An image processing unit of the present invention receives a first image, performs weighted addition on color information in the first image to generate a color component different from that of the color information in the first image, and outputs the generated color component as a second image. The first image is expressed in a plurality of color components and comprises a plurality of pixels each having color information corresponding to one of the color components. At least nine coefficient patterns consisting of values of not less than zero are prepared, and any one of the coefficient patterns is used for weighted addition. This allows an improvement in image quality with high precision.

Some electronic cameras generate color image data by using an image sensor on which color filters in three colors (R, G, B: red, green, blue) are arranged on predetermined positions (such as in a Bayer array).
In this kind of electronic cameras, each of the pixels of the image sensor outputs color information on a single color component alone. Thus, processes for enhancing the image by providing each pixel with color information corresponding to three color components have been practiced.
Among such processes heretofore practiced is a color interpolation process. Specifically, similarity of each pixel in conjunction with the directions to its adjacent pixels is judged, and interpolation values (values that are equivalent to the color information corresponding to color components not contained in respective pixels) are obtained in accordance with the judgement result.
Moreover, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2000-78597 (U.S. Pat. No. 6,075,889) discloses technology for performing a process of generating a luminance value and a "chrominance value" for each pixel. That is, enhancement of an image is achieved through the processing in which each pixel is provided with the color components of a colorimetric system different from the colorimetric system that was adopted in the image at the time of generation by the image sensor. Here, the luminance values of the respective pixels are generated, being classified into five similarity directions, which are a horizontal direction, vertical direction, flat, diagonal direction 1, and diagonal direction 2.
According to the technology disclosed in the foregoing publication, however, luminance values are basically generated from color information corresponding to two color components, as is evident from how the luminance values of pixels containing color information corresponding to the red component or color information corresponding to the blue component are generated. Consequently, the luminance values generated at the respective pixels become uneven in RGB ratios pixel by pixel, and the RGB ratios of the generated luminance values vary greatly each time the target pixel of the luminance value generation moves on. Thus, there has been a high possibility that false structures not existing in the photographic object (false structures attributable to the Bayer array) appear as structures varying pixel by pixel over chromatic areas and flat areas in particular.
Moreover, according to the technology disclosed in the foregoing publication, the generated luminance values are corrected with correction values which vary depending on the directions of similarity at the respective pixels. Such correction values are extracted from "blurred luminance values" whose high frequency components pertaining to structural factors are all broken. Hence, the high frequency components have been corrected only insufficiently, with the results lacking in high frequency components.
Furthermore, according to the technology disclosed in the foregoing publication, since chrominance is generated with reference to luminance values that are generated from color information over a wide range, local high frequency components tend to disappear and color artifacts easily occur.
That is, it has been impossible to expect image enhancement with high precision from the technology disclosed in the foregoing publication.

Image processing device and image processing program


An example apparatus includes: a receiver operable to receive a modulated input signal at a receiver input and output a demodulated signal at a receiver output, the receiver comprising a switch having a first current terminal and a first control terminal, the first current terminal coupled to the receiver output. The example apparatus includes a capacitor having a first terminal and a second terminal, the second terminal coupled to the first control terminal and the first terminal coupled to the receiver input. The example apparatus includes a resistor having a third terminal and a fourth terminal, the fourth terminal coupled to the first control terminal. The example apparatus includes a voltage offset source having an input and an output, the output coupled to the third terminal. The example apparatus includes a current source coupled to the first current terminal.

Amplitude shift keying (ASK) systems are transceivers that modulate an amplitude of a carrier signal with an input binary signal to communicate the binary signal with a receiving device. ASK systems may be implemented in a plurality of applications, such as low-frequency radio frequency (RF) applications, home automation devices, wireless base stations, tire pressure monitoring systems, etc., to send and receive (e.g., communicate) information.

Methods and apparatus to demodulate an input signal in a receiver


A method of producing an optoelectronic semiconductor chip having a semiconductor layer stack based on a material system AlInGaP includes preparing a growth substrate having a silicon surface, arranging a compressively relaxed buffer layer stack on the growth substrate, and metamorphically, epitaxially growing the semiconductor layer stack on the buffer layer stack, the semiconductor layer stack having an active layer that generates radiation.

Compound semiconductor materials are of great importance for the production of, for example, light-emitting diodes (LEDs). For the production of such LEDs, suitable layer sequences are grown onto a growth substrate. The growth substrate used is, for example, a GaAs substrate. If, however, an AlInGaP semiconductor layer sequence is grown pseudomorphically onto such a GaAs growth substrate, the LEDs so produced, as a result of the band profile at short wavelengths in the range of about 530 to 590 nm, have a potential well of only shallow depth, with the result that disadvantageously high internal efficiency losses can occur as a result of a charge carrier excess.
The growth substrates used for metamorphic AlInGaP semiconductor layer sequences are, for example, GaAs or GaP growth substrates. However, as a result of tensile strains between, for example, a GaAs growth substrate and a semiconductor layer sequence, the active layer of the semiconductor layer sequence cannot be produced with sufficiently good crystal quality. To achieve significantly higher crystal quality it is possible to use, for example, GaP substrates, but a disadvantage is that such substrates are obtainable only in small wafer sizes and at high prices.
A problem is to define a method of producing a semiconductor chip that can be implemented in an economical way, while at the same time a semiconductor layer stack having high crystal quality is produced. A further problem is to define a semiconductor chip that exhibits layers grown with high quality and that can be produced economically and in a wafer composite.

Method of producing an optoelectronic semiconductor chip, and such a semiconductor chip


Devices and methods for cooling all or part of the body of a human or animal subject by inserting a heat exchange catheter into the subject's body and infusing into or through the catheter a heat exchange medium that contains liquid phase matter and frozen solid phase matter, wherein at least some of the solid phase matter melts while in the catheter.

Hypothermia can be induced in humans and some animals for the purpose of protecting various organs and tissues (e.g., hear, brain, kidneys) against the effects of ischemic, anoxic or toxic insult. For example, animal studies and/or clinical trials suggest that mild hypothermia can have neuroprotective and/or cardioprotective effects in animals or humans who suffer from ischemic cardiac events (e.g., myocardial infract, acute coronary syndromes, etc.), postanoxic coma after cardiopulmonary resuscitation, traumatic brain injury, stroke, subarachnoid hemorrhage, fever and neurological injury. Also, studies have shown that whole body hypothermia can ameliorate the toxic effects of radiographic contrast media on the kidneys (e.g., radiocontrast nephropathy) of patients with pre-existing renal impairment who undergo angiography procedures.
One method for inducing hypothermia is by endovascular temperature management (ETM) wherein a heat exchange catheter is inserted into a blood vessel and a thermal exchange fluid is then circulated through the heat exchange catheter. This technique can effectively cool blood flowing through the subject's vasculature and, as a result, lower the core body temperature of the subject to some desired target temperature. ETM is also capable of warming the body and/or of controlling body temperature to maintain a monitored body temperature at some selected temperature. If a controlled rate of re-warming or re-cooling from the selected target temperature is desired, that too can be accomplished by carefully controlling the amount of heat added or removed from the body and thereby controlling the temperature change of the patient.
In some situations, it is desirable to induce hypothermia rapidly. When blockage of an artery causes acute ischemia, such as is the case in acute myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke, a primary treatment objective is to reperfuse (i.e., restore blood flow to) the ischemic tissue within a short period of time (e.g., less than 5 hours) after the onset of acute clinical symptoms. Such reperfusion can be accomplished by surgery to remove or bypass the blockage or by catheter based interventions (e.g., angioplasty, stenting, atherectomy, catheter-based embolectomy, etc.) or through the use of thrombolytic drugs (e.g., tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) or streptokinase). It is currently believed that improved outcomes in such ischemic events may be achievable through the use of therapeutic hypothermia in combination with a reperfusion strategy such as surgery, catheter based intervention and/or thrombolytic drug therapy. For example, in one study, it was observed that the mean size of anterior wall myocardial infarctions is significantly reduced in patients whose core body temperature had been lowered to at least 35° C. prior to reperfusion of the infarct zone. This observation is not explained by other factors including time-to-presentation, lesion location and incidence of TIMI flow prior to angioplasty. Thus, evidence exists that the ability to induce hypothermia rapidly (i.e., prior to reperfusion) may be a critical factor in optimizing patient outcomes following acute ischemic events.
The present invention provides for rapid induction of hypothermia in ETM by using a heat exchange medium that undergoes an endothermic phase change as it circulates through the heat exchange catheter.
Matter primarily exists in four phases—solid, liquid, gas, and plasma—as well as a few other extreme phases such as critical fluids and degenerate gases. Generally, when a solid is warmed (or as pressure decreases), that solid will change to a liquid form and may eventually become a gas. For example, ice (frozen water) melts into liquid water when it is heated. As the water boils, the water evaporates and becomes water vapor. Sometimes, solids will transition directly from solid to gas, bypassing the liquid phase. This is known as sublimation.
Whenever a phase change occurs, energy is either absorbed or released. In exothermic phase changes, chemical potential energy is converted to heat energy, thereby resulting in a release of heat. In endothermic phase changes, heat energy is converted into chemical potential energy, thereby resulting in absorption of heat. Solid to liquid phase changes are typically endothermic.
The prior art has included certain heat exchange catheter systems wherein a volatile refrigerant is compressed to a liquid state, infused into a heat exchange catheter and allowed to expand within an expansion chamber, thereby undergoing an endothermic gas to liquid phase change. This gas to liquid phase change ostensibly results in absorption of heat to result in cooling of the subject's circulating blood and lowering of the subject's body temperature. Examples of heat exchange catheter systems wherein such gas-liquid phase change occurs are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,149,677 (Dobak III, et al.), the entire disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference. The use of a compressed refrigerant to effect a gas to liquid phase change within an indwelling heat exchange catheter presents handling and processing issues as well as potential injury to the subject should the volatile refrigerant leak from the catheter into the subject's bloodstream.
There remains a need in the art for the development of new endovascular systems and methods for rapidly lowering a subject's body temperature in a safe and consistent manner.

Endovascular cooling catheter system which employs phase-changing heat exchange media


In various embodiments, an optoelectronic component is provided. The optoelectronic component includes a metal substrate having a surface, an electrically conductive planarization layer on the surface of the metal substrate, wherein the planarization layer comprises a surface, an organically functional layer structure on or above the surface of the planarization layer, and an electrode layer formed in a transparent fashion on or above the organically functional layer structure. The roughness of the surface of the planarization layer is lower than the roughness of the surface of the metal substrate. The surface of at least one of the metal substrate or the planarization layer is formed in a light-scattering fashion.

A conventional light-emitting component (see FIG. 5), for example an OLED 500, may include an anode 506 and a cathode 510 with an organically functional layer system 508 therebetween. The organically functional layer system 508 may include one or a plurality of emitter layer(s) in which electromagnetic radiation is generated, one or a plurality of charge generating layer structures each including two or more charge generating layers (CGL) for charge generation, and one or a plurality of electron blocking layers, also referred to as hole transport layer(s) (HTL), and one or a plurality of hole blocking layers, also referred to as electron transport layer(s) (ETL), in order to direct the current flow.
In some fields of application, a steel foil 502 is used as substrate for the OLED 500. Firstly, a planarization 504 is applied on the steel foil 502 by means of screen printing or inkjet printing. The planarization is conventionally necessary since the surface 520 of the steel foil is relatively rough, as a result of which the stability of the organic material, e.g. of the organically functional layer system 508, is impaired. Afterward, a silver layer is applied to the planarization 504 by vapor deposition or printing. The silver layer acts as a specularly reflective anode 506 (anode mirror) for the OLED 500. In these fields of application, the cathode 510 is formed in a semitransparent fashion, such that light is coupled out from the OLED 500 through the cathode 510 during operation. Afterward, the OLED is encapsulated by means of a thin-film encapsulation 512 and provided with a scattering layer 514 in order to increase the proportion of coupled-out light and hence the efficiency of the OLED 500. In the scattering layer 514, scattering particles 516 are arranged in a matrix 518.
The scattering particles 516 can potentially bring about damage to the OLED 500. Moreover, a structured deposition of scattering particles 516 on the thin-film encapsulation 512 is difficult. The production of an OLED 500 of this type is thus very complex.

Optoelectronic component and method for producing an optoelectronic component


A broadcast material delivery architecture provides coordinated inclusion of supplemental materials with delivered broadcast material. A broadcaster broadcasts the broadcast materials to a plurality of users, the broadcast material being divided into a plurality of segments. Also broadcast is program data associated with the plurality of segments. A user terminal receives the broadcast material from the broadcaster and retrieving supplemental materials related to said plurality of segments of said broadcast material. To retrieve the supplemental materials, the program data are provided to a data server, which provides parameters for the supplemental materials to the user terminal. The user terminal uses the parameters to retrieve supplemental materials from one or more databases. The user terminal plays the supplemental materials in conjunction with the broadcast material.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to broadcast materials, and more particularly to a system and method for measuring broadcast material audiences.
2. Related Art
Broadcast material providers have historically relied on third-party ratings services to evaluate their listenership and to make programming decisions. However, such ratings services often rely on manual techniques to gather listeners"" preferences. According to one such technique commonly used in the radio industry, booklets are distributed to random families intended to represent a cross-section of the listening public. These families are instructed to fill out the booklets according to their actual listening patterns.
Such manual techniques are subject to error and inaccuracy. For example, some listeners may put off filling out the booklet until the end of the week. At the end of the week, they then attempt to recall the programs they actually heard. The accuracy of the reporting then, is subject to the accuracy of the listener""s memory. Additionally, there is little that can be done to prevent listeners from purposely skewing the results by intentionally filling out the provided forms inaccurately.
Another disadvantage of these manual techniques is the time delay inherent therein. A station program director may receive his or her station""s ratings as much as 90 days after the fact. This delay is undesirable, as program directors cannot see in real time the effects of their programming decisions. Often times, a programming xe2x80x98mistakexe2x80x99 can remain undetected for many months until the program director finally receives the rating results.
The present invention is directed toward systems and methods for measuring the audience of a broadcast program and for providing audience measurement information to the broadcaster. According to one aspect of the invention, broadcast materials are provided to one or more users from a server via a network. For example, according to one embodiment, the broadcast material is delivered to the user in segments such as, for example, tracks of music, advertisements, and promotional materials in a radio broadcast. In this embodiment, the supplemental materials can be coordinated with the individual segments (e.g., tracks) such that supplemental materials relating to the segments can be provided as the segments are being provided to the user.
Supplemental materials can be provided in a coordinated fashion with the broadcast materials such that they relate to the actual broadcast materials as they are being streamed or otherwise delivered to the user. Supplemental materials can include, for example, images, video clips, audio clips, data, or other materials that may be provided to the user in conjunction with the broadcast materials. The supplemental materials can also include advertising information that is provided to the user during particular segments of the broadcast material.
One example application of this aspect is found in the broadcast of radio broadcast materials over the Internet. According to this example application, the radio broadcast materials can include a plurality of tracks that can be streamed to a user via the Internet. The tracks can include, for example, music tracks, advertising tracks, DJ voice or introduction tracks, promotional tracks, and any other track that a station my wish to broadcast as part of its broadcast material. In one embodiment, the tracks are provided along with program data that can indicate, for example, an identification of the track, the type of track, and other pertinent or relevant information regarding the particular track being broadcast at that time. In one embodiment, the program data can include, for example, a cut code. This information can be provided to an Internet broadcast service provider that xe2x80x9cbroadcastsxe2x80x9d the broadcast materials and the program data to the listener""s Internet terminal.
The listener receives the broadcast material and the program data via the Internet connection and plays it on his or her computer, workstation or other Internet terminal. This can be a web page type player or a downloaded player that is resident on the user""s terminal. When the user""s terminal receives a track to be played, the user""s terminal takes the program data associated with that track and uses that data to access one or more servers to retrieve the supplemental information.
When a user logs onto a server to receive the program materials, a tracking event is provided to a measurement server. The measurement server stores the event and additional tracking information. The tracking information can include, for example, a date/time stamp, program data identifying a current segment and other relevant information.
Additional tracking events can be generated and stored based on user activities. Such activities can include, for example, log-on and log-off events, retreival of supplemental information, ordering of products and other user activities. The data provided to the measurement server can also include demographic data for the various users. In this manner, tracking events can be filtered or summarized by demographic information.
The tracking event and associated information can be stored in a database for historical or archive purposes. This data can be later recalled and reports run to provide listener information to a broadcaster. The data can also be provided to the broadcaster in real time such that the broadcaster can get an indication of their listening audience. Real-time information such as this can show a program director or other person the number of listeners at any given moment.
Further features and advantages of the invention as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

System and method for providing measurement of tracking events with radio broadcast materials via the internet


A cache memory management unit that performs searches in a cache memory unit that supplements a disc memory that serves a digital computer. When the computer needs to write a chosen data block into, or read a chosen data block from, its disc memory, the unit first performs a search for the tag or identification label for the chosen data block in the cache memory unit, before the computer searches the disc memory. The unit also implements an algorithm that identifies the least recently used and most recently used cache data blocks.

A cache memory is a supplemental, smaller memory unit that is positioned in the memory hierarchy between the CPU and a slower memory in a digital computer. One goal of use of a cache memory is to improve effective memory transfer rates and thus raise processor speeds for the computer itself. A cache memory is usually hidden and appears to be transparent to the computer user, who is only aware of the apparently higher speed of response of the computer main memory. The cache memory may be implemented by semiconductor devices whose speeds are comparable with that of the CPU itself, although the main memory utilizes less costly, lower speed semiconductor devices. Ideally, the cache memory contains only data that are most likely to be reused (many times) by the CPU in its operations. Because most data in the disc memory of a computer are not used many times before being modified or replaced by other data, the size of the cache memory may be made much smaller than the size of the memory.
The use of higher speed semiconductor devices in the cache memory, plus the smaller size of the cache memory relative to the disc memory, insure that searches for particular, multiply-used data will be completed much faster in cache memory then in the disc memory. The data in the cache memory may be updated each time the corresponding data in disc memory are updated so that little or no time is lost in the overwriting process. Some of the initial cache memories were of limited size (32K bytes available in the IBM 360/195 and 2K bytes in the DEC 11/70 system), but no intrinsic limits exist for the size of cache memory.
Introduction of cache memory techniques in disk drive controllers has resulted in a substantial improvement in controller system performance figures; controller speed has increased by a factor of 2-4, depending upon the bench mark test used. Even a gain in speed by a factor of 2 represents an attractive gain in the performance-cost ratio at the system level. However, use of cache techniques has led to a inclusion of greater amounts of computational power in the controller itself. Cache management requires extensive processing within the system and has sometimes led to the use of two processors to achieve the necessary real time performance. Even where dual processors are used, detection of a cache "hit" (finding a chosen data word in cache memory before beginning the lengthier search in disc memory) and subsequent transfer of the chosen data word to the host computer requires about 3 msec for 2048 bytes of data. Use of firmware techniques in a fully associative cache memory may require time intervals up to 1 msec for detection of a hit using 512 cache buffers that each contain a data word. The invention disclosed herein can determine if a chosen data word is contained in cache memory and identify the data word pointer to the appropriate memory space in about 1.9 .mu.sec when the system is clocked at a minimum cycle time of 50 nsec.


A glitter circulation device includes a housing defining a chamber configured to receive a doll. A tray is coupled to the housing and configured to hold a plurality of glitter particles. A fan is coupled to housing and in communication with the tray and the chamber. The fan is configured to draw the glitter particles from the tray and expel the glitter particles into the chamber.

Various dolls with clothing and accessories are known. Some dolls include removable clothing or accessories, such as shoes or purses, so that the doll's outfit may be selected and changed by a child. Playsets including toy wardrobes for retaining such accessories and clothing are also known. However, conventional dolls and playsets provide limited possibilities for reconfiguring the appearance of a doll or other toy.

Apparatus for circulating glitter particles


At least both a rapid thermal etch step and a rapid thermal oxidation step are performed on a semiconductor substrate in situ in a rapid thermal processor. A method including an oxidation step followed by an etch step may be used to remove contamination and damage from a substrate. A method including a first etch step followed by an oxidation step and a second etch step may likewise be used to remove contamination and damage, and a final oxidation step may optionally be included to grow an oxide film. A method including an etch step followed by an oxidation step may also be used to grow an oxide film. Repeated alternate in situ oxidation and etch steps may be used until a desired removal of contamination or silicon damage is accomplished.

1. The Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the manufacture of semiconductor devices, and particularly to the removal of damage or contamination, especially oxide containing contamination, from a semiconductor substrate, and the growth of extremely high quality oxide films during the manufacture of a semiconductor device. More particularly, the present invention is directed to improved methods for removing contamination and damage from a substrate, and for growing contamination-and defect-free oxide films on a substrate, by in situ rapid thermal etch and rapid thermal oxidation.
2. The Relevant Technology
Many of the steps performed in the manufacture of semiconductor devices require that contamination or damage be removed from a silicon substrate. The various processes typically used to remove contamination or damage generally may be classed as wet cleaning methods or dry cleaning methods. Wet cleaning of various types can introduce many types of contamination. Placing the substrate in contact with liquids tends to result in particulate contamination of the substrate. Dry cleaning methods employing plasma energy or similar energy sources can substantially avoid causing particulate contamination, but can cause lattice damage to the substrate. Dry cleaning methods without plasma or similar energy sources to assist the cleaning processes can avoid damage to the substrate, but are typically too slow for cost-effective manufacturing.
Deposition of extremely high-quality oxide films is also generally required in the manufacture of semiconductor devices, such as in deposition of gate oxides in state of the art field-effect transistors. Production of such extremely-high quality oxide films requires that the substrate be contamination-free and damage-free.
Effective, high-throughput cleaning methods resulting in a contamination-free and damage-free substrate are thus needed.

Rapid thermal etch and rapid thermal oxidation


Personal box areas allocated to respective ones of individuals are provided in an image memory. Each personal box area is associated with a name and a first password or a second password if the first password has not been registered. When the content of a personal box is to be output, the first password is consulted if it has been registered. If the first password has not been registered, then the content of the personal box can be output without a password. In a case where a personal box is to be deleted, the first password is consulted if it has been registered. If the first password has not been registered, then the second password is consulted to determine whether the deletion operation is authorized.

This invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a personal box for storing, on a per-identifier basis, a text image that is to be printed, as well as to a method of controlling this apparatus.
A digital copier known in the art has a function for electronically sorting PDL (Page Description Language) images, wherein image data that has been read in by a scanner or image data obtained by receiving and bitmapping PDL data that has been transmitted from a host computer is stored temporarily in a memory such as a hard disk, and designated image data is repeatedly read out of the memory, printed out and sorted.
Further, a digital copier thus equipped with a hard disk may also be provided with a personal box function. With a personal box function, a storage area on a hard disk or the like is divided into areas, which are referred to as personal boxes, that correspond to respective users, and image data bitmapped from PDL data sent from a host is stored temporarily in the personal boxes on a per-user basis. When stored image data is to be output, a personal box is designated from the control panel of the digital copier as needed and the image data that has been read out from the area of this personal box is printed out.
In an apparatus of this kind, a password is sometimes used in order to make it impossible to access image data without permission. When performing printing, for example, a password for accessing a personal box is requested, the password is compared with passwords that have been registered in advance for respective ones of the personal boxes, and printing is carried out only if passwords match. The password is used to demonstrate the legitimacy of the operator by being compared with the registered passwords not only when printing is performed but also when maintenance such as deletion of a personal box per se or alteration of the name of the personal box is performed.
In an apparatus in which passwords are compared to gain access to a personal box, whether or not registration of a password is required or not can be selected. With such an apparatus, data desired to be concealed from other individuals can be protected by registering a password for the personal box in which the data will be stored. Data desired to be shared with other individuals can be made accessible to anyone if no password is registered for the personal box in which this data is stored.
Though the conventional apparatus described above is advantageous in that anyone can use a personal box for which a password has not been registered, a drawback is that anyone can also perform maintenance such as deleting the personal box itself or changing the name thereof.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and a method of controlling the same in which, by always requiring registration of a password for maintenance of a personal box, a password comparison is made at the time of maintenance so that an individual other than a legitimate user is not allowed to perform maintenance on this personal box even if the personal box is one for which a password is not necessary when printing data from the box.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the figures thereof.

Image forming apparatus and method of controlling same


This invention concerns PAPP-A, its immunodetection and the clinical benefits of such immunodetection. Specifically, the invention includes monoclonal antibodies against PAPP-A and the use of these antibodies to detect PAPP-A at a very early stage of pregnancy. The invention also covers the use of the monoclonal antibodies for the detection of specific types of cancer and Down's Syndrome pregnancies.

Placental proteins are those proteins expressed during pregnancy by the human placenta. The ability to detect the presence and concentrations of these proteins has the potential to provide a reliable diagnostic marker of fertilisation, implantation and pregnancy prognosis.
A number of placental proteins have now been isolated and at least partially characterised. These include--human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), pregnancy-specific .beta..sub.1 --glycoprotein (SP1), placental protein 5 (PP5), early pregnancy factor (EPF), and pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A).sup.1.
These proteins are detectable, in maternal blood, at various stages during pregnancy. For example, EPF activity is detectable within 24 hours after conception. HCG is measurable just after implantation, at about 9 to 11 days post-ovulation, SP1 is detectable from 18 to 23 days post-ovulation. In singleton pregnancies, PAPP-A can be detected approximately 28-32 days post-ovulation.sup.2.
Placental proteins are also detectable for varying periods during pregnancy. For example, EPF is detectable at least for the first half of pregnancy, whereafter activity declines until it is totally absent during the third trimester in some women. HCG levels rise rapidly to peak at about 8 to 12 weeks gestation. The levels of SP1 rise exponentially with peak concentrations being reached at term pregnancy. Like SP1, PAPP-A concentrations also rise exponentially in the first trimester of pregnancy to peak at term.sup.2.
Whilst it has been suggested to measure the presence of placental proteins for early detection of pregnancy (for example, see European Application 316919), there is a growing body of documented evidence that at least some placental proteins, particularly PAPP-A, may be used to predict pregnancy viability, including early pregnancy failure, extra-uterine gestations, aneuploid and/or abnormal pregnancies, such as Down's Syndrome.sup.3 and Cornelia de Lange Syndrome.sup.4.
PAPP-A, first described almost two decades ago.sup.1, is a large zinc containing glycoprotein, rich in carbohydrate, with many physicochemical similarities to a 2-macroglobulin.sup.5. It has been detected in maternal circulation.sup.5, pre-ovulatory ovarian follicular fluid.sup.6, in seminal plasma.sup.7 and blood of patients with trophoblastic disease.sup.8.
PAPP-A is a homotetramer, with each monomeric subunit having a molecular weight of approximately 200 kDa. The subunits are linked by disulphide bonds to form dimers of approximately 400 kDa. Native PAPP-A consists of two dimers linked by Van der Waals (ionic) forces. Native PAPP-A has a molecular weight of approximately 820 kDa, regardless of whether it is derived from follicular fluid, seminal plasma, oncological or normal placental tissue.sup.7. The mature protein has a 2-.beta.1 electrophoretic mobility, with an isoelectric point of approximately 4.2-4.5.sup.9. It is a non-competitive and potent inhibitor of human granulocyte elastase.sup.10.
It has been suggested that the biological function of PAPP-A is to act as a local protective barrier against host (maternal) phagocytic-proteolytic defences to either inseminated sperm or the developing feto-placental unit.sup.11. This may be due to PAPP-A forming a protective sheet around the chorionic villus at the utero-placental interface.sup.12. Disruption of this protective layer may explain the correlation between depressed PAPP-A levels and pregnancy failure. PAPP-A may also play a role in zinc homeostasis.sup.5.
Schindler and Bischof.sup.13 suggested that the protein was ubiquitous and, therefore, of little practical use in pregnancy viability diagnosis..sup.14,15 However, it was subsequently shown that these results were due to impure PAPP-A isolates, due to the difficulties in isolating PAPP-A free of a 2-macroglobulin, and polyspecific antisera.sup.16.
Sinosich et al..sup.3 first suggested that a depressed or undetectable PAPP-A level in maternal blood was diagnostic of pregnancy failure. Later, Sinosich et al..sup.17 showed that, of five successful in vitro fertilisation volunteers, three patients with normal pregnancy outcome had circulating PAPP-A levels within the 80% confidence limits of the normal range. By contrast, circulating PAPP-A levels in the patient who spontaneously aborted at seventeen weeks were below the tenth percentile throughout the entire gestation. In the fifth patient, who had a ruptured ectopic pregnancy, PAPP-A could not be detected at any stage during the pregnancy. These findings were complimented by Westergaard et al. (1983).sup.18, who reported that, in a sample group of 51 patients, who conceived spontaneously, with vaginal bleeding in the first half of pregnancy, concentrations of PAPP-A were consistently lower in pregnancies which failed. Similarly, Sinosich et al. (1985).sup.19 showed that, in a group of 21 women who conceived by in vitro fertilisation, PAPP-A levels were consistently depressed, for many weeks, in those women whose pregnancies failed. The same group showed that, of forty seven serum samples obtained from patients with a tubal pregnancy, only two were positive for PAPP-A, indicating that severely depressed or undetectable serum PAPP-A levels were an aid in the diagnosis of extra-uterine pregnancy..sup.20
In 1990, Brambati et al..sup.21 reported that first trimester maternal serum concentrations of PAPP-A were low in pregnancies associated with Down's syndrome. Later, Wald et al. (1992).sup.3 confirmed that PAPP-A concentration was significantly lower in women with Down's syndrome pregnancies compared to PAPP-A levels in a control group of normal pregnancies.
It has also been reported that PAPP-A was detected in the circulation of patients with hydatiform mole.sup.2, suggesting a potential role for PAPP-A quantification in diagnosis and management of certain tumours.
These findings demonstrate the potential diagnostic value of measuring PAPP-A levels for monitoring feto-placental status. Moreover, in view of the increasing use of in vitro fertilisation techniques, and the relatively high proportion of early pregnancy failures associated with these techniques, the measurement of PAPP-A levels to monitor pregnancy viability and thereby minimise patient trauma is clinically advantageous.
Lin. et al. (1974).sup.22 described the use of an electroimmunoassay to measure PAPP-A levels in advanced pregnancy. This assay was insensitive and limited to latter stages of pregnancy. Sinosich et al. (1982).sup.2 and (1984).sup.6 described the first sensitive radioimmunoassay (RIA) which detected PAPP-A in serum obtained from first trimester pregnancies. This assay used radioactively labelled purified PAPP-A together with rabbit anti-human PAPP-A antiserum. The sensitivity of this RIA (2.9 .mu.g/L) enabled PAPP-A detection in maternal blood after the first six weeks of pregnancy. The assay made it possible to detect PAPP-A in other fluids (amniotic fluid, seminal plasma, follicular fluid, gestational trophoblastic disease, culture media), previously beyond the limits of detection. This assay also made it possible to study the kinetics and physiology of maternal PAPP-A levels in the first trimester of pregnancy, a crucial stage for feto-placental development.
The PAPP-A RIA differed from standard protocols in that molecular size of tracer (.sup.125 I-PAPP-A; Mr 820 kDa) and immune complexes required modification of the separation phase. Optimal separation of antibody-bound from antibody-free tracer was achieved with second antibody--7.5%(w/v) polyethylene glycol (PEG) solution, in the ratio of 2:1, 2nd antibody-PEG to assay reaction volume. Under these conditions, assay blank values could be reduced to 5-7%, whilst maximum binding would approach 60-70%.
The development of sensitive and reliable techniques for measuring PAPP-A is dependent on being able to isolate the protein in a sufficiently pure form and/or the generation of monospecific antibodies.
A number of methods for isolating and purifying PAPP-A have been described previously. For example, Lin. et al. (1974).sup.23 describe a procedure based on classical protein fractionation technology. This procedure utilised:
i) solubility; PA1 ii) charge; and PA1 iii) size. PA1 i) solubility; PA1 ii) charge; PA1 iii) lectin affinity; PA1 iv) size fractionation; and PA1 v) negative immunoaffinity. PA1 i) solubility; PA1 ii) positive immunoaffinity chromatography (immobilised anti-PAPP-A antibodies); and PA1 iii) size or charge, respectively. PA1 Glu-Ala-Arg-Gly-Ala-Pro-Glu-Glu-Pro-Ser-Pro-Pro-Ser [SEQ ID NO:9] PA1 (i) applying the sample to a positive affinity chromatography on heparin-Sepharose; PA1 (ii) size fractionating the fractions obtained from step (i) on a gel filtration column; and PA1 (iii) applying the fractions obtained from step (ii) to an anion exchange column; and PA1 (iv) applying the fractions obtained from step (iii) to a matrix with immobilized antibodies. PA1 (i) contacting the sample with a PAPP-A capture phase which consists of one or more of the following: PA1 (ii) contacting the immobilised or captured PAPP-A sample with a monoclonal antibody, of the fifth aspect of the invention, labelled with a detectable marker; PA1 (iii) incubating the sample and the labelled antibody to permit the labelled antibody to bind to any PAPP-A in the sample and; PA1 (iv) detecting the labelled antibody.
This procedure was technically cumbersome and resulted in a low yield of impure material.
Bischof (1979).sup.24 described a method of isolating and purifying PAPP-A. This procedure utilised:
This was even more cumbersome than the earlier procedure. The final product was still impure and yields remained low.
Sutcliffe et al.(1979).sup.25 and Folkersen et al. (1981).sup.26 described a purification method which used;
Step (ii) is detrimental to PAPP-A integrity and neither procedure resulted in pure PAPP-A. Although the final yield was improved by this method, the quality of the protein yield was sacrificed.
Based on an interaction with heparin (Sinosich et al. 1981).sup.27, Sinosich et al. (1982).sup.10 reported the first application of heparin-Sepharose for PAPP-A purification. For the first time it was possible to prepare a high yield (22%) of highly purified PAPP-A. However, by more current and stringent criteria, this preparation was also found to be impure.


An Rxe2x80x94Fexe2x80x94B permanent magnet wherein R is Nd or a combination of Nd with a rare earth element is prepared by casting an Rxe2x80x94Fexe2x80x94B alloy, crushing the alloy in an oxygen-free atmosphere of argon, nitrogen or vacuum, effecting comminution, compaction, sintering, aging, and cutting and/or polishing the magnet to give a finished surface. The magnet is then heat treated in an argon, nitrogen or low-pressure vacuum atmosphere having a limited oxygen partial pressure, obtaining a highly oil resistant sintered permanent magnet having corrosion resistance and hydrogen barrier property even in a high pressure hot environment of refrigerant and/or lubricant as encountered in compressors.

This invention relates to a method for preparing rare earth permanent magnets to be exposed to refrigerants and/or lubricants for an extended period of time, and especially useful in high efficiency motors.
Owing to their magnetic properties and economy, rare earth permanent magnets are utilized in many areas of electric and electronic equipment. The production of rare earth permanent magnets is rapidly increasing in these years. As compared with rare earth cobalt magnets, rare earth permanent magnets are advantageous in that neodymium as the predominant element is present in more plenty than samarium, the raw material cost is low because of the relatively low content of cobalt, and their magnetic properties substantially surpass those of rare earth cobalt magnets. The rare earth permanent magnets now find use not only in small-size magnetic circuits where rare earth cobalt magnets have been used, but also in areas where hard ferrite and electromagnets have been used. Also in the field of motors for use in compressors in air conditioners and refrigerators, transition from prior art induction motors and synchronous motors using ferrite magnets to DC brushless motors using rare earth magnets is in progress for the purpose of increasing energy efficiency for reducing the power consumption.
Rxe2x80x94Fexe2x80x94B permanent magnets have the drawback that they are readily oxidized in humid air within a short time since they contain rare earth elements and iron as main components. When Rxe2x80x94Fexe2x80x94B magnets are incorporated in magnetic circuits, oxidative corrosion can reduce the output of magnetic circuits and generate rust with which the surrounding equipment is contaminated. Therefore, rare earth magnets are generally surface treated prior to use. The surface treatment on rare earth magnets includes electroplating, electroless plating, aluminum-ion plating, and various coating techniques.
To find use in air conditioner compressor motors and industrial motors to operate in refrigerant, lubricant or mixed systems, the rare earth permanent magnets are required to be corrosion resistant under high pressure and high temperature conditions in the refrigerant and refrigerating machine oil mixed system.
For example, JP-A 11-150930 discloses the use of non-surface-treated rare earth magnet as the core of the rotor in a refrigerating compressor. However, the combination of HFC refrigerant with an ether or ester base refrigerating machine oil can detract from the magnetic properties of the magnet incorporated in the system during a long term of operation at high temperature.
Also in automotive motors to be operated while kept immersed in lubricants, corrosion reaction will take place between the magnet and the lubricant, detracting from magnetic properties.
Then in these applications, it must be contemplated to carry out any of the above-mentioned surface treatments. However, the Al-ion plating technique is expensive and industrially inexpedient. Coating is unacceptable because of reaction with solvents and oil. The plating technique has the problem of instability at high temperature, as demonstrated by stripping of a plated coating at the temperature of shrinkage fit between the rotor and the shaft. It is difficult to industrially apply the plating surface treatment to large size magnets, yielding many undesirably plated parts.
As discussed above, rare earth permanent magnets for use in high efficiency motors are exposed to the refrigerants and/or lubricants at high temperature and high pressure for an extended period of time and will detract from their magnetic properties due to reaction or corrosion therewith.
An object of the invention is to provide a method for preparing a rare earth permanent magnet having improved stability, corrosion resistance and hydrogen barrier property under rigorous conditions as discussed above.
In one embodiment, the invention provides a method for preparing a rare earth permanent magnet to be exposed to a refrigerant and/or lubricant for an extended period of time, comprising the steps of casting an alloy based on R, T and B, wherein R is neodymium or a combination of neodymium with one or more rare earth elements, T is iron or a mixture of iron and cobalt, and B is boron, said alloy consisting essentially of 17 to 33.5% by weight of neodymium, 26.8 to 33.5% by weight of the entire R (inclusive of neodymium), 0.78 to 1.25% by weight of B, 0.05 to 3.5% by weight of at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ni, Ga, Zr, Nb, Hf, Ta, Mn, Sn, Mo, Zn, Pb, Sb, Al, Si, V, Cr, Ti, Cu, Ca and Mg, the balance being T and incidental impurities; crushing the alloy in an oxygen-free atmosphere of argon, nitrogen or vacuum, followed by comminution, compacting under a magnetic field, sintering and aging, thereby yielding a sintered magnet having an oxygen concentration of up to 0.8% by weight, and magnetic properties including a residual flux density Br of 12.0 to 15.2 kG and a coercive force iHc of 9 to 35 kOe; cutting and/or polishing the sintered magnet to give a finished surface; and heat treating the sintered magnet in an argon, nitrogen or low-pressure vacuum atmosphere having an oxygen partial pressure of 10xe2x88x926 to 100 torr for 10 minutes to 10 hours.
Another embodiment provides a method for preparing a rare earth permanent magnet to be exposed to a refrigerant and/or lubricant for an extended period of time, comprising the steps of furnishing a mother alloy based on R, T and B, wherein R is neodymium or a combination of neodymium with one or more rare earth elements, T is iron or a mixture of iron and cobalt, and B is boron, said mother alloy consisting essentially of 17 to 33.5% by weight of neodymium, 26.8 to 33.5% by weight of the entire R (inclusive of neodymium), 0.78 to 1.25% by weight of B, 0.05 to 3.5% by weight of at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ni, Ga, Zr, Nb, Hf, Ta, Mn, Sn, Mo, Zn, Pb, Sb, Al, Si, V, Cr, Ti, Cu, Ca and Mg, the balance being T and incidental impurities, and an auxiliary alloy consisting essentially of 28 to 70% by weight of Rxe2x80x2 wherein Rxe2x80x2 is at least one rare earth element, 0 to 1.5% by weight of B, 0.05 to 10% by weight of at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ni, Ga, Zr, Nb, Hf, Ta, Mo, Al, Si, V, Cr, Ti and Cu, the balance being a mixture of iron and cobalt and incidental impurities; hydriding and crushing the mother alloy in an oxygen-free atmosphere of argon, nitrogen or vacuum; mixing 85 to 99% by weight of the crushed mother alloy with 1 to 15% by weight of the auxiliary alloy, followed by comminution, compacting under a magnetic field, sintering and aging, thereby yielding a sintered magnet having an oxygen concentration of up to 0.8% by weight, and magnetic properties including a residual flux density Br of 12.0 to 15.2 kG and a coercive force iHc of 9 to 35 kOe; cutting and/or polishing the magnet to give a finished surface; and heat treating the magnet in an argon, nitrogen or low-pressure vacuum atmosphere having an oxygen partial pressure of 10xe2x88x926 to 100 torr for 10 minutes to 10 hours.
Regarding a rare earth magnet which is used in various high efficiency motors (complying with the revised energy saving regulation enacted in Japan) and exposed to HFC alternative refrigerant and/or lubricant under operating conditions for an extended period of time, the inventor has found that corrosion resistance is improved by heat treating the magnet, which has been surface finished as mentioned above, in an argon, nitrogen or low-pressure vacuum atmosphere having an oxygen partial pressure of 10xe2x88x926 to 100 torr, and preferably at a temperature of 200 to 1,100xc2x0 C., for 10 minutes to 10 hours.

Preparation of rare earth permanent magnets


In an automatic stabilization control apparatus that subjects a moving image picked up by a camera to automatic stabilization control, the apparatus comprises means for designating a range of frames which are to be subjected to automatic stabilization control (hereinafter referred to as a correction frame range); means for calculating a common area where the image is common among the frames within the correction frame range; automatic stabilization control means for subjecting each of the frames within the correction frame range to automatic stabilization control processing involving enlargement of the common area; and enlargement processing means for subjecting vicinity frames preceding and succeeding the correction frame range to enlargement processing.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of picking up a moving image by a camera and carrying out automatic stabilization control of the image picked up.
2. Description of the Background Art
Apparatuses for picking up moving images by cameras and carrying out automatic stabilization control of the images picked up have been conventionally proposed. For example, an apparatus disclosed in JP-A-63-166370 records pixel data in the preceding frame and calculates a motion vector by correlation with the current frame, to carry out automatic stabilization control.
In such a method, however, the automatic stabilization control may end in failure depending on the image. An example is a case where the image hardly patterned or a passing object which rapidly cuts across in front of the camera.
The applicant of the present invention has developed an automatic stabilization control method so adapted as to cause a user to designate a range of frames which are to be subjected to automatic stabilization control excluding frames whose automatic stabilization control may end in failure and subject only the frames in the designated range to automatic stabilization control.
The automatic stabilization control method developed by the applicant of the present invention will be described. The automatic stabilization control method has not been known yet.
FIG. 1 shows the procedure for entire processing of the automatic stabilization control method developed by the applicant of the present invention.
In the step S101, processing for causing a user to designate a range of frames which are to be subjected to automatic stabilization control (a correction frame range) from data representing an image is performed. In the step S102, an automatic stabilization control coefficient for carrying out automatic stabilization control is calculated for each of the frames within the correction frame range. In the step S103, an image area (common area) where the image is common among all the frames within the correction frame range is extracted from the automatic stabilization control coefficient, for each of the frames within the correction frame range, calculated in the step S102.
In the step 104, the frames are read one by one in a memory from a moving image file. In the step S105, it is judged whether or not the frame (target frame) read in the memory is a frame which is to be subjected to automatic stabilization control.
In a case where the target frame read in the memory is a frame which is to be subjected to automatic stabilization control, the frame is subjected to automatic stabilization control processing in the step S106, after which the procedure proceeds to the step S107. In the step S107, the frame after the automatic stabilization control is outputted to an output file.
On the other hand, in a case where the target frame read in the memory is not a frame which is to be subjected to automatic stabilization control, the procedure proceeds to the step S107 without subjecting the frame to automatic stabilization control processing. In the step S107, the frame is outputted as it is to an output file.
In the foregoing step S106, the automatic stabilization control is carried out while enlarging the target frame on the basis of an enlargement ratio calculated from the respective sizes of the common area extracted in the step S103 and the original image and an automatic stabilization control coefficient corresponding to the target frame calculated in the step S102.
In the step 108, it is judged whether or not the target frame is the final frame out of the input frames. The procedure is terminated in a case where the target frame is the final frame, while proceeding to the step S109 in the other case. In the step 109, the frame number of the target frame is updated by one. Thereafter, the procedure is returned to the step 104. In the step S104, the succeeding frame is read, to perform the processing in the step S105 and the subsequent steps again.
FIG. 2 shows the detailed procedure for the processing in the step 102 shown in FIG. 1 (processing for calculating an automatic stabilization control coefficient).
In the step S201, a frame number i is initialized to one in order to process the first frame within the correction frame range, to read in the memory the first frame within the correction frame range. In the step 202, the frame number i is increased by one, to read in the memory the succeeding frame.
In the step S203, a geometric conversion coefficient is calculated between the frame (target frame) read in the step S202 and the preceding frame. The geometric conversion coefficient will be described later. In the step S204, geometric conversion coefficients between the adjacent frames from the first frame within the correction frame range to the target frame are accumulated, to calculate the geometric conversion coefficient between the first frame within the correction frame range and the target frame. The geometric conversion coefficient obtained in the step S204 is an automatic stabilization control coefficient for subjecting the target frame to automatic stabilization control.
In the step 205, it is judged whether or not the target frame is the final frame within the correction frame range. When the target frame is the final frame within the correction frame range, the processing is terminated. In the other case, the procedure is returned to the step S202.
FIGS. 3a and 3b are diagrams for explaining the principle upon which automatic stabilization control is carried out by geometric conversion.
Two frames which are continuous in time shown in FIG. 3a indicate that although the same scene is picked up, the position thereof is shifted by automatic stabilization control. In order to carry out automatic stabilization control so that a subject is not moved, this is feasible by making geometric conversion between the frame number i-1 and the frame number i. The geometric conversion in the simplest case is a two-dimensional parallel movement, which is represented by a two-dimensional parallel movement as indicated by an arrow in FIG. 3b. In the more complicated geometric conversion, affine transformation, projective plane transformation, and so on are used.
The geometric conversion can be calculated by extracting a motion vector between the images. As to the geometric conversion coefficients calculated between the adjacent frames, when a coordinate axis is selected such that the first frame within the correction frame range is used as the basis, the geometric conversion coefficient between each of the frames within the correction frame range and the first frame within the correction frame range can be calculated by successively multiplying the geometric conversion coefficients, starting with the first frame within the correction frame range.
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the processing in the step S103 shown in FIG. 1, that is, the processing for extracting the image area (common area) where the image is common among all the frames within the correction frame range from the automatic stabilization control coefficient for each of the frames within the correction frame range.
FIG. 4 illustrates a case of three frames. In order to carry out automatic stabilization control by geometric conversion to indicate that there is no invalid area in a peripheral part of an image, an image area where the image is common among all the frames within the correction frame range, indicated by hatching in FIG. 4, must be extracted. Further, the area is smaller in size than the input frame. Therefore, the area is made equal in size to the input frame by subjecting the image to enlargement processing.
However, the common area is subjected to enlargement processing for the frame which is to be subjected to automatic stabilization control, while not being subjected to enlargement processing in the frame which is not to be subjected to automatic stabilization control. Therefore, an enlargement ratio differs between the frame which is designated as one in the correction frame range and the frame which is not designated as one in the correction frame range. When viewed as the entire series of images, an unnatural joint occurs between the frame which has been subjected to automatic stabilization control and the other frame.

Automatic stabilization control apparatus, automatic stabilization control method, and computer readable recording medium having automatic stabilization control program recorded thereon


A semiconductor integrated circuit is provided having a surface-emitting laser that makes it possible to precisely monitor the amount of light emitted by the surface-emitting laser for a long period of time, to be miniaturized, and to be easily manufactured. A method to manufacture a semiconductor integrated circuit and electronic equipment is also provided. The semiconductor integrated circuit having a surface-emitting laser includes a transparent substrate, the surface-emitting laser composed of a micro tile-like element that is adhered to the transparent substrate, an integrated circuit chip that is flip-chip mounted on the transparent substrate and is arranged so as to cover the surface-emitting laser and a photodiode that is included in the integrated circuit chip and is arranged so as to face the surface-emitting laser.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor integrated circuit having a surface-emitting laser, a manufacturing method of the same, and electronic equipment.
2. Description of Related Art
Since the efficiency of a semiconductor laser varies depending on ambient temperatures and other factors, it is necessary to monitor and control the amount of laser light from an optical point of view. Some related art edge emitting lasers are mounted on a side of a pillar base called a stem. For such lasers, the amount of laser light is monitored by utilizing rear light.
Unlike edge emitting lasers, it is difficult to utilize rear light for surface-emitting lasers because light is emitted from a semiconductor surface. Therefore, methods to monitor the amount of light shown in FIG. 16 have been invented. As this figure shows, the amount of laser light L10 emitted from a surface-emitting laser 51 is monitored by using reflected light L20 that is reflected on a glass surface 52 of a package 50 that covers the surface-emitting laser 51 and a light receiving element 53.
However, the above-mentioned related art method to monitor the amount of light emitted by a surface-emitting laser involves the following problems. Since it requires the package 50 that covers the surface-emitting laser 51 and the light receiving element 53, it is difficult to reduce the size of a whole light emitting device. Moreover, since the amount of reflected light L20 may vary due to dirt on, or deformation of, the glass surface 52, it is difficult to accurately monitor the amount of light emitted by a surface-emitting laser for a long period of time.
In consideration of these problems, the invention provides a semiconductor integrated circuit having a surface-emitting laser that makes it possible to precisely monitor the amount of light emitted by the surface-emitting laser for a long period of time, to be miniaturized, and to be easily manufactured. The invention also provides methods to manufacture the semiconductor integrated circuit and electronic equipment.

Semiconductor integrated circuit having a surface-emitting laser, manufacturing method of the same, and electronic equipment


The present invention relates to a process for imaging deep ultraviolet (uv) photoresists with a topcoat using deep uv immersion lithography. The invention further relates to a topcoat composition comprising a polymer with at least one ionizable group having a pKa ranging from about −9 to about 11. The invention also relates to a process for imaging a photoresist with a top barrier coat to prevent contamination of the photoresist from environmental contaminants.

Photoresist compositions are used in microlithography processes for making miniaturized electronic components such as in the fabrication of computer chips and integrated circuits. Generally, in these processes, a thin coating of film of a photoresist composition is first applied to a substrate material, such as silicon wafers used for making integrated circuits. The coated substrate is then baked to evaporate any solvent in the photoresist composition and to fix the coating onto the substrate. The photoresist coated on the substrate is next subjected to an image-wise exposure to radiation.
The radiation exposure causes a chemical transformation in the exposed areas of the coated surface. Visible light, ultraviolet (UV) light, electron beam and X-ray radiant energy are radiation types commonly used today in microlithographic processes. After this image-wise exposure, the coated substrate is treated with a developer solution to dissolve and remove either the radiation exposed or the unexposed areas of the photoresist.
The trend towards the miniaturization of semiconductor devices has led to the use of new photoresists that are sensitive at lower and lower wavelengths of radiation and has also led to the use of sophisticated multilevel systems to overcome difficulties associated with such miniaturization.
Positive working photoresists when they are exposed image-wise to radiation have those areas of the photoresist composition exposed to the radiation become more soluble to the developer solution while those areas not exposed remain relatively insoluble to the developer solution. Thus, treatment of an exposed positive-working photoresist with the developer causes removal of the exposed areas of the coating and the formation of a positive image in the photoresist coating. Again, a desired portion of the underlying surface is uncovered.
Negative working photoresists when they are exposed image-wise to radiation, have those areas of the photoresist composition exposed to the radiation become insoluble to the developer solution while those areas not exposed remain relatively soluble to the developer solution. Thus, treatment of a non-exposed negative-working photoresist with the developer causes removal of the unexposed areas of the coating and the formation of a negative image in the photoresist coating. Again, a desired portion of the underlying surface is uncovered.
Photoresist resolution is defined as the smallest feature which the resist composition can transfer from the photomask to the substrate with a high degree of image edge acuity after exposure and development. In many leading edge manufacturing applications today, photoresist resolution on the order of less than 100 nm is necessary. In addition, it is almost always desirable that the developed photoresist wall profiles be near vertical relative to the substrate. Such. demarcations between developed and undeveloped areas of the resist coating translate into accurate pattern transfer of the mask image onto the substrate. This becomes even more critical as the push toward miniaturization reduces the critical dimensions on the devices.
Photoresists sensitive to short wavelengths, between about 100 nm and about 300 nm, are often used where subhalfmicron geometries are required. Particularly preferred are photoresists comprising non-aromatic polymers, a photoacid generator, optionally a dissolution inhibitor, and solvent.
High resolution, chemically amplified, deep ultraviolet (100-300 nm) positive and negative tone photoresists are available for patterning images with less than quarter micron geometries. To date, there are three major deep ultraviolet (uv) exposure technologies that have provided significant advancement in miniaturization, and these use lasers that emit radiation at 248 nm, 193 nm and 157 nm. Photoresists for 248 nm have typically been based on substituted polyhydroxystyrene and its copolymers, such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,491,628 and 5,350,660. On the other hand, photoresists for exposure below 200 nm require non-aromatic polymers since aromatics are opaque at this wavelength. U.S. Pat. No. 5,843,624 and GB 2320718 disclose photoresists useful for 193 nm exposure. Generally, polymers containing alicyclic hydrocarbons are used for photoresists for exposure below 200 nm. Alicyclic hydrocarbons are incorporated into the polymer for many reasons, primarily since they have relatively high carbon hydrogen to ratios which improve etch resistance, they also provide transparency at low wavelengths and they have relatively high glass transition temperatures. U.S. Pat. No. 5,843,624 discloses polymers for photoresist that are obtained by free radical polymerization of maleic anhydride and unsaturated cyclic monomers, but the presence of maleic anhydride makes these polymers insufficiently transparent at 157 nm.
Two basic classes of photoresists sensitive at 157 nm, and based on fluorinated polymers with pendant fluoroalcohol groups, are known to be substantially transparent at that wavelength. One class of 157 nm fluoroalcohol photoresists is derived from polymers containing groups such as fluorinated-norbornenes, and are homopolymerized or copolymerized with other transparent monomers such as tetrafluoroethylene (Hoang V. Tran et al Macromolecules 35, 6539, 2002, WO 00/67072, and WO 00/17712) using either metal catalyzed or radical polymerization. Generally, these materials give higher absorbencies but have good plasma etch resistance due to their high alicyclic content. More recently, a class of 157 nm fluoroalcohol polymers was described in which the polymer backbone is derived from the cyclopolymerization of an asymmetrical diene such as 1,1,2,3,3-pentafluoro-4-trifluoromethyl-4-hydroxy-1,6-heptadiene (Shun-ichi Kodama et al Advances in Resist Technology and Processing XIX, Proceedings of SPIE Vol. 4690 p76 2002; WO 02/065212) or copolymerization of a fluorodiene with an olefin (WO 01/98834-A1). These materials give acceptable absorbance at 157 nm, but due to their lower alicyclic content as compared to the fluoro-norbornene polymer, have lower plasma etch resistance. These two classes of polymers can often be blended to provide a balance between the high etch resistance of the first polymer type and the high transparency at 157 nm of the second polymer type.
In order to further improve the resolution and depth of focus of photoresists, immersion lithography is a technique that has recently been used to extend the resolution limits of deep uv lithography imaging. In the traditional process of dry lithography imaging, air or some other low refractive index gas, lies between the lens and the wafer plane. This abrupt change in refractive index causes rays at the edge of the lens to undergo total internal reflection and not propagate to the wafer (FIG. 1). In immersion lithography a fluid is present between the objective lens and the wafer to enable higher orders of light to participate in image formation at the wafer plane. In this manner the effective numerical aperture of the optical lens (NA) can be increased to greater than 1, where NAwet=nisinθ, where NAwet is the numerical aperture with immersion lithography, ni is refractive index of liquid of immersion and sinθ is the angular aperture of the lens. Increasing the refractive index of the medium between the lens and the photoresist allows for greater resolution power and depth of focus. This in turn gives rise to greater process latitudes in the manufacturing of IC devices. The process of immersion lithography is described in 'Immersion liquids for lithography in deep ultraviolet' Switkes et al. Vol. 5040, pages 690-699, Proceedings of SPIE, and incorporated herein by reference.
For 193 nm and 248 nm and higher wavelengths immersion lithography, water is of sufficient inherent transparency so that it can be used as the immersion fluid. Alternatively, if a higher NA is desired, water's refractive index can be increased by doping with UV transparent solutes. However, for 157 nm lithography, water's high absorbance makes it unsuitable as an immersion fluid. Currently certain oligomeric fluorinated ether solvents have been used as suitable immersion fluids.
One important concern in immersion lithography is the extraction of components from the photoresist film into the immersion fluid. These components may either be ones present in the film prior to exposure (e.g. base additives, photoacid generators, solvent, dissolution inhibitors, plasticizers, leveling agents,) or present in the film during or shortly after exposures (e.g. photoacid, photoacid generator, photofragments, scission fragments from the polymer or the other additives, salt of the photoacid and base additive.) The extraction of these materials is of concern for two reasons: firstly, it may affect resist performance deleteriously, and the second is the deposition of UV absorbing films on the objective lens in contact with the immersion fluid due to the photoreaction of extracted components in the immersion fluid.
Thus there is a need for a barrier coat having good optical transparency at the exposure wavelength, which can be spun onto the photoresist from a solvent system which will not redissolve the photoresist, and where the barrier coating layer is also insoluble in the immersion liquid, but can be removed easily during the normal aqueous base development step.
It is also known that chemically amplified photoresists, especially those based on the catalytic deprotection of an acid labile group, are particularly sensitive to amine contamination from the environment. The presence of amines can poison the acid generated during the photolytic process and neutralize the acid necessary for the deprotection of the polymer. This phenomenon is known and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,750,312, where an acidic barrier coat is coated on top of the photoresist. Protection of the photoresist is particularly desirable for instances where a chemically amplified photoresist is exposed in air or other gases. U.S. Pat. No. 5,750,312 particularly describes acid polymers based on carboxylic acids, such as, poly(methacrylate-co-methacrylic acid) and poly(benzyl methacrylate-co-methacrylic acid) coated over a photoresist sensitive at 248 nm. Such top coats cannot be used for photoresists sensitive at 193 nm and at 157 nm, since the top coats described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,750,312 have insufficient transparency at 193 nm, and especially 157 nm. Thus there is a need for new transparent polymers that can act as effective barrier top coats for 193 nm and 157 nm exposure wavelengths.
The inventors of this application have found that, surprisingly, a barrier coating composition comprising certain polymers and an alkyl alcohol solvent can be employed as effective barrier against removal of photoresist components or photoresist photoproduct during the imaging process using immersion lithography. Additionally, the inventors have found that polymers comprising an acidic fluoralcohol group may be used as top barrier coats for the prevention of amine contamination of the photoresist, when exposure is undertaken in air or other gases.

Process of imaging a deep ultraviolet photoresist with a top coating and materials thereof


Methods and apparatus for two-stage ACK/DTX detection. In an embodiment, a method includes determining a first stage DTX value from bit-domain correlation values, and determining a second stage DTX value from symbol domain correlation values generated from candidate ACK bits. The method also includes determining a DTX decision based on the first stage DTX value and the second stage DTX value.

With a rapidly growing trend of mobile and remote data access over a high-speed communication network such as third generation (3G) or fourth generation (4G) cellular services, accurately delivering and deciphering data streams become increasingly challenging and difficult. The high-speed communication network which is capable of delivering information includes, but not limited to, wireless network, cellular network, wireless personal area network ("WPAN"), wireless local area network ("WLAN"), wireless metropolitan area network ("MAN"), or the like. While WPAN can be Bluetooth or ZigBee, WLAN may be a Wi-Fi network in accordance with IEEE 802.11 WLAN standards.
Typically, wireless network performance depends in part on the quality of the transmission channel. For example, if the channel conditions are good, the network may perform with higher speed and capacity than when the channel conditions are poor. To obtain the best network performance, wireless networks may rely on user devices (e.g., user equipment "UE") to report control information back to the network. The control information includes parameters indicating the channel conditions and/or transmission parameters.
In the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Long-Term Evolution (LTE) standard, a Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) carries important control information, such as HARQ-ACK bits or SR bits for carrier aggregation. The performance of ACK messages play an important role in the overall downlink performance as the residual error rate of HARQ is in the same order of the feedback error rate of ACK bits. For example, after a user device receives a transmission from a network server, it generates acknowledgement (ACK) bits that indicates whether or not the transmission was properly received. The ACK bits are transmitted back to the network server through the PUCCH. The server can determine from the received ACK bits whether the transmission was properly received, and initiate a retransmission if necessary.
Discontinuous transmission (DTX) is a method of momentarily powering-down, or muting, a mobile or portable wireless UE when there is no voice input to the send. This optimizes the overall efficiency of the wireless voice communications system. During DTX mode, no ACKs are transmitted. However, it is then up to the receiver to determine whether ACK/NACK symbols have been received from a UE, or if the UE is in DTX mode. Unfortunately, conventional DTX detection may lead to detection errors and corresponding transmission inefficiencies.
Therefore, it is desirable to have a mechanism that efficiently detects DTX operation to enhance network performance.


An information detection apparatus is disclosed. A plurality of probes are arranged in the apparatus so as to face a medium which carries an information, Each of the plurality of probes produces a detection signal from the medium. A performance testing device is provided in the apparatus for testing the performance of each of the plurality of probes. A detection device in the apparatus selects the signal from at least one normal probe on the basis of the test result of the testing device and detects the information in accordance with the selected signal. By such the construction in the apparatus, the detection of the information can be continuously effected even if one of the probes is broken.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an information detection apparatus, and more particularly to an information detection apparatus as represented by an encoder used for a displacement information measurement apparatus in measuring dimension, distance or velocity such as measurement control which needs a resolution power in the order of atom (several .ANG.).
2. Related Background Art
In the past, the encoder of this type comprises a reference scale having information on position or angle, and detection means relatively movable with the reference scale to detect information on position or angle. Such an encoder is classified into several types depending on the reference scale and the detection means, such as an optical encoder, a magnetic encoder and an electrostatic encoder.
As an encoder having a resolution power in the order of atom, a parallel displacement detection apparatus is disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 62-209302. It uses a basic principle of a scanning tunneling microscope disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,343,993 which permits the observation of information on a sample surface at the atom resolution power.
In the past, such an encoder comprises a scale which is a reference to length and a probe arranged in the vicinity of the scale. Information derived from a tunneling current which flows between the reference scale having a drive mechanism and the probe is processed and encoded.
The probe which detects the tunneling current of the encoder is usually manufactured by a well-known electrolytic polishing method to form a sharp needle. Alternatively, machine polishing may be used.
However, the function of the probe which has the sharpness in the order of atom to detect the tunneling current is a heart of the encoder and the performance of the probe directly affects the performance of the encoder. In order to control and detect the tunneling current in the order of pA or nA which flows between the reference scale and the probe, it is necessary to set the distance between the reference scale and the probe to a very small distance such as several nm. Thus, when acoustic vibration or floor vibration occurs, the probe may contact the reference scale and the tip end of the probe may be broken so that it may no longer have the atom resolution power and permit the measurement in the order of atom.

Information detection apparatus and displacement information measurement apparatus


The disclosed waveguide display device may include a waveguide and one or more projector assemblies configured to project image light into the waveguide, where each of the one or more projector assemblies includes a first monochromatic emitter array having a plurality of emitters of a first color disposed in a two-dimensional configuration and a second monochromatic emitter array having a plurality of emitters of a second color disposed in a two-dimensional configuration. The display device may also include at least one application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) configured to drive the first and second monochromatic emitter arrays to emit images of the first and second color along a common axis, with the first color being different from the second color. Various other devices, systems, and methods are also disclosed.

This disclosure relates generally to near-eye display (NED) systems with waveguide displays. In conventional NED systems, a single polychromatic light source is typically driven by a single application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) assembly. However, such a configuration may not be suitable for an NED system that uses multiple light sources (for example, multiple monochromatic light sources).

Application specific integrated circuit for waveguide display


The present invention aims to provide a rubber composition having sufficient reinforcement and fatigue resistance even when a large strain is applied thereto, and the present invention is to provide a substituted carboxy group-containing modified cellulose nanofiber wherein at least part thereof has at least any one of a substituent represented by Formula (a): —CONH—R1 and a substituent represented by Formula (b): —COO—R1 (in Formulae (a) and (b), R1 is independently a C3-30 hydrocarbon having at least one unsaturated bond), and a rubber composition including the same.

Recently, there are known techniques for improving a variety of strengths in a rubber composition, such as tensile strength, by mixing a material produced by defibrating plant fibers to a nanometer level, called cellulose nanofiber, into the rubber composition.
For example, Patent Document 1 describes a rubber/short fiber masterbatch obtained by stirring and mixing short fibers having an average diameter of less than 0.5 μm and a rubber latex, in which cellulose is given as an example of the short fibers. According to this document, short fibers having an average fiber diameter of less than 0.5 μm are fibrillated in water in advance to produce a dispersion, the dispersion is mixed with a rubber latex, and then the resultant is dried. Thereby, the short fibers are uniformly dispersed in the rubber. By using this rubber/short fiber masterbatch, a rubber composition having a well balance between rubber reinforcement and fatigue resistance can be obtained.

Modified cellulose nanofiber and rubber composition including the same


This invention relates to a device for automatically securing a climber climbing a wall, wherein it comprises:. a shaft guided in rotation, PA1 at least one drum comprising a groove for receiving a line wound around the drum at least once, PA1 an irreversible control member interposed between each drum and the shaft preventing a relative rotation between the drum and the shaft in a first direction and allowing rotation of the drum in a direction opposite the first direction, PA1 a system for continuously taking-up the slack of the line, PA1 and a means for controlling rotation of the shaft in a direction opposite that allowed by the irreversible control member, enabling the climber, who has fallen, to descend.

Natural walls are being more and more arranged or artificial walls constructed, to allow climbers to train for mountain-climbing or to practice a sporting activity or physical education.
The practice of climbing, by an increasing number of technically unqualified persons, raises a considerable problem of safety of the climbers during the climb.
In fact, the known technique for securing the climber in the event of fall consists in fixedly mounting, at the top of the wall, a bar around which passes a rope of which one end is connected to the harness worn by the climber, whilst the other end of the rope is held by a person acting as spotter for the climber.
The climber's safety therefore depends exclusively on the spotter, which constitutes a major drawback insofar as this person must be continuously vigilant and must possess manifest technical knowledge in order to perform his function of spotter completely.
It is an object of the present invention to overcome this drawback by proposing a device for automatically securing, in complete safety, one or more climbers climbing an artificial or natural wall.
Another object of the invention is to propose a device for automatically securing a climber in the event of fall whilst enabling him/her to return in complete safety to ground level.
A further object of the invention is to offer a device which, adapted to return at least one climber, who has fallen, down to ground level, continues to perform its function of securing the other climbers climbing up the wall.
Yet another object of the invention is to offer a completely reliable securing device for climber, of simple manufacture and low cost price.

Device for automatically securing a climber climbing a wall


A bottom surface of a container (1) formed of a flexible material is partially raised to be partitioned it into plural compartments (10), and cells are cultured in each compartment (10). In due time, the compartments (10) are removed to expand a culture area in the container. As a result, the cell density at the time of culture can be maintained at an appropriate level, and an operation of transferring cells from one culture container to another culture container at the time of proliferating cells in a large amount can be eliminated, whereby damage on cells and risk of contamination can be reduced.

In recent years, in the field of production of medicines, gene therapy, regenerative therapy, immunotherapy and the like, it is required to culture cells, tissues, microorganisms, viruses, etc. (these are collectively referred to as "cells") efficiently in a large amount in an artificial environment. In such cell culture, as the cell density in a culture solution (hereinafter the culture solution means one including cells and a culture medium) increases, depletion of culture medium components necessary for proliferation, and accumulation of metabolic products of the cells themselves occur, the proliferation rate decreases and the cell density reaches saturation. Therefore, when cells are cultured in a relatively large amount, culture is usually carried out while repeating subculture so that the cell density is maintained properly.
At the time of subculture, there may be cases where cells are transferred from a well plate to a flask, etc. For example, using cell culture well plates, cells are added to individual wells together with a culture medium so as to attain a proper cell density, and culture is started. After sufficiently proliferating the cells in the wells, the proliferated cells are transferred to a cell culture flask. In accordance with the progress of cell proliferation, a culture medium is added to conduct culture and also conduct subculture. When the cells are proliferated to a prescribed level, the cells are transferred to a flask or a bag having a larger capacity, and culture, supplement of a culture medium, and subculture are repeated, whereby the cells are cultured in a large amount (see paragraph [0027], etc, of Patent Document 1).
Also, a method as following is adopted when using cryopreserved cells. After thawing, culture is conducted for several days in a high density state using a well plate in order to restore the original functions of the cells (hereinafter referred to as "curing culture"), and after restoring the function of the cells to their original state, the cells are transferred to a flask and cultured (hereinafter referred to as "expansion culture"), followed by activation culture in which antibody stimulation is performed is conducted (see paragraph [0057], etc. of Patent Document 2).
In such cell culture, equipment such as a well plate or a flask has been conventionally used, but in recent years, in place of these equipment, a culture bag made of a flexible material such as a resin film has come to be used (see Patent Documents 3 and 4). Equipment such as a well plate and a flask is not suited to culture a large amount of cells. On the contrary, in the case of using a culture bag, not only the cells can be cultured in a large amount since the capacity of the bag can be increased easily, but also cell culture can be conducted in a closed system, and hence, it has a merit that risk of contamination by fungi or virus during culture can be reduced. Therefore, when the cells are cultured in a large amount on a relatively large scale (i.e. larger than the laboratory scale), a culture bag is preferably used.

Cell culture method and cell culture apparatus


An exemplary inverter includes first, second and third legs connected in parallel to a line rail and a neutral rail. Each leg includes a first switch, a second switch, and a node between the first and second switches. The first leg further includes a voltage boosting section operable to selectively increase and decrease the voltage potential of the node of the first leg. The voltage boosting section may include a capacitor in parallel with the first and second switches. The first leg may further include a third switch in series with the voltage boosting section and between the voltage boosting section and the line rail, and a fourth switch in series with the voltage boosting section and between the voltage boosting section and the neutral rail.

Permanent-split capacitor (PSC) motors are widely used in a number of applications including HVAC fan and pump applications less than 5 hp. PSC motors generally operate at efficiencies from 20% to 65%. It is estimated that 100 million PSC motors are currently installed in HVAC applications in the United States, operating at average nominal efficiencies near 50%. These low efficiencies represent a significant cost, whether measured in equivalent pounds of carbon emissions, dollars, or other metrics.
FIG. 8 illustrates a conventional PSC motor system 900, including a power supply 902, a PSC motor 950, and a tap selector 960. Power supply 902 has a first terminal connected to a line rail 991 and a second terminal connected to a neutral rail 992. Motor 950 has a main winding 952, an auxiliary winding 954, a rotor (not shown), and a capacitor 959. Main winding 952 and auxiliary winding 954 are connected to neutral rail 992 by a common neutral pole 965. Auxiliary winding 954 is connected to line rail 991 by auxiliary pole 964. Main winding 952 has multiple taps 961, 962, 963, each connected to main winding 952 at a different location of the winding. Tap selector 960 connects line rail 991 to main winding 952 via one of the taps. Motor 950 is operable at three discrete speeds, with the motor speed being determined by the tap to which line rail 991 is connected via tap selector 960. The permanently installed capacitor trades off starting torque capability at standstill with ripple torque reduction at running speed. Due to the high volt-ampere (VA) rating of capacitors, the capacitor is often selected to meet the minimum starting performance requirements, resulting in poor running efficiency.
The main winding in a PSC motor is traditionally designed to meet a specified breakdown torque performance. The auxiliary winding is designed for a specific range of values of capacitors to limit inrush current that meet single-phase utility connection requirements, to provide adequate starting performance, and to meet the physical constraint of fitting the conductors in the slot area. The balancing of these tradeoffs does not lead to the best machine efficiency, particularly at small power ratings. Consequently, small size wire and inexpensive materials are used, resulting in significant winding resistances and core losses. These drawbacks have led many to abandon PSC motors in favor of three-phase motors driven by a three phase inverter. However, retrofitting an existing system in this manner requires the replacement of the motor and the introduction of a power electronic system to realize the upgrade. Historically, it has been prohibitively costly to install a full scale three phase variable speed drive with a motor in HVAC applications.
Main winding 952 and auxiliary winding 954 require different currents for proper operation of the motor. While the voltage applied to the main winding need not be more than the utility supply voltage, the voltage applied to the auxiliary winding needs to be sufficient to balance the machine's magneto-motive force (MMF). These constraints require a DC bus voltage at least greater than about 1.5 times the peak value of the rated voltage of the motor when a conventional inverter is used to retrofit a PSC motor. Such high voltages can pose a risk of partial discharge events resulting in damage to the windings. In other words, conventional inverters can realize the full voltage requirement for auxiliary winding 954 only at the cost of increased voltage stress on main winding 952. There is thus a need for the unique and inventive systems and methods disclosed herein.