Disclosed are compounds of the formula I ##STR1## in which X is a phenyl, [1]naphthyl or [2]naphthyl radical each substituted by at least one tert.-butoxycarbonyloxy group and, if appropriate, having one or more than one additional substituent,. R.sup.1 is a hydrogen atom, a (C.sub.1 -C.sub.6)-alkyl radical, a (C.sub.6 -C.sub.10)-aryl radical or one of the radicals X and PA0 R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are identical or different and are a (C.sub.1 -C.sub.12)-alkyl radical in which, if appropriate, up to three methylene groups are replaced by bridge members having at least one hetero atom, such as --O--, --S--, --NR.sup.4 --, --CO--, --CO--O--, --CO--NH--, --O--CO--NH--, --NH--CO--NH--, --CO--NH--CO--, --SO.sub.2 --, --SO.sub.2 --O-- or --SO.sub.2 --NH--, a (C.sub.3 -C.sub.12)-alkenyl, (C.sub.3 -C.sub.12)-alkynyl, (C.sub.4 -C.sub.12)-cycloalkyl, (C.sub.4 -C.sub.12)-cycloalkenyl or (C.sub.8 -C.sub.16)-aralkyl radical in which, if appropriate, up to three methylene groups of the aliphatic moiety are replaced by bridge members of the abovementioned type and which can be substituted in the aromatic moiety by fluorine, chlorine or bromine atoms or by (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)-alkyl, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4)-alkoxy, nitro, cyano or tert.-butoxycarbonyloxy groups, PA0 R.sup.4 being an acyl radical, especially a (C.sub.1 -C.sub.6)-alkanoyl radical.

The present invention relates to compounds with acid-labile protective groups, to processes for the preparation of these compounds and to positive-working radiation-sensitive mixtures containing these compounds as solubility inhibitors. It also relates to a recording material prepared with these compounds, which is suitable for photoresists, electrical components and printing plates and also for chemical milling.
In the industrial manufacture of microelectronic components, a number of lithographic techniques are currently used, different demands being made in each case on the photoresist mixtures used therein. Thus, in g-line lithography, where radiation of a wavelength of 436 nm is employed, conventional diazonaphthoquinone/novolak photoresists are generally used. A more recent development is i-line lithography, in which radiation of a wavelength of 365 nm is used. Images with details of a mask original in improved resolution down to 0.5 .mu.m can be obtained with this technique. More recent modifications, such as phase-shifting mask technology, permit a further reduction in image size down to about 0.35 .mu.m and even finer. Even better resolution will become possible in the future by means of the "UV-2" photoresists. A distinction is here made between two variants: UV-2 wide-band irradiation (240 to 260 nm) and irradiation with KrF-excimer lasers (248 nm).
As can already be seen from the above, the limit of resolution is given by the wavelength of the radiation used. The continuing reduction in size of the structural dimensions, far down into the submicron region, especially for microchips, requires modified lithographic techniques. Because of their short wavelength, high-energy UV radiation, electron beams or X-rays are here particularly suitable, A review of the demands that are made on the radiation-sensitive mixtures used in a particular case, will be found in the article by C. G. Willson, "Organic Resist Materials-Theory and Chemistry" (Introduction to Microlithography, Theory, Materials and Processing; Editors: L. F. Thompson, C. G. Willson, M. J. Bowden; ACS Symp. Ser. 219: 87 (1983), American Chemical Society, Washington). There is therefore an increased demand for radiation-sensitive mixtures that can be used in the advanced technologies, especially in mid-UV lithography, deep-UV lithography, electron lithography and X-ray lithography. In addition, they are preferably sensitive within a wide spectral range and can thus also be used in conventional UV lithography.
A frequently used positive-working radiation-sensitive mixture for producing radiation-sensitive recording materials contains an o-quinonediazide derivative and a binder that is soluble in aqueous-alkaline solutions, for example, a novolak or a polyhydroxystyrene. However, the sensitivity of the recording materials to UV radiation, in particular high-energy short-wave radiation, for example, to the light of a KrF-excimer laser having a wavelength of 248 nm, or to electron beams is generally insufficient.
Positive-working radiation-sensitive mixtures in which a photoinitiator generates an acid as a result of the action of actinic radiation show an improved sensitivity. In a subsequent reaction, this acid cleaves an acid-cleavable material and thereby renders it soluble in aqueous-alkaline developers.
It is also known that compounds having phenolic OH groups can be "masked" by tert.-butoxycarbonyl groups. Acids cleave this derivative into the phenolic starting compound, carbon dioxide and isobutene. Such compounds can also be utilized as light-sensitive solubility inhibitors.
Radiation-sensitive mixtures with acid-cleavable solubility inhibitors always require a small quantity of a compound that, on irradiation, generates an acid that in turn effects the cleavage of the above-mentioned materials. As photolytic acid generators, onium salts, such as diazonium, phosphonium, sulfonium and iodonium salts of non-nucleophilic acids, such as HSbF.sub.6, HAsF.sub.6 or HPF.sub.6, have especially been used. In addition, halogen compounds, especially trichloromethyltriazine derivatives or trichloromethyloxadiazole derivatives, o-quinonediazidesulfochlorides, o-quinonediazide-4-sulfonic acid esters, organometal/organohalogen combinations, bis(sulfonyl)diazomethanes, sulfonylcarbonyl-diazomethanes or nitrobenzyl tosylates have been recommended.
Such mixtures, some of which have high sensitivities to actinic radiation, are called photocatalytic 3-component systems, since they contain, as essential constituents, a polymeric binder soluble in aqueous-alkaline solutions (in most cases a phenolic resin), a photoactive compound and an acid-cleavable solubility inhibitor. Among these mixtures, those have gained particular acceptance in practice which contain compounds with acetal groups as the acid-labile component, since these combine adequate cleavability on the one hand with adequate storage stability on the other hand, especially in the dissolved form. The acetal must here have, inter alia, a largely hydrophobic molecular backbone, in order to be able to function as a solubility inhibitor. Acetals having free phenolic hydroxyl groups are completely unsuitable as solubility inhibitors, since they enhance the solubility in aqueous-alkaline solutions.
Furthermore, it can be observed generally that the process window, i.e., the spectral range of transmission for the exposure of these mixtures, is very narrow and frequently not unambiguously reproducible, causing inaccurate reproductions of the original. The inadequately narrow process window manifests itself especially in a steep dependency of the quality of image reproduction on the time difference between exposure and development, the so-called delay time. The causes of this deterioration in the image reproduction are not known in detail or have not been adequately investigated. In principle, it must be assumed that diffusion processes, which cause this behavior, cannot readily be controlled. However, it maybe supposed that, during the drying of the mixture on a substrate material, a partial vaporization of the photoinitiator or of the acid-labile compound or a segregation of the individual mixture constituents takes place. This is particularly frequently observed in the case of acid-labile compounds having a low solubility in the usual coating solvents.
The decisive disadvantage of the known compounds containing acetal groups is the fact that the solubility differentiation between exposed and unexposed image areas resulting from the cleavage of these compounds, is generally insufficient. It appears that either the acetal derivative used as the solubility inhibitor has an inadequate inhibiting property and, in addition to the exposed image areas, those which have not been exposed are also severely attacked and worn off during imagewise differentiation, or that the exposed areas do not have an adequate solubility to allow imagewise differentiation during development. The problem is that the known compounds are unable to provide a material that causes a sufficiently large solubility difference between exposed and unexposed areas. Whereas this effect is still generally acceptable in the case of the novolak resins used according to the state of the art, it is observed, when other polymers are used, that the known acetal derivatives virtually cease to show any inhibiting action and therefore no longer allow an image differentiation as required in practice.
In the acid-catalyzed cleavage of 1 mol of the acetal, 1 mol of the corresponding aldehyde and 2 mol of alcohol are formed. In general, the alcohol contributes to the improved solubility in alkaline developers. By contrast, the aldehyde reduces the solubility, so that it is frequently evaporated out of the mixture by means of an additional baking step. It is more advantageous, however, to leave the aldehyde in the layer composed of the mixture, since it can be evaporated only in an uncontrollable manner, especially in the case of different layer thicknesses. This leads to non-reproducible results with respect to sensitivity and development behavior.
In both cases, best results ape therefore not obtained. If the solubility-inhibiting aldehyde generated by cleavage has to be evaporated out of the mixture, an additional processing step is necessary in order to obtain the best possible solubility of the exposed areas. If the aldehyde having an inhibiting action remains in the mixture, a differentiation of the solubility between exposed and unexposed layer areas, as required in practice, is not achieved. This has in turn particularly disadvantageous consequences if the mixture is used in a recording material. In this case, longer exposure and development times must be accepted, and the resulting relief image has, due to the inadequate solubility differentiation between exposed and unexposed areas, weaknesses in contrast, in the structural profile and in the wearing-off in the dark.

Compounds with acid-labile protective groups useful in positive-working radiation-sensitive mixtures


Described herein is an implantable access port device with a catheter compartment which permits lengthening or shortening the catheter in response to changes in tension of the distal catheter. Implantable access port devices are used extensively in the medical field to facilitate the performance of recurrent therapeutic tasks such as repeated drug delivery, drainage, blood sampling, transfusions, or total parental nutrition. In current access port systems, the catheter is rigidly attached to the access port via a connection ring. As such, the system does not provide any flexibility or ability for catheter length adjustments, which can lead to long-term complications such as dislodgement of catheters, migration of catheters, port separation with extravasation, suture disruption, and mechanical failure of the access port system. These catheter-related complications carry serious risks for the patients. The implantable access port system described herein permits self-adjusting catheter length, thereby reducing catheter-related complications.

Implantable access port devices are used extensively in the medical field to facilitate the performance of recurrent therapeutic tasks.1 Treatment of patients often requires long-term vascular or extra-vascular access for safe, repeated drug delivery, drainage, blood sampling, transfusions, or total parental nutrition. Access port systems are also used to access the fluid-filled space around the spinal cord, called the subarachnoid or intrathecal space, for drug delivery and/or sampling of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
A typical access port system comprises a needle-impenetrable housing having a fluid reservoir that is sealed by a needle-penetrable septum. The access port also includes an outlet stem or exit cannula which projects from the housing to a connection ring and provides a fluid passageway that communicates with the fluid reservoir. The connection ring is used to couple the housing to a catheter. The access port device is attached to the proximal end of the catheter and the distal end of the catheter is placed into a patient's blood vessel, intrathecal space, other lumen or target tissue. The access port device is generally implanted subcutaneously at a location that is easily accessible.
The catheter is rigidly attached to the access port device via a connection ring. As such, the access port system does not provide any flexibility or ability for catheter length adjustments, which can lead to long-term complications such as dislodgement of catheters, migration of catheters, port separation with extravasation, suture disruption, and mechanical failure of the access port system. These complications carry serious risks for the patients.2 Although relatively rare in adults for vascular access ports, these complications are significantly more prevalent in pediatric patients.3
The rate of complications is significantly higher with implantable intrathecal access port systems as the smaller catheters used in these devices are more susceptible to kinks, breaks, leakage, dislodgement from the intrathecal space, and disconnection from the pump.4 Catheter-related complications were the most common cause of repeat surgery. The incidence of operative catheter revision has been reported to be 7% to 34.6%.5 For example, Follet and Naumann6 reported a 9.7% rate of catheter-related complications in the first nine months after implantation. The most common complication was catheter dislodgement from the intrathecal space. Migration of the catheter completely out of the spinal canal and into the subcutaneous tissues in the paraspinous region is most common. Fluckiger et al. reported the migration of the catheter outside of the dura in approximately 12% of patients.7 Migration to the subdural compartment or the epidural space has also been reported.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for improved access port systems which reduce the risk of catheter-related complications.

Access port system with self-adjusting catheter length


A semiconductor device comprising a pin-type or nip-type amorphous-containing semiconductor layers; characterized in that (1) at least one interlayer made of semiconductor or insulator having higher electrical resistivity than a semiconductor which adjoins the interlayer is/are interposed between semiconductor layers or between a semiconductor and an electrode, (2) an amount of dopant in a p-type or n-type layer is least at a junction interface of p/i or n/i and increases gradually toward a junction interface of p/electrode or n/electrode, or (3) a p-type semiconductor layer being the same conductive type as the p-type semiconductor and having higher impurity density and/or an n-type semiconductor layer being the same conductive type as the n-type semiconductor layer and having higher impurity density is/are interposed between the p-type semiconductor layer and the electrode at the side of the p-type semiconductor layer and/or between the n-type semiconductor layer and the electrode at the side of the n-type semiconductor layer. According to the semiconductor device of the present invention (in the case of (1) or (2)), large Voc and electric current at a specific voltage can be obtained, further in the case of (3), photoelectric conversion efficiency can be improved.

The present invention relates to a semiconductor device, and more particularly to a semiconductor device comprising a photovoltaic device having high open-circuit voltage under light irradiation or a photovoltaic device having improved photoelectric conversion efficiency.
Hitherto, as a material for photoelectric converters such as solar cells, there has been used a semiconductor material comprising an amorphous semiconductor such as a-Si:H, a-Si.sub.1-x :C.sub.x :H, a-Si.sub.1-x Ge.sub.x :H, a-Si:F:H, a-Si.sub.1-x N.sub.x H, a-Ge:H, a-Si.sub.1-x Ge.sub.x :F:H, a-Si:H, .mu.c-Si:H, .mu.c-Si.sub.1-x Ge.sub.x :H (wherein x satisfies the relationship 0 <x <1) or a semiconductor material composed partially of these amorphous semiconductors.
A conventional solar cell has a laminated structure pin, nip, pinpin. . . or nipnip. . . obtained by depositing in order the same kind of amorphous semiconductor or a different kind of amorphous semiconductor having a wide energy gap only in its doped layer. The density of dopant in the p-type or n-type layer is uniform throughout the direction of the thickness of the layer except for the distribution of dopant due to thermal diffusion during and after the production of the device, and it is usually 0.01 to 5 atm %.
FIG. 9 shows a semiconductor device employed in a conventional solar cell using a pin-type semiconductor of triple layer construction. In FIG. 9, numeral 31 is a glass substrate whereon a transparent electrode 32 is attached. On the transparent electrode 32, there are formed a p-type semiconductor layer 34 i-type semiconductor layer 35 and n-type semiconductor layer 36 in order. Further, on the n-type semiconductor layer 36, there is formed an electrode 37. The semiconductor device 38 consists of a glass substrate 31, a transparent electrode 32, a p-type semiconductor layer 34, an i-type semiconductor layer 35, an n-type semiconductor layer 36 and an electrode 37.
In the above semiconductor device 38, light enters the glass substrate 31 along the direction of the arrows in FIG. 9, is transmitted by the glass substrate 31 and the electrode 32, and then irradiates the p-type semiconductor layer 34, i-type semiconductor layer 35 and n-type semiconductor layer 36. By this irradiation, pairs of electrons and holes are generated in each semiconductor layer 34, 35 and 36. Then, electrons are collected in the n-type layer and holes are collected in the p-type layer and thereby, there are generated positive charges at the transparent electrode 32 and negative charges at the electrode 37. Thus, a photoelectric conversion is carried out enabling the semiconductor device 38 to function as a photocell.
However, a semiconductor device having the above construction has a drawback in that its voltage value in open-circuit condition (hereinafter referred to as Voc) during the irradiation of light cannot be increased, since the semiconductor device has a limitation in increasing a built-in field.
In using the above devices, for example, when an electromotive force greater than Voc is required, a plurality of devices can be connected in series in order to remove the above drawback. Even in that case, however, the number of series connections can be decreased if the Voc per device can be improved. Further, the performance of devices can be expected to be remarkably improved by making the area of each semiconductor layer large, even in case where the total area of all the devices is limited.
As a result of vigorous investigation focusing on the construction of a semiconductor, we inventors have discovered a semiconductor device having higher Voc and electric current (operating electric current) at a specific voltage than conventional semiconductor devices, without increasing the number of series connections and total area of all the devices, and have completed the semiconductor device of the present invention.
Furthermore, in the conventional semiconductor device, it is generally known that the contact resistance between a p-type semiconductor layer and the electrode at the side of the p-layer and between an n-type semiconductor layer and the electrode at the side of the n-layer decreases as the impurity density increases. It is desirable to make this contact resistance small, because it reduces the fill factor of a photovoltaic device when the p-type semiconductor layer and n-type semiconductor layer are used as a photovoltaic device such as a solar cell. Therefore, from this point of view, it is desirable to increase the impurity density. However, if the impurity density of the n-type and p-type semiconductor layers becomes too large, the characteristics of the photovoltaic device deteriorate due to the large absorption loss of light in the parts that contain the impurity.
The present invention was made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a semiconductor device having high open-circuit voltage under light irradiation, and a semiconductor device having improved photoelectric conversion efficiency.

Semiconductor pin device with interlayer or dopant gradient

Kanegafuchi Kagaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha


A folding vehicle seat assembly for an automotive vehicle comprising at least one movable seat portion, and at least one fluid powered actuator. The actuators are connected to an operating system which is selectively activatable by a vehicle occupant. The movable seat portion is movably mountable within the vehicle and connected to an actuator. The actuator, when activated, is arranged to move the movable seat portion between a seating position for supporting a seat occupant and a stowed position.

The present invention relates to vehicle seats, and in particular to folding vehicle seat arrangements typically used for the rear seats of a vehicle.
Vehicle rear seats may be arranged to fold from a normal seating position to a stowed or flat position in order to increase the rear storage or luggage space of the vehicle. In addition vehicle seats may be arranged to fold and/or be moved from their seating position to allow passenger access behind the seat, and in particular to further seats located in the vehicle behind the folding seat. This is particularly the case in MPVs (or people carrier) type vehicles which include a third row of seats located behind a first row of rear seats and which are accessed through rear vehicle doors located adjacent to the first row of vehicle seats.
In typical folding seat arrangements the seat back is arranged to be manually unlocked and pivoted forward about its bottom edge from a substantially vertical seating position within the vehicle to allow access behind the seat, and/or folded flat such that the rear of the seat back is generally horizontal within the vehicle continuing the rear luggage floor of the vehicle to provide increased luggage area. The seat bottom cushion may also be pivoted forward about a front edge from a substantially horizontal seating position to a generally vertical position to allow the seat back to be folded flat into the space where the seat bottom cushion is located when in the seating position. A well or recess may also be provided beneath and/or forward of the seat bottom cushion into which the seat back and/or seat bottom cushion can be folded in their stowed positions.
Other folding arrangements are also known in which the seat bottom, and seat back portions are moved and pivoted from their normal seating positions in which the seat back extends generally vertically from the generally horizontally disposed seat bottom cushion, to a stowed position.
Manual folding of the seats and seat portions can be difficult for some users with complex manual folding and release latches often being used. In addition the seats can have considerable weight and in conjunction with the folding arrangements may be cumbersome to move from their seating to stowed positions. Furthermore manual locking arrangements to hold the seats in their seating position (or in the stowed positions) may inadvertently be operated undesirably releasing the seat with consequent safety implications. To prevent this more complex manual locking arrangements are used, which can then be difficult to operate an release the seat when it is required to be moved.
It is therefore desirable to provide an improved folding vehicle seat arrangement which addresses the above described problems and/or which offers improvements generally.

Hydraulically powered folding vehicle seat fold


A medical valve has a translating member that enlarges the volume of the interior of the valve when the valve is in an open mode (permitting fluid flow), and decreases the volume of the interior when the valve is in a closed mode (preventing fluid flow). This varying volume should substantially eliminate drawback into the valve. To that end, the valve includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet, and a fluid channel extending between the inlet and the outlet. The fluid channel includes a variable volume region. The valve further includes the above noted translating member, which is secured to the housing and at least partly bounds the variable volume region. The translating member has at least a portion that moves distally when the valve transitions from the closed mode to the open mode. The distal movement of the translating member enlarges the volume on the variable volume region.

The invention generally relates to medical products and, more particularly, the invention relates to devices for reducing backflow through a medical valve.
Medical valving devices commonly are utilized to valve fluids injected into and withdrawn from a patient. One exemplary type of medical valving device, known in the art as a xe2x80x9ccatheter introducer,xe2x80x9d maintains a sealed port for accessing the patient""s vasculature. Use of such a valve enables vascular access without requiring the patient""s skin to be repeatedly pierced by a needle. Moreover, catheter introducers are constructed to withstand a range of back-pressures produced by a patient""s blood pressure, thus minimizing blood loss resulting from fluid injections or withdrawals.
Fluid commonly is transferred to/from a patient by inserting a syringe into a medical valve, thus communicating with the patient""s vasculature. Problems arise, however, when the syringe is withdrawn from the valve. More particularly, a back pressure produced by withdrawing the syringe undesirably can cause blood to leak proximally into various parts of the valve. In addition to coagulating and impeding the mechanical operation of the valve, blood in the valve also compromises the sterility of the valve.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a medical valve has a translating member that enlarges the volume of the interior of the valve when the valve is in an open mode (permitting fluid flow), and decreases the volume of the interior when the valve is in a closed mode (preventing fluid flow). This varying volume should substantially eliminate drawback into the valve. To that end, the valve includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet, and a fluid channel extending between the inlet and the outlet. The fluid channel includes a variable volume region. The valve further includes the above noted translating member, which is secured to the housing and at least partly bounds the variable volume region. The translating member has at least a portion that moves distally when the valve transitions from the closed mode to the open mode. The distal movement of the translating member enlarges the volume on the variable volume region.
In some embodiments, the translating member is substantially coaxial with the majority of the fluid channel. The translating member may include a securing portion that normally maintains the noted portion of the translating member in a position that minimizes the volume of the variable volume region. In such case, the securing portion may stretch when the valve transitions from the closed mode to the open mode, and retract when the valve transitions from the open mode to the closed mode.
The valve also may include a guide member extending into the translating member. The guide member may include at least a portion of the fluid channel. The fluid channel may include a translating fluid channel extending through the translating member. The translating fluid channel illustratively has substantially the same shape in both the open and closed modes.
In some embodiments, the translating member comprises a bellows. In other embodiments, the translating member may include a compressible portion that compresses when the valve transitions from the closed mode to the open mode. Among other things, the valve may include a swabbable seal, and/or may be a luer activated valve.
In a manner similar to the above noted aspect of the invention, other aspects of the invention include a medical valve (having an open mode that permits fluid flow and a closed mode that prevents fluid flow) that also has a translating member. The valve is capable of transitioning between the open mode and the closed mode, and includes a housing having an interior with a primary fluid channel with a variable volume region. The noted translating member bounds the variable volume region and is secured to the interior of the housing. The translating member has a translating member fluid channel that permits fluid flow through the translating member. The primary fluid channel thus includes the translating member fluid channel. At least a portion of the translating member longitudinally moves when the valve transitions from the closed mode to the open mode. Such longitudinal movement enlarges the volume of the variable volume region.


A system and method of continuous production of methanol is disclosed utilizing enriched syngas and a homogenous liquid catalyst comprising an organo-nickel compound, an ether solvent, and an organic methoxide salt. The syngas is directed into a reaction chamber in such a way as to maximize the gas-liquid interface (e.g., an eductor nozzle or bubble column) while two condensers receive tail gas and reactant fluid from the reaction chamber, the latter after undergoing flash separation. Liquid catalyst is recovered and recycled back into the system via the second condenser.

The production of methanol and methanol derivatives is a well-known process in the chemical production industry. There are published methods using solid catalyst, heterogenous slurry catalyst and homogenous liquid catalyst. Over 95 percent of methanol produced today involves the use of a Fischer-Tropsch ("F-T") type solid catalyst in a reactor vessel of a particular style including: a packed bed catalyst arrangement, tubular catalyst arrangement or micronized solid particles of F-T catalyst in a slurry form carried in an organic or inorganic solvent.
This novel invention takes particular advantage of a highly efficient homogenous liquid methanol producing catalyst for producing methanol directly from syngas containing carbon monoxide, hydrogen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide and trace amount of other gases including methane. More particularly this invention describes reacting syngas in the presence of a homogenous liquid catalyst inside a novel bubble column reactor.
Methanol is a valuable chemical intermediate and fuel product. The growing demand for energy products in a safe liquid form makes the production of methanol a valuable energy resource. Methanol production processes use syngas containing mainly hydrogen and carbon monoxide as a gaseous feedstock to produce methanol product.
Syngas is a common name given to a gas mixture that contains varying amounts of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. Examples of production methods include steam reforming of natural gas or liquid hydrocarbons to produce hydrogen, the gasification of coal, biomass, and in some types of waste-to-energy gasification facilities. The name comes from their use as intermediates in creating synthetic natural gas and for producing ammonia or methanol.
Gasification is a thermochemical pyrolytic process that converts carbonaceous materials, such as coal, petroleum, biofuel, or biomass, into carbon monoxide and hydrogen by reacting the raw material, such as house waste, or compost at high temperatures with a controlled amount of oxygen and/or steam. The resulting gas mixture is called syngas.
The advantage of gasification is that using the syngas is potentially more efficient than direct combustion of the original fuel because it can be combusted at higher temperatures or even used in fuel cells, so that the thermodynamic upper limit to the efficiency defined by Carnot's rule is higher or not applicable. Syngas may be burned directly in internal combustion engines, used to produce methanol and hydrogen, or converted via the Fischer-Tropsch process into synthetic fuel. Gasification can also begin with materials that are not otherwise useful fuels, such as biomass or organic waste. In addition, the high-temperature combustion refines out corrosive ash elements such as chloride and potassium, allowing clean gas production from otherwise problematic fuels.
Gasification relies on chemical processes at elevated temperatures >700° C. (>1290° F.), which distinguishes it from biological processes such as anaerobic digestion that produce biogas.
Depending upon the specific method of producing syngas the ratio of hydrogen to carbon monoxide will vary. The reaction to produce methanol generally requires a hydrogen to carbon monoxide ratio of at least 2 to 1. The reference to a hydrogen to carbon monoxide ratio describes how the syngas contains a minimum of 2 moles of hydrogen for every mole of carbon monoxide. To achieve a minimum of a 2 to 1 ratio of hydrogen to carbon monoxide syngas may be conditioned through the use of a water gas shift reaction.
The water-gas shift reaction is a chemical reaction in which carbon monoxide reacts with water vapor to form carbon dioxide and hydrogen:CO+H2O→CO2+H2
The water-gas shift reaction is an important reaction step in the production of syngas for use in methanol production. It is also often used in conjunction with steam reforming of methane or other hydrocarbons, for the production of high purity hydrogen for use in ammonia synthesis.
Syngas produced from wood or biomass gasification or pyrolysis possesses a typical hydrogen to carbon monoxide molar ratio of 1 to 1. Therefore, syngas conditioning to increase the molar concentration of hydrogen is necessary. In this case a water gas shift reaction is used to increase the hydrogen concentration.
Syngas production is commonly found using hydrocarbon or natural gas as the primary carbon source. There are many sources of natural gas located in isolated regions which are far from pipeline access. Natural gas co-produced with crude oil is typically partially consumed locally to produce heat for process equipment, electricity for local needs and in some cases can be re-injected with a gas compressor into the oil bearing formation to maintain geological formation pressures. More typically it is simply burned in a thermal flare allowing the oil production company the ability to produce a greater volume of crude oil.
Methanol can be produced from any carbon-based source. These would include: natural gas, coal, municipal wastes, landfill gas, wood wastes, aquatic and subaquatic biomass. Methanol is primarily produced by steam-reforming natural gas to create a syngas which is fed into a reactor vessel in the presence of a nickel catalyst to produce water vapor and methanol. A distillation step is used to remove water from the finished methanol.
Methanol is considered a portable source of energy. About 34 percent of the input gas (energy) is lost in its synthesis so its production away from markets requires very cheap natural gas supply to be viable for large volume production systems. Transport costs impact heavily on its viability. There are many reasons why methanol is an important key to a syngas-based fuels and chemical industry. First, methanol is synthesized in over 99% or greater selectivity, in sharp contrast to the wide array of other hydrocarbon products, from methane to waxes, obtained in the Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) reaction. Second, the weight retention of syngas (2H2: 1CO) as a feedstock for methanol is 100%. Syngas is a costly raw material for the production of hydrocarbons obtained in the F-T reaction where oxygen is eliminated as water or CO2. Third, methanol furnishes selective pathways to a number of important chemicals, including formaldehyde and the widely used two carbon oxygenated chemicals. This route to fuels and to two carbon chemicals from methanol is more attractive than the direct synthesis from syngas.
For over many years, new increases in methanol production capacity have been driven by countries with large oil and/or natural gas reserves, building methanol facilities as a way to transport and monetize "stranded gas" resources. Little new capacity has been based on byproduct growth. Generally, systematic rationalization has followed at a pace similar to expansion, particularly in the high-cost natural gas-based areas like North America and Europe.
Globally methanol production capacity stands at between 40 and 50 million metric tons per year (approximately 14 to 15 billion gallons). The operating methanol production plants in the United States have greatly reduced capacity given the much higher cost of natural gas used in the production of methanol. Total demand for methanol in the United States is over 8 million metric tons (2.6 billion gallons), with United States based production satisfying only approximately 5 percent of this demand, with imports mainly from Trinidad, Chile, Venezuela, Equatorial Guinea and Canada making up the remaining supply. Generally, one metric ton of methanol equals 333 gallons.
In the United States and other parts of the world, smaller and more regional resources for syngas production are available. In 2013 the National Renewable Energy Laboratory ("NREL") reported that it estimated 7.9 million metric tons a year of methane generation potential for selected biogas sources in the United States, including: wastewater, landfills, animal manure, IIC organic waste. This is equal to about 420 billion cubic feet or 431 trillion British thermal units ("BTU"). According to a 2013 report by the Energy Information Association, this amount of energy produced from biogas could displace about 5% of current natural gas consumption in the electric power sector and 56% of the natural gas consumption in the transportation sector. The availability of low cost or stranded natural gas in the U.S. is growing. Many areas of development lack pipeline infrastructure to transport the natural gas to a market. Those isolated sources of natural gas that do have pipeline infrastructure available earn sub market value for their product due to the high cost of pipeline transmission to a consumption point.
In the case of biomass to methanol the concept of transporting biomass to a centralized, large scale methanol production plant is uneconomical. If biomass is transported a distance of 100 miles or greater the cost of transportation raises the cost of the biomass to uneconomical cost levels for the conversion into methanol.
In both the case of stranded or isolated natural gas, as with biomass resources, there exists a real need for a small scale (micro-plant) methanol production process capable of using the regional natural gas, biomass or other carbon based resources available. Once produced into a methanol product the regional market can take advantage of the regionally produced methanol product as opposed to sourcing the product from a distant, many times foreign source for the product. The novel invention provides a small, modular, micro-plant option for energy companies.
In contrast, today all commercial methanol process plants operating are constructed on a very large scale, high volume production basis. A typical methanol process plant today is constructed with capacities ranging from 1,000 to 5,000 metric tons per day (333,000 up to 1,665,000 gallons per day). The micro-plant methanol production reactor is constructed with a capacity ranging from 0.5 to 30 tons per day (166 to 10,000 gallons per day). The current F-T commercial process systems available today are unable to reach these low capacities of production economically.
Various methods have been developed for the production of methanol from gas mixtures containing carbon monoxide, hydrogen and carbon dioxide, among these are:
U.S. Pat. No. 6,881,759 discloses a process for methanol production in a liquid phase reactor from a synthesis gas comprising of hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide. The liquid phase reactor contains a solid catalyst suspended in methanol. In this invention the methanol acts both as a product and as a suspension medium for the catalyst. A part of the methanol in the reactor is withdrawn from the reactor in the form of methanol product.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,179,129 discloses a process to produce methanol from syngas comprising of hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide in a two-stage liquid phase reactor system. Each reactor is operated at optimum temperature range to maximize methanol productivity, and once through product conversion of 9.1 moles methanol per 100 moles of syngas can be achieved.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,766,154 discloses a process for the production of methanol from a syngas feed containing carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and hydrogen. The process described is a combination of two liquid phase methanol reactors into a staging process, such that each reactor is operated to a favor of a particular reaction mechanism. The first reactor is controlled to favor the hydrogenation of carbon monoxide, and the second reactor is controlled to favor the hydrogenation of carbon dioxide.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,628,066 discloses a process for increasing the capacity of a gas phase synthesis loop for the production of methanol from a syngas feed. The syngas feed is initially passed to a liquid phase methanol reactor to convert a portion of the syngas to methanol or methanol and higher aliphatic alcohols. The mixture is subsequently cooled to condense and recover the methanol and/or higher alcohols. The unreacted syngas is passed to a gas phase synthesis loop for further conversion and recovery of methanol.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,567,204 discloses a process for the production of methanol in a liquid phase methanol reactor by entraining a methanol forming catalyst in an inert liquid and contacting the entrained catalyst with a synthesis gas comprising of carbon monoxide and hydrogen.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,346,179 discloses a process for producing methanol and its higher homologs from a synthesis gas containing essentially carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen. A synthesis gas is treated in a first catalytic reaction zone at 230-350° C. The effluent from the first catalytic reaction zone is cooled and condensed and as a gas fraction is separated from the liquid condensate. The gas fraction is subsequently treated at 240-300° C. in a second catalytic reaction zone to produce a liquid methanol fraction. The liquid methanol fraction is subsequently admixed with the liquid condensate to form a gasoline constituent product.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,235,799 discloses a process for producing methanol by passing a mixture of hydrogen and one or more carbon oxides into contact with at least two beds of catalyst arranged in series. The catalyst beds are operated at increasing temperature levels in the direction of flow of the mixture. The mixture is subsequently cooled by indirect heat exchange and passed into contact with at least further bed of catalyst.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,031,123 discloses a similar method for preparing methanol with the improvement that paraffinics and cycloparaffinnics are used as the inert hydrocarbon liquid which the catalyst bed is in contact.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,888,896 discloses a process for producing methanol from carbon monoxide and hydrogen by saturating an inert organic liquid medium, such as pseudocumene, with carbon monoxide and hydrogen and contacting the saturated liquid medium with methanol forming catalyst such as those containing zinc and chromium.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,868,096 discloses a process for producing methanol by passing a reaction gas mixture under the request conditions of temperature and pressure initially over one or more catalyst masses composed of zinc oxide or zinc oxide and chromium oxide and subsequently passing said mixture over one or more methanol catalysts sensitive to sulfur poisoning such as catalysts comprising of copper, manganese or compounds of copper or manganese. The reaction gases are passed successively through a number of reactor vessels arranged in series as an open system.
Canadian Pat. No. 1,157,053 discloses a liquid phase methanol synthesis process wherein methanol is produced by contacting a synthesis gas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide with a catalyst in presence of an inert liquid. The catalyst in contact with the inert liquid is in the form of particles of a size less than about 125 microns.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,302,011 discloses a invention relates to a method of producing methyl alcohol from alkyl formates by treating an alkyl formate with hydrogen in the presence of an appropriate catalyzer to decompose the formate whereby methyl alcohol and the alcohol derived from the alkyl contained in the alkyl formate in question is formed.
Existing processes using 2 to 1 syngas to produce methanol operate at far greater pressure and temperatures. The inventors are unaware of any existing methanol production process system which use low pressure syngas and low reaction temperatures using a homogenous type catalyst to produce methanol in commerce.

Methanol production reactor apparatus and method of operations using homogeneous catalyst


An innovative retrofit connector with unique bends that add strength, and angled nailing that allow the connector to positively tie together intersecting wood structural members. The intersecting members can be horizontal, vertical, and of different slopes. The connector is simple to manufacture, doesn't split the wood, angles the nails or screws into the heart of the wood, and is strong. The connector helps protect an existing home against wind and seismic events.

1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to innovative retrofit connectors that permanently connect and strengthen intersecting structural members on a building. These connectors help create buildings that are stronger and more resistant to earthquakes and wind storms.
During an earthquake, the floor, wall, and roof diaphragms undergo shearing and bending. Because of the difference in weight, a roof can move at different speeds than the walls. The outside sheathing provides lateral stability to the walls, preventing racking. The sheathing also helps absorb and transfer seismic forces to the piers and foundation, and then back into the ground.
An earthquake can send motion into a house and separate structural members that are nailed together. The October, 2006 earthquake on the Big Island of Hawaii shook many homes off their piers. Because there is no frost, the foundations are shallow. Almost all the homes are made of wood construction. Many homes were damaged, which was unexpected because wood homes can usually absorb seismic forces.
Because of the active and ancient volcanoes making up the Hawaiian Islands, many homes in Hawaii are built on a slope. The rear of the house can be on the ground, with the front of the home 20 or more feet off the ground. The front of the house is usually on posts or stilts made from wooden beams.
Cross-bracing ties these tall posts together. The weak point is where the 2×4 cross-braces are connected to the posts. This invention helps strengthen the braces, and helps prevent the posts from moving off their piers, thus helping prevent the home from falling during earth movements.
Steel connectors, between different components of a wood-frame building's super-structure, provide continuity so that the building will move as a unit in response to seismic activity. This invention ties the homes sub-structure securely together, so the house will move as one unit.
Recent studies of hurricane damage on wood-frame buildings indicate that extensive damage was generated to a house by strong winds, when the building moved away from the foundation, and adjacent walls moved away from each other. Failure of the elevated part of a Hawaiian home is common during hurricanes, because wind can get underneath and lift one or several structural members of the home. This invention helps prevent the posts from detaching from other structural members.
Many homes that are built in temperate climates are situated on posts, such as in California where many homes are elevated on short posts called cripples. Many of these cripples are not tied together, just covered by lattice, but could be reinforced with the present invention.
The shear forces from the roof boundary members are transferred to the top of the walls and they travel down to the floor, to the posts, and to ground. The weakest connection is usually the one that fails. To withstand and transfer the shear loads, the connection between the floor and foundation must be strong.
The cross-bracing provides lateral stability to the posts, preventing racking. The cross bracing also absorbs and transfers earthquake forces to the foundation. Unique steel connectors help strengthen and stabilize the cross-braces, and many other intersecting structural members.
2. Prior Art
Prior art connectors utilizing angled nailing were only concerned with three areas: (1) prevention of wood splitting due to wood shrinkage, (2) prevention of splitting of laminated wood members such as plywood glued laminated timbers (glulam and prefabricated wood joists (microlams), and (3) insertion of fasteners through a held member and a holding member which are joined by a special connector so that a plurality of fasteners will be in double shear. The first two problem areas are fully discussed in Gilb U.S. Pat. No. 4,291,996 Sep. 29, 1981, and the third problem area is discussed in Gilb and Commins U.S. Pat. No. 4,480,941 granted Nov. 6, 1984. These were also discussed in Leek, et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,603,580 granted Feb. 18, 1997.
Gilb's 966′ taught the use of a slot-like opening in the face of the metal connector and then bending out a tab-like member formed from the displaced material. The tab-like device has been commercially successful with thousands of hangers carrying the positive angle nailing device.
But the tab-like device has several problems as set forth as follows: (1) the punching of a slot has a similar effect of punching a large opening in the metal which tends to weaken the metal; (2) the tab protruding from the metal tends to snag on other building materials prior to installation; (3) the protruding tab has invited installers who are not familiar with the purpose of the tab to forcibly bend the tab with a hammer or pair of pliers, thereby destroying the purpose of the tab; the tab is relatively easily bent during non-aligned hammering of the fastener during installation and (5) while the cost of forming the tab is minimal, yet it does require two stations; viz, a cutting station and a bending station thereby adding to the cost of manufacture.
Gilb and Commins 941' uses angled nailing on a connector that wraps on two sides of a wood member, like a joist hanger. Angled nailing from opposite sides of the wood member cross each other forming double-shear nailing. This basically means that a force pulling on one direction pulls the opposite nail deeper into the wood. This only works on a connector that wraps on two sides of a wood member, or in the present invention, when two connectors are used on opposite sides.
Leek's 580' uses a nail hole-sized, dome-shaped opening to angle the nail into the wood member. The dome-shape does not snag, and does not make a bigger hole in the metal connector than the nail hole itself. But it still makes a hole in the material and protrudes.
Up until this invention, the only method of making angled nailing was angling the nail hole. It was done by cutouts or by doming. No one had thought about angling the face of the connector, or if they did, how to do it properly.
There are a few connectors made for connecting sloped structural members. The Simpson Strong Tie Company catalog shows several connectors that are bent at the building site by a contractor. Their Adjustable Light Slopable Hanger (LSU), and Jack Truss Connector (TJC37) are bent in the field along a centerline of slots. Both are not patented.
The Simpson Strong Tie Company catalog shows three patented connectors for sloped structural members. Like Simpson's above connectors, all these connectors are field-bent to the desired angle. Field bending of a clip to fit on sloped structural members is described in Gibb, U.S. Pat. No. 4,410,294 granted Aug. 9, 1994; Callies, U.S. Pat. No. 5,230,198 granted Jul. 27, 1993; and Horne, U.S. Pat. No. 6,772,570 granted Aug. 10, 2004.
3. Objects and Advantages
Accordingly, several objects and advantages of my invention are that it helps secure intersecting structural members of a building to make the building a solid unit and helping prevent it from being destroyed by hurricanes and earthquakes.
One advantage is this invention doesn't split the wood, because the nail is driven away from the edge of the wood. When the invention is installed, it helps hold the edge of the wood together.
Another advantage is that the driven nail is at an acute angle into the heart of the wood member. A nail driven perpendicular near the edge of a flush face is more prone to forces that can pull straight on the nail. But an angled nail must usually be sheared, as it's difficult to pull it out from the heart of the wood at an angle. Wind or seismic events usually create forces that try to pull structural members straight apart.
Still another advantage is that this invention can use a longer nail in the wood. A 2×4 is actually 1½ inches thick. This invention puts the nail at an angle into the heart of the wood. That means that a 2½-inch nail can be used, instead of a 1½-inch nail. Two inches of the nail will be angled into the wood. A longer nail means deeper penetration into the wood member.
Another advantage is that this invention makes it easier to nail. By placing the nailing surface at an angle to the intersecting structural members, a contractor can easily swing a hammer, and hit the nail head squarely with the hammer. Most other connectors have the nails near the edge of the structural member, and perpendicular to it making nailing difficult.
Still another advantage of this invention is that it is stronger than prior art connectors because of the double bend at the angled nail, instead of a single bend. This invention lies against both structural members. This invention is simple to manufacture. This invention uses a nail hole with no deformation. This invention has no snagging.
Another advantage is that this invention helps prevent wood structural members from twisting and flexing during strong winds and seismic events, thereby preventing detaching of structural members from each other. It stiffens the connection of two intersecting structural members, helping to transfer lateral or lifting loads throughout the building and into the foundation.
Still another advantage is this invention helps prevent splitting of laminated wood members such as plywood glued laminated timbers (glulam and prefabricated wood joists (microlams). This invention drives nails at an acute or right angle into the layers of the plywood.
During an earthquake or a hurricane, a building with this invention will be a sturdier unit, resisting and transferring destructive forces to the ground.
Many homes were constructed with the best materials and by competent carpenters, but used the time-honored method of connecting slopped and intersecting structural members with toe nails. Toe-nailing drives the nail from near the edge of one structural member into an adjacent structural member. This weak connection is still in use today. Earth tremors and hurricanes always destroy the weakest parts of a house. By making the connections strong, there will be less damage.
It is a further object of this invention that it easily and quickly protects houses from the destructive forces of earthquakes and hurricanes. It is a still further object that the connectors are strong, attractive, permanent, functional, uncomplicated, simple to manufacture, easy to install, and economical. All embodiments can be made from a single sheet metal blank, without welding.
As a retrofit, a handy homeowner can install this invention, or have it installed. The homeowner can easily see that the home is protected instead of wondering if metal connectors were installed correctly during construction, or installed at all. As a retrofit, an insurance agent can observe that the home is protected and give appropriate discounts. Perspective home buyers can perceive that the building is protected, so the seller can ask for a better price.
Since this invention cradles the structural member, and has a wide base anchored to the member, torsional twisting and flexing of the member is significantly reduced over prior art hurricane clips, as is cross-grain splitting. Edges of the connector are slightly rounded for strength, ease of handling, and avoiding stress-fracturing associated with sharp corners.
These and other objectives of the invention are achieved by simple and economical connectors that allow a contractor or home owner to easily secure the weakest parts of a building against earth tremors and high winds. Advantages of each will be discussed in the description. Further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description.


The present invention provides for a mobile radio communications device operative to signal a non-access stratum message to a mobile radio communications network device, for establishing and/or maintaining network connection, the device being arranged to include within the message a flag indicating the availability of extended NAS messaging found within an additional message separate from, but forming an extension to the non-access stratum message, and also for a signaling structure to be employed by such a device and a network device for exchanging signaling therewith and of course to related methods of such devices.

As mobile radio communications network technology continues to evolve, a large number of network users employ equipment operating in accordance with Second Generation (2G) specifications in addition, or alternatively, to Third Generation (3G) UMTS specifications. GSM specifications have offered stable functionality, in particular for the Circuit Switched (CS) domain, for many years.
However, with the ongoing development and system evolutions noted above and in accordance with the Third Generation Partnership Protocol (3GPP), for example, for Evolved Packet System (EPS), it has been found that some modifications have become necessary even within the CS domain. In particular, it has become necessary to introduce further information into, for example, initial Non-Access Stratum (NAS) messages such as those arising as part of a location updating procedure, for example the so-called LOCATION UPDATING REQUEST message.
As noted in 3GPP TS 24.008, Release-9 requires the addition of a Circuit Switched fallback Mobile Terminated call (CSMT) flag to be added to the LOCATION UPDATING REQUEST message whereas, in Release-10, a Circuit Switched fallback Mobile Originated call (CSMO) flag was also added.
Thus, it has been found that, for example, the LOCATION UPDATING REQUEST message has been identified as an appropriate host for an ever increasing amount of information and such requirement is likely to continue into the future.
However, a particular issue arises when considering 2G/GSM operation in that the initial NAS messages sent by the UE, such as the LOCATION UPDATING REQUEST message sent when establishing a dedicated connection with the network, exhibits a limitation of size of the message of twenty octets.
This limitation arises from the maximum number of octets in the information field of an Unnumbered Information-Frame (UI-Frame) when sent on the Standalone Dedicated Control Channel SDCCH.
This is clearly evidenced in the following excerpt from 3GPP TS 44.006, "8.8.3 Maximum number of octets in an I, UI, SABM and UA frame partially or entirely available for the information field (N201)
The maximum number of octets partially or entirely available for the information field (N201) is:                for frames of format A and B:                    for the SACCH: N201=18;            for the FACCH and SDCCH: N201=20,                        for frames of format Bbis:                    for BCCH, AGCH, NCH and PCH: N201=23;                        for frames of format Bter:                    for the SACCH: N201=21;            for the FACCH and SDCCH: N201=23;                        for frames of format B4:                    for the SACCH: N201=19."
As noted above, the LOCATION UPDATING REQUEST message is one such message which exhibits a limitation in length which, at present, is as noted in the above-mentioned Technical Specification is twenty octets. The LOCATION
UPDATING REQUEST message has to remain compliant with this maximum length since, as noted in 3GPP TS 44.005, "for unacknowledged operation the data link layer does not offer segmentation services".
In further detail, and with reference to the 3GPP TS 24.008 sub clause 9.2.15, in Release-8 only two octets are available for extending the LOCATION UPDATING REQUEST message and when employing the IMSI mobile entity. However, and as noted from the above mentioned references to Releases 9 and 10, these two available octets have already found use. While in Release-9, only one octet remained available for extending the LOCATION UPDATING REQUEST, in Release-10, both the spare octets were employed, and no more octets remain available for further extending the content of the LOCATION UPDATING REQUEST message.
While proposals have been made to optimize the usage of any remaining bits within the LOCATION UPDATING REQUEST message, the actual size of the message nevertheless remains a limiting factor.


A hardware-based method is provided for allocating shared resources in a system-on-chip (SoC). The SoC includes a plurality of processors and at least one shared resource, such as an input/output (IO) port or a memory. A queue manager (QM) includes a plurality of input first-in first-out memories (FIFOs) and a plurality of output FIFOs. A first application writes a first request to access the shared resource. A first application programming interface (API) loads the first request at a write pointer of a first input FIFO associated with the first processor. A resource allocator reads the first request from a read pointer of the first input FIFO, generates a first reply, and loads the first reply at a write pointer of a first output FIFO associated with the first processor. The first API supplies the first reply, from a read pointer of the first output FIFO, to the first application.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to an integrated circuit (IC) system-on-chip (SoC) and, more particularly, to a system and method for allocating SoC shared resources between processors using a hardware queue manager and resource allocator.
2. Description of the Related Art
A system may include multiple central processing units (CPUs), also referred to as processors, cores, or microprocessors, running in the same system. A single SoC may have multiple systems or a system may include multiple SoCs, with multiple CPUs on each SoC. Due to contention between CPUs, it is difficult to share the same resource (e.g., a memory or input/output (IO) port). Because of this issue, a conventional system is setup to have IO resource dedicated to each CPU. For example, if the SoC has two cores and two peripheral component interconnect (PCI) ports, each PCI port is dedicated to a corresponding CPU. Thus, even though there are two physical PCI ports available in the system, effectively only one is available for a given CPU. As another example, an SoC can have four CPU cores, 4 PCIe (PCI express) interfaces, 3 universal serial bus (USB) interfaces, and 4 Ethernet interfaces, where each interface is dedicated to a different CPU.
As today's applications require more computing power and IO data centric processing, there is commercial pressure to reduce the die size of the semiconductor device, increase performance, reduce cost, reduce power, and increase throughput. It would be advantageous if the number of CPU dedicated resources could be reduced by having the CPUs share. However, because CPUs run different applications, which are generally not aware of the usage of other CPU's applications, it is difficult to share resources. Further, even though there are multiple IOs in the system, the dedication of resources to specific CPUs introduces an overall restriction in system usage if each application cannot efficiently perform using only one dedicated IO resource.
It would be advantageous if a simple hardware mechanism could be used to establish resource access priority, with software-based locking to support resource grants and tracked resource usage.

Method and system for queuing a request by a processor to access a shared resource and granting access in accordance with an embedded lock ID


A system, method, and program for providing language translators with contextual information for the text to be translated. The translator is presented with a graphical user interface in the base language, and can interactively translate each text label on the screen. Because the translation is performed on the text in the proper context, by editing the text withing the target application itself, the time and expense of Translation Verification Testing is reduced or eliminated. The ability to edit the text within the application is achieved by adding an editor function to the software application itself. Each text label in the application is stored in a localization file as a Java wrapper class component, which combines contextual information, such as the associated resource bundle name and key, with the text label itself. When the editor is activated, the translator can edit the text directly, and the contextual information is used to store the translation for later use.

1. Technical Field
The present invention generally relates to tools for developing software for international use and in particular to multi-language software development. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to an improved system and method for performing language translation in computer software.
2. Description of the Related Art
Software Internationalization
As computers have become more prevalent, it has become desirable for software developers to be able to market their products to those people who do not speak the native language of the software developers. In particular, it is desirable that software developed in the English language be available to those persons, both in the United States and in the rest of the world, that do not speak English. Accordingly, many software applications that are developed in English are later translated for use by non-English speakers.
The process of translating a software package into another (or more than one other) language is time-consuming and expensive. Each text message, menu, and button must be translated to allow the user to operate the program. The most direct way to do this is to search the entire program source code for every text string, i.e., every string of characters that would be displayed to the user, and translating each of these to the new language.
This approach has several problems. One problem is that the use of this method means that the software must be specifically translated and compiled for each intended language. This, of course, is an expensive process in itself, and means that any change in the source code requires each language version of the code to be edited and recompiled.
FIG. 2 shows an example of hardcoded labels in a Java application. In this Figure, window 200 shown with two graphical user interface (GUI) xe2x80x9cbuttonsxe2x80x9d 210 and 230. These buttons are created using a hard-coded Java xe2x80x9cJButtonxe2x80x9d call;
for example, code-line 220 calls JButton with the string argument xe2x80x9cOkxe2x80x9d, creating button 210 with text label xe2x80x9cOkxe2x80x9d.
Similarly. code-line 240 calls JButton with the string argument xe2x80x9cCancelxe2x80x9d, creating button 220 with text label xe2x80x9cCancelxe2x80x9d. To translate a software application which uses hard-coded strings as in FIG. 2, each line of the code must be parsed and each displayed string must be individually translated for each target language.
One solution to this problem is the use of separate localization files, in which the text strings that are to be displayed are stored separately from the executable code itself. As the software is executed, the text for every given display screen is simply read from the localization files, in whichever language is stored in the file. In this manner, the text in the localization file can be translated without disturbing the executable, and the executable can be changed or replaced without disturbing the translated text (except, of course, that if the text to be displayed changes, the corresponding entries in the localization files must also be changed). The localization files may be in any number of formats, including compiled message catalogs, Java resource bundles, HTML files, and many others.
The use of localization files provides an easy way to do multiple translations, but presents an additional problem in that the translation is performed on text isolated in a separate file, without any kind of context for the translator. Because this is the case, the translation will often contain errors which would not be present if the translator had been able to perform the translation according to the context in which the text appears.
However the translation is handled, each screen of the program in operation must then be proofread to ensure that the translated text is properly displayed and properly translates the text in the context of the display.
Therefore, it has become common practice to hire individuals with backgrounds in other languages to proofread each screen of the translated program to detect any display, grammar, or translation errors. This second phase is called Translation Verification Testing (TVT).
FIG. 3 shows a chart of a translation and testing cycle according to conventional methods. A typical Company A, located in Country A, builds the application intended for Country B (310). Next, Company A packages and ships the application to Company B, located in Country B (320). Company B will then execute the application to test for any translation or internationalization errors (330). Company B will then do TVT testing, note any translation errors, and make any necessary retranslations (340). Company B then ships the corrections back to company A, and the process repeats until no more errors are found.
According to this conventional process, each time an A error is corrected or a change made in translation in Country B, the product must be rebuilt and repackaged in Country A before it is retested. Because of this, the TVT process is necessarily an expensive and time-consuming process. It would therefore be desirable to provide a means to provide additional information to the translator, and contextual information in particular, so that the initial translation is as accurate as possible. By doing so, the cost and time required for TVT testing can be reduced or eliminated.
Java
Java is two things: a programming language and a platform. In one aspect, Java is a high-level programming language, and is unusual in that each Java program is both compiled and interpreted, to make it accessible to many platforms. Java is also a software-only platform that runs on top of other, hardware-based platforms. The Java platform has two components; the Java Virtual Machine (Java VM), amd the Java Application Programming Interface (Java API).
The Java VM is the base for the Java platform and is ported onto various hardware-based platforms. The Java API is a large collection of ready-made software components that provide many useful capabilities, such as graphical user interface (GUI) widgets. The Java API is grouped into libraries (packages) of related components.
JavaBeans brings component technology to the Java platform. JavaBeans API supports reuseable, platform-independent components. Using JavaBeans-compliant application builder tools, components can be combined into applets, applications, or composite components. JavaBean components are known as Beans.
It is therefore one object of the present invention to provide an improved tool for developing software for international use.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved tool for multi-language software development.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an improved system and method for performing language translation in computer software.
The above as well as additional objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed written description.
A more efficient translation process is made possible by providing a system, method, and program for providing language translators with contextual information for the text to be translated. The translator is presented with a graphical user interface in the base language, and can then interactively translate each text label on the screen. Because the translation is performed on the text in the proper context, by editing the text withing the target application itself, the time and expense of Translation Verification Testing is reduced or eliminated. The ability to edit the text within the application is achieved by adding an editor function to the software application itself. Each text label in the application is stored in a localization file as a Java wrapper class component, which combines contextual information, such as the associated resource bundle name and key, with the text label itself. When the is activated, the translator can edit the text directly, and the contextual information is used to store the translation for later use.

Editing system for translating displayed user language using a wrapper class

International Business Machines Corporation


An image forming optical system comprising four or five lens groups in total, wherein during zooming from the wide angle end to the telephoto end, the distance between the first lens group and the second lens group increases, the distance between the second lens group and the third lens group decreases, and the distance between the third lens group and the fourth lens group changes, the first lens group comprises three lenses including a negative meniscus lens, a positive meniscus lens, and a positive lens, the second lens group includes a negative meniscus lens having a convex surface directed toward the object side and a concave surface directed toward the image side, the negative meniscus lens being located closest to the object side in the second lens group, the position of the second lens group at the telephoto end is closer to the object side than that at the wide angle end, the image forming optical system has an aperture stop that moves integrally with the third lens group, the third lens group includes a positive lens component and a negative lens component, and the fourth lens group comprises one lens.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image forming optical system and an electronic image pickup apparatus equipped with the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, digital cameras that pick up an image of an object using a solid state image pickup element such as a CCD or CMOS have replaced film cameras and become the mainstream. Furthermore, various categories of digital cameras ranging from popular-priced compact type cameras to advanced type cameras for professionals have been developed. The present invention is directed mainly to popular-priced compact type cameras.
Users of such popular-priced digital cameras generally wish to enjoy easy and simple shooting in various shooting situations anywhere at any time. For this reason, such users favor small size digital cameras, in particular cameras that are small in thickness and can be conveniently carried in a pocket of clothes or a bag.
Moreover, a further reduction in the size of the taking lens system of such cameras is demanded. In addition, zoom lenses that have a high zoom ratio and a wide angle of view at the wide angle end to allow shooting in various scenes are desired.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 2008-102165 and 04-104114 disclose zoom lenses that can be designed to have a relatively high zoom ratio. The zoom lenses disclosed in these patent documents have, in order from the object side, a first lens group having a positive refracting power, a second lens group having a negative refracting power, a third lens group having a positive refracting power, and a fourth lens group having a positive refracting power, wherein zooming is performed by changing the distances between the lens groups.

Image forming optical system and electronic image pickup apparatus using the same


A brake system for a vehicle, including: a master brake cylinder having a first chamber, a rod piston, which, together with at least one first hydraulically active surface area, bounds the first chamber, a second chamber and a floating piston; the rod piston being configured with or couplable to a second hydraulically active surface area; the second hydraulically active surface area bounding an auxiliary chamber of the master brake cylinder or of another brake cylinder, and the auxiliary chamber being attached to an accumulator chamber and/or to the hydraulic reservoir via a first nonreturn valve and a restrictor that is configured in a further fluid line.

The World Patent Application WO 2009/121645 A1 describes a hydraulic vehicle brake system. The master brake cylinder of the hydraulic vehicle brake system includes a first pressure chamber and a second pressure chamber. At an end that widens relative to the brake pedal, the master brake cylinder also has an integrated pedal travel simulator, whose volume, which is fillable with brake fluid, communicates hydraulically via a simulator valve with a brake fluid reservoir. The volume of the pedal travel simulator, which is fillable with brake fluid, and the adjacent first pressure chamber are bounded by a rod/simulator piston in the form of a stepped piston.
In addition, the German Patent Application DE 10 2011 006 327 A1 describes a brake system of the brake-by-wire type that includes a master brake cylinder having two pistons that are movably disposed therein, one piston in the form of a stepped piston having at least two hydraulically active surface areas of different sizes, the stepped piston form producing an annular volume that can be filled with hydraulic fluid, respectively brake fluid. In response to the driver actuating the master brake cylinder in the brake-by-wire mode of operation, the smaller active surface area is effective for generating a braking torque at the vehicle wheels, and at a fallback level, i.e., the larger active surface area is effective when there is a malfunction that affects brake system operation; the smaller active surface area changing over to the larger active surface area as a function of a hydraulic pressure prevailing in a pressure chamber in the master brake cylinder (respectively, of the pedal force expended).


A detection and warning system is presented. The system comprises a logic element, a conductive element, and an indicator. The conductive element is connected to the logic element. The conductive element is embedded at a predetermined location in an object such as a tire tread. When the conductive element breaks after the tire tread wears to a predetermined level, the logic element signals the indicator to warn of an unsafe condition.

Systems to detect and warn of unsafe conditions are frequently used in vehicles. Some systems detect unsafe conditions related to treads on a tire of a vehicle. A tire tread comprises a pattern of ridges or grooves made or cut into the face of a tire. Adequate vehicle tire treads are designed to grip a road surface to prevent a vehicle from sliding on the road during inclement weather. In contrast, inadequate tire treads may slide and cause a vehicle to move in an uncontrollable manner resulting in an accident. An inadequate tire tread is 1/16 inches away from a base of the tire.
There are several conventional systems that detect unsafe tire conditions. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,771,169 issued to Kaminski et al. on Aug. 3, 2004 detects an unsafe tire condition by monitoring a parameter such as tire pressure. The tire pressure is compared over time to detect tire tread separation.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,741,169 issued to Magiawala et al. on May 25, 2004 senses parameters such as tire pressure and acceleration to determine the condition of the tire. Each parameter is compared over time to determine tire tread wear. Once a significant difference is detected in one of the parameters, a warning signal is generated.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,722,192 issued to Benedict et al. on Apr. 20, 2004 also monitors tire pressure via a sensor. An antenna wirelessly signals a receiver if a significant difference in tire pressure is detected.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,631,637 issued to Losy on Oct. 14, 2003 is related to a tire pressure sensor mounting assembly coupled to the tire rim. The tire pressure is compared over time to determine whether a significant difference exists.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,666,080 issued to Buist et al. on Dec. 23, 2003 measures tire wear through pressure sensors mounted in the tire. All of these conventional sensor systems have drawbacks. For example, sensors add cost to detection systems. Additionally, sensors may fail or may not be as accurate as is needed to precisely detect conditions such as the wear on a tire tread. Furthermore, these conventional systems require memory to compare tire pressure data. Memory also increases the cost of conventional systems. It is therefore desirable to have a system that overcomes these disadvantages.


An apparatus and method for determining a formation/fluid interaction of a target formation and a target drilling fluid is described herein. The method may include training an artificial neural network using a training data set. The training data set may include a formation characteristic of a source formation and a fluid characteristic of a source drilling fluid and experimental data on source formation/fluid interaction. Once the artificial neural network is trained, a formation characteristic of the target formation and fluid characteristic of target drilling fluid may be input. The formation characteristic of the target formation may correspond to the formation characteristic of the source formation. The fluid characteristic of the target drilling fluid may correspond to the fluid characteristic of the source drilling fluid. A formation/fluid interaction of the target formation and the target drilling fluid may be determined using a value output by the artificial neural network.

The present disclosure relates generally to modeling formation characteristics, and, more particularly, the present disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses for modeling shale/fluid interaction in wellbore servicing fluids using an artificial neural network. The wellbore servicing fluids may include, for example, fracturing fluids, completion fluids and drilling fluids, such as water based muds (WBMs).
Historically, shale instability has been a big challenge while drilling with WBMs. This shale instability leads to sloughing of shales, bore hole collapse, stuck-pipe and disintegration of shale, which leads to an increase in fines (solids). The increase in fines can create problems in rheology control and also increase the low gravity solids concentrations leading to reduced rate of penetrations. These issues typically increase the drilling time and thereby the cost of the drilling operation.
Having knowledge of certain formation characteristics, including shale instability, can increase the efficiency of the drilling operations. Specifically, knowledge of shale formation characteristics can be used to optimize drilling fluids to minimize problems that may occur during drilling operations. Unfortunately, tests to determine some formation characteristics, such as shale swelling and erosion, can be time consuming, taking up to 72 hours. When attempting to optimize drilling fluid to the formation, often multiple tests must be run. These tests add time to the drilling process, particularly if the tests are run periodically throughout the drilling process.
While embodiments of this disclosure have been depicted and described and are defined by reference to exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, such references do not imply a limitation on the disclosure, and no such limitation is to be inferred. The subject matter disclosed is capable of considerable modification, alteration, and equivalents in form and function, as will occur to those skilled in the pertinent art and having the benefit of this disclosure. The depicted and described embodiments of this disclosure are examples only, and not exhaustive of the scope of the disclosure.

Methods and apparatuses for modeling shale characteristics in wellbore servicing fluids using an artificial neural network


An engine control system derives a basic fuel supply amount on the basis of preselected parameters including an intake air volume associated value and modifies the derived basic fuel supply amount in such a manner that the modified fuel supply amount becomes equal to the basic fuel supply amount derived on the basis of the preselected parameters when the engine is not in an acceleration state satisfying a predetermined first condition, and the modified fuel supply amount varies at a greater rate than variation rate of the basic fuel supply amount derived on the basis of the preselected parameters when the engine is in the accelerating state satisfying the predetermined first condition. The basic fuel supply amount as modified may be further modified with a correction value during the engine accelerating state satisfying a predeermined second condition. The engine control system may further perform a spark ignition timing control system in which the spark ignition timing is determined with taking the modified fuel supply amount as an engine load representative data.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a control system for an internal combustion engine, such as for an automotive internal combustion engine. More specifically, the invention relates to an engine control system which is applicable for L-Jetronics type control system, in which an engine load representative parameter is generally monitored by means of an air flow meter, for D-Jetronics type control system, in which an engine load representative parameter is generally monitored by means of a pressure sensor monitoring an intake air pressure in an air induction system, and for so-called -N type control system, in which an engine load representative parameter is monitored by means of a throttle valve angle sensor and which can improve transition control characteristics for improving transition response ability, precision in air/fuel ratio, optimizing spark ignition timing and so forth.
2. Description of the Background Art
In one of the typical known engine control system employs an intake air pressure as an engine load representative parameter. A basic fuel supply amount, e.g. fuel injection amount, is derived on the basis of an engine load data derived on the basis of the intake air pressure, and an engine speed data. The basic fuel supply amount is corrected with a various correction coefficients, such as an engine coolant dependent correction coefficient and so forth. By correcting the basic fuel supply amount with correction coefficients, fuel supply amount is derived.
In addition, correction for the basic fuel supply amount is performed in response to acceleration and deceleration demand in engine transition condition. An acceleration and deceleration fuel supply correction coefficient is generally derived on the basis of a magnitude of variation of a throttle valve open angle.
In practice, the correction coefficient for correcting the basic fuel supply amount is derived by multiplying an acceleration and deceleration dependent correction coefficient which is derived by map look-up performed in terms of a throttle valve angular position variation rate; an engine load dependent correction coefficient derived by map look-up in terms of the basic fuel supply amount, an engine speed dependent correction coefficient derived by map look-up in terms of an engine speed; a throttle valve open angle dependent correction coefficient derived by map look-up in terms of a throttle valve open angle and an engine coolant temperature dependent correction coefficient by map look-up in terms of an engine coolant temperature.
Even in such conventional fuel supply control system, an engine acceleration characteristics tends to be degraded due to lag in compensation of required amount of fuel for making the internal periphery of an intake manifold of an air induction system wet. As a result, air/fuel mixture at the initial period in engine acceleration becomes lean to lower engine performance. In addition, the acceleration and deceleration dependent correction coefficient map is difficult to set in a map over all of the engine driving condition. Furthermore, in order to establish correction coefficient map for deriving the acceleration and deceleration dependent correction coefficient, substantial work should be done with respect to each individual engine for achieving precise acceleration and deceleration transition control. This increases cost for establishing the map and whereby cause substantial increase of the overall cost for establishing the control system.

Control system for internal combustion engine with improved transition characteristics

Japan Electronic Control Systems Company, Limited


Disclosed herein is a method of processing images based on image segmentation using higher-order correlation clustering. In an image segmentation method according to an embodiment of the present invention, an input image is segmented into superpixels. A hypergraph is constructed by connecting two or more adjacent superpixels, among the superpixels, to one another. A joint feature map is created by extracting feature vectors from respective edges of the hypergraph, and partitioning the hypergraph based on higher-order correlation clustering in consideration of specific constraints.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to an image processing method and, more particularly, to a method of processing images based on image segmentation using higher-order correlation clustering.
2. Description of the Related Art
Image segmentation refers to an important preprocessing procedure of the latest algorithm related to high-level image understanding.
An image segmentation algorithm may refer to any one of graph-based and non-graph-based algorithms. Compared to a non-graph-based image segmentation algorithm, a graph-based image segmentation algorithm exhibits consistent image segmentations.
Correlation clustering methods may be classified into graph-based, global-objective and edge-labeling algorithms, and exhibit high performance in image segmentation. However, conventional correlation clustering methods are problematic in that segment boundaries are indistinct.

Image segmentation method using higher-order clustering, system for processing the same and recording medium for storing the same

Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology


A method for regenerating pancreatic tissue using recombinant periostin protein, a nucleic acid encoding said periostin and pharmaceutical compositions comprising said periostin are disclosed. Isolation of a nucleic acid encoding a periostin isoform, panc, is also taught.

The pancreas produces digestive enzymes, as well as several important hormones, including insulin, glucagon and somatostatin. The hormone producing cells are grouped together in the Islets of Langerhans, which make up approximately 1 to 2% of the pancreas. In a healthy pancreas, insulin is produced by β-cells in the Islets of Langerhans in response to increased levels of blood glucose. There are a number of diseases that result from, or in, the loss of pancreatic tissue. These diseases include diabetes mellitus (both Type 1 and 2) and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.
Type 1 diabetes (insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus) is an autoimmune disorder in which a body's immune system attacks the β-cells, destroying them or sufficiently damaging them such that little or no insulin is produced. Although insulin replacement therapy, strict diet and careful blood glucose monitoring can limit the complications associated with diabetes, it is desirable to replace or regenerate the pancreas.
Type 2 diabetes (non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus) is a metabolic disorder that is initially characterized by insulin resistance, but ultimately characterized by the failure of pancreatic β-cells to match insulin production with insulin demand.
Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) is the inability to properly digest food due to a lack of digestive enzymes made by the pancreas. EPI is found in humans afflicted with cystic fibrosis and Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome. It is caused by a progressive loss of the pancreatic cells that make digestive enzymes. Chronic pancreatitis is the most common cause of EPI in humans. Loss of digestive enzymes leads to maldigestion and malabsorption of nutrients.
There is a need in the art to develop methods and medications for regenerating pancreatic tissue.
Surgical transplantation of the islets has not yet proven to be effective, but it is known that pancreatic cells have the ability to regenerate. Pancreas regeneration-promoting factors, such as HIP, INGAP, GLP-1, Exendin-4, have been investigated (e.g. WO 2006/096565, U.S. Pat. No. 6,114,307, and U.S. Pat. No. Re. 39,299).
Periostin is an approximately 90 kDa secreted protein, preferentially expressed in the periosteum in bone tissues. (Takeshita et al. (1993). Biochem. J., 294:271-8; Horiuchi et al. (1999). J. Bone Miner. Res., 14:1239-49). Periostin comprises an NH2-terminal secretory signal peptide, followed by a cysteine-rich domain, four internal homologous repeats, and a COOH-terminal hydrophilic domain. Within each repeat domain, two regions are highly conserved. Periostin has been identified in various cancers and its presence has been proposed as a marker and a therapeutic target for cancer (Kanno et al. (2008) Int. J. Cancer 122: 1707-18). Periostin has also been shown to be secreted by pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) and perpetuate PSC fibrogenic activity while supporting pancreatic tumor cell growth under stress conditions (Erkan, et al. (2007) Gastroenterology 132:1447-64).


Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a display panel, a display apparatus and a method for identifying fingerprints. The display panel comprises a first number of pixel units, arranged in a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and each pixel unit comprises a display element and a sensor configured to sense and identify a fingerprint. The display panel may further comprise a receiving unit, configured to receive a fingerprint signal sensed by the sensor; a controlling unit, configured to control the receiving unit to receive the fingerprint signal sensed by a second number of sensors among a first number of sensors, in response to an instruction for fingerprint identification being received, wherein any two of the second number of sensors are not adjacent to each other in the first direction and the second direction.

Silicon-based OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) microdisplay devices can effectively increase PPI (pixels per inch), but also cause problems for fingerprint identification based on silicon-based OLEDs. For example, since the PPI of an OLED pixel fabricated on a silicon substrate is very high and the density of the sensors is relatively large, an increased scanning frequency may be resulted. However, the number of touch points is limited, thus data unrelated to the touch signal may be collected. In addition, due to the high density of pixel units, the distance between the receiving lines is very small, which is prone to produce crosstalk. In addition, due to the small spacing between the sensors in adjacent pixel units, the light reflected by the ridge of the fingerprint will not only illuminate the sensor corresponding to the fingerprint pressing point, but also the sensor adjacent to the fingerprint pressing point, resulting in a distortion of light actually reflected by the fingerprint, and even generating an erroneous touch signal.

Display panel, display apparatus and method for identifying fingerprints

BEIJING BOE OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.