A sensing system includes a processing unit and sensor chip. The sensor chip includes a microelectrode array, a droplet space over the microelectrode array, and a plurality of control units coupled together in a daisy-chain configuration. Each of the control units is coupled to a respective one of the microelectrodes of the microelectrode array. The control units are controlled by the processing unit to drive movement of a droplet in the droplet space, and to inspect the droplet via the microelectrodes.

Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a sensing system and a sensor chip, and more particularly to a sensing system including a sensor chip with a microelectrode array.
Background Information
Due to the longer lifespan, physical examinations have become increasingly important in respect of disease screening, medical diagnosis or geriatric care. In conventional analysis, a to-be-inspected portion of a specimen is separated using a centrifuge. After adding some reagents, a condition of the specimen may be determined according to a presented color or a concentration of a product. Such a conventional method requires more manpower and time for analysis, resulting in a relatively high cost.
On the other hand, biochips contribute to fast and effective analysis, and are suitable for use at home, achieving both reduction of personnel cost and increasing popularity. An LOC (laboratory-on-a-chip), also called a μTAS (micro total analytical system), microminiaturizes and integrates on a chip operations in a lab, resulting in reduced overall reaction time, promoted efficiency, and significant reduction in inspection errors. Such integration of medical analysis and electronic system saves time, space and human resource, thereby greatly reducing cost, and being a potentially important product in the future.
Most conventional LOCs use a glass substrate to build thereon, a set of micro flow paths and valve components that control the micro flow paths, based on MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical system) techniques and a semiconductor fabrication process, and cooperate with external pump devices and inspection devices to form a platform for completely processing and analyzing specimens. Separation and purification of the specimen, mixing of the specimen and the reagents, and judgment of the result may be provided using such a platform.
However, the LOC with the micro flow paths and the valve components may encounter the following issues:
1. Due to difficulty in heterogenous integration, control components and inspection components for the LOC must be setup externally. In general, a large number of the external control components lead to a large number of input/output (I/O) signal lines, resulting in limitations on usable area of the LOC.
2. Most LOCs cooperate with an external pump to enable flow of a droplet in the micro flow paths from a position with a relatively high pressure to a position with a relatively low pressure. However, since the micro flow paths are in a sealed space, the pressure generated by the pump may cause the droplet to flow arbitrarily, leading to ineffective driving of the droplet, waste of the specimen, and low sensitivity in analysis.
3. Since a layout of the micro flow paths of the conventional LOC is fixed, the LOCs with different layouts of the micro flow paths may be required for different analysis. Personnel may need to learn operations for the LOCs with different layouts of the micro flow paths, leading to higher costs in training personnel and product development.
4. Although many methods have been proposed to control fluid in the micro flow paths, the applicant is not aware of a conventional method that additionally provides a mechanism enabling readout of a type of the fluid, which may reduce errors in experiments.


A completion assembly has a packer for isolation and indicating shoulders incorporated into a sleeve mounted uphole of the packer. Locating the indicating shoulders above the packer allows them to be larger than placement below the packer where the assembly generally has to neck down to permit operations such as gravel packing. Placement above the packer makes the indicating shoulders less restrictive to subsequent production flow or for passage of tools further down the wellbore.

Gravel pack systems allow many downhole procedures to take place in a single trip. A gravel pack assembly typically contains sections of screen that extend from a packer. An inner string that includes a crossover tool is movable with respect to the set packer for selective sealing relation with a polished bore in the packer. In this manner fluids can be circulated when the assembly is run in and gravel can be deposited outside the screens while return fluids can come up through the screens and up a wash pipe. These return fluids can then pass through a valve in an uphole direction and go through the crossover and back to the surface through the annulus above the set packer. Alternatively, the crossover can allow the gravel to be deposited with fluid squeezed into the formation in a procedure called a frac pack. The crossover is simply positioned with respect to the packers and seal bores in a manner where no return port through the wash pipe and back to the surface is open.
Regardless of whether the gravel is deposited with fluid returns to the surface or whether the fluid is forced into the formation when the gravel is deposited outside the screens, the excess gravel in the string leading down to the crossover has to be removed, typically by a process called reversing out. In this step the crossover is repositioned so that fluid pumped from the surface in the annular space above the packer is allowed into the tubing above the packer so that the excess gravel can be brought to the surface. It is the locating of these positions downhole that is vital to the correct operation of the tool. Performing this procedure can build pressure near the crossover and a risk of fluid loss to the formation with this built up pressure is a possibility. Fluid loss to the formation can diminish its productivity and excessive fluid loss to the formation may inhibit or prevent reverse circulating of the excess gravel from the workstring. For these reasons a fluid loss control valve in the wash pipe extending into a packer seal bore from the crossover has been used. These fluid loss control valves are illustrated in patents relating to gravel packing operations such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,290,610; 7,128,151; 7,032,666 and 6,983,795.
As an introduction to an understanding of the preferred embodiment, a brief discussion of the prior designs and the issues it presented will be undertaken in a summary form. FIG. 1 shows a common prior art assembly for gravel packing. A wellbore 20 has a string 22 with a packer 24 shown in a set position. A crossover tool 26 with a wash pipe 28 extends through a screen assembly 30 that is properly located by a formation 31 using a tubular spacer 29. The screen assembly 30 has profiles 32 on which a collet 34 that is connected to the wash pipe 28 can be landed to provide the desired flow configurations for the gravel packing operation. In order to direct fluid flow it is necessary that the packer 24 sealing bore 38′ be compatible with the crossover tool 26, such that the crossover tool seals in the seal bore. In the FIG. 1 position a fluid loss control valve 36 is locked in the open position. The FIG. 1 position allows circulation with flow coming down the string 22 and going through the crossover tool 26 to emerge outside the screen assembly 30. Flow then goes through the screen assembly 30 and into the wash pipe 28 and through the flow control valve 36 and back through the crossover tool 26 to the annulus above packer 24 and around the string 22 to the surface.
Note that in FIG. 1 the collet 34 is set down on one of the profiles 32 to define a circulating position. In FIG. 2 the collet 34 is back to the same position as in FIG. 1 to define a position for delivering gravel 27 either by circulation or by what's called a frac pack where the returns in the annulus 44 above the packer 24 are shut off at the surface. After that, further string manipulation in FIGS. 3 and 4 allows the collet 34 to indicate in different locations and directions on profiles 32 so as to place the internal assembly in position to evacuate excess gravel from the crossover tool 26 in FIG. 3 and from the string above the packer 24 in FIG. 4.
With this prior art configuration and the crossover tool 26 sealing in the packer 24 sealing bore 38′ it was necessary to have the profiles 32 smaller than the packer 24 sealing bore 38′. As a result when the well is put on production, the profiles present resistance to production flow through the screen assembly 30.
The present invention is directed at finding an alternative location for these profiles and the preferred location is in a region above the packer where the profiles can be larger since the annulus above the packer need not be as large as below it since only screened returns pass through that annulus. These and other aspects of the present invention will become more apparent from a review of the description of the preferred embodiment and the associated drawing while recognizing that the appended claims define the literal and equivalent scope of the invention.

Large inside diameter completion with position indication


A reversible watermarking program transforms a host data file into a logical storage unit for auxiliary data files by embedding the auxiliary files in the data stored in the host data file. The reversible watermark modifies host data such as an image, audio, video, or software code, to carry auxiliary data. For perceptual content such as visual or audio media, the reversible watermark can maintain a desired level of perceptual quality, effectively hiding the auxiliary data in the host data. The reversible watermark enables the original host data prior to modifications due to the embedding to be restored.

Digital watermarking is a process for modifying physical or electronic media to embed a machine-readable code into the media. The media may be modified such that the embedded code is imperceptible or nearly imperceptible to the user, yet may be detected through an automated detection process. Most commonly, digital watermarking is applied to media signals such as images, audio signals, and video signals. However, it may also be applied to other types of media objects, including documents (e.g., through line, word or character shifting, or line/character thickness variations), software, multi-dimensional graphics models, and surface textures of objects.
Digital watermarking systems typically have two primary components: an encoder that embeds the watermark in a host media signal, and a decoder that detects and reads the embedded watermark from a signal suspected of containing a watermark (a suspect signal). The encoder embeds a watermark by subtly altering the host media signal. The reading component analyzes a suspect signal to detect whether a watermark is present. In applications where the watermark encodes information, the reader extracts this information from the detected watermark.
Several particular watermarking techniques have been developed. The reader is presumed to be familiar with the literature in this field. Particular techniques for embedding and detecting imperceptible watermarks in media signals are detailed in the assignee's co-pending application Ser. Nos. 10/319,404, 09/503,881 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,122,403, which are hereby incorporated by reference.
A particular class of digital watermarking, called reversible watermarking, enables the original host signal to be reconstructed. One example is disclosed in assignee's application Ser. No. 10/319,404, which describes a variety of methods for reversible watermarking of data, including a technique specifically referred to as difference expansion. Reversible watermarking has a number of applications, as illustrated in the patent documents incorporated above. In one application, a reversible watermark is used to verify that content in which it is embedded has not been altered. In particular, if the reversible watermark can be recovered and/or the content verified (e.g., via comparison of a hash of the perfectly restored content and a hash of original content carried in watermark), then the content is deemed authentic. Many proposed techniques focus on high data carrying capacity while maintaining fidelity of the content. Others propose making the watermark robust, and conditionally reversible in the event that the content has not been altered. For some applications, the reversible watermark can be used to degrade fidelity intentionally, and then restore high quality content through reversal of the watermark, assuming the content user has paid for, licensed, or otherwise been granted permission to access the high quality version.
The needs of a particular application vary, including the extent to which content quality is preserved, auxiliary data carrying capacity is maximized, and robustness is maintained.
The invention provides a software program, and related methods and systems that transform a host data file into a logical storage unit for auxiliary data files by embedding the auxiliary files in the data stored in the host data file. In one particular implementation, the program embeds auxiliary files in a reversible watermark. This reversible watermark modifies host data such as an image, audio, video, or software code, to carry auxiliary data. For perceptual content, the reversible watermark can maintain a desired level of perceptual quality, effectively hiding the auxiliary data in the host data. The reversible watermark enables the original host data prior to modifications due to the embedding to be restored.
One aspect of the invention is software for transforming a host data file carrying host media data into a logical storage unit for storing auxiliary data files in a reversible watermark embedded into the host media data. The software, stored on a storage medium, includes a watermarking module for modifying original values of host media data elements in the host data file to embed a reversible watermark carrying auxiliary data files. The reversible watermark enables the host media data elements to be restored to the original values. It also includes a user interface module for representing the host data files as a container for the auxiliary data files, and enables the adding or removing of auxiliary data files from the reversible watermark.
A variety of modules may be included in the software for providing additional functionality, including modules for determining capacity of the host data, partitioning the host data into randomly accessible storage units, displaying overlay files, executing links, such hyperlinks to related information, controlling access to the host data or embedded data layers, controlling distribution of the host, tracking the history of the host data, facilitating visual searching, controlling rendering of the host, etc.
Further features will become apparent from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.

Transforming data files into logical storage units for auxiliary data through reversible watermarks


Pitch detection of speech signals finds numerous applications in karaoke, voice recognition and scoring applications. While most of the existing techniques rely on time domain methods, the invention utilizes frequency domain methods. There is provided a method and system for determining the pitch of speech from a speech signal. The method includes the steps of: producing or obtaining the speech signal; distinguishing the speech signal into voiced, unvoiced or silence sections using speech signal energy levels; applying a Fourier Transform to the speech signal and obtaining speech signal parameters; determining peaks of the Fourier transformed speech signal; tracking the speech signal parameters of the determined peaks to select partials; and determining the pitch from the selected partials using a two-way mismatch error calculation.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the pitch detection of speech signals for various applications, and in particular, to a method and system providing pitch detection of speech signals for use in various audio effects, karaoke, scoring, voice recognition, etc.
2. Description of the Related Art
Pitch detection of speech signals finds applications in various audio effects, karaoke, scoring, voice recognition, etc. The pitch of a signal is the fundamental frequency of vibration of the source of the tone.
Speech signals can be segregated into two segments: voiced; and unvoiced speech. Voiced speech is produced using the vocal cords and is generally modeled as a filtered train of impulses within a frequency range. Unvoiced speech is generated by forcing air through a constriction in the vocal tract. Pitch detection involves the determination of the continuous pitch period during the voiced segments of speech.
The terms "speech" and "speech signal" are a broad reference to all forms of generated audio or sound. For example, "speech" and its associated "speech signal" can refer to talking, singing, attempted singing, whistling, humming, a recital, etc. The "speech" and "speech signal" can originate from an individual or a group, being human, animal or otherwise. The "speech" could also be artificially generated, for example by a computer or other electronic device.
There exist presently known techniques for pitch detection (see W. Hess, "Pitch Determination of Speech Signals: Algorithms and Devices", Springer-Verlag, 1983). A time based pitch detector, estimates the pitch period by determining the glottal closure instant (GCI) and measuring the time period between each "event". Frequency domain pitch detection can then be used to determine the pitch. Thus, the speech signal is processed period-by-period.
Autocorrelation Techniques
Correlation is the measure of similarity of two input functions, and in the case of the autocorrelation function Γ(d), the input functions are the same signal x(n), as shown in Equation 1,
                              Γ                                (            d            )                          =                              Lim                          N              ->              ∞                                                      1                                          2                ·                N                            +              1                                                                    ∑                              n                =                                  -                  N                                                            +                N                                                                                x                                                  (                  n                  )                                            ·                              x                                                  (                                      n                    +                    d                                    )                                                                                (        1        )            where, d represents the lag or delay between the signal and a delayed segment, and N represents the number of samples of the input under consideration. If the signal is periodic or quasi-periodic, the similarities between x(n) and x(n+d) are higher. The correlation coefficients are also high if the lag is equal to a period or a multiple of a period.
As the autocorrelation function (ACF) is the Inverse Fourier Transform of the power spectrum of the input signal, the pitch is chosen as the frequency (ƒs/d) at which the maximum of the ACF occurs; i.e., where ƒs is the sampling frequency of the speech signal. Complications due to unknown phase relations and formant structures do not arise, as the technique is independent of these parameters.
Average Magnitude Difference Function
Signals that are similar do not exhibit a lot of differences. Thus, periodicity can be detected by investigation of the global deviation between the signals. The Average Magnitude Difference Function (AMDF) is defined as follows:
                              AMDF                                (            d            )                          =                              1            K                                                        ∑                              n                =                q                                            q                +                K                -                1                                                                                                                                x                                                        (                    n                    )                                                  -                                  x                                                        (                                          n                      +                      d                                        )                                                                                                                        (        2        )            where, K is the number of samples in a frame and q is the initial sample of the frame. AMDF has a strong minimum when the lag d is equal to the period of the input x(n). This minimum is exactly zero if the input is exactly periodic and the frequency (ƒs/d) denotes the pitch of the signal. The algorithm is phase insensitive as the harmonics are removed without regard to their phase.Component Frequency Ratios
An advantage of operating in the frequency domain in contrast to other domains is that the accuracy of the pitch estimate can be improved by interpolation techniques. Due to the Short Time Fourier Transformation principles used, the frequency resolution at the higher end of the spectrum is greater than at the lower end of the spectrum. Also, the fundamental might have a weak amplitude and hence it is usually computed as ratios of harmonic frequencies or the difference between adjacent spectral peaks caused by higher harmonics.
In cases where the fundamental is absent, it is sufficient to measure the distance between the adjacent or even non-adjacent peaks of the spectrum, representing the higher harmonics of the periodic or quasi-periodic signal. The ratios of the higher frequency harmonics are more accurate as the frequency resolution improves at higher frequencies. The greatest common factor is the pitch of the speech signal.
Time Domain Techniques
Autocorrelation techniques are susceptible to frequency overlap problems, also referred to as pitch halving or pitch doubling. Also, an autocorrelation has to be computed over a wide range of lags to determine the optimum pitch. Though a rough idea of the pitch can be obtained from the number of zero-crossings, the number of operations required for accurate pitch detection can be computationally intensive.
The AMDF algorithm is susceptible to intensity variations, noise and low frequency spurious signals, which directly affect the magnitude of the principal minimum at T0.
Frequency Domain Techniques
Since it is impractical to handle large segments of the input signal, the discrete version of the Short Time Fourier Transform (STFT), as proposed by Portnoff (M. R. Portnoff, "Implementation of the Digital Phase Vocoder Using the Fast Fourier Transform", IEEE Transactions on Acoustics, Speech and Signal Processing, vol. ASSP-24, pp. 243-248, June 1969), can be used in the signal analysis. Short time segments of the signal are "windowed" according to Fourier's theorem, which states that, any periodic waveform can be modeled as a sum of sinusoids with varying amplitudes and frequencies.
A fundamental problem, which arises due to the STFT, is "smearing" of the frequency response, which is illustrated in FIG. 1a-d (prior art). If the signal frequency coincides with one of the "bin" frequencies of the STFT, the original amplitude is retained after the STFT. However, if the signal frequency lies in between two adjacent bin frequencies of the STFT, the energy is spread over the entire spectrum, as is comparatively illustrated in FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b), where the y-axis presents signal amplitude in a logarithmic scale. Also, in the later case, as the peak frequency lies between two adjacent frequency bins, the amplitude detected is less. This is comparatively illustrated in FIGS. 1(c) and 1(d), which plot the amplitude spectrum in a linear scale. If the amplitude of the pitch frequency is too small, it might not be quantified as a potential candidate. Hence, it is critical to determine the true frequency of the signal.
This identifies a need for pitch detection of speech signals which overcomes or at least ameliorates the problems inherent in the prior art.

STMicroelectronics Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd.


Instrumentation for nuclear reactor head-mounted incore instrumentation systems fabricated of low nuclear cross section materials (i.e., zirconium or titanium). The instrumentation emits less radiation than that fabricated of conventional materials.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to pressurized nuclear reactors, (PWRs), particularly to nuclear reactor components, and more particularly to head-mounted, removable incore instrumentation, such as thimble sheath, mandrel, and lead wires as used in advanced light water reactors such as the Westinghouse AP600.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
Current projections indicate that electrical energy demands will continue to grow, so that by the year 2010, there will be a need for approximately 117,000 to 322,000 MWe of new generating capacity in the United States. Although the growth in electricity demand continues to be strong, orders for new nuclear power plants have not kept pace, in part as a result of licensing delays, prohibitive construction costs, and public concerns relating to the safety of nuclear power. Nonetheless, increased awareness of the environmental and economic security risks attendant an excessive dependence on fossil fuels has led to a growing realization that nuclear power must play a major role in the world's energy future.
Of key importance in maintaining nuclear power as an attractive energy option for the future is the need to improve upon the safety, simplicity, reliability, and cost of construction and operation of nuclear reactors. This goal is being sought by the development of a new generation nuclear reactor, the Westinghouse AP600, which is part of a greatly simplified nuclear power plant, in terms of number of systems and equipment, operation inspections, maintenance, and quality assurance requirements relative to prior nuclear reactors.
As an example of simplified safety systems, the AP600 has replaced many of the active, powered safety systems of prior reactors with systems known as "passive," because they rely on natural forces such as gravity, convection, and evaporation, rather than operator action.
Part of the simplification of the AP600 reactor is the development of an integrated head package (IHP) that combines several separate components in one structure to simplify refueling the reactor. The goal of the integrated head package is to reduce outage time and personnel radiation exposure by combining operations associated with this movement into a single structure. This integrated head package connects to the reactor vessel head, controlled rod drive mechanism, seismic supports, cables, messenger tray, and cable bridge. Furthermore, the incore instrumentation system (IIS) is mounted above the reactor head and integral with the integrated head package, and is, therefore, moved with the integrated head package. The incore instrumentation system includes core thermocouples which are generally housed in instrument columns sealed using conoseals. These conoseals have caused increased outage durations due to leakage during plant start-up. The AP600 has replaced these conoseals with smaller, simpler tube fittings, (SwageLock.TM.) which are used in plants with bottom-mounted instrumentation.
When the reactor is operating, measurements of neutron flux must be carried out inside the reactor core in various places distributed along its cross section and along its height. These measurements are carried out by the incore nuclear instrumentation, which comprises the subject matter of the present invention. Previously, incore instrumentation was mounted on the bottom of the reactor vessel. Currently, however, there has been an emergence of DOE, EPRI, and NRC preference for incore instrumentation systems which do not penetrate the reactor vessel below the core, and which employ fixed incore detectors. Accordingly, incore instrumentation systems, such as fixed incore detection thimbles, are now being mounted on the reactor head, and inserted through the closure head and into the core of the PWR, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,078,957, incorporated by reference herein.
A serious drawback to mounting the incore instrumentation system above the reactor head and integral with the integrated head package, however, is that this instrumentation, which previously was mounted at the bottom of the reactor vessel, may cause high levels of radiation exposure to workers who venture too close to the head-mounted instrumentation, especially during refueling, when the reactor head becomes an area of high activity.
The transport of the reactor vessel head containing 16 to 38 thimbles which have been irradiated in the core for 11/2 years requires the use of special procedures and possibly special shielding, especially when the head is lifted above the floor and appreciable gamma shine and scatter are present in containment. Removing all personnel from containment or locating them behind shadow shielding is one means of controlling occupational radiation exposure. The addition of a removable bottom steel shield plate 4 to 6 inches (7.6-10.2 cm) thick to the underside of the head 18 may also reduce occupational radiation exposure during transport to acceptable levels.
The major concern relative to the incore instrumentation system from a radiological perspective is the potential for over-exposure of personnel from the highly irradiated incore instrumentation system thimbles. Contact dose rates on the order of 10,000 R/hr are expected on the irradiated portion of the thimbles. Thus, it is mandatory that an unshielded line-of-sight to the irradiated material be avoided when the thimbles are in the withdrawn position. For example, the large diameter ventilation ducting at the top of the integrated head package in the current configuration of the AP600 severely compromises the integrity of the integrated head package shielding around the irradiated thimbles. These duct penetrations must be shielded prior to thimble withdrawal or an alternative ventilation design which does not afford a direct line-of sight through no shielding or minimal shielding must be incorporated.
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to reduce the radiation exposure potential to personnel working near reactor head-mounted instrumentation.
It is another object of the invention to reduce radiation exposure resulting from irradiated head-mounted Incore Instrumentation thimbles.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent as the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments proceeds.


An extruded, directly expanded, high fiber reduced calorie food product, such as a ready-to-eat (RTE) cereal or sweet or savory snack, is produced at high production rates without substantial loss of extrusion functionality and extrudability by replacing a substantial portion of at least one flour with a gelatinized, enzyme-resistant starch type III ingredient or bulking agent as a reduced-calorie, high fiber flour replacer. The resistant starch type III ingredient or bulking agent contains an enzyme-resistant starch type III having a melting point with an endothermic peak temperature of at least about 140° C., and may have a water-holding capacity of less than 3 grams water per gram of the starch-based bulking agent. The total dietary fiber retention of the gelatinized, starch-based bulking agent may be at least about 90% by weight after the extrusion using a die temperature of least about 100° C., and a die pressure of at least about 150 psig.

In the mass production of expanded, extruded, starch-based foods such as ready-to-eat (RTE) cereals and snacks, extrusion cooking may be employed to achieve high production rates and desirable product attributes such as low bulk densities, uniform cell structure, crisp or crunchy textures, and in the case of RTE cereals, long bowl life. Fortification of extruded, expanded foods such as ready-to-eat (RTE) cereals and snacks with insoluble and soluble dietary fiber as a replacement for higher calorie starch-based components such as wheat flour may adversely affect extrusion functionality or extrudability of the formulation. For example, production rates may decrease, extruder surging may increase, or product attributes such as bulk density, cell structure, texture, taste, mouth-feel, and bowl life may suffer as a result of substituting dietary fiber for starch-based components such as wheat flour. Generally, dietary fiber has a substantially higher water holding capacity than starch-based components such as wheat flour. The dietary fiber absorbs large amounts of water which makes it more difficult to expand a snack or RTE formulation and to achieve low bulk densities, uniform cell structure, and crispiness comparable to a starch-based formulation which does not contain fortifying amounts of dietary fiber. Decreasing the amount of added water to achieve a lower bulk density increases dough viscosity which tends to result in higher extruder back pressures, and reduced throughput or production rates. Production rate problems and product attribute problems tend to increase as greater amounts of dietary fiber are used to replace the starch-based components such as wheat flour.
Dietary fiber fortification of expanded snacks and RTE cereals has generally been achieved with bran, or the outer, generally non-digestible outer coating of whole grains, such as wheat bran and corn bran as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,777,045 to Vanderveer et al, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,756,921 and 4,837,112 each to Calandro et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,169,662 to Spicer, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,176,936 to Creighton et al. However, according to U.S. Pat. No. 5,480,669, the addition of resistant starch to dough compositions that are intended to be cooker extruded will yield a fiber fortified food product that has increased expansion over food products that do not contain the resistant starch or that are fortified with other forms of dietary fiber, such as oat bran or wheat bran.
Enzyme-resistant starch (RS) is a fraction of starch not digested in the small intestine of healthy individuals. Certain types of resistant starch may be partially fermented by microflora in the large bowel. Resistant starch may be classified into four types. Physically inaccessible starch, which is locked in the plant cell, is classified as type I resistant starch. It can be found in foodstuffs with partially milled grains and seeds and legumes. Native granular starch found in uncooked ready-to-eat starch-containing foods, such as in bananas, is classified as type II resistant starch. Enzyme susceptibility of type II resistant starch is reduced by the high density and the partial crystallinity of the granular starch. Type I and type II resistant starches have low melting points and do not survive high temperature processing, such as extrusion.
Starch may be treated to obtain an indigestible starch fraction. Depending upon the type of treatment, a type III or a type IV resistant starch may be produced. In type IV resistant starch, the enzyme resistance is introduced by chemically or thermally modifying the starch. The modification may be the formation of glycosidic bonds, other than alpha-(1-4) or alpha-(1-6) bonds, by heat treatments. Formation of these other glycosidic bonds may reduce the availability of starch for amylolitic enzymes. In addition, the digestibility of starch may be reduced by cross-linking or the presence of various substituents such as hydroxypropyl groups. However, legal limitations by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have been placed upon the use of various chemically modified starches in foods.
An indigestible starch fraction that forms after certain heat-moisture treatments of the starch is a type III enzyme-resistant starch. Heat-moisture treatments of the starch create crystalline regions, without the formation of glycosidic bonds other than alpha-(1-4) or alpha-(1-6) bonds. The type III resistant starch is thermally very stable, which is highly advantageous for producing reduced-calorie extruded cereals provided it is not substantially adversely affected by medium to high shear conditions encountered during extrusion. If the crystal structure that provides enzyme resistance is destroyed or melts during extrusion, and if the crystal recrystallizes into a lower-melting form that is not enzyme resistant, then calorie reduction will not be achieved in the extruded product.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,013,299, 6,352,733, and 6,613,373, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2004/0047963, and International Patent Publication No. WO 99/22606, published May 14, 1999, each to Haynes et al. disclose a method for producing a starch-based composition comprising a type III, retrograded, enzyme-resistant starch which has a melting point of at least about 140° C. Haynes et al also disclose a flour substitute comprising substantially ungelatinized wheat flour and a gelatinized, starch-based bulking agent, which comprises at least about 25% by weight of an amylase-resistant starch type III, based upon the total starch content of the starch-based bulking agent. The resistant starch ingredient has a melting enthalpy of from about 0.5 Joules/g to about 4.0 Joules/g at a temperature of from about 130° C. to about 160° C. as determined by modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC), and a water-holding capacity of less than 3 grams of water per gram of dry resistant starch ingredient. The resistant starch has a melting point or endothermic peak temperature of at least about 140° C. as determined by MDSC. The-enzyme resistant starch type III, it is disclosed, may be used to produce a baked good such as a cracker, cookie or reduced calorie cookie where the resistant starch ingredient is substantially unaltered by baking. The food product of Haynes et al may be a bar-type product, extruded, sheeted and cut, or rotary molded.
The present invention provides a process for the mass production of extruded, directly expanded food products such as ready-to-eat (RTE) cereals and expanded snacks having a high dietary fiber content. The fortification of extruded, expanded foods such as ready-to-eat (RTE) cereals and snacks with dietary fiber as a replacement for higher calorie starch-based components such as wheat flour may be achieved with both high production rates and desirable product attributes comparable to those of the non-fiber fortified product. It has been found that use of a starch-based composition comprising an enzyme-resistant starch type III which has a melting point of at least about 140° C., as determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and a water holding capacity of less than 3 grams of water per gram of dry resistant starch ingredient provides unexpectedly superior extrusion functionality and extrudability compared to the use of other resistant starches in the production of extruded, directly expanded food products. The extruded, expanded food products, such as RTE cereals produced in accordance with the present invention exhibit excellent extrusion characteristics in terms of bulk density, moisture content, a crispy, crunchy texture, bowl life, and cell structure. The expanded products may be produced at unexpectedly high production rates using large amounts of resistant starch for large caloric reductions when compared to rates and caloric reductions using other resistant starches such as a type II or type IV resistant starches, or lower melting type III resistant starches, which tend to be destroyed under high temperature and high shear processing, such as extrusion.

Production of low calorie, extruded, expanded foods having a high fiber content


The present invention relates to a polymer gel having a surfactant-like micelle structure obtained by polymerization or condensation polymerization of an ionic surfactant and an organic or inorganic compound having polymerizable moiety, which is capable of adsorbing and separating specific compounds in an easy recyclable manner.

Surfactants are molecularly dispersed in a dilute aqueous solution, but as the concentration of the surfactants in the solution increases, the surface tension of the solution decreases down to a point at which the surfactants in the solution form aggregates having inwardly oriented hydrophobic groups and outwardly oriented hydrophilic groups thereof. Such aggregates are called micelles and the concentration at which micelles are formed is called the critical micelle concentration (CMC). Physical properties of the surfactant solution, e.g., interfacial tension, surface tension, electrical conductivity, detergency and intensity suddenly change around the CMC.
Micelles in an aqueous surfactant solution are of a spherical shape having inwardly oriented hydrophobic hydrocarbon chains and outwardly extended hydrophilic head parts, while micelles in an oil solution have a reversed shape in which the hydrophobic parts are inwardly oriented and hydrophilic chains are outwardly extended.
Meanwhile, in the adsorptive separation of materials active carbon and silica gel are commonly used. The active carbon and silica gel adsorb materials through physical adsorption and they are generally disposed after use due to the difficulty of desorbing the adsorbed materials.
Recently, Steven R. Kline has found based on a small angle neutron scattering (SANS) experiment that the cylinderlic micelle structure of a specific surfactant, cetyltrimethylammonium 4-vinylbenzoate (CTVB) having a polymerizable counter ion, is maintained by polymerization of the polymerizable counter ion and the polymerized micelles are structurally stable against the temperature change in an aqueous solution (Langmuir, 1999, 15, pp 2726-2732). It has also been shown that such micelle structure of the polymerized surfactant can be obtained regardless what kind of a polymerized counter ion is used. However, the polymerized CTVB has different solubilities in different solvents and it is soluble in an organic solvent such as methyl alcohol but not in water, showing that the polymerized micelles cannot always be maintained in the solid form. Surfactants having a micelle structure have been used in the preparation of a porous inorganic material. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,220,101 describes a synthesis of a porous inorganic crystalline material comprising the steps of conducting a condensation reaction between cetyltrimethylammonium hydroxide, NaAlO2 and SiO2, and calcinating the condensation mixture at 550° C. The resulting porous inorganic crystalline material selectively adsorbs hexane over water in a water/hexane mixture when the surface of the porous material is modified by an inorganic surface modifier, chlorotrimethylsilane. Such selective adsorption of the surface-modified porous material has nothing to do with the surfactant used, the surfactant only providing the material with porosity.

Surfactant-like polymer gel and a method for separating material using same


This invention relates to liposomal antineoplastic agents (e.g., camptothecin) compositions and methods of using such compositions for treating neoplasia and for inhibiting angiogenesis. The compositions and methods are useful for modulating the plasma circulation half-life of an active agent.

This invention relates to liposomal compositions and methods of using such compositions for treating neoplasia and for inhibiting angiogenesis.
Many anticancer or antineoplastic drugs have been encapsulated in liposomes. These include alkylating agents, nitrosouras, cisplatin, antimetabolites, and anthracyclines. Studies with liposomes containing anthracycline antibiotics have clearly shown reduction of cardiotoxicity and dermal toxicity and prolonged survival of tumor bearing animals compared to controls receiving free drug.
Liposomal anticancer drugs modify drug pharmacokinetics as compared to their free drug counterpart. For a liposomal drug formulation, drug pharmacokinetics will be largely determined by the rate at which the carrier is cleared from the blood and the rate at which the drug is released from the carrier. Considerable efforts have been made to identify liposomal carrier compositions that show slow clearance from the blood and long-circulating carriers have been described in numerous scientific publications and patents. Efforts have also been made to control drug leakage rates from liposomal carriers, using for example, transmembrane potential to control release.
Therapeutic camptothecins, such as Topotecan (9-dimethylaminomethyl-10-hydroxy-camptothecin; Hycamtin™), and Irinotecan, are a semi-synthetic, water soluble derivative of camptothecin, an alkaloid extracted from the stem wood of the Chinese tree Camptotheca acuminata (Wall, et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 88:3888-3890 (1966)). Camptothecins belong to the topoisomerase inhibitor class of antineoplastic agents, specifically inhibiting the action of the nuclear enzyme topoisomerase I which is involved in DNA replication (Hsiang, et al., Cancer Res. 48:1722-1726 (1988)). As such, topotecan exhibits a cell cycle-specific mechanism of action, acting during S-phase (DNA replication) to cause irreversible double strand breaks in DNA that ultimately lead to G2 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. In the free form, the drug has a broad spectrum of activity against a range of tumor cell lines and murine allograft and human xenograft tumor models (McCabe, F. L. et al., Cancer Invest 12:308-313 (1994); Emerson, et al., Cancer Res. 55:603-609 (1995); Thompson, Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1400:301-319 (1998); Ormrod, et al., Drugs 58:533-551 (1999); Hardman, et al., Anticancer Res. 19:2269-2274 (1999)). More recently, evidence has emerged that topotecan has strong anti-angiogenic properties that may contribute to its anti-tumor mechanism of action (O'Leary, et al., Clin. Cancer Res. 5:181-187 (1999); Clements, et al., Cancer Chemother. Pharmacol. 44:411-416 (1999)). All these treatments are associated with dose-limiting toxicity such as non-cumulative myelosuppression leading to anaemia, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia, and gastrointestinal-related toxicity, including mucositis and diarrhea. Clinically, topotecan has been approved for second-line therapy in ovarian and small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and is currently the focus of extensive clinical evaluation.
Lipid formulations of camptothecins have been proposed as therapeutic agents (see, U.S. Pat. No. 5,552,156 and PCT Publication No. WO 95/08986. However, not all lipid formulations are equal for drug delivery purposes and extensive research continues into formulations which demonstrate preferred characteristics for drug loading and storage, drug administration, pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, leakage rates, tumor accumulation, toxicity profile, and the like. With camptothecins, the field is further complicated because dose limiting toxicities in humans may be 10-fold lower than in mice (Erickson-Miller, et al., Cancer Chemother. Pharmacol. 39:467-472 (1997)).
Improved liposomal formulations of antineoplastic agents could prove very useful. It is an object of the instant invention to provide lipid formulated antineoplastic agents having novel clinical utility.

Liposomal antineoplastic drugs and uses thereof


A new and distinct cultivar of Poinsettia plant named xe2x80x98Eckalaricxe2x80x99, characterized by its large inflorescences with pink-colored flower bracts; dark green-colored leaves; uniform and mounded plant habit; early flowering; and good post-production longevity.

Euphorbia pulcherrima.
The present Invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Poinsettia plant, botanically known as Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd., and hereinafter referred to by the name xe2x80x98Eckalaricxe2x80x99.
The new Poinsettia a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor in Encinitas, Calif. The objective of the breeding program is to create new Poinsettia cultivars having flower bracts with desirable colors, uniform plant habit and excellent post-production longevity.
The new Poinsettia is a naturally-occurring whole plant mutation of a unnamed proprietary induced mutation, not patented, that originated by exposing unrooted cuttings of the Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. cultivar Bright Red Freedom, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,572, to gamma radiation. The new Poinsettia was discovered and selected by the Inventor as a single plant within a population of plants of the irradiated selection on or about Aug. 19, 1998, in a controlled environment in Encinitas, Calif.
Asexual reproduction of the new Poinsettia by terminal cuttings taken at Encinitas, Calif., since 1998, has shown that the unique features of this new Poinsettia are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.
The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of xe2x80x98Eckalaricxe2x80x99. These characteristics in combination distinguish xe2x80x98Eckalaricxe2x80x99 as a new and distinct cultivar:
1. Large inflorescences with pink-colored flower bracts.
2. Dark green-colored leaves.
3. Uniform and mounded plant habit.
4. Early flowering, natural season flower maturity date is November 20 for plants grown in Encinitas, Calif.; response time, about 8.5 weeks.
5. Good post-production longevity.
Plants of the new Poinsettia can be compared to plants of the cultivar Bright Red Freedom. In side-by-side comparisons conducted in Encinitas, Calif., plants of the new Poinsettia differed primarily from plants of the cultivar Bright Red Freedom in flower bract color as plants of the cultivar Bright Red Freedom have red-colored flower bracts.
Plants of the new Poinsettia are most similar to plants of the cultivar 490 Pink, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,817. In side-by-side comparisons conducted in Encinitas, Calif., plants of the new Poinsettia differed primarily from plants of the cultivar 490 Pink in the following characteristics:
1. Plants of the new Poinsettia were larger than plants of the cultivar 490 Pink.
2. Plants of the new Poinsettia had larger inflorescences than plants of the cultivar 490 Pink.
3. Flower bracts of the new Poinsettia were orientated more upright than flower bracts of the cultivar 490 Pink.
4. Flower bracts of the new Poinsettia had smooth surfaces whereas flower bracts of the cultivar 490 Pink had puckered surfaces.
5. Flower bract color of the new Poinsettia was brighter pink than flower bract color of plants of the cultivar 490 Pink.


A moisture-curable silicone composition is prepared from (A) an organopolysiloxane resin having hydrolyzable groups associated therewith, (B) a fluorosilicone resin having residual silanol groups associated therewith, (C) a hydrolyzable organosilane and (D) a cure accelerating catalyst. The cured composition of the invention in prepared by reacting the aforementioned components (A) through (D) in the presence of moisture and results in a material exhibiting superior oil- and water-repellent properties.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to curable silicone compositions and more particularly to a curable silicone composition that forms a highly water-repellent and highly oil-repellent cured coating.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Japanese Patent Application Laid Open Kokai or Unexamined! Number Sho 51-148749 148,749/1976! teaches an example of a silicone composition that cures at room temperature to form a coating. The composition taught therein comprises organopolysiloxane resin and two types of alkoxysilanes. With respect to silicone compositions that form water-repellent cured films, Japanese Patent Application Laid Open Kokai or Unexamined! Number Sho 55-48245 48,245/19801 teaches a composition comprising organopolysiloxane resin, alpha,omega-dihydroxydiorganosiloxane, and organosilane, while Japanese Patent Application Laid Open Kokai or Unexamined! Number Hei 5-59285 59,285/1993! discloses a composition comprising organopolysiloxane resin, alpha,omega-dihydroxyfluoroalkylmethylpolysiloxane, and organosilane.
The afore-mentioned compositions, however, do not yield cured films with fully satisfactory levels of water repellency and oil repellency, and as a result these compositions cannot be used in applications where higher levels of water- and oil-repellency performance are required.

Curable oil-and water-repellent silicone composition


A mechanically actuated electronically controlled fuel injector includes a first electrical actuator that controls the position of a spill value, and a second electrical actuator to control pressure on a closing hydraulic surface associated with a nozzle check valve. The fuel injector is actuated via rotation of a cam to move a plunger to displace fuel from a fuel pressurization chamber either to a spill passage or at high pressure out of a nozzle outlet of the fuel injector for an injection event. Pressure in the fuel injector is moderated when the plunger is moving and the nozzle check valve is in a closed position by briefly cracking open the spill valve to relieve some pressure during the dwell between injection events, such as between a large main injection event and a small close coupled post injection event. This strategy allows for longer dwell times between injection events as well as smaller injection quantities in the post-injection.

Mechanically actuated electronically controlled unit injectors (MEUI) have seen great success in compression ignition engines for many years. In recent years, MEUI injectors have acquired additional control capabilities via a first electrical actuator associated with a spill valve and a second electrical actuator associated with a direct operated nozzle check valve. MEUI fuel injectors are actuated via rotation of a cam, which is typically driven via appropriate gear linkage to an engine's crankshaft. Fuel pressure in the fuel injector will generally remain low between injection events. As the cam lobe begins to move the plunger, fuel is initially displaced at low pressure to a drain via the spill valve for recirculation. When it is desired to increase pressure in the fuel injector to injection pressure levels, the first electrical actuator is energized to close the spill valve. When this is done, pressure quickly begins to rise in the fuel injector because the fuel pressurization chamber becomes a closed volume when the spill valve closes. Fuel injection commences by energizing a second electrical actuator to relieve pressure on a closing hydraulic surface associated with the direct operated nozzle check valve. The nozzle check valve can be opened and closed any number of times to create an injection sequence consisting of a plurality of injection events by relieving and then re-applying pressure onto the closing hydraulic surface of the nozzle check valve. These multiple injection sequences have been developed as one strategy for burning the fuel in a manner that reduces the production of undesirable emissions, such as NOx, unburnt hydrocarbons and particulate matter, in order to avoid over reliance on an exhaust aftertreatment system.
One multiple injection sequence that has shown the ability to reduce undesirable emissions includes a relatively large main injection followed closely by a small post injection. Because the nozzle check valve must inherently be briefly closed between the main injection event and the post-injection event, pressure in the fuel injector may surge due to the continued downward motion of the plunger in response to continued cam rotation. Thus, if the dwell between the main injection event and the post-injection event is too long, the increased pressure in the fuel injector will undermine the ability to controllably produce small post injection quantities. In other words, the longer the dwell, the larger the post injection quantity becomes. Thus, the inherent structure and functioning of MEUI injectors makes it difficult to control fuel pressure during an injection sequence because the fuel pressure is primarily dictated by plunger speed (engine speed) and the flow area of the nozzle outlets, if they are open. Again, when the nozzle outlets are closed, the fuel has nowhere to go and pressure surges within the fuel injector. As expected, this pressure surging problem can become more pronounced at higher engine speeds and loads, which may be the operational state at which a closely coupled small post injection is most desirable.
The present disclosure is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems set forth above.

Electronic pressure relief in a mechanically actuated fuel injector


A fabric connection assist system includes a networking device coupled to a fabric management system and a mobile device via a network. The networking device receives fabric connection information for its port from the fabric management system. When the mobile device subsequently identifies that port to the networking device, the networking device identifies fabric connection components to the mobile device that are indicated by the fabric connection information as being supported by its port. When the mobile device subsequently identifies a first of the fabric connection components to the networking device, and the networking device then detects that the first fabric connection component has been connected to its port, the networking device transmits a first fabric connection component confirmation communication to the mobile device that is configured to display a confirmation on the mobile device of the connection of the first fabric connection component to its port.

The present disclosure relates generally to information handling systems, and more particularly to assisting with the physical connections between information handling systems to provide a fabric.
As the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option available to users is information handling systems. An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of the information. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements vary between different users or applications, information handling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in information handling systems allow for information handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, information handling systems may include a variety of hardware and software components that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems.
Information handling systems such as, for example, networking devices (e.g., switch devices), server devices, storage system, and/or other computing devices known in the art, may be provided in a fabric in order to allow for the transfer of information between those computing devices. It is desirable to design and deploy/update fabrics as quickly as possible, and several techniques for fabric provisioning have been developed to achieve those goals. For example, fabric management systems such as the Fabric Design Center (FDC) from DELL® Inc. of Round Rock, Tex., United States, automates many of the operations involved in the creation of a complete fabric plan (e.g., switch/server/storage rack placements, configurations, connectivity, cabling details, and/or other fabric information known in the art), and Zero Touch Provisioning (ZTP) techniques automate many of the operations involved in the verification of that fabric plan once the computing device have been connected together. As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure, the fabric plan discussed above may identify transceiver devices for ports on switch devices (e.g., based on switch/port configurations/capabilities), copper or optical cabling for connecting switch devices to other devices in the fabric (e.g., while considering "breakout" modes, distance between connected peer computing devices, etc.), direct-attach cables (e.g., active or passive Direct-Attach Copper (DAC) cables and/or Active Optical Cables (AOCs)) for connecting switch devices to other devices in the fabric (e.g., while considering "breakout" modes, distance between connected peer computing devices, etc.), and/or other fabric plan information known in the art, and may be utilized to generate a respective "job plan" for each fabric connection technician involved in the connection of the computing devices to provide the fabric.
Those fabric connection technicians may then operate as per their respective job plans to connect the computing devices to provide the fabric, and once those job plans have been carried out by the fabric connection technicians, the fabric connections may be automatically verified (e.g., using Link Layer Discovery Protocol (LLDP) communications and verification scripts). As such, while fabric creation and fabric connection verification are substantially automated, the actual connection of the computing devices in the fabric remains a manual operation. Furthermore, while fabric administrators tend to have relatively extensive knowledge of the computing devices (e.g., Command Line Interface (CLI) operations and other tools that allow for the performance of validation/troubleshooting) and the fabric connection options (e.g., 1G to 400G transceiver devices and corresponding cabling options, direct-attach cabling options, breakout modes, port configurations that may affect link status, etc.), the fabric connection technicians that are relied on to actually physically connect the computing devices to provide the fabric according to their respective job sheets tend to lack that level of knowledge.
In addition, those fabric connection technicians often operate in a time-constrained and physically-constrained environment that presents further challenges with the connection of the computing device in the fabric. For example, the fabric connection component inventory is typically not co-located with the computing device(s) being connected, which requires the fabric connection technician to identify and collect the relevant transceiver devices/corresponding cabling and/or direct-attach cabling (e.g., in a "crash cart") before transporting them to the location of the computing device(s) to-be connected. Furthermore, in some cases, switch devices positioned at the top of a rack may only be accessible via a ladder, while switch device positioned at the bottom of a rack may present difficulties as well. Further still, the ability to accurately identify computing devices, ports, transceiver devices/corresponding cables, direct-attach cabling, and/or other fabric connection components may be difficult due to light pollution, poor lighting, lack of clear/visible information on the computing devices, fabric connection component identifiers (e.g., Quick Response (QR) codes or bar codes) not being accompanied by descriptions, discrepancies between network operating system port number schemes and the port numbering printed on the switch devices, and/or other issues that would be apparent to one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure. Yet further still, during the fabric connection process, fabric connection technicians may perform voice calls with fabric administrators while having to carry transceiver devices/corresponding cabling and/or direct-attach cabling, which often precludes the use of relatively large mobile devices (e.g., laptop/notebook computing devices) or tethered devices (e.g., desktop computing devices) that would reduce fabric connection technician agility.
Thus, the manual operations combined with the challenging fabric connection environment makes conventional fabric connection technique error-prone, and may result in links between computing devices not being available due to fabric connection issues. For example, common fabric connection errors include the incorrect selection of direct-attach cabling or a transceiver device and/or corresponding cable, the connection of a correctly selected transceiver device or direct-attach cable in an incorrect port or an incorrect switch device, incorrectly seated direct-attach cabling connectors, transceiver devices, or corresponding cables, switch port/cage issues, faulty direct-attach cabling, transceiver devices, or corresponding cables, configuration mismatches, and/or other fabric connection issues that may then require subsequent fault isolation procedures and further manual intervention by a fabric connection technician or fabric administrator to remedy the issue.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a fabric connection system that addresses the issues discussed above.


A flash module has a first light-emitting diode (“LED”) optically coupled to a first lens having a first viewing angle, and a second LED optically coupled to a second lens having a second viewing angle. The second viewing angle is greater than the first viewing angle. A first control signal line coupled to the first LED allows selectively activating the first LED. A second control signal line coupled to the second LED activates the second LED.

Digital still imaging devices, such as digital still cameras ("DSCs") and mobile telephones that include imaging devices ("camera phones") often need auxiliary lighting, such as from a flash module, when taking pictures in low-light conditions. DSCs and camera phones often have a built-in flash module for this purpose. It is generally desirable that the flash module produce light within the viewing angle of the camera to uniformly illuminate the object of the picture.
Different types of light sources are used to produce light for the flash. White light is generally desired to achieve good color in the image. Gas discharge tubes are one type of light source used in flash applications. Light-emitting diodes ("LEDs") are another type of light source used in flash applications. LED chips produce essentially a single color (wavelength) of light. A "white LED" is obtained by using wavelength-converting materials to convert light from an LED chip to different wavelengths, and the combination of lights from LED chip plus wavelength-converting materials will produce white light.
Auxiliary lighting is also used in some DSCs to assist in auto-focusing the device on the object before the picture is taken. A separate LED is provided for this purpose, and is commonly referred to as an "auto focus auxiliary LED ("AFA LED"). An AFA LED typically produces high brightness through a narrow viewing angle, as opposed to a flash module, which produces light through a relatively broad viewing angle, and is separate from the flash source.
FIG. 1A shows a prior art DSC 100 having an AFA LED 102 and a flash module 104. The flash module is a non-LED light source, such as a gas discharge tube. There is sufficient area on the face of the DSC 100 to put both the AFA and flash light sources; however, it is difficult to accommodate both light sources on smaller digital imaging devices, such as smaller DSCs and camera phones. AFA LEDs are often omitted from camera phones, which affects their auto-focus function, particularly in low-light conditions. It is desirable to provide an auto-focus auxiliary light that avoids the problems described above.

Light-emitting diode module for flash and auto-focus application

Avago Technologies ECB4 IP (Singapore) Pte Ltd


In a method for surface treatment of stainless steel, the thermally produced layers of oxide are contacted with a composition effective to dissolve iron ions out of the layers of oxide.

Steel which does not rust, frequently also referred to as stainless steel, is an iron alloy which in addition to iron and chromium may also contain further elements such as nickel, molybdenum, titanium, copper and others. An essential constituent of the stainless steel alloys whose treatment comprises part of the subject matter of the present invention is the element chromium which is present at a minimum concentration of about 12% by weight in order that enhanced resistance of the steel to corrosion may be ensured. The chromium present in the alloy reacts at the surface with oxygen from the surroundings to form a layer of oxide on the surface of the workpiece material. From a chromium content of about 12% by weight in the alloy of the workpiece material concerned, the chromium oxide formed is consistently able to form an impervious layer on the surface and thus protects the workpiece against corrosion. This protective layer is known as a passive layer.
Such a passive layer is generally about 10 molecular layers in thickness and, in addition to chromium oxide, contains particularly iron oxide at a concentration of 10-55% by weight. The lower the proportion of iron oxide in the passive layer, the higher the chemical resistance of the layer.
A thermal treatment of stainless steel in an oxidizing atmosphere at temperatures above 200° C. brings about a progressive thermal oxidation of the workpiece material to form an oxide layer consisting essentially of oxides of the metals present in the alloy and whose quantitative ratio between the oxides corresponds essentially to the quantitative ratio between the metals in the alloy. The thermally produced oxide layers therefore contain up to about 87% by weight of iron oxides, depending on the alloy. These oxide layers grow in thickness with increasing temperature and treatment time and lead to discolorations through to black or gray coatings. These are known as scale and annealing/tempering colors.
Oxide layers of this type, which contain distinctly more iron oxide than chromium oxide, are not resistant to corrosion, and so the stainless steel in these regions is not sufficiently corrosion-resistant for general use. In moist surroundings, the iron oxide reacts with water to form iron hydroxide and rust.
Consistent and complete removal of scale and annealing/tempering colors off stainless steel surfaces is an absolute prerequisite for the subsequent formation of an intact passive layer which is responsible for the corrosion resistance of stainless steel. In the prior art, thermal oxides are removed either by mechanical cleaning via grinding, brushing or particle blasting or by chemical or electrolytic pickling. The mechanical methods have the disadvantage that their cleaning effect is incomplete and insufficient and does not reach difficult-to-access regions such as corners, slots and cavities. And small and sensitive workpieces are easily damaged.
Electrolytic pickling utilizes aqueous mixtures of mineral acids which via agency of direct current lead to an anodic ablation of the uppermost layer of metal through electrochemical dissolution which also removes the oxide layers on top. These methods can only be applied in the case of thin layers of oxide which are pervious to direct current and electrolyte. They further require an appreciable capital investment in plant technology. They employ hazardous substances and generate wastewaters comprising heavy metal which are costly and inconvenient to treat and dispose of.
Chemical methods of pickling dissolve the oxide layers and the metal of the uppermost layer of workpiece material chemically to produce a metallically clean surface. A homogeneous passive layer can subsequently be formed on this metallically clean surface to protect the workpiece material efficaciously against corrosion. Chemical pickling allows the entire surface of workpieces to be treated, including difficult-to-access regions. What is disadvantageous is the fact that dissolving the oxides and the workpiece material requires extremely aggressive and hazardous chemicals which represent a considerable risk to humans and the environment.
Essential constituents of chemical pickles for stainless steel are hydrofluoric acid (HF) or fluorides of salts of hydrofluoric acid, which form hydrofluoric acid in aqueous solution, and also oxidizing agents such as nitric acid or hydrogen peroxide. Hydrofluoric acid is extremely poisonous in that even relatively minimal contact with the skin can be fatal. Nitric acid when used in pickling releases poisonous nitrous gases which are very harmful to the lung. Hydrofluoric acid and nitric acid are fuming acids, and so the air in the workplace environment has to be aspirated and specially treated. The personnel deployed in chemical pickling has to wear appropriate protective clothing with or without a respirator, and is subject to constant medical monitoring.
There are strict safety regulations governing the production, transportation, storage and use of the chemicals used for chemical pickling. The wastewaters generated in chemical pickling contain high concentrations of the acids in the pickle and also of the heavy metals in the alloy, such as chromium, iron, nickel and molybdenum. They require costly and inconvenient chemical treatment for disposal, and the solids generated have to be landfilled as special waste. Spent pickling solutions have to be disposed of as hazardous special waste.
Given the greatly increasing use of stainless steel in all areas of everyday life and industry, and the attendant increasing need for pickling, there is an urgent demand for a method which in terms of performance is comparable to the pickling method for stainless steel, but is harmless to humans and the environment.
The present invention provides a chemical stainless steel surface treatment method which is harmless to humans and the environment and in terms of the achievable corrosion resistance at least equivalent, but largely distinctly superior, to the prior art processes in respect of the corrosion resistance which is obtainable.

Method for the surface treatment of stainless steel


A service process control method and a network device, where the method includes selecting, according to an execution policy of at least one service deployed on a network device, M data processors for processing a packet received by the network device, determining a processing sequence for the selected M data processors to process the packet, and invoking the selected M data processors to sequentially process, according to the processing sequence, the packet. An execution sequence for a data processor to process the packet is dynamically generated according to a policy set corresponding to the service, thereby reducing an unnecessary processing process and redundant information collection in a service execution procedure, improving service processing flexibility, and enhancing overall performance of the device.

Currently, a device on a network needs to perform all kinds of service control using a policy. For example, in a service execution procedure, a condition is first specified when a certain action needs to be executed, and the corresponding action is executed only when a packet or a data flow meets the set condition. A typical condition includes a condition such as a user dimension, a time dimension, a layer 3 (L3)-layer 4 (L4) (an Internet Protocol (IP) address+a Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) port number) dimension, an layer 7 (L7) protocol dimension, and a uniform resource locator (URL) dimension. A policy matching procedure is a procedure for comparing information of each dimension of a data flow with a set condition of the dimension.
Information of each dimension of a data flow is generally collected by different data processing modules. For example, user dimension information is identified by a user identifying module, time dimension information is identified by a time module, L3-L4 information is identified by an L3-L4 processing module, L7 protocol information is identified by an identifying module, and URL information is identified by a parsing module. More data processing modules need to be disposed on the device on the network to collect information of more dimensions if it is expected that there are richer device policies and more controllable dimensions.
Generally, each data processing module on the device on the network has a fixed function and is configured to determine collected information according to set logic. For example, a user management module is configured to determine all kinds of preset information of a user that needs to be collected, such as an IP, a mobile phone number, a role, and a class. Therefore, a procedure for collecting dimension information of a data flow becomes a procedure for executing each data processing module. For clear logic on the device, generally, information of the data flow needs to be first collected, then policy matching is performed, and finally an action corresponding to a policy is executed. A disadvantage of the foregoing procedure is that all modules configured to collect information are executed, thereby wasting device performance.
Therefore, a person skilled in the art improves the foregoing method. As shown in FIG. 1, all dimension information of a data flow is first collected. Then searching is performed in an information set to determine whether a set condition is met, and a corresponding action is executed if the set condition is met. That is, all modules configured to collect information are connected in series, and a fixed sequence is set. All flows undergo a same processing process and pass through each module according to the sequence. In this way, when all modules have been executed, information of each dimension is collected completely and can provide a basis for subsequent policy matching. In this method, design is simple, information is complete, and no function is omitted.
However, a disadvantage of the foregoing method is that an execution sequence for all data flows is the same, thereby ignoring a difference between the data flows. Information of different data flows is different. It is obvious that some data flows do not need to pass through a specific module. Therefore, collection of certain redundant information exists during sequential execution, thereby causing extra performance overhead.

Service process control method and network device


The lens apparatus includes a first operating member rotatable around an optical axis of an optical element so as to move the optical element in an optical-axis direction, a first elastic member configured to press the first operating member, a second elastic member configured to press the first operating member, a second operating member rotatable around the optical axis and movable in the optical-axis direction, and a first interposition provided between the first operating member and the second operating member. When the second operating member is moved in the optical-axis direction, the first interposition is moved in the optical-axis direction without rotating around the optical axis and presses the first elastic member and the second elastic member.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a lens apparatus and an optical apparatus, and more particularly to a lens apparatus configured to adjust an operating force of an operating member.
Description of the Related Art
In a lens apparatus that provides zooming and focusing, an operating ring has resistance so as to provide a proper operating feel and to prevent an unintentional rotation of the operating ring.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. ("JP") 2008-83557 discloses a structure in which one end of a cantilever-shaped elastic member is fixed onto a barrel member, the free end thereof is pressed against an operating ring, and a support piece is movable between the barrel member and the elastic member. The support piece is provided to an adjusting ring, and as the adjusting ring is rotated, the support piece moves and the fulcrum of the cantilever-shaped elastic member is changed. This configuration changes a pressing force applied by the elastic member to the operating ring, and adjusts the operating force necessary for the operation of the operating ring.
JP 2003-207709 discloses a structure in which an annular leaf spring is inserted between a load adjusting ring and a zoom barrel and engaged with a linear groove in a fixed cylinder so that the annular leaf spring is movable in the optical-axis direction but is not rotatable. The load adjusting ring is moved back and forth in the optical-axis direction by rotating the load adjusting ring, and the operating force necessary to operate the operating ring is adjusted by changing a deforming amount of the annular leaf spring.
In order to increase the operating force necessary to operate the operating ring and to prevent an unintentional rotation of the operating ring, it is conventionally necessary to increase the pressing force of the elastic member. However, each of JPs 2008-83557 and 2007-207709 requires a moving amount of the adjusting ring to be larger so as to increase the pressing force of the elastic member, impeding a miniaturization demand. In an attempt to increase the pressing force of the elastic member without increasing the moving amount of the adjusting ring, an initial operating force needs to be stronger and it becomes difficult to provide a proper operating feel.


A method and apparatus for emulating a digital cross-connect switching (DXC) network fully tests a telecommunication network monitoring and control system (MCS). The communication and behavior of a DXC network are emulated in the presence and absence of selected network node and trunk configurations, failures, and/or normalizations. A communication module communicates with the MCS through emulator control links using a communications protocol substantially identical to a communications protocol used in the emulated digital cross-connect network. A configuration database stores configuration data representing the current behavior of the DXC nodes. A topology database stores flexible topology data identifying trunks through adjacent DXC nodes. Changes to trunk connections can be made without knowledge of intermediate site and equipment topology details to test many network scenarios. An emulator message generator generates messages emulating communications from DXC nodes to the MCS. An emulator link selector further selects an enabled emulator control link depending upon whether respective emulated network control links are enabled. Intelligent emulator responses are generated and sent based on the current configuration and/or topology data which take into account any selected user-input to emulate solicited and unsolicited responses by actual digital cross-connect network nodes to MCS commands and audits. Simulated multi-tasking and dynamic user-interface control options are included. Different DXC networks and systems are emulated to test an MCS including a hybrid DXC network.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to data communication networks, such as long-distance telecommunication networks. More specifically, the present invention relates to testing network monitoring and/or control systems.
2. Related Art
A communication network serves to transport information among a number of locations. The information is usually presented to the network in the form of frequency-domain or time-domain electrical signals representing any combination of telephony, video, or computer data in a variety of analog and/or digital formats. A typical communication network has various physical sites, called nodes, interconnected by information conduits, called "links." Each link serves to carry data from one node to another node. Individual nodes contain equipment for combining, separating, transforming, conditioning, multiplexing/de-multiplexing, and/or routing data.
Digital cross-connect switches (DXC) are often provided at a site or node to switch traffic, electrically or optically, to an alternative link to alleviate congestion, avoid a link failure, or fulfill any other network configuration or restoration order. A central monitoring and/or control system (MCS) communicates with each node. Among other functions, the MCS monitors and controls digital cross-connect switching at nodes to route data through the network according to well-known network management and restoration techniques. The MCS is further responsible for dynamically establishing and breaking down logical trunk or channel connections between DXC nodes to provide dedicated point-to-point paths for customers.
The role of the MCS in a communication network, for purposes of (1) network management (i.e. traffic monitoring, control, and restoration) and (2) establishing dynamic trunk connections, has become even more vital as networks grow in size, complexity, and data capacity. The traffic of a single link through a digital cross-connect switch now represents a formidable volume of data--equivalent to tens of thousands of phone calls or more. Any delay or failure by an MCS to detect and respond to a link-failure can cause a significant loss in revenues for a network owner and loss of commerce and other benefits for the network subscribers. The demand for temporary dedicated lines continues to escalate as telecommunications customers send greater amounts of electronic data more often. Thus, it is increasingly important that a MCS be fully tested before it is relied upon to serve a communication network.
To flly test MCS performance, the MCS must be stressed by the behavior of an entire digital cross-connect network. As discussed above, a typical network can include hundreds or more nodes having digital cross-connect switching capability. Each digital cross-connect switch node often has many network node control links and ports. Each node control link in turn supports multiple communication sessions between the node and the MCS regarding audit and status states, alarms, network outages, etc. Given this complexity, to use an actual digital cross-connect network in a test environment to fully-test an MCS is impractical and cost-prohibitive.
Prior to the present invention, the behavior of a telecommunication switching network has not been fully emulated to test a MCS. Network behavior has not been emulated on any scale to test an MCS, especially in an environment where processing power is limited as in a personal computer system.
What is needed is a computer-implemented method and apparatus for emulating an entire digital cross-connect switch network to allow realistic MCS testing prior to actual implementation. The complete range of functionality of an MCS needs to be stressed. Communication between the MCS and a digital cross-connect network having hundreds or more network node control links needs to be emulated in the presence and absence of selected network failures and in the presence and absence of dynamically configured trunk connections.
For purposes of fully testing an MCS, it is further desired that digital cross-connect network behavior be emulated substantially in parallel with the processing of dynamic user-inputs and/or MCS commands identifying selected network node configurations, failures, and/or normalizations. It is also desirable that an MCS be fully tested inexpensively using a personal computer which emulates network behavior and responds to user and/or MCS inputs identifying selected network node configurations, failures, and/or normalizations.

Method and apparatus for emulating a digital cross-connect switch network using a flexible topology to test MCS network management


A consensus method and system in a consortium blockchain is provided. An example method includes, when a first consensus node in a consensus network of the consortium blockchain does not complete a consensus operation on target data on which a consensus is to be reached within a predetermined time period, the first consensus node broadcasts a ViewChange message in the consensus network based on a P set and a Q set constructed from an ECHO message. For a received ViewChange message, a second consensus node sends a ViewChangeACK message corresponding to the received ViewChange message to a second consensus primary node. When the second consensus primary node receives N−f−2 ViewChangeACK messages from consensus nodes, the second consensus primary node obtains identical P sets and a identical Q sets in the received ViewChange message. The second consensus primary node makes a view change decision based on the received ViewChange message.

At present, the practical Byzantine fault tolerance (PBFT) mainly includes two parts: a normal case phase and a view change phase. The normal case phase includes pre-prepare, prepare, and commit stages to complete a consensus.
In the pre-prepare stage, a consensus primary node initiates a proposal, and sends a pre-prepare message for the proposal to each backup consensus node. In the prepare stage, each backup consensus node verifies the received pre-prepare message, and after the verification succeeds, sends a prepare message to other backup consensus nodes and the consensus primary node. In the commit stage, the backup consensus node or the consensus primary node receives one pre-prepare message and prepare messages of not less than 2f consensus nodes, and if the verification succeeds, sends a commit message to other consensus nodes in the consortium blockchain.
However, if the consensus operation on the target proposal is not completed within a predetermined time period, the consensus node in the consensus network can trigger a view change operation to attempt to change the consensus primary node. However, in PBFT with a no-signature mechanism, further solutions still need to be provided to enable the consensus primary node to make an accurate view change decision after the view change.

Consensus methods and systems in consortium blockchain

Alipay (Hangzhou) Information Technology Co., Ltd.


A drilling system and methods provide stability and cutting performance to produce holes having desired straightness and other characteristics. The system may include a cutting head provided with a central cutting system and first and second side cutting inserts. The tool provides a major diameter with the OD cutting margins on the replaceable side inserts, as well as possibly cutting margins on the center cutting member. Adjustment mechanisms may be provided to adjust the center cutting member and/side cutting inserts.

Certain deep hole drilling systems such as gun drills, single tube drilling systems, and double tube drilling systems are known in the art. These deep hole drilling systems may be used for drilling holes with a large depth to diameter ratio.
Solid carbide tooling is disadvantageous due to the need to regrind the cutting edges when worn, requiring removal of the tool from the drilling machine. Other problems with deep hole drilling tools include instability during drilling and at breakout. Tools having replaceable cutting heads have also been developed, which may use indexable cutting inserts. For example, there have been developed a single tube drilling system, or STS, used to drill holes having large depth to diameter ratios with improved penetration rates, hole size accuracy, and straightness as compared to gun drills. At the same time, such systems have various disadvantages, due to a single effective cutting edge, use of one or more wear pads which tend to bear on the sides of the formed hole during cutting with significant force. The wear pad tend to cause hardening of the hole and embrittlement of the material. The wear pads on the tool body are used in an attempt to provide stability to the front of the drill by making contact with the inside wall of the hole just previously drilled. The use of a wear pad on the opposing side of a major diameter cutting insert has to be set at a diameter under the insert. This causes the tool to drill under or over size due to the imbalance of cutting forces and the inability to precisely balance these forces.
Other solid drilling tools are available for drilling of holes, but have deficiencies when attempting to drill large diameter and/or deep holes. Such tools have difficulty in such applications, due to torque loading and thrust requirements. It would be desirable to provide a drilling tool that can achieve more efficient cutting in such applications, to achieve higher speed with lighter feed rates.
Problems with past tool designs also include issues such as chips remaining in the hole between the body diameter and the inside of the hole or inability to effectively evacuate chips during drilling. Such occurrence causes significant problems in efficient and precise drilling, and adversely affect cut quality and cutting tool life.
For many applications, there is a need for tooling that can more effectively produce holes with a large diameter or large depth to diameter ratio, with high accuracy and in a cost effective manner. It would therefore be desirable to have a tool that provides stability and keeps the drilling on center. It would also be desirable to provide tooling that allows simple and flexible set-ups and modularity to provide adjustment which allows the tool to more effectively drill large depth to diameter ratio holes with high accuracy in various applications and materials.

Drilling system and modular drilling head for deep hole drilling

ALLIED MACHINE & ENGINEERING CORPORATION