the aspect of costs.

Device and method for optical detecting substances contained in waste gases of chemical processes

Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung E.V.


In a precisely self-calibrating high-speed analog to digital converter the aspect ratios of tri-state inverters are adjusted to fine-tune threshold voltage as comparators. And the multiplexers composed of tri-state inverters amplify the signal from the output of comparators. Their switches of tri-state inverters may be properly controlled to select the optimal channels and reduce unnecessary power consumption. The calibration circuitry utilizes under-sampling to calculate the duty cycles of comparators, selecting the optimal comparators and channels. By the way, the invention may avoid process variation.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a high-speed analog-to-digital converter, and more particularly relates to a precise self-calibrating, low power and high-speed analog-to-digital converter, which may be utilized for high speed wire/wireless receivers, or testing and measurement systems.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Advance in process technology coupled with aggressive circuit design, has led to an explosive growth in speed and circuits integration complexity. For these improvements, to enhance overall system performance, the communication speed between systems and integrated circuits must increase accordingly. As the demand of mass transmission increases, it has become an inevitable trend to transmit at higher data rate in finite channels. Naturally, the importance of high-speed link technology is on the rise.
Today, the analog-to-digital (hereinafter ADC) is build in various consumer products, especially to those transforming the analog signals to digital signals and sending data to the processor for computing information, including wireless device, cell phone, handheld personnel devices etc. Usually in normal working situation the ADC consumes the power proportionally, so in the power-by-batteries handheld electronic devices the power consumption in each component must be considered carefully.
ADCs come in several basic architectures, and many variations exist for each type. Each type has advantages and disadvantages with a particular combination of speed, accuracy, and power consumption. They all fit into a particular application. For example, a digital oscilloscope needs high digitizing speeds but may sacrifice resolution, so it uses flash converters. Some communication devices use pipeline ADCs, which provide better solution than flash converters, but at the expense of speed. General data-acquisition equipments usually adopt successive approximation registers. And audio coders use sigma-delta converters for high resolution.
The conventional flash architecture is the simplest and fastest analog-to-digital converter. In a typical flash ADC, the analog input signal is simultaneously compared to reference voltages by a string of comparator circuits. As the input voltage increases, the comparators set their outputs to logic 1, starting with the lowest comparator. Think of the flash converters as being like a mercury thermometer. As temperature increases, the mercury rises. Likewise, as the input voltage rises, comparators referenced to higher voltages set their outputs from 0 to 1. The thermometer code is encoded into binary code. The reference voltages are provided by connecting to a resistor string to generate the monotonic increase of reference voltages of full scale.
The conventional flash ADC is considered to realize the fastest conversion rate but it suffers from not only larger chip size and larger power dissipation, but also lower dynamic performance due to large input capacitance. For an N-bit flash ADC, 2N−1 comparators and 2N resistors are required. Flash ADCs are fast, but they have drawbacks. When resolution increases, the amounts of comparators and resistors grow exponentially, and they consume considerable power. As a result, most flash ADC studies have been focused on less than 8-bit resolution.
The U.S. Pat. No. 5,237,326 discloses a flash type ADC for converting analog signals to N-bit digital signals, and it includes 2N−1 comparators having different threshold values in a sequential order which perform full parallel-connected comparison. Buffer-amplifiers buffer the outputs of the respective comparators and a priority encoder encodes the outputs of the comparators. Jincheol Yoo, in "A 1-GSPS CMOS Flash A/D Converter for System-on-Chip Application", presents an ultra fast CMOS flash A/D converter design. Although the featured A/D converter is designed in CMOS, the performance is compatible to that of GaAs technology currently available. To achieve high-speed in CMOS, the featured A/D converter utilizes the Threshold Inverter Quantization (TIQ) technique. A 6-bit TIQ based flash A/D converter was designed with the 0.25 μm standard CMOS technology parameter. It operates with sampling rates up to 1 GSPS, dissipates 66.87 mW of power at 2.5 V, and occupies 0.013-mm2 area. The proposed A/D converter is suitable for System-on-Chip (SOC) applications in wireless products and other ultra high-speed applications.

Self-calibrating high-speed analog-to-digital converter


A method for manufacturing a film resistor for use as a thermal conductivity detector, particularly for gas analyzers. The film resistor is composed of a carrier of insulating material and of a thin resistance layer, preferably composed of platinum, that is applied to the carrier by cathode sputtering in an atmosphere inert gas. The resistant layer and the carrier are cleaned proceeding from the metallized side using an argon sputtering process. The film resistor is then coated with at least one plasma-enhanced CVD layer for the purpose of protection against aggressive gases.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to a method for manufacturing a film resistor to be used as a thermal conductivity detector, particularly in gas analyzers.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It is known in the art to use precision resistors as resistance thermometers. In such devices, a thin platinum layer is applied onto an electrically non-conductive carrier, such as glass or ceramic. The thin platinum layer may be applied by employing a high-vacuum evaporation or cathode sputtering method, whereby the layer may cover the entire surface of the carrier or may cover only a partial region thereof. This is disclosed in German Patent DE-PS No. 828930.
It is likewise known in the art, as shown in German published application DE-OS No. 2507731, to employ precision platinum resistors composed of an insulating carrier formed from a material having a greater coefficient of thermal expansion than platinum at temperatures between 0.degree. and 1000.degree. C. Such precision resistors, however, are restricted with respect to the types of materials which may be utilized as the carrier.
Thin-film resistors, in contrast to the precision resistors used in resistance thermometers, are constructed having extremely high resistance values and optimally low temperature coefficients. In the manufacture of such thin-film resistors, it is known, as disclosed in German published application DE-OS No. 2019091, to apply the resistance layers by cathode sputtering in an argon-atmosphere for the embedding of foreign atoms.
A method for manufacturing a precision film resistor for use in resistance thermometers is also disclosed in German patent DE-PS 2558752. The precision film resistor disclosed therein is composed of an insulating carrier and a thin resistance layer of platinum which is disposed on the carrier by cathode sputtering in an atmosphere containing an inert gas. The following steps are suggested:
(a) employment of a krypton-oxygen mixture or xenon-oxygen mixture to produce an inert gas atmosphere; PA1 (b) application of a countervoltage to the carrier; PA1 (c) post-tempering the sputtered-on resistant layer in an oxidizing atmosphere at a temperature between 700.degree. and 1200.degree. C.
None of the above-noted precision resistors are suitable for integration in gas analyzers which are utilized, for example, in analyzing the exhaust gas during the development of reciprocating motors by the automobile industry. Such exhaust gases are extremely reactive and readily penetrate the known protective layers. Consequently, after such precision resistors are exposed to such gasses for a relatively short duration, the resistance layer is destroyed.
It is therefore an object of the invention to set forth a method for manufacturing a precision film resistor suitable for high operating temperatures (i.e., exhibit a high intrinsic temperature stability, particularly at temperatures above 150.degree. C.), which is insensitive to aggressive gases and which can be manufactured in a particularly economical manner.

Method for manufacturing a film resistor


The present invention relates to a power circuit, which comprises a detection circuit. The detection circuit includes an abnormality detection circuit. The abnormality detection circuit is coupled to an input terminal or/and an output terminal of the power circuit. An input power is provided to the input terminal, and an output power is provided to the output terminal. The abnormality detection circuit controls the paths from a plurality of energy storage elements to the input terminal and the output terminal of the power circuit. The energy storage elements store the energy of the input power to generate the output power. The abnormality detection circuit detects the state of the input power or/and the output power, and cuts off the paths from a portion of the energy storage elements to the input terminal and the output terminal.

All electronic products need power circuits to supply power. A general power circuit receives an input power for generating and supplying various output power to the circuits requiring power. The power circuit comprises a low dropout regulator (LDO), a DC to DC circuit, an AC to DC circuit, or a switching power circuit. The switching power circuit comprises a switching capacitor circuit.
Unfortunately, in the application of the switching capacitor circuit, capacitors might be damaged, making the output power of the loading requirements not satisfied. Accordingly, the present invention provides a power circuit and the detection circuit thereof for detecting the energy storage elements being normal or abnormal in the power circuit.

Power circuit and detection circuit thereof


A method, non-transitory computer readable medium and upgrade management computing device for managing upgrade in a telecommunication network comprising identifying one or more telecommunication network elements which are currently active. A type, a subnet and one or more network topologies is identified for each of the identified active one or more telecommunication network elements. The identified active one or more telecommunication network elements is upgraded with one or more available upgrades based on the identified type, the subnet and the one or more network topologies. During the upgrading, the identified active one or more telecommunication network elements is monitored for occurrence of one or more errors. One or more reports are generated based on the monitoring.

Telecommunication network management refers to the activities, methods, procedures, and tools that pertain to the operation, administration, maintenance, and provisioning of telecommunication networked systems. These telecommunication networked systems include a number of interconnected telecommunication network elements which perform various functions including routing of messages, assisting in multimedia telephony among many others. Presently, telecommunication network traffic is increasing rapidly and accordingly, the number of telecommunication network elements also is increasing making the process of managing these telecommunication network elements extremely important and more challenging.
One of the most important challenging aspects of managing these telecommunication network elements is with managing any necessary upgrade, particularly any software upgrade. Unfortunately, some network telecommunication network elements are difficult to reach and as a result are missing important upgrades. Further, if an error does occur during an upgrade process, existing technologies are unable to automatically recover and implement the recovery plan.

Methods for managing upgrading a telecommunication network and devices thereof


A superconducting thin film obtained by laminating a Cu-O atomic pair film and another oxide film while growing in one direction shows a higher superconducting critical temperature (Tc). By alternately laminating a thin film of A.sub.2 CuO.sub.4 and a thin film of L.sub.2 CuO.sub.4, wherein A and L are different rare earth elements, the Tc can be enhanced remarkably.

This invention relates to superconducting thin films obtained by laminating rare earth oxide thin films and having higher superconducting critical temperatures (Tc), and processes for producing the same.
It is reported in J. Phys. Soc. Japan, vol. 42(2), pp208-209 (1987) that superconductivity appears when a part of La in La.sub.2 CuO.sub.4, which is known as a conductive oxide having a layered perovskite structure, is replaced by Ba to make Tc over 30K. Possible high Tc superconductivity in the Ba--La--Cu--O system is discussed by J. G. Bednorz and K. A. Mulluer in Z. Phys. B-Condensed Matter 64, 189-193 (1986). But the materials disclosed therein are still low in Tc. Thus, materials having higher Tc are desired.

Superconducting thin films made of stacked composite oxide layers


A biopsy needle surrounded by a peel away sheath chemically impregnated with a blood detection composition enabling a user (e.g., a surgeon) to accurately and timely determine the existence of a blood pooling or hematoma when passing an implantable (e.g., deep brain stimulation probes) or non-implantable (e.g., biopsy needle) device into a region of the subject's body (e.g., a brain) to gather tissue for further analysis. A biopsy needle may be provided wherein the needle is tightly surrounded by a peel-away sheath that is chemically impregnated with a blood detection composition. The surgeon may insert the biopsy needle into the subject and peel away the chemically impregnated sheath in order to assess whether or not a blood pooling or hematoma exists, and act immediately to address the blood pooling or hematoma.

1. Field
Example embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a temporary or long term implantation device for intracranial probes having a hematoma detection apparatus, which serves to instantly notify a surgeon of the existence of hematoma during any invasive probe placement into the brain. The temporary or long term implantation devices include, but are not limited to, deep brain stimulation, intracranial electrodes for epilepsy monitoring, external ventricular drain placement, and needle biopsy.
2. Description of Related Art
When an abnormality of the brain is suspected, a brain biopsy is often performed to obtain a sample of brain tissue for further testing and/or analysis. For instance, a stereotactic brain needle biopsy is performed by probing the brain tissue in three dimensions. Generally, during the biopsy procedure, the biopsy needle is guided on a path determined by a computer system, for example, a CT or MRI scan. However, during the brain biopsy procedure, a problem may arise when the biopsy needle causes a hematoma in the brain. In this case, immediate attention should be given to the hematoma to avoid damage to the brain.
Accordingly, there exists a need for accurately and timely detection of blood pooling during a brain biopsy procedure, and for providing instant visually notification to the surgeon of the existence of hematoma during the biopsy procedure so that immediate corrective action may be taken.

Temporary or long term implantation device for intracranial probes having hematoma detection apparatus, and method of using device thereof


A touch sensor includes a sensor sheet that includes a plurality of sensor electrodes, wires that extend from the sensor electrodes, and a connection portion for connection to a substrate. The sensor sheet is formed with a body portion in which the sensor electrodes are formed, and a tail portion that projects from the body portion and that includes a terminal. A protective layer is stacked on at least a part of the tail portion. A folded portion in which the sensor sheet has been bent permanently is formed in the tail portion on which the protective layer is stacked.

There is a demand to widen the operation surface of electronic devices and the detection region of a touch sensor provided on the operation surface, while there is a high demand to reduce the size and space for the electronic devices. The touch sensor is formed using a resin film as a base material. The resin film is formed with an electrode formation portion in which sensor electrodes that serve as the detection region are formed, and a connection portion for conductive connection to wires that extend from the electrode formation portion and a circuit board. The wires and the connection portion significantly extend out of the operation surface. Therefore, the resin film is folded inward to be connected to the circuit board. Such a technology is described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2013-247029 (Patent Literature 1), for example.


Systems, methods, and apparatus are disclosed for conserving battery power in a user equipment (UE) by idling the modem when it is not needed in an active state. Idling can occur (1) between a user request for content and the start of the content download; (2) after the content download; and (3) after additional dynamic content has been downloaded, further scripting has finished, or UE data has been uploaded to the network, but before another user request for content has been made. Grace timers can be used before the second and third opportunities to ensure that the modem is not idled while still in use, but also to minimize the time that the modem is in an active state but not being used. These timers can be fixed or dynamic and their duration based on historical trends or testing of particular content or content types.

1. Field
The present disclosed embodiments relate generally to wireless mobile computing devices, and more specifically to power savings in the same relative to idling the modem.
2. Background
Mobile communication devices including devices such as smartphones, tablet computers, gaming devices, and laptop computers are now ubiquitous. A common and ongoing issue with these types of devices is power management. More specifically, these types of devices continue to develop more advanced processing resources, displays, and communication systems that demand more and more power.
Although advances continue to be made in the areas of battery technology and hardware efficiency, these advances do not directly address the users' experience when a mobile device is operating under power constraints. As a consequence, the current mobile device power management techniques are not adequate to meet user expectations and will almost certainly not be satisfactory in the future.
One aspect of power management involves idling of the modem when not needed. The Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol is responsible for assigning radio resources between the user equipment (UE) and the network (see the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), "Radio Resource Control (RRC) Protocol Specification", Tech. Spec. 25.331, 2006). The RRC states in WCDMA packet data are illustrated in FIG. 2, and are described below (similar states apply to GSM and EvDO/DO networks).
FIG. 2 illustrates various radio or modem modes of a typical user equipment (UE). Generally, a UE has an active state 202 and an idle state 204. Within the active state 202 there can be three sub-modes: CELL_DCH 206, CELL_FACH 208, and CELL_PCH 210. In some cases, a fourth sub-mode can also exist (not illustrated).
Idle state 204 consumes less power than the active state 202 or any of the sub-modes of the active state 202. This is because the UE does not have an RRC connection and thus the UE does not transmit in this mode, or transmits only rarely (e.g., Location Area Updates and Routing Area Updates, which are infrequent). The UE can still have an IP address (i.e., a PDP context) and it can be reached by paging, but the connection must be reestablished before data can be transmitted from the UE. Because the UE is required to monitor the paging channel only at intervals, the modem does not need to be continuously on, but will instead enter the active state periodically. The trade-off for this is greater latency to send/receive data. However, if this latency is not too great, the advantages of being in the idle state and saving battery power outweigh the disadvantages of the greater connection latency.
The network typically controls the RRC state, and since the network may not know when the UE has completed a given data exchange, it typically keeps the RRC connection active for some fixed time delay in anticipation of more data to/from the UE. The problem with this is that the modem stays in an active state often after data transmission has ceased, thus wasting power.
There is therefore a need in the art for systems and methods to determine a dynamic time delay after which the RRC connection is to be transitioned to an idle state.

Method to conserve power on a wireless mobile device using web browser state knowledge


An optical connector includes a first optical-electric coupling element and a second optical-electric coupling element. The first optical-electric coupling element includes a first side surface and a second side surface facing away from the first side surface. The first optical-electric coupling element includes two extension portions substantially perpendicularly extending from the first side surface. Each extension portion includes an inside surface substantially perpendicular to the first side surface. Each extension portion includes a rotation post substantially perpendicularly extending from the inside surface. The second optical-electric coupling element includes a third side surface. The second optical-electric coupling element includes a protrusion portion substantially perpendicularly extending from the third side surface. The protrusion portion includes two outside surfaces substantially perpendicular to the third side surface. Each outside surface defines a rotation hole spatially corresponding to a respective one of rotation posts, the rotation posts are inserted into the rotation holes.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to connectors, and particularly to an optical fiber connector.
2. Description of Related Art
An optical connector includes a laser diode for emitting optical signals, a first optical transmission assembly, a second optical transmission assembly coupled with the first optical transmission assembly, and a photo diode. The optical signals emitted from the laser diode enter the first optical transmission assembly, and are transmitted through the second optical transmission assembly to the photo diode, and finally can be converted into electrical signals by the photo diode.
The first optical transmission assembly includes a number of first coupling lenses, and the second optical assembly includes a number of second coupling lenses for coupling the first coupling lenses to allow optimum signal transmittance. The first optical transmission assembly has to be mechanically and precisely engaged and configured with the second optical transmission assembly via a plurality of positioning holes and positioning posts to ensure the lenses are precisely aligned with the optical fibers. However, it is difficult to consistently align the positioning holes and the positioning posts together, which may result in lowered coupling precision between the coupling lenses and the optical fibers, and thus poor optical signals transmittance.
Therefore, it is desirable to provide an optical fiber connector which can overcome the above-mentioned limitations.


In an apparatus and method for improving performance of a third order, double-sampled, sigma-delta modulator (SDM), a first one of three feedback elements included in a feedback loop of the SDM is selected to complete the feedback loop during a first half-cycle of the clock used for the double-sampling. The first one is restricted from being reselected during a subsequent half-cycle of the clock until the first one is reset. A second one of the three feedback elements is selected during a second half-cycle of the clock that is consecutive to the first half-cycle, the second one being different than the first one. A third one of the three feedback elements is selected during a third half-cycle of the clock that is consecutive to the second half-cycle, the third one being different than the second one.

The present disclosure relates generally to an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) used in electronic circuits, and more particularly to a method and an apparatus for improving the performance of ADC's deploying a sigma-delta modulator (SDM).
The SDM is a well known architecture for over-sampled, analog-to-digital data conversion due to its advantages in silicon area, lower power, and the noise-shaping abilities. The SDM may be implemented in either discrete form using switched capacitor circuits or in continuous time, using switched resistors or current sources. It is well known that over-sampling improves SDM performance, e.g., by improving signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Double sampling is a well known technique that increases the maximum sample rate of a sampled data system without utilizing faster components. The increase in the effective sampling rate is achieved by interleaving two sampling states in the time domain. In one such implementation, the data may be sampled on the rising edge and the falling edge of the same clock, using two different quantizers which feed the output result in a feedback loop to two different digital-to-analog converters (DAC's). The effective sampling rate of a double-sampled SDM is doubled while the sub-components still operate at the more relaxed speed requirements.
A key limitation in a double-sampled SDM, however, arises from a mismatch of feedback elements, e.g., DAC's, included in the feedback path. Any mismatch in the feedback path modulates the digital output data stream generated by the quantizer(s). Since the quantizer output in a sigma-delta modulator has, in addition to the input signal, significant high frequency components, the modulation of mismatch with this high frequency signal causes an in-band error component, which directly manifests itself at the output of the ADC. This phenomenon is often detrimental to the SDM performance. For example, in one simulated application for a traditional SDM, an intentional 1% mismatch in the feedback DAC increased the in-band noise floor considerably, and resulted in a SNR loss of about 10 dB.
A traditional solution for reducing the in-band noise floor utilizes three redundant feedback DAC's that are dynamically chosen in a manner that shapes the mismatch energy out of the band of interest. However, many traditional solutions often rely on the integrity of sampled data collected over a plurality of rising and falling edges of the clock. Non-idealities of electronic components used in a traditional SDM often leads to degradation in the in-band noise floor and may even cause instability in case of low open-loop gain of an operational amplifier. Therefore, a need exists to provide an improved SDM that is capable of handling non-idealities and mismatches in the electronic components used in the SDM. In addition, the improved SDM should provide an improved performance, e.g., as measured in terms of the SNR and the in-band noise floor in the band of interest, compared to the traditional SDM.

Apparatus and method for improving performance of sigma-delta modulators having non-ideal components


A position enhanced cellular telephone system wherein a cellular telephone device incorporates an RF position finder facility, a data modem and controller and a car alarm device, having a system for flexibly merging the functionality of the telephone device, position finder facility, data modem, controller, and car alarm, reduce overall components and lower the cost. A microprocessor, with a memory, is provided with a plurality of data input and output terminals. Car alarm and position signals from said RF position finder facility to an input terminal on the microprocessor. A signal conversion circuit converts RF to baseband and vice versa, and electronic switch device controlled by the microprocessor for coupling RF signals to and from the cellular telephone device to the signal conversion circuit. A digital signal processor (DSP) coupled to said microprocessor and controlled thereby, said DSP being adapted to a microphone and a speaker connected to the DSP, and the DSP is coupled to the signal conversion circuit.

The present invention integrates many elements of a Position Enhanced Cellular Telephone System (PECS) and user equipment (i.e., the vehicle applique unit VAU) into a single unit with improved performance characteristics and reduced unit cost. A VAU core includes GPS (or other broadcast) receiver circuitry for position location, a modem, a controller and an alarm interface. Additional cellular telephone interfaces for communicating via a cellular telephone channel are included.
The above referenced related applications disclose the position enhanced cellular telephone system (PECS). The objects of the present invention are to provide a PECS system, merge the cellular telephone and VAU core, accommodate both mobile and portable telephones, improve overall performance, and reduce and significantly lower unit cost.
Another object of the invention is to provide a system for enhancing the performance of a 0.6 Watt portable phone when used inside an automobile. This is achieved by use of a linear amplifier of appropriate gain and power level to compensate for RF losses, typically incurred by portables used in the automotive environment. Adjustments in power, as directed by the cellular network controller, are left to the portable telephone itself. The Integrated Unit, while described under the context of portable phones, is equally useful when applied as a part of a "mobile only" system.
Another object of the invention is provided by the architecture of the Integrated Unit which is transferable to forms of radio communication other than cellular telephone. For example, terrestrial/satellite based PCS, pagers, mobile radio and other emerging communication standards could be implemented with this architecture.
A further object of the invention is to provide additional RF switches inside the Integrated Unit for the purpose of selecting between dual cellular or GPS antennae.
A further object of the invention is to provide an integrated cellular transceiver VAU core which offers the following features: 1) voice-only operation, 2) data-in-voice operation, 3) data-only operation, 4) voice and message recording/playback, 5) interfaces to car alarms and vehicular data buses, and 6) enhanced portable phone performance.
Still a further object of the invention is to provide integrated cellular transceiver/VAU core units which can be used (without monthly billing) by leaving it in the "off" state until such time that a call is made to a service center. The call can be billed at a special roaming rate.

Integrated vehicle applique unit for the position enhanced cellular system


Embodiments include systems and methods for detecting and/or responding to deficiencies in power interconnect integrity. For example, a first module distributes power to a second module via a high-current mechanical power interconnect. Insufficient integrity in the interconnect can manifest as an impedance, causing potential thermal hazards. A separate (e.g., low-current) interconnect is used to monitor the power being received by the second module from the first module. Embodiments detect when a difference between the power supplied to and received by the second module exceeds a threshold difference, which can indicate deficient interconnect integrity (i.e., a fault). The supply of high-current power to the second module can be substantially immediately interrupted upon detecting the fault.

Many computational systems distribute power across multiple subsystems. For example, main system power is provided to a motherboard, and the motherboard distributes appropriate power to multiple mezzanine boards or the like. Often power is distributed to the subsystems at high currents via conductive pads, bus bars and/or other suitable mechanical couplings which are secured using mechanical fasteners or other techniques. At the power levels being distributed, poor attachments can cause thermal hazards to the system. For example, a typical central processor unit (CPU) mezzanine board in a server system can draw approximately 300 Watts of power. A loose screw or other poor attachment in the power distribution coupling can add impedance to the system, resulting in thermal runaway. This type of thermal event can quickly cause damage to system components.
Some traditional systems include thermal monitoring for detecting these and/or other types of thermal hazards. However, undesirable thermal events often cannot be reliably detected until after thermal damage has already occurred. Accordingly, thermal monitoring may be insufficient to protect against thermal damage to system components resulting from mechanical integrity issues in power distribution.


The present invention includes compositions and methods for reducing at least one of fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, VLDL cholesterol, a cholesterol:HDL ratio, triglycerides, or increasing a healthy microbiome comprising a synergistic amount of a fiber blend, a polyphenol blend, and a multivitamin supplement in an amount sufficient to lower at fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, VLDL cholesterol, a cholesterol:HDL ratio, triglycerides, or increasing a healthy microbiome.

Without limiting the scope of the invention, its background is described in connection with dietary supplementation to reduce bad cholesterol, reduce fasting glucose levels, and/or improve the diversity of the microbiome.
One such patent is U.S. Pat. No. 7,030,092, issued to Levine, entitled "Ultra-high fiber supplement and method of reducing weight cardiovascular risks and ingested toxins." Briefly, this inventor is said to teach an improved ultra-high fiber supplement that promotes satiety, caloric reduction, and weight loss. The supplement is said to comprise: guar, oat, psyllium, locust bean gum, pectin, green tea, multi-anthocyanadins, pyridoxine, and folic acid. The supplement is further said to improve cardiovascular health and reduces cardiovascular inflammation and the risk of heart disease. The composition may also include antioxidants, including green tea, improves weight loss, and general and cardiovascular health, including: reducing serum lipoprotein oxidation and risk of free-radical related diseases, lowering of plasma homocysteine by the addition of folic acid and pyridoxine.
Another such patent is U.S. Pat. No. 5,422,101, issued to Daggy, et al., entitled, "Cholesterol lowering drink mix compositions." These inventors are said to teach a psyllium husk-containing drink mix compositions comprising psyllium husk, an anion exchange resin, and edible, water soluble salts. The edible, water-soluble salts are said to be present at a level sufficient to reduce the gellation rate of the psyllium husk and anion exchange resin-containing composition when dispersed in an aqueous solution.
Another such patent is U.S. Pat. No. 4,883,788, issued to Day, et al., entitled, "Method and composition for reducing serum cholesterol". These inventors teach an orally administrable composition and method for reducing serum cholesterol levels that comprises guar gum, and a dispersing mineral salt such as, for example, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, or potassium carbonate, is administered to humans to reduce serum cholesterol levels. More particularly, these inventors claimed an orally-administrable pharmaceutical composition for use in reducing serum cholesterol levels consisting essentially of: (a) an effective amount of guar gum which exhibits cholesterol-reducing activity, and (b) a dispersibility-enhancing amount of an orally-ingestible non-toxic pharmacologically-acceptable mineral salt capable of dissolution in the gastric fluid with release of a gas, the ratio of guar gum to said mineral salt being in the range of approximately 3:1 to approximately 10:1.
Another such patent is U.S. Pat. No. 4,824,672, also issued to Day, et al., entitled "Method and composition for reducing serum cholesterol", which is directed to an orally administrable composition and method for reducing serum cholesterol levels comprising a gel-forming fiber such as, for example, guar gum, psyllium seed, pectin, glucomannan, oat and barley and a mineral salt such as for example, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate and potassium carbonate is administered to humans to reduce serum cholesterol levels. More particularly, these inventors claimed an orally administrable pharmaceutical composition for use in reducing serum cholesterol levels consisting essentially of: (a) an effective amount of a gel-forming fiber which exhibits cholesterol reducing activity, and (b) an orally ingestible non-toxic mineral salt capable of dissolution in the gastric fluid with release of carbon dioxide.
However, despite these advances, a need remains for an improved composition that provides for improved fasting blood glucose, cholesterol levels, and other increases in patient health.

Compositions and methods for cholesterol, glucose and microbiome control


A method of maintaining a proper forbidden tracking area identifier (TAI) list is proposed. A UE receives a service area list comprising one or more allowed tracking areas. The service area list may be carried by a configuration update command. UE compares if any of the allowed tracking area having a matching TAI in the forbidden TAI list. Accordingly, UE removes any allowed tracking areas having a matching TAI from the forbidden TAI list. In one embodiment, UE sends a REGISTRATION REQUEST message to initiate a registration procedure. In response, UE receives a REGISTRATION ACCEPT message, which may also carry a service area list. UE may remove the allowed tracking area having a matching TAI from the forbidden TAI list. However, if UE is registered for emergency services, then UE shall not remove the allowed tracking area from the forbidden TAI list.

The wireless communications network has grown exponentially over the years. A Long-Term Evolution (LTE) system offers high peak data rates, low latency, improved system capacity, and low operating cost resulting from simplified network architecture. LTE systems, also known as the 4G system, also provide seamless integration to older wireless network, such as GSM, CDMA and Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS). In LTE systems, an evolved universal terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN) includes a plurality of evolved Node-Bs (eNodeBs or eNBs) communicating with a plurality of mobile stations, referred to as user equipments (UEs). The 3rd generation partner project (3GPP) network normally includes a hybrid of 2G/3G/4G systems. The Next Generation Mobile Network (NGMN) board, has decided to focus the future NGMN activities on defining the end-to-end requirements for 5G new radio (NR) systems.
When a UE is in connected state, UE location is known by the network at cell level. When a UE is in idle state, UE location is known by the network at track area (TA) level. A tracking area code (TAC) is a unique code that each operator assigns to the TA. A tracking area identifier (TAI) consists of a PLMN ID and a TAC. A UE obtains a TAI list when it attaches to an LTE/NR network. This list shows the tracking areas where the UE is located and within which the UE can travel. The LTE/NR network has to have updated location information about UEs in idle state to find out in which TA a particular UE is located. The UE notifies the LTE/NR network of its current location by sending a tracking area update (TAU) request message in EPS or a registration request message in 5GS every time UE moves between TAs.
The mobility management in 5G NR systems has two types of TAI list—a list of allowed or non-allowed TAI and a list of forbidden TAI. When a UE attaches to a network and receives an error in a registration procedure, a TAI is added into the forbidden TAI list. The forbidden TAI list is maintained in the UE, and is reset by the UE when the UE is switched off, or when a universal integrated circuit card (UICC) containing the SIM/USIM is removed, or is periodically reset. In a subsequent registration procedure, the network may provide the UE with allowed tracking areas. The allowed tracking area(s) can be removed from the forbidden TAI list if one or more tracking areas in the forbidden TAI list are received from the network. However, if the UE is registered for emergency services, then the tracking area(s) may not be removed. Furthermore, the network may provide the UE with the allowed tracking areas via a configuration update command. A proper procedure of maintaining and updating the forbidden TAI list is desired.

Maintenance of forbidden tacking area list in NR systems


The present invention relates to a control apparatus, a control method, an imaging apparatus, a program, and an imaging system able to prevent cable wrapping, etc. which has a risk of occurring when rotating an imaging apparatus while a cable is connected in an imaging system which conducts automatic imaging operations by automatic composing and which is provided with an imaging apparatus and a motorized platform apparatus that rotatably drives the imaging apparatus, for example.

PTL 1 discloses technology wherein automatic composing and automatic recording of an imaged image obtained by such composing is conducted by an imaging system provided with a digital still camera and a motorized platform that varies the pan/tilt orientation of the digital still camera.
With the technology described in PTL 1, face detection technology, for example, is used to search for a human subject. Specifically, a subject (a human face) appearing inside the frame is while rotating the digital still camera in the pan direction with the platform.
Then, in the case where a subject is detected inside the frame as a result of such a subject search, rotation in the pan direction is stopped, and a determination regarding composition regarded as optimal (optimal composition determination) is made according to the detected state of a subject inside the frame at that time (e.g., the number, position, size, etc. of the subject). In other words, respective pan/tilt/zoom angles regarded as optimal are computed.
Furthermore, in response to respective pan/tilt/zoom angles regarded as optimal being computed by the optimal composition determination in this way, these angles are taken to be target angles with which to respectively adjust the pan/tilt/zoom angles (composing).
After completion of such composing, automatic recording by the imaged image is conducted.
According to automatic imaging operations conducted by automatic composing as above (automatic recording of an imaged image), it is possible to automatically record an imaged image with a composition regarded as optimal, without requiring any shooting operations by a user.

Control apparatus, control method, imaging apparatus, program and imaging system

Abstract: It is determined whether or not a cable is connected to a cable port, and on the basis of the determination results, it is controlled such that the rotational angle range for a rotational driving unit is restricted. Thus, the above problem can be solved.


It comprises a compound having antifungal activity as active principle, an inert core and a coating including said active principle, and is characterized in that said inert core has a particle size comprised between 50 and 600 xcexcm, and in that said coating comprises a single layer obtained by spraying, on said inert core, a solution comprising a compound having antifungal activity, a hydrophilic polymer and a non-ionic surfactant.

The present invention relates to an oral pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound having antifungal activity and in which the problems of low bioavailability, due to the poor solubility of antifungal compounds in an aqueous medium, are solved.
The present invention also relates to a method for obtaining said oral pharmaceutical composition that has advantages over conventional methods.
The problems of solubility associated to the chemical structures of azoles such as itraconazole and saperconazole, compounds respectively described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,267,179 and 4,916,134, try to be solved by preparing different pharmaceutical forms on the base of the different administration methods.
It is known that the solubility of a compound can increase when it is added to an hydrophilic polymer and apply the mixture on an inert core. A formulation is obtained that improves remarkably the bioavailability of the compound.
In patent EP 658103 (published in Spain as ES 2097536 T3) pellets of itraconazole and saperconazole prepared on the basis of this technology. It discloses the preparation of a solution in ethanol and methylene chloride of the antifungal compound and the hydrophilic polymer hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) which is sprayed in a fluidized bed on inert cores having a size between 600 and 700 xcexcm. Once the spraying process is finished, the beads are dried in the same apparatus during ten minutes at a temperature of 50-55xc2x0 C., but thereafter they must be introduced in a vacuum drier for about 36 hours at a temperature of 80xc2x0 C. The dry cores are sieved and are subjected to a second coating process in order to form a second layer with a solution of polyethylene glycol 20000 (PEG 20000) in a fluidized bed. When the process is finished, the beads are dried in the apparatus for 10 minutes at 50-55xc2x0 C. and then dry air at 20-25xc2x0 C. is supplied to them during 5-15 minutes. When the drying process is finished, they are stored in suitable containers.
EP 658103 teaches that the second coating layer with PEG 20000, which is a sealing coating layer, is applied in order to prevent pellets from adhering, and that it is necessary to have inert cores of a size between 600 and 700 xcexcm in order to avoid drying problems and pellet aggregation. According to EP 658103, inert cores having a larger size involve a smaller specific surface, whereby the coating layers need to be very thick and thus difficult to dry, while if the inert core size is too small it gives rise to a thin coating layer, easy to dry but that can undergo agglomeration phenomena during the coating step.

Pharmaceutical oral preparation of a compound having an antifungic activity, and preparation method

Abstract: The method consists in carrying out a coating, comprising a single layer, of the inert cores having a size between 50 and 600 xcexcm, by means of the spraying of a solution composed by the antifungal agent, the hydrophilic polymer and the non-ionic surfactant, at a constant coating speed throughout the whole process; and a single drying step of said coating in the same apparatus.

Liconsa Liberacion Controlada de Sustancias Activas, S.A.


A ferroelectric field effect transistor (FET) has a gate, source, drain, and substrate. A negative voltage is applied to the gate. Ground potential is applied to the source, drain, and substrate. The negative voltage has a magnitude at least equal to the coercive voltage of the FET. A positive voltage is then applied to the gate. Ground potential is applied to the source and substrate. The positive voltage is no less than the coercive voltage. Either a positive voltage or a ground potential is applied to the drain to write a logic state to the FET. A voltage is applied to the gate. Ground potential is applied to the source. A positive voltage is applied to the drain. The drain current is measured and compared to a compare current. The relative size of the drain current compared to the compare current is indicative of the stored logic state in the FET.

This invention relates to integrated circuit transistors, and in particular to a ferroelectric field effect transistor (FET).
Ferroelectric nonvolatile random access memory devices preserve the stored data state, even when the power supply signal is removed. The logic state of each memory cell generally is based on the electrical polarization of a ferroelectric capacitor, including a ferroelectric material sandwiched between two conductive or semi-conductive layers. When an electric field of sufficient magnitude is applied across the ferroelectric capacitor, the ferroelectric material will polarize in the direction of that electric field. The minimum voltage that must be applied across the capacitor in to order to initiate reversal of the polarization state is defined as the coercive voltage.
It is well known that direction of the polarization may be sensed by applying a voltage greater than the coercive voltage across a ferroelectric capacitor, and sensing the resulting current flow. If the polarity of the voltage applied is opposite to the polarization in a ferroelectric capacitor, the polarization of the ferroelectric capacitor will switch to the opposite state. If, on the other hand, the polarization in the ferroelectric capacitor is the same as the voltage applied, the ferroelectric capacitor will not switch polarization states. Since significantly more current results when a polarization switch occurs than when it does not, the resulting current can be used to determine the logic state of the ferroelectric capacitor. When reading is complete, the cells must be rewritten to their original logic states. This method is referred to as a xe2x80x9cdestructive read-outxe2x80x9d since the data stored in the ferroelectric capacitor is temporarily overwritten.
Also known in the art are various xe2x80x9cnon-destructive read-outxe2x80x9d sensing techniques wherein the polarization stored in the ferroelectric capacitor is sensed without disturbing or destroying the stored polarization state. Such methods are generally based on detecting the capacitance of the ferroelectric capacitor by applying voltages less than the coercive voltage across the terminals of the ferroelectric capacitor.
Ferroelectric memory cells based on sensing the state of polarization of a ferroelectric capacitor, whether sensed destructively or non-destructively, result in a memory cell that requires additional transistor devices for selection of a particular cell within the memory array. Ferroelectric memories based on a class of devices known as ferroelectric field effect transistors (FETs) could offer significant memory cell size advantages, thereby decreasing the manufacturing cost dramatically. A ferroelectric FET known in the prior art is structurally identical to a metal-oxide-silicon field effect transistor (MOSFET) device with the oxide replaced by a ferroelectric material, as shown in FIG. 1. The structure is constructed on p-type semiconductor substrate 10 with two regions of n-type regions forming source 12 and drain 14. Channel region 16 is disposed in the region between source 12 and drain 14. A ferroelectric layer 18 is formed on the surface of channel region 16. A conductive layer formed on the surface of ferroelectric 18 forms gate electrode 20.
In operation, a logic state is written into the ferroelectric FET by applying a voltage greater than the coercive voltage across the ferroelectric layer, thereby setting the state of polarization of that ferroelectric layer. After the write voltages are removed, the state of polarization of the ferroelectric layer gives rise to an electric field, which shifts the turn-on threshold voltage level of the ferroelectric FET. This principle is utilized to retrieve the logic state from the ferroelectric FET.
FIG. 2 illustrates one example of a voltage bias applied to source 12, drain 14, gate electrode 18 and substrate 10 in order to produce a polarization within the ferroelectric layer 18 corresponding to a first logic state as is known in the prior art. In this example, xe2x88x923v is applied to gate electrode 20, and 0v is applied to source 12, drain 14, and substrate 16. Positive charges are attracted to channel 16 putting this device in xe2x80x9caccumulation modexe2x80x9d, thereby creating a potential in channel region 16 equal to the substrate voltage, which is biased to 0v. Assuming that the coercive voltage is 3v or less, the electric field thereby created across the ferroelectric will polarize the ferroelectric layer in the direction of that electric field. This electric field will have the effect of increasing the turn-on threshold voltage of the ferroelectric FET.
FIG. 3 illustrates one example of a voltage bias applied to source 12, drain 14, gate electrode 18, and substrate 10 in order to produce a polarization within the ferroelectric layer 18 corresponding to a second logic state as is known in the prior art. In this example, +3v is applied to gate electrode 20, and 0v is applied to source 12, drain 14, and substrate 10. Negative charges are attracted in channel region 16 putting this device in xe2x80x9cinversion modexe2x80x9d, thereby creating a potential in channel region 16 equal to the voltage of source 12 and drain 14, which are biased to 0v. Assuming that the coercive voltage is 3v or less, the electric field thereby created across the ferroelectric will polarize the ferroelectric layer 18 in the direction of that electric field. This electric field will have the effect of decreasing the turn-on threshold voltage of the ferroelectric FET.
FIG. 4 illustrates one example of a voltage bias applied to source 12, drain 14, gate electrode 18, and substrate 10 in order to detect the stored logic state, as is known in the prior art. In this example, +1.5v is applied to gate electrode 20, 0v is applied to source 12 and substrate 10, and 0.5v is applied to drain 14. Assuming that the electric field across ferroelectric layer 18 is less than the coercive voltage, the polarization of ferroelectric 18 is unchanged. A current will flow through source 12, channel 16, and drain 14, the magnitude of which depends on the turn-on voltage of the device. Since the turn-on threshold voltage corresponding to the first logic state is higher than for the second logic state, the magnitude of the current when the first logic state is stored is less than when the second logic state is stored.
When utilized in a memory array, additional transistors providing select functions must generally accompany each ferroelectric FET, thereby increasing the size of the memory array. It would, therefore, be desirable to provide an architecture and bias method of selecting a given ferroelectric FET within an array without requiring additional transistors.
According to the principles of the present invention, a method of writing a ferroelectric FET having source, drain, gate and substrate terminals and a ferroelectric layer between the gate and the substrate exhibiting hysteresis, forms a polarization in said ferroelectric layer to store first and second logic states such that a selection means is provided when arranged and connected in an array of rows and columns. The array of ferroelectric FETs is arranged in rows and columns, the gate terminal of ferroelectric FETs in the same row coupled to a common word line, the source terminal of ferroelectric FETs in the same row coupled to a common source line, the drain terminal of ferroelectric FETs in the same column coupled to a common bit line, the body terminal of ferroelectric FETs in the same array coupled to a common substrate terminal. A ferroelectric FET is selected for reading and writing within the array by application of bias voltages to the word line, source line, and bit line. To write the ferroelectric FET, a negative voltage whose magnitude is equal to or greater than the coercive voltage is applied to the word line, while ground potential (0v) is applied to the source line, the bit line, and the substrate. A positive voltage equal to or greater than the coercive voltage is then applied to the word line, while ground potential is applied to the source line and to the substrate, and a positive voltage equal to the voltage applied to the word line is applied to the bit line in order to store the first logic state or ground potential is applied to the bit line in order to store the second logic state. To read the ferroelectric FET, a positive voltage that is less than the coercive voltage is applied to the word line, while ground potential is applied to the source line and to the substrate, and a positive voltage less than or equal to the voltage applied to the word line is applied to the bit line.

Method of writing ferroelectric field effect transistor


A load support assembly (2) for a pickup truck (6) includes side support 8 mounted to the sides (10) of the cab (14) and elongate load support (16), having a flat top surface (18), pivotally mounted at its ends (26) to the side supports. When not in use the load support is oriented in a generally horizontal position to minimize wind drag. When in use, the load support is pivoted rearwardly so the top surface of the load support is aligned with the angle of the load. Stiff elastomeric support stops (32) are mounted to the bottom (20) of the load support to rest against the top (34) of the cab during use. Lateral movement of the load on the load support may be limited by load stops (42) extending upwardly from the top surface of the load support. The load stops are preferably pivotally mounted to the load support to pivot between a first, stowed position, lying adjacent the top surface of the load support, and a second, use position extending upwardly from the top surface.

Pickup trucks are widely used by people in the construction industry. Very often the length of the load is longer than the length of the cargo space in the pickup truck. In such cases, the front end of the load is often positioned over the cab for transport. To protect the top of the cab from the load and to secure the load in place, various types of racks or carriers have been developed. The carriers are typically mounted to the four corners of the sidewalls of the cargo area of the pickup truck. Four corner posts extend upwardly from the corners with horizontal brace members extending between the posts. The uppermost brace member connecting the two forward corner posts is often used to support loads extending up over the cab. For example, see U.S. Pat. No. 4,405,170 entitled Demountable Carrier Rack Assembly for Pickup Truck, Issued to Ruben N. Raya on Sept. 20, 1983.
Although conventional racks are quite useful and have found widespread acceptance, they are not without shortcomings. Many are complex in structure, thus increasing their cost. They often create multiple obstructions in and around the cargo area, which hinder other uses of the truck. Also, they are generally rather unsightly--not aesthetically pleasing in design.


The present invention relates to a device that allows an output shaft to perform axial motion and automatic locking, in particular, a manual switch-off device for a permanent magnet switch operating mechanism. A large shoe plate and a small shoe plate are fixed onto a base plate. A transmission shaft is rotatably installed onto the large shoe plate and the small shoe plate that are in parallel with each other. An eccentric wheel is fixed onto the transmission shaft between the large shoe plate and the small shoe plate. An output shaft in parallel with the large shoe plate and the small shoe plate is installed onto the base plate. One end of the output shaft is fixed with an end cap. The large shoe plate has an open slot. The eccentric wheel has a spring column fixed thereon, and the spring column connects to one end of a manual switch-off spring through the open slot. The other end of the manual switch-off spring hooks to a spring mount point on the large shoe plate. The device is simple in structure, low in failure rate, and quick in manual switch-off action. With the permanent magnet operating mechanism, it can be used for tens of thousands of times with no malfunction, and thus no maintenance is needed.

The existing power switches use electromagnetic operating mechanism or spring operating mechanism to perform switch-off and switch-on actions. The electromagnetic operating mechanism has deficiencies in that it requires additional mechanical locking device, and has complex structure, high failure rate, high noise level and short service life. The spring operating mechanism requires being driven by a motor and locked in mechanical mode, with complex structure, heavy weight, slow movement, high noise level and high failure rate. In addition, a permanent magnet monostable operating mechanism has been developed in recent years, which has a more complex structure than a bistable one, especially the manual switch-off device of which still basically adopts conventional releasing principle, with large number of parts and complex structure that cause frequent malfunction of the locking part. The manual switch-off devices of the above operating mechanisms all operate with the normal actions of the mechanism, and has short service life due to frequent operations. Another CN patent owned by the Applicant, Patent No. ZL98220417.5 (Title: a permanent magnet operation mechanism for vacuum switch) discloses an operating mechanism that uses electromagnetic force to perform switch-off/switch-on and uses magnetic force of a permanent magnet to perform locking operation. Such an operating mechanism has simple structure and low failure rate. However, the operating mechanism has deficiencies that due to extremely large attraction force of the permanent magnet, once the electromagnet coil and the trip circuit have malfunction, it may be difficult to perform emergency switch-off manually, and the manual switch-off mechanism based on common lever principle cannot ensure stable switch-off speed. The essence of the permanent magnet operating mechanism is to allow an output shaft to perform axial motion, so as to perform switch-off/switch-on actions. However, up to now there has not been a manual switch-off device that is simple, reliable and that complies with the technical requirements in the field.

Manual switch-off device of a permanent magnet switch operating mechanism


The device comprises a platform (13) fixed in a horizontal position on a support structure (3) for the fuel assembly (4) placed under water in a pool (1). The platform (13) includes a table (14) for shifting a carriage (35) in two crossed directions in a horizontal plane and an arrangement (27) for clamping the fuel assembly so as to immobilize it in the machining position. The fuel assembly (4) is placed in the machining position by a hoisting device (6). A table (15) mounted on the table (14) for movement in one of said crossed directions in the horizontal plane is returned elastically (40) in the direction toward the assembly (4). A frame (16) is fixed on the table (15) and permits shifting a tool-carrying carriage (49) in a direction defined by the frame (16). A motorized grinding unit (17) is fixed on the tool-carrying carriage. The device may be used in particular for cutting or levelling the surface of a spacer-grid (8) of a used fuel assembly (4).

Fuel assemblies of nuclear reactors cooled with pressurized water, and more generally fuel assemblies of nuclear reactors cooled with light water, usually comprise a cluster of parallel fuel rods maintained in a structure comprising spacer-grids for transversely maintaining the rods and arranged in the longitudinal direction of the cluster.
These fuel assemblies have a prismatic shape, for example with a square section and planar lateral sides. The spacer-grids are constituted by metal plates assembled at right angles so as to constitute a network of square meshes for receiving the fuel rods.
In addition to the transverse maintenance of the rods, the grids perform other functions such as the guiding of the cooling fluid circulating in contact with the fuel rods of the assembly. The plates constituting the grids are consequently cut out and bent so as to constitute guide fins for the cooling fluid.
The spacer-grid of square shape has planar outer sides constituted by plates assembled at right angles.
The structure of the assembly further comprises guide tubes fixed to each of the spacer-grids and connected at their ends to an upper nozzle and a lower nozzle of the assembly. These nozzles also include planar lateral sides which are disposed, in the same way as the outer lateral sides of the spacer-grids, in planes defining the planar lateral side of the assembly of prismatic shape.
In the course of the maintenance operations required for periodically unloading and reloading the core of the reactor, some spacer-grids may be damaged so that it is no longer possible to reload the fuel assembly in a place of the core of the reactor without carrying out certain repairs.
This is true in particular when the parts of the grid, such as the guide fins, have been bent outwardly and project from the outer planar side of the fuel assembly. It is then necessary to machine the spacer-grid, for example by grinding, so as to eliminate the projecting parts that prevent its loading inside the core of the reactor.
In the case where a spacer-grid has a damaged part in the vicinity of one of its outer sides, for example that located on a corner of the spacer-grid, it may be possible to eliminate this damaged part and to place a mini-grid for maintaining the rods in the place of the damaged grid part. The damaged grid part may be removed by cutting or grinding in the manner described in FR-A-90-16496 filed by FRAMATOME and COGEMA.
The cutting and grinding operations on the spacer-grids of irradiated fuel assemblies must be carried out under water within a pool. As it might be necessary to machine a grid at any level in the height of the assembly, tools must be provided which are capable of being fixed at any level along the structure of the assembly.
Such tools are complex and difficult to use when the assembly is taken up by handling means, such as a lowering device, or is located in a storage bay at the bottom of the pool.

Device for the underwater machining of a spacer-grid of a fuel assembly for a nuclear reactor