An air bag includes two inner sheets facing each other, heat resistance materials located between the two inner sheets and applied to any one inner sheet in its length direction, two outer sheets located outside the two inner sheets, a second thermal bonding line thermally bonding the inner and outer sheets along the heat resistance materials, a first thermal bonding line thermally bonding the two outer sheets with gap from the second thermal bonding line to form an air input channel, and third thermal bonding lines extending from the second thermal bonding line oppositely to the channel to form air pillars, at least two heat resistance materials being continuously formed over the pillars, an air injected through the channel being introduced into the pillars between the two inner sheets, and the two inner sheets positioned in the pillars being adhered and pressed to any one outer sheet by an inner pressure of the pillars.

During delivery of household necessaries or other important articles, the contents are wrapped by an air bag so as to prevent the contents from being damaged by external impacts.
In the appended drawings, FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a general air bag, FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line A-A of FIG. 1, which shows a valve of the air bag shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a valve of the air bag to which air is not injected.
As shown in FIG. 1, the air bag 10 has a valve 20 that is closed by an inner pressure of air injected into the air bag.
Hereinafter, the general air bag is explained in detail.
The air bag 10 has a rectangular structure, and an air input channel 11 is formed along one side of the air bag 10. Also, a plurality of air pillars 13 are perpendicularly formed with respect to the air input channel 11. A plurality of valves 20 respectively connect the air input channel 11 to the air pillars 13, so air supplied through the air input channel 11 is introduced to each air pillar 13 through the valves 20. If the air pillars 13 are filled with air, inner pressure is generated to press the valves 20, thereby sealing the air pillars 13 such that the air in the air pillars 13 does not go out through the valves 20.
Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the air bag 10 includes two outer sheets 15 that form an overall configuration of the air bag. Also, the valve 20 is formed by two inner sheets 21 positioned inside the two outer sheets 15, a plurality of thermal bonding lines 31, 32, 33, and thermal bonding points 41, 42.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a plurality of heat resistance inks 23 are discontinuously applied to any one of facing surfaces of the two inner sheets 21 in a length direction thereof. Here, the length direction of the inner sheets means a direction perpendicular to the thermal bonding line 33. Each heat resistance ink 23 is formed to cover the air input channel 11 and the air pillar 13 with respect to the thermal bonding line 32.
In a state that the two inner sheets 21 are positioned in the two outer sheets 15, the air input channel 11 is formed by a first thermal bonding line 31 and a second thermal bonding line 32, positioned in parallel with each other. The second thermal bonding line 32 is formed while passing the heat resistance inks 23 discontinuously formed along the inner sheets 21. And, the first thermal bonding line 31 bonds only the two outer sheets 15.
The air input channel 11 is formed along the first thermal bonding line 31 and the second thermal bonding line 32 as mentioned above, and one side of the air input channel 11 is closed by thermal bonding and the other side is opened. Air is injected through the other side that is open.
Meanwhile, the outer sheet 15 and the inner sheet 21 are bonded by the second thermal bonding line 32, but regions where the heat resistance inks 23 are formed are not bonded. Thus, the air injected through the air input channel 11 is introduced to the air pillars 13 through passages 25 between the inner sheets 21, which are not thermally bonded due to the heat resistance inks 23.
In addition, the air pillars 13 are formed by third thermal bonding lines 33 extending perpendicularly from the second thermal bonding line 32. The third thermal bonding lines 23 are alternately formed with the passages 25 formed by the heat resistance inks 23. In other words, one passage 25 is formed with respect to one air pillar 13 by means of the discontinuously applied heat resistance inks 23. The air introduced to the air pillar 13 through the passage 25 fills the air pillar 13 formed by the third thermal bonding line 33.
Meanwhile, in a region of two inner sheets 21 positioned toward the air input channel 11 with respect to the second thermal bonding line 32, one inner sheet 21 and one outer sheet 15 are bonded and fixed to each other by means of the first thermal bonding point 41. As two outer sheets 15 are expanded due to the injected air, the inner sheets 21 bonded and fixed by the first thermal bonding point 41 become wider in opposite directions to open the passage 25.
However, the two inner sheets 21 positioned toward the air pillar 13 with respect to the second thermal bonding line 32 are bonded and fixed to any one outer sheet by the second thermal bonding point 42 to close the valve 20 by the air filled in the air pillar 13.
Thus, when air is injected to the air input channel 11, the air is introduced to the air pillars 13 through the passages 25, and the passages 25 are closed due to the inner pressure of the air pillars 13.
In the air bag described above, the discontinuously applied heat resistance inks 23 should be respectively matched with the air pillars 13 at accurate locations. However, while thermal bonding lines and thermal bonding points are formed in four sheets, deviation of location may occur in any sheet. Also, the sheets may be expanded due to the heat caused by thermal bonding, so it is difficult to form thermal bonding lines and thermal bonding points such that heat resistance inks are in accurate correspondence to air pillars. Due to this difficulty, workability is deteriorated, and an inferiority rate is increased.

Air bag with continuous heat resistance material


A method for manufacturing a control plate for a lithographic device. The control plate manufactured with a method of the present invention is essentially composed of a semiconductor substrate having an opening for the passage of particle probes emanating from a multi-beam source and of a corresponding plurality of deflection elements that are connected via bond pads and connecting lines to the electronics of the lithographic device that generates control signals. Lithographic methods and voltaic shaping techniques are utilized for the manufacture of the deflection elements located on the semiconductor substrate which is coated with a dielectric.

The present invention is directed to a method for manufacturing a control plate for a lithographic device.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,724,328 discloses a lithographic apparatus (electron beam writer) whose electron-optical column structure has an apertured diaphragm for generating a plurality of individually deflectable electron probes. The apertured diaphragm, disclosed in greater detail in European reference EP 0 191 439 Al, is essentially composed of a silicon membrane provided with a line-shaped multi-hole structure with an electrode system acting as a deflecting unit located on a surface thereof.

Method for manufacturing a control plate for a lithographic device


The present invention is directed to an improved method and apparatus for determining ultrasonically the quantity of liquid in a tank having multiple inventive aspects. One aspect includes an ultrasonic transducer having three layers, the top two each having a thickness of approximately one-quarter wavelength and having materials with corresponding acoustic impedances which together are chosen to match the acoustic impedance of the bottom layer to the acoustic impedance of the tank liquid about the operational frequency passband of the ultrasonic pulse transmitted from the transducer. Another aspect involves a system and method for discriminating between echo sources of an ultrasonic burst echo signal resulting from an incipient ultrasonic burst signal transmitted from the ultrasonic transducer. A further aspect involves the method of determining ultrasonically the height of a thermally stratified liquid in a tank using at least one ultrasonic transducer disposed at the bottom of the tank for transmitting an ultrasonic pulse towards the height surface of the tank liquid and for receiving ultrasonic reflections therefrom. A still further aspect involves a circuit for generating an electrical excitation signal for the ultrasonic transducer including a step-up transformer which affords DC isolation between the excitation signal generator and the transducer and which conveys the excitation signal differentially to the transducer in an electrically balanced configuration.

The present invention is directed to a liquid gauging system, in general, and more particularly to an improved method and apparatus for determining ultrasonically the quantity of liquid in a tank.
Ultrasonic liquid gauging systems, like a fuel gauging system for an aircraft, for example, generally include one or more ultrasonic transducers at each fuel tank of the aircraft, generally disposed at the bottom thereof, and one or more target reflectors disposed in the tank at predetermined distances from the ultrasonic transducer. In operation, an incipient ultrasonic burst signal is transmitted from the transducer, conducted through the liquid, reflected from the height of the liquid, i.e. the liquid/air interface, and returned to the transducer where it is received. A round trip time period from inception to reception of the ultrasonic burst signal is measured to determine the height of the liquid in the tank. In order to determine liquid height the velocity of sound of the liquid is needed. One technique for determining velocity of sound of the liquid is to utilize the time measurements for the ultrasonic burst reflections from the one or more target reflectors in the tank. Since the distance between a target reflector and the transducer is known the velocity of sound may be determined from said distance and the time measurement for the target reflector.
But this presumes that the velocity of sound of the liquid is substantially constant over a large liquid height profile around the target reflector. Unfortunately, this may not always be the case, especially if the liquid in the tank is thermally stratified. Accordingly, having the velocity of sound at one height of the liquid may not be sufficient across the over all height profile of the tank liquid, especially if accuracy of liquid quantity measurement is of paramount importance. Thus, it would be an important improvement to be capable of determining the velocity of sound cumulatively at the height of the liquid in the tank under thermally stratified conditions.
In addition, stratification may also occur due to a separation of different liquids in the tank. For example, reflections which may occur from the stratified liquid levels, may compromise the time measurements of the reflections from the target reflectors. Therefore, a liquid gauging system may also be improved by distinguishing between the different reflections in order to obtain accurate time measurements from the reflections of the target reflectors.
Also, current ultrasonic transducers like that illustrated in cross sectional view in FIG. 3A, for example, include a bottom layer of piezoresonator material which is of a different acoustic impedance than that of the liquid in the tank about the operational frequency passband of the ultrasonic burst or pulse transmitted and received therefrom. Generally a second or top layer of material is disposed between the piezoresonator material and the tank liquid for matching the acoustic impedances of the piezoresonator material and the tank liquid to render an efficient energy transfer. However, this acoustic impedance matching has not always been accurate due primarily to the available material for use as the second layer. Accordingly, an improvement in efficiency of energy transfer can occur if the acoustic impedance matching is made for accurate than currently implemented.
The embodiment of the invention which will be described in a succeeding section ameliorates the aforementioned drawbacks, thus providing a more accurate and improved ultrasonic liquid gauging system.


A vehicle customizing system is highly reliable in the event of communication failures. For setting control characteristic values pertaining to functions of control units to control characteristic values favored by the user, the functions and the present control characteristic values set for the functions are displayed on a display unit. The control characteristic values, which are changed using the display unit, are stored in first function information tables of the control units, which directly perform the functions. Even in the event of a communication failure, the control units are capable, on their own, of controlled objects in order to perform the functions thereof based on the control characteristic values stored in the first function information tables.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a vehicle customizing system having control units as vehicle-mounted controllers for performing vehicle functions, e.g., a function to energize a passenger compartment lamp for a predetermined period of time when a vehicle door is unlocked, based on control characteristic values such as a setting of 15 seconds, 30 seconds, or 0 seconds (not energized), and a display unit, such as a multi-display unit, connected to the control unit through a communication line and having an input means for changing such control characteristic values.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, a wide variety of motor vehicle equipment improvements have been made in the art, and modern motor vehicles incorporate control units for performing various vehicle functions based on control characteristic values, e.g., functions for electric accessories such as power window systems, air-conditioning units, etc., as well as functions for basic vehicle components such as the engine, steering system, brake system, etc., for propelling, turning and stopping the motor vehicle.
According to conventional vehicle control systems, control characteristic values for certain functions performed by control units can be changed by the user to desired values through a display screen meter unit provided on the instrumental panel, or through a navigation system display screen (see Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 10-264739 and Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2002-12099 for details).
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 10-264739 discloses a technique for changing control characteristic value settings for a transmission computer, making up a control unit connected to a communication line, using a multi-display unit including a vehicle display monitor and a multi-display computer.
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2002-12099 discloses a customizing apparatus for customizing functions of electrical accessories, including the air-conditioning unit, audio system, power window mechanism, etc., which are controlled by respective control units, based on control characteristic values preferred by the user, through a meter unit making up a display unit mounted on a motor vehicle, and depending on signals transmitted from a transmitter.
However, according to the conventional arrangements disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 10-264739 and Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2002-12099, the control characteristic values for the control units are stored in a memory (DVD or nonvolatile memory) within the display unit. When the control units on the motor vehicle are activated, e.g., when the ignition switch is turned on, or when the ignition switch is turned on and the switches of the control units are also turned on, the control characteristic values are read from the memory of the display unit, and then set in the various memories (volatile memories such as registers or RAMs) of the control units through a communication line. Thereafter, the functions of the control units can first be performed.
Consequently, it takes a certain period of time after the switches have been turned on in order to activate the control units and until the functions of the control units can be performed.
Further, if a communication failure occurs due to a communication line disconnection or the like, then since the control units are unable to receive the control characteristic values sent from the display unit, the functions of the control units cannot be controlled. Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 10-264739 reveals a process for performing the function of a control unit, using substitute or default control characteristic values stored in a ROM of the control unit, in the event of a communication failure. However, such a system becomes costly overall due to the added cost of the ROM.


Described herein is a method for producing a sealant. The method includes mixing a first material with a second material at a manufacturing site to produce the sealant. The method also includes applying x-ray energy to the sealant at the manufacturing site. The method includes measuring an amount of fluorescence emitted from the sealant in response to applying the x-ray energy. The method also includes calculating a mix ratio of the first and second materials of the sealant based on the amount of fluorescence. The method includes determining whether the mix ratio is within a predetermined mix ratio range.

A pre-produced sealant may be a curable sealant wherein one or more base sealants and one or more accelerators are pre-mixed and pre-packaged prior to application or use. In certain environments, a pre-produced sealant may be used during manufacturing. Such a pre-produced sealant may be created at location off-site relative to or remote from a manufacturing site where the sealant is applied to a part. Generally, after the pre-produced sealant is created, it is preserved in a frozen state and transported to the manufacturing site where it can be thawed and applied to a part. The pre-produced sealant may include suitable chemical properties for a particular application, without the need to add to or mix in additional materials. However, the chemical composition of pre-produced sealant is difficult to modify should it be desirable to use the pre-produced sealant in an application different than what the pre-produced sealant was intended for.
Pre-produced sealant can be time-consuming and expensive to use. For example, in order to inhibit premature cure the pre-produced sealant must be stored in a container in a freezer and thawed prior to use. Furthermore, the container may be disproportionately small or large as compared to an amount of pre-produced sealant used during manufacturing. Accordingly, application of the pre-produced sealant to a part may require multiple installations of new pre-produced sealant containers and removal of old empty pre-produced sealant containers. For smaller applications, unused thawed material can no longer be stored and must be disposed.

Apparatus, system, and method for producing a sealant


A new and distinct cultivar of Petunia plant named ‘Balsunhopi’ characterized by its dark pink-colored flowers, dark green-colored foliage, excellent branching, and mounded, trailing growth habit.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Petunia plant botanically known as Petunia×hybrida and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name 'Balsunhopi'.
The new cultivar originated in a controlled breeding program in Arroyo Grande, Calif. during June 2002. The objective of the breeding program was the development of Petunia cultivars having single-type flowers with unique colors and vigorous, mounded, and trailing growth habit.
The female (seed) parent of the new cultivar was the proprietary Petunia×hybrida breeding selection designated 054-10, not patented, characterized by its striped violet and white-colored flowers, dark green-colored foliage, and mounded, trailing growth habit. The male (pollen) parent of the new cultivar was 'Kakegawa S57', U.S. Plant Pat. No. 14,007, characterized by its lavender-colored flowers, medium green-colored foliage, and mounded, spreading growth habit. The new Petunia was discovered and selected by the inventor as a single flowering plant within the progeny of the above stated cross-pollination during March 2003 in a controlled environment in Arroyo Grande, Calif.
Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by terminal stem cuttings since March 2003 at Arroyo Grande, Calif. and West Chicago, Ill. has demonstrated that the new cultivar reproduces true to type with all characteristics, as herein described, firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of such asexual propagation.


A seal structure of a battery pack includes a tray for storing a battery cell therein, a cover covering the tray, and a gasket pressure contacted with a seal surface of the tray and a seal surface of the cover so as to close a clearance between the seal surfaces. The gasket is held at a position different from positions of the seal surfaces.

The invention relates to a seat structure of a battery pack for a vehicle.
Conventionally, there is known a battery pack provided in a vehicle such as an electric car and a hybrid car for driving the vehicle. The battery pack is constructed such that a tray with battery cells stored therein is covered by a cover, and is arranged below a seat to be occupied by an occupant, that is, just above the bottom surface of the vehicle. Since the battery pack is susceptible to water, in order to prevent water droplets and the like jumped up from a road from invading into the interior of the tray, there is interposed between the tray and cover a gasket for preventing invasion of the water droplets.
In the above battery pack, when the tray and cover are assembled while they are displaced in position in the horizontal direction, a clearance is produced between the tray and cover, thereby raising a problem that sealing performance by the gasket can be lowered. Thus, there is known a technology relating to a seal structure of the battery pack which, even when the seal surfaces of the tray and cover are displaced in position in the horizontal direction, can make it hard for their respective seal surfaces to produce a clearance between them to thereby maintain high seal performance (see, for example, the patent document 1).
[Patent Document 1] JP 2011-23230 A

MITSUBISHI JIDOSHA KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA


An inflator for use with a catheter having an inflatable component wherein the inflator includes a housing having an elongated plunger passage and an elongated gage passage. The housing includes a one piece main body which defines at least major lengths of both of the passages, and the passages extend in generally side- by-side relationship. The housing has a port which communicates with both of the passages and which can be coupled to the inflatable component of the catheter. A plunger is movable longitudinally in the plunger passage and is extendible out of a plunger opening in the plunger passage. A pressure responsive gage member is movable longitudinally in the gage passage and is responsive to pressure of the fluid adjacent the port. An indicator is responsive to the longitudinal position of the gage member to provide an indication of the pressure of the liquid adjacent the port. A releasable lock carried by the housing limits the plunger movement. The lock is retained in a locked position responsive to pressure in the plunger passage.

This invention relates to an inflator for use with a catheter having an inflatable component. The inflatable component may include, for example, the balloon of an angioplasty catheter or the balloon or everting element of a linear everting catheter.
Known inflators of this type typically include a housing having a plunger passage and a plunger manually movable in the plunger passage to force fluid out a port of the housing and to the inflatable component of the catheter. The inflatable component of the catheter, in combination with the inflator and any tubing or conduit between these two components, form a closed chamber. In use of the inflater and the catheter, it is important for the physician to know the pressure of the fluid in this closed chamber. To accomplish this, inflators typically include a pressure gage.
One type of pressure gage used with inflators is a circular or dial type pressure gage. Inflators with dial type pressure gages are illustrated, for example, in Nordquest U.S. Pat. No. 4,743,230, Goodin et al U.S. Pat. No. 4,723,938 and Lundquist U.S. Pat. No. 4,439,185.
Linear pressure gages are generally more economical than dial pressure gages. It is known to incorporate a linear pressure gage into the plunger of an inflator as shown, for example, by Leveen et al U.S. Pat. No. 4,346,708. However, the incorporation of a linear pressure gage into the plunger tends to interfere with the manual manipulation of the plunger if the gage is allowed to project from the handle end of the plunger.


Hybrid resistive memory devices and methods of operating and manufacturing the same, include at least two resistive memory units. At least one of the at least two resistive memory units is a resistive memory unit configured to operate in a long-term plasticity state.

1. Field
Example embodiments relate to hybrid resistive memory devices, and more particularly, to hybrid resistive memory devices including two or more resistive memory devices which are serially connected, and methods of operating and manufacturing the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
The brain of an animal receives lots of information, processes the information, gives a command to each body part, and sustains life. A cerebral cortex, which surrounds a surface of a cerebral hemisphere, plays a key role in receiving information, making determinations, and giving commands. The cerebral cortex includes a plurality of nerve cells called neurons, which include a plurality of projections. Each of the neurons includes a cell body, an axon, and dendrites. The axon contacts another nerve cell and sends information, and the dendrites receive signals.
At a synapse, an end of an axon of one neuron comes into close apposition with dendrites of a next neuron. Information storage and signal transmission occur due to a change in weight in the synapse by two plasticities (short-term plasticity and long-term plasticity). When the short-term plasticity occurs, the weight of the synapse is increased for a short period of time and rapidly returns to its initial state. If the synapse is continuously stimulated and the long-term plasticity occurs, the synapse is permanently changed. The long-term plasticity may occur more effectively with a smaller number of stimulations at shorter intervals than the short-term plasticity. Although the neuron has such an effective information processing mechanism, it is said to be difficult to simulate such plasticities of the neuron by using software because of a complicated process of the brain.

Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology


In a reverse link management method in a multicarrier wireless communication system, an access terminal AT sends a Reverse Link Management Message to an access network AN. The Reverse Link Management Message carries information of the reverse link that the AT dropped. The AN sends the Traffic Channel Assignment Message to AT, and assigns a new reverse carrier link according to the received the Reverse Link Management Message. The AT establishes a reverse carrier link (reverse link) based on said Traffic Channel Assignment Message and transmits data on the new reverse carrier link. According to this method, the AT can actively report the number of its containing reverse links to AN and inform the AN of the reverse links it has dropped, without further modifying other messages and steps in terminal connection process.

Single-carrier transmission is adopted in the existing CDMA2000 1xEvolution-Data Optimized (1xEV-DO) technology. In a 1xEV-DO system, an Access Terminal (AT) only uses one reverse carrier link to transmit information.
A higher data transmission rate is required for the development of data services. The Third Generation Partnership Project 2 (3GPP2) has proposed a new air interface evolution plan. In the first phase of the plan, a great increase in air interface data rate is enabled through Multiple Carrier EV-DO (NxEV-DO). It is required that the forward data rate is no lower than N×3.1 Mbps and the reverse data rate is no lower than N×1.8 Mbps, in which N is the number of carriers used by an Access Network (AN) or the AT. Further, it is required that the forward and reverse carriers be assigned dynamically and independently through the cooperation of the AN and the AT. The number of forward carriers and the number of reverse carriers are not required to be symmetric.
In an NxEV-DO system, an AT should be able to request an AN for the number of reverse carrier links the AT can support according to the AT's current power amplification state or other factors, and also be able to drop one or more reverse carrier links according to its power amplification state or other factors and report this to the AN.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the structure of a 1xEV-DO system, where the direction of a forward carrier link is defined from the AN to the AT and the direction of a reverse carrier link is defined from the AT to the AN. The components of the 1xEV-DO system are respectively described as follows:
Access Network (AN) is a network equipment configured to provide data connectivity between a packet switched data network (typically the Internet) and the ATs, and the AN is equivalent to a base station in a CDMA2000 system.
A packet Control Function unit (PCF unit) mainly provides between a wireless link and a wire link functions such as mapping, call control, mobility management, session management, data buffering and forwarding, and accounting information collection.
A packet Data Serving Node (PDSN) mainly provides functions such as link management, mobility management, address distribution, accounting information collection, data routing and tunnel encapsulation, and also supports the function of foreign agency for Mobile IP.
An accounting, Authentication, Authorization server (AAA server) mainly provides functions such as identity authentication and address distribution.
A mobile Switching Center (MSC) is a circuit domain voice switching center through which the circuit domain voice service is introduced.
In the existing 1xEV-DO system, when performing a configuration negotiation or establishing a traffic channel, the AT needs to establish a connection. There are mainly the following situations:
The AT initiates a connection request on its own initiative;
The AN sends a paging message, and the AT initiates a connection request when receiving the paging message;
The AT initiates a connection request when an initial establishment of a session or a configuration negotiation is required.
As shown in FIG. 2, the message flow in the case that the AT initiates a connection request on its own initiative includes the following processes.
S01: The AT sends a Connection Request.
S02: The AT sends a Route Update message to indicate the wireless circumstance.
S03: The AN sends a Media Access Control (MAC) layer Acknowledgement message to confirm that the Route Update message is received.
S04: The AN sends a Traffic Channel Assignment message.
S05: The AT establishes a Reverse Traffic Channel (RTC) and sends a pilot signal and a Data Rate Control (DRC) signal.
S06: The AN sends an RTC ACK message to confirm that the RTC is received.
S07: The AT sends a Traffic Channel Complete message on the reverse traffic channel.
S08: The AT starts to exchange data with the AN.
It can be seen from the prior art:
The AT is unable to request the AN for a reverse carrier link;
The AN does not know the number of reverse carrier links desired by the AT;
Only one reverse carrier link can be assigned to the AT, and the peak rate of the reverse carrier link is just 1.8 Mbps;
The forward and reverse data rates can not meet the requirement of the future service.

Management method and an apparatus for reverse link in a multicarrier wireless communication system


The present invention is a system for maintaining a controlled oxygen atmosphere within a transport container vessel, such as a bulk rail car through the use of permeable membrane technology. An oilless compressor is used in conjunction with the system so as not to subject the permeable membranes to the derogatory effects associated with the presence of oil within an air stream that circulates through the permeable membranes. The present system further includes an air-sampling system which is used to continuously measure the oxygen levels within the rail car so as to provide verification that the oxygen levels are maintained at 5% or less to kill insects, larvae, or eggs which may be within the bulk materials transported by the rail car.

Food products, such as grains, rice, flour, peanuts, sugar, and the like are typically transported in bulk by rail cars, trucks, and other similar transportation means, with rail car transport being one of the most-often used methods. Commonly found in such stored food products are insects, larvae, and eggs which are often introduced into the products during transport. The infestation which often occurs to these types of products is particularly severe in the summer months, though such infestation occurs in the winter months as well. In recognition of the infestation which commonly occurs with the aforementioned types of food products during transport, it is well known to treat the food products with various types of pesticides during transport to kill the insects, larvae, and eggs therewithin. One pesticide which is typically utilized to treat the stored food products is aluminum phosphide which is sold under the tradename PHOSTOXIN. Typically, the pesticides are applied to the stored food products as a fumigant or in a block form which is interposed in the container vessel.
Recently, various medical studies have concluded that the pesticides currently utilized to treat the aforementioned food products during transport give rise to various health risks upon long-term exposure or contamination. In this respect, studies conducted at the University of Minnesota, Laboratory of Environmental Medicine and Pathology, have found that an elevated incidence of chromosomal aberrations occurs in blood lymphocytes of male rats exposed to 3 ppm and higher concentrations of phosphene. These studies have also found that phosphene attacks DNA in humans causing chromosome aberrations. In recognition of the health risks associated with such chemicals, those individuals involved in the loading and unloading of the aforementioned types of products from rail cars and other container vessels are often required to wear protective gear and breathing apparatus to prevent exposure to the high levels of the chemicals present in the container environment. With regard to the rail car transport of these products, recent legislation which has been enacted to mitigate some of the health risks associated with the unloading of the rail cars requires that the rail cars be vented during transport immediately prior to the unloading thereof. Such legislation also requires that people in the vicinity of the area where the rail cars are vented be alerted that the venting is occurring.
As an alternative to the utilization of chemical pesticides to treat the stored food products during transport, it has been found that lowering the oxygen level within the transport container vessel to 5% or less and maintaining this level for extended periods of time has a toxic effect on the insects, larvae, and eggs found in the products. It has also been shown that a small percentage of carbon dioxide in combination with a low oxygen level can decrease the kill time, thereby increasing the effectiveness of the low oxygen levels within the container vessel. The present invention recognizes the health risks associated with the use of pesticides by providing a replacement for such pesticides in the form of a system utilizing nitrogen-generating membranes to create an atmosphere within the transport container vessel not exceeding a 5% oxygen level.


A pallet assembly includes at least one pallet member having external surfaces and a flame retardant material affixed to at least one pallet member so as to substantially cover all of the external surfaces of the pallet member. A pallet includes a container, tote bin, or any other suitable device used for the storage and transportation of items. In accordance with the invention, a method of fire blocking a pallet assembly includes the step of providing a pallet assembly that can include at least one pallet member having external surfaces. The method also can include affixing a flame retardant material to at least one pallet member so as to substantially cover all of the external surfaces of the pallet member.

(Not Applicable)
(Not Applicable)
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to fire blocking. More particularly, the invention relates to the fire blocking of pallets.
2. Description of the Related Art
Several approaches have been used to develop pallets with enhanced physical properties. Many of these approaches incorporate the use of various mixtures of compositions to enhance the physical properties of pallets. Specifically, these compositions attempt to increase flame resistance, durability, and strength of pallets. One type of composition that has been utilized includes nanocomposite technology. Nanocomposites utilize many different materials that are intermingled on a nanometer scale. The use of nanocomposites to develop high temperature compositions with enhanced thermal stability and performance characteristics is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,057,035 to Singh. The invention in Singh provides high-use temperature, lightweight polymer/inorganic nanocomposite materials utilizing techniques that enhance the thermal stability of the nanocomposite systems from their current limits of 100-150xc2x0 C. to over 250xc2x0 C. Additionally, much research has been focused on the development of flame retardant materials in combination with fabrics to provide flame retardant qualities. Combining flame retardant materials with fabric is generally known. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 4,950,533 to McCullough, Jr. discloses fabrics comprising a blend of substantially permanently or irreversibly heat set, non-flammable, carbonaceous fibers with polymeric fibers. Considerable time and effort has been expended in commercial industry to develop nonflammable and flame retardant fabrics. In the area of pallet technology, the efforts have focused on increasing a pallet""s ability to retard fire by the usage of methods involving the combinations of flame retardant materials in the composition of pallets, such as during the molding process. Additionally, the pallets in the prior art are monolithic in structure and incur difficulty when attempting to meet fire performance standards. Flame retardancy in the pallet industry is preferably measured according to the Underwriters"" Laboratory UL-2335 and/or FMRC fire performance protocol. Other organizations, such as the Grocery Manufacturing Association (GMA) and OSHA impose size and other restrictions on pallets depending on its particular purpose. These standards set minimum requirements that ensure fire safety and performance in the pallet industry.
Unfortunately, past efforts conducted to develop pallets exhibiting superior flame resistance have been problematic. Difficulty has been encountered in attempting to qualify pallets under standard safety guidelines, such as UL-2335. The problem to be solved is in developing a warehouse material handling pallet that meets the endurance, dimensional, load bearing, and weight parameters outlined by the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) and OSHA ergonomic requirements while meeting the Factory Mutual Research Corporation and Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. Standard UL 2335 fire performance protocols. Consequently, there is a need for a pallet structure that meets the standards under these regulatory test concerning flame retardancy, while remaining cost efficient and effective for its particular purpose.
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method of fire blocking a pallet assembly that enhances the physical attributes of the pallet assembly while providing flame retardancy.
A pallet assembly according to the invention comprises at least one pallet member having external surfaces and a flame retardant material affixed to at least one pallet member so as to substantially cover all of the external surfaces of the pallet member. A pallet can include a container, tote bin, or any other suitable device used for the storage and transportation of items.
In accordance with the invention, a method of fire blocking a pallet assembly comprises the steps of providing a pallet assembly that can include at least one pallet member having external surfaces. The next step can include affixing a flame retardant material to at least one pallet member so as to substantially cover all of the external surfaces of the pallet member.
In this invention, a flame retardant material provides a covering to the pallet member and increases the fire performance of the pallet assembly. The flame retardant material utilized can increase the overall safety of the pallet assembly while providing enhanced physical durability. Flame retardant material suitable for use in this invention can include a flame retardant fabric. Affixing the flame retardant fabric to the pallet assembly provides resiliency to open flames. Open flames and other heat sources are common causes of pallet meltdown, thus creating dangerous fire hazards during storage and transportation. Affixing the flame retardant fabric to a pallet protects and prevents damage resulting from fire related occurrences and normal wear and tear. A blend of polymeric fibers can be included in the flame retardant fabric. The flame retardant fabric can be adapted to the dimensions of the pallet member. Adapting the flame retardant material to the dimensions of the particular pallet member can permit individual components of the pallet member to be fabricated. The flame retardant material also can include a flame retardant liquid. The flame retardant liquid can comprise an intumescent material. The intumescent material can be applied to a pallet member using a brush, roller or spray similar to application of ordinary paint. Required coating thickness depends on the substrate, severity of the heat exposure, and level of protection desired. The flame retardant material utilized also can include a flame retardant polymer such as polyetaraflouraethylene. Flame retardant synthetic fibers such as polyolefin fiber also can serve as the flame retardant material. Polyester and melamine fibers can also be utilized as the flame retardant material on the particular pallet member. Additionally, the application of flame retardant materials can provide aesthetic value to a pallet along with providing pallet assembly protection and flame retardancy.
In an embodiment of the present invention the flame retardant material can include a flame retardant metal. Stainless steel, copper, and aluminum are examples of metals that exhibit strong heat resistance while maintaining malleability which allow these metals to be integrated into a pallet assembly. The flame retardant material also can utilize nanocomposite technology in covering a pallet assembly. Nancomposites utilize many different materials intermingled on a nanometer scale. Nanocomposites can be made from a variety of starting materials including, but not limited to gases, minerals, and plastics. Nanocomposite technology provides the benefit of increased physical properties. Nanocomposites can provide higher heat distortion temperatures, less shrinkage, less warping, electrical conductivity and better fire performance. The nanocomposites utilized in the flame retardant material can include an organic-inorganic complex of material. The flame retardant material can be composed of a nanocomposite material comprising a polymer material integrated with a clay between 0.1% and 20% by weight of the nanocomposite. The weight of the clay used in the nanocomposite comprising the flame retardant material also can include clay between 0.1% and 10% and clay between 10% and 20% by weight of the nanocomposite. The clay utilized can include a silicate or silicate derivative such as montmorillonite (alumino-silicate). Nanocomposite technology has demonstrated a significant reduction in heat release rates on the order of 50 to 75% while increasing stiffness, heat distortion temperatures, cold temperature impact and other barrier properties. Nanocomposites also can be utilized in conjunction with flame retardant resins. Flame retardant resins further enhance the fire resistance of pallets. Examples of fire performance enhancing resin technologies used are zirconia, boron oxides, polybenzoxazine, polymers and carbonsilicone resin additives.
The flame retardant material can be adhered to the pallet member utilizing a variety of processes well known within the industry. For example, in-mold processing, extrusion, co-extrusion, lamination, and autoclaving are available techniques that are suitable for adhering a flame retardant material to a pallet member. Application of flame retardant material to a pallet member is an effective mechanism for increasing the fire resistance of the pallet assembly and reducing accompanying safety hazards associated with low fire resistance, while also exceeding fire performance standards for pallets under Underwriters Laboratory UL 2335 protocol for pallets.


An apparatus and method for generating coded high-frequency signals, having a converter, which converts non-electrical primary energy available from the surroundings into electrical energy, an element with a nonlinear characteristic curve, which is coupled to the converter, and a coding device coupled to the element with a nonlinear characteristic curve.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for generating coded high-frequency signals wherein the apparatus includes a converter for converting a non-electrical primary energy into low-frequency electrical energy, an element for converting the low-frequency electrical energy into a high-frequency signal, and a coding device for generating a coded signal from the high-frequency electrical signal.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It is known to generate high-frequency energy signals with the aid of low-frequency electrical energy; e.g., direct current (battery), power supply frequency current and similar energy from similar energy sources. Radio-frequency transmitters fed from the power supply and battery-driven RF transmitters such as radio transceivers, mobile telephones or cordless telephones are widely known. Such apparatuses enable non-coded, but preferably coded/modulated, high-frequency signals to be emitted for diverse radio information transmissions. For the cases of battery operation, solar energy also may be used as the primary energy source, with the aid of which, given the presence of sufficient illumination, a rechargeable battery or an accumulator can be recharged or kept in its charge state.
It is also known for physical and similar data, measurement variables, etc., to be interrogated remotely. One example of such remote interrogation is a remote thermometer by means of which the temperature, such as that of a hot boiler, is measured and displayed at a location remote from the boiler. For this purpose, a remote thermometer that operates purely electrically has a two-core electrical line between the temperature-sensitive sensor and the actual display device.
Equipment which can be interrogated remotely and in which the connection between sensor and display device is a radio transmission are also known. Although the data transmission takes place in a wirefree manner, a source for electrical energy is nevertheless necessary at the location of the sensor, namely for the transmitter. If the connection is intended to be completely wirefree, electrical battery energy feeding is used at the location of the data interrogation (unless an electrical source is otherwise available there). Furthermore, equipment which can be interrogated remotely without an electrical supply at the sensor are known. In the case of which the energy necessary for the data transmission is coupled in a wirefree manner, by means of a correspondingly high-energy and broadband interrogation pulse, into a surface wave device. From there it is sent back passively after suitable signal processing. What is disadvantageous about this, however, is the fact that the high-energy interrogation pulse has to be emitted regularly and all the more often the more accurately the measurement variable is to be determined or observed.
An object of the present invention is to specify, for a relatively specific operating case, the advantageously applicable generation of the electrical energy necessary for such a transmitter. This relatively specific operation involves carrying out a radio information transmission only in relatively short time intervals of interest, wherein the length of a respective time interval of this type is short (e.g., only 1 thousandth or less) relative to the pauses between such successive time intervals.
Accordingly, the present invention is based on the concept, preferably from the viewpoint of reducing the technical outlay and also of minimized maintenance, of finding a principle which enables a completely sufficient radio information transmission for the respective case, with energy other than electrical primary energy being expended.
In advance of the descriptions of individual examples, the principle underlying the present invention shall be briefly delineated, those parts of the description which then follow will serve to provide a more in-depth understanding of such principle.
The case of photovoltaic conversion already has been mentioned which, however, as is known and evident, can be made usable only to a limited extent. It is dependent on sufficient incidence of light and usually can be used only in conjunction with energy storage elements, or accumulators.
The present invention is geared to using energy that is available, occasionally even in a very large quantity and being referred to here as primary energy available from the surroundings, in order to provide electrical energy for generating a high-frequency signal (radio signal. Such primary energies that usually are not used are mechanical deformation energy, in particular pressure or other forces, friction forces (low-temperature), thermal energy, acceleration forces, radiation, oscillating masses and the like. Insofar as forces are referred to here, their temporal or local gradient is used for the present invention, the gradient being equivalent to an energy.
Examples of previously unused primary energies that may be and [lacuna] are the pressure/deformation energy fundamentally necessary for actuating an electrical switch, heat, e.g. from a radiator, that is available with a spatial or temporal temperature gradient and acceleration energy of an oscillating seismic mass, e.g., such as that in a vehicle. Other suitable primary energies are shaking, vibrating, and air movements. This exemplary enumeration is not exhaustive in relation to the present invention and must in no way be seen as a restriction of the application of the principle of the invention.
The integral principle of the present invention essentially consists in tapping off a proportion of energy from such process energy and converting such proportion of energy firstly into low-frequency electrical energy as defined here. In the most general form, according to the present invention, this is understood to mean in the first instance the separation of charges, as arises, e.g., as electrostatic charging due to friction. According to the present invention, the generation of a voltage having a slowly rising amplitude is also understood to be low-frequency. The voltage generated in pyroelectric or piezoelectric and also in photovoltaic components also be used in accordance with the present invention.
A next step is to transform this so-called low-frequency electrical energy into high-frequency electrical energy. For this purpose, an element with a nonlinear characteristic curve (nonlinear element) may be used in accordance with the present invention. Connection therewith this is understood to mean an element whose behavior changes abruptly as a function of the applied voltage starting from a specific limit value or in a limit value range. As a result, such an element generates a current pulse with a steep edge, which corresponds to a high-frequency signal in the frequency domain.
Depending on the bandwidth of this high-frequency signal, it may be necessary to filter out a narrower-band frequency spectrum from such signal. However, it is also possible to use a nonlinear element which already generates a sufficiently narrowband high-frequency signal by itself. This enables the full energy content of the high-frequency signal to be used.
A further step of the present invention is to code this high-frequency electrical energy with an information item and emit it as a coded (narrowband) high-frequency signal. This coding may be suitable for identification purposes and/or may also contain other information items; e.g., items concerning the nature and size of parameters acting on the coding device. These may be specific physical quantities such as, for instance, a temperature, a force or a sudden impedance change, or they may be chemical or biological parameters as well; e.g., concentration and/or nature of gases, vapors, liquids, substances or biological material such as viruses or genes.
A coded high-frequency signal is emitted, whose energy content, with narrowband selection being performed if appropriate, is necessarily relatively low but, nevertheless, sufficiently large within the scope of application of the present invention. It is surprising that, in spite of a low degree of conversion of the primary energy used into the energy of the coded high-frequency signal that is generated, there is no problem at all with respect to the beneficial application of the present invention.
In this respect, it should be pointed out that the radio receiving station (positioned at an appropriately limited distance) is designed and configured in a manner known, per se, such that it can detect the information of the received (coded) narrowband high-frequency signal. This is not a problem at the radio receiving end because the energy supply of the receiver can be ensured in a conventional manner; e.g., by means of an electricity power supply, batteries or the like.

Apparatus and method for generating coded high-frequency signals


A mine roof support includes a substantially dome-shaped plate including a curved portion having a first side and a second side. The mine roof support includes a drive end such as a barrel and wedge assembly, a nut or a forged head. The first side of the plate is adapted to mate with a recess defined in a mine roof. A top portion of the drive head may be contoured to substantially match the contour of the second side of the plate. A drill bit tool used to create the recess includes a first drill bit situated at one end of the drill bit tool and a second drill bit situated near an opposite end of the drill bit tool, wherein the drill bit tool is adapted to drill a bore hole and the recess. A method for supporting the mine roof utilizes the mine roof support.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a mine roof support and, more particularly, to a system and method for creating a mine roof counter bore adapted to receive a crater plate and cable bolt head therein.
2. Description of Related Art
In mine work, such as coal mining, or in underground formations such as tunnels or other excavations, it is necessary to reinforce or support the roof and/or walls of the excavation to prevent rock falls or cave-ins. Among the most common means presently in use for effecting such support are cable bolts or other suitable elongated members, such as rod bolts, which are inserted into bore holes and exposed to a resin mixture or anchored therein to hold a metal support or bearing plate in tight engagement with the roof or wall surface. With respect to cable bolts, a resin system introduces resin capsules or cartridges into the bore hole and then advances the capsules to a blind end of the bore hole by the cable bolt backing the capsules. The spinning of the cable bolt ruptures the capsules and mixes the resin system supplied. Examples of prior art cable bolt arrangements are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,428,243; 5,586,839; and 5,064,311.
Each of the cable or rod bolts in the aforementioned prior art utilizes either a barrel and wedge assembly or a bolt head, respectively, to secure the metal support or bearing plate against the roof. Therefore, for example, the barrels of the cable bolts extend into the usable walk/crawl or transportation space in a mine, as defined by the distance from the floor to the ceiling of a mine tunnel. FIG. 1 depicts a prior art cable bolt including a multi-strand cable 3 secured to a barrel and wedge assembly 2 and situated with respect to a roofline of a mine. A washer 4 may be secured between a prior art bearing plate 6 and an existing barrel 8. A drive head, such as a nut 9, may be attached to a free end of the cable 3. An exemplary height of the prior art barrel and wedge assembly 2 is approximately three inches. Accordingly, several inches (not including the thickness of the prior art bearing plate 6) of material extends below the roofline. The prior art barrel and wedge assembly 2 used in connection with typical low-clearance tunnels requires that due care be exercised while moving within the tunnel, as the extending bolt heads may be engaged by moving equipment or mine personnel.

System and method for mine roof counter bore and cable bolt head securement therein


Some embodiments provide methods for calibrating a fluorometer in order to account for one or more optical properties of a water sample affecting fluorescence measurements. In some cases one or more calibration solutions are prepared with sample water from a specific field site. Fluorescence measurements are taken from a water sample and one or more of the calibration solutions, and calibration parameters are determined based on the measurements. In some cases a calibration solution is prepared by spiking sample water to include a higher concentration of a fluorescent tracer and measurements are taken to characterize a calibration slope coefficient. In some cases a calibration solution is prepared by adding an acid and measurements are taken to characterize a background fluorescence in the sample.

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to fluorometric sensors and fluorometers for determining and monitoring the concentration of one or more substances in a liquid sample, and more particularly to the calibration of such fluorometric sensors and fluorometers.
In cleaning and antimicrobial operations, commercial users (e.g., restaurants, hotels, food and beverage plants, grocery stores, etc.) rely upon the concentration of the cleaning or antimicrobial product to make the product work effectively. Failure of a cleaning or antimicrobial product to work effectively (due to concentration issues) can cause a commercial user to perceive the product as lower quality. End consumers may also perceive the commercial user as providing inferior services. In addition, commercial users may be investigated and/or sanctioned by government regulatory and health agencies. Accordingly, there is a need for a system that can determine if the concentration of a product is within a specified concentration range. The same may be true for other applications, such as water care, pest control, beverage and bottling operations, packaging operations, and the like.
One method of monitoring the concentration of a product relies on monitoring the fluorescence of the product that occurs when the sample (and the product within the sample) is exposed to a predetermined wavelength of light. For example, compounds within the product or a fluorescent tracer added to the product may fluoresce when exposed to certain wavelengths of light. The concentration of the product can then be determined using a fluorometer that measures the fluorescence of the compounds and calculates the concentration of the chemical based on the measured fluorescence.
Fluorometric spectroscopy concerns the detection of fluorescent light emitted by a sample of interest. It involves using a beam of light, usually ultraviolet (UV) light, that excites the electrons in molecules of certain compounds in the sample and causes them to emit light of a lower energy (i.e., to "fluoresce"). There are several types of fluorometers for measuring emitted fluorescence. Fluorometers generally have of a source of excitation radiant energy, an excitation wavelength selector, a sample cell to contain the sample material, an emission wavelength selector, a detector with signal processor and a readout device. Filter fluorometers use optical filters to isolate the incident light and fluorescent light. Spectrofluorometers use diffraction grating monochromators to isolate the incident light and fluorescent light.
The accuracy of a fluorometer's measurements, and ultimately the accuracy of the calculated concentrations, depend upon the fluorometer's ability to account for various factors in the field. Accordingly, many fluorometers are calibrated prior to measuring fluorescence in order to correct for water properties such as background fluorescence that can significantly affect fluorescence measurements if not taken into account. In addition, water properties often vary over time and across sites, leading to further difficulty in obtaining accurate fluorescence measurements in the field.


A measuring probe comprises a stylus-carrying member on which a stylus is magnetically retained. The carrying member is supported on a flat diaphragm spring for tilting movement relative to an intermediate member. The intermediate member is supported on two further diaphragms for linear movement relative to a housing. The spring rates of diaphragm and further diaphragms are chosen to give the probe the desired relative force/displacement characteristics in X,Y and Z.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a measuring probe, and relates in particular to a probe having the capability of measuring the deflection of a stylus assembly from a zero or rest position defined by a resilient planar support. Probes of this type may be used for scanning the surface of a workpiece to determine its shape.
2. Description of Related Art
Such a probe is known, for example, from UK Patent Specification No. 1,573,447. This specification describes a probe in which a stylus assembly, which has a work-contacting stylus attached thereto, is supported in the rest or zero position (i.e. the position in which no external load is applied to the stylus) by a planar spring. Probes of this type have few moving parts and therefore have the advantage of being relatively cheap to manufacture.
However, these probes suffer from a problem in that the force required to produce a given deflection of the stylus from the rest position in the direction of its longitudinal axis, (hereinafter referred to as the Z axis of the probe), and the force required to produce the same magnitude of deflection in the sense of tilting the stylus relative to the Z axis are interdependent. That is to say, that any modification to the probe which alters the spring rate in respect of one of these motions, will also affect the rate in respect of the other.
For example, in the above described probe design, it is usually the case that the spring rate in the Z direction is greater than the spring rate in the sense of tilting of the stylus.
This gives rise to a problem when the probe is used as an analogue probe for scanning a workpiece surface, where the stylus is in continuous contact therewith, in that, when the stylus tip meets a change in the inclination of the surface which increases the pressure on the stylus in the Z axis, the stylus may slide sideways on the surface due to the lesser force restraining tilting thereof instead of remaining in the desired plane.
In many scanning operations the machine control system works on the basis of calculating from the probe outputs of X, Y and Z deflections, the vector which is normal to the surface, and then driving the probe in a direction normal to the calculated vector. Thus, where the probe readings are giving a false indication of the surface inclination, (due to sideways sliding of the stylus) the control will drive the probe in the wrong direction and this can slow down the scanning process.


An iterative method for detecting is provided, with at least one receiver satellite in orbit, a target possessing reflective properties that are different from those of the area in which the target is found, by GNSS reflectometry, wherein the reflected GNSS signals are received by an active antenna of the receiver satellite comprising a plurality of antenna elements, the method comprising a step of determining assumed positions of the target, for which positions it is desired to detect the target, and, forming beams and tracking GNSS signals in accordance with these assumptions.

The term "target" is understood to mean an element possessing reflective properties that are different from those of the area in which it is found. These different reflective properties may be due, nonlimitingly, to a different geometry (e.g. ice peak in a flat extent of ice) or a different composition (e.g. metal structure on a body of water).
The reflective properties may be of specular or diffuse type, or any combination thereof.
GNSS reflectometry is an original and opportunistic remote sensing technique that consists in analysing the electromagnetic waves continuously emitted by the sixty satellites of GNSS positioning systems (GALILEO, GPS, GLONASS, etc.), which are captured by an antenna after reflection from the surface of the Earth. These signals interact with the reflecting area and therefore contain information on its properties, which may be observed in the signal received after reflection. Although the feasibility and advantageousness of this method have been amply demonstrated, in particular in aeronautical fields, the implementation of this technique poses a certain number of problems in a spatial context.
The GNSS is therefore used as a radar, and receives the echo after reflection from the surface of the Earth, and deduces, by analysis of the echo, the properties of this surface.
It is an advantageous alternative to radar, at least for low-cost applications, in particular because it is not necessary to pay for the source (the emitter of the radar, with all that it costs in terms of consumption), and it is continuously available (no need to wait for the return of the satellite or of the carrier of the radar).
GNSS reflectometry has been used for a number of years, in an airborne context, for example in agriculture and the surveillance of forests.
However, the link budget is not high enough for implementation of GNSS reflectometry to be simple with conventional low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, a low Earth orbit generally being considered to be lower than 2000 km.
In the present case, a target may be a ship on the ocean (small area of specular reflection in the middle of an area of diffuse, on the whole, reflection), a portion of a pole not covered with ice (small area of diffuse reflection in the middle of an area of specular, on the whole, reflection).

Method for detecting a target by GNSS reflectometry and associated system


An assessment of literacy and linguistic abilities targets a combination of these abilities by asking the subject to spell projected words. The invention achieves a standardized method of scoring developmental responses and achieves facilitated replication that is applicable to any child's responses. The quantitative scoring system and method have proven to be reliable and replicable. The method includes audibly projecting a word to a student. The word consists os a plurality of phonemes, each phoneme corresponding to a sound and to at least one letter. The student is asked to provide an attempt to spell the word based upon the sounds in the word, the attempt comprising at least one letter. The student attempt is scored, and at least partial credit is given for a student attempt that is incorrect but that includes at least one acceptable letter-phoneme correspondence.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to assessments and methods for testing literacy and language skills.
2. Related Art
The quantification of children's developmental spelling patterns has not been achieved; therefore, there has been no way to objectively measure a child's performance.
Therefore, it would be advantageous to provide an assessment and method for providing a standardized method of scoring developmental responses to spelling tasks.

Literacy and language assessment and associated methods


A method and equipment for regulating communication parameters are provided. The method includes that: a first equipment establishes a communication with a second equipment according to preset configurations of communication parameters; the first equipment regulates the configurations of one or more of the communication parameters according to a network state and/or service state in a communication process; and the first equipment sends communication parameter regulation indication information to the second equipment, the communication parameter regulation indication information indicating a result of regulation performed by the first equipment on the configurations of the one or more of the communication parameters. Therefore, performance and applicability of a wireless communication system may be improved.

Considering equipment implementation and the like, a fixed or very limited small number of basic communication parameters, such as a carrier bandwidth, a slot or subframe length, a spreading factor of a CDMA system, a subcarrier spacing of an LTE system and a physical resource block granularity, are usually used in an existing wireless communication system, such as a Global System of Mobile Communication (GSM), a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) 2000 system, a Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) system and Long Term Evolution (LTE). Next-generation wireless communication systems need to support various applications, and thus need to effectively support large-range changes in indexes such as a bandwidth, a time delay, mobility, coverage, a communication rate, reliability and number of users. The existing system is unlikely to meet this requirement.

Method and apparatus for regulating communication parameters

GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP., LTD.


Disclosed are a method for acquiring a germ line chimeric fish having fish haploid germ cells, a germ line chimeric fish having haploid germ cells obtained by the aforesaid method, and a genetically identical gamete, said gamete having been derived from a donor haploid germ cell, produced by a germ line chimeric fish obtained by the aforesaid method.

The increase in the world population requires it to stably secure food. The improved technologies of breeding and aquaculture are also required in the fishing industry having previously been dependent for most of the amount of production thereof on the fishing of natural resources. Agricultural crops have been subjected to selection breeding for a long time, and further, productivity has been improved using heterosis in F1 hybrids obtained by crossing two pure lines.
One technique for plant breeding includes anther culture (pollen culture). This is a technique which involves culturing the whole anther on a medium to promote the proliferation of haploid pollen (male gametophyte) cells. If a plant remaining a haploid occurs, its genome can be doubled to homogenotize the plant, producing a pure line having fertility. If pure lines can be artificially induced, all of the gametes produced by them are expected to form genetically identical clones. Thus, the different clones can be crossed to produce a heterozygous clonal lineage having heterosis. In other words, the use of the anther culture enables the early fixation of a useful genotype and the shortening of the breeding period. Successful examples of breeding via anther culture include the breeding of Hokkaido rice varieties such as "Nanatsuboshi" and "Fukkurinko". Other successful examples thereof include breeding by anther culture in rice, tobacco, and wheat.
The haploid of a fish can be induced by artificial gynogenesis or androgenesis. The former is obtained by fertilizing a normal egg by a spermatozoon genetically inactivated with ultraviolet irradiation or the like, and the latter, by fertilizing a genetically inactivated egg by a normal spermatozoon (Non Patent Literature 1). However, most of these haploids thus obtained are susceptible to death. To produce a pure line from each of the haploids, it is necessary to double the chromosome of a haploid embryo by the first cleavage suppression. The individuals produced by this method are full homozygotes; thus, the use of genetically identical gametes produced thereby enables the production of new useful varieties or clonal lineages in a short period of time (Non Patent Literature 1). However, the rate of success in haploid doubling using this method is reported to be extremely low (Non Patent Literature 1). The reasons for this are probably a problem of side effects of the first cleavage treatment per se and death or reduced ability of reproduction due to the expression of a malignant recessive gene by homogenotization (Non Patent Literature 1). Accordingly, there is a need for a stable technique for inducing clonal gametes by a method different from the above technique. A haploid individual is generally susceptible to death for a vertebrate; however, a haploid-diploid chimera goldfish (Carassius auratus) is viable which was prepared by combining a haploid embryo with a normal diploid embryo (Non Patent Literature 2). A haploid-diploid mosaic adult char (Salvelinus leucomaenis) whose organs are formed by not only haploid cells but also diploid cells is also reported (Non Patent Literature 3). These reports show that the susceptibility of haploid to death is reduced when haploid cells are mixed with normal diploid cells to form cell organs and an individual. This indicates that although a haploid individual is susceptible to death, haploid cells can survive in a normal diploid individual.
For a loach (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus), a clonal diploid lineage is present in some wild populations (Non Patent Literature 4). This loach is suggested to have 2 pairs of different haploid genomes from the analysis of microsatellite marker loci of haploid eggs produced by a clone-derived triploid thereof, and deduced to be a hybrid origin (Non Patent Literature 5). A female natural clonal loach forms unreduced diploid eggs genetically identical to somatic cells of itself (Non Patent Literature 6), and maintains a clonal lineage by gynogenesis without the genetic involvement of a paternal sperm (Non Patent Literature 7). For a male, a rarely occurring clonal diploid-triploid mosaic forms a diploid sperm (Non Patent Literature 8), and a male obtained by artificially sex reversing a clone is also known to form a diploid sperm (Non Patent Literature 9). It has been demonstrated from cytological observation that the mechanism of "premeiotic endomitosis" is involved in the unreduced gamete formation seen in female and male clonal loaches (Non Patent Literatures 6 and 10). Specifically, two sister chromosomes originating from the same chromosome, produced by chromosome doubling, are replicated and paired just like homologous chromosomes to form a bivalent chromosome. Then, it continuously divides two times in the same mode as that for normal meiosis to form unreduced eggs. Although cross-over or recombination occurs, no genetic variation occurs because of the exchange of elements between originally the same sister chromosomes.
The above results suggest that when hybrid origin or the like makes the pairing of different chromosomes difficult, chromosome doubling occurs before meiosis by an unexplained molecular and cellular mechanism. Thus, it is probable that a haploid germ cell having no chromosome to be paired has the possibility of autonomously doubling its chromosome without special treatment. If this occurs, the same phenomenon as genomic doubling in the anther culture can also be expected to occur in a fish haploid germ cell.
Primordial germ cells (hereinafter referred to as "PGC" or "PGCs"), even if they are haploid, transplanted into a diploid host have the possibility of surviving in the host. In addition, if the transplanted haploid PGCs undergo endomitosis in the host before meiosis, homogenotization can probably occur as in the anther culture to produce the formation of genetically identical gametes. Thus, the above mechanism is expected to enable clonal gametes to be obtained. However, it has been not clear whether for a fish, haploid PGCs can proliferate and differentiate into functional gametes in the host.

Method for acquiring genetically identical gamete from lethal fish haploid-derived germ cell via germ line chimera

National University Corporation Hokkaido University


A data storage cell for storing data is disclosed. In one aspect, the data storage cell comprises a first nano electromechanical switch comprising a first moveable beam fixed to a first anchor, a first control gate and a second control gate, a first output node against which the first moveable beam can be positioned. The data storage cell also comprises a second nano electromechanical switch comprising a second moveable beam fixed to a second anchor, a third control gate and a fourth control gate. The second moveable beam can be positioned against the first output node. Further, the first nano electromechanical switch and the second nano electromechanical switch are configured for selecting a first or a second state of the data storage cell and are configured for having their moveable beam complementary positioned to the first output node. A memory arrangement of such data storage cells is also disclosed, as well as methods for writing data to the data storage cells and for reading data from the data storage cells.

Technological Field
The described technology invention relates to the field of memory cells and memory arrangements. More particularly, the disclosed technology relates to non-volatile memory cells and memory arrangements thereof based on nano electromechanical switches.
Description of the Related Technology
For data cache and other memory operations such as used in L1, L2, L3 caches, scratchpad memories, GPU memory, today's often used memory is static random access memory SRAM. They form the main memory type inside logic chips.
SRAM memory cells suffer from a number of issues: they are energy-inefficient, both from a dynamic energy consumption perspective and from a leakage energy perspective. Even if standby leakage can be mitigated by recent state-of-the-art techniques, active leakage due to SRAM remains an issue. Furthermore, for both read and write operations, data typically is to be provided at a speed depending on the location of the memory in the memory hierarchy. For example, in L3 cache, up to 10 cycles may be used. For SRAM memory cells, typically a trade-off is made between speed, area and energy consumption. SRAM memory cells also are volatile, meaning that they lose their data when in a power-off state. Furthermore, SRAM memory cells typically use up large areas of the substrate, amongst others because they require large area per bit. An area reduction would be welcome.
A number of SRAM replacement options have been explored in the last years.
One set of solutions that has been considered are solutions based on emerging non-volatile memories such as STT-MRAM and RRAM.
In "Energy Efficient Many-core Processor for Recognition and Mining using Spin-based Memory," IEEE Int'l Symp. on Nanoscale Architectures, June 2011, (pp. 122-128), R. Venkatesan et al. describes a specific processor having a memory based on Spin Transfer Torque Magnetic RAM (STT-MRAM). In "Relaxing Non-Volatility for Fast and Energy-Efficient STT-RAM Cache" (Smullen et al., IEEE Int'l Symp. on HPCA, February 2011, pp. 50-61), a design is described using only non-volatile memory (NVM) for cache memory, the non-volatile memory being STT-RAM. For optimal performance the properties of the STT-RAM are tuned, especially by relaxing the non-volatility condition. A refresh policy might be needed to hold the non-volatility. The paper "Resistive Computation: Avoiding the Power Wall with Low-Leakage, STT-MRAM Based Computing" (Xiaochen Guo et al., ISCA, 2010, pp. 371-382) presents a processor architecture in which most of the functionality is migrated from CMOS to STT-MRAM.
In general, compact non-volatile memory cells as now known have a read current flowing through the memory element so that no high performance read is possible. The current must be low enough to avoid cell state disturbance. Also the resistance level of the memory element must be selected in such a way that both read and write operations can be accommodated, which limit the options to improve read performance. Cells that avoid this current through the memory element typically are much less compact and often are not robust to transistor variations.
In European Patent Application No. 13198870.1, entitled "Nano-electro-mechanical based memory" and filed Dec. 20, 2013 in the name of IMEC, an SRAM replacement based on memory cells using a non-volatile NEM (nano electro-mechanical) switch is presented. In some implementations, the read current flows through the NEM switch may result in a slow reading step.
Consequently, there is still a need for a good SRAM replacement memory cell and corresponding memory arrangements.

Non-volatile memory array using electromechanical switches for cell storage


A system which is capable of diagnosing the deterioration condition of an engine exhaust gas purifying device has front and rear air/fuel ratio sensors for detecting the air/fuel ratio of the exhaust gas upstream and downstream of the catalyst, an autocorrelation function calculation for calculating the autocorrelation function .phi.xx of an output signal from the front air/fuel ratio sensor to output the maximum values (.phi.xx)max of the autocorrelation function .phi.xx at predetermined intervals, each maximum value (.phi.xx)max being in each of the predetermined intervals. A cross-correlation function calculator calculates the cross-correlation function .phi.xy between the output signals from the front and rear air/fuel ratio sensors to output the maximum values (.phi.xy)max of the mutual correlation function .phi.xy at predetermined intervals, each maximum value (.phi.xy)max being in each of the predetermined intervals therefore. The ratios between the maximum values (.phi.xy)max and (.phi.xx)max (successive deterioration index .PHI..sub.i) are calculated to determine the deterioration condition of the catalyst by comparing the ratio with a predetermined reference value.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a system for diagnosing an engine exhaust gas purifying device using a catalytic converter and an air/fuel ratio or oxygen concentration (hereinafter also referred to as air/fuel ratio) sensor.
2. Description of the Related Art
A device for purifying an exhaust gas from an engine mainly comprises a catalytic converter and an air/fuel ratio feedback (closed-loop) control unit. The catalytic converter is disposed in an exhaust manifold for eliminating HC, NOx and CO from the exhaust gas. It is necessary to keep the air/fuel ratio constant in order to sufficiently perform the function of the catalytic converter. Accordingly, an oxygen sensor is disposed upstream of the catalytic converter so that the air/fuel ratio feedback control unit controls the fuel supply quantity to provide a desired air/fuel ratio.
When the performance of the oxygen sensor provided upstream of the catalytic converter deteriorates in a usual three-way catalyst of the above mentioned prior art, the air/fuel ratio does not fall into a narrow range around the stoichiometric air/fuel ratio, resulting in a reduction in conversion efficiency of harmful components. When the performance of the catalytic converter per se deteriorates, the conversion efficiency of harmful components falls even if the air/fuel ratio is accurately controlled.
In order to solve this problem, it is necessary to determine the deterioration condition of the catalyst. However, no diagnosing system which is capable of diagnosing the performance deterioration during operation of an engine and taking fast countermeasure has been established.
Such a technology for determining the deterioration of the catalyst includes, for example, an apparatus for determining the deterioration of a catalyst for an internal combustion engine as is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication Tokkai-Hei 2-3091. In this apparatus, oxygen sensors are provided in the front and rear of a catalytic converter for measuring a time difference between the time when the output of the front oxygen sensor is inverted and the time when the output of the rear sensor is inverted. Deteriorated condition of the catalyst is determined based upon the measured time difference. Specifically, it is determined that the catalyst has deteriorated if the time difference is short.

System for diagnosing engine exhaust gas purifying device and system for diagnosing sensor


The present invention provides an apparatus and method for automated quality control of a substance comprising a compartment wherein a substance is located, a monitoring device coupled to the compartment and configured to monitor at least one quality control parameter prior to an end-use of the substance, and a processor coupled to the monitoring device, wherein the monitoring device is configured to communicate data to the processor for comparing at least one quality control parameter to an end-use value, and wherein the processor is further configured to control the release of the substance from the compartment to its end-use.

This invention is directed to an apparatus and method for fully automated, noninvasive quality control of a substance in a closed system. More specifically, it relates to an apparatus and method for noninvasively measuring physical, chemical or optical properties of a substance, and comparing the measured values to end-use acceptable values for the substance.
Quality Control (hereinafter "QC") devices and methods have become an increasingly important part of healthcare over the last few decades. Typically, QC devices utilize invasive methods such as testing with probes, and/or substance withdrawal techniques to assess whether the substance meets its threshold guidelines. However, invasive techniques like the ones employed in many QC apparati are not suitable for applications that require a substance to be part of an entirely closed and sterile system, or where substance loss is undesirable.
Furthermore, specifically in healthcare, QC has traditionally occurred at the site of the manufacturer, as opposed to the point of use. However, with the development of new contrast agents and other short half-life pharmaceutical products, it may be necessary to perform compounding or processing steps immediately prior to administration into the patient. Prior to injection, the safety and efficacy of the substance must be ensured. A fully automated noninvasive QC analysis at this point of use would serve as an insurance.
The use of some noninvasive techniques to gather information about a particular substance is well known in the art. For instance, the use of absorption spectroscopy to find the concentration of known solutions is well known. Additionally, infrared pyrometery has been used to noninvasively measure the temperature of a substance.
Difficulties arise when QC of a substance requires testing multiple variables in real-time, when full automation is necessary. By "real-time" is meant that the results of the QC are produced at substantially the same rate that the data is acquired.
Such a QC apparatus, for example, may be useful in medicinal applications in which an agent is administered directly to a patient, where it may be necessary to ensure the efficacy and safety of the pharmaceutical product being tested by acquiring, for instance, the pH, temperature, liquid-state polarization, concentration and/or volume of the agent while comparing those values to proper end-use values or threshold guidelines, all without the substance leaving a closed system. In addition, such a QC system may operate directly at a patient's bedside, potentially obviating the need of a bedside pharmacist.
Therefore, what is needed is a fully automated, noninvasive, closed system QC apparatus and method adapted to measure one or more properties of a substance in real-time, compare each property value to an appropriate end-use value, and if the substance meets the end-use value, a release mechanism configured to allow for the release of the substance to its end-use all while preserving the sterility of the substance being tested.

Apparatus and method for fully automated closed system quality control of a substance


The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition for preventing or treating cancer, a food composition for enhancing immune functions, and a pharmaceutical composition for preventing or treating cachexia. The composition of the present invention provides effects of further inhibiting the growth of tumors, increasing immunological activity, and suppressing cachexia caused by tumors. In addition, the composition of the present invention can obtain a synergistic effect when co-administered with an existing anticancer drug.

Gefitinib is a typical epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor anti-cancer drug, which is frequently used as a medicine for various malignant tumors including breast cancer and lung cancer. It is known that gefitinib inhibits EGFR tyrosine kinase domains, and has very low toxicity, as a target-directed anticancer drug, compared with an existing cytotoxic anticancer drug. However, gefitinib causes a variety of undesired side effects, such as skin rash, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, lack of appetite, gastritis, dehydration, nail pericarditis, hepatotoxicity, helplessness, conjunctivitis, blepharitis, interstitial lung disease, corneal erosion, and eyelash dropouts, and hypersensitivity responses of gefitinib per se or compositional components thereof, resulting in liver toxicity due to an increase in lipid peroxidation by the metabolome formed in the liver and the resultant damage to the antioxidative defense system. Recently, the emergency of resistant malignant tumor cells by EGFR mutation or the like has been a problem.
Therefore, there is a need for a new combination of co-administration that has the synergistic effect of chemotherapy while solving the toxicity and tolerance problems of gefitinib caused by co-administration of a natural material and a drug including various antioxidants.

Composition for preventing or treating cancer


A wireless communication device includes: an antenna for receiving inbound signals on dual receive channels and transmitting outbound signals on dual transmit channels; a transceiver coupled to the antenna to receive the inbound signals from the antenna and convey the outbound signals; a power controller coupled to the transceiver to control power levels of the outbound signals so a maximum nominal power level of the outbound signals is a first power level; and a processor coupled to the transceiver and the antenna to cause the power controller to control the power levels of the outbound signals so if a power level of a received one of the inbound signals is below a threshold value, then the maximum nominal power level of the outbound signals is a second power level lower than the first power level, wherein the second power level is lower than the first power level.

1. Field
Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to wireless communication systems, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for power control for dual uplink transmissions in High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) networks.
2. Background
Wireless communication networks are widely deployed to provide various communication services such as telephony, video, data, messaging, broadcasts, and so on. Such networks, which are usually multiple access networks, support communications for multiple users by sharing the available network resources. One example of such a network is the UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN). The UTRAN is the radio access network (RAN) defined as a part of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), a third generation (3G) mobile phone technology supported by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). The UMTS, which is the successor to Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) technologies, currently supports various air interface standards, such as Wideband-Code Division Multiple Access (W-CDMA), Time Division-Code Division Multiple Access (TD-CDMA), and Time Division-Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access (TD-SCDMA). The UMTS also supports enhanced 3G data communications protocols, such as High Speed Packet Access (HSPA), which provides higher data transfer speeds and capacity to associated UMTS networks.
Generally, a wireless multiple-access communication system can simultaneously support communication for multiple wireless terminals. Each terminal communicates with one or more base stations via transmissions on the forward and reverse links. The forward link (or downlink) refers to the communication link from the base stations to the terminals, and the reverse link (or uplink) refers to the communication link from the terminals to the base stations. This communication link may be established via a single-in-single-out, multiple-in-signal-out or a multiple-in-multiple-out (MIMO) system.
A MIMO system employs multiple (NT) transmit antennas and multiple (NR) receive antennas for data transmission. A MIMO channel formed by the NT transmit and NR receive antennas may be decomposed into NS independent channels, which are also referred to as spatial channels, where NS≦min {NT, NR}. Each of the NS independent channels corresponds to a dimension. The MIMO system can provide improved performance (e.g., higher throughput and/or greater reliability) if the additional dimensionalities created by the multiple transmit and receive antennas are utilized.
UMTS is constantly being enhanced to more efficiently support packet switched services because a significant shift from traditional circuit-switched, often constant bit-rate, services to Internet Protocol (IP) packet switched services is expected in the near future. However, UMTS Release 99, based on dedicated resource allocation per user, is not well suited for IP packet data traffic. Therefore, a technology referred to as High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) has been introduced to provide new features for UMTS and offers enhancements in end-to-end service provisioning for IP-based services.
HSPA is comprised of two mobile telephony protocols: High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) and High Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA). HSDPA allows networks based on UMTS to have increased downlink transfer speeds and capacity. HSUPA is a further technological improvement that provides increased uplink speeds and capacity. Dual-Cell HSUPA (DC-HSUPA) is a further improvement on HSPA by means of carrier aggregation in the uplink. The basic idea of this multicarrier feature is to achieve better resource utilization and spectrum efficiency by means of joint resource allocation and load balancing across the uplink carriers.
In DC-HSUPA, due to increased bandwidth in the uplink, a larger frequency separation is used between transmit and receive frequencies—as compared to single uplink transmission—to assist in the protection of DC-HSDPA reception. For those bands that do not have sufficient separation between transmit and receive frequencies, leakage from signals that are transmitted from the UE affect the reception of signals in the receive chain of the UE and result in a degradation of reception Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR). One way to address this issue is to revert to single uplink frequency operation by deactivating the secondary uplink frequency when transmitting using DC-HSUPA hinders receiving using DC-HSDPA in the UE. However, the deactivation of the secondary uplink frequency is beyond the control of the UE as it is a network operation.

Method and apparatus for power control in high speed packet access (HSPA) networks