An antenna composed of an array of helical radiators has, in accordance with a methodology of the invention, a physical structure for reducing mutual coupling between closely spaced radiators so as to permit a reduction in spacing of the radiators. The radiators are mounted upon a mounting base, such as a ground plane element, with the helical radiators extending forward of the mounting base. Distances between the radiators and the mounting base are staggered in an amount approximately equal to one turn of a helix. The stagger distance corresponds approximately to one quarter of a free-space wavelength. The staggering significantly reduces the mutual coupling so as to permit closer spacing of the helical radiators such as, by way of example, in the formation of a feed directing radiant energy to a reflector of the antenna.

This invention relates to antennas comprising an array of helical radiators and, more particularly, to a helical array antenna, or a feed in the case of a reflector antenna, wherein distances between the radiators and a mounting base, such as a ground plane or feed of the antenna, are staggered in an amount equal approximately to one turn of a helix.
A helical antenna is formed of an elongated electrical conductor, such as a wire or rod, which is wound in spiral fashion upon a central electrically-insulating support to form a helix wherein the support lies along an axis of the helix. Generally, the helix extends outward from a mounting base, such as a ground element or ground plane disposed behind the helix and perpendicularly to an axis of the helix. Upon application of an RF (radio frequency) signal, between a back end of the conductor and the ground element, the helix acts as a slow-wave structure and radiates an electromagnetic wave from the helix in the manner of an end-fire array. There results a relatively narrow beam of radiant energy which is directed along the helix axis in the forward direction.
To increase the power and directivity of the beam, a plurality of helical radiators may be arranged side-by-side along a common ground plane to produce a resultant beam which is a composite of the beams of the individual radiators. Alternatively, a beam can be given a desired shape by placing a reflector in front of a helical radiator. When several beams are to be provided, an antenna feed is constructed of several helical radiators which face a common reflector, and each radiator may be operated at slightly different radiation frequencies which distinguish the signals of the respective beams. In both of the foregoing examples, there is provided an array of helical radiators arranged side-by-side.
In such an array of radiators, each radiator retains its radiation characteristic if it is positioned at a sufficient distance from a neighboring radiator to insure no more than an insignificant amount of mutual coupling between the radiators. A minimal spacing, d, is given approximately by the product of the wavelength of the radiation multiplied by the square root of (G/4.pi.) where G is the gain of an individual helical radiator.
A problem arises in a situation wherein it is desired to space two helical radiators more closely together than the minimum spacing, d. There results a mutual coupling which degrades the end-fire radiation pattern of each helical radiator. This is disadvantageous in a situation wherein it is desired to mount the radiators as close as possible to the focal point of a reflector so as to generate, for example, equally formed beams of radiation at each of separate frequency bands to be transmitted (or received) by the antenna. Also, the feed for a reflector antenna may have closely positioned radiators to generate the single beam of radiation having far more power than is available from a single radiator. In either of the foregoing examples, the minimum spacing between radiators has been limited, as noted above, to avoid excessive mutual coupling between the radiators. As a result, there is less control over the beam pattern than would be desirable.


Titanium oxide particles of the present invention include octahedral-shaped particles, in which each particle of the octahedral-shaped particles has line segments each of which connects two apexes which face each other and has a maximum value of the line segments, an average value of the maximum values is 300 nm or more and 1,000 nm or less, and a value (the average value of the maximum values/BET-converted average particle diameter) obtained by dividing the average value of the maximum values of the line segments by an average particle diameter converted from a BET specific surface area is 1.0 or more and 2.5 or less.

In the related art, base makeup cosmetics such as foundation are widely used in order to regulate the skin to a desired color, and to conceal pores or the like, so that the skin looks smooth. Generally, the base makeup cosmetics contain a pigment in order to regulate a color of the skin. As the pigment, titanium oxide is frequently used. As the titanium oxide, spherical-shaped and quadrangular-shaped titanium oxide particles have been used so far. However, in a case where base makeup cosmetics with which spherical-shaped or quadrangular-shaped titanium oxide particles are blended are used, there is a problem of resulting in a white floating phenomenon which makes the skin look whitish or causing deteriorated transparency which makes the skin look dull.
In order to solve this problem, for example, it has been proposed to use spindle-shaped titanium oxide particles, which are known for cosmetics, in base makeup cosmetics (see, for example, Patent Literature No. 1). However, in a case of being applied to the skin, the base makeup cosmetics with which the spindle-shaped titanium oxide particles are blended have a problem that paleness peculiar to titanium oxide appears.
For such reasons, there is a requirement for improvement of a feeling in use of the base makeup cosmetics with which the titanium oxide particles are blended. Specifically, there is a requirement for titanium oxide particles capable of decreasing paleness peculiar to titanium oxide particles while having a concealing ability and a feeling of transparency in a case of being applied to the skin.

Titanium oxide particles, and titanium oxide particle dispersion and cosmetics using same


A flat-panel display comprises a display substrate, an array of pixels distributed in rows and columns over the display substrate, the array having a column-control side, and column controller disposed on the column-control side of the array providing column data to the array of pixels through column-data lines. In some embodiments, rows of pixels in the array of pixels form row groups and each column of pixels in a row group receives column data through a separate column-data line. In some embodiments, each pixel in each column of pixels in the array of pixels is serially connected and each pixel in the array of pixels comprises a token-passing circuit for passing a token through the serially connected column of pixels.

Flat-panel displays are widely used in conjunction with computing devices, in portable electronic devices, and for entertainment devices such as televisions. Such displays typically employ an array of pixels distributed over a display substrate to display images, graphics, or text. In a color display, each pixel includes light emitters that emit light of different colors, such as red, green, and blue. For example, liquid crystal displays (LCDs) employ liquid crystals to block or transmit light from a backlight behind the liquid crystals and organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays rely on passing current through a layer of organic material that glows in response to the current. Displays using inorganic light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as pixel elements are also in widespread use for outdoor signage and have been demonstrated in a 55-inch television.
Displays are typically controlled with either a passive-matrix (PM) control scheme employing electronic control circuitry external to the pixel array or an active-matrix (AM) control scheme employing electronic control circuitry in the pixels on the display substrate and associated with each light-emitting element. Both OLED displays and LCDs using passive-matrix control and active-matrix control are available. An example of such an AM OLED display device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,550,066. In a PM-controlled display, each pixel in a row is stimulated to emit light at the same time while the other rows do not emit light and each row is sequentially activated at a high rate to provide the illusion that all of the rows simultaneously emit light. In contrast, in an AM-controlled display, data is concurrently provided to and stored in pixels in a row and the rows are sequentially activated to load the data in the activated row. Each pixel emits light corresponding to the stored data when pixels in other rows receive data so that all of the rows of pixels in the display emit light at the same time, except possibly the row loading pixels. In such AM systems, the row activation rate can be much slower than in PM systems, for example divided by the number of rows. Nonetheless, for AM displays, such as HD, 4 k, or 8 k displays with a large number of rows, the rate at which data must be loaded into successive rows can be greater than desired over relatively large display substrates, for example greater than one, two, or three meters, so that power, ground, and signal distribution can degrade, leading to difficulties in proper pixel control.
Active-matrix circuits are commonly constructed with thin-film transistors (TFTs) in a semiconductor layer formed over a display substrate and employing a separate TFT circuit to control each light-emitting pixel in the display. The semiconductor layer is typically amorphous silicon or poly-crystalline silicon and is distributed over the entire flat-panel display substrate. The semiconductor layer is photolithographically processed to form electronic control elements, such as transistors and capacitors. Additional layers, for example insulating dielectric layers and conductive metal layers are provided, often by evaporation or sputtering, and photolithographically patterned to form electrical interconnections, or wires. In some implementations, small integrated circuits (ICs) with a separate IC substrate disposed on a display substrate control pixels in an AM display. The integrated circuits can be disposed on the display substrate using micro-transfer printing, for example as taught in U.S. Pat. No. 9,930,277 referenced above.
Typically, each display sub-pixel is controlled by one control element, and each control element includes at least one transistor. For example, in a simple active-matrix organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, each control element includes two transistors (a select transistor and a power transistor) and one capacitor for storing a charge specifying the luminance of the sub-pixel. Each OLED element employs an independent control electrode connected to the power transistor and a common electrode. In contrast, an LCD typically uses a single transistor to control each pixel. Control of the light-emitting elements is usually provided through a data signal line (column-data line), a select signal line (row-select line), a power connection, and a ground connection. Active-matrix elements are not necessarily limited to displays and can be distributed over a substrate and employed in other applications requiring spatially distributed control.
There remains a need for active-matrix display systems that provide improved signal distribution over relatively large display substrates.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Pixel group and column token display architectures


A method of reducing variations in the static torque of threaded fasteners, as measured after a relaxation period, uses an instrumented nutrunner to "break" the joint. Breaking the joint is done by monitoring the torque and angle of the fastener during a torque recovery cycle. The angle of the fastener is advanced until a threshold torque is reached and then the fastener is turned an additional predetermined number of degrees. A static audit may be simultaneously performed by storing torque and angle values. Static torque is distinguished from break away torque by detecting the point of minimum curvature of the subsequently produced torque angle curve.

This invention relates to tightening methods for threaded fasteners and in particular to a tightening method for reducing the variation in fastener tensions resulting from relaxation.
The use of threaded fasteners to connect materials together is well known. As used herein, threaded fasteners include: bolts and nuts, bolts received in tapped holes, studs with nuts, and the like. The fasteners and the elements that are fastened together are collectively termed a joint.
The compression of the joint and the tension along the shank of the threaded fastener affect the quality of the joint. In joints subject to shear, higher compression forces increase the shear resisting friction between the joint elements. Hence, increased fastener tension may be preferred as limited by the proof strength of the fastener. In joints subject to axial load, i.e., directed along the shank of the fastener, fastener tension must be limited so that the yield strength of the fastener is not exceeded under peak loads. Fluctuating axial loads, which may induce fatigue in the fastener, place different limits on the optimal tension in the fastener.
Fastener tension is difficult to measure directly. Instrumented bolts, load washers and certain ultrasonic techniques have all been used to provide essentially direct indications of fastener tension, however, these techniques are expensive or time consuming and generally not feasible in production environments. Fastener tension is instead, more typically deduced from measurements of fastener torque, such as in "torque control methods" or measurements of the angle of rotation of the fastener, such as in "turn-of-the-nut methods". Both fastener torque and angle of rotation can be easily observed during the assembly of the joint.
The relationship between fastener torque and tension is highly dependant on the coefficient of friction between the fastener and the elements of the joint to be fastened. This coefficient of friction varies considerably between joints for reasons including variations in surface coatings or lubrication of the fastener as well as imperfections in the fastener threads.
The relationship between angle of rotation of the fastener and the fastener tension is correspondingly dependant on the relative stiffness of the joint elements and the fastener, quantities that also vary considerably between joints.
The effects on these variations in joint friction and stiffness may be reduced by sophisticated combinations of torque and angle measurement. For example, the logarithmic rate method ("LRM") measures the change of torque with angle during the tightening of the fastener and thereby estimates the effects of friction and joint stiffness. The LRM method is described in a paper by S. Eshghy entitled: "The LRM Fastening System" (AD77-716), published by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, Dearborn, Michigan. U.S. Pat. No. 4,245,381 entitled: "Tension Control of Fasteners", issued Jan. 20, 1981, and incorporated by reference, also provides a detailed description of LRM fastening system as well as descriptions of the above mentioned torque control and turn-of-the-nut fastener tightening methods.
In situations where a joint is assembled with multiple fasteners, uniformity of fastener tension is also critical. Uniform fastener tension prevents distortion of the joint elements and ensures that each fastener efficiently shares the load placed on the joint. Sophisticated fastener tightening schedules, such as LRM, improve uniformity of fastener tension by increasing the accuracy of fastener tension under variations in joint friction and stiffness.
It is known in the art that fasteners that have been assembled under tension in a joint will experience a tension loss over time. This tension loss is termed "relaxation" and is manifested in a corresponding loss of torque which may be detected by a procedure referred to as a "static audit". In a static audit, torque is re-applied to a previously tightened fastener some time after the fastener was initially tightened. The maximum torque measured during the audit is considered to be the "static torque". As used herein, static torque is defined as the resistive torque exhibited by a fastener turning at an arbitrarily low reference speed. The maximum torque observed just before the fastener resumes motion is termed the "breakaway torque". As a result of varying degrees of relaxation, therefore, the static torque measured in the static audit will frequently vary considerably among identically tightened fasteners.
Tension relaxation appears to have two components which may be termed: "quick relaxation" and "time relaxation". Quick relaxation occurs very shortly after the applied torque is removed from the fastener 36 and is thought to result from a slight unwinding of the fastener 36 produced from relaxation of torsional stress in the fastener shank. Second order elasticity terms in the elasticity of the fastener shank, as opposed to the first order term of Hook's law, may also produce this loss of tension with loss of torsion.
Time relaxation occurs over a longer period of time and is believed to be caused by plastic flow or creep of the joint 34 materials themselves, including gasket 42 , and may occur over the span of several minutes to several days.
Various methods have been proposed to reduce relaxation of fastener tension. In one approach a pulsed application of a recovery torque equal to the dynamic torque of the fastener, follows immediately after the initial fastener tightening. Dynamic torque, as used herein, will be defined as the final torque achieved in the initial tightening of the fastener yet while the fastener is still turning at a tightening speed which is substantially higher than the previously mentioned reference speed of the static audit.
The above described pulsed application of a recovery torque equal to the dynamic torque is not effective in situations where the dynamic torque is substantially below the breakaway torque of the fastener, the latter which may remain high even as the joint tension relaxes. In such instances, the tension of the fastener is unaffected by the pulsed recovery torque.
A static audit is ordinarily conducted with a hand-held torque wrench. The torque on the fastener is slowly increased until the fastener breaks free. The maximum torque on the wrench is then recorded. Measurements of static torque will vary depending on the speed with which the fastener is turned and the distance it travels, neither of which may be easily controlled by hand. Joints that break violently, or very hard joints requiring large torques (200 Nm or greater) can be difficult to audit by hand. Operator fatigue may lead to errors. Also the torque wrench only records only a single peak torque, so it cannot be determined whether the breakaway torque or the torque rise due to angular advance was measured.

Reduction of relaxation induced tension scatter in fasteners


In an embodiment, a computer apparatus comprises a network interface; a processor; a packet forwarding unit; and instructions which when executed cause storing a first executable software module in computer storage; receiving and storing, in association with the first software module, a first human-readable declaration of one or more available extension points within the first software module; receiving and storing an extension software module that implements a particular one or more of the extension points; installing and executing the first software module and the extension software module; and invoking the extension software module when the particular extension point is reached during execution of the first software module. In an embodiment, a declaration of extension points enables extending a software module while running in a host, by registering an extension matching the extension points, yet the author of the extension does not need to access any code of the extended module.

The approaches described in this section could be pursued, but are not necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated herein, the approaches described in this section are not prior art to the claims in this application and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.
Computer networks generally comprise infrastructure devices or elements, such as routers and switches, and end station devices, such as servers, workstations, personal computers, handheld computers, and printers. The introduction of Application Oriented Networking (AON) devices from Cisco Systems, Inc., San Jose, Calif., has provided more flexibility in how network infrastructure elements process application-layer messages (that is, messages of OSI Layer 5, 6, and above).
While AON devices provide implementations of many application protocols and standards, many business enterprises have other infrastructure devices or end station devices that use legacy code or custom code and proprietary formats or protocols that need to be supported. In other cases, the AON devices may omit support for a particular database type or other standard scheme that the enterprises need. In past approaches, extension of AON device capabilities has required re-implementing an entire code module. For example, the AON Authentication bladelet provides support for standard LDAP and Kerberos-based authentication, but if an enterprise wants to use Netegrity SiteMinder for authentication, the enterprise is required to re-implement the entire authentication bladelet using custom code.
In past approaches, extending the behavior of a programmatic capability requires the code implementing that capability to be exposed to a customer of the networking vendor that is facilitating the extension. For example, code developed using the JAVA programming language typically provides interfaces of abstract classes that users extend to customize the behavior of the JAVA program.

Controlling and extending programmable network functions using a declarative approach


An objective of the present invention is to provide a means for enabling cancer immunotherapy that targets approximately 30% of various cancer patients that highly express forkhead box M1 (FOXM1) among the Japanese, by identifying FOXM1-derived peptides that can activate cancer cell-damaging human killer T cells by binding to HLA-A2. The present invention provides a peptide of (A) or (B) below:    (A) a peptide including the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1 to 3;    (B) a peptide which includes the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1 to 3, wherein one, two, or several amino acid(s) are substituted, deleted, inserted, and/or added, and wherein the peptide shows cytotoxic (killer) T cell-inducing activity.

The number of biliary tract cancer (gallbladder cancer and cholangiocarcinoma) deaths is on the rise in Japan, and 16,586 people died of the cancer in 2005. In most biliary tract cancer cases, no subjective symptoms are present in the early stages. Compared to cancers that form on the inside of the digestive tract, such as stomach cancer and colon cancer, accurate visualization and diagnostic imaging of biliary tract cancer is difficult. Therefore, early detection of biliary tract cancer is difficult, and the cancer has often already progressed and is unresectable when it is found. Besides surgical therapy, radiation therapy and chemotherapy are performed for treatment of biliary tract cancer, but they are not therapeutically effective, and thus the establishment of new therapeutic methods is urgently needed.
Lung cancer deaths are also on the rise in Japan, and 62,063 people died of the cancer in 2005. At present, lung cancer accounts for 19.0% of the cancer deaths in Japan, and it has been the leading cause of cancer death since 2000. Smoking is said to be the main cause of the onset of lung cancer. Besides smoking, inhalation of asbestos or radon gas is also believed to cause lung cancer. Smoking cessation is encouraged and health checks are carried out as measures to prevent lung cancer. However, although it is decreasing, the smoking population in Japan in 2005 is still estimated to be approximately 30 million. Furthermore, recently, it has been shown that simple chest X-ray imaging and sputum test widely performed during health checks are not effective for early detection of lung cancer, and thus they do not lead to reduction of cancer deaths. Considering the above, the number of lung cancer deaths is predicted to continue increasing in the future.
The symptoms of lung cancer include cough, bloody sputum, shortness of breath, and chest pain, but in most cases, symptoms are absent in the early stages. When symptoms appear, the cancer has already progressed in many cases. Therefore, more than half of the patients are inoperable when the cancer is first discovered, and it is regarded as one of the intractable cancers. The recovery rate after operation is not as good as other cancers, and the overall five-year survival rate after surgery is just short of 50%. In recent years, the five-year survival rate for early-stage lung cancer is increasing as a result of advances in multimodal treatment by radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and such with surgical resection as the main treatment; however, improvement of the therapeutic effects for advanced lung cancer is poor, and the establishment of new therapeutic strategies is in urgent need.
The number of pancreatic cancer deaths is also on the increase in Japan, and 22,927 people died of the cancer in 2005. At present, pancreatic cancer accounts for 7.0% of the cancer deaths in Japan, and ranks fifth following lung cancer, stomach cancer, colon cancer, and liver cancer. There are no symptoms specific to pancreatic cancer, and in many cases when symptoms appear, the cancer has already progressed. Even today with advances in diagnostic imaging, approximately 40% of total Japanese pancreatic cancer patients belong to advanced cases with distant metastasis, and many patients are found to have unresectable locally-advanced cancer. Therefore, the overall five-year survival rate of the patients is 5% or less, and the prognosis after diagnosis is very poor. Due to the difficulty in diagnosis, the incidence of pancreatic cancer as a cause of cancer death is gradually increasing particularly in advanced countries. Although multimodal treatment by radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and such with surgical resection as the central treatment is presently carried out, there is no dramatic improvement in the therapeutic effects, and the establishment of novel therapeutic strategies is urgently needed. Various factors such as lifestyle habits including smoking, obesity, diet, alcohol drinking, and coffee drinking, as well as chronic pancreatitis, diabetes, genetic factors, and such have been suggested to be involved in causing the onset of pancreatic cancer.
On the other hand, recent development in molecular biology and tumor immunology has elucidated that cytotoxic (killer) T cells and helper T cells recognize peptides generated by degradation of proteins that are specifically and highly expressed in cancer cells and which are presented on the surface of cancer cells or antigen presenting cells via HLA molecules, and cause immunoreaction to destroy cancer cells. Furthermore, many tumor antigen proteins and peptides derived therefrom, which stimulate such immunoreaction to attack cancer, have been identified, and antigen-specific tumor immunotherapy is being clinically applied.
The HLA class I molecule is expressed on the surface of all nucleated cells of the body. It binds to a peptide generated by intracellular degradation of proteins produced in the cytoplasm or nucleus, and expresses the peptide on the cell surface. On the surface of a normal cell, peptides derived from normal autologous proteins bind to HLA class I molecules, and are not recognized and destroyed by T cells of the immune system. On the other hand, in the process of becoming a cancer, cancer cells sometimes express a large quantity of proteins that are hardly or slightly expressed in normal cells. When HLA class I molecules bind to peptides generated by intracellular degradation of proteins specifically and highly expressed in cancer cells, and then express the peptides on the surface of cancer cells, killer T cells recognize and destroy only the cancer cells. By administering such cancer-specific antigens or peptides to an individual, cancer cells can be destroyed and cancer growth can be suppressed without harming normal cells. This is called cancer immunotherapy using cancer-specific antigens. HLA class II molecules are mainly expressed on the surface of antigen-presenting cells. The molecules bind to peptides derived from cancer-specific antigens, which are generated by intracellular degradation of cancer-specific antigens incorporated into antigen-presenting cells from outside of the cells, and then express the peptides on the surface of the cells. Helper T cells that recognize them are activated, and induce or enhance immunoreaction against tumors by producing various cytokines that activate other immunocompetent cells.
Accordingly, if an immunotherapy that targets antigens specifically and highly expressed in cancers is developed, such a therapy can effectively eliminate cancers alone without causing any harmful event on normal autologous organs. It is also expected that the therapy can be used for any terminal cancer patients to whom other treatments cannot be applied. In addition, by administering a cancer-specific antigen and peptide as a vaccine in advance to individuals with a high risk of developing cancers, cancer development can be prevented.
The present inventors first conducted genome-wide gene expression analysis on 27,648 human genes using cDNA microarrays to investigate the expression profiles of these genes in 25 intrahepatic bile duct cancer cases and in various normal organs including those in the embryonic stage. As a result, the present inventors discovered that Forkhead box m1 (FOXM1) (GenBank Accession No. NM—202003) was very highly expressed in the tissues of many intrahepatic bile duct cancer cases. Similar to and in addition to intrahepatic bile duct cancer, FOXM1 was found to be highly expressed in almost all the cases of lung cancer, bladder cancer, and pancreatic cancer. Furthermore, high expression of FOXM1 was found in 40% or more of the cases in a wide variety of cancers such as cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, malignant lymphoma, breast cancer, stomach cancer, esophageal cancer, prostate cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, colon cancer, and chronic myeloid leukemia. These facts suggest that FOXM1 could serve as a cancer-specific antigen in various cancers. FOXM1 is expressed in embryonic liver, and in normal adult organs, it is slightly expressed in the digestive tract such as stomach, small intestine, and large intestine, thymus, and testis; however, the expression level is remarkably low compared to cancerous parts.
Examples of the documents indicating that FOXM1 is related to the onset of cancer and the regulation of cell proliferation include Non-patent Documents 1 to 10. However, none of the documents describes the use of FOXM1 as a vaccine against cancer.    [Non-patent document 1] Yoshida Y, Wang I-C, Yoder H M, Davidson N O, Costa R H.: The forkhead box M1 transcription factor contributes to the development and growth of mouse colorectal cancer. Gastroenterology 132: 1420-1431, 2007.    [Non-patent document 2] Gusarcova G A, Wang I-C, Major M L, Kalinichenko V V, Ackerson T, Petrovi V, Costa R H.: A cell-penetrating ARF peptide inhibitor of FOXM1 in mouse hepatocellular carcinoma treatment. J. Clin. Invest. 117: 99-111, 2007.    [Non-patent document 3] Radhakrishnan S K, Bhat U G, Hughes D E, Wang I-C, Costa R H, Gartel A L.: Identification of a chemical inhibitor of the oncogenic transcription factor forkhead box M1. Cancer Res. 66: 9731-9735, 2006.    [Non-patent document 4] Takahashi K, Furukawa C, Takano A, Ishikawa N, Kato T, Hamaya S, Suzuki C, Yasui W, Inai K, Sone S, Ito T, Nishimura H, Tsuchiya E, Nakamura Y, Daigo Y.: The neuromedin U-growth hormone secretagogue receptor 1b/neurotensin receptor 1 oncogenic signaling pathway as a therapeutic target for lung cancer. Cancer Res. 66: 9408-9419, 2006.    [Non-patent document 5] Kim I-M, Ackerson T, Ramakrishna S, Tretiakova M, Wang I-C, Kalin T V, Major M L, Gusarova G A, Yoder H M, Costa R H, Kalinichenko V V.: The forkhead box m1 transcription factor stimulates the proliferation of tumor cells during development of lung cancer. Cancer Res. 66: 2153-2161, 2006.    [Non-patent document 6] Wonsey D R, Folletie M.: Loss of the forkhead transcription factor FoxM1 causes centrosome amplification and mitotic catastrophe. Cancer Res. 65: 5181-5189, 2005.    [Non-patent document 7] Obama K, Ura K, Li M, Katagiri T, Tsunoda T, Nomura A, Satoh S, Nakamura Y, Furukawa Y: Genome-wide analysis of gene expression in human intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Hepatology 41: 1339-1348, 2005.    [Non-patent document 8] Laoukili J, Kooistra M R H, Brás A, Kauw J, Kerkhoven R M, Morrison A, Clevers H, Medema R H.: Foxm1 is required for execution of the mitotic programme and chromosome stability. Nature Cell Biol. 7: 126-136, 2005.    [Non-patent document 9] Kalinichenko V V, Major M, Wang X, Petrovic V, Kuechle J, Yoder H M, Shin B, Datta A, Raychaudhuri P, Costa R H.: Foxm1b transcription factor is essential for development of hepatocellular carcinomas and is negatively regulated by the p19ARF tumor suppressor. Genes Dev. 18: 830-850, 2004.    [Non-patent document 10] Wang X, Kiyokawa H, Dennewitz M B, Costa R H.: The forkhead box m1b transcription factor is essential for hepatocyte DNA replication and mitosis during mouse liver regeneration. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 99: 16881-16886, 2002.

FOXM1 peptide and medicinal agent comprising the same


An area filling device includes an edge table memory for storing an edge table having data related to the edges, and an address table memory for storing edge table address data for every Y coordinate value. An operation circuit calculates data related to edges consisting of a closed loop figure. An active-edge table circuit forms first, second and third active-edge tables for every Y coordinate value from the data related to the edges stored in the edge table storing memory. The first and second active-edge tables indicate bit data having predetermined bits at X coordinate positions where there are an edge which is not a horizontal edge, and endpoints of a horizontal edge, respectively. The third active-edge table indicates bit data having a predetermined bit at an X coordinate position where there is an endpoint of an edge. A logic circuit inverts the predetermined bits defined in the first and second active-edge tables. An OR gate calculates an OR operation on the bit data from the logic circuit and the bit data related to the third active-edge table and supplied from the active-edge table circuit. The operation results serve as print data.

The present invention generally relates to an area filling device, and particularly to an area filling device which receives coordinate data related to endpoints of edges forming a closed loop figure and generates image data for filling the internal area of the closed loop figure.
A method of filling the internal area of a polygon has been proposed in Y. Ohno, "Scan Conversion for a polygon", PIXEL, Jan. 1984, pp.136-141. The proposed method fills the area with black pixel data as follows.
(1) Each edge of a polygon is referred to. If an edge of concern is a horizontal edge, this is neglected. Alternatively, if the edge is not a horizontal edge, the lower endpoint of the edge which has a Y coordinate value smaller than that of the other edge thereof, is referred to. Then, all the edges of the polygon of concern are arranged in the increasing order of Y coordinate values from the smallest one of the Y coordinate values. Thereby, an edge table which indicates the arrangement of edges is created. The procedure for arranging edges is based on bucket sorting.
Next, an active-edge table is created and revised by repeatedly carrying out the following procedure from the minimum Y coordinate value Ymin to the maximum Y coordinate value Ymax.
1) If there is data related to an edge in the active-edge table, it is determined whether the edge of concern has been processed for predetermined times. When the result is affirmative, data related to this edge is deleted from the active-edge table. On the other hand, when the edge of concern has not yet been processed for the predetermined times, X=X +(.DELTA.X/.DELTA.Y) is calculated. If data related to an edge for the present Y coordinate value exists in the edge table, the data related to the present edge is transferred to the active-edge table.
2) Data stored in the active-edge table are arranged in the increasing order of X coordinate values from the smallest one of the X coordinate values in accordance with a quick sorting process.
3) Edges are extracted from the active-edge table for every two edges, and data related to a line drawn between X coordinate values of the extracted edges is generated.
However, the above-mentioned method is not suitable for filling the internal area of a polygon at high speeds for the following reasons. First, the quick sorting process used when creating the active-edge table is complex and it takes a long time. Secondly, it is necessary to change, on the basis of the state of connection of neighboring edges, the calculation procedure for determining whether each edge registered in the active-edge table has been processed for the predetermined times. For example, it is necessary to refer to the previous edge or the next edge or another edge with respect to the present edge. Therefore, it takes a long time for the calculation procedure selecting process.


A center rib and a second rib are formed at a tread surface of a pneumatic tire along an outer contour line L1 of a radius R1 whose center is at a tire inner side. A shoulder rib is formed at the tread surface along an outer contour line L2 of a radius R2 whose centeris at a tire inner side. A step between the outer contour line L1 and a ground contact surface of the shoulder rib decreases toward a tire transverse direction outer end portion. Accordingly, when a heavy load is applied to the pneumatic tire, due to the step between, on the one hand, the shoulder rib, and on the other hand, the center rib and the second rib, uneven wear at the second rib can be suppressed. When a light load is applied, because the step decreases toward the tire transverse direction outer end portion, uneven wear of the shoulder rib can be suppressed. The pneumatic tire exhibits excellent uneven wear resistance at all land portions formed on the pneumatic tire.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a pneumatic tire used for trucks, buses or the like, and in particular, to a pneumatic tire having excellent uneven wear resistance.
2. Description of the Related Art
In conventional pneumatic tires, various measures have been taken against uneven wear, in order to prevent uneven wear of the land portions of the tire and extend the life of the tire. Land portions are portions formed by dividing the ground-contact surface of the tire by circumferential direction grooves or lug grooves.
A conventional pneumatic tire to which a measure against uneven wear has been applied is illustrated in FIG. 2. At a pneumatic tire 100, a center rib 106, a second rib 108, and a shoulder rib 110 are formed from an equatorial plane CL along the tire transverse direction, by circumferential direction grooves 104 formed in the surface of a tread 102.
At the center rib 106 and the second rib 108 of the pneumatic tire 100, a tire radial direction distance (step) H between, on the one hand, a tire transverse direction outer contour line L3 (including the imaginary extension line) along the ground-contact surface, and on the other hand, the ground-contact surface of the shoulder rib 110, is formed so as to be constant.
The shoulder rib 110 has the step H in the direction in which the radius contracts, with respect to the second rib 108 and the center rib 106. Accordingly, when a heavy load is applied to the pneumatic tire 100, the ground contact pressure on the shoulder rib 110 is relatively small, and the ground contact pressure on the center rib 106 and the second rib 108 is equalized. Thus, uneven wear (second rib punch, center rib punch) of the center rib 106 and the second rib 108 can be prevented.
The step H is set to be no more than 0.40 times the tread thickness D at the equatorial plane CL. (The tread thickness D at the equatorial plane CL is the distance, in the radial direction of the tire, from the ground contact surface to the uppermost belt layer 112).
However, because this step H is constant along the tire transverse direction at the shoulder rib 110, there is also a step H at the tire transverse direction outer end side of the shoulder rib. Accordingly, when a usual load to a light load is applied to the pneumatic tire 100, the ground contact pressure becomes even lower at the shoulder rib, at which the ground contact pressure is relatively low as compared to the other portions of the tread when a light load is applied. A drawback arises in that the uneven wear at the outer end side of the shoulder rib is promoted.
In view of the aforementioned, an object of the present invention is to provide a pneumatic tire which exhibits superior uneven wear resistance in all of the land portions formed on the tire.
In order to achieve this object, as a first aspect of the present invention, a pneumatic tire comprising a tread surface having a plurality of grooves extending along a circumferential direction of the pneumatic tire, wherein the grooves define a plurality of land portions the land portions includes; a first land portion which, among the plurality of land portions, is formed the furthest toward a tire transverse direction outer side; and a second land portion formed adjacent to the first land portion in a tire transverse direction, wherein given that a distance, along a tire radial direction, from an imaginary extension line of a tire transverse direction outer contour line along a ground contact surface at the second land portion to a tire transverse direction inner side end portion of the first land portion is H1, that a distance, along a tire radial direction, from an imaginary extension line of a tire transverse direction outer contour line along a ground contact surface at the second land portion to a tire transverse direction outer side end portion of the first land portion is H2, and that a direction toward a tire center is positive, the relationship H1 greater than H2 is established.
In accordance with the first aspect, a step (tire radial direction distance H1) is provided between the first land portion and the second land portion. Thus, the ground contact pressure at the first land portion is lowered relatively, and the ground contact pressures at the first land portion and the second land portion are equalized. Accordingly, even in a case in which a heavy load (a load exceeding 100% when a standard load is considered to be 100%) is applied to the tire and the ground contact pressure is greatest (compared to other portions of the tire) at the tire transverse direction end portion, i.e., the first land portion, uneven wear at the land portion at the equatorial plane side of the second land portion can be reliably prevented.
When a load which is lighter than standard load (100%) is applied (hereinafter, xe2x80x9clight loadxe2x80x9d), in the case of an ordinary pneumatic tire, the smallest ground contact pressure is applied to the tire transverse direction end portion, and thus, there is the concern that the tire transverse direction outer side end portion of the first land portion will wear unevenly. However, in accordance with the present invention, the step H1, which is between an imaginary extension line of the outer contour line of the second land portion and a tire transverse direction inner side (second land portion side) end portion of the first land portion, and the step H2, which is between an imaginary extension line of the outer contour line of the second land portion and a tire transverse direction outer side end portion of the first land portion, are formed so as to be lower toward the outer side end portion side, i.e., H1 greater than H2. Therefore, the decrease in ground contact pressure is suppressed more and more along the direction toward the outer side end portion of the first land portion. Accordingly, as compared to a conventional structure in which the steps are equal (i.e., H1=H2), uneven wear of the outer side end portion of the first land portion can be markedly suppressed.
Namely, by providing the step between the first land portion and the second land portion, uneven wear can be prevented from occurring at the second land portion when a heavy load is applied. Further, by forming the step between the outer contour line and the first land portion so as to decrease from the inner side end portion of the first land portion toward the outer side end portion thereof, uneven wear of the first land portion, which may be great due to the step when a light load is applied, is suppressed.
As a second aspect of the present invention, in the pneumatic tire of the first aspect, the loud portions further include a third land portion formed at a tire transverse direction inner side of the second land portion, and given that a tire radial direction depth of a circumferential direction groove formed between the second land portion and the third land portion is D, the tire radial direction distance H1 falls within the range 0 less than H1 less than 0.3D.
In accordance with the second aspect, when a heavy load is applied, uneven wear of the land portion at the equatorial plane side of the second rib is prevented. When a light load is applied, uneven wear of the tire transverse direction outer end portion of the shoulder rib can be suppressed.
As a third aspect of the present invention, in the pneumatic tire of the second aspect, a first land portion the end portion of the second land portion is chamfered.
In accordance with the third aspect, when there is a step, and in particular, a large step between the first land portion and the second land portion, by chamfering the end portion, the first land portion side end portion of the second land portion can be prevented from protruding out and abutting the road surface. Therefore, uneven wear of this portion can be prevented.

Pneumatic tire including land portion having arcuate and convex tread surface


A nozzle cleaning method has the following steps (A) to (C). (A) A first determination step of determining whether or not there is ejection of a liquid from a liquid ejection nozzle targeted for testing. (B) A second determination step of determining whether or not there is an abnormality in an ejection direction or an ejection condition of a liquid from the liquid ejection nozzle. (C) A cleaning step in which a cleaning process that is different is executed between when a determination is made that there is no ejection of the liquid in the first determination step and when a determination is made that there is an abnormality in the ejection direction or the ejection condition of the liquid in the second determination step on the liquid ejection nozzle that is subjected to determination.

1. Technical Field
The invention relates to nozzle cleaning methods, nozzle cleaning devices, liquid ejection apparatuses, printing apparatuses, and computer-readable media.
2. Description of the Related Art
Inkjet printers are known as an example of printing apparatuses that carry out printing by ejecting ink onto various media such as paper, cloth, and film. These inkjet printers perform color printing by ejecting color inks such as cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) to form dots on the medium. Ink ejection is carried out using nozzles.
However, with these inkjet printers, a nozzle may become clogged due to sticking of ink or the like such that ink is not ejected properly. Dots cannot be formed adequately on the medium when ink is not ejected properly from the nozzle in this way and problems may occur such as being unable to print images clearly.
Accordingly, various methods have long been proposed for testing whether or not ink ejection is functioning properly. As one of these, a detection method has been proposed (see JP-A-2000-233520) in which ink ejected from a nozzle is optically detected. In this testing method, the condition of ink ejection from the nozzle is examined by using a photodiode to detect whether or not a beam irradiated from an LED is blocked by the ink ejected from the nozzle. If the result of the test is that an ejection defect is discovered in the nozzle, then a cleaning process is executed on that nozzle. This enables nozzle ejection defects to be solved.
By the way, there are several causes of ejection defects occurring in nozzles. For example, there are causes such as ink ejection being unable to be carried out due to clogging or the like, or the direction in which ink is ejected deviates due to foreign objects adhering to the nozzle opening. However, regardless of there being several causes of nozzle ejection defects such as these, conventionally the cleaning processes executed on a nozzle in which an ejection defect has been discovered are invariably the same. That is, for example, a process may be performed in which extraneous matter adhering to the nozzle opening is removed by wiping or ink may be forcibly discharged from the nozzle. If the ejection defect is still not solved by this, then a process such as suctioning ink from the nozzle is performed. For this reason, considerable time is spent on the cleaning processes and extra ink is ejected, which incurs an increased burden of cost for the user.

Nozzle cleaning method, nozzle cleaning device, liquid ejection apparatus, printing apparatus and computer-readable medium


A discharge frequency per unit time between a wire electrode and a workpiece is detected, and the thickness of the workpiece is estimated on the basis of the discharge frequency, the relative moving speed between the wire electrode and the workpiece and the information on the shape of the workpiece. Thereafter, the optimum discharge period is calculated on the basis of the estimated thickness of the workpiece and the set processing conditions to perform the processing of the workpiece.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a wire electric discharge machine for processing a workpiece (an object to be processed) by repetitively inducing pulse-shaped discharge across a wire electrode and the workpiece.
2. Description of Related Art
In this type of wire electric discharge machine, it is known that when the interval of the discharge pulses to be applied across a wire electrode and a workpiece, that is, a discharge period, is set to an excessively small value, the discharge is concentrically induced and breakage of the wire electrode is liable to occur. On the other hand, when the discharge period is set to an excessively large value, the processing speed is reduced.
It is also known, in this type of wire electric discharge machine, that as the thickness of the workpiece is increased, the confronting area between the workpiece and the wire electrode is increased. Conversely, as the thickness of the workpiece is decreased, the confronting area between the workpiece and the wire electrode is decreased. Therefore, the concentrated discharge, which causes the breaking of the wire electrode, occurs less often as the thickness of the workpiece is increased.
Accordingly, the conventional wire electric discharge machine has been so designed that the user sets the most suitable discharge period in accordance with the material and the thickness of the workpiece before processing the workpiece, and the processing of the workpiece is carried out using the set discharge period.
There are some cases where a workpiece has a varied thickness, such as a workpiece having a stepped portion that must be processed using the wire electric discharge machine. In order to carry out the processing of such a workpiece with an optimum discharge period at all times, the discharge period must be altered at a timing based on the thickness of the workpiece.
However, the wire electric discharge machine is frequently driven using an unmanned operation system because the processing time for the workpiece is long and thus it is difficult to alter the discharge period at the time the variation in thickness of the workpiece occurs.
Therefore, in a case where a workpiece having stepped portions is processed using the conventional wire electric discharge machine, in order to prevent breakage of the wire electrode, the discharge period must be set to a discharge period which is suitable for the thickness of the thinnest portion of the workpiece. Therefore, there occurs a problem that the processing speed at thick portions of the workpiece is reduced to a value lower than the optimum processing speed resulting in a longer processing time.

Wire electric discharge machine having alterable discharge period


A video-recording and replaying apparatus includes a block device for use as a recording medium for video-recording and a control part, when a plurality of tasks each representing a process in regard to video-recording and replaying on the block device are executed, performing I/O scheduling on the block device by using time slices each predetermined for each of the tasks so that a total amount of I/O data for each of the tasks in each round-robin cycle for the block device is approximately equal.

The present disclosure relates to a video-recording and replaying apparatus, I/O scheduling method, and program capable of performing I/O scheduling on a block device in a multitask environment.
In recent years, general video-recording and replaying apparatuses can perform simultaneous video-recording of a plurality of channels and video-recording of a program while replaying a video-recorded program. As a storage for these video-recording and replaying apparatuses, a block device is used, such as a Blu-ray drive or a hard disk drive. The block device is a storage in which data write and read are performed by a predetermined unit (a block unit). Inputs and outputs of data to and from the block device are performed through a file system.
For simultaneous video-recording of a plurality of channels and simultaneous video-recording and replaying for the block device, it is important to impartially allocate I/O (input/output) resources for the block device to each process. I/O scheduling is a technology of impartially allocating I/O resources for the block device to a plurality of tasks.
For example, a CFQ (completely fair queuing) scheduler is an I/O scheduler currently incorporated in a Linux kernel as a standard (refer to Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2010-113524 (paragraphs [005]-[0058])). In the CFQ scheduler, an I/O request is registered in a request queue corresponding to a degree of priority. In each request queue, a time slice determined according to the degree of priority of the I/O request is set. Normally, an I/O request from a task with a relatively high degree of demand for real-time properties is provided with a high degree of priority, and an I/O request from a task with a relatively low degree of demand for real-time properties is provided with a low degree of priority.
The CFQ scheduler merges I/O requests to adjacent sectors into a single data structure called an I/O request for each same type (read request or write request), and registers the I/O request in a request queue. The CFQ scheduler selects one request queue not being blank from among a plurality of request queues with a round-robin scheme, for example, selecting the I/O requests one by one from the selected request queue within the time slice and passing the I/O requests to a device driver. After a lapse of the time slice, the CFQ scheduler selects a request queue with the same or next higher degree of priority, and selects an I/O request from that request queue and passes the I/O request to the device driver. With this, the I/O requests are executed by the device driver.

Video-recording and replaying apparatus, I/O scheduling method, and program


A suspension device for use in a vehicle seat includes a frame member and a support member offset from the frame member and a tension member connected to the frame member for stretching tight and contouring a suspension material. The suspension material has a first end for connection with the support member in a second end formed from a stitched loop in the material for connection with the tension member. A method of manufacturing a seat having a seat suspension device includes selecting a frame member and a support member offset from the frame member and a tension member connected to the frame member for receiving a suspension material when the tension member is dislocated from the frame member and connecting the first end of the suspension material to the support member and connecting the tension member to the frame member such that the member is installed in tension and contoured with respect to the frame member.

The present invention relates generally to seats and seat manufacturing. More particularly the present invention relates to a seat having a suspension material and anchoring system therefore and a method of manufacturing a seat having a suspension material and anchoring system for use in a vehicle.
Elastomeric suspension materials for use in manufacturing a suspended seat cushion or seat back in a seat are known. In particular the use of a suspension material in an automotive vehicle seat is known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,441,331 discloses a suspension system within a seat portion of a vehicle seat. The suspension system includes an elastomeric fabric secured to a seat frame using plastic clips or plastic edge strips. Additionally, seat cushions are provided which are carried by the suspension.
References similar to the above include U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,231,125; 5,439,271; 5,676,336; 4,842,257; 4,869,554; 5,013,089 and 5,328,248 all of which disclose a mechanical fastening element of various types to fasten a suspension material to a frame seat. Thus it is known to use a mechanical fastening means that includes an elastomeric strip to which the suspension material is fastened or sewn and the strip is captured within a pocket on or about the seat frame.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,787,562 discloses an aircraft passenger seat including a quick replacement seat bottom diaphragm or suspension. The seat bottom diaphragm includes fore and aft attachment members for quick attachment and detachment from respective fore and aft stretcher bars. The attachment members preferably are formed as channels within the woven fabric of the diaphragm and are preferably integrally formed within the diaphragm to form a channel integrally formed within the woven fabric for receiving the stretcher bar. The stretcher bars are received on the seat frame and supported thereby, and the diaphragm further includes a hook-and-loop type fastener for attachment of a seat cushion.
Consistent with the above, several attempts have been made to engineer and improve the characteristics of the elastomers used in the suspension material. For example U.S. Pat. No. 5,775,779 relates to a seat suspension membrane consisting of a bi-axially oriented film of a polyurethane thermoplastic elastomer composition.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,533,789 discloses a seating structure including a fabric support web formed of a wrap-knit fabric with weft insertion of an elastomeric yarn to provide a stretch in the wrap that is substantially linear over a full range of applied stress from 0 pounds to failure. U.S. Pat. No. 5,855,991 discloses a composite textile structure which includes a woven base fabric of elastomeric yarns running in one direction and having a bi-component sheath/core elastomeric monofilament yarns. The sheath/core elastomeric monofilament yarn is designed to have a sheath with a melting point below that of the melting point of the core elastomeric monofilament.
Suspension seats are also known in the furniture art. It is known to provide a seating surface as well as a seat back made of a suspension material connected to a frame. For example U.S. Pat. No. 5,393,126 discloses a tubular frame seating structure with a tension sleeve that is maintained on a rod-like member frame due to a compression force provided between the sleeve and the frame. The ""126 reference discloses that the tension can be created by adding a tensioning bar between two frame members or may be created by an interference fit between the frame and the sleeve. It is further disclosed that loops are used for installing the tensioned sleeve material on the frame. U.S. Pat. No. 6,113,186 discloses the use of moveable stretcher bars having a fabric suspended thereon wherein the stretcher bars are tightened to stretch the fabric using a threaded member passing through the base frame and the stretcher bar. U.S. Pat. No. 6,059,368 discloses an office chair having a woven membrane in a stretched condition machine and then clamped between a lower and upper loom so it is fixed to frame members which are then placed in an additional structural frame member to form the seat portion and the back portion of the office chair.
A significant draw back of the prior art is that the designs do not provide for the provision of a contour in the material or fabric being stretched across the frame. While some soft contour is possible, it leads to highly undesirable results. The prior art designs have a significant draw back in that they are very difficult to install and manufacture and more difficult if there is a contour in the material. Accordingly, it has not been very difficult and even impossible to achieve certain seat designs for a suspended material seat. With the known designs and it is not possible to obtain such characteristics while providing for a relatively easy and inexpensive assembly of the stretched suspension material.
One embodiment of the present invention relates to a seat suspension device for suspending a material on a frame such as a frame of a seat. The seat suspension device according to the present invention provides a significant improvement in the ease of assembly when installing a material such as an elastomeric filament based woven fabric on a frame of a vehicle seat. A frame member has a predefined cross-section and forms a bar portion of the seat. The seat further includes a support member offset from the frame member, the support member also has a predefined and formed perimeter. A tension member is connected to the frame member at a first end and a second end of the tension member is removably connected to the frame member such that a connector or a loop an end of the material can be connected or slid over the tension member when the second end of the tension member is not connected to the frame member. After the material is connected to the tension member in the dislocated position, the tension member is then moved into the connected position where the second end of the tension member is connected to the frame member using mechanical leverage at the second end of the tension member such that the material is stretched to an appropriate condition on the frame member.
An additional embodiment of the present invention relates to a seat, such as a vehicle seat, having a seat portion and a back portion, the back portion having a frame member and a support member offset from the frame member, the back portion further includes a seat suspension device according to the present invention.
The tension member of the seat suspension device is preferably a rod connected to the frame member at a first end using an S-shaped connection to a hole in the tubular frame member or any other appropriate pivoting or moveable connection. The second end of the tension member pivots about the connection point and is connected to the frame member using a clasp or hook arrangement.
Accordingly, the suspension material has a first end having a first connector element such as a J-clip or other appropriate connectors for connections of the first end to the support member and a second end having a second connector element distal from the first connector for connection with the tension member. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the suspension material is folded back onto itself and is sewn at a sew line to create a folded section having the second end of the suspension material therein and the tension member or rod is inserted through the folded portion of the suspension material. Once the first connector element of the suspension material is connected to the support member and the second end of the suspension member is connected to the tension rod, the tension rod is moved to the closed position where the second end of the tension rod is connected to the clasp of the tubular frame member causing the suspension material to be stretched on the frame member of the seat.
A method for manufacturing a seat having a seat suspension device includes the steps of manufacturing a seat suspension material of an appropriate fabric and having a first end connector element for connection with the support member of the seat""s suspension device and the second end having a second connector element distal from the first connector element for connection with a tension member of the seat suspension device. The material is anchored to the seat and is stretched into a contoured position. The first connector element is connected to the support member and the second connector element is connected to the tension member and the tension member is moved to be coupled with the frame member and to stretch the suspension material. The seat is further finished by applying additional trim and bolsters to complete the vehicle seat.
Accordingly, it is a feature of the present invention to provide a seat suspension device for suspending a material on a frame of a portion of a seat, such as a seat for use in a vehicle. It is a further feature of the present invention to provide a seat suspension device which is easier to use and install and is a more cost effective solution then has been available. Further, it is a feature of the present invention to provide a seat suspension device which is capable of providing a contoured seat suspension material. It is a further feature of the present invention to provide a seat suspension device which uses simple clips and loops to attach the seat suspension material to the frame and support member of the seat.
The present invention further relates to various features and combinations of features shown and described in the disclosed embodiments. Other ways in which the objects and features of the disclosed embodiments are accomplished will be described in the following specification or will become apparent to those skilled in the art after having read the following specification. Such other objects and features are deemed to fall to within the scope of the disclosed embodiment (s) if they fall within the scope of the claims which follow.


A unity gain buffer is shared by a charge pump and an active loop filter in a phase-locked loop. The charge pump uses the unity gain buffer to reduce current mismatch in the charge pump and the active loop filter uses the unity gain buffer in a circuit that increases the effective capacitance of the active loop filter.

Field of the Invention
This disclosure relates to generating clock signals and more particularly generating clock signals in a PLL with different power and jitter settings.
Description of the Related Art
Continuous-time delta-sigma modulator based analog to digital converters (ADCs) are widely used in radio frequency (RF) receiver (RX) applications. Typically, either higher-order delta-sigma modulator-based ADCs that use the reference clock (e.g., a crystal oscillator) or less complicated lower-order delta-sigma ADCs with high clock rates are employed. For the second case, in one solution clocks for the ADC are generated from divided down local oscillator (LO) clocks. However, the LO clock signal can change based on the tuned channel resulting in the ADC sampling frequency changing, thereby complicating modem design. Another approach uses a phase-locked loop (PLL) circuit as a clock multiplier unit for the ADC. Typically, these PLLs are not optimized for the delta-sigma ADCs and therefore consume high power and occupy large die area, increasing cost.
SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
A phase-locked loop (PLL) can be used to independently provide a fixed rate clock for the ADC in the RX signal chain, thereby simplifying modem design. In addition, it would be beneficial to reduce power consumed in the dedicated PLL.
In one embodiment, a phase-locked loop (PLL) includes a charge pump that provides a charge based on a difference between a reference signal and a feedback signal supplied by a phase and frequency detector. An active loop filter is coupled to an output node of the charge pump. A unity gain buffer is coupled to be used in the charge pump and in the active loop filter.
In another embodiment, a method for operating a phase-locked loop (PLL) includes generating signals indicating a difference between a reference signal and a feedback signal in a phase and frequency detector and supplying the signals indicating the difference to a charge pump. The method further includes using a unity gain buffer in the charge pump and using the unity gain buffer in an active loop filter and generating a filtered oscillator control signal using the charge pump and the active loop filter.
In another embodiment a PLL includes a phase and frequency detector (PFD) to provide PFD signals indicative of a difference between a reference signal and a feedback signal. A charge pump supplies a current to an output node of the charge pump based on the PFD signals. An active loop filter is coupled to the output node of the charge pump, the active loop filter providing an increased effective capacitance of a capacitor in the active loop filter. A unity gain buffer is coupled as part of the charge pump to reduce mismatch in the charge pump and the unity gain buffer is further coupled as part of the active loop filter. The charge pump includes a first transistor coupled between a first current source and the output node of the charge pump. A second transistor is coupled between a second current source and the output node of the charge pump. A third transistor is coupled between the first current source and a fourth transistor. The fourth transistor is coupled between the third transistor and the second current source. A positive input terminal of the unity gain buffer is coupled to the output node of the charge pump through a first resistor of the active loop filter. A second resistor of the active loop filter is coupled between the output node of the charge pump and an output terminal of the unity gain buffer. The capacitor of the active loop filter is coupled between the positive input terminal of the unity gain buffer and ground.
The use of the same reference symbols in different drawings indicates similar or identical items.

Charge pump and active loop filter with shared unity gain buffer


A baseball bat having a handle adjacent an end of the bat. An upper hand grip is rotatably mounted on the handle to allow a more natural swing than is available with conventional fixed-grip arrangements. A fixed lower hand grip acts as a spacer for positioning the upper hand grip a desired distance from the end of the bat. The upper hand grip has an inner sleeve with a low friction inner surface permitting rotation of the inner sleeve on the baseball bat handle, and a resilient outer sheath for urging the inner sleeve against the bat handle.

This application relates to an improved baseball bat, and more particularly to a baseball bat especially suitable for use by adults, teenagers and children for training purposes and for use by teenagers and children for playing purposes.
Various types of baseball bat grips are known in the art. Such grips are designed to prevent slipping of the hands on the bat, so that there is no movement of the hands with respect to the bat handle as the bat is swung. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,623,724; 3,469,839; 3,236,521; and 2,091,458.
An object of the present invention is to provide a bat handle with a grip which permits a more natural movement of the arms and shoulders than do prior art grips, when the bat is swung.


A system for compressing a cryogenic gas, particularly a hydrocarbon gas, has a compressor for compressing the gas and a line arrangement, which passes the gas to the intake side of the compressor and passes the compressed gas to a subsequent device for use. The line arrangement has a bypass and the compressed gas can be passed back to the intake side of the compressor via the bypass. An expander is disposed in the bypass, for re-cooling the gas that flows through the bypass. A method regulates a system for compressing a cryogenic gas, particularly a hydrocarbon gas that occurs during storage of a cryogenic liquid.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a system or apparatus for compressing a cryogenic gas, particularly a hydrocarbon gas, having a compressor for compressing the gas and a line arrangement. The line arrangement passes the gas to the intake side of the compressor and passes the compressed gas to a subsequent device. The gas occurs, for example, when a cryogenic liquid is stored in a supply tank.
2. The Prior Art
A system having the characteristics described is known from EP 0 069 717 B1. The cooled liquid natural gas is stored in a supply tank, at approximately atmospheric pressure, in a tank ship for the transport of liquid natural gas (LNG). The natural gas that evaporates within the tank is passed to an electrically operated compressor by way of a gas line, subsequently cooled, and passed into a gas tank for intermediate storage. The gas, which has been compressed to about 200 bar, is passed from the gas tank to a dual fuel diesel machine, which is designed for the combustion of gas and oil, and drives the tank ship. Both the load at the dual fuel diesel machine and the amount of the gas evaporating in the supply tank can be subject to great variations. As a result, pressure containers for intermediate storage of the compressed gas are necessary.


Devices and methods for determining fallopian tube occlusion. The methods may include determining fallopian tube occlusions through a pressurization or volumetric determination.

1). Field of the Invention
The field of the invention relates to methods and apparatuses for determining fallopian tube occlusion.
2). Discussion of Related Art
Female sterilization prevents pregnancy by occluding or mechanically blocking the fallopian tubes. There are several different occlusion techniques—tubes can be tied or "ligated," blocked with mechanical devices such as clips or rings, or scarred closed with electric current.
In partial salpingectomy, the fallopian tubes are cut and tied with suture material. The Pomeroy technique, a widely used version of partial salpingectomy, involves tying a small loop of the tube and cutting off the top segment of the loop.
Clips are used to block the fallopian tubes by clamping down and cutting off the blood supply to a portion of the tubes, causing a small amount of scarring or fibrosis that prevents fertilization from occurring. The two most common clips are the Filshie clip, made of titanium, and the Wolf clip (also known as the Hulka clip), made of plastic. Clips are simple to use, but each type requires a special applicator.
Tubal rings, like clips, also block the tubes mechanically. A very small loop of the fallopian tube is pulled through the stretched ring. When the ring is released, it stops the blood supply to that small loop. The resulting scarring blocks passage of the sperm or egg. The Yoon Ring, made of silicone, is widely used.
Electrocoagulation uses electric current to coagulate or burn a small portion of each fallopian tube. Unipolar coagulation passes current through the forceps applied on the tubes, and the current leaves a woman's body through an electrode placed under her thigh. In bipolar coagulation, current enters and leaves a woman through two ends of the forceps.
Occlusion device applied transcervically such as the ESSURE ® device manufactured by CONCEPTUS, INC. are also used to permanently block the fallopian tubes.
Hysterosalpingography (HSG) is a known method for determining whether a fallopian tube has been successfully occluded. In HSG, the uterus is pressurized with a fluoroscopically visual fluid. A radiologist fluoroscopically monitors the fallopian tubes to see if the fluid escapes past the occluded portion. Fluid seen escaping and filling the fallopian tubes, for example near the ovaries would indicate that the fallopian tubes are not occluded and that the patient may still be fertile. HSG is problematic in that it requires a radiologist to be present and also requires the use of specialized equipment. Thus HSG also cannot be performed in a doctor's office.

Methods and apparatus for determining fallopian tube occlusion


Novel physiologically active substances KS-504a, KS-504b and KS-504d having a vasodilative activity and a novel physiologically active substance KS-504e having an activity to inhibit histamine secretion are produced by culturing a microorganism of the genus Mollisia.

The present invention relates to novel physiologically active substances which are produced by a microorganism belonging to the genus Mollisia, a process for preparing the same and a pharmaceutical composition containing the same.
As the substances having a vasodilative activity which are produced by microorganisms, there are known WS-1228A and WS-1228B which are produced by Streptomyces aureofaciens [J. Antibiotics, 35, 151-156 and 157-163 (1982)]; K-259-2 produced by a microorganism belonging to the genus Micromonospora (Japanese Published Unexamined Patent application No. 63289/86), KS-619-1 produced by a microorganism belonging to the genus Streptomyces (Japanese Published Unexamined Patent Application No. 96987/86), etc. The substances of the present invention having a vasodilative activity are quite different from these substances in structure. Furthermore, no report has been made on substances having a vasodilative activity which are produced by a microorganism belonging to the genus Mollisia.
As the substances having an activity to inhibit histamine secretion which are produced by microorganisms, there are known K-252a [Jpn. J. Pharmacol., 43, 202 (1987)] and KT5556 (Japanese Published Unexamined Patent Application No. 176531/86), which are produced by a microorganism belonging to the genus Nocardiopsis. The substance of the present invention having an activity to inhibit histamine secretion is quite different from these substances in structure. Furthermore, no report has been made on substances having an activity to inhibit histamine secretion which are produced by a microorganism belonging to the genus Mollisia.
Products of a large number of microorganisms isolated from natural habitants have been studied with a view to providing useful novel physiologically active substances which can be used as pharmaceuticals or intermediates therefore. As a result, it has been found that substances having a vasodilative activity and a substance having an activity to inhibit histamine secretion are produced in the culture of a newly isolated microorganism. After isolation and purification of the substances from the culture, their physiochemical properties have been investigated, whereby the substances have been found to be novel physiologically active substances. The substances are hereinafter referred to as KS-504a, KS-504b, KS-504d and KS-504e.

Novel substances KS-504a, KS-504b, KS-504d and KS-504e and process for their preparation


A hydraulically operated valve control system includes a hydraulic flow divider including a hydraulic valve adapted to distribute, between two lines feeding respectively to actuators coupled to two inlet or outlet valves of a cylinder, the flow of oil coming either from a source of oil under pressure or from the feeding lines. The oil flow is distributed between the two feeding lines on the basis of the ratio of oil flow-rates in these two lines.

This invention concerns an hydraulically operated valve control system for an internal combustion engine. It also concerns an internal combustion engine equipped with such a system.
Internal combustion engines are more and more equipped with multi-valve injection systems where two inlet valves and/or two exhaust valves are provided for each cylinder in order to optimize the flow of the air-fuel mixture or the exhaust gases to or from a combustion chamber. These sets of two valves must be driven in such a manner that the valves have parallel movements, that is the same lift and speed for both valves.
EP-A-O 736671 teaches the use of balancing springs which engage a piston fast with each valve in order to move each valve towards a closing position. Such an approach works if the friction forces for each valve and the rigidity of the two springs are identical and if the hydraulic feeding circuits are symmetrical. Such conditions cannot be guaranteed because of the tolerances in the fabrication of the valves, in the fabrication of the springs and in the distribution of the fluids circuits within a cylinder head. Therefore, it is not sure the two valves of the prior art actually have the same movements.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,619,965 discloses an arrangement for balancing valves in a hydraulic camless valve train. Valve position sensors are used in conjunction with an electronic control unit to pilot opening and closing of solenoid valves. Such an arrangement is complex and expensive since it requires sensors and solenoid valves dedicated to each inlet valve/exhaust valve of the engine.
It is desirable to provide an hydraulically operated valve control system which efficiently controls the movements of two valves, without requiring electronic sensors or other complex and expensive equipments.
An aspect of the invention concerns an hydraulic operated valve control system for an internal combustion engine having at least one cylinder provided with two valves driven with oil coming from a source of oil under pressure, each valve being controlled by an hydraulic actuator fed with oil under pressure through a respective feeding line. This system is characterized in that it includes an hydraulic flow divider comprising an hydraulic valve adapted to distribute the flow of oil coming either, from said source or from said two feeding lines between said two feeding lines, depending on the ratio of oil flow-rates in these two lines.
Thanks to an aspect of the invention, the hydraulic valve can evenly distribute oil to the two inlet valves or two exhaust valves when these valves are supposed to be lifted.
Similarly, when the valves are supposed to be closed, the flow divider of the system of the invention accommodates evenly the two flows coming from the two inlet or exhaust valves.
According to further aspects of the invention, the control system might incorporate one or several of the following features:                The hydraulic valve comprises a valve member which is movable depending on pressure drops created across two throttles located respectively in a connecting line between said source and one of the feeding lines.        The valve member is automatically moved towards a position of balance of the pressure drops across these throttles.        The valve member is advantageously movable in a valve body which is defines a bore, where the valve member is slidably movable and which forms an internal volumes where oil under pressure acts on the valve member in order to move it in translation along a longitudinal axis, these volumes being fluidically connected to the connecting lines either upstream or downstream of the throttles.        The hydraulic valve body defines four internal volumes, two internal volumes being fluidically connected to a first connecting line in fluid connection with a first valve, respectively upstream and downstream of a first throttle located in this first connecting line, whereas the other two internal volumes are fluidically connected to a second connecting line in fluid connection a second valve, respectively upstream and downstream of a second throttle located in the second connecting line.        The pressure within the internal volume connected to the first connecting line upstream of the first throttle and the pressure within the internal volume connected to the second connecting line downstream of the second volume tend to move the valve member in a first direction along the longitudinal axis of the bore, whereas the pressure within the internal volume connected to the first connecting line downstream of the first throttle and the pressure within the internal volume connected to the second connecting line upstream of the second throttle tend to move the valve member in a second direction opposite the first direction.        According to a first embodiment of the invention, the throttles are each provided on a shuttle movable between two positions, depending on the direction of oil flow in the feeding lines. In such a case, the internal volumes of the hydraulic valve body are advantageously connected to the feeding lines upstream or downstream of the corresponding throttle, irrespective the position of the shuttles.        According to another embodiment of the invention, the throttles are provided on fixed part of the connecting lines, check valves being respectively provided between the internal volumes of the hydraulic valve body and the throttles.        The flow divider also includes two solenoid valves connecting selectively the hydraulic valves respectively to the source of oil under pressure and to a low pressure circuit.
An aspect of the invention also concerns an internal combustion engine provided with a control system as mentioned here above.

Hydraulically operated valve control system and internal combustion engine comprising such a system


The present application discloses a smart device comprising a temperature sensor, and a method for controlling the same. The present application relates to a smart device comprising a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of a certain object at a position spaced a certain distance from the object and having a measurement range varying according to the distance from the object. The present application provides a method for controlling a smart device comprising the steps of: measuring a distance from the smart device to the object for measuring the temperature of the object; if the measurement range of the temperature sensor at the measured position is not placed within the object, notifying a user that the temperature of the object cannot be measured; and directing the user to place the measurement range within the object.

Terminals may be generally classified as mobile/portable terminals or stationary terminals according to their mobility. Mobile terminals may also be classified as handheld terminals or vehicle mounted terminals according to whether or not a user can directly carry the terminal.
The mobile terminals have become increasingly more functional. Examples of such functions include data and voice communication, image and video capturing through a camera, voice recording, music file playback through a speaker system, and image and video displaying through a display unit. Some mobile terminals include additional functions for supporting game playing and working as multimedia players. In particular, current mobile terminals can receive multicast signals including visual contents such as videos and television programs.
The mobile terminal is connected to the network or other devices through various communication protocols to perform the above-described functions, and thus a ubiquitous computing environment can be provided to users. That is, the mobile terminal has been evolved as a smart device capable of providing connectivity to the network and ubiquitous computing. Traditionally, the smart device capable of operating as the mobile terminal has been designed at a size suitable for a user to grab the smart device with the user's hand. As a result, the user could carry around the smart device in the hand or put the smart device in a bag or pocket. In accordance with the recent development of technology, the size of the smart device has been remarkably reduced, and moreover, the smart device has been developed as a wearable smart device, which can be directly worn on the user's body.
Meanwhile, with the increasing interest in health, it has been recently considered that a health management function is added to the smart device. Specifically, since the smart device has the aforementioned advantages, the smart device can not only measure a variety of body information but also check and manage the user state based on the measured information. In particular, since the human body temperature is the foundation of human body information, many researches are made to enable the smart device to measure the body temperature. In addition, if the smart device is configured to measure the body temperature, it can measure the temperature of another object as well and thus provide various additional functions to the user based on the measured temperatures. Accordingly, the smart device and controlling method therefor need to be improved to measure temperatures of various objects including the human body temperature accurately and efficiently.

Smart device and method for controlling same


Aspects disclosed in the detailed description include a touch capacitance transduced energy harvesting system. The energy harvesting system includes a touch sensing electrode array and energy harvesting circuitry coupled to the touch sensing electrode array. When a movable conductive object (e.g., a human finger) moves toward or away from the touch sensing electrode array, capacitance of the touch sensing electrode array increases and decreases accordingly, thus transducing a direct current (DC) current in the touch sensing electrode array. As such, the energy harvesting circuitry can be configured to harvest electric energy from the DC current to generate and store a DC voltage. By harvesting the electric energy transduced from the kinetic energy of the movable conductive object, it is possible to power a low-power electronic device (e.g., a biosensor) with motions already used for interfacing with the low-power electronic device.

The ever-increasing number of sensor nodes on and around the human body is rapidly transforming the way people interact with their surroundings. The Internet of Things (IoT) has gained considerable traction over the past decade and continued research is forecasted to expand the network to reach from 24 to 50 billion body-worn devices. A perennial obstacle to realizing the deployment of body-worn devices is power. Many body-worn devices may require long operational lifetimes, ideally without the need to replace a battery. Moreover, depending on the application, many sensors may have size and weight constraints, rendering current battery technology inappropriate. Energy harvesting has been seen by many researchers as an emerging solution to meet the power demands of body-worn devices. Of the many ambient sources available, including electromagnetic radiation, thermal gradients, and mechanical motion, solar harvesting is a common choice due to a good balance of power density and packaging flexibility (e.g., enabling form-fitting when recharging wearables).
However, for applications not exposed to sunlight, alternative scavenging sources may be utilized. For example, it may be possible to extract energy from naturally occurring phenomena such as low-level vibrations present in households and office environments and fluidic motion found in evaporation. Unfortunately, small (e.g., centimeter scale or smaller) body-worn devices cannot efficiently make use of ambient environment vibration or fluid flow.
The human body has the potential to be a very valuable source of power for body-worn devices (e.g., biosensors), storing approximately 384 megajoules (MJ) of potential energy in fat for an average sized person. Although most of this chemical energy is not directly harvestable today, a small fraction of the available power can be indirectly scavenged from human temperature gradients and everyday motion. Although the heels of walking shoes are some of the most profitable locations to scavenge energy, it can be difficult to deliver this power to a useful device located somewhere on the body or in the environment. Human finger motion, on the other hand, is a natural means of communication which could generate energy through piezoelectric, triboelectric, and electrostatic transduction.

Touch capacitance transduced energy harvesting system

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