The invention relates compositions and method for the use of insulin-like growth factor to enhance muscle mass and strength.

The field of the invention is the use of insulin-like growth factor I to affect vertebrate muscle mass and strength.
One of the primary consequences of aging leading to significantly impaired function in the elderly population is the loss of skeletal muscle strength and mass (Lamberts et al., 1997, Science 278:419-424). Both muscle mass and strength decrease by up to one third in humans between the ages of 30 and 80 years (Tzankoff et al., 1977, J. Appl. Physiol. 43:1001-1006). In addition, selective loss of the fastest, most powerful muscle fiber types (type IIb fibers) has been documented (Grimby et al., 1982, Acta Physiol. Scand. 115:125-134). Similar age-related muscle alterations have been observed in rats and mice, indicating that the trend is maintained in other mammalian species (Larrson and Edstrom, 1986, J. Neurol. Sci. 76:69-89; Brooks and Faulkner, 1988, J. Physiol. 404:71-82).
The loss of muscle mass and strength seen in aging mammals has given impetus to the search for compounds which may slow or reverse the process. One such compound is insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), which is a peptide growth factor that is structurally related to proinsulin (Cohick et al., 1993, Ann. Rev. Physiol. 55:131-153). IGF-I is critical in mediating the growth of muscle and other tissues (Florini et al., 1996, Endocrine Reviews 17:481-517). Systemic administration of IGF-I results in increased muscle protein content and reduced protein degradation (Zdanowicz et al., 1995, Endocrinology 136:4880-4886). Moreover, over-expression of IGF-I has been correlated with muscle hypertrophy in transgenic mouse lines (Coleman et al., 1995, J. Biol. Chem. 270:12109-12116). Further, addition of IGF-I to cultures of differentiating myocytes has been shown to result in hypertrophied myotubes (Florini et al., 1989, Am. J. Physiol. 256:C701-711).
Previous studies have also suggested that there is a correlation between aging-related loss of muscle mass and strength and decreased levels of IGF-I. Lamberts et a. (1997, Science 278:419-424), demonstrated that with aging, there is a decrease in the production and activity of the growth hormone/IGF-I axis which leads to an increase in catabolic processes as exhibited by the age-related loss of muscle mass and strength. The prevention of muscle mass loss has been achieved in healthy individuals by growth hormone administration, and is associated with increases in IGF-I levels (Papadakis et al., 1996, Ann. Intern. Med. 124:708-716).
The above-stated observations may also have important implications with regard to various muscular diseases. For example, aging-related changes in skeletal muscle mirror the early functional changes observed in muscular dystrophy, albeit on a much slower time scale. Just as in the muscles of old mice, the muscles of the mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (the mdx mouse) exhibit both decreased force per cross-sectional area and preferential loss of type IIb fibers (Petrof et al., 1993, Am. J. Physiol. 265 (Cell Physiol. 34):C834-C841). These data suggest that IGF-I expression in dystrophic muscle, while not addressing the primary defect that results in increased susceptibility to injury (Petrof et al., 1993, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90:3710-3714), may increase the rate of regeneration of the muscle and thereby tend to preserve muscle function.
Although the previous studies suggested that IGF-I may be useful in preserving muscle mass, these studies failed to demonstrate functional hypertrophy. That is, although there was an increase in muscle mass (i.e., hypertrophy), there was no concomitant increase in specific muscle strength (defined as force per cross-sectional area). For example, Coleman et al. (1995, J. Biol. Chem. 270:12109-12116), demonstrated that the hypertrophic muscles of transgenic mice did not exhibit enhanced strength compared with muscle obtained from nontransgenic, but otherwise identical animals. Indeed, the hypertrophied muscles of transgenic mice, although larger, were actually weaker than their non-transgenic counterparts (Leferovich et al, 1995, J. Neurosci. 14:596-603). Thus, while there are clear indications that IGF-I may be involved in maintaining muscle mass in elderly individuals, these studies did not suggest that muscle function, as measured by strength, may be preserved by the administration of IGF-I.
To date, the only means for stimulating muscle hypertrophy involve the use of steroids which have deleterious side effects. Systemic administration of IGF-I or growth hormone has proved ineffective ans also may have deleterious side effects. Thus, there is a long-felt and unfilled need for the development of compositions and procedures for promoting growth of adult muscle, which growth also serves to enhance the overall strength of the muscle. The present invention satisfies this need.
The invention relates to a method of increasing vertebrate muscle mass and muscle strength. The method comprises administering a muscle enhancing dose of an isolated nucleic acid encoding Insulin-like Growth Factor I (IGF-I), or a modification or biologically active portion thereof, intramuscularly into a vertebrate, wherein the isolated nucleic acid is expressed in muscle cells, thereby increasing the muscle mass and the muscle strength in the muscle of the vertebrate.
In one aspect, the vertebrate is selected from a group consisting of rat, mouse, cat, dog, horse, cow, pig, sheep, goat, fish, bird, and human.
In a preferred embodiment, the vertebrate is a human.
In another preferred embodiment, the IGF-I is of the same species as the vertebrate.
In another aspect, the isolated nucleic acid is contained within a virus vector.
In yet another aspect, the muscle enhancing dose ranges from between about 1010 to about 1012 recombinant virus vector particles per gram of muscle.
In yet another aspect; the method further comprises administering to the vertebrate fibroblast growth factor or neurotropin.
The invention also relates to an isolated nucleic acid comprising a vertebrate IGF-I coding region, or a modification or portion thereof, operably linked to a muscle specific promoter/regulatory region, wherein the IGF-I coding region is flanked on the 5xe2x80x2 side by an SV40 intron sequence and wherein the IGF-I coding region is flanked on the 3xe2x80x2 end by an SV40 polyadenylation signal sequence.
In one aspect, the muscle specific promoter/regulatory region is selected from a group consisting of the myosin light chain 1/3 promoter/enhancer, the skeletal xcex1-actin promoter, the muscle creatine kinase promoter/enhancer and a muscle specific troponin promoter.
In a preferred embodiment, the muscle specific troponin promoter is the fast troponin C promoter/enhancer.
In another preferred embodiment, the muscle specific promoter/regulatory region is the myosin light chain 1/3 promoter/enhancer.
In another aspect, the muscle specific promoter/regulatory region further comprises an enhancer element operably linked to the IGF-I coding region.
In a preferred embodiment, the enhancer is the myosin light chain 1/3 enhancer.
Also included in the invention is a composition comprising a recombinant virus vector comprising an isolated nucleic acid comprising a vertebrate IGF-I coding region, or a modification or portion thereof, operably linked to a muscle specific promoter/regulatory region, wherein said IGF-I coding region is flanked on the 5xe2x80x2 side by an SV40 intron sequence and wherein said IGF-I coding region is flanked on the 3xe2x80x2 end by an SV40 polyadenylation signal sequence. The muscle specific promoter/regulatory region further comprises an enhancer element operably linked to the IGF-I coding region and the enhancer is the myosin light chain 1/3 enhancer.
In one aspect, the recombinant virus vector is selected from the group consisting of an adeno-associated virus, an adenovirus and a herpes simplex virus.
In a preferred embodiment, the recombinant virus vector is an adeno-associated virus.
Also included in the invention is a cell comprising an isolated nucleic acid comprising a vertebrate IGF-I coding region, or a modification or portion thereof, operably linked to a muscle specific promoter/regulatory region, wherein said IGF-I coding region is flanked on the 5xe2x80x2 side by an SV40intron sequence and wherein said IGF-I coding region is flanked on the 3xe2x80x2 end by an SV40 polyadenylation signal sequence.
The invention further includes a cell comprising a recombinant virus vector comprising an isolated nucleic acid comprising a vertebrate IGF-I coding region, or a modification or portion thereof, operably linked to a muscle specific promoter/regulatory region, wherein said IGF-I coding region is flanked on the 5xe2x80x2 side by an SV40 intron sequence and wherein said IGF-I coding region is flanked on the 3xe2x80x2 end by an SV40 polyadenylation signal sequence. The muscle specific promoter/regulatory region further comprises an enhancer element operably linked to the IGF-I coding region and the enhancer is the myosin light chain 1/3 enhancer.
The invention additionally includes a kit for increasing muscle mass and muscle strength in a vertebrate. The kit comprises a muscle enhancing dose of an isolated nucleic acid comprising a vertebrate IGF-I coding region, or a modification or portion thereof, operably linked to a muscle specific promoter/regulatory region, wherein said IGF-I coding region is flanked on the 5xe2x80x2 side by an SV40 intron sequence and wherein said IGF-I coding region is flanked on the 3xe2x80x2 end by an SV40 polyadenylation signal sequence, wherein the isolated nucleic acid is expressed in vertebrate muscle cells, and wherein the kit further comprises an applicator for delivering the muscle enhancing dose, and instructions for the use of the kit.
Also included in the invention is a non-human transgenic vertebrate animal comprising an isolated nucleic acid encoding IGF-I, or a modification or biologically active portion thereof.
In one aspect, the IGF-I is operably linked to a muscle specific promoter/regulatory sequence at the 5xe2x80x2 end of the IGF-I and a polyadenylation termination signal at the 3xe2x80x2 end of the IGF-I.
In another aspect, the muscle specific promoter/regulatory sequence is selected from the group consisting of the myosin light chain 1/3 promoter/enhancer, the skeletal xcex1-actin promoter, the muscle creatine kinase promoter/enhancer and a muscle specific troponin promoter.
In yet another aspect, the non-human transgenic vertebrate animal is selected from the group consisting of rat, mouse, cat, dog, horse, cow, pig, sheep, goat, fish, bird, and human.

Use of insulin-like growth factor-I in muscle

The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania


In an image processing method, a direction transforming process is performed on an image signal representing an image and in accordance with information giving specifics about an image recording technique. In cases where a marker pattern, which is represented by a marker signal, is to be appended to the image represented by the image signal, the direction and the appending position of the marker signal are determined in accordance with the information giving specifics about the image recording technique. The marker signal is appended to the image signal in accordance with the thus determined direction and the thus determined appending position of the marker signal. The marker signal is thus appended to the image signal in an appropriate state in accordance with the specifics about the image recording technique.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an image processing method and apparatus, in which a direction transforming process for reversing and/or rotating an image signal representing an image of an object is performed in accordance with information giving specifics about an image recording technique, such as the direction from which the image of the object, e.g. a patient, is recorded, and the orientation of the object in the image recording operation. This invention also relates to a recording medium, on which a program for causing a computer to execute the image processing method has been recorded and from which the computer is capable of reading the program.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It has been proposed by the applicant to use stimulable phosphors in radiation image recording and reproducing systems. Specifically, a radiation image of an object, such as a human body, is recorded on a sheet provided with a layer of the stimulable phosphor (hereinafter referred to as a stimulable phosphor sheet). The stimulable phosphor sheet, on which the radiation image has been stored, is then exposed to stimulating rays, such as a laser beam, which cause it to emit light in proportion to the amount of energy stored thereon during its exposure to the radiation. The light emitted by the stimulable phosphor sheet, upon stimulation thereof, is photoelectrically detected and converted into an electric image signal. The image signal is then subjected to image processing, such as gradation processing, and the thus obtained processed image signal is used for the reproduction of the radiation image of the object as a visible image on a recording material.
In the radiation image recording and reproducing systems described above, the operation for recording a radiation image of an object is performed with one of various image recording techniques. For example, in cases where a radiation image of the chest of a patient is to be recorded, radiation may be irradiated to the patient from the back side of the patient or from the abdomen side of the patient. Also, in the image recording operation, the patient may stand facing the stimulable phosphor sheet or may stand facing the side opposite to the stimulable phosphor sheet. The image signal having been obtained by reading out the recorded radiation image is subjected to a process for reversing or rotating the radiation image in accordance with the image recording technique, which was employed in the image recording operation, and the image signal having been obtained from the process is utilized for reproducing the radiation image as a visible image. By way of example, in cases where the image recording operation is performed, in which the patient stands facing the stimulable phosphor sheet and radiation is irradiated to the patient from the back side of the patient, the radiation image shown in FIG. 2A is obtained, in which a pattern of the heart is embedded on the left side when the radiation image is seen from the direction of irradiation of the radiation. However, when the radiation image is to be used for making a diagnosis of an illness, it is necessary that the heart pattern is located on the right side as the person, who sees the image, stands facing the image. Therefore, in such cases, as illustrated in FIG. 2B, a process for reversing the right and left sides of the image represented by the original image signal is performed on the original image signal, and a reversed image signal is thereby obtained. The reversed image signal is then utilized for reproducing a visible image. In this manner, a reproduced image, in which the heart pattern is located on the right side as the person, who sees the image, stands facing the image, can be obtained.
An operation for recording a radiation image of an object is often performed by the utilization of a marker for representing the direction from which the image of the object is recorded, the orientation of the object, e.g. a patient, in the image recording operation, or the like. The marker utilized in the image recording operation is formed from a metal, such as lead, which does not transmit radiation. For example, in cases where a radiation image of the chest of a human body is to be obtained, an L-shaped marker may be attached to an upper left corner area of the stimulable phosphor sheet, and the image pattern of the marker may be recorded together with the object image on the stimulable phosphor sheet. In such cases, the radiation image shown in FIG. 3A is obtained, in which the L-shaped marker pattern is embedded at the upper left corner area when the radiation image is seen from the direction of irradiation of the radiation. When the radiation image shown in FIG. 3A is reproduced as a visible image, the right and left sides of the image represented by the original image signal are reversed, and the image shown in FIG. 3B is obtained. In such cases, when a person sees the reproduced image, since the L-shaped marker pattern has been reversed, the person can easily recognize that the right and left sides of the image have been reversed.
Instead of the marker pattern being recorded together with the object image, it may be considered to append a digital marker signal representing the marker pattern to the image signal representing the radiation image. In cases where the marker signal is thus appended to the image signal, a radiation image can be obtained, in which the marker pattern has been appended to a desired position. Also, a marker pattern having an arbitrary shape can be embedded in the radiation image.
However, as described above, the image signal, to which the marker signal is to be appended, is often subjected to the direction transforming process through reversion or rotation in accordance with the information giving specifics about the image recording technique. Therefore, if the marker signal is directly appended to the image signal, which has been obtained from the direction transforming process, the problems described below will occur. Specifically, the problems will occur in that, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 19, in cases where the marker signal is the one representing the L-shaped marker pattern, the image represented by the image signal has been transformed in direction, but the L-shaped marker pattern is appended to the image in the form having not been transformed in direction. Therefore, the person, who sees the radiation image, will misunderstand that the radiation image is the one having not been transformed in direction, and there is the risk that an incorrect diagnosis, or the like, will be made.
The primary object of the present invention is to provide an image processing method, wherein a marker signal is capable of being appended to an image signal in an appropriate state in accordance with specifics about an image recording technique.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for carrying out the image processing method.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a recording medium, on which a program for causing a computer to execute the image processing method has been recorded and from which the computer is capable of reading the program.
The present invention provides a first image processing method, in which a direction transforming process is performed on an image signal representing an image and in accordance with information giving specifics about an image recording technique, and in which a marker pattern represented by a marker signal is appended to the image represented by the image signal, the method comprising the steps of:
i) determining a direction of the marker signal and an appending position of the marker signal in accordance with the information giving specifics about the image recording technique, and
ii) appending the marker signal to the image signal in accordance with the thus determined direction of the marker signal and the thus determined appending position of the marker signal.
The term xe2x80x9cspecifics about an image recording techniquexe2x80x9d as used herein means the direction of incidence of radiation in the image recording operation, the orientation (positioning) of an object, such as a patient, the orientation of a stimulable phosphor sheet for storing a radiation image, and the like.
The term xe2x80x9cdirection transforming processxe2x80x9d as used herein means the process for reversing and/or rotating the image signal, such that an image seen from a desired direction can be obtained when the image is reproduced from the image signal having been obtained from the process. The term xe2x80x9crotationxe2x80x9d as used herein means the operation for rotating the image, which is represented by the image signal, by a desired angle around, for example, the center of gravity on the image. The term xe2x80x9creversionxe2x80x9d as used herein means the operation for reversing the image, which is represented by the image signal, symmetrically with respect to, for example, a certain axis.
In the first image processing method in accordance with the present invention, the direction of the marker signal and the appending position of the marker signal are determined in accordance with the information giving specifics about the image recording technique. Specifically, the direction of the marker signal and the appending position of the marker signal are determined such that the direction and the appending position of a marker pattern embedded in a radiation image, which has been obtained by performing an image recording operation by use of a marker and which has then been subjected to a direction transforming process, and the direction and the appending position of the marker pattern embedded in the radiation image, which has been reproduced from the image signal (after being subjected to the direction transforming process) that is appended with the marker signal, may coincide with each other.
The term xe2x80x9cappending a marker signal to an image signalxe2x80x9d as used herein means the operation for replacing the image signal components of the image signal, which correspond to the position to be appended with the marker pattern, by the marker signal, or the operation for appending the marker signal to the image signal as an overlay signal for the image signal. The image signal, to which the marker signal is to be appended, may be the one after being subjected to the direction transforming process. Alternatively, the image signal, to which the marker signal is to be appended, may be the one before being subjected to the direction transforming process.
The first image processing method in accordance with the present invention should preferably be modified such that a size of the marker signal is altered in accordance with a size of the image, which is represented by the image signal, and/or a read-out density, with which the image signal was obtained.
Also, the first image processing method in accordance with the present invention should preferably be modified such that a marker signal representing a marker pattern having a size adapting to a size of the image, which is represented by the image signal, and/or a read-out density, with which the image signal was obtained, is selected from a plurality of marker signals, which represent marker patterns having different sizes and having been prepared previously, and
the direction and the appending position of the thus selected marker signal are determined.
Further, the first image processing method in accordance with the present invention should preferably be modified such that, in cases where the image signal components of the image signal, which correspond to the position in the vicinity of the appending position of the marker signal, take signal values (for example, in the cases of 8 bits, 255 or values close to 255) approximately identical with the signal value of the marker signal, the signal value of the marker signal is altered (such that the marker pattern becomes perceptible), and/or the signal values of the image signal components of the image signal, which image signal components correspond to the position in the vicinity of the appending position of the marker signal, are altered. The marker signal may then be appended to the image signal.
The present invention also provides a second image processing method, in which a direction transforming process is performed on an image signal representing an image and in accordance with information giving specifics about an image recording technique, and in which a marker pattern represented by a marker signal is appended to the image represented by the image signal, the method comprising the steps of:
i) performing the direction transforming process on the image signal,
ii) displaying an image, which is represented by the image signal having been subjected to the direction transforming process, together with a pointer, which indicates an arbitrary position on the image, on displaying means,
iii) altering the direction of the marker signal in accordance with the information giving specifics about the image recording technique,
iv) altering the shape of the pointer to a shape of a marker pattern, which is represented by the altered marker signal,
v) altering the position of the marker pattern on the image in accordance with a pointer position altering instruction, and
vi) appending the marker signal to the image signal in accordance with a marker pattern appending instruction given at a desired position on the image displayed on the displaying means.
The second image processing method in accordance with the present invention should preferably be modified such that a size of the marker signal is altered in accordance with a size of the image, which is represented by the image signal, and/or a read-out density, with which the image signal was obtained.
Also, the second image processing method in accordance with the present invention should preferably be modified such that a marker signal representing a marker pattern having a size adapting to a size of the image, which is represented by the image signal, and/or a read-out density, with which the image signal was obtained, is selected from a plurality of marker signals, which represent marker patterns having different sizes and having been prepared previously, and
the direction of the thus selected marker signal is altered.
Further, as in the aforesaid first image processing method in accordance with the present invention, the second image processing method in accordance with the present invention should preferably be modified such that, in cases where the image signal components of the image signal, which correspond to the position in the vicinity of the appending position of the marker signal, take signal values approximately identical with the signal value of the marker signal, the signal value of the marker signal is altered (such that the marker pattern becomes perceptible), and/or the signal values of the image signal components of the image signal, which image signal components correspond to the position in the vicinity of the appending position of the marker signal, are altered. The marker signal may then be appended to the image signal.
The present invention further provides a first image processing apparatus, which is provided with direction transforming means for performing a direction transforming process on an image signal representing an image and in accordance with information giving specifics about an image recording technique, and in which a marker pattern represented by a marker signal is appended to the image represented by the image signal, the apparatus comprising:
i) determination means for determining a direction of the marker signal and an appending position of the marker signal in accordance with the information giving specifics about the image recording technique, and
ii) marker signal appending means for appending the marker signal to the image signal in accordance with the thus determined direction of the marker signal and the thus determined appending position of the marker signal.
The first image processing apparatus in accordance with the present invention should preferably be modified such that the determination means alters a size of the marker signal in accordance with a size of the image, which is represented by the image signal, and/or a read-out density, with which the image signal was obtained.
Also, the first image processing apparatus in accordance with the present invention should preferably be modified such that the apparatus further comprises storage means for storing a plurality of marker signals, which represent marker patterns having different sizes and having been prepared previously, and selection means for selecting a marker signal representing a marker pattern having a size adapting to a size of the image, which is represented by the image signal, and/or a read-out density, with which the image signal was obtained, the selection being made from the plurality of the marker signals, which represent the marker patterns having different sizes and have been stored in the storage means, and
the determination means determines the direction and the appending position of the thus selected marker signal.
Further, the first image processing apparatus in accordance with the present invention should preferably further comprise signal value altering means for operating such that, in cases where a signal value of the marker signal and signal values of image signal components of the image signal, which image signal components correspond to the position in the vicinity of the appending position of the marker signal, approximately coincide with each other, the signal value altering means alters the signal value of the marker signal and/or the signal values of the image signal components of the image signal, which image signal components correspond to the position in the vicinity of the appending position of the marker signal.
The present invention still further provides a second image processing apparatus, which is provided with direction transforming means for performing a direction transforming process on an image signal representing an image and in accordance with information giving specifics about an image recording technique, the apparatus comprising:
i) displaying means for displaying an image, which is represented by the image signal having been subjected to the direction transforming process performed by the direction transforming means, together with a pointer, which indicates an arbitrary position on the image,
ii) marker signal altering means for altering a direction of a marker signal, which represents a marker pattern to be appended to the image represented by the image signal, in accordance with the information giving specifics about the image recording technique,
iii) pointer altering means for altering the shape of the pointer to a shape of a marker pattern, which is represented by the altered marker signal,
iv) position altering means for altering the position of the marker pattern on the image in accordance with a pointer position altering instruction, and
v) marker signal appending means for appending the marker signal to the image signal in accordance with a marker pattern appending instruction given at a desired position on the image displayed on the displaying means.
The second image processing apparatus in accordance with the present invention should preferably be modified such that the determination means alters a size of the marker signal in accordance with a size of the image, which is represented by the image signal, and/or a read-out density, with which the image signal was obtained.
Also, the second image processing apparatus in accordance with the present invention should preferably be modified such that the apparatus further comprises storage means for storing a plurality of marker signals, which represent marker patterns having different sizes and having been prepared previously, and selection means for selecting a marker signal representing a marker pattern having a size adapting to a size of the image, which is represented by the image signal, and/or a read-out density, with which the image signal was obtained, the selection being made from the plurality of the marker signals, which represent the marker patterns having different sizes and have been stored in the storage means, and
the marker signal altering means alters the direction of the thus selected marker signal.
Further, the second image processing apparatus in accordance with the present invention should preferably further comprise signal value altering means for operating such that, in cases where a signal value of the marker signal and signal values of image signal components of the image signal, which image signal components correspond to the position in the vicinity of the appending position of the marker signal, approximately coincide with each other, the signal value altering means alters the signal value of the marker signal and/or the signal values of the image signal components of the image signal, which image signal components correspond to the position in the vicinity of the appending position of the marker signal.
The present invention also provides a recording medium, on which a program for causing a computer to execute the first image processing method in accordance with the present invention has been recorded and from which the computer is capable of reading the program.
The present invention further provides a recording medium, on which a program for causing a computer to execute the second image processing method in accordance with the present invention has been recorded and from which the computer is capable of reading the program.
With the first image processing method and apparatus in accordance with the present invention, in cases where the marker pattern, which is represented by the marker signal, is to be appended to the image represented by the image signal, the direction of the marker signal and the appending position of the marker signal are determined in accordance with the information giving specifics about the image recording technique. At this time, the direction of the marker signal and the appending position of the marker signal are determined such that the direction and the appending position of a marker pattern embedded in a radiation image, which has been obtained by performing an image recording operation by use of a marker, and the direction and the appending position of the marker pattern embedded in the radiation image having been reproduced from the image signal appended with the marker signal may coincide with each other. Therefore, in accordance with the direction transforming process performed on the image signal, the marker pattern represented by the marker signal can be appended to the image represented by the image signal in the same manner as that in the cases where the image recording operation is performed by use of a marker. Accordingly, the problems can be prevented from occurring in that the person, who sees the radiation image, misunderstands the reversion of the radiation image or the direction of rotation of the radiation image and makes an incorrect diagnosis, or the like.
With the second image processing method and apparatus in accordance with the present invention, the image, which is represented by the image signal having been subjected to the direction transforming process, is displayed on the displaying means. Also, the direction of the marker signal is altered in accordance with the information giving specifics about the image recording technique. Further, the shape of the pointer, which is displayed on the displaying means, is altered to the shape of the marker pattern, which is represented by the direction-altered marker signal. Thereafter, the position of the marker pattern on the image is altered in accordance with the pointer position altering instruction. Further, the marker signal is appended to the image signal in accordance with the marker pattern appending instruction given at a desired position on the image displayed on the displaying means. Therefore, the image in the state in which the marker pattern is appended can be confirmed on the displaying means, and the marker pattern appending position can be determined easily.
With the first image processing method and apparatus in accordance with the present invention and the second image processing method and apparatus in accordance with the present invention, wherein the size of the marker signal is altered in accordance with the size of the image, which is represented by the image signal, and/or the read-out density, with which the image signal was obtained, the marker pattern adapting to the size of the image, which is represented by the image signal, and/or the read-out density, with which the image signal was obtained, can be displayed on the image. Therefore, the marker pattern which is easy to see can be obtained.
With the first image processing method and apparatus in accordance with the present invention and the second image processing method and apparatus in accordance with the present invention, the marker signal representing the marker pattern having the size adapting to the size of the image, which is represented by the image signal, and/or the read-out density, with which the image signal was obtained, may be selected from a plurality of marker signals, which represent marker patterns having different sizes and having been prepared previously, and the direction and the appending position of the thus selected marker signal may be determined, or the direction of the thus selected marker signal may be altered. In such cases,the marker pattern having the size adapting to the size of the image, which is represented by the image signal, and/or the read-out density, with which the image signal was obtained, can be displayed on the image. Therefore, the marker pattern which is easy to see can be obtained.
With the first image processing method and apparatus in accordance with the present invention and the second image processing method and apparatus in accordance with the present invention, in cases where the signal value of the marker signal and the signal values of image signal components of the image signal, which image signal components correspond to the position in the vicinity of the appending position of the marker signal, approximately coincide with each other, the signal value of the marker signal and/or the signal values of the image signal components of the image signal, which image signal components correspond to the position in the vicinity of the appending position of the marker signal, may be altered. In such cases, for example, when a white marker pattern is appended to a white region in the image, the marker pattern can be kept easy to see.


A linkage couples a pair of rotatable shafts so that the rotation of one the shafts causes rotation of the other said shaft about the some axis. The linkage includes a pair of thin flexure strips disposed in parallel between the pair of parallel rotatable shafts One end of the pair of flexure strips is coupled to one of the rotatable shafts and the other end of the pair of flexure strips is coupled to the other rotatable shaft. The pair of thin flexure strips is coupled to the shafts so that the rotation of one of the shafts will cause the flexure strips to rotate the other of the shafts. The rotatable shafts rotate around parallel axes. The flexure strips flex and bend together as the rotatable shafts rotate. The rotational motion transmitted by the flexure strips has the same axis as the rotation axis of the shafts.

Workers who make and use rotation-transmitting devices know that they are apt to exhibit excessive "play", be too noisy, and involve sliding surfaces that are too readily contaminated by ambient dust and other fine abrasives. It is an object hereof to address such problems, providing rotation-transmission (e.g. less than 90.degree.), and especially in a device which transmits small rotary motion between parallel shafts with the use of offset flexures. Small motions here means rotations less than 90 degrees. A salient object is to transmit motion between parallel shafts with no backlash (i.e.; play) and no sliding motion surfaces that can be contaminated with dirt or other foreign objects.
This is preferably done via a paired-flexure array and the bending of flexures connecting rigid links fastened to each of two parallel shafts to allow rotary motion from one shaft to be transmitted to the other, without relative sliding between the flexure and shaft or other parts. This array can be operated at high rates of actuation because of the longitudinal sliding between the flexure and shaft or other parts. It can be operated at high rates of actuation because of the longitudinal stiffness of the flexures. Absence of backlash (i.e.; play) prevents lost motion and impacts which can cause acoustic noise.
Conventional means for transmitting motion between parallel shafts involve devices that have backlash (i.e.; play) which can be a source of acoustic noise, (e.g. from gears and linkages). Relative motion at the joints of these devices can also produce wear. The same is true of belt or cable couplings. Furthermore, these devices can easily be contaminated by foreign matter such as paper dust, sand, dirt, or other abrasive materials from environments in which these mechanisms may be required to operate. The use of seals to keep these contaminants out is cumbersome, and the seals themselves can be a source of wear. Adding seals to the coupling joints also adds mass, a detriment for high speed actuation. [e.g. see "Flexure devices--for economic action", Machine Devices and Instrumentation, NP Chironis, ed., McGraw-Hill, 1966, pp. 176-177, which shows motion devices using flexures but no paired-flexure couplings, as with this invention].
This invention gives a simple means of avoiding the above mentioned problems when small rotations are to be transmitted between parallel shafts. It can undergo an infinite number of actuations theoretically if the flexures are designed such that the stresses they experience are less than the endurance limit for their material. Steel, a common flexure material, may be used for example.
Thus, it is an object hereof to ameliorate (at least some of) such problems and to provide (at least some of) such advantageous features.


A resilient drumstick sleeve assembly comprises a drumstick and a resilient tubular polymeric sleeve fitted onto and covering the tapered neck section of the drumstick. The sleeve has a length of between about one inch to about seven inches and a thickness of between about 1/64 inch to about 1/8 inch and is provided with fluorescent coloration. The resilient drumstick sleeve assembly reduces drumstick breakage and provides the option of using the resilient sleeve to create new drumming sonics.

Drummers with an energetic drumming style such as rock band drummers have a tendency to break the tips off their drumsticks with great regularity. This arises because of gradual wear and chipping away of the drumstick as it hits against drum rims and cymbals. In addition, sudden cracking of the drumstick can be caused by a high velocity impact of the drumstick against a drumming surface. For example, a drummer in a heavy metal band may destroy as many as twenty drumsticks during the course of a single performance.
It would be desirable if a drumstick's durability could be enhanced to lengthen the drumstick's operating life.


A first process executing in a computer system in a data grid receives a request to perform at least one transaction operation of a transaction based on remote transaction data of at least one other process in the data grid. The at least one other process is capable to perform a prepare operation for a transaction. The first process identifies a local copy of the remote transaction data in a local data structure and performs the at least one transaction operation using the local copy of the remote transaction data without acquiring a lock on the remote transaction data.

In traditional data storage systems, such as databases, consistency is usually achieved by a data locking mechanism to prevent data from being corrupted or invalidated when multiple users try to write to the same data. When a lock of the data is acquired for a transaction, the transaction has access to the locked data until the lock is released. Databases support the XA (X/Open XA) architecture and XA transactions, which are transactions that consist of multiple operations that access resources. For example, a banking application may conduct an XA transaction that consists of two operations (1) deduct money from a first bank account and (2) add money to a second bank account. The second account may be in another database system. Typically, either both of the operations relating to the XA transaction will be permanent, if successful, or none of them will occur. The XA standard uses a two-phase commit (2PC) protocol to ensure that all resources enlisted within a transaction either commit or rollback to a previous state. The first phase is preparation. If preparation is successful, the second phase of commitment can be initiated.
A pessimistic locking approach typically acquires locks with each write operation of a transaction. For example, a lock may be acquired when the first bank account balance is changed and a lock may be acquired when the second account balance is changed. In an optimistic locking approach, locks are usually not acquired until a transaction is being completed. For example, the transaction can change the account balances for the two bank accounts within its own transactions scope, even if the accounts are accessed by another transaction at the same time without acquiring a lock. In a typical distributed hybrid optimistic-pessimistic locking approach, local locks may be acquired as a transaction progresses and remote locks may be acquired when a transaction is prepared for a commitment.
Generally, when a database utilizes a pessimistic or a hybrid locking approach, the database throughput is greatly reduced because the database waits to acquire a lock for each operation for one transaction and waits until a lock is released to allow another transaction access to the same data. In a database, the transaction data is maintained by a single operating system process. Thus, even when a lock is acquired using optimistic locking, for example, during the commit phase of a transaction, other transactions are still not able to access the locked data. For example, if a first transaction has acquired a lock on data in the database and a second transaction wishes to access the same data, the second transaction waits until the lock is released because the data is not available elsewhere.
Data grids are an alternative to databases. A data grid distributes data across multiple operating system processes. The operating system processes can run an instance of a data grid application and can use a distribution algorithm to determine which processes in the data grid have the data for a transaction. Each process can own data and allow other processes access to the data. Unlike a database, the distributed data of a data grid removes single points of failure. Data grids that support XA transactions typically implement a pessimistic or hybrid locking approach and usually face the same shortcomings of having a greatly reduced throughput. Even if a data grid implements an optimistic locking approach, the data grid is usually not operating efficiently because the data grid keeps copies of the data for the optimistic locking in the same place where the data is actually located. Storing copies with that in the same location as the actual data may involve an increased number of expensive remote calls when the same data is accessed repeatedly in the scope of a transaction.

Supporting transactions in distributed environments using a local copy of remote transaction data and optimistic locking


A reservation request is received from a player of a gaming system as to a reservation time, a desired gaming terminal and a desired game. The request is processed, and if acceptable, the reservation is made.

Currently, some gaming machines are equipped to enable a player to lock a gaming machine, for example, while the player takes a break from the gaming machine. These existing systems use a card such as a magnetic card used in a loyalty system in order for the player to lock the gaming machine. When a player returns to the machine they either enter the PIN of the loyalty or re-enter the swipe card depending on the particular implementation and the gaming machine is unlocked.
It would be desirable to allow gaming machines to be reserved in a wider range of circumstances.

Reservation controller, gaming system and a reservation method

Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited


A method of depositing a coating by vapor deposition. The method including ionizing a process gas, generating a metal vapor and creating a metal flow having a metal atom flow density in the range of 1E14 m−3 to 1E24 m−3. The method also includes providing a thermionic emission from a thermionic ionizing grid including thermionic filaments, wherein said ionizing filament grid is at least partially located within said region having a metal atom flow density in the range of 1E14 m−3 to 1E24 m−3, and coating a substrate with the metal vapor.

Vapor deposition may be generally understood as a mechanism of producing a film or coating and may include physical vapor deposition and chemical vapor deposition. In physical vapor deposition, a vaporized form of the coating material may condense on a substrate surface forming the coating. In chemical vapor deposition, one or more precursors may react and/or decompose on a substrate surface forming the coating. Conventional methods of vapor deposition, such as electron beam physical vapor deposition and magnetron sputtering may be used to produce metallic coatings. However, coatings produced in such a manner may exhibit relatively low density, poor adhesion, poor structure and/or poor morphology.

Method for producing an ionized vapor deposition coating


An apparatus and method for power saving using predictive polling in a portable terminal are provided. A method for predictive polling for a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card in a portable terminal includes determining whether a network state of a portable terminal is changed, when the network state is changed, determining whether the portable terminal is in a restricted service state or no-service state, when the portable terminal is in the restricted service state or no-service state, disabling SIM card polling, and when the portable terminal is not in the restricted service state or no-service state, enabling the SIM card polling.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of portable terminals and more particularly to an apparatus and method for reducing battery power consumption and Central Processing Unit (CPU) utilization rate in a portable terminal.
2. Description of the Related Art
SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) polling makes it possible to identify SIM card installation or non-installation in a portable terminal and makes it possible for a user to use a network service.
SIM card removal or non-removal is identified at an interval of 30 seconds in accordance with the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standard Technical Specification (TS) 31.101 (see www.3GPP.org) In addition, a Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC) is another technology that can include several cards such as a Universal SIM (USIM) card, a SIM card, etc. that may be used to provide several kinds of services in a portable terminal.
In order to identify SIM card installation or non-installation, there is a need for polling between a SIM card and a portable terminal. This polling is carried out regardless of the type of an installed card, i.e., basic SIM card, a USIM card, etc. and regardless of a mode (e.g., a Packet Switched (PS) mode, a Circuit Switched (CS) mode, a SIM card access mode) of the portable terminal.
Typically, the portable terminal is mostly in an idle state except when being in voice call telephony or using a packet call (e.g., data transmission). However, even in the idle state, much polling occurs between the portable terminal and the SIM card. This is a cause of a waste of resources of a controller (i.e., a CPU) of the portable terminal.
This unnecessary polling consumes system resources or controller resources, thus increasing battery power consumption and problematically reduces a time of the use of the portable terminal.

Apparatus and method for power saving using predictive polling in a portable terminal

Samsung-ro, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do


In relation with this mechanism for stopping an elevator car is, for the monitoring of the speed of the elevator car, an overspeed governor provided which works based on the swing lever principle, whereby the movement of the elevator car will be transferred by means of a governor rope to the overspeed governor. The governor rope extends itself over the entire shaft height and will be returned at the lower shaft end by means of a deflection sheave and stretched by means of counterweight as well as guided at the upper shaft end over a pulley of the overspeed governor. The ends of the governor rope are fastened on a release mechanics arranged on the elevator car and such release mechanics operates in an emergency a safety gear arranged on the elevator car. With the overspeed of the elevator car a rope brake is released upwards.

An overspeed governor supervising the driving speed of an elevator car is known from patent document DE 36 15 270 C2 (also GB 2,179,795A). The elevator car moves a pulley with an integrated locking rim over a wire rope. A valve timing gear displaces a swing catch with a swing lever in oscillating motions. An operating lever is fixed on the swing lever in a rotational manner, and the operating lever is held in a rest position opposite the swing lever by means of a retaining mechanism. The upper end of the operating lever is formed as an operating bow, at the lower end is located the releasing catch, protuberant opposite a swing catch. Both catches are placed between two locking rim teeth whenever the swivel-join roller stands on a cam. When the swivel-join roller stands between two cams, both catches are raised from the track of the locking rim teeth. In that way, the locking rim teeth passes without acting on the catches. In case of overspeed, the swivel-join roller raises from the valve timing gear. The release catch remains immersed in the locking rim track. A locking rim tooth acts on the release catch and drives out the operating lever. In that way, the operating bow switches off the gear via a switch. With further rise of the car speed, the swing catch dips into the locking rim track and blocks the pulley over the locking rim teeth. The force for the re-lease of a safety gear is developed through the friction in the rope groove.
A disadvantage of such a known mechanism lies in the fact that the stopping of the elevator car can also take place if no necessity exists.

Mechanism for indenting a safety gear for an elevator car


The disclosure describes artificial chimeric transcription factors that include at least one zinc finger domain and that can regulate cellular differentiation, for example, a neuronal cell phenotype or an osteoblast phenotype.

Most genes are regulated at the transcriptional level by polypeptide transcription factors that bind to specific DNA sites within the gene, typically in promoter or enhancer regions. These proteins activate or repress transcriptional initiation by RNA polymerase at the promoter, thereby regulating expression of the target gene. Many transcription factors, both activators and repressors, include structurally distinct domains that have specific functions, such as DNA binding, dimerization, or interaction with the transcriptional machinery. The DNA binding portion of the transcription factor itself can be composed of independent structural domains that contact DNA. The three-dimensional structures of many DNA-binding domains, including zinc finger domains, homeodomains, and helix-turn-helix domains, have been determined from NMR and X-ray crystallographic data. Effector domains such as activation domains or repression domains retain their function when transferred to DNA-binding domains of heterologous transcription factors (Brent and Ptashne, (1985) Cell 43:729-36; Dawson et al., (1995) Mol. Cell Biol. 15:6923-31).
Artificial transcription factors can be produced that are chimeras of zinc finger domains. For example, WO 01/60970 (Kim et al.) describes methods for determining the specificity of zinc finger domains and for constructing artificial transcription factors that recognize particular target sites. One application for artificial transcription factors is to alter the expression of a particular target gene. Target sites are identified in the regulatory region of the target gene, and artificial transcription factors are engineered to recognize one or more of the target sites. When such artificial transcription factors are introduced into cells, they may bind to the corresponding target sites and modulate transcription. This strategy for controlling the expression of a target gene is sometimes referred to as the "target-driven" approach for identifying transcription factors.

Zinc finger transcription factor differentiation proteins


In a pulp washing system where there is substantially constant average weight of pulp mat (on a dry pulp basis), washing uniformity is improved by controlling the weight per unit area of liquid alone or liquid and pulp combined in the pulp mat across its width to obtain a substantially constant distribution of selected property in the pulp mat across its width. This is accomplished by steps comprising determining the property in a plurality of selected locations across the width of the pulp mat and also the average value of the property across the width and controlling dilution liquid input into the headbox in response to the determination to produce of substantially constant distribution of the property across the width of the mat.

My copending application Ser. No. 07/170,299, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,840,704 is directed to controlling filtrate recirculation to obtain a substantially constant average mass of pulp mat on a pulp washing surface. However the distribution of recirculated filtrate is not controlled. This wouldn't matter if the amount of pulp and water across the width of the washing surface were uniform and if the formed pulp mat were dried uniformly but this is not the case because in current practice recirculated filtrate is distributed by a header with slots and baffles which do not accommodate to change in tonnage rates and because in current practice there is inefficient mixing in a cross direction in the headbox and because the apertured drying surface can become clogged in parts.
It is an object herein in one embodiment to control distribution of dilution liquid to obtain more uniform washing operation by the showers that are applied.
It is an object herein in other embodiments to obtain more uniform distribution of one or more of various properties in the pulp mat, e.g., mass of pulp and water, mass of water, dilution factor, displacement factor, dielectric loss, concentration of sulfur and/or sodium.

Process for producing a constant distribution of a selected property across the width of pulp mat on a pulp washing surface


A method executed by a computer includes searching a design subject having similar attribute information from attribute information on a design subject designed in the past and histories of descriptions of improvements based on input information on a design subject; obtaining a description of an improvement on the searched design subject having similar attribute information from the histories, obtaining a design subject the description of an improvement of which has an effect of the improvement, and outputting improved input information, wherein the attribute information contributing to the improvement of the design subject is obtained and reflected in the input information, and the history of the improved input information is stored.

1. Field
The present art relates to a design method and a recording medium and, in particular, to a design method for designing a design subject such as a part, and a device and a computer readable recording medium storing a program that causes a computer to implement the design method.
2. Description of the Related Art
When a designer designs a new apparatus and new part, the designer refers to an apparatus designed in the past and a part designed in the past having the same effect.
In a related art, a difference between the part designed in the past and the new part under design is displayed. The designer can design the new part to have the effect of the part designed in the past by referring to the display information. The effect may decrease processing costs of the part.
Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication 11-167587 disclosed a computer aided design method judging a combination of shapes of parts.
Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication 2001-14373 disclosed a computer aided design method correlating some processed units.
But it is not easy to design a part having a specified effect by referring to display information. So, a designer may design a part that does not have the effect. As a result, the number of man-hours needed to design the part may increase, or a processing cost of the part may increase.


A second insulation layer which is formed by stacking a plurality of layers made of different materials in a mutually contact manner is formed such that the second insulation layer covers a source region and a drain region and also covers a gate electrode from above. A first contact hole which reaches one of the source region and the drain region and a recessed portion which is arranged above the gate electrode but is not communicated with the gate electrode are simultaneously formed on the second insulation layer by dry etching. A first line layer is formed so as to cover the first contact hole. After forming the first line layer, a bottom surface of the recessed portion is etched by dry etching thus forming a second contact hole which reaches the gate electrode in the first and second insulation layers. A second line layer is formed on the second contact hole.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a display device and a manufacturing method of the display device.
2. Description of the Related Art
As a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) substrate which is used for forming a liquid crystal panel, there has been known a TFT substrate which adopts the bottom gate structure in which a gate of each thin film transistor is positioned below a source and a drain of the thin film transistor. For protecting the transistor, it is desirable to form both an SiO2 layer and an SiN layer on the transistor. In stacking the SiO2 layer and the SiN layer continuously, to etch the respective layers continuously, it is necessary to adopt a dry etching method. However, when the dry-etching method is adopted, the source and the drain are etched before etching reaches the gate. On the other hand, when a wet-etching method is adopted, since the etching advances isotropically, side etching occurs. Further, when lines are formed by etching the SiO2 layer and, thereafter, the SiN layer is formed and etched, a surface of the SiO2 layer is contaminated with SiN.

Display device and manufacturing method thereof


Described is a hybrid notch antenna comprising a flared notch antenna structure and a transverse electromagnetic (TEM) horn structure having walls disposed through or attached to the notch antenna structure member such that the TEM horn is integrated with the notch antenna to form a hybrid TEM/notch antenna.

Radiation of electromagnetic signals having high-power and arbitrary polarizations over ultra-wide frequency bandwidths from size-constrained installations are required for many applications. To meet such requirements, multiple antennas covering different frequency bands and polarizations are typically used. It would, therefore, be desirable to provide a single antenna which can meet the high-power, arbitrary polarization, and ultra-wide frequency bandwidth with a compact structure.


This document describes techniques and systems that enable battery state estimation. The techniques and systems may be used to determine a shut-down voltage for a battery of an electronic device. Additionally or alternatively, the techniques and systems may be used to determine a state-of-charge of the battery, which may be determined relative to the shut-down voltage. The techniques and systems use current or expected conditions at the battery to estimate the battery state. These techniques can allow the electronic device to dynamically set a shut-down voltage, rather than using a fixed shut-down voltage over the life of the electronic device. The dynamically set shut-down voltage can provide a low margin, and therefore a greater portion of battery capacity, when operating in good conditions and provide a relatively large margin that is sufficient for poor conditions.

Mobile electronic devices are used for communication, navigation, shopping, game-play, augmented-reality (AR) interactions, and many other functions. With constant improvement of computing speeds, wireless communication bandwidth, and displays, mobile electronic devices are demanding increasing amounts of power. In addition to the demand for increasing amounts of power, consumers seek out mobile electronic devices that are light-weight, thin, and designed to last a full day on a single charge. For these reasons, an efficient and well-configured battery is important for mobile electronic devices.
Conventional mobile electronic devices are configured with a fixed undervoltage lockout (UVLO) voltage level, such that when a battery of a mobile electronic device is below the UVLO, a mobile electronic device may suffer a system failure. To prevent falling below the UVLO voltage level and causing a system failure, the mobile device is also configured with a fixed shut-down voltage ("0% state" or "empty voltage") level that is set at a fixed margin above the UVLO voltage level. When a voltage level of the battery falls below the empty voltage level, the mobile electronic device can safely shut down without falling below the UVLO voltage level. However, when configuring the battery, manufacturers must decide between setting the empty voltage level at a fixed margin that is configured for poor conditions, which unnecessarily reduces battery capacity when operating in good conditions, or at a fixed margin that is configured for good conditions, which risks falling below the UVLO when operating in poor conditions.


A heat exchanger is provided that is capable of performing heat exchange more efficiently by using slits. The heat exchanger includes a refrigerant pipe for allowing a refrigerant to flow therethrough, at least one fin disposed such that the refrigerant pipe penetrates through the at least one fin for performing heat exchange with air passing by the at least one fin, at least one slit formed by partially cutting out the at least one fin, and at least one slit fin extending from the at least one fin adjacent to one side edge of the at least one slit for inducing turbulent flow in air flowing along a flow channel spaced a predetermined distance from the at least one fin. The width of the at least one slit is greater than or equal to ⅓ of the diameter of the refrigerant pipe. Turbulent flow is induced in air flowing through the heat exchanger by one side edge of the slit disposed downstream of the flow direction of air. Consequently, heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger is improved.

1. Field of the Invention
An apparatus consistent with the present invention relates to a heat exchanger and, more particularly, to a heat exchanger having slit fins for improving heat exchange efficiency.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, a heat exchanger is applied to a cooling system for performing heat exchange between a refrigerant and air. An example of the heat exchanger, which is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. H 11-173785, comprises a refrigerant pipe along which a refrigerant flows, and a plurality of fins disposed such that the refrigerant pipe penetrates through the fins for increasing a heat exchange area between the refrigerant pipe and air, whereby the refrigerant flowing along the refrigerant pipe is effectively heat-exchanged with the air by means of the fins.
Each fin of the heat exchanger, as mentioned above, is provided with a plurality of slits, by which turbulent flow is created around the fin to improve heat exchange efficiency. The slits are formed by partially cutting out the fin predetermined lengths at predetermined positions. At the fin adjacent to one side edge of the slit is integrally formed a slit fin, which extends from the fin such that the slit fin is partially spaced a predetermined distance from the fin for inducing turbulent flow in air flowing while being at a predetermined distance from the fin.
In the heat exchanger as mentioned above, the slits are incidentally obtained when the slit fins are formed at the fin. However, the width of each slit is less than that of each slit fin with the result that the slit has relatively little influence on air flowing through the heat exchanger, and thus does not improve heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger.


Disclosed is an inverter, a NAND element, a NOR element, a memory element and a data latch circuit which exhibit high tolerance to single event effect (SEE). In an SEE tolerant inverter (3I), each of a p-channel MOS transistor and a n-channel MOS transistor which form an inverter is connected in series with an additional second transistor of the same conductive type as that thereof so as to form a double structure (3P1, 3P2; 3N1, 3N2). Further, a node A between the two p-channel MOS transistors and a node (B) between the two n-channel MOS transistors are connected together through a connection line. Each of an SEE tolerant memory element and an SEE tolerant data latch circuit comprises this SEE tolerant inverter (3I).

A semiconductor device, such as a memory device or a data latch circuit, has a storage node consisting of a combination of two inverters. If high-energy particle beams, such as energetic radiations or ions, strike a conventional inverter in operation, the energetic particles are likely to leave behind electron-hole pairs in elements of the inverter, or generate electric charges, as a result of their actions on the elements, such as ionization and excitation. The generated electric charges may cause the so-called "single-event transient phenomenon" that they flow in various regions of the inverter according to electric fields in the elements, and the occurrence of such phenomenon leads to malfunctions of the elements, for example, transiently flipping or inverting an output of the inverter. The phenomenon occurring in an inverter constituting a memory device is likely to cause a serious malfunction or inversion of stored information. This effect is referred to as "single event effect (SEE) (in this case, single event upset (SEU))". SEE is often observed in environments with a high possibility of the presence of high-energy particles, such as high altitude, cosmic space and radiation-related facilities, and regarded as one factor obstructive to a normal operation of a computer under such environments. While it is contemplated to fully shield the high-energy particles in a physical or mechanical manner so as to prevent SEE, such an approach is not realistic. As practical and effective measures against SEE, it is necessary to develop an inverter or memory device with a structure tolerant to SEE by itself.
FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing a conventional inverter 1I1. As used in this specification, reference codes are defined as follows:                D: input data signal;        G: input clock signal;        Gi: clock signal (in-phased relative to the input clock signal G);        GBi: inverted clock signal;        Q: output data signal;        XQ: inverted output data signal;        VDD: source voltage from first voltage source; and        VSS: source voltage [0 (zero) V] from second voltage source.
The inverter 1I1 comprises a p-channel MOS transistor 1P1 and a n-channel MOS transistor 1N1, which are connected in series with respect to a source or drain line in this order in a direction from a node connected to the side of a first voltage source (VDD) to a node connected to the side of a second voltage source (VSS). When SEE occurs, either one of the transistors which is in an OFF state, for example, the p-channel MOS transistor 1P1 which is receiving a clock signal G having a high level, is momentarily changed from the OFF state to an ON state, so that an inverted clock signal GBi which is being output at a low level is momentarily shifted to a high level.
FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a data latch circuit 1 using a conventional inverter. In order to produce an inverted clock signal GBi to be input into the data latch circuit 1, the inverter 111 illustrated in FIG. 1 is used in combination therewith. In the data latch circuit 1, when a clock signal G has a low level, an output data signal Q is generated at the same logic level as that of an input data signal D (transparent mode or through mode). At a rise timing of the clock signal G, an input data signal D is received from a clocked inverter 1I2 in an input stage, and latched. The latched data will be held during a period where the clock signal G has a high level (latch mode). Specifically, the latched data is held by a storage node consisting of a clocked inverter 1I3 and an inverter 1I4 which are cross-connected between respective outputs and inputs thereof. An output data signal Q and an inverted output data signal XQ are output, respectively, from an inverter 1I5 and an inverter 1I6 which serve as a buffer circuit. As one example, given that, during the latch mode, either one of the clocked inverter 1I3 and the inverter 1I4 which serve as a storage node is changed from an OFF state to an ON state due to SEE. In this case, an output of the affected inverter including transistors is shifted to an opposite logic level, and this change in logic value is input into the other inverter to invert its output. Consequently, a logic value in the storage node is inverted, resulting in occurrence of SEE. As another example, given that either one of a transistor 1P3 and a transistor 1N3 of the clocked inverter 1I2 in the input stage, each of which is set in an OFF state during the latch mode to prevent any input data signal D from being transmitted to subsequent stages, is changed to an ON state due to SEE. In this case, an input data signal D will be output to the subsequent stages (in an inverted state). Then, if the input data signal D has a logic level opposite to a logic state stored on the storage node, stored data will be inverted (the SEU occurs). As above, the conventional inverter and the conventional memory device including such an inverter are extremely susceptible to SEE.
A conventional element for a fundamental logic circuit is also susceptible to SEE. FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram showing a conventional 2-input NAND element, and FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram showing a conventional 3-input NAND element. FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram showing a conventional 2-input NOR element, and FIG. 12 is a circuit diagram showing a conventional 3-input NOR element. In each circuit of these elements, if a transistor in an OFF state is changed to an ON state due to SEE, an output of the transistor is likely to be largely changed to the opposite logic level. Thus, in an element receiving an output from the malfunctioning element, a logic value of the input can be inverted (single event transient (SET) as one cause of SEE occurs).
Heretofore, there has been known the following inverter and memory device with a structure tolerant to the above SEE [a technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-200130 (JP 2004-048170 A1)]. FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing an inverter 2I with a redundant or double structure. Specifically, in the inverter 2I, a first p-channel MOS transistor 2P1 and a first n-channel MOS transistor 2N1 are connected in series with respect to a source or drain line in this order in a direction from a node connected to the side of a first voltage source to a node connected to the side of a second voltage source. Further, a second p-channel MOS transistor 2P2 and a second n-channel MOS transistor 2N2 are connected, respectively, to the first p-channel MOS transistor 2P1 and the first n-channel MOS transistor 2N1 through respective gates thereof, and connected in series with respect to the source or drain line, to form a double structure.
Based on the following operation, the above inverter 2I can suppress SEE to some extent. When a clock signal G has a high level, each of the transistors 2P1, 2P2 is in an OFF state, and each of the transistors 2N1, 2N2 is in an ON state. Further, an inverted clock signal GBi, or output, has a low level. Given that either one of the transistors 2P1, 2P2 in the OFF state is changed to an ON state due to SEE caused by incident high-energy particles. In this case, the remaining one of the other transistors 2P1, 2P2 connected in series with respect to the source or drain is maintained in the OFF state. Thus, a change in output level due to SEE is blocked by the transistor in the OFF state, and an output or an inverted clock signal GBi is free of the influence thereof. In this way, even if either one of the transistors has malfunction as described above, the inverter will be less subject to SEE in its entirely. This inverter can be used to form a memory device or data latch circuit having some level of SEE tolerance.

Single-event-effect tolerant SOI-based inverter, NAND element, NOR element, semiconductor memory device and data latch circuit

High-Reliability Engineering & Components Corporation


Examples of modular hearing devices and tools for disengaging a battery module from a main module of the canal hearing device are described. The disengagement tool may be used to switch the modular hearing device to the power OFF condition, or to completely remove the battery module therefrom. According to examples described, the disengagement tool comprises a receptacle cavity shaped to accommodate the lateral end of the modular hearing device, the cavity including features arranged to actuate a handle of the battery module for automatically disengaging the battery module upon insertion of the canal hearing device into the receptacle cavity. Other examples describe features for holding the battery module with the main module in either the ON or OFF positions.

The ear canal is generally narrow and tortuous with dimensions, and may vary significantly among individuals. Placement of a miniature hearing device inside the ear canal is generally desirable for various electroacoustic advantages, such as reduction of the acoustic occlusion effect, improved energy efficiency, reduced distortion, reduced receiver vibrations, and improved high frequency response. Canal placement may also be desirable for cosmetic reasons since many of the hearing impaired may prefer to wear an inconspicuous hearing device. A canal hearing device can be inserted entirely or partially inside the ear canal. In the context of this application, any hearing device inserted inside the ear canal, whether partially or completely, may be referred to as a canal hearing device. This includes what is known in the hearing aid industry as Completely In the Canal (CIC), In-The-Canal (ITC), and extended wear deep canal invisible types. A canal hearing device is generally elongate with a longitudinal axis, having a medial end (facing the eardrum) and lateral end for access and manipulation.
Conventional batteries for canal hearing devices include zinc-air varieties, which are generally non-rechargeable, thus replaced frequently by the user. Given the advanced age of the average hearing aid user and diminutive size of canal hearing devices and their batteries, replacing the battery and/or manually switching off the canal hearing device are often inconvenient and frustrating tasks for the user due to the user's decreased dexterity and possible vision impairment. The present invention describes examples of modular hearing aid designs, tools, and methods which may address some of these shortcomings.

Disengagement tool for a modular canal hearing device and systems including same