To provide a combination indicator assembly (1) of a minimized size to provide a sporty feeling and easy to view various displayed parameters while having an increased display functionality, the combination indicator assembly (1) includes a generally arcuate analog display unit (2) for displaying the number of revolutions of a vehicle engine, and a generally rectangular digital display unit (7) disposed inside the analog display unit (2). The digital display unit (7) includes a speedometer region (8), a distance meter region (9) for displaying the distance of travel of the vehicle or a coolant temperature display region (10) for displaying the temperature of a coolant used to cool an engine of the vehicle.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a vehicle instrument panel and, more particularly, to a combination indicator assembly suitably used in motor vehicles such as motorcycles.
2. Description of the Prior Art
As is well known to those skilled in the art, various instrument panels employed in automotive vehicles generally includes a tachometer, a speedometer, an odometer, a trip odometer, a fuel indicator, a temperature indicator, switching buttons and some other indicators. One conventional motorcycle instrument panel includes indicators and switching buttons arranged forwardly and rearwardly of the tachometer, respectively, with respect to the direction of run of the motorcycle. Another conventional motorcycle instrument panel includes an analog tachometer of a round configuration positioned on one of opposite sides of the instrument panel with respect to a motorcyclist and having a pointer needle for providing an analog display of the number of revolutions of the engine, and a digital speedometer of a generally rectangular configuration positioned on the other of the sides of the instrument panel for providing a digital display of the velocity of the motorcycle and having a display window defined within a marginal area of the digital speedometer for selectively displaying a cumulative distance of travel of the motorcycle or a trip distance depending on the position of a switching button. A further conventional motorcycle instrument panel includes an analog tachometer and a digital speedometer and a digital odometer both positioned within a marginal area of the analog tachometer and on respective sides of the analog tachometer.
Those conventional motorcycle instrument panels discussed above have been found involving inconveniences. Specifically, in the case of the first-discussed motorcycle instrument panel, positioning of the indicators and the switching buttons forwardly and rearwardly of the tachometer, respectively, requires the motorcycle instrument panel to have a width increased in a direction conforming to the direction of run of the motorcycle. Accordingly, the motorcycle instrument panel as a whole tends to give rise to a bulky impression, failing to provide a sporty feeling.
In the case of the second-discussed motorcycle instrument panel, since the tachometer of the round configuration and the digital indicator of the rectangular configuration are independently arranged at left-hand and right-hand portions of the instrument panel, the instrument panel as a whole tends to become bulky. Also, although the third-discussed motorcycle instrument panel can advantageously be assembled compact in size as compared with the other conventional motorcycle instrument panels, the speedometer and the odometer are positioned spaced a distance from each other and, therefore, difficulty is often encountered in viewing the respective displays simultaneously.

Combination indicator assembly in vehicle instrument panel


A superlattice structure comprising alternating layers of material such as (PbEuTeSe).sub.m and (BiSbn).sub.n where m and n are the number of PbEuTeSe and BiSb monolayers per superlattice period. For one superlattice structure the respective quantum barrier layers may be formed from electrical insulating material and the respective quantum well layers may be formed from semimetal material. For some applications superlattice structures with 10,000 or more periods may be grown. For example, the superlattice structure may comprise alternating layers of (Pb.sub.1-y Eu.sub.y Te.sub.1-z Se.sub.z).sub.m and (Bi.sub.x Sb.sub.1-x).sub.n. According to one embodiment, the superlattice structure may comprise a plurality of layers comprising m layers of (Pb.sub.1-y Eu.sub.y Te.sub.1-z Se.sub.z).sub.m and n layers of Bi.sub.0.9 Sb.sub.0.1, where m and n are preferably between 2 and 20, grown on a BaF.sub.2 substrate with a buffer layer of PbTe separating the substrate and the superlattice structure. For other applications the superlattice structure may be formed from alternating layers of (Pb.sub.1-y Eu.sub.y Te.sub.1-z Se.sub.z).sub.m (quantum barrier layers) and (Pb.sub.1-x Sn.sub.x Te.sub.1-y Se.sub.y).sub.n (quantum well layers)

Superlattice structures, in general, are known and typically comprise a composite structure made from alternating ultrathin layers of different materials so that alternating barrier layers and quantum well layers are provided. Typically, the superlattice has an energy band structure which is different than, but related to, the energy band structure of the component materials.
Superlattices have many uses, including, but not limited to, use in the field of thermoelectric materials. Such materials may be used for various application including heating, cooling, power generation and temperature sensing. Whall and Parker have suggested using a superlattice prepared by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) to enhance the thermoelectric figure of merit of a thermoelectric material. They expressed particular interest in silicon and SiGe alloys, but also mentioned the possibility of using PbTe, InAs and the transition silicides (e.g. CoSi.sub.2). Specifically, a strained-layer superlattice consisting of 20 or more layers of Si and SiGe composition was suggested.
The use of MBE to grow superlattice structures (e.g., GaAs and AlAs) is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,261,771 issued to Dingle, et al. As disclosed in Dingle et al., the general technique for fabricating a superlattice by MBE comprises the following standard steps: (1) obtaining a substrate (e.g., from a commercial source); (2) cleaning a major surface of the substrate using standard preparation procedures; (3) placing the substrate in an evacuable metal chamber; (4) reducing the chamber pressure; (5) loading shuttered effusion cells (ovens) with the requisite source materials for growth; (6) heating the substrate to about 600 degrees C., to cause desorption of contaminants from the growth surface and then adjusting the substrate temperature to that desired for growth; (7) with the shutters closed, heating the ovens until the source materials vaporize; and (8) opening selected shutters to effect growth until the desired layer thickness is attained on the substrate.
According to Dingle et al., the fabrication process can be described as forming a new composition of matter of A (e.g., GaAs) and B (e.g., AlAs or Ge) by directing a periodically pulsed molecular beam at a substrate. During the first part of each period an A-beam is directed at the substrate for a time effective to grow material A having a thickness of n monolayers and during the second part of each period directing a B-beam at the substrate for a time effective to grow material B having a thickness of m monolayers.
Therefore, the fabrication of a superlattice by MBE, or other epitaxial growth techniques, is generally known. However, the materials and their relative amounts that make up the superlattice and substrate are predominant factors in determining the characteristics of the superlattice. For use as a thermoelectric material, it is desirable to choose the materials that make up the superlattice, and their relative amounts, so that the thermoelectric figure of merit is maximized.
The thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT) is a measure of the effectiveness of a material and is related to material properties by the following equation: EQU ZT=S.sup.2 .sigma.T/.kappa. (1)
where S, .sigma., .kappa., and T are the Seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity and temperature, respectively. The Seebeck coefficient (S) is a measure of how readily electrons (or holes) can change energy in a temperature gradient as they move across a thermoelectric element, and is related to the strength of interaction of charge carriers with the lattice and the available energy states. The highest useful Seebeck coefficients are found in semiconductor materials with low crystal symmetry. In theory, to maximize ZT, one would try to maximize S, .sigma. and T and minimize .kappa.. However, in practice, this is not so simple. For example, as a material is doped to increase its electrical conductivity (.sigma.), bandfilling tends to lower S and the electron component .kappa..sub.e of .kappa. increases. In most materials, ZT is maximized at doping levels approaching 10.sup.19 cm.sup.-3. Since increasing (or decreasing) one parameter may adversely increase (or decrease) another parameter, it is important to select carefully the component materials to provide a high ZT.
The figure of merit ZT is related to the thermoelectric materials factor (b*) where: EQU b*=.mu.m.sup.*3/2 /.kappa..sub.L ; (2)
where .mu. is the carrier mobility, m* is the density of states effective mass and .kappa..sub.L is the lattice thermal conductivity. The precise relationship between b* and ZT is complex. However, for simplicity, it may be approximated as follows. If it is assumed that a**=b*T.sup.5/2 and that there is one-band conduction, then ZT increases monotonically as a** increases.
A superlattice provides the opportunity to enhance ZT for a number of reasons. For example, it is known that the Seebeck coefficient increases as the period of a quasi-two-dimensional superlattice decreases. The electrical conductivity may be enhanced by means of modulation doping, which has been shown to increase the carrier mobilities in Si/SiGe strained-layer superlattices. Furthermore, the lattice thermal conductivity of a small or short-period superlattice structure is expected to be substantially lower than the average of the component materials because of augmented Umklapp phonon-phonon scattering process (in which the total phonon vector is not conserved, but rather changes by 2 .pi. times the reciprocal lattice vector) due to phonon-interface scattering effects.
Multistage thermoelectric modules, which are used, for example, to cool different types of infrared imaging arrays (and for a number of other well known applications), are well known. Typically, however, they are limited to cold-sink temperatures greater than 160 K. Thermoelectric materials, for example, Bi.sub.2 Te.sub.3 and BiSb were researched 30 to 40 years ago. Unfortunately, the best currently known production thermoelectric material, Bi.sub.2 Te.sub.3, is not capable of efficient heat removal below approximately 180 K and has a ZT less than 1.
The use of various wide-bandgap semiconductor materials such as EuTe to form an electrical insulator is well known. Also, placing a buffer layer on a substrate to aid with various types of thin film layer growth on the surface of the substrate is a well known technique.

Superlattice structures particularly suitable for use as thermoelectric materials


A lightweight breast prosthesis having a first section and a second section. The first section having a gel-like consistency simulating the human breast and the second section containing a density-reducing agent to provide a lightweight prosthesis which provides excellent mimicking of the human breast form.

There have been many attempts to produce a breast prosthesis for use by mastectomy patients. Such prosthesis are generally considered important to the psychological health of the patient. However, in order to be of benefit, a prosthesis must mimic the human breast sufficiently such that the wearer believes that the presence of the prosthesis will be undetected by those the wearer meets. In addition to the movement and appearance of the prosthesis, it must also be easy to use and comfortable to wear.
While prosthetic devices may be implanted, external prostheses have achieved widespread acceptance because they do not require additional surgery, avoid the risks and health hazards of implants, are easily changed such that the user may enjoy improvements in the technology, and are easy to use.
Early prosthetic devices utilized many different materials. Silicone gel became widely accepted for use in prosthesis because of its resilient properties. At one time in the art, silicone prosthesis were prepared having a weight comparable to the weight of a human breast. It was believed that this was advantageous because in the event that the user had one natural breast and one prosthetic breast, that the balancing of the weight would be important. However, it was determined that matching the weight resulted in user discomfort. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,380,569, the use of microspheres mixed into the silicone gel to reduce weight is disclosed for the manufacturer of a prosthesis. While this method achieved weight reduction, the introduction of glass spheres, the bonding of the spheres with the silicone gel, created a stiff product which did not mimic the human breast as well as silicone gel alone.
Thus, there has been a continued need for a prosthetic device which mimics the movements of a human breast, which is lightweight and comfortable to wear. The present invention has advantages of achieving reduction in weight to improve comfort for the patient while not sacrificing movement, feel and texture qualities of the prosthesis.


Radiation detectors based on high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) are provided. Methods for detecting ultraviolet radiation using the HEMTs are also provided. The transistors are constructed from an intrinsic high bandgap semiconductor material with a built-in polarization field sandwiched between graphene and a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG).

Photodetection in the ultraviolet (UV) region has gained significant focus in recent years due to its wide range of applications, such as security, chemical detection, and military and lethal substance detection. Compared with Si-based UV photodetectors, which are based on low bandgap materials and work inefficiently over the UV spectrum, photodetectors based on III-V nitrides, such as AlGaN and GaN, possess several advantages, including solar-blind spectral selectivity, high breakdown field, high thermal stability, radiation hardness, and high responsivity. Structures including p-i-n diodes and metal-semiconductor-metal have been explored to improve performances, including high signal-to-noise ratio, fast transient response, high responsivity, high spectrum selectivity, and low dark current. However, UV detectors that meet all the requirements with one design have not yet been developed, because the traditional architectures of the photodetectors are not designed to work optimally over the short wavelength spectrum. The shallow penetration depth and the strong surface recombination within the highly doped contact layer are limiting factors in the operation of UV detectors.
AlGaN/GaN HEMTs have been used as UV detectors. The high mobility of the 2DEG and the low doping profile of the whole structures yield a high-speed response for these UV detectors. Although electron transportation in the 2DEG layer is robust and fast, the carriers on the surface of AlGaN suffer from surface recombination and short lifetimes.

High performance, high electron mobility transistors with graphene hole extraction contacts


A driving circuit of a liquid crystal display (LCD) (23) includes a system driver (28), a power supply device (26) and a system control device (25). The power supply device provides a votage to the system driver. The system control device generates a control signal, a data signal, and a backlight driving signal, and applies them to the system driver. The system driver drives an LCD panel (21) and a backlight of the LCD according to the backlight driving signal, the data signal and the control signal. The configuration of the driving circuit is simple.

An LCD has the advantages of portability, low power consumption, and low radiation, and has been widely used in various portable information products such as notebooks, personal digital assistants (PDAs), video cameras and the like. Furthermore, the LCD is considered by many to have the potential to completely replace CRT (cathode ray tube) monitors and televisions.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a typical LCD. The LCD 10 includes an LCD panel 11, a backlight 12 for projecting light to the LCD panel 11, and an LCD driving circuit 13. The LCD panel 11 includes a display area 114 for displaying images, and a periphery circuit area 116. The LCD driving circuit 13 includes a backlight driving circuit 17, a panel driving circuit 18 positioned on the periphery circuit area 116, a power supply device 16, and a system control device 15.
The power supply device 16 provides a voltage to drive the backlight driving circuit 17 and the panel driving circuit 18. The system control device 15 provides a backlight driving signal to the backlight driving circuit 17, and a control signal and a data signal to the panel driving circuit 18. The panel driving circuit 18 drives the LCD panel 11 to display images on the display area 114 according to the control signal and the data signal. The backlight driving circuit 17 drives the backlight 12 according to the backlight driving signal.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the panel driving circuit 18. The panel driving circuit 18 includes a gate driver 184, a source driver 183, a latch circuit 182, a gamma adjustment and grayscale voltage generation circuit 187, a regulator circuit 186, a first booster circuit 185, and a panel interface circuit 181. The panel driving circuit 18 is an integrated circuit.
The first booster circuit 185 receives the voltage from the power supply device 16 and drives the gate driver 184 and the regulator circuit 186. The regulator circuit 186 supplies driving voltages to the gate driver 184, the source driver 183, the latch circuit 182, and the gamma adjustment and grayscale voltage generation circuit 187. The panel interface circuit 181 receives the control signal and the data signal from the system control device 15, and provides them to the gate driver 184, the first booster circuit 185, the regulator circuit 186, the latch circuit 182, and the gamma adjustment and grayscale voltage generation circuit 187. The latch circuit 182 and the gamma adjustment and grayscale voltage generation circuit 187 are used to drive the source driver 183 according to the control signal and the data signal. The gate driver 184 is used to scan the LCD panel 11 according to the control signal and the data signal. The source driver 183 provides a plurality of grayscale voltages to the LCD panel 11 when the display area 114 is scanned by the gate driver 184.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the backlight driving circuit 17. The backlight driving circuit 17 includes a backlight interface circuit 171, a second booster circuit 172, and an analog/digital transform circuit 173.
The second booster circuit 172 receives the voltage from the power supply device 16 and drives the analog/digital transform circuit 173. The backlight interface circuit 171 receives the backlight driving signal from the system control device 15, and provides it to the second booster circuit 172 and the analog/digital transform circuit 173. The analog/digital transform circuit 173 is used to drive the backlight 12 according to the backlight driving signal. The backlight driving circuit 17 is an integrated circuit.
Because both the backlight driving circuit 17 and the panel driving circuit 18 include a booster circuit 172, 185 therein, the layout of conductive lines 161 that are used to supply the electrical power to the backlight driving circuit 17 and the panel driving circuit 18 from the power supply device 16 has a complicated configuration. Furthermore, because both the backlight driving circuit 17 and the panel driving circuit 18 include an interface circuit 171, 181 therein, the lay out of conductive lines 151 that are used to transmit signals also has a complicated configuration too.
It is desired to provide a driving circuit of an LCD which overcomes the above-described deficiencies.

Driving circuit and LCD incorporating the same


A support device for supporting a transmission coil on the body of a patient, with a receiving or securing device or a receiving space for receiving or securing the transmission coil in and/or on the support device, and further comprising a detection device for detecting a process of application, a state of application, a process of removal and/or a state of removal of the support device relative to the body of the patient. Further pertaining to a method for operating such a device.

1. Field of the Disclosure
The disclosure relates to a support device for supporting a transmission coil on the body of a patient.
2. Discussion of the Background Art
It is known to supply implants, such as artificial hearts or cardiac support systems, with energy in a wireless manner by means of inductive coupling using an implanted receiving coil and an extracorporeal transmission coil. For this purpose, the transmission coil is connected to a voltage source so that electric alternating voltage is supplied thereto, which generates an alternating magnetic field. The receiving coil arranged in the area of this magnetic field generates an electric voltage by induction, which voltage is supplied to the implant.
In order to achieve an energy transmission with a high degree of efficiency, it is important to arrange the transmission coil exactly over the implanted receiving coil. An offset between the transmission coil and the receiving coil, both in the radial and in the axial direction, compromises the degree of efficiency of the energy transmission. Further, the support device, by which the transmission coil is supported on the body of a patient, should possibly be worn in a comfortable manner on the body of a patient and hinder the same as little as possible during his daily activities.
It is known to fasten the transmission coil on the body of a patient by means of a fastening or support device, so that the former can be coupled inductively with the implanted receiving coil. Such a supporting device may be designed as a belt, for example. There is a problem that energy transmission can no longer be ensured, if such a support device slips and the transmission coil is therefore no longer situated exactly over the receiving coil. Further, external effects may cause an inadvertent shedding of such a support device so that also in this case no energy can be transmitted anymore. Such scenarios can lead to dangerous, sometimes perilous situations.
It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a support device for supporting a transmission coil on the body of a patient, which allows achieving a more reliable energy transmission to an implanted receiving coil.

Support device for supporting a transmission coil on the body of a patient


A protective shield is provided for covering a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) mask or a full-face air purifying respirator (APR) lens to prevent damage and scratching. The shield consists of a die cut shape of thermoplastic sheet that duplicates the outline of the self-contained breathing apparatus mask lens and/or frame. The protective shield can be produced using various grades, colors and/or densities of material replicating limited visibility or blackout conditions. To protect the majority of the plastic lens, the shape of the shield includes a peripheral overlap onto the mask utilizing the SCBA lens frame. The shield can be attached to the self-contained breathing apparatus face mask by means of any of the following: bungee, hook, or elastic cord; all of which allows the shield to be attached or removed quickly. Many SCBA/APR training exercises require limited visibility. The invention can be used as an effective training tool to prevent light transmission and simulate extremely limited visibility.

In order to enter buildings and structures that are on fire and filled with smoke, firefighters typically utilize a self-contained breathing apparatus along with protective clothing. An extremely important piece of the ensemble of personal protective equipment (PPE) is the SCBA face piece or mask. Since high visibility is the goal of the apparatus manufacturer's, considerable effort has been taken to make the mask lens as large as possible and configured for maximum visual perception. Lenses on the mask are made to withstand considerable forces to prevent cracking, shattering, and breaking but are still not impervious to scratches, abrasions or moderate damage that can impede and reduce the user's vision.
While no prior art has been found consistent with the application of the invention listed, below are patents that display some relevance to which listed invention (shield) may be applied, i.e. defining SCBA and APR mask.
U.S. Pat. No.InventorIssue Date4,069,516Watkins Jr.Jan. 24, 19785,080,092TennaJan. 14, 19925,155,863RobertsOct. 20, 19926,062,222Lewis et al.May 16, 20006,347,401JoyceFeb. 19, 20026,687,910SmallwoodFeb. 10, 2004
U.S. Pat. No. 4,069,516 issued to Watkins Jr. is for a resilient flexible sealing element conformable to the face of a wearer supported by a mask body. The sealing element extends completely around the open side of the mask body with a hinge web having a bead extending along the opposite sides and across the top of the mask for controlled buckling of the web in a manner mechanically loading the face engaging sealing element.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,080,092 issued to Tenna describes a protective mask that has a face shield covering the user's face formed of a rigid transparent material rimmed by a bellows seal. The seal provides the necessary tightness with comfort allowing continuous use of the mask even over an extended length of time.
Roberts and U.S. Pat. No. 5,155,863 teaches a removable cover for an SCBA mask lens made from a fabric sheet with an elastic band that stretches over the frame of an SCBA mask to secure it in place. This cover can also be used as a 'blackout mask' to simulate low to no visibility for training exercises.
Lewis et al in U.S. Pat. No. 6,062,222 discloses a face mask for a self-contained breathing apparatus that has two pairs of straps fixed to the frame and a net head piece. The straps at the top of the head piece are fixed and the bottom straps are adjustable. A nose cup includes ribs that receive legs of a mounting member for eyeglasses. The mounting member moves relevant to the user's eyes.
Joyce in U.S. Pat. No. 6,347,401 teaches a thin protective sheet for covering a face plate on an air mask. This invention may comprise a substantially rectangular thin sheet of plastic having two circular cut outs and square cut outs with an edge having a semi-circular shape. Other embodiments may have a series of curves or oval shapes to fit around the mask protecting the mask from scratches, nicks, scrapes or any other damage from use.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,687,910 pertains to a thermoplastic mold, which can be placed on an SCBA face piece for methods of training by utilizing a semi-translucent or opaque material to cover a mask to simulate a smoke filled environment. The cover is attached using tape or Velcro.


The present inventors have recognized that a spinner spreader system may be augmented with an air assist system in which an air current is generated to engage particles after they have left the spinner spreader system to thereby enhance the trajectory of the particles. In one aspect, one or more fans with appropriate ductwork may be added below one or more spinning disks to direct jets or curtains of air in the direction of the broadcast pattern of particles leaving the one or more disks. The directed air stream should preferably be faster than the particles leaving the one or more disks, thereby adding additional acceleration to the particles compensating opposing forces.

Spinner spreaders for particulate material (particles) are well known in the art, including for agricultural application, lawn care and road maintenance application. Typically, such spreaders are mounted onto areas of machines, such as a truck body, truck chassis, trailer, or slid into a truck's dump body. The system typically includes a particulate material storage bin(s), a conveyor system(s) and rotating spinner disk(s). The conveyor transfers material from the storage bin(s) to the spinner(s). The spinner(s) broadcast the material across a field, lawn or road (broadcast area). Oftentimes a single spinner, or a pair of laterally spaced spinners, are provided, with a material divider plate positioned above the spinner(s) to direct the material from the discharge end of the conveyor(s) onto the spinner(s). A wide range of spinner diameters are in use with a general understanding that the amount of material to be spread and the size of the broadcast area are proportional to the diameter of the spinners.
In operation, the spinner spreader distributes particles by accelerating them with a centrifugal force imparted by the rotating spinning disk(s). However, as particles leave the disk, they are subjected to gravity and drag forces that typically effect their trajectory and ultimate deposition point. Particles with differing sizes, shapes, masses and/or densities will typically travel different distances before coming to rest on the ground. As a result, a disproportionate distribution of particles may occur, which may cause, for example, an undesirable stratification or layering of deposited material at outer edges of the broadcast area.
Disproportionate distribution is not typically of too much concern behind the machine as forward motion of the machine will generally equalize the overall distribution. However, disproportionate distribution on the swath edges, or sides of the distribution area, will oftentimes remain. As a result, an undesirable streaking effect may occur after the machine passes. Consequently, what is needed is an improved system in which particulate material may be evenly distributed without one or more of the foregoing disadvantages.


An illumination optical system includes: a stop configured to define an illumination range of a surface to be illuminated; an imaging optical system configured to form an image of an aperture of the stop onto the surface to be illuminated; an calculation unit configured to calculate an offset amount between a size of the aperture and a target illumination range of the surface to be illuminated using data on the target illumination range; and an adjusting unit configured to adjust the size of the aperture based on the calculated offset amount. The offset amount differs according to a size of the target illumination range.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an illumination optical system, exposure apparatus, and device manufacturing method.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally when performing an exposure process, the illumination range of a reticle is restricted by an illumination field stop formed in an illumination optical system so that no light hits an unwanted range of a reticle or mask serving as a circuit original. However, when the illumination range is controlled to execute an exposure process, the image of the illumination field stop blurs owing to aberration of an optical system which forms the image of the illumination field stop onto a reticle. As a result, the exposure amount decreases near a light shielding portion. The decrease in exposure amount is therefore prevented by offsetting the illumination field stop in the opening direction with respect to a target illumination range. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-252193 discloses a technique of setting a light shielding band around a reticle pattern and widening the illumination field stop in the opening direction by ½ of the light shielding band width.
In a conventional exposure apparatus, the illumination field stop is widened in the opening direction by a predetermined offset amount regardless of the illumination range. However, the blur amount changes or the image forming position shifts depending on the illumination range owing to aberration of the optical system which forms the image of the illumination field stop onto a reticle. If the illumination range of the illumination field stop is changed to perform exposure, the offset amount becomes short, an image blurs in a predetermined illumination range, and the exposure amount decreases.

Illumination optical system, exposure apparatus, and device manufacturing method


A method for reducing the number of bits needed to represent constant values in a data processing device. A group of constant values is defined by selecting them as a function of their statistical frequency of use. Each constant value of this group in the instructions is represented by means of a shorter coded operand field and a current instruction is loaded from a bus in an instruction register. A corresponding operand field is derived from the coded operand field of the current instruction by expansion means, and a bus and an output of the expansion means are selectively connected as input to an arithmetic logic unit.

A data processing device, for example, a microprocessor, is constituted by an assembly of digital electronic circuits (hardware) for executing instructions stored in a suitable program (software). A typical instruction comprises a sequence of binary digits (bits) and includes a part which indicates the type of operation to be executed (operation code), and a part which enables the data to be operated on (the operand field) to be identified. A data processing device generally utilizes various addressing modes to access this data. In particular, in immediate addressing, the data is specified by referring directly to its value in the instruction (immediate operand). This method of addressing is particularly useful when constant values are to be used. In the immediate addressing method, therefore, N bits of the operand field are needed to represent 2.sup.N different constant values.
Various solutions are known for reducing the number of bits necessary for representing constant values in instructions intended to contain data to be addressed immediately. In so-called short constant systems, only Q bits (where Q<N) of lesser significance of the constant are represented in the operand field, obtaining the bits of greater significance thereof by sign extension or zero filling. In particular, in the case of sign extension, all the bits of the constant from the position Q+1 to the position N-1 are given the same value as the sign bit in position Q, while in the case of zero filling, these bits of the constant are given the value 0. The values which can be represented lie, respectively, in the range -2.sup.Q-1 to 2.sup.Q-1 -1, and the range 0 to 2.sup.Q -1. In single bit systems, the constants having a single bit with a value of 1 are represented by indicating the position of this bit in the constant. In this case, a number of bits P is necessary, given by the relationship N=2.sup.P, that is, P=log.sub.2 N. This system is usually used for instructions at the single bit level for clear, set, test, and toggle operations.
A disadvantage of the known systems is that only certain types of constants can be represented shortened. These systems therefore impose severe limitations both on the value of the representable constants and on their structure.
In addition, the set of reduced length constants represented in the known systems is fixed and is independent of the different operative requirements of the data processing device.
What is needed is a method and device for overcoming the aforesaid disadvantages.

Method for reducing the number of bits needed for the representation of constant values in a data processing device


The instant invention provides a method for identifying and preparing nucleic acid ligands capable of facilitating aminoacyl-RNA synthesis. The nucleic acid ligands are identified and produced by exposure of candidate nucleic sequences to a reactant under conditions conducive to reaction, wherein nucleic acid sequences having facilitative activity are able to facilitate or enhance a reaction between the reactant molecule and nucleic acid sequence. Included in the invention are specific RNA ligands capable of facilitating aminoacyl-RNA synthesis identified by the SELEX method.

A method for the in vitro evolution of nucleic acid molecules with highly specific binding to target molecules has been developed. This method, Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential enrichment, termed the SELEX process, is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/536,428, filed Jun. 11, 1990, entitled "Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential Enrichment," now abandoned, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/714,131, filed Jun. 10, 1991, entitled "Nucleic Acid Ligands," now U.S. Pat. No. 5,475,096, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/931,473, filed Aug. 17, 1992, entitled "Methods for Identifying Nucleic Acid Ligands," now U.S. Pat. No. 5,270,163 (see also WO 91/19813), each of which is herein specifically incorporated by reference. Each of these applications, collectively referred to herein as the SELEX Patent Applications, describes a fundamentally novel method for making a nucleic acid ligand to any desired target molecule. The SELEX process provides a class of products which are referred to as nucleic acid ligands, such ligands having a unique sequence, and which have the property of binding specifically to a desired target compound or molecule. Each SELEX-identified nucleic acid ligand is a specific ligand of a given target compound or molecule. SELEX is based on the unique insight that nucleic acids have sufficient capacity for forming a variety of two- and three-dimensional structures and sufficient chemical versatility available within their monomers to act as ligands (form specific binding pairs) with virtually any chemical compound, whether monomeric or polymeric. Molecules of any size can serve as targets.
The SELEX method involves selection from a mixture of candidate oligonucleotides and step-wise iterations of binding, partitioning and amplification, using the same general selection scheme, to achieve virtually any desired criterion of binding affinity and selectivity. Starting from a mixture of nucleic acids, preferably comprising a segment of randomized sequence, the SELEX method includes steps of contacting the mixture with the target under conditions favorable for binding, partitioning unbound nucleic acids from those nucleic acids which have bound specifically to target molecules, dissociating the nucleic acid-target complexes, amplifying the nucleic acids dissociated from the nucleic acid-target complexes to yield a ligand-enriched mixture of nucleic acids, then reiterating the steps of binding, partitioning, dissociating and amplifying through as many cycles as desired to yield highly specific high affinity nucleic acid ligands to the target molecule.
It has been recognized by the present inventors that the SELEX method demonstrates that nucleic acids as chemical compounds can form a wide array of shapes, sizes and configurations, and are capable of a far broader repertoire of binding and other functions than those displayed by nucleic acids in biological systems.
The dogma for many years was that nucleic acids had primarily an informational role. Through the application of SELEX, it has become clear to the present inventors that nucleic acids have three dimensional structural diversity not unlike proteins. As such, the present inventors have recognized that SELEX or SELEX-like processes could be used to identify nucleic acids which can facilitate any chosen reaction in a manner similar to that in which nucleic acid ligands can be identified for any given target. In theory, within a candidate mixture of approximately 10.sup.13 to 10.sup.18 nucleic acids, the present inventors postulate that at least one nucleic acid exists with the appropriate shape to facilitate a broad variety of physical and chemical interactions.
The basic SELEX method has been modified to achieve a number of specific objectives. For example, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/960,093, filed Oct. 14, 1992, entitled "Method for Selecting Nucleic Acids on the Basis of Structure," now abandoned, describes the use of SELEX in conjunction with gel electrophoresis to select nucleic acid molecules with specific structural characteristics, such as bent DNA. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/123,935, filed Sep. 17, 1993, entitled "Photoselection of Nucleic Acid Ligands," now abandoned, describes a SELEX based method for selecting nucleic acid ligands containing photoreactive groups capable of binding and/or photocrosslinking to and/or photoinactivating a target molecule. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/134,028, filed Oct. 7, 1993, entitled "High-Affinity Nucleic Acid Ligands That Discriminate Between Theophylline and Caffeine," abandoned in favor of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/443,957, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,580,737, describes a method for identifying highly specific nucleic acid ligands able to discriminate between closely related molecules, termed Counter-SELEX. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/143,564, filed Oct. 25, 1993, entitled "Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXPONENTIAL Enrichment: Solution SELEX," abandoned in favor of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/461,069, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,567,588, describes a SELEX-based method which achieves highly efficient partitioning between oligonucleotides having high and low affinity for a target molecule.
The SELEX method encompasses the identification of high-affinity nucleic acid ligands containing modified nucleotides conferring improved characteristics on the ligand, such as improved in vivo stability or improved delivery characteristics. Examples of such modifications include chemical substitutions at the ribose and/or phosphate and/or base positions. SELEX-identified nucleic acid ligands containing modified nucleotides are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/117,991, filed Sep. 8, 1993, entitled "High Affinity Nucleic Acid Ligands Containing Modified Nucleotides," abandoned in favor of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/430,709, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,660,985, that describes oligonucleotides containing nucleotide derivatives chemically modified at the 5- and 2'-positions of pyrimidines. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/134,028, supra, describes highly specific nucleic acid ligands containing one or more nucleotides modified with 2'-amino (2'-NH.sub.2), 2'-fluoro (2'-F), and/or 2'-O-methyl (2'-OMe). U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/264,029, filed Jun. 22, 1994, entitled "Novel Method of Preparation of Known and Novel 2'-Modified Nucleosides by Intramolecular Nucleophilic Displacement," describes oligonucleotides containing various 2'-modified pyrimidines.
The SELEX method encompasses combining selected oligonucleotides with other selected oligonucleotides and non-oligonucleotide functional units as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/284,063, filed Aug. 2, 1994, entitled "Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential Enrichment: Chimeric SELEX", now U.S. Pat. No. 5,637,459, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/234,997, filed Apr. 28, 1994, entitled "Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential Enrichment: Blended SELEX," now U.S. Pat. No. 5,683,867 respectively. These applications allow the combination of the broad array of shapes and other properties, and the efficient amplification and replication properties, of oligonucleotides with the desirable properties of other molecules. Each of the above described patent applications which describe modifications of the basic SELEX procedure are specifically incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
Previous efforts have demonstrated the use of SELEX to identify ligands that can act facilitatively. In co-pending application, International Publication No. WO 95/08003, filed Sep. 16, 1994 which is a Continuation in Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/123,935, filed Sep. 17, 1993, entitled "Photoselection of Nucleic Acid Ligands," specifically incorporated by reference, certain nucleic acid sequences that contained 5-iodouracil residues were identified that covalently bind to HIV-1 Rev protein. In co-pending patent application U.S. application Ser. No. 08/234,997, filed Apr. 28, 1994, entitled "Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment: Blended SELEX," now U.S. Pat. No. 5,683,867, specifically incorporated by reference, a nucleic acid ligand to human neutrophil elastase was identified wherein a functional unit was associated with the nucleic acid ligand. In this instance, the functional unit was a valyl phosphonate that bound covalently to the elastase target. In co-pending patent application U.S. application Ser. No. 08/309,245, filed Sep. 20, 1994, entitled "Parallel SELEX," now U.S. Pat. No. 5,723,289, specifically incorporated herein by reference, the covalent reaction between a pool of reactants to form a product library is specifically facilitated by a nucleic acid attached to certain reactants.
Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is a biopolymer that is integral to protein synthesis and cellular metabolism. RNA is primarily composed of four basic monomers interlinked with phosphate diester linkages to form a directional (5'-3') polymer. In nature RNA molecules are usually transcribed as single stranded and may fold in various lengths and shapes, ranging from short oligoribonucleotide primers for DNA synthesis to the very large ribosomal RNAs which form part of the translational machinery active during protein synthesis. The purine and pyrimidine bases of RNA interact via ring-stacking and hydrogen bonding networks to fold the polymer chains into compact structures containing surfaces capable of providing specific binding sites for a variety of ligands, including proteins, nucleic acids, divalent metal ions, and carbohydrates (Saenger (1984) in Principles of Nucleic Acid Structure (C. R. Cantor, ed.) Chapters 6, 8, and 10, Spinger-Verlag, New York, N.Y.). Single stranded RNA (ssRNA) molecules commonly form localized regions of secondary structure, such as hairpin loops and pseudoknot structures, by base-pairing between complementary regions of the same molecule. (Schimmel (1989) Cell 58:9). The 2'-hydroxyl group provides additional hydrogen bonding capacity and serves as a modest nucleophile in the presence of electropositive magnesium ions. In fact, some RNAs are capable of topologically juxtaposing surface recognition and catalysis elements to promote metal co-factor driven chemical reactions such as transesterification and phosphodiester bond hydrolysis (Cech (1987) Science 236:1532-1539). These sophisticated attributes have prompted investigators to pursue therapeutic applications based on RNA catalysis and specific ligand binding activities.
Studies to date have identified only a few nucleic acids which have only a narrow subset of facilitating capabilities. A few RNA catalysts are known (Cech (1987) Science 236:1532-1539; McCorkle and Altman (1987) Journal of Chemical Education 64:221-226). These naturally occurring RNA enzymes (ribozymes) have to date been shown to act primarily on oligonucleotide substrates. Further, these molecules perform over a narrow range of chemical possibilities, which are thus far related primarily to phosphodiester bond condensation/hydrolysis, with the exception of the possible involvement of RNA in protein biosynthesis. Despite intense recent investigation to identify RNA or DNA catalysts, few successes have been identified. Phosphodiester cleavage (Beaudry and Joyce (1992) Science 257:635), hydrolysis of aminoacyl esters (Piccirilli et al. (1992) Science 256:1420-1424); self-cleavage (Pan and Uhlenbeck (1992) Biochemistry 31:3887), RNA polymerase activity (an RNA polymerase is an enzyme which facilitates the ligation of the 3' OH of one RNA molecule with the 5' triphosphate end of a second RNA molecule) (Bartel and Szostak (1993) Science 261:1411-1418); biphenyl isomerase activity (Prudent et al. (1994) Science 264:1924-1927); and polynucleotide kinase activity (a kinase is an enzyme which facilitates the transfer of a phosphate from one substrate to another) (Lorsch and Szostak (1994) Nature 371:31-36) have been observed. Dai et al. (1995) Science 267:237-240, have identified an RNA ligand which facilitates the cleavage of an alkyl amide.
The nucleic acid catalysts identified to date have certain shortcomings associated with their effectiveness in bond forming/breaking reactions. Among the drawbacks are that they act slowly relative to protein enzymes, and as described above, they perform over a somewhat narrow range of chemical possibilities.
Transfer RNA (tRNA) is a type of RNA molecule which acts as an adaptor during protein synthesis, matching amino acids (aa) to their codons on messenger RNA (mRNA). Before an amino acid is incorporated into a protein chain, it is attached by its carboxyl end to the 3' end of a tRNA molecule. This reaction is facilitated in two steps by a class of enzymes referred to as aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, as illustrated in equations (1) and (2). In the first step, equation (1), aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase activates the carbonyl group of the amino acid (aa) by forming the aminoacyl-adenylate, in which the carboxyl group of the amino acid is attached to adenosine monophosphate (AMP): ##STR1## The enzyme-bound aa-AMP intermediate is then transferred to the 2' or 3' hydroxy terminus of a tRNA molecule, thereby forming an aa-tRNA molecule and adenosine monophosphate (AMP) (Equation (2)): ##STR2## A tRNA molecule carrying its cognate amino acid is said to be "charged". The enzyme bound adenylate therefore, facilitates the esterification of the 2'(3') hydroxy terminus of transfer RNA, to create an aminoacyl-tRNA molecule.

Method for the production of ligands capable of facilitating aminoacyl-RNA synthesis


A WLP device is provided with a flange shaped UBM or an embedded partial solder ball UBM on top of a copper post style circuit connection.

FIG. 1 depicts a prior art configuration of a WLP copper post-solder ball configuration 100. This prior art WLP configuration 100 comprises a silicon layer 102, which is shown as a portion of a silicon wafer used in the manufacture of integrated circuits. A copper post 104 is connected or electrically bonded to an RDL layer (not specifically shown), which exists between the circuitry of the silicon wafer 102 and the copper post 104. The copper post 104 is used for connecting a circuit on the prior art WLP configuration 100 to a solder ball 108. The solder ball 108 is for electrically and metallurgically connecting the WLP or wafer level package to, for example, a circuit board (not shown).
During the manufacture of a prior art WLP configuration 100, an etching process is used on the copper post 104 which results in the surface 110 of the copper post being embedded or inset 5 to 20 microns below the surface of the epoxy or encapsulant 106, which surrounds the copper post. When the solder ball 108 is reflowed and thereby metallurgically attached to the surface 110 of the copper post 104, an interface between the solder ball 108, the epoxy 106 and the copper post 104 is created, which is shown as the ball/post/epoxy mechanical interface 112. Due to the topology of the ball/post/epoxy mechanical interface 112, wherein a sharp corner of the encapsulant is always in contact with the solder ball 108, drop testing and temperature cycle testing of a prior art WLP part result in WLP part failure that tends to occur at the ball/post/epoxy mechanical interface 112. One of the causes of the failure may be due to expansion and contraction of the encapsulant and the solder ball during a drop test impulse shock or during the heating/cooling cycles of a temperature test. Another possible cause of the failure may originate with the ball/post/epoxy mechanical interface 112 wherein the epoxy transfers heat to the solder ball thereby creating compression and tension stresses thereabout during thermo-mechanical testing and/or field use.
As such, what is needed is a more robust copper post-to-solder ball interface that provides a strong mechanical metallic bond between the metals and provides a level of reliability that consistently passes temperature cycling tests, drop tests and high current tests.

Enhanced WLP for superior temp cycling, drop test and high current applications


A continuous steam generator including a combustion chamber with a plurality of burners for fossil fuel is provided. A vertical gas duct is connected downstream of the combustion chamber on the hot gas side, in an upper region via a horizontal gas duct. The outside wall of the combustion chamber is formed from evaporation pipes which are welded together in a gas-tight manner and mounted upstream of a water separator system on the flow medium side and from superheater pipes which are welded together in a gas-tight manner and mounted downstream of the water separator system. The water separator system includes a plurality of water separation elements, each element includes an inlet tube which is connected to the respective upstream evaporation for tubes, which extend into a water evacuation tube. A distributer element is arranged on the evaporator side between the respective water separator element and the inlet collector.

In a fossil-fired steam generator the energy of a fossil fuel is used to generate superheated steam which can subsequently be supplied to a steam turbine for the purpose of generating electricity, in a power station for example. In particular at the steam temperatures and pressures typical in a power station environment, steam generators are generally implemented as water tube boilers, which is to say that the supplied water flows in a plurality of tubes which assimilate the energy in the form of radiant heat from the burner flames and/or through convection and/or through thermal conduction from the flue gas being produced during the combustion process.
In the region of the burners the steam generator tubes in this case typically form the combustion chamber wall in that they are welded to one another in a gas-tight arrangement. Steam generator tubes disposed in the flue gas duct can also be provided in other areas downstream of the combustion chamber on the flue gas side.
Fossil-fired steam generators can be categorized according to a multiplicity of criteria. For example, steam generators can be classified into vertical and horizontal design types, based on the flow direction of the gas flow. In the context of fossil-fired steam generators constructed in a vertical design a distinction is generally made in this case between one-pass and two-pass boilers.
In a single-pass or tower-type boiler the flue gas generated as a result of the combustion process in the combustion chamber always flows vertically from bottom to top. All the heating surfaces disposed in the flue gas duct are located on the flue gas side above the combustion chamber. Tower-type boilers offer a comparatively simple construction and simple containment of the stresses resulting due to the thermal expansion of the tubes. Furthermore, all the heating surfaces of the steam generator tubes disposed in the flue gas duct are horizontal and can therefore be drained of water completely, which can be desirable in environments exposed to risk of frost.
In the case of the two-pass boiler a horizontal gas duct is connected downstream in an upper region of the combustion chamber on the flue gas side, said horizontal gas duct leading into a vertical gas duct. In this second vertical gas duct the gas usually flows vertically from top to bottom. In the two-pass boiler there is therefore a multiple redirection of the flue gas. Advantages of this type of design are, for example, the lower overall height of the structure and the lower manufacturing costs resulting therefrom.
Furthermore, steam generators can be implemented as gravity circulation, forced circulation or once-through steam generators. In a once-through steam generator the heating of a plurality of evaporator tubes leads to a complete evaporation of the flow medium in the evaporator tubes in a single pass. Following its evaporation the flow medium—typically water—is supplied to superheater tubes connected downstream of the evaporator tubes and is superheated there. The position of the evaporation endpoint, i.e. the location at which the water component of the flow has totally evaporated, is in this case variable and dependent on operating mode. During full-load operation of a once-through steam generator of this type the evaporation endpoint is located for example in an end region of the evaporator tubes, such that the superheating of the evaporated flow medium commences already in the evaporator tubes (with the nomenclature used, this description is, strictly speaking, only valid for partial loads with subcritical pressure in the evaporator. For clarity of illustration purposes, however, this manner of presentation is used throughout in the following description).
In contrast to a gravity circulation or forced circulation steam generator, a once-through steam generator is not subject to any pressure limiting, which means that it can be dimensioned for live steam pressures far in excess of the critical pressure of water (PCri≈221 bar)—at which water and steam cannot occur simultaneously at any temperature and consequently also no phase separation is possible.
In low-load operation or during the startup phase a once-through steam generator of said type is usually operated at a minimum flow of flow medium in the evaporator tubes in order to ensure reliable cooling of the evaporator tubes. Toward that end, particularly at low loads of, for example, less than 40% of the design load, the pure once-through mass flow through the evaporator is usually no longer sufficient in itself to cool the evaporator tubes and for that reason an additional throughput of flow medium is superimposed in the course of the circulation on the once-through pass of flow medium through the evaporator. The minimum flow of flow medium in the evaporator tubes that is provided under normal operating conditions is consequently not completely evaporated in the evaporator tubes during the startup phase or in low-load operation, with the result that in an operating mode of said type unevaporated flow medium, in particular a water-steam mixture, is still present at the end of the evaporator tubes.
However, since the superheater tubes which are typically connected downstream of the evaporator tubes of the once-through steam generator only after the flow medium has passed through the combustion chamber walls are not designed for a throughflow of unevaporated flow medium, once-through steam generators are generally implemented in such a way that an ingress of water into the superheater tubes is reliably avoided also during the startup phase and in low-load operation. Toward that end the evaporator tubes are typically connected to the superheater tubes disposed downstream of them by way of a water separation system. In this arrangement the water separator effects a separation of the water-steam mixture emerging from the evaporator tubes during the startup phase or in low-load operation into water and steam. The steam is supplied to the superheater tubes connected downstream of the water separator, whereas the separated water is returned to the evaporator tubes via a circulating pump, for example, or can be discharged by way of a blow-down tank.
In this arrangement the water separation system can comprise a multiplicity of water separating elements which are directly integrated into the tubes. In this case a water separating element can be associated in particular with each of the evaporator tubes connected in parallel. Furthermore, the water separating elements can be embodied as what are called T-piece water separating elements. Here, each T-piece water separating element comprises an inflow tube section connected in each case to the upstream evaporator tube and, viewed in its longitudinal direction, transitions into a water discharge tube section, with an outflow tube section connected to the downstream superheater tube branching off in the transition zone.
By virtue of this type of design the T-piece water separating element is embodied for effecting an inertial separation of the water-steam mixture flowing out of the upstream evaporator tube and into the inflow tube section. Specifically, owing to its comparatively high level of inertia the water fraction of the flow medium flowing in the inflow tube section by preference continues to flow straight on past the transition point in an axial extension of the inflow tube section and consequently passes into the water discharge tube section and from there usually flows further into a connected collecting vessel. By contrast, the steam fraction of the water-steam mixture flowing in the inflow tube section is better able, by virtue of its comparatively low level of inertia, to follow an imposed redirection and consequently flows via the outflow tube section to the downstream superheater tube section. A once-through steam generator based on this type of design is known, for example, from EP 1 701 091.
In a once-through steam generator having a water separation system configured in such a way the decentralized integration of the water separation function into the individual tubes of the tube system of the once-through steam generator means that the water can be separated without prior collection of the flow medium flowing out of the evaporator tubes. It also means that the flow medium can be passed on directly into the downstream superheater tubes.
Owing to the manner of construction the transfer of flow medium to the superheater tubes is furthermore not restricted just to steam; rather, a water-steam mixture can now also be passed on to the superheater tubes through overfeeding of the water separating elements. By this means the evaporation endpoint can be shifted into the superheater tubes as necessary. This enables a particularly high level of operational flexibility to be achieved even during the startup phase or in the low-load mode of operation of the once-through steam generator. In particular the live steam temperature can be regulated within comparatively wide limits by controlling the feedwater volume.
With systems of this kind it is, however, necessary to take into account that because the water separation function is integrated into the individual tubes a comparatively high number of individual tube sections or elements is required specifically in the region of the separation system.


Control valves can allow for a steering assembly of a drill string. An exemplary control valve can include a first valve element including a first orifice, the first valve element being movable by actuation by a motor, and a second valve element including an orifice, wherein flow passing through the first valve element orifice passes through the second orifice and into a flow channel to be in fluid communication with a piston bore to exert pressure against a piston movable within the piston bore, the piston being coupled to a steering pad for applying force against the wellbore wall to steer a direction of the drill string. The first valve element is movable with respect to the second valve element to change flow through the first valve element orifice and the second valve element orifice to modify fluid pressure within the flow channel that is exerted against the piston.

In the oil and gas industry, wellbores are commonly drilled to intercept and penetrate particular subterranean formations to enable the efficient extraction of embedded hydrocarbons. To reach desired subterranean formations, it is often required to undertake directional drilling, which entails dynamically controlling the direction of drilling, rather than simply drilling a nominally vertical wellbore path. Directionally-drilled wellbores can include portions that are vertical, curved, horizontal, and portions that generally extend laterally at any angle from the vertical wellbore portions.
In one or more implementations, not all of the depicted components in each figure may be required, and one or more implementations may include additional components not shown in a figure. Variations in the arrangement and type of the components may be made without departing from the scope of the subject disclosure. Additional components, different components, or fewer components may be utilized within the scope of the subject disclosure.


An objective of the present invention is to provide a packaging cell for preparing a retrovirus having a high viral titer. The cell producing a recombinant retrovirus is constructed by introducing, the Polyoma virus early region gene together with a recombinant plasmid or a recombinant retrovirus free from any replication origin derived from Polyoma virus into a packaging cell for preparing a recombinant retrovirus.

A method for introducing a retrovirus as a vector into higher animal cells has excellent features such as less cytotoxicity associated with gene transfer and integration of the transferred gene into the chromosome with stable maintenance. For these reasons, this method has not only been used for experimental gene transfer but for gene therapy as well. The retrovirus used as a vector is mainly derived from the Moloney Murine Leukemia Virus (MoMuLV), but a retrovirus derived from the Avian Leukosis Virus (ALV) has also been developed. These retroviruses have a single-strand RNA as a genome, on which gag, pol and env genes coding for proteins necessary for virus construction are located. The viral RNA genome is coated by capsid proteins and further coated by matrix proteins, transmembrane proteins and surface proteins. These viral coating proteins are encoded by the gag and env genes. Further, the pol gene codes for reverse transcriptase, protease and integrase which are important in the viral life cycle.
When cells are infected with such a retrovirus, the viral RNA is transcribed into DNA by reverse transcriptase, and the resultant DNA is integrated into a cellular chromosome by integrase to make a provirus. The gag, pol and env genes are expressed by this provirus to construct a viral particle and an RNA viral genome is produced at the same time. This viral RNA is then encapsidated into the viral particle to replicate the virus. When produced from the cell, this virus can infect other cells.
In order to use this retrovirus as a vector, it is necessary to prepare a "recombinant retrovirus" into which a foreign gene has been introduced. A fundamental method for preparing a recombinant retrovirus has been established, in which the recombinant retrovirus is prepared using a particular cell called a "packaging cell".
In a packaging cell, a retrovirus genome having the gag, pol and env genes is integrated into a chromosome, and all the proteins necessary to construct a viral particle are expressed by the integrated genes. A mutation has been introduced in said retrovirus-derived genome. Namely, the .psi. region, which is necessary to encapsidate the virus genome into the viral particle, is deleted, and thus the RNA genome cannot be encapsidated into the viral particle. When a plasmid which have the .psi. region, two long terminal repeat regions (LTRs) (generally, they are 5' LTR and 3' LTR, where the initiation region of reverse transcription and promoter and enhancer sequences are located in 5' LTR, and a poly A addition signal is located in 3' LTR), and the foreign gene franked between two LTRs, are introduced into a packaging cell line, the RNA genome derived from this plasmid is encapsidated into the viral particle. A retrovirus vector having a foreign gene is thus produced. This recombinant retrovirus infects a target cell and integrates the foreign gene into the chromosome of the infected cell, wherein said foreign gene can stably be expressed in the target cell.
In introducing a gene into a packaging cell, the greater the production of retrovirus by the cell, that is, the higher the viral titer, the greater the number of cells into which said gene is introduced. Introduction of a gene into a large number of cells facilitates experiments for gene transfer and is important for efficient gene therapy.
In order to increase the viral titer, recombinant plasmids DOL and DOL.sup.- have been constructed, which have the Polyoma virus early region gene and the replication origin containing the promoter of this early region gene (A. J. Korman, J. D. Frantz, J. L. Strominger and R. C. Mulligan: Expression of human class II major histocompatibility complex antigens using retrovirus vectors. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 84, 2150-2154 (1987)). These recombinant plasmids are a case to which the Polyoma virus early region gene and its replication system are applied.
The polyoma virus is a circular DNA virus infectious to rodents. When this virus infect to a cell, the early region gene which consists of the large T antigen, middle T antigen and small T antigen is expressed, and the large T antigen protein acts on the replication origin of the viral DNA to start replication. At this time, the viral DNA molecule is multiplied in the nucleus of the infected cell and multicopy production is observed. Such multicopies are considered to be valuable if they have the early region gene and the origin of replication containing the promoter region of the early region gene. Since the recombinant plasmids DOL and DOL- have the polyoma early region containing the polyoma replication origin, they exist as multicopies in the packaging cells, which is deemed to be responsible for the increased production of recombinant retrovirus derived from the plasmids.
Such a polyoma virus replication system has also been applied to expression of a foreign gene using cell culture systems. Known examples include MOP cells and WOP cells, in which the Polyoma virus early region gene has first been introduced into the culture cells. When a plasmid having the Polyoma virus replication origin is introduced in MOP cells or WOP cells, the large T antigen protein expressed by the early region gene causes an increase in the number of copies of the introduced plasmid (for example, 500 to 2,000 copies). As a result, the level of expression of a foreign gene inserted into the plasmid increases.
A plasmid introduced into a cell is exist either as an extrachromosomal DNA or in the form of DNA integrated into the chromosome. When the plasmid is exist as an extrachromosomal DNA, the number of copies of plasmid increases due to the action of the Polyoma virus large T antigen protein; however, the increase is transient and the number of copies reaches a peak 48 to 72 hours after plasmid introduction or expression of the large T antigen protein, and then decrease. Also, when the plasmid is integrated into the chromosome, the introduced gene is excised from the chromosome and is lost from the cells due to the action of the Polyoma virus replication origin and the large T antigen protein of Polyoma virus. It has been reported from these results that the massive expression of foreign genes is not a stable but a temporary phenomenon (F. G. Kern and C. Basilico: An inducible eukaryotic host-vector expression system: Amplification of genes under the control of the Polyoma late promoter in a cell line producing a thermolabile large T antigen. Gene 43, 237-245 (1986)).
A cell line Wgd5, in which the Polyoma virus early region is integrated, has been developed as a packaging cell (A. J. M. Murphy and A. Efstratiadis: Cloning vectors for expression of cDNA libraries in mammalian cells. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 84, 8277-8281 (1987)). Wgd5 cell is a packaging cell which is constructed by introducing the Mo-MulV genome with a deleted .psi. region into its parent strain, namely WOP cell (NIH 3T3 cell transformed by the Polyoma virus genome in which the promoter and the origin of replication are inactivated). When a recombinant plasmid having the origin of replication derived from Polyoma virus is introduced into this Wgd5 cell, the level of replication increases, though transiently. If this recombinant plasmid contains the LTR of Mo-MuLV and the .psi. region, the recombinant retrovirus is produced.


A living tissue or living cell preservation solution comprising an effective amount of a ginkgolide to reduce reperfusion injury in living tissue which has been stored therein and a substance or mixture or substances present in an amount sufficient to produce an osmotic pressure in said solution approximately equal to the osmotic pressure or mammalian cell and a method for preventing or reducing reperfusion injury in transplanted mammalian organs, which comprises contacting an organ prior to reperfusion with an effective amount of a ginkgolide to reduce reperfusion injury in said organ.

Lung transplantation has been an effective treatment for patients with end stage pulmonary disease. The major challenge facing lung transplantation is organ availability. In efforts to increase organ availability research has focused on improving organ preservation. The current standard is hypothermic storage with solutions that approximate an intracellular electrolyte composition (hyperkalemic, hypermagnesemic) and substrate enhancement (dextrose+/-insulin).
One problem encountered during organ transplantation is reperfusion injury to the transplanted organ after it has been transplanted to the organ recipient. Attempts have been made in the past to minimize reperfusion injury, however, the discovery of a more effective means for minimizing reperfusion injury is needed. Recent attention has been focused on limiting reperfusion injury by blocking the generation of or scavenging oxygen derived free oxygen radicals. One such approach has been to include allopurinol in the reperfusion solution. Various patents describe solutions for the preservation of organs. Examples of such patents are U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,798,824 to Belzer et al and 4,797,277 to Arfors.
In spite of all these approaches, preservation of organs such as lungs, pancreas, heart and liver is still a problem. For example, in lung preservation the current preservation time is so short that the donor has to be next to the recipient. In other words there is no preservation time.

Use of ginkgolides to prevent reperfusion injury in organ transplantation

Societe de Conseils de Recherches et d'Applications Scientifiques (S.C.R.A.S.)


The invention relates to a steering system of a motor vehicle with a rack, which is connected on the end side with steerable wheels and which pivots said wheels through a lateral movement. The steering system has a position sensor which continuously determines the position of the rack and emits corresponding position signals.

With a conventional steering system steerable wheels are steered by a driver via an actuation unit, more preferably through twisting a steering wheel. The rotating of the steering wheel causes a displacement of a rack which in turn pivots the wheels. In power steerings the steering movement of the driver is supported through an additional electric motor. Here, the steering support is generally performed through characteristic-controlled or regulated systems where the steering support is applied as a function of the vehicle speed.
In addition, steering systems are known where no mechanical connection exists between the steerable wheels and the steering wheel (steer by wire). Here, the wheels are pivoted as a function of the angle of rotation of the steering wheel with the help of appropriate motors.
To determine the position of the steering wheel and the steered wheels, rotary angle-of-rotation sensors are generally employed, in the steering train mostly on the steering column, on the steering pinion direct or on the input shaft connected with the latter. These can be designed to determine the absolute steering angle either over the entire steering angle range or only over 360°. In the latter case, the angle-of-rotation sensor can determine the absolute steering angle only in conjunction with a centre finding algorithm.
These steering angle sensors can be designed as both so-called multi-turn sensors, which measure the absolute steering angle over more than one turn from lock to lock or as single-turn sensors which can trace the absolute steering angle only over one steering revolution. In addition, incremental angle sensors are also known.
In an electric power steering the steering angle can also be determined via the position sensor of the electric motor which is directly or indirectly tied to the steering column with a certain ratio. Based on the ratio between steering column and electric motor, the angular signal of said position sensor which is absolute on its own is likewise not an absolute one relative to the steering column.
When using an angle sensor which merely measures absolutely over one steering wheel revolution, only an approximate position determination is required to determine the centre, while with incrementally acting angle sensors or measurement via the position sensor of the motor, far greater accuracy of the position determination is required. This can take place either via evaluation of the wheel rotational speeds or via evaluation of the steering moment and the steering angular velocity. In both cases however it requires a certain time or travelling distance in order to find a sufficiently accurate centre position by means of these centre finding algorithms, as is required depending on the utilisation purpose of the angular signals. Following a system restart this restricts the scope of performance of the comfort and safety systems dependent on the steering angle for a certain time which impairs their availability.
In addition, electric power steering systems generally utilise a separate torque sensor assigned to the steering system for measuring the steering moment applied to the steering wheel by the driver. This torque sensor mostly serves exclusively for measuring the torque, but can also be combined with an angle-of-rotation sensor.

Determination of the absolute position of a steering system through a linear sensor on the rack


When communicating data between different voltage and frequency domains, for example chiplets, in an integrated circuit, the data signals can be formatted to compensate for propagation delays and different operating frequencies between the domains, and the signaling voltage level of the formatted data signals can then be changed from the operating voltage of the transmitting domain to the operating voltage of the receiving domain so that the formatted and changed data signals can be transmitted. As such, voltage crossings are combined with frequency crossings, which can have the effect of hiding the voltage shifting within the propagation delays.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to communicating data between different voltage and frequency domains within an integrated circuit chip, and to mitigating propagation delays for data communication between domains.
2. Description of the Related Art
When designing electronics, power consumption is often a critical metric. Cell phones, handheld electronics, and other battery-powered electronic devices are measured in terms of battery life and play time. Even non-battery applications are striving to be as energy-friendly as possible. One way to promote efficient power consumption is by partitioning chips into multiple voltage and frequency domains. The voltages and frequencies in the different areas of the chip can be scaled to use minimum power while still achieving performance requirements. When data is communicated between different domains having different operating voltages and frequencies, the voltage and frequency are changed from that of the transmitting domain to that of the target domain.
Exchanging data across differently clocked domains can take place using synchronous or non-synchronous transfer. To guard against corrupting the data, synchronous transfer generally involves careful clock balancing across voltages and frequencies. In some cases, synchronous transfer implementations can use a negative edge to transfer the data, but the switching speeds provided by negative edge triggered flip-flops may not always be sufficient.
Non-synchronous data transfer across different voltage and frequency domains includes source-synchronous transfer and asynchronous transfer. Source-synchronous transfer involves sourcing a clock along with the data. Specifically, the timing of data signals transferred from one domain to another is referenced to the clock sourced by the transmitting domain, and not to a global clock. In source-synchronous transfer, any signal propagation delay experienced by the data through a device tracks the delay experienced by the clock through that same device. This comes at the expense of creating separate clock domains at the receiving domain, and thus additional synchronization logic to transfer the received data into the core clock of the receiving domain.
Asynchronous transmission of data occurs without the use of a dedicated clock signal. Any timing required to recover data from the communication symbols is encoded within the symbols. Asynchronous systems can be constructed out of modular functional blocks within an integrated circuit (IC), each module having well-defined communication interfaces. These modules may operate at variable speeds, whether due to data-dependent processing, dynamic voltage scaling, or process variation. The modules can then be combined together to form a working system, without reference to a global clock signal. Typically, low power is obtained since components are activated only on demand.
A specific type of IC is an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). Such ASICs can provide flexibility to the system design. The ability to integrate millions of gates on an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) has given rise to the System-on-Chip (SoC), or System-Level-Integration ASIC models. In such models, complex cores can be modularized into many smaller functional pieces. The functional pieces may include clusters of analog and digital logic, conventionally known and referred to herein as logic blocks, or synonymously, "chiplets." A logic block or group of analog or digital circuits is sometimes called a chiplet. A chiplet (or logic block) may define a single module or a collection of modules having a particular physical hierarchy or boundary. Two or more chiplets can be on the same integrated circuit substrate or can be on different substrates. The logic blocks are connectable together in various configurations using data lines or other circuitry. The term "core" refers to each of the various functional blocks that make up an ASIC, and a chiplet can be thought of as a core, or functional block, of relatively low complexity, for example an application or system controller, a debug subsystem, an audio subsystem, an SoC interconnect, a memory, a clock generation unit, or the like. Functional blocks can range in size and complexity from a simple RAM memory core to a much more complex embedded processor core.

Circuits and methods for communicating data between domains during voltage and frequency shifting


Apparatus is provided which enables an operator to wash vehicles of various shapes, sizes and configurations efficiently and thoroughly. A pair of spaced longitudinally extending rails is suspended along either side of a vehicle washing station. A carriage beam extends transversely between the rails and is mounted for back and forth movement longitudinally therealong. A traversing carriage is mounted upon the carriage beam, and a travelling scaffold is suspended from the traversing carriage for movement therewith. A washing unit is mounted upon the travelling scaffold for movement up and down therealong. The washing unit includes a cantilevered boom upon which spray nozzles are mounted for discharging selected washing fluids under high pressure. The boom is pivotable upwardly and downwardly in a vertical plane, and is rotatable about its longitudinal axis. The nozzles are mounted upon the boom for oscillating pivoting movement. An operators platform is provided for movement around the vehicle with the washing unit as washing proceeds.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to apparatus for washing automotive vehicles, and more particularly to such apparatus for washing large vehicles of irregular configuration and widely varying sizes such as highway motor trucks.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Various devices have been proposed over the years both for facilitating manual washing and for so-called automatic washing of vehicles. Some of the devices merely employ high pressure jets of water and/or washing compounds, while others utilize liquid sprays in combinations with brushes or cloths contacting the vehicular surfaces to be washed. The prior art devices perform satisfactorily in washing vehicles such as automobiles, wherein dimensions generally vary within rather narrow units. However, they have not proven entirely satisfactory for the washing of highway motor trucks and trailers, wherein both the dimensions and the configuration, or profile, of the vehicles to be washed vary widely. In order to properly clean such vehicles it is necessary to wash not only the opposite sides and the top of the trailer and the tractor, but also the rear of the trailer and front of the tractor, the front of the trailer and rear of the tractor cab as well as other equipment between the trailer and the cab, the undercarriage and fuel tanks of the vehicle, and the wheels. Machines available heretofore have not been capable of doing an effective job of washing an entire rig. As a result, the washing of such rigs heretofore has been largely a manual, labor intensive operation requiring the services of several employees at anytime a facility is in operation. In order to service the trucking industry, the facility must normally in continuous operation. Business is very dependent upon weather conditions. As will thus be readily apparent, staffing of the facility is speculative and inefficient, and labor costs can be prohibitive.


A shape evaluation device performs simulation by using an annular light source or concentric light source instead of a rectilinear light source and calculates a characteristic line for performing shape evaluation. The shape evaluation device includes a calculation device (2) having: a distance vector calculation unit (2a) for acquiring a distance vector representing a distance between the circle and the vector, a distance function unit (2b) for acquiring a distance function from the distance vector, and a distance function calculation unit (2c) for acquiring a point on a curved surface where the value of the distance function is a predetermined value. By performing simulation using the annular or concentric light source, it is possible to obtain a characteristic line capable of observing distortion in all the directions by one calculation. The present invention reduces the number of calculations required for calculating the characteristic line for performing shape evaluation and reduce the time required for calculation, thereby enabling evaluation by a dynamic shape.

A free-form surface is used for the bodies of various industrial products, such as ships, automobiles and airplanes, having both functionality and beauty, and is used for designing beautiful artistic shapes, such as home electric products and the appearance of many consumer goods. These curved surfaces are called a "Class A surface". In order to estimate the beauty of a Class A surface, various evaluation methods have been proposed and used.
As the use of three-dimensional CAD and CAM systems spread, the curved surface quality evaluations of curved surface of design shapes are more extensively used in industrial design and manufacturing fields. In the case of the design of the outside plate body of an automobile, for example, a designer irradiates parallel lights from a fluorescent lamp on a clay model, visually observes the reflected light projected on the surface of the clay model, observes the appearance of the shape of the reflection light which the reflection light forms on the formed surface, and detects the repair sections by the distortion of reflection lines.
Shape evaluation by simulation on a computer has been proposed instead of quality evaluation by irradiating parallel lights from a fluorescent lamp on an actual model has been proposed. As a method for forming light lines on an evaluation target surface on a computer, evaluation methods using Isophotes, Reflection lines or Highlight lines are known. These evaluation methods are inspection method using a single differentiation of the evaluation surface. These reflection lines and highlight lines for shape evaluation are collectively called "characteristic lines".
For shape evaluation by Isophotes, a curve with a predetermined illuminance on the curved surface created by a point light source at an infinite point in a direction specified by the user is used. These curves are used for detecting the distortion of the curved surface. If the curved surface has CM continuity, then Isophotes lines are CM−1 continuous (Non-patent Documents 1 and 2).
Shape evaluation by reflection lines is based on simulation of a mirror image of lights irradiated from a light source of a parallel line group viewed from a fixed point on a smooth curved surface, and a deviation from the smooth shape of the curved surface is detected by the distortion of the reflection lines. The deviation of the curved surface can be corrected by correcting the distortion of the reflection lines.
Generating reflection lines on a trimmed NURBS surface using the mapping function of Blinn-Newell type reflection, which is simple and can be physically acquired, has also been proposed (Non-patent Document 3). Also in Non-patent Document 4, calculating the reflection lines of a small chained annular light source group along a straight line has been proposed.
FIG. 27A is a diagram depicting a shape evaluation by a reflection line. In FIG. 27A, parallel linear lights are irradiated from a line light source 101 on an evaluation surface 100, and lights reflected on the evaluation surface 100 are observed at a view point E. The view point E and the line light source 101 are at symmetric angle positions (angle θ) with respect to a normal line N on the evaluation surface 100, and the line light source 101 is observed at view point E as a reflection line 102. In the case of the shape evaluation based on a reflection line, the reflection line 102, projected on the evaluation surface 100 with respect to the line light source 101 and the view point E, is determined by performing computer simulation.
Shape evaluation using an oval curve instead of a linear reflection line has also been proposed (Non-patent Document 5). FIG. 28 are diagrams depicting the shape evaluation based on the oval curve. According to this non-patent document, when a point Ps is set in a space in FIG. 28A, a point, where an angle formed by the vector r* and vector from the point S to the point Ps becomes α, is determined out of the points S on the evaluation surface on which the incident light V* reflects in the r* direction when the points Ps are set in space. The set of the points S on the evaluation surface at which the angle α formed by these two vectors is similar to an isocline with angle α, which is determined as a reflection line (FIG. 28B). Here the symbol "*" indicates a vector.
Shape evaluation based on a highlight line, on the other hand, is a shape evaluation based on a reflection line which is simplified. Since the highlight line does not depend on a view point, the calculation of a view point is unnecessary, unlike the case of shape evaluation based on a reflection line (Non-patent Document 6).
FIG. 29A and FIG. 29B are diagrams depicting shape evaluation based on highlight lines. In FIG. 29B, a curve on the evaluation surface 100, of which distance between the extension of the normal line N on the evaluation surface 100 and the line light source 101 is within a predetermined range, is observed as a highlight line 103.
Since the simulation of the highlight line does not require a view point, the computing time is decreased.
In shape evaluation based on a highlight line, a method for automatically updating control points on an NURBS surface and for determining a required shape by specifying a shape of highlight lines projected on the NURBS surface has been proposed (Non-patent Document 7), and a method for directly controlling highlight lines using an NURBS boundary Gregory patch has been proposed (Non-patent document 8).
Also a method for removing local irregularities of the NURBS surface by modifying the highlight lines in real-time interactive design has been proposed (Non-patent Document 9).
Also a method for generating dynamic highlight lines on a locally deformed NURBS surface using a Talor development method instead of a follow up method, of which processing time is long, has been proposed (Non-patent Document 10).    Non-patent Document 1. N. M. Patrikalakis and T. Maekawa: Shape Interrogation for Computer Aided Design and Manufacturing, Heidelberg, Germany: Springer-Verlag, 2002    Non-patent Document 2. T. Poeschl: Detecting surface irregularities using isophotoes, Computer Aided Geometric Design, 1(2), 163-168, 1984    Non-patent Document 3. I. Choi and K. Lee: Efficient generation of reflection lines to evaluate car body surfaces, Mathematical Engineering in Industry, 7(2), 233-250, 1998    Non-patent Document 4. T. Kanai: Surface interrogation by reflection lines of a moving body, Bachelor's Thesis, The University of Tokyo, Department of Precision Machinery Engineering, Tokyo, Japan, 1992, in Japanese at—http://web.sfc.keio.ac.jp/kanai/rline/bth.pdf    Non-patent Document 5. Gershon Elber: Curve Evaluation and Interrogation on Surfaces, Graphical Models, Vol. 63, 197-210, 2001    Non-patent Document 6. K. P. Beier and Y. Chen: Highlight-line algorithm for real time surface quality assessment, Computer-Aided Design, 26(4), 268-277, 1994    Non-patent Document 7. Y. Chen, K. P. Beier and D. Papageorgiou: Direct highlight-line modification on NURBS surfaces, Computer-Aided Geometric Design, 14(6), 583-601, 1997    Non-patent Document 8. J. Sone and H. Chiyokura: Surface highlight control using quadratic blending NURBS boundary Gregory patch, Journal of Information Processing Society of Japan, 37(12), 2212-2222, 1996, in Japanese    Non-patent Document 9. C. Zhang and F. Cheng: Removing local irregularities of NURBS surfaces by modifying highlight lines, Computer-Aided Design, 30(12), 923-930, 1998    Non-patent Document 10. J. H. Yong, F. Cheng, Y. Chen, P. Stewart and K. T. Miura: Dynamic highlight line generation for locally deforming NURBS surfaces: Computer-Aided Design, 35(10), 881-892, 2003    Non-patent Document 11. J. E. Hacke: A simple solution of the general quartic: American Mathematical Monthly, 48(5), 327-328, 1941

Shape evaluation method, shape evaluation device, and device having the shape evaluation device

National University Corporation Yokohama National University