An antiparallel (AP)-pinned spin valve (SV) sensor is provided with an AFM layer of Ptxe2x80x94Mn having a thickness less than 100 xc3x85 and using the magnetic field of the sense current to assist the AFM layer in pinning the magnetization of the AP-pinned layer. The SV sensor has positive and negative read signal symmetry about a zero bias point of a transfer curve due to the influences of the a net sense current field, a ferromagnetic coupling field and a demagnetization field being counterbalanced by a net image field from asymmetric positioning of the SV sensor between first and second shield layers. The SV sensor includes an AP-pinned layer with first and second ferromagnetic pinned layers where the second pinned layer adjacent to a spacer layer is thicker than the first pinned layer. The direction of the sense current is chosen so that its magnetic field at the pinned layer is in the same direction as the magnetization of the thicker second pinned layer so as to assist in pinning of the AP-pinned layer to provide stable operation of the SV sensor.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates in general to spin valve magnetoresistive sensors for reading information signals from a magnetic medium and, in particular, to a spin valve sensor with stronger pinning and improved biasing for very thin Ptxe2x80x94Mn antiferromagnetic layers.
2. Description of Related Art
Computers often include auxiliary memory storage devices having media on which data can be written and from which data can be read for later use. A direct access storage device (disk drive) incorporating rotating magnetic disks is commonly used for storing data in magnetic form on the disk surfaces. Data is recorded on concentric, radially spaced tracks on the disk surfaces. Magnetic heads including read sensors are then used to read data from the tracks on the disk surfaces.
In high capacity disk drives, magnetoresistive (MR) read sensors, commonly referred to as MR sensors, are the prevailing read sensors because of their capability to read data from a surface of a disk at greater track and linear densities than thin film inductive heads. An MR sensor detects a magnetic field through the change in the resistance of its MR sensing layer (also referred to as an xe2x80x9cMR elementxe2x80x9d) as a function of the strength and direction of the magnetic flux being sensed by the MR layer.
The conventional MR sensor operates on the basis of the anisotropic magnetoresistive (AMR) effect in which an MR element resistance varies as the square of the cosine of the angle between the magnetization in the MR element and the direction of sense current flowing through the MR element. Recorded data can be read from a magnetic medium because the external magnetic field from the recorded magnetic medium (the signal field) causes a change in the direction of magnetization in the MR element, which in turn causes a change in resistance in the MR element and a corresponding change in the sensed current or voltage.
Another type of MR sensor is the giant magnetoresistance (GMR) sensor manifesting the GMR effect. In GMR sensors, the resistance of the MR sensing layer varies as a function of the spin-dependent transmission of the conduction electrons between magnetic layers separated by a non-magnetic layer (spacer) and the accompanying spin-dependent scattering which takes place at the interface of the magnetic and non-magnetic layers and within the magnetic layers.
GMR sensors using only two layers of ferromagnetic material (e.g., Nixe2x80x94Fe) separated by a layer of non-magnetic material (e.g., copper) are generally referred to as spin valve (SV) sensors manifesting the SV effect. FIG. 1 shows a prior art SV sensor 100 comprising end regions 104 and 106 separated by a central region 102. A first ferromagnetic layer, referred to as a pinned layer 120, has its magnetization typically fixed (pinned) by exchange coupling with an antiferromagnetic (AFM) layer 125. The magnetization of a second ferromagnetic layer, referred to as a free layer 110, is not fixed and is free to rotate in response to the magnetic field from the recorded magnetic medium (the signal field). The free layer 110 is separated from the pinned layer 120 by a non-magnetic, electrically conducting spacer layer 115. Leads 140 and 145 formed in the end regions 104 and 106, respectively, provide electrical connections for sensing the resistance of SV sensor 100. IBM""s U.S. Pat. No. 5,206,590 granted to Dieny et al., incorporated herein by reference, discloses a SV sensor operating on the basis of the GMR effect.
Another type of SV sensor is an antiparallel (AP)-pinned SV sensor. In AP-pinned SV sensors, the pinned layer is a laminated structure of two ferromagnetic layers separated by a non-magnetic coupling layer such that the magnetizations of the two ferromagnetic layers are strongly coupled together antiferromagnetically in an antiparallel orientation. The AP-pinned SV sensor provides improved exchange coupling of the antiferromagnetic (AFM) layer to the laminated pinned layer structure than is achieved with the pinned layer structure of the SV sensor of FIG. 1. This improved exchange coupling increases the stability of the AP-pinned SV sensor at high temperatures which allows the use of corrosion resistant and electrically insulating antiferromagnetic materials such as NiO for the AFM layer.
Referring to FIG. 2, an AP-pinned SV sensor 200 comprises a free layer 210 separated from a laminated AP-pinned layer structure 220 by a nonmagnetic, electrically-conducting spacer layer 215. The magnetization of the laminated AP-pinned layer structure 220 is fixed by an AFM layer 230. The laminated AP-pinned layer structure 220 comprises a first ferromagnetic layer 226 and a second ferromagnetic layer 222 separated by an antiparallel coupling (APC) layer 224 of nonmagnetic material (usually ruthenium (Ru)). The two ferromagnetic layers 226, 222 (FM1 and FM2) in the laminated AP-pinned layer structure 220 have their magnetization directions oriented antiparallel, as indicated by the arrows 227, 223 (arrows pointing out of and into the plane of the paper, respectively).
The transfer curve (readback signal of the spin valve head versus applied signal from the magnetic disk) for a spin valve is linear and is defined by sin xcex8 where xcex8 is the angle between the directions of the magnetizations of the free and pinned layers. FIG. 3a is an exemplary transfer curve for a spin valve sensor having a bias point (operating point) 300 at the midpoint of the transfer curve, at which point the positive and negative readback signals V1 and V2 (positive and negative changes in the GMR of the spin valve above and below the bias point) are equal (symmetrical) when sensing positive and negative fields having the same magnitude from the magnetic disk. FIGS. 3b and 3c illustrate transfer curves having bias points 302 and 304 shifted in the positive and negative directions, respectively, so that the readback signals V1 and V2 are asymmetrical with respect to the bias point.
The desirable symmetric bias transfer curve of FIG. 3a is obtained when the SV sensor is in its quiescent state (no magnetic signal from the disk) and the direction of the magnetization of the free layer is perpendicular to the magnetization of the pinned layer which is fixed substantially perpendicular to the disk surface. The bias point may be shifted from the midpoint of the transfer curve by various influences on the free layer which in the quiescent state can act to rotate its magnetization relative to the magnetization of the pinned layer.
The bias point is influenced by four major forces on the free layer, namely a ferromagnetic coupling field HFC between the pinned layer and the free layer, a demagnetization field Hdemag on the free layer from the pinned layer, a sense current field HSC from all conductive layers of the spin valve except the free layer, and the AMR effect from the free layer which is also present in a spin valve sensor. The influence of the AMR on the bias point is the same as a magnetic influence thereon and can be defined in terms of magnitude and direction referred to herein as the AMR EFFECT. IBM""s U.S. Pat. No. 5,828,529 to Gill, incorporated herein by reference, discloses an AP-pinned spin valve with bias point symmetry obtained by counterbalancing the combined influence of HFC, Hdemag and HSC by the influence of the AMR EFFECT on the free layer.
A problem with the prior art sensors arises as the size of spin valve sensors is decreased in order to address the need for higher storage density disk files. To minimize the thickness of the spin valve sensor, a thin AFM layer of Ptxe2x80x94Mn is desirable.
However, for very thin Ptxe2x80x94Mn, exchange coupling between the AFM layer and the ferromagnetic pinned layer is reduced to near zero resulting in very weak pinning and poor stability of the spin valve sensor. In addition, the AMR effect in the thinner free layer decreases and therefore the AMR EFFECT is no longer sufficient to counterbalance the influences of HFC, Hdemag and HSC resulting in a shift of the bias point toward a positive asymmetry. The asymmetric bias results in asymmetric readback signal response for positive and negative magnetic signals and to reduced signal output and dynamic range of the SV sensor.
Therefore there is a need for a spin valve sensor design using a thin AFM layer of Ptxe2x80x94Mn that provides increased pinning field and a symmetric bias point on the transfer curve for improved signal stability and output without sacrificing other desirable characteristics.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to disclose a spin valve sensor with a thin AFM layer of Ptxe2x80x94Mn having increased pinning field strength and zero signal asymmetry.
It is another object of the present invention to disclose a spin valve sensor having the direction of the sense current chosen so that its field increases the pinning field at the pinned layer.
It is a further object of the present invention to disclose a spin valve sensor positioned asymmetrically between first and second shield layers to provide an image field to obtain zero signal asymmetry.
It is a yet another object of the present invention to disclose a spin valve sensor having the magnetization of the pinned layer canted to obtain zero signal asymmetry.
In accordance with the principles of the present invention, there is disclosed a preferred embodiment of the present invention wherein a spin valve sensor has a thin antiferromagnetic (AFM) layer of Ptxe2x80x94Mn and an antiparallel (AP)-pinned layer with first and second ferromagnetic layers of different thickness antiparallel coupled by an antiparallel coupling (APC) layer. The first ferromagnetic layer is adjacent to the AFM layer and the thicker second ferromagnetic layer is adjacent to an electrically conductive spacer layer. A ferromagnetic free layer is adjacent to the spacer layer. The direction of flow of the sense current in the SV sensor is chosen so that its induced magnetic field adds to the magnetization of the thicker second ferromagnetic layer of the AP-pinned layer exchange coupled to the AFM layer. The magnetization of the second ferromagnetic layer due to the additive effects of the exchange coupling to the AFM layer and the sense current induced magnetic field provides a sufficiently strong total pinning field for the SV sensor.
Since the field from the sense current assists pinning, a narrow, high amplitude pulse of current may be used to set the magnetization of the pinned layer. Following the usual free layer/hard bias initialization procedure, a narrow, high current (100 nsec, 8 mA) pulse provides a field of about 250 Oe which is well above the coercivity of the pinned layer and therefore sufficient to set the magnetization direction of the pinned layer.
The forces on the free layer that influence the bias point on the sensor transfer curve are oriented so that the combined effects of the sense current field HSC, the demagnetization field Hdemag and the negative ferromagnetic coupling field HFC are opposed by the net image field Himage due to images of the sense current in the first and second shields. With the center of the free layer positioned a greater distance from the surface of the first shield than the distance from the surface of the second shield, Himage opposes HSC, Hdemag and HFC to counterbalance their combined effect. However, when Himage is not sufficient to totally counterbalance their combined effect, signal asymmetry of the SV sensor may be reduced to near zero by canting the direction of magnetization of the pinned layer to compensate for the residual bias field acting on the free layer. Canting of the magnetization of the pinned layer is achieved by applying a field component in the plane of the AFM layer and perpendicular to the field of the current pulse used to set the pinned layer magnetization.
The above as well as additional objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description.

AP-pinned spin valve design using very thin Pt-Mn AFM layer

Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.


The semiconductor apparatus includes an upper semiconductor chip having an upper external terminal and a lower semiconductor chip having a lower bump for electrically connecting a lower external terminal and the upper external terminal. The circuit surfaces of the upper semiconductor chip and the lower semiconductor chip are electrically connected to each other via the bump. A low impedance line having lower impedance than the internal line of the lower semiconductor chip is formed on top of the lower semiconductor chip for electrically connecting the lower external terminal and the bump.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates a semiconductor apparatus and a method for manufacturing the semiconductor apparatus. Particularly, the present invention relates a semiconductor apparatus including a plurality of stacked semiconductor chips and a method for manufacturing the semiconductor apparatus.
2. Description of Related Art
With rapid development of smaller and more sophisticated electronic equipment, demand for highly integrated semiconductor apparatus is increasing. In order to achieve higher integration of semiconductor apparatus, technologies such as System-On-Chip (SOC) and System in Package (SIP) are used. The SOC technology incorporates a plurality of functions into one semiconductor chip. The SIP technology stacks a plurality of semiconductor chips on one another and packages them in one semiconductor apparatus.
Because of process miniaturization of high integration and high density semiconductor apparatus into submicrons, the effect of signal integrity or signal waveform quality becomes more important. Low signal integrity causes problems such as crosstalk due to signal degradation and voltage drop or IR drop, which gives adverse effects to the operation of the semiconductor apparatus.
A semiconductor apparatus with Chip-On-Chip (COC) technology, which is one type of the SIP technology, includes two semiconductor chips bonded together by face-down bonding with their circuit surfaces facing each other. This specification uses the term "circuit surface" of a semiconductor chip to refer to the surface where a circuit such as LSI is formed, and "bottom surface" of a semiconductor chip to refer to the surface that is the reverse side of the circuit surface.
FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a conventional COC type semiconductor apparatus. This semiconductor apparatus 100 has a package substrate 110, a lower semiconductor chip 120, and an upper semiconductor chip 130.
The lower semiconductor chip 120 is placed on a mounting surface of the package substrate 110. This specification uses the term "mounting surface" of a package substrate to refer to the surface where a semiconductor chip is mounted, and "bottom surface" of a package substrate to refer to the surface that is the reverse side of the mounting surface.
A package external terminal 111 such as a solder ball is formed on the bottom surface of the package substrate 110. Lines and through holes are formed inside the package substrate 110.
In the lower semiconductor chip 120, a lower chip internal line 121 such as a multilayer thin film line is formed on the circuit surface, and a lower external terminal 122 such as a pad is formed in the peripheral part of the circuit surface. Further, an internal circuit and a lower internal terminal are formed in the central part of the circuit surface of the lower semiconductor chip 120, though not shown.
In the upper semiconductor chip 130, an upper external terminal 131 is formed in the peripheral part of the circuit surface. Further, an internal circuit and an upper internal terminal are formed in the central part of the circuit surface of the upper semiconductor chip 130, though not shown.
The package external terminal 111 and a line on the mounting surface of the package substrate 110 are electrically connected via a through hole or the like inside the package substrate 110. The line on the mounting surface of the package substrate 110 and the lower external terminal 122 are electrically connected by a bonding wire 123. The lower chip internal line 121 and the upper external terminal 131, and a lower internal terminal and an upper internal terminal are respectively electrically connected to each other via a bump 124.
The semiconductor apparatus 100 supplies power to the package external terminal 111 to activate internal circuits of the lower semiconductor chip 120 and the upper semiconductor chip 130. The power is supplied to the internal circuit of the lower semiconductor chip 120 through the package external terminal 111 and the lower external terminal 122. The power is supplied to the internal circuit of the upper semiconductor chip 130 through the package external terminal 111, the lower external terminal 122, the lower chip internal line 121, the bump 124, and the upper external terminal 131.
Hence, the power whose voltage is dropped by the resistance of the lower chip internal line 121 or the like is supplied to the internal circuit of the upper semiconductor chip 130. Thus, the effect of the signal integrity is more significant on power supply to the internal circuit of the upper semiconductor chip 130 than on power supply to the internal circuit of the lower semiconductor chip 120.
With the miniaturization in the semiconductor process, current consumption of a single chip increases, and power supply voltage drop, which is determined by the product of a consumption current and a power line resistance, increases accordingly. Thus, a decrease in power supply voltage drop is required.
Further, with a decrease in the size of a logic chip and an increase in the capacity of a memory to be mounted, cases that use a logic chip for the upper semiconductor chip 130 and a memory chip for the lower semiconductor chip 120, instead of using a memory chip for the upper semiconductor chip 130 and a logic chip for the lower semiconductor chip 120, are increasing. In such cases, power supply voltage drop significantly affects the operation of the logic chip.
Further, since a rated drive voltage decreases with the decrease in the size of a logic chip, the sensitivity for power supply voltage drop becomes higher. This results in a decrease in the power consumption value allowed in the peripheral pad configuration that makes an electrical connection from a peripheral pad to a package external terminal such as the semiconductor apparatus 100. This imposes more severe restriction on the power consumption for a single chip due to voltage drop.
The COC structure such as the semiconductor apparatus 100 needs to supply all the consumption power to the upper and lower semiconductor chips from the lower external terminal 122 of the lower semiconductor chip 120. It is thereby difficult to take measures to suppress the voltage drop at the single chip level.
Particularly, the power is supplied to the upper semiconductor chip 130 through the lower chip internal line 121 between the lower external terminal 122 and the upper external terminal 131. The lower chip internal line 121 is formed by a semiconductor chip fabrication process and has higher resistance than a bonding wire or the like. Thus, it is required to consider the voltage drop occurring in the lower chip internal line 121 in addition to the voltage drop occurring in a single chip of the upper semiconductor chip 130.
Further, power supply inductance increases due to the lower chip internal line 121, and a simultaneous switching noise determined by the product of inductance and current shift increases accordingly. This causes a lower operation speed and circuit malfunction.
A semiconductor apparatus with the COC technique is described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2003-17655, for example. This semiconductor apparatus, however, forms an insulation layer on the circuit surface of a semiconductor chip in a semiconductor packaging process.
As described in the foregoing, the present invention has recognized that a conventional semiconductor apparatus that packages a plurality of semiconductor chips stacked on one another is affected by signal integrity more significantly than the configuration with a single semiconductor chip, causing power supply voltage drop. Further, the power supply voltage drop causes lower operation speed and malfunction and reduces power consumption allowance. Furthermore, an increase in the inductance of a power supply line leads to a higher simultaneous switching noise.


A new and distinct cultivar of Begonia plant named ‘Dobegicpocor’, characterized by its upright to spreading and mounded and relatively compact plant habit; moderately vigorous growth habit; freely basal branching habit; dark greyed green-colored leaves; freely and continuously flowering habit; and large double and single flowers that are red in color.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Begonia plant, botanically known as Begonia boliviensis, and hereinafter referred to by the name 'Dobegicpocor'.
The new Begonia plant is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor in De Lier, The Netherlands. The objective of the breeding program was to develop new freely branching and flowering Begonia plants with unique and attractive flower colors and tolerance to high temperatures.
The new Begonia plant originated from a cross-pollination made by the Inventor during the autumn of 2014 of a selection of Begonia boliviensis identified as code designation BG13-0000506-001, not patented, as the female, or seed, parent with a selection of Begonia boliviensis identified as code designation BG13-0000594-001, not patented, as the male, or pollen, parent. The new Begonia plant was discovered and selected by the Inventor as a single flowering plant from within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlled greenhouse environment in De Lier, The Netherlands during the spring of 2015.
Asexual reproduction of the new Begonia plant by vegetative tip cuttings in a controlled greenhouse environment in De Lier, The Netherlands since the spring of 2015 has shown that the unique features of this new Begonia plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.


Compared to derailleur bicycle chain transmissions, internal hub transmissions for bicycles have higher friction and a lower torque capacity. In addition, bicycle hub transmissions are generally incompatible with alternate drive arrangements such as direct-drive, or different mounting options such as mono-blade mounting. The present invention addresses these concerns by employing bevel gears with roller teeth in a planetary bicycle hub transmission. The bevel gear configuration allows larger planet gears, which gives sufficient circumferential space for roller teeth to reduce the meshing friction. The larger planet gears also increase the allowable torque. Furthermore, the bevel gear configuration facilitates the high ratios required for direct-drive, and results a hub structure highly compatible with mono-blade mounting. With this is view, the hub is designed for both chain-drive and direct-drive, and for both double-blade and mono-blade mounting.

Bicycle internal gear hubs are well-known and have been in production for over a century. Most of these hubs operate by means of a planetary gear train, composed of three elements: a central sun gear; a planet gear holder which positions several planet gears around the sun gear; and a ring gear externally surrounding these planet gears. Many gear ratios are available by simply preventing the rotation of one of these elements, and choosing the remaining two elements as either the input or output of the transmission.
Compared to the popular derailleur chain transmission, a bicycle planetary hub is more compact, less vulnerable to damage, and less maintenance intensive. Furthermore, it allows gear changes when the bicycle is stopped. However, there are several significant disadvantages to internal hub transmissions.
Firstly, the internal friction of a hub gear is considerably greater than that of a derailleur system. This is due to the meshing of many small gears, all in a compact assembly, causing considerable friction. Since transmission efficiency is generally lower at lower pedal forces (Wilson 2004), internal friction is of greater importance when a bicycle is ridden at moderate speed. Hub-geared bikes are commonly purchased for their in-town practicality, and therefore pedalled at moderate urban speeds. Therefore the higher internal friction of hub gears is a significant disadvantage for their intended market.
Secondly, hub gears cannot withstand as much torque as derailleur gears because the gear teeth are considerably smaller that the sprocket teeth of a derailleur system. This torque limitation can prevent hub gears from being used in tandem bicycles, where the applied torque is higher. In general, gears are better adapted to high speeds and low torques, and chains to low speeds and high torques. Since a bicycle is a low speed, high-torque machine, it is not surprising that chain transmissions, such as the derailleur, dominate the bicycle market.
Thirdly, it is not practical to convert current bicycle gear hubs to other drive configurations. For example, current hubs are designed for chain-drive and are incompatible with direct-drive. With direct-drive, the pedals drive the hub directly with no intermediate chain or shaft drive. Direct-drive, particularly in the front-wheel-drive recumbent format (FIG. 1), has distinct advantages. It gives a very simple bicycle with no chain, a 50/50 weight distribution, and good braking stability (Garnet 2009). Current hubs are incompatible with direct-drive for several reasons: a) the axle is not strong enough for direct pedal load torsion; b) the gear ratios are too low; c) the gear tooth strength is insufficient for the applied loads; and d) the configuration of the hub is incorrect for proper crank mounting. If a hub could be made with internal gearing adaptable to both chain-drive and direct-drive, the larger available market would make direct-drive bicycles cheaper and thus more cost effective. There are advantages for chain-drive bicycles also: since a 1:1 ratio chain-drive is needed, a smaller front sprocket could be used, giving a more compact chain loop (FIG. 2), and allowing a smaller and lighter chain case.
Fourthly, currently available hubs transmissions are generally incompatible with mono-blade mounting. The term "mono-blade mounting" means that the wheel is mounted on one side only and the front fork or rear stay therefore has only a single blade (FIG. 3). Mono-blade forks and stays have several advantages over the standard double-bladed forks and stays. With mono-blade mounting, the tire can be changed without removing the wheel. Mono-blades can also improve the aerodynamics of the bicycle, and simplify the design of the frame (Burrows 2000). The design of folding bikes is also simplified, giving a more compact fold. Mono-blade mounting can also be used with direct-drive (FIG. 4). Currently available hubs are incompatible with mono-blade mounting because there is insufficient rigidity in the axle for one-sided installation. A hub that is compatible with both mono-blade and conventional double-blade mounting would offer more options for the bicycle frame designer, and reduce the cost compared to specially built mono-blade hubs.
These deficiencies of current bicycle transmission hubs point to a need for a hub having reduced internal friction and increased torque capacity, and also to a need for a hub that is adaptable to emerging new bicycle designs.
With these needs in view, it is an object of the present invention to provide a bicycle hub transmission with reduced internal friction. It is a further object of the invention to increase the allowable torque which can be applied to the hub. Another object of the invention to provide a bicycle hub transmission that is readily adaptable between chain-drive and direct-drive. And finally, it is an object of the invention to provide a bicycle hub transmission that is readily adaptable between conventional and mono-blade mounting.

Universal low-friction bicycle hub transmission


The present invention provides a support structure article having a frame with a top side, bottom side, back side and front side. The front side may include both a straight front side and slanted front side between the top side and the straight front side. The top side and bottom side of the frame may be parallel, and the back side and straight front side of the frame may be parallel. The top side and bottom side of the frame may each be perpendicular to the back side and straight front side of the frame. The article may also have a first set and a second set of crossing members inside the frame that intersect. A bag is also provided having walls that correspond in shape to the sides of the frame. Methods of making and using the bags and/or support structures of the present invention are also provided.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a support structure or partition for use inside a bag for retaining flood waters.
2. Related Art
Flooding is a major concern for cities, towns, businesses and property owners near bodies of water or in low lying areas. Rainfall and/or storm surge from storms, hurricanes and other meteorological events can cause major damage to property structures. Likewise, rising rivers downstream from these weather events as well as the breach or breaking of man-made structures, such as dams and levees, can result in significant and widespread flooding to nearby areas. Thus, retaining walls or structures may be erected to contain and divert the flood waters and protect the property structures that might otherwise be affected. Sandbags and other methods have been used to construct retaining walls or barriers. However, there is often little notice of an approaching or imminent flooding threat, and many of the existing methods for building retaining structures are labor intensive and slow.
There remains a need in the art for new and improved ways to quickly erect a retaining wall, bag or structure that is effective at retaining flood waters.

Rigid support structure for retaining bag


A chip system comprising ROM code including a bootloader which runs whenever the chip is powered on; and programmable fuse array memory storing version identifiers, NVMs in which copies of a version of bootable firmware are stored, wherein a first identifier is stored including active major number and minor numbers, signed with a private key; wherein a second identifier is stored including recovery major and minor numbers, signed with said private key; and hardware which obeys a first command by the boot ROM code to disable until next system reset, writing to the recovery NVM other than to the bootloader, and obeys a second command, to lift write protection of the recovery NVM, wherein firmware images associated with both said versions, and both said identifiers, are signed with said private key, and the boot ROM code authenticates firmware image/s and said identifiers.

IBM patent document US20080175381A1 describes fuses for storing security version data. Methods and devices that may be utilized in systems to dynamically update a security version parameter used to encrypt secure data are provided. The IBM system includes a device for encrypting blocks of data to be stored in memory external to the device, comprising first persistent storage elements for storing a security version parameter; second persistent storage elements for storing master key data; an encryption engine configured to encrypt secure blocks of data to be stored in the external memory, wherein at least one of: the encrypted secure blocks or an integrity check value generated therefor, are affected by the security version parameter; and a mechanism for modifying the first persistent storage elements to update the security version parameter without modifying previously modified first persistent storage elements.
Grouping firmware versions in a single OTP setting is described in:
https://developer.trustedfirmware.org/w/tf_m/design/secure_storage_service/rollback_protection/
The above publication describes an ARM platform security architecture, which provides guidelines to protect against roll-back and an example that makes the roll-back reliable. Inter alia, the publication states that "A suitable implementation might employ one counter per software instance, or group together a list of version numbers inside a database file, which is itself versioned using a single counter."
The following link: https://www.mylgphones.com/how-to-identify-qfuse-anti-rollback-version-of-lg-kdz-firmware html states: "Your phone's current software version is ZVA, and its Qfuse version is ARB01. You want to downgrade from ZVA to ZV6, But the ZV6 firmware has Qfuse version ARB00." The publication also advocates: "Don't flash a KDZ or TOT firmware with ANTI-rollback (Qfuse) Version less than your device's current Qfuse Version". Other state of the art systems are described in:
US20140250290A1/en
WO2014131652A1/en
US20170308705A1/en
https://www.intel.com/content/dam/www/public/us/en/documents/guides/bootloader-security-features-programmers-guide.pdf
A method for implementing nonvolatile, non-resettable counters for embedded systems is described in a publication available online here:
https://www.maximintegrated.com/en/design/technical-documents/app-notes/5/5042.html.
The disclosures of all publications and patent documents mentioned in the specification, and of the publications and patent documents cited therein directly or indirectly, are hereby incorporated by reference other than subject matter disclaimers or disavowals. If the incorporated material is inconsistent with the express disclosure herein, the interpretation is that the express disclosure herein describes certain embodiments, whereas the incorporated material describes other embodiments. Definition/s within the incorporated material may be regarded as one possible definition for the term/s in question.

Security system and method for preventing rollback attacks on silicon device firmware


A method decodes a digital information signal which has been coded using a first error correction code and then coded again using a second error correction code. This method comprises the steps of decoding (104) and correcting errors (106) in the coded digital information signal using a decoder corresponding to the second error correction code to produce a first corrected signal. In addition, the method includes the steps of decoding the first corrected signal to obtained position of erasures (108). Next, the erasure location polynomial (112) and modified syndrome components (114) are computed followed by generating an error evaluator polynomial (118) when the modified syndrome components are all zeroes (116). The method also includes the step of calculating error values (120) and correcting errors (122)in the first corrected signal to produce the digital information signal.

Communication devices used in the reception of digital information commonly use one or more error handlers in order to detect and correct errors that may have been introduced in the transmission of a signal. In general, a digital signal is encoded at the transmitter site with a particular error correction scheme. At the receiving end, a receiver reciprocates the encoding steps in order to recover the digital signal. Presently, several different error correction techniques are available in the field with various capabilities. One of these techniques having high reliability uses Reed Solomon codes followed by an inner code. A desirable use of this technique is in high noise environments where data corruption is more severe. Reed Solomon codes, well known in the art, are complicated and involve complicated computational procedures. Communication devices use Digital Signal Processors (DSPs) for the encoding and decoding of their communication signal. In spite of significant advances made in the field of digital signal processors, they still demand high levels of current to decode a Reed Solomon-inner coded signal. In addition to the high levels of current, the computational steps performed by the DSPs take long periods of time, disqualifying them for use in real time detection and correction of errors. Portable communication devices are at a particular disadvantage due to their dependence on battery power. The high index of error recovery of Reed Solomon codes is very attractive to communication devices which are now taking advantage of the digital signal processing of DSPs in meeting previously unavailable options. Due to the time and current drain constraints Reed Solomon codes have not received an enthusiastic welcome in the field of error decoding in portable communication device. It can therefore be seen that a less complicated method that would rapidly decode errors in a Reed Solomon coded signal is highly desired, particularly due to the benefits it offers to portable communication devices.

Method for decoding a reed solomon encoded signal with inner code and apparatus for doing same


A multi-wavelength optical source includes a broadband optical source providing a broadband optical signal, and a modification module optically coupled to the broadband optical source. The modification module splits the broadband optical signal into a first output signal and a second output signal. The first output signal and second output signal each comprise a plurality of frequency separated frequency slices of the broadband optical signal. Also, a method of providing a pair of related multi-wavelength signals using one or more broadband sources includes: (a) routing a broadband signal into a plurality of Bragg gratings in a manner that causes the Bragg gratings to reflect portions of the broadband signal and to transmit portions of the broadband signal; (b) routing the reflected portions to a first output as a first output signal; and (c) routing the non-reflected portions to a second output as a second output signal.

Optical sources are used in a variety of optical sensing applications. Although the number of sensing applications they are used in prevents listing them all herein, one application of optical sources is acoustic sensing using towed, fixed and hull mounted arrays. Another application is terrestrial based systems for the detection of ground borne sources of vibration and motion in particular those associated with oil and gas exploration. Still other applications are the use of sensors in pipelines and the monitoring of secure facilities.
Previously known optical sources used in optical fiber sensing are typically either high coherence single wavelength devices or low coherence broadband devices. The selection of an optical source for a particular application depends on the type of optical sensor used, as well as the system noise and detection requirements specific to the application.
Systems utilizing optical sources will generally include other optical devices as well. Such devices include, but are not limited to, fiber Bragg gratings, optical circulators, pump lasers, doped fibers, doped waveguides, amplified spontaneous emission sources, super luminescent diodes, and optical isolators. A fiber Bragg grating (FBG) is a periodic or aperiodic perturbation of the index of refraction in the core of an optical waveguide. The period of the index perturbation determines the wavelength or wavelength band the grating will affect. Depending on the depth of the index perturbation the FBG is capable of reflecting all or a portion of the desired optical wavelength while allowing other wavelengths to pass through unaffected. An optical circulator is typically a three port device that is capable of rotating the inputs and outputs of the device in a cyclic manner. That is, a signal input on port 1 will exit the device on port 2, a signal input on port 2 will exit on port 3, and signals are prevented from passing from the first port to the third port, and from the second port to the first port. The input output relation can be expressed as 1->2->3->1. A pump laser is a laser or optical source used as an optical stimulating source to cause a laser transition to occur in an optical waveguide (fiber, crystal, polymer, etc) that is doped with ions that can lase. A doped fiber or waveguide is an optical fiber or optical waveguide that is doped with ions that can lase when stimulated with an optical signal of the appropriate wavelength to cause a laser transition to occur in the dopant material. An amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) source is an optical source with a broadband emission spectrum caused by the free run condition of a doped optical fiber (or waveguide) stimulated by the appropriate optical wavelength allowing super fluorescents to occur. A super luminescent diode (SLD) is a light emitting diode (LED) that has been designed to work with high current injection levels causing a spontaneous emission in a gain medium. It is typically similar in structure to laser diodes with the exception of having modified facets to eliminate or minimize a resonant (oscillation) condition. An optical isolator is a non-reciprocal optical element whose propagation properties change when the normal input and output are interchanged. An optical isolator allows the flow of optical signal in one direction only.


A method of extracting a bioactive ingredient, including the following steps: step 1) heating a pre-treated fresh cannabis raw material in a vacuum state; step 2) cooling an upper part of the raw material; step 3) collecting a liquid formed in step 2) and containing a bioactive substance; step 4) dispensing and storing the collected liquid containing the bioactive substance.

Cannabis, as a plant of the genus Cannabis of the family cannabis, is an annual herb and mostly dioecious. Cannabis is cultivated (or wild) all over the world. It is mainly distributed in Asia and Europe. Cannabis has a long cultivation history in China and rich in germplasm resources. Since cannabis plants contain a hallucinogenic addiction ingredient, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), it has long been one of drugs spread unchecked in the Western countries.
Cannabis mainly contains components such as cannabinoids, flavonoids, terpenoids, terpenoids, lignans and alkaloids. Among them, cannabinoids are a class of secondary metabolites containing molecular structures of alkyl and monoterpene groups unique to cannabis plants. At present, more than 70 kinds of cannabinoids have been isolated from cannabis dry matter and fresh cannabis leaves (Elsohlyand Slade, 2005), mainly including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), and cannabichromene (CBC), cannabinol (CBN), cannabigerol (CBG) and its propyl homologs THCV, CBDV, CBCV and CBGV, among which THC and CBD are the highest in content.
In 1964, Israeli scientist Raphael Mechoulam first extracted the main component of cannabis, Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and proposed the famous cannabis "entourage effect", which is the total effect of all cannabis components. That is, all cannabinoids in cannabis need one another to work normally, which is evolved from natural growth (it is the same with THC and CBD).
To date, pharmaceutical companies based on cannabis-developed products have generally attempted to separate individual chemical substances from plants, but Professor Raphael Mechoulam strongly suspects this and believes that in some cases, a pretty much greater efficacy is achieved in a way that these substances work synergistically with other components of cannabis. He called it an entourage effect, or companion effect, and this is one of the many mysteries about cannabis that needs to be further researched according to him. THC and CBD only touch the skin of cannabis, and the "entourage effect" may bring about a revolution, and it is very likely to find a certain association between cannabinoids and all human diseases.
A source of the odor of cannabis is mainly hundreds of cannabis terpenes. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) generally recognizes that cannabis terpenes are safe, cannabis terpenes can greatly enhance the mental effects of cannabis in what is called "entourage effect", and that cannabis terpenes have a strong medical value:
The principle of interaction between cannabis terpenes and an endocannabinoid system is similar to that of cannabinoids. When inhaled or ingested, cannabis terpenes can penetrate the blood-brain barrier and act as an adjunct to cannabinoids.
Terpenes are basic components of complex plant hormones and molecules, pigments, sterols and even cannabinoids. Most notably, terpenes are responsible for the pleasant or less pleasant aroma of cannabis and the physiological effects associated with them.
Studies have shown that cannabinoids act on cannabinoid receptors and neurotransmitters and are easy to bind or dissolve with lipids or fats. Therefore, they may act as inhibitors of serotonin uptake, enhance the activity of norepinephrine (similar to antidepressants), increase the activity of human dopamine, enhance GABA (non-protein amino acids), increase cerebral blood flow and cortical activity, reduce respiratory pathogens and provide anti-inflammatory benefits.
A traditional method of extracting cannabis is to pick flowers on female plants of cannabis, tender leaves at the tip, petals and resin cream attached at positions such as branches of cannabis as raw materials, dry them under sunlight, grind them into fine powder, gather the fine powder into balls or directly mix the fine powder with tobacco to form hemp cigarettes or form an extract. There are also chemical methods such as solid phase extraction and liquid-liquid extraction to extract a single component of cannabis, such as cannabidiol (CBD), cannabinol (CBC) and cannabinol (CBN). These traditional methods all use dried cannabis as a raw material, and most of the active ingredients are lost. Furthermore, a chemical method is employed for extraction, and chemical residues are inevitable, resulting in existence of problems such as impure extraction and a low extraction rate of single components. According to a conventional distillation method, only volatile components can be extracted from the cannabis, and water-soluble components and fat-soluble components cannot be obtained. According to a method of obtaining an extract by using an organic solvent for extraction, various agricultural residues and heavy metals cannot be removed.

Method for extracting bioactive ingredient and bioactive ingredient obtained thereby


Disclosed herein are therapies for treating or preventing reoccurrence of cancer. The therapies involved inhibition of LIMK1 in conjunction with AurKA inhibition. Specifically exemplified herein is the administration of an AurKA inhibitor in conjunction with a LIMK1 RNA interfering molecule.

Despite recent advances in development of improved cancer therapeutics one of the many clinical challenges is that patients often show resistance to cancer drugs. This invention provides evidence that an alternate method of treatment of cancer could be adopted for improved efficacy of existing therapies and/or treatment of drug resistant cancers. This study describes a novel functional relationship between two proteins that regulate proliferation of cells. Because these proteins are involved in cell growth, the amounts of these proteins are tightly regulated in normal cells however in cancer cells, abnormally increased amounts of these proteins are noted. One of the common methods for controlling abnormal growth of cancer cells is to inhibit production of these proteins. However, there are incidences of frequent development of resistance to the chemotherapeutic agents upon prolonged treatment, which sometimes is necessary to destroy all the cancer cells in the body.
Aurora A kinase (AurKA), a serine/threonine kinase and a member of Aurora kinase family, plays an essential role in proper mitotic function. Full activation of AurKA requires binding to the LIM domain containing protein. Earlier studies have indicated a possible role of a LIM domain containing serine/threonine and tyrosine kinase, LIM kinase 1 (LIMK1), in the mitotic process.

Co-targeting of aurora A kinase and LIM kinase 1 for cancer therapy

University of Central Florida Research Foundation, Inc.


An automated process for binding together book or magazine signatures or the like, which signatures have been assembled together in saddle-wise fashion. An undersignature, forming the central portion of a book or magazine, is dispensed upon a moving conveyor and stabilized thereon while adhesive is deposited upon the spine of the undersignature being transported. An oversignature is dispensed upon the conveyor, stabilized thereon and then mated with the undersignature in an aligned manner such that two signatures are joined and the adhesive therebetween and distributed in a desired controlled manner. A book or magazine is thus produced whose signatures are attached with a hinge-like bond.

The present invention relates in general to bookbinding and magazine binding processes and the product produced by such processes, and in particular to an automated process for adhesively binding, in saddle-wise fashion, two or more signatures.
A common component used in the binding of books, magazines and the like is the signature. A signature, typically, is a folded and preassembled group of pages which may typically number from four (a single sheet, folded) up to 32 pages. There exist two principal methods of assembling groups of signatures together to form a magazine or book. A first kind of binding, usually reserved for books and thick magazines, is the "perfect" method of binding. In perfect binding, the components of the book, the signatures, are collected side by side and attached together with adhesive or sewing or other suitable means, with a cover thereafter placed upon the outside of the assembled signatures.
An alternative binding method, which is commonly used for pamphlets, magazines, smaller "soft bound" books and the like, is the "saddle" binding method. In this method, the components, the signatures, are each collected, arranged and affixed together in a saddle-wise fashion. The signatures used in a saddle-binding process, if consisting of two or more sheets of paper, may be internally glued together prior to assembly. The methods of gluing the sheets together may vary widely. Typically, the gluing may be accomplished by gluing webs of paper together in a continuous web feed printing press. This technique, in particular, is known as press pasting.
Typically, one signature, called an undersignature, which comprises the center-most pages of a book or magazine, is supported upon a rail or conveyor in an inverted V configuration, with the fold, called the "spine", of the undersignature oriented upwardly. A second signature, called an oversignature, is then dropped upon the undersignature. The pages on opposite sides of the spine of the innermost pages of the oversignature comprise the pages immediately before, and immediately after, the outermost pages of the undersignature upon which the oversignature is being placed. For the purposes of the present invention, in saddle-type binding, the cover of a book may as well be considered a signature.
After as many signatures as make up the book or magazine are assembled in this fashion, the signatures are then attached to one another by wire stitching. Typically, a staple is driven downward through the cover of the book and through the various underlying assembled signatures, along the respective aligned spines of the underlying signatures, and closed. A particular drawback of this form of binding process is that the binding of the respective signatures actually occurs only in the localized areas of the staple, of which usually only two or three are used. The remainder of the adjacent areas of the spines of the signatures are unbound and thus loose. In time, the staples may open, creating the possibility of injury to the reader, especially a juvenile reader, from the projecting staple ends, as well as loss of one or more of the signatures, or individual pages, of the book. In addition, as the book or magazine is used, the material of the signatures located around the staples will become worn and the holes through which the staples extend will enlarge, further encouraging tearing or loss of the signatures.
It is therefore desirable to provide a book or magazine, which may be assembled in saddle-wise fashion, utilizing the advantageous speed and easy assembly of saddlestitcher type binding processes and apparata, but without utilizing such means as staples or stitches to accomplish the binding of the signatures to one another. Accordingly, it is be desirable to provide a method by which signatures may be assembled in saddle-wise fashion and bound together by adhesive.
In U.S. Pat. No. 2,119,511 to Perkins, a process is shown for supplementing the wire attachment of saddlestitched books or magazines. In Perkins, the signatures are passed beneath a roller which applies adhesive along the spine and adjacent sides of the signature After the adhesive is applied a subsequent signature or cover is dropped onto the signature bearing the adhesive, and then the combined signatures are wire stitched. Wire stitching and an uncontrolled application of adhesive are potential drawbacks of the Perkins process. Migration of the adhesive down the adjacent sides of the signature may result in cracking or tearing of the pages of the adjoining pages as the book is opened widely and the presence of staples may render the book unsuitable for use by children due to the danger of injury.
In U.S. Pat. No. 3,966,185 to McCain, et al., a process is shown for attaching together the pages of signatures, in which a track of adhesive is applied along the length of uncut flat, unfolded sheets as they flow from a roll, which are thereafter laid together, pressed, cut and folded to form a single signature. A wire stitcher may be utilized to attach the several signatures together.
A method for attaching individual sheets together, along an edge portion of the sheets, is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,715,758 to Stobb. In Stobb, the sheets are passed beneath a wheel which has projecting from its circumference a plurality of hollow needles connected to a supply of fluid adhesive. The hollow needles pierce the collected sheets at predetermined intervals and inject the liquid adhesive which permeates the sheets and hardens to form a bond. The bond which is produced does not yield a localized bond, nor is the bond continuous along the length of the spine of the signature which is produced.
It would be advantageous to provide a process for attaching the signatures to one another, in which the adhesive is arranged along the spine of the signature in a highly localized and controlled manner, so as to form a hinge-like bond between the signatures. Such a hinge-like bond would permit the book to be opened widely without the just-described cracking of adhesive, or tearing of pages.
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a method for binding together signatures which have been assembled in saddle-wise fashion which does not employ wire stitching or needles.
Another object of the invention is to provide a process for binding together signatures which have been assembled in saddle-wise fashion which employs an adhesive to hold the signatures together, which adhesive is applied in a controlled manner along the spine of the signatures to provide a highly localized, hinge-like bond between the signatures.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a book or magazine product which is assembled in saddle-wise fashion, and thus quickly and inexpensively, which utilizes an adhesive bead between the signatures, rather than wire stitches, to achieve a binding of the signatures, and which is therefore suitable for use especially by juvenile readers.
These and other objects of the invention will become apparent in light of the present specification, drawings and claims.

Saddle-bound books, magazines and the like and process for manufacture same


Aromatic polyamide fibers of high hydrolytic stability are disclosed. The polyamide is a copolymer including chloroterephthalamide or a blend of homopolymers including one with chloroterephthalamide; and the fibers are dried under tension or heat treated.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to para-aramid fibers with excellent physical properties and a high degree of hydrolytic stability; and to a process for making such fibers.
2. Description of the Prior Art
U.S. Pat. No. 3,560,137, issued Feb. 2, 1971 on the application of Hahn, discloses aromatic polyamides having increased hydrolytic durability. Hahn recognized the need for increased hydrolytic stability in fibers which had been damaged by crimping and disclosed that poly(metaphenylene isophthalamide) fibers should be subjected to a heat treatment after the crimping, under no tension.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,869,429 and 3,767,756, issued Mar. 4, 1975 and Oct. 23, 1973, respectively, on the applications of Blades, disclose high strength para-aramid fibers. The Blades patents disclose a variety of copolymer compositions for the para-aramid fibers; and specifically disclose a homopolymer using chloroterephthaloyl chloride and copolymers using chloroterephthaloyl chloride and terephthaloyl chloride in mole ratios of 5/95 and 50/50. There is disclosure of drying at 150.degree.-160.degree. C. and it is recommended that low tension be used. As to heat treating, general disclosed conditions are 150.degree.-550.degree. C. for durations of 1-6 seconds at tensions of 0.5-12 gpd.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,869,430, issued Mar. 4, 1975 on the application of Blades, discloses heat treatment for para-aramid fibers wherein the fibers are subjected to temperatures of, preferably, 250.degree.-600.degree. C. for 0.5-5 seconds and 1-8 gpd. This patent contains no reference to chloro-containing para-aramid copolymers.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,671,542, issued June 20, 1972 on the application of Kwolek, discloses fibers made from homopolymer of poly(p-phenylene 2,5-dichloroterephthalamide) and heat treating those fibers.

Yarn with improved hydrolytic stability from aromatic polyamide comprising chloroterephthalamide units


An antenna device having a primary radiator that includes a transmission portion formed of a cylindrical waveguide extending in a direction parallel to the frontward direction of the antenna device, and a radiation portion of a rectangular horn shape, extending in a direction perpendicular to the above-described frontward direction. The radiation portion is rotatably connected, by a rotary joint, to a waveguide of which the center axis in the extending direction conforms to that of the transmission portion. A reflector is disposed about the rotation axis of the primary radiator along the rotation axis direction thereof, and has a reflection surface around the entire peripheral direction of the primary radiator. The reflector is disposed at a predetermined attitude with respect to the primary radiator so as to obtain a predetermined directivity.

Conventionally, the on-vehicle radar device beam-forms a millimeter wave signal for target detection to thereby transmit it to a detection direction, and receives a reflected signal from the target (hereinafter, this signal is referred to as a "target-reflected signal") to thereby detect the target in a detection region. Such a radar device includes a primary radiator that radiates a millimeter wave signal from a predetermined radiation surface, and a reflector that causes the millimeter wave signal radiated from the primary radiator to reflect to the detection direction, or that reflects the target-reflected signal from the detection region to thereby guide it to the primary radiator. Also, in the radar device, in order to detect a target having a predetermined width in the detection region, the beam of the millimeter wave signal must be caused to scan in a predetermined direction, e.g., in a horizontal direction. To this end, a conventional radar device uses an electronic scanning method for electrically scanning the beam of millimeter wave signal to be transmitted, employing a phased array antenna, or a mechanical scanning method for mechanically scanning the beam of millimeter wave signal to be transmitted by rotating/moving the primary radiator or reflector.
As shown in Patent Document 1, in the radar device using the conventional mechanical scanning method, the direction perpendicular to a beam transmission direction is made the direction of a rotating shaft of primary radiators, and primary radiators are arranged on the circumferential surface side of the rotating shaft, from the rotating shaft toward the outside thereof. Furthermore, a reflector is arranged over a predetermined angular range in a location spaced a predetermined distance apart from the rotating shaft. The shape of this reflector is designed so that a millimeter wave signal is transmitted within a desired scanning range. In such a radar device, by causing the signal radiated from the primary radiators to reflect by the reflector, a transmission beam having a directivity in a predetermined direction is formed. By rotating the primary radiator by the rotating shaft, the radiation direction of an electric wave radiated from the primary radiator is rotated, and the reflection direction of the electric wave is changed on the reflector, thereby forming the transmission beam with a predetermined intensity, for scanning within a predetermined angular range.
Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 2693497
However, in an antenna device for the radar device using the conventional mechanical scanning method as shown in the Patent Document 1, for the purpose of forming a beam in the frontward direction of the antenna device, there exists the primary radiator between the reflector and the detection region in the front of the antenna, and simultaneously, the shape of the reflector is configured so as to correspond to a portion of not more than a semicircular surface of the side opposite to the frontward direction of the antenna device, in the circumferential surface that is centered on the primary radiator. As a result, when the primary radiator rotates up to the front side of the antenna device, i.e., up to the side where the reflector is absent, the millimeter wave signal radiated from the primary radiator is directly conveyed to the detection region without being beam-formed, and hence, the signal intensity is so low that this signal cannot be used as a signal for detection. As a consequence, the radiated signal while the primary radiator is not opposed to the reflector is wasted, resulting in reduction in the utilization efficiency, i.e., in radiation efficiency of the primary radiator. Also, since detection cannot be performed while the primary radiator does not face the reflector side, the detection efficiency is reduced.

Antenna device and radar device using the same


A dental brush comprises two intertwisted wire sections between which fibers for cleaning the teeth and tooth gaps are arrested by the twisting. To achieve an increased retaining force acting on the fibers, it is provided in such a dental brush that at least one of the wire sections has a fin extending in the longitudinal direction.

Dental brushes of the generic type have been known per se for a long time and are expressly recommended by dentists for intense dental care, in particular for cleaning the tooth gaps.
For penetration into the tooth gaps it is necessary for such brushes to have fibers of a comparatively small diameter and also wire sections of a small diameter. This, however, gives rise to the problem that the fibers cannot be sufficiently reliably arrested between the wire sections so that sometimes individual fibers come off, which the user will feel to be extraordinarily unpleasant especially when these fibers get stuck in the tooth gaps. In particular, this problem appears when such brushes are used in electrically operated cleaning devices working by oscillating and reciprocating rotation.


Channel time and frequency correlations are determined from OFDM symbols and subframes using appropriately scaled sums of the products of the received pilot symbols at predetermined intervals n in time and/or frequency of resource elements within the resource blocks of the subframes. The correlation estimates may optionally be improved using pilot symbols for a plurality of antennas and for a plurality of pilot signal ports, and across a plurality of subframes. The calculated channel time and frequency correlations may be employed to improve estimates of channel characteristics for purposes such as selection of a transmission mode between a base station and a user equipment on the channel or for the purpose of channel equalization and data demodulation.

Channel estimation is a key ingredient of any communication system. In practice, channel estimation algorithms are designed to exploit the channel time and/or frequency correlations, or, in other words, the statistics of the channel. To exploit these correlations, typically, the channel's power delay profile (PDP) and the Doppler frequency shift needs to be estimated. Such estimates are known to be hard problems, and often only very crude assumptions are made regarding related unknowns while performing channel estimation. For instance, the PDP may be assumed to have a uniform distribution, while the Doppler frequency may only be characterized by two levels (e.g., either high or low). While such simple approximations are attractive from a complexity perspective, the result may be highly sub-optimal performance.
There is, therefore, a need in the art for improved estimation of channel time and frequency correlations.

Methods and apparatus for estimating channel time and frequency correlations in OFDM communication receiver


The queue execution mode is selected based on the unique tag that is assigned to the command. In one method embodiment a tag is assigned for each of several disc access commands sent by the host. Two or more queues are created, each having a queue execution mode. Which of the queues is assigned to the command depends on the command's tag. One device embodiment comprises a data storage disc, a memory, and a controller. The memory is configured to hold several pending commands for accessing the disc(s),each of the commands having a unique tag. The controller is configured to execute each queued command according to a mode that is determined base on the command's tag.

Modern data storage systems for use with a host central processing unit ("CPU") usually include at least one disc drive for nonvolatile storage. Each disc drive typically includes one or more discs upon which are one or two data surfaces with addressable tracks and storage sectors. The disc drive unit includes a read/write head for accessing data to be stored or read from each disc storage surface. In drives that use more than one data surface, the collection of all tracks having the same track number on the surfaces defines what is conventionally called a "storage cylinder."
A disc controller is coupled between the host(s) and the storage device to control the flow of data and to control positioning of the disc read/write heads for accessing desired sectors. Data that the host CPU wants to store on a disc is first stored in a buffer memory accessible by the controller. The controller then reads the buffer memory and writes the data to the disc at storage locations specified by the host CPU. Data that the host wants to retrieve from the disc is requested by the host CPU and retrieved from disc to the buffer memory. The data is then sent to the host by the disc controller via a host interface.
The host CPU specifies memory storage locations in terms of physical disc addresses, for example, by specifying disc cylinder, head and sector at which the desired data is to be found or stored. On the other hand, modern computer systems preferably use logical (or "virtual") addressing, with which data is identified by a logical sector address. The necessary physical-logical address conversions take place under control of a local microprocessor associated with the disc controller unit. Generally, to be competitive in the commercial market place, the local microprocessor is a relatively inexpensive, low performance component.
When the host CPU sends a command to the disc controller, task registers within the controller are written to and initialized, for example with respect to sector, head, transfer count, and mode information. The last action associated with this process is the writing of the actual command, e.g., a read command, to the command register within the task registers. Certain bits within the host CPU-issued command inform the disc controller what type of address is being given, e.g., physical CHS or virtual LBA. However, these command bits do not inform the controller as to what action should be taken.
As noted, the first few writes by the host CPU simply load information into the other task registers. The final write is to the command register, at which time the local microprocessor recognizes that this register has been written to. Upon recognition, which can result from polling or from an interrupt mechanism, the local microprocessor fetches the contents of all of the registers. The number of task registers depends upon the standard to which the disc controller conforms. For example, an AT Attachment (or "ATA") compatible controller may have six to ten task registers, whereas a Small Computer System Interface ("SCSI") controller can have sixteen or more registers. These registers are used, for example, to specify the addresses at which the host CPU wishes to read or write.
Unfortunately, conventional protocols offer little or no control over how queued commands are to be performed. The SCSI protocol has a "head of queue" modifier available as a part of its command delivery sequence, for example, to expedite certain commands. Exclusive reliance on such modifiers wastes a valuable opportunity for efficient and versatile control over how queued commands are executed.

Assignment of queue execution modes using tag values


A modulator for providing modulating voltages across the anode and cathode of a negatively pulsed magnetron includes a switch which, when activated, couples the modulating voltage source to the cathode terminal, a current regulator which maintains a constant current flow through the anode and cathode when the modulating voltage is applied, and a voltage control circuit that reduces an excessive time rate of voltage change across the switch caused by arcing across the anode-cathode gap. A filament power supply is provided which supplies filament current while isolating the modulating voltage at the cathode from high voltage sensitive components in the filament power supply.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to the field of magnetron modulation and more particularly to modulators for use with magnetrons requiring negative pulses for activation.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A weather radar determines turbulence in a given region from the signal level and doppler shift of the signal returns. These parameters are representative of the reflectivity and velocity of the air mass in the illuminated region. The reflectivity, which is a measure of the air density, and the velocity are then processed to establish the turbulence in the region. Since a variation of frequency and/or amplitude from pulse-to-pulse can give rise to erroneous data, transmitters which provide signals with amplitudes and frequencies that do not vary from pulse-to-pulse are required. Additionally, frequency and amplitude stability are required for ground and sea clutter rejection.
Due to the requirement that sufficient warning be given of turbulence in a region, it is desirable to use a magnetron, with its high power output, as the transmitting device. The transmitted signal frequency and amplitude are functions of the current that flows through the magnetron during the transmission period. Consequently, to provide pulse-to-pulse frequency and amplitude stability the current must be tightly regulated. In the prior art pulse-to-pulse stability is generally provided by regulating the voltage amplitude of the pulse modulating the magnetron, thereby indirectly regulating the current. Since small variations in the applied voltage cause large variations in the current through the magnetron, the control of the pulse amplitude requires extremely tight voltage regulation which is difficult to achieve.
A system of the prior art which directly regulates the magnetron current is disclosed in U.S. Pat. 4,835,536, entitled "Weather Radar With Turbulence Detection" issued on May 30, 1989 to G. H. Piesinger and S. D. Neuharth and assigned to the assignee of the present invention. This system employes a positive pulse magnetron, that is the magnetron is fired by applying a positive pulse to its anode. The lifetime of such magnetrons is relatively short, being in the order of 500 hours of use. It is therefore desirable to replace the positive pulse magnetrons with the small negatively pulsed magnetrons having lifetimes in the order of 2000 hours which have recently become available. These negatively pulsed magnetrons are fired by applying a negative pulse to its cathode. A negative pulse magnetron, like the positive pulse magnetron, requires current stabilization to achieve pulse-to-pulse stability. Since the magnetron filament is coupled to the cathode in a negative pulse magnetron, another problem presented is the isolation of the d.c. filament power supply from the high negative voltage applied to the cathode.
Magnetrons may arc when fired. Though such arcing occurs only on a small percentage of the firings, when the arcing does occur damage to modulator switch which controls the pulsing of the magnetron results. Since the reliability of the system is a function of the reliability of all the system elements, it is desirable to provide circuitry that protects the switch.

Modulator for negative pulse activated oscillators


An apparatus for diagnosing and controlling the aerodynamic stability of a compressor and method there of are provided. The apparatus includes a measurement device (100), a signal processing device (200) and a control and execution device (300), wherein the measurement device (100) is configured to measure the pressure or velocity fluctuations of air flows in different positions inside a compressor in real time, and to transmit real-time measurement signals obtained from different positions to the signal processing device (200); the signal processing device (200) is configured to determine, according to the real-time measurement signals, a type and spatial distribution of instability precursor in the compressor, and to output corresponding control strategy signals to the control and execution device (300); and the control and execution device (300) executes, according to the received control strategy signals, corresponding control actions to regulate the stability of the compressor (S3).

At present, researches on mechanism and regulation means of instability precursor of a compressor at home and abroad are relatively independent from each other, and there are no so many choices for the method of research. There are not an apparatus and a method that can simultaneously realize the research and analysis, the real-time warning and the online regulation of instability precursors. The apparatus and method that integrate diagnosis and control research functions of the aerodynamic instability precursor can be used not only to clarify the scientific problems of complex instability precursors and instability mechanisms in the field of turbomachinery, but also to provide a technical support to development of the stability control of aero-engines. Therefore, an apparatus or method, which is capable of distinguishing the type of the instability precursor of the compressor and capable of capturing, analyzing and on line controlling in real time the pre-stall precursor and the stall precursor, not only can contribute to clarify scientific issues such as complex instability precursors and instability mechanism in the field of turbomachinery, but also can provide useful ideas for the stability control technology of aero-engines. Moreover, a large amount of experimental data for the actual engine will also be accumulated to improve the stall margin, satisfying the urgent needs in the national economy and national defense construction, and certain difficulties and challenges in science and technology may be encountered.

Apparatus and method for diagnosing and controlling aerodynamic stability of compressor


A Chinese herbal aqueous extract having anti-anxiety activities and a method of in vitro evaluating the same are disclosed. Neural cells and/or glial cells are cultured in a medium containing the Chinese herbal aqueous extract, and then subjected to an electric pulse treatment to form epileptic cells. The epileptic cells are applied on evaluation of at least one criterion of anti-anxiety activities of the Chinese herbal aqueous extract.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to an active substance having anti-anxiety activities and a method of evaluating the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a Chinese herbal aqueous extract and a method of in vitro evaluating anti-anxiety activities of the same.
2. Description of Related Art
Animal central nervous system (CNS) has many kinds of receptor systems for receiving and responding signals that generate from body under environmental changes. Some active natural components, which can keep spirit and mind health, perhaps function on many CNS receptors including cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) and other receptors. However, the nervous system suffers injury under oxidative pressure and hyper-excitatory electrical potential. Therefore, reduction of oxidative pressure and hyper-excitatory electrical potential is helpful to maintain the cell activity of the neural cells and the glial cells of the nervous system.
CB1 receptors are discovered in recent years and mainly distributed in portions of the CNS. Those portions that include hippocampus, amygdala, anterior cingulated cortex and prefrontal cortex are directly associated with emotional management and behaviors. Physiological ligands of CB1 receptors are arachidonic acid (AA) derivatives, and endogenous CB1 ligands mainly include N-arachidonoylethanolamine (anadamide) and 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG). The physiological functions of CB1 ligands can reduce pain and anxiety, increase reward and help for sleepiness. The animal experiments evidence that the anxiety is induced by blocking of CB1 receptor activation or in CB1 receptor knockout mice. Such anxiety cannot be effectively improved even through the administration of anti-anxiety drugs. These evidences indicate that the CB1 receptors have a significant impact on emotional management.
Researchers such as di Tomaso E. et al. had published a report titled as "Brain cannabinoids in chocolate" See di Tomaso E. et al. Nature 382(6593):677-678 (1996). This report evidenced that some active constituents of chocolate increased the concentration of endogenous CB1 ligands of the CNS, thereby producing a transient feeling of well-being. In addition, human milk also includes high amount of endogenous CB1 ligand, 2-AG. Other studies demonstrated that 2-AG is a very important bioactive factor for maintaining orexis and increasing survival rate of newborn animals.
However, the existing chemical drugs of anti-anxiety drugs or sleeping drugs have some disadvantages, such as temporary and permanent amnesia in long-term usage due to high effect concentration and most stimulation of the inhibitory potential of such drugs. As a result, scientists shifted to find naturally anti-anxiety active substances from plants. AA derivatives are not existed in plants, whereas more than three hundred kinds of plant fatty acid N-alkylamides (FAAs) have similar structures and biosynthesis routes with endogenous CB of animals. Among these compounds, many plants selected for reducing pain and inflammation contain active constituents that can bind to CB2 receptors. CB2 receptors are mainly distributed on immune cells, and the active constituents can affect animal immune cells through the CB2 receptors. Although there are many Chinese herbal medicines for helping tranquilization and anti-anxiety, the mechanism and related receptors of these active constituents are not clear. Moreover, there is no effective, quick and economic in vitro evaluation method for fast screening natural anti-anxiety active constituents from numerous raw materials of Chinese herbal medicines.
Therefore, it is necessary to provide an effective and precise in vitro evaluating method, thereby finding natural anti-anxiety active constituents from numerous raw materials of Chinese herbal medicines.

Chinese herbal aqueous extract having anti-anxiety activities and method of in vitro evaluating the same

NATIONAL PINGTUNG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY


The invention relates to a covering (1) for objects, in particular in public facilities and/or means of transportation, for preventing the transmission of infections, the covering being made of covering material, in particular having a virucidal and/or virostatic and/or bactericidal and/or bacteriostatic and/or fungicidal and/or fungistatic effect, wherein the covering material is intended to be applied externally to surfaces (2) of objects. According to the invention, the covering material is flexible and can be adapted to the outer shape of the object.

The invention relates to a covering for objects, in particular in public facilities and/or means of transportation, for preventing the transmission of infections, having a covering material, in particular with a virucidal and/or virostatic and/or bactericidal and/or bacteriostatic and/or fungicidal and/or fungistatic effect, the covering material being intended to be applied externally to surfaces of objects.
The transmission of diseases often takes place by infection in the public domain. Infections may occur as the result of contact with different persons. In the case of an infection, pathogens actively or passively enter the organism and often multiply there. The reaction of the organism that generally follows as a result may manifest itself as an infectious disease. The most common types of infection are viral or fungal infections and bacterial infections. Infections of the aforementioned kind may occur in particular in public facilities or means of transportation, since many people frequent these places.
To reduce the risk of contact infection, it is known from DE 103 05 142 A1 to provide surfaces that have a germicidal effect for the purpose of interrupting the transmission of infections, metals being used for killing the germs. In this case, a metal-doped, dimensionally stable plastic grip is proposed for a door handle and is pushed onto the door handle. Provided on the inside in the front region of the grip is a nipple, which in the pushed-on position engages in a hole drilled in the door handle. The interlocking connection is intended to prevent easy removal of the grip. If the grip is intended to be exchanged or taken off, this is performed by drilling out the nipple. For this purpose, a depression is provided on the outer side of the grip in the region of the nipple, in order to be able to put a drill in place.
The known metal-doped door grip has a tubular form and can be pushed onto correspondingly formed tubular door handles. It is disadvantageous that many door handles have a form that deviates from the form of a tube. Moreover, in the prior art, the door handle and the metal-doped grip represent a unit, since interlocking engagement of the door grip on the door handle is necessary. So far, use of the known door handle with a door grip has not been adopted in practice. The reason for this is likely to be, in particular, that it would be necessary to replace existing door handles, which usually have a form that deviates from the form of a tube and moreover do not have an engaging opening for the interlocking engagement of the door grip.
Also known from practice are fibrous and textile sheet-like materials that comprise ionic copper. These materials are used for example as an inner liner in handbags. The aforementioned fabrics are not suitable for use as a covering because they quickly become soiled, cannot be easily cleaned and, on account of their woven structure, offer the possibility of pathogens firmly attaching themselves there in such an amount that, even with a good virucidal or bactericidal effect, not all the pathogens can be deactivated or killed.

Coating for objects, in particular in public facilities and/or means of transportation, for preventing the transmission of infections


In a semiconductor module, a high-potential side conductor includes a wide section on which the high-potential side switching element is mounted, a high-potential side terminal coupled with a high potential source, and a narrow section extending from the wide section to the high-potential side terminal in a first direction. The wide section is wider than the narrow section in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The wide section has a first side and a second side opposite to the first side in the second direction. A distance between the first side of the wide section and a low-potential side conductor is shorter than a distance between the second side of the wide section and the low-potential side conductor. The narrow section extends from a portion of the wide section closer to the first side than the second side.

A conventional inverter device produces alternating current power from direct current power by switching an on-off state of a semiconductor device such as a transistor. For example, Japanese Patent No. 3,633,432 (corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 6,525,950) discloses a semiconductor device in which a semiconductor element producing three-phase alternating current power, a positive direct current terminal, a negative direct current terminal, and an output terminal and the like are integrated.

Semiconductor module and driving apparatus including semiconductor module


An automatic plant for producing tyres includes a plurality of work stations and a plurality of devices for transferring the tyres from one work station to another work station and for moving the tyres within a same work station. Each work station is designed to assemble one or more corresponding structural components of the tyres. At least one of the structural components is supplied from a machine for producing the at least one structural component, through a dynamic storage unit, and to at least one of the work stations. A method for producing tyres includes making at least one structural component of the tyres, supplying the at least one structural component to a toroidal support, assembling the at least one structural component on the toroidal support, transferring the tyres from one work station to another, moving the tyres within a same work station, and vulcanizing the tyres.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a dynamic storage unit for structural components of tyres, in a plant in which said components are produced at the time of their application to a tyre being manufactured.
2. Description of the Related Art
U.S. Pat. No. 4,543,149 describes a supporting apparatus for strips of elastomeric material used for wrapping turns of bead wires of tyres. Said apparatus comprises a stationary structure-and a movable structure comprising a sequence of reels on which said strip of elastomeric material is wound. Means for joining two ends of different strips are provided on said stationary structure. The strip is unwound from each individual reel. Whenever a reel becomes empty, the end of the strip of this reel is joined to the initial end of the next reel. The movable structure moves the reels in such a way as to place them in a position for correct unwinding and in a position for facilitating the joining to the end of the preceding reel in the sequence.
A tyre for vehicle wheels normally comprises a carcass structure, essentially consisting of one or more carcass plies shaped in an essentially toroidal configuration and having its axially opposite lateral edges engaged with corresponding annular reinforcing structures incorporating circumferentially inserts, usually called "bead wires". Each annular reinforcing structure is incorporated in what is called a "bead" which is formed along an inner circumferential edge of the tyre to secure the tyre to a corresponding fitting rim.
A belt structure comprising one or more belt strips shaped in the form of closed rings, essentially consisting of textile or metal cords suitably orientated with respect to each other and to the cords belonging to the adjacent carcass plies, is applied in a radially external position to the carcass structure.
A tread band, normally consisting of a strip of elastomeric material of suitable thickness, is also applied to the belt structure in a radially external position.
It should be noted that, for the purposes of the present description, the term "elastomeric material" denotes the mixture of rubber in its entirety, in other words the assembly formed by at least one polymeric base suitably amalgamated with reinforcing fillers and/or process additives of various types.
A pair of sidewalls is applied on opposite sides of the tyre, each sidewall covering a lateral portion of the tyre lying between what is called the shoulder area, located in the proximity of the corresponding lateral edge of the tread band, and the corresponding bead.
Given all the above, it should be noted that each type of tyre is essentially distinguished from the others by a set of chemico-physical, structural, dimensional and visual characteristics.
The chemico-physical characteristics are essentially dependent on the type and composition of the materials, particularly the recipes of the various mixtures used in the formation of the elastomeric materials. The structural characteristics are essentially concerned with the number and type of structural components present in the tyre, and their positioning with respect to each other in the tyre structure. The dimensional characteristics relate to the geometrical measurements and to the cross-sectional profile of the tyre (the external diameter, the chord or maximum width, the height of the sidewall and their ratio, in other words the section ratio), and are referred to below simply as the "specification". The visual characteristics consist of the groove design of the rolling surface of the tread, the ornamental patterns and the various distinctive pieces of wording or signs reproduced on the tyre, for example on the sidewalls of the tyre, and are referred to jointly as the "tread design" in the remainder of the present description.
Conventional production processes essentially comprise four distinct steps in the manufacture of tyres:    a) preparation of the mixtures,    b) forming of the individual structural components,    c) assembly of the different structural components in succession, to produce a crude tyre on a drum or other suitable support,    d) vulcanization of the crude tyre with simultaneous moulding of the tread design on the outer surface of the tyre.
For the purposes of the present description, the term "type of tyre" denotes a tyre having a particular specification, specified structural components, and a specified tread design.
Patent application WO0139963 in the name of the present Applicant describes an automatic plant for producing types of tyres different from each other, comprising:                a manufacturing unit having a plurality of work stations, each designed to assemble at least one corresponding structural component on at least one type of tyre being processed,        a vulcanizing unit, having vulcanizing moulds for the types of tyres which have been manufactured,        devices for the functional transfer and movement of the tyres being processed, operating between said work stations and the vulcanizing unit.
Each of these structural components is made directly at the time of assembly, using a semi-finished base product supplied in a predetermined quantity according to the type of tyre being processed.

Automatic plant and method for producing tires


An engine attachment pylon for mounting an aircraft engine to an aircraft structure while minimizing vibrations induced into the engine attachment pylon during flight and operation of the engine. The engine attachment pylon comprises a rigid box like structure housing a resonator which is tuned to attenuate tension and compression vibrations experienced by the engine attachment pylon. The engine attachment pylon is primarily used in combination within another identical engine attachment pylon, both being linked together on a vertical plane within the fuselage by a hinge like junction, and each engine attachment pylon being raised approximately 30° from the horizontal axis of the fuselage.

The present invention relates to an engine attachment pylon for attaching an aircraft engine to a fuselage of an aircraft.
A known engine attachment pylon of this type is described in FR2943623 (U.S. Published Application 2012/0066937). It is an object of this invention to provide an improvement of an engine attachment pylon as described in FR2943623 (U.S. Published Application 2012/0066937).