The process for producing a (fluoroalkyl)benzene derivative according to the present invention comprises a step of reducing the total content of group 3 to group 12 transition metals in an alkylbenzene derivative to 500 ppm or less in terms of metal atoms; a step of halogenating the branched alkyl group of the purified alkylbenzene derivative by a photohalogenation to obtain a (haloalkyl)benzene derivative; and a step of subjecting the (haloalkyl)benzene derivative to a halogen-fluorine exchange using HF in an amount of 10 mol or higher per one mole of the (haloalkyl)benzene derivative. The (fluoroalkyl)benzene derivative produced by the process is reduced in the content of impurities such as residual halogens and residual metals, and is useful as intermediates for functional chemical products for use in applications such as medicines and electronic materials.

In recent years, fluorine-containing compounds have been noticed in various fields of applications such as medicines and electronic materials because of peculiar properties thereof, and have been used in numerous application fields by utilizing their functions attributable to fluorine atoms. Therefore, various methods for effectively introducing fluorine atoms into compounds have been studied. Conventionally known fluorination techniques include, for example, a direct fluorination method using a fluorine gas, a so-called halogen exchange method in which a compound containing a halogen atom such as chlorine and bromine is reacted with HF or KF to replace the halogen atom with fluorine, a method using a combination of hydrogen fluoride with a base such as pyridine and triethylamine, a method using a hypervalent iodine, e.g., IF5, an electrolytic fluorination method, etc. In the present invention, the "halogen" means halogens other than fluorine unless otherwise specified.
Among these methods, the halogen-fluorine exchange method has been extensively used because fluorine atoms can be introduced relatively easily and aimed fluorine-containing compounds can be produced easily, although the use of halogen compounds as the starting materials is somewhat undesirable. The details about the techniques for producing fluorine compounds by the halogen-fluorine exchange method are described, for example, in Adv. Fluorine Chem., 1963, (3), p. 181. This document describes the halogen-fluorine exchange reaction between halogen-containing aliphatic compounds, aromatic compounds, branched aromatic compounds, heterocyclic compounds, carboxylic acids, sulfonic acids, silicon compounds or phosphorus compounds with fluorine compounds such as HF, KF, SbF3 and SbF5.
The halogen-fluorine exchange reaction requires a halogenated precursor corresponding to the aimed compound. There are also many well known techniques for introducing halogens to produce such a halogenated precursor, for example, a method using chlorine gas, iron chloride, phosphorus trichloride, phosphorus pentachloride, thionyl chloride, sulfuryl chloride, aluminum chloride, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, titanium chloride, phosgene, N-chlorosuccinimide, etc.; and a method using zeolites such as zeolite X, Y, L and β and mordenite together with chlorine gas, thionyl chloride, sulfuryl chloride or the like for improving selectivity of the halogenation.
In the photochlorination using chlorine gas under irradiation of light, even low-reactive molecules such as methane are effectively converted into methyl chloride by a free-radical chain reaction. This method is useful for chlorinating side chains of aliphatic or aromatic compounds. For example, Kirk-Othmer, "Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology", 4th edition, describes the production of benzyl chloride from toluene as an example of the photochlorination of side chain of aromatic compounds.
Not Limited merely to aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbons, the photohalogenation is widely applied to various compounds such as heterocyclic compounds, carboxylic acids, sulfonic acids, silicon compounds and phosphorus-containing compounds.
For example, JP 2001-294551 A discloses a method for producing 3,5-bis(trichloromethyl)benzoyl chlorides by the photochlorination of 3,5-dimethylbenzoyl chlorides.
This method has been also disclosed in French Patent No. 820696 (1937). The French Patent teaches a method for chlorinating branched methyl group of methyl-containing benzenecarboxylic acids by chlorine gas, and describes in Example 10 an actual procedure for producing 3,5-bis(trichloromethyl)benzoyl chloride from 3,5-dimethylbenzoyl chloride by introducing chlorine atom under irradiation of light. Further, U.S. Pat. No. 2,181,554 (1939) discloses a method for producing 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzoyl fluoride from 3,5-bis(trichloromethyl)benzoyl chloride by the halogen exchange. Concerning the photohalogenation, there are so many other documents to make it difficult to comprehensively review them.
The above known photohalogenation methods and halogen-fluorine exchange methods are extensively used for introducing fluorine atoms to various compounds. Since these methods use a halogenated compound as a precursor for introducing fluorine atoms, the final products inevitably contain halogens as impurities. The impurities such as residual halogens, residual metals and residual alkali or alkaline earth metals generally affect adversely in the application fields of medicine and electronic materials, and should be reduced to a ppb level or less in some cases. The residual halogens, for example, in medical applications pyrogen or other trace impurities tend to significantly affect human health and in electronic material applications such as photoresists the residual chlorine causes corrosion of electronic devices. The residual metals, for example, residual Pd migrates to cause defective insulation or defective operation. Sb remaining in chemically-amplified positive photoresists causes a positive-negative reversal during the irradiation of X-ray or electron beams. U, Th, etc., remaining in sealing materials cause soft error. Thus, the residual impurity elements have adverse influences in many cases. Therefore, it has been strongly required to minimize the content of impurities such as residual halogens and residual metals.

High-purity (fluoroalkyl)benzene derivative and process for producing the same


A bottom section has a ground contact section which is provided at the outer periphery of a body section, and a raised bottom section which is provided inside the ground contact section. The raised bottom section is provided with a recessed section provided at the center, and a connection section which connects the recessed section and the ground contact section. The recessed section side end of the connection section is configured to be located closer to the neck side than the ground contact section side end when inner pressure is at ambient pressure.

Blow-molded containers obtained by using polyethylene terephthalate (PET) as a resin are known. PET containers are excellent in transparency, toughness, hygiene, or the like, and are used as containers for various contents. In particular, the PET containers are widely used at present as containers for storing liquid substances such as beverages. Recently, the uses of the PET containers have been expanded further, and wide-mouthed containers for storing semi-solids such as jam and pasta sauce have begun to appear. A heat-resistant container which is one of the PET containers can be filled with these foods and beverages that have been heated to a high temperature for sterilization.
This type of container is filled with contents that have been heated to a high temperature (for example, about 90° C.) for heat sterilization, sealed with a lid, and then cooled. During the cooling, an inside of the bottle is brought into a reduced-pressure atmosphere as a volume of the contents or a gas remaining or in a space (head space) closer to a mouth portion formed above the contents decreases. At this time, the container may be deformed due to the reduced pressure inside the container, which is not preferred in appearance. Therefore, a container is provided to have a structure on a bottom surface thereof for absorbing deformation due to the reduced pressure inside the container.
For example, a synthetic resin bottle includes a recessed portion on a bottom surface of a bottom portion thereof, and the recessed portion is formed by recessing a bottom surface wall in an inward direction of the bottle such that the bottle can be deformed in the inward direction during pressure reduction (see Patent Literature 1).


A voltage-to-current converter comprises first to third transistors, first and second resisntaces, and a current mirror circuit. The first transistor is an emitter follower transistor, and has a base for receiving an input signal. The second transistor and the first resistor constitute a grounded-emitter amplifier circuit of the output stage. The base of the second transistor is connected to the emitter of the first transistor. The third transistor and the second resistor have the same characteristics as the second transistor and the first resistor, respectively. The base of the third transistor is connected to the emitter of the first transistor. The current mirror circuit supplies a current proportional to the collector current of the third transistor to the emitter of the first transistor.

The present invention relates to a voltage-to-current converter which can be used as, e.g. a control circuit for controlling an electronic volume, and which outputs a current linearly varying in proportion to an input voltage.
FIG. 4 shows a conventional voltage-to-current converter. The converter comprises a PNP transistor Q1 of emitter follower type and an NPN transistor Q2 having a base connected to the emitter (i.e. output terminal) of the transistor Q1. To be more specific, the transistor Q1 having its base connected to an input terminal 41, its collector to a ground terminal 44 and its emitter to a power terminal 42 through a constant current source I1. Furthermore, the emitter of the transistor Q1 is connected to the base of the transistor Q2. The collector of the transistor Q2 is connected to an output terminal 43, and the emitter of the transistor Q2 is connected to the ground terminal 44 through a resistor R1.
In the above conventional converter, an input voltage Vin is applied to the input terminal 41, and an output current Iout is supplied from the output terminal 43. The current Iout flows forward, from the output terminal 43 to the collector of the transistor Q2. The current Iout is expressed as follows: EQU Iout=(Vin+VBEQ1-VBEQ2)/R1
where VBEQ1 is the voltage between the base and the emitter of the transistor Q1, and VBEQ2 is the voltage between the base and the emitter of the transistor Q2.
If VBEQ1 is equal to VBEQ2, the output current Iout varies in proportion to the input voltage Vin.
In the conventional converter, VBEQ1 and VBEQ2 are given by: EQU VBEQ1=VT 1n.times.(I1/IS) EQU VBEQ2=VT 1n.times.(Iout/IS)
where VT is kT/q or a thermoelectromotive force constant, and IS is a saturation current. The saturation currents of the transistors provided in integrated circuits are equal if the integrated circuits have been made in the same process. The transistor Q1 is biased with the constant current I1, and the transistor Q2 is biased with the output current Iout. Voltages VBEQ1 and VBEQ2 are therefore not equal. The difference between VBEQ1 and VBEQ2 is not expressed by a linear function. This means that the variation .DELTA. Iout of the output current is not proportional to the variation .DELTA. Vin of the input voltage.
Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 5-259755 discloses a voltage-to-current converter. However, the converter needs a large number of current mirror circuits, and thus has a complicated structure.

Voltage-to-current converter for outputting a current which varies in proportion to an input voltage


Apparatus for curative ablation are provided to achieve the inactivation or destruction of fibrillar myocardium of the so-called AF nests. In addition, fibrillar myocardium may be identified and mapped by spectral analysis and phase study of the tissue during sinus rhythm. The procedure may be performed by transseptal puncture using only one catheter for ablation and mapping. The methods may be used to localize the application targets even during an arrhythmia.

a. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an ablation method and apparatus, e.g., such as those used for cardiac therapy. More particularly, the present invention pertains to methods that use spectral endocardial analysis for treatment of bradycardias and atrial fibrillation to control and/or provide information regarding ablation processes.
b. Background Art
Catheters for electromagnetic ablation are known and are commonly used to treat various diseases and medical disorders. Typically, the catheter includes an energy-delivering electrode that is coupled to a source of electromagnetic energy, e.g., an electrosurgical generator. Other electrodes can be proximally positioned on the catheter and can be used for sensing and other related electrical purposes.
In prior procedures, an ablation catheter is employed to alter tissue. In order to ablate the tissue, electromagnetic energy is applied to create a lesion via the energy-delivering electrode without regard to the specific level of electromagnetic energy supplied by the generator. In situations where too much electromagnetic energy is delivered to the tissue during the electrosurgical procedure, the tissue "pops", thus indicating the application of an excessive amount of energy.
Several clinical conditions comprise transitory or permanent autonomic dysfunction by increasing the vagal action and sympathetic driving reduction. As a consequence, transitory or permanent, symptomatic or asymptomatic sinus bradycardias or pauses or transitory AV block may occur. The most typical examples are the cardio inhibitory or mixed neurocardiogenic syncope, carotid sinus syndrome and the functional transitory AV block.
Despite having apparently normal hearts theses patients may be very symptomatic and refractory to conventional medication. Consequently they represent a difficult problem for the cardiologist as far as many of them are referred to the permanent pacemaker implantation. Furthermore we have to add to this group a considerable number of patients presenting a significant sinus and AV node dysfunction with good atropine response suggesting that an important portion of the vagal innervations is still preserved.
A pacemaker has been used, as the last option, to treat the malignant neurocardiogenic syncope. Its indication is uncomfortable in a young and apparently normal heart patient. Furthermore, recent studies have shown the cardiac stimulation has not been a good solution for all the cases of neurocardiogenic syncope. Several studies have shown that a great number of parasympathetic efferent fibers and autonomic ganglia surround the sinus and AV nodes regions.

Apparatus for arrhythmia treatment based on spectral mapping during sinus rhythm

St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation division, Inc.


A pretensioning tool is provided for an eccentric tensioning device, which is used for tensioning a power-transmission element constructed, for example, as a flat or toothed belt in a power-transmission drive. The tensioning tool has an engagement structure that can be coupled so that it is locked in rotation with a working eccentric from a front region facing away from the flange side of the eccentric tensioning device and a decoupling structure for implementing an axial displacement of the working eccentric relative to the bearing journal. In this way, it is possible to turn back the working eccentric by hand and with moderate hand forces against the tensioning moment applied by the torsion spring of the tensioning device into a mounting position and to secure the working eccentric in this mounting position through axial decoupling of this eccentric relative to a base plate device.

The present invention relates to a pretensioning tool for an eccentric tensioning device, which is used as such for tensioning power-transmission means constructed, for example, as a flat belt or toothed belt in a power-transmission means drive.
In particular, the invention here relates to a pretensioning tool for an eccentric tensioning device, which is provided for integration into a power-transmission means drive of an internal combustion engine and which automatically guarantees a desired pretensioning of the power-transmission means through an adjustment moment generated on the side of a torsion spring device and which is prepared in a pretensioned state before installation in the internal combustion engine.
From DE 40 33 777 A1, an eccentric tensioning device for a power-transmission means drive is known. This conventional tensioning device, also designated as a double eccentric tensioning device, comprises an adjustment eccentric, which makes available a bore arranged eccentrically for receiving an attachment screw. By means of the attachment screw, the tensioning device is mounted on a housing, especially a housing of the internal combustion engine, wherein the adjustment eccentric is supported by means of a base plate on the housing. Placed on this adjustment eccentric is a working or operating eccentric, with there being a slide bearing in an annular gap between a casing surface of the adjustment eccentric and an inner wall of the operating eccentric. On the outside, a roller bearing surrounds the operating eccentric, whose outer ring functions directly as a free running disk, which sits as such in the installed state, i.e., in the operating state, on the power-transmission means of the power-transmission means drive and applies a force to this with a transverse force directed perpendicular to the running direction. For achieving a non-positive contact of the running disk on the power-transmission means, between the base plate and the operating eccentric there is a torsion spring, which forces the operating eccentric and the running disk connected to this operating eccentric continuously into a position tensioning the power-transmission means.

Pretensioning tool for an eccentric tensioning device


A network entry switch based statistical authenticating entity validation scheme wherein the level of IEPS call validation by authenticating entity is dependent on network load and the level of failed validations for a given authenticating entity.

When disaster strikes, effective telecommunications for emergency response personnel involved in recovery efforts is essential. Since telecommunications capability can be severely affected due to excessive traffic in a disaster situation, loss of infrastructure, and potential denial of service attacks, certain schemes can be included in the telecommunications network to enable and facilitate emergency response communications.
One such scheme is the United States' Government Emergency Telephone Service (GETS). GETS is a set of switch-based and Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) features which allow authorized users to gain access to enhanced call completion features, including Alternate Carrier Routing, High Probability of Completion (HPC), HPC Detection and SS7 IAM Message Priority, HPC Trunk Queuing, HPC Exemptions From Network Management Controls, Enhanced Alternate Carrier Routing, and Default Routing. To gain access to GETS, a user first dials an access number, then enters an authentication PIN, and then enters the desired destination number. GETS operates on the major long-distance carrier networks, most local networks, including wire-line, cellular and PCS systems, and government-leased networks such as the Federal Telecommunications System (FTS2000) and the Defense Information System Network (DISN). Thus, GETS access is available from most every telephone line in the country.
Other countries may have implemented such national telecommunications preference schemes to handle emergencies within their borders. However, some emergency situations require coordination on an international level. In these situations, communications may be required from a country that has not invoked a national preference scheme into a destination country that has. These communications may also transit through intermediate countries that may or may not have invoked their national preference schemes. Standards document International Telecommunications Union, Telecommunications Standardizations Sector (ITU-T) Recommendation E.106, "Description of an International Emergency Preference Scheme (IEPS)", March, 2000, which is hereby incorporated by reference, describes an interoperability scheme to allow communications between the essential users in one country and their correspondents in another during a crisis.
In addition to same or similar features as those in GETS to enhance call completion, another key aspect of IEPS is end-to-end call marking such that IEPS calls are recognized as such and afforded preference in the network even as the calls traverse national boundaries.
In the current trust model, it is assumed that IEPS authentication will take place at the national level where the call is placed and no more authentication, such as at subsequent national network entry switches, is needed. However, this may not be the case. For example, hostile groups in foreign countries or even hostile foreign governments may try to disrupt emergency telephone service in a destination country experiencing a disaster by overloading the emergency telephone service in the destination country. This could be accomplished, for example, by hacking into the originating country's telecommunications network through physical access to an SS7 cable or via a packet protocol and an IP gateway, and flooding the destination country's network with bogus IEPS calls. This is akin to a denial of service attack on the Internet.
The latest working draft of E.106 (Apr. 28, 2003) recommends authenticating entity electronic signature validation as a means to thwart such a denial of service attack. The recommendation suggests that the originating network include in the call establishment messages all necessary information so that the intermediate and terminating networks may validate the call and decide on the appropriate level of preferential treatment without the need to query the originating network. The necessary information would include authenticating entity identity and an electronic signature of the authenticating entity. Each IEPS call could be validated at the network entry of each national boundary traversed between the originating and destination networks.
Authenticating entity identities could be, for example, each country's government agency charged with the authentication of national emergency service calls. Other authenticating entities could, for example, be international agencies such as the International Red Cross should they choose to offer the service to their agents and are doing an authentication process. The inclusion of authenticating entity identity allows other national networks to quickly determine if there is an arrangement to handle such calls, from that entity as preference calls. It is estimated that the creation of only a few hundred such IEPS authenticating entities should suffice for the worldwide international telecommunications network.
The electronic signature of the authenticating entity would be used to confirm the identity of the authenticating entity without further queries back to the originating network. Since electronic signature technology is evolving, it has been proposed that the initial message also include a field identifying the type of electronic signature being used so that more sophisticated signatures can be introduced over time should they become needed. It is envisioned that a public key/private key pair be used and that a time stamp be included in the key so that spoofing attempts with an intercepted key would not be successful.
Network entry switches (or a designated switch/switches or element/elements in the network) would perform or coordinate an authenticating entity validation function for each IEPS call and either grant or deny preferential treatment to the call based on the policy to be followed toward the originating network authenticating entity. However, the validation schemes used to validate the electronic signatures can be quite processor intensive. IEPS call volumes tend to be heaviest when there is an emergency, and this is the very time that the receiving networks may be in significant overload because of non-IEPS calls occurring related to the emergency. While it would be tempting to skip the validation process during periods of massive overload, this would leave the receiving networks open to denial of service attacks. Such an attack could flood the receiving network's remaining limited capacity and could cause valid IEPS calls to fail.
Denial of service attacks could also come from a hostile government. In this case, the authenticating entity and the electronic signature may both be valid, but the volume of IEPS calls originating from the hostile government would be well beyond any measure of reasonableness and be intended to interfere with legitimate emergency recovery communications rather than to assist with recovery.

Differential authentication entity validation scheme for international emergency telephone service


The invention relates to a device for determining the quality of fuel for an internal combustion engine, comprising a pressure sensor (1) for determining the pressure (p) inside a fuel tank and/or comprising a temperature sensor (4) for determining the temperature (T) inside a fuel tank. According to the invention, an evaluation unit (5) is provided for determining a quality value (Q), which depicts die quality of the fuel, based on the temperature (T) and/or the pressure (p) inside the fuel tank. Said evaluation unit is connected on the input side to the pressure sensor (1) and/or to the temperature sensor (4).

The quality of the fuel used to drive internal combustion engines may be subject to manufacturing tolerances, for example the fuel may contain varying proportions of long-chain hydrocarbons.
It is therefore a well-known procedure to determine the quality of the fuel used and to take this into account in the fuel injection process in order to compensate for the quality variations as far as possible.
At present, variations in fuel quality are detected using a starting-quantity adaptation technique or the uneven-running method, and compensated for by varying the injection periods. In these known methods, the increase in speed when starting the internal combustion engine or the speed variations at start-up are evaluated. If the increase in speed or the speed variations lies/lie outside an allowed preset confidence band the injection period is corrected accordingly. The correction amount is calculated relatively imprecisely, however, so that sometimes the correction proves too great. In particular, given a "poor start", the injection period is changed so as to make the fuel-air mixture richer, which means that the fuel-air mixture may be too rich after filling up with a very good quality fuel. As a result, the internal combustion engine starts badly or not at all.
Another disadvantage of this method for determining the fuel quality is the relatively low accuracy, because the increase in speed when starting the internal combustion engine does not depend solely on the fuel quality but is also affected by other parameters such as the internal friction of the internal combustion engine.
DE 40 27 947 A1 describes various ways in which one can take into account fuel quality variations. One way is to measure the control deviation in the lambda control circuit after each tank fill of the vehicle driven by the internal combustion engine, and to vary an adaptation value so as to reduce the control deviation to zero. This method has the disadvantage that it only works when the lambda control system is enabled. This is specifically not the case, however, when the internal combustion engine is cold. Other methods are proposed that ensure that, even when the internal combustion engine is cold, the internal combustion engine is still able to run when the fuel composition changes sharply at tank fill-up, for instance when a tank containing fuel is practically emptied and then filled with a fuel containing mainly methanol. Using the tank levels before and after tank fill, an assessment of what sort of fuel compositions can be present is made on the basis of commercial fuel data. The input control values are then modified for running the internal combustion engine using fuels of the possible compositions, and the system assesses which composition the internal combustion engine runs best with. These values are used from then on for controlling the internal combustion engine.
The disadvantage of these known methods for determining the fuel quality, however, is that they are coupled with the combustion process and hence may also be affected by other parameters.

Device for determining fuel quality and corresponding method


A post operative shoe system facilitating recovery or the foot surgical patient is disclosed. The shoe system includes a first pair of shoes employed immediately following surgery, i.e., up to 6-8 weeks following surgery, and a second pair of shoes employed after this initial convalescent period, for a period up to 3-4 months. The first pair of shoes includes in each shoe a pre-configured rigid shoe sole, a counter assembled to the shoe sole which forms a heel, and a releasably adjustable double closure system between inner and outer vamps attached to the shoe sole and a tongue assembled to one of the vamps for releasable adjustable attachment to the other of said vamps. The second pair of shoes includes in each shoe a pre-configured rigid shoe sole with an inner and outer vamp assembled to each shoe sole which is releasably adjustably attached to one another across the top of and around the heel of a user's foot.

The present invention relates to a post operative shoe system, and more particularly, to a post operative shoe system facilitating recovery of a foot surgical patient.
Various types of shoes and other footwear have been developed for use following post operative surgery and for other therapeutic purposes. While there are many different types and kinds of such footwear, some examples of prior art designs are shown by the therapeutic weight disbursing shoe sole of U.S. Pat. No. 4,738,262; the adjustable semi-flexible health shoe construction of U.S. Pat. No. 4,188,735; the orthopedic shoe construction of U.S. Pat. No. 4,567,678; the removable ankle brace footwear design of U.S. Pat. No. 4,378,793; the adjustable post surgical shoe construction of U.S. Pat. No. 4,178,925; the shock absorbing surgical shoe of U.S. Pat. No. 4,677,767; another post operative shoe construction as shown by U.S. Pat. No. 4,546,557, and the post operative shoe design of design Pat. No. 262,580.
While all of the above constructions have functioned to provide comfort and support to a post operative surgical patient, there have been a number of inherent disadvantages, considering the time of use and the type of injury for which such shoes may be employed. Concerning the time of use, there are different foot support requirements immediately following surgery, for a period of 6-8 weeks, than in a subsequent convalescent period, for example, 3-4 months following surgery. Some therapeutic and post operative shoes may be limited to certain types of foot injuries or problems, and thus will assist in the healing process for a variety of different kinds of foot injuries/problems.
As will be apparent from the discussion that follows, the present invention is a post operative shoe system which overcomes the aforenoted deficiencies of the prior art, while at the same providing improved comfort, stability, convenience, and use by the foot surgical patient in the post operative recovery period.


This invention is directed to a device for applying slurry manure beneath the soil or on top of the soil with reduced crop displacement by a trailing feeder hose. More specifically, the invention is directed to an improvement of the prior art slurry reel system. The slurry reel system of the present invention places the axis of the reel spool parallel with the direction of travel instead of the conventional perpendicular orientation. This invention also utilizes a unique hose placement and retrieval apparatus or boom.

The present invention relates to agricultural fertilizer applicators. Particularly, it relates to an apparatus for application of livestock waste in the form of slurry (that is, a freely flowing mixture of liquids and solids). Historically, livestock waste, particularly in solid form, has been spread on the surface of the soil by a manure spreader using a flail to fling the material to the rear. A more modern side-discharge spreader also deposits the material on the surface of the soil.
The advent of confinement systems for animals which include pits below the confinement area produces a large amount of animal waste in a slurry form. This slurry must be handled and disposed of in an environmentally acceptable manner.
Typically, the slurry is pumped into a large tank carried by a wagon or mounted on a truck. In the past the slurry was then spread or sprayed on the surface of the soil. This procedure has, as a principle objection, a strong odor which remains after the waste is spread. Moreover, surface spreading of animal waste is not desirable with the potential runoff of nitrates and phosphorus into rivers and streams. This is objectionable because livestock waste is high in nitrogen, and swine waste is also high in phosphorus. With increasing concern with the quality of the environment, this prior art procedure is becoming less and less acceptable.
Various methods have been proposed for depositing the slurry underground. One method uses a fertilizer knife, such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,592,294. The slurry is delivered behind the knife. This leaves a very narrow band of fertilizer having a high concentration of nitrogen and other nutrients.
Another method of subsoil delivery of animal waste employs a standard chisel plow shank with an attached wide cultivator sweep, in an attempt to distribute the slurry further laterally and to avoid the concentration which occurs in the prior art methods and devices.
This method, however, does not fully overcome the concentration problem, and it presents still another problem—namely, the trailing slurry hose can damage crops such as corn and soybeans. The damage caused by the trailing hose, dispensed from the reel carrier, especially when a turn is made in the field can damage row crops such corn and soy beans.
A company by the name of Veenhuis B. V. of Raalte, The Netherlands makes and distributes a full line of slurry dispensing systems. Veenhuis also has a slurry reel system. It utilizes a trailing hose slurry injector. An advantage to a trailing hose injector is its ability to smoothly apply slurry in or onto the soil. It also provides for less damage to the soil. The slurry is supplied through the hose, rather than dragged along with a tank across the land.
This new method of slurry delivery has many advantages. One important advantage is that it has less impact on the sward. The sward is a portion of the ground covered with grass or other vegetation. A slurry reel system has other advantages including use of the maximum load of the carrier truck (maximum capacity) and minimum pulling power. This is because the hose is not pulled across the land, but alternatively reeled and unreeled. As such, this method requires less pulling power and the large capacity of the reel system allows for working lengths of 700 meters or more, preferably 1000 meters or more. The Veenhuis slurry reel system does not suggest nor disclose how to improve on the reel system by moving the axis of the reel to parallel with the direction of travel and a hose handler that reduces forces on the hose and lessens damage to row crops that are in the field.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,907,925 to Guyot discloses a method for treatment of waste material which comprises supplying waste material in slurry form to a dispensing machine. The disclosed dispensing machine includes a frame with ground wheels for moving across the field. The frame carries a reel on which is wound a pipe or hose for transporting the waste material from the supply tank. This reference does not suggest nor disclose that the axis of the reel is parallel with the direction of travel of the frame, nor does the reference disclose or suggest the presence of a hose dispensing/retrieval boom that is attached to the frame and is perpendicular to the axis of the hose reel.


A method regulates the transmission power of a transmitter in a radio system, for a transmission of data to a receiver by a radio interface. The receiver determines an actual value for a qualitative parameter of the received signal, makes a comparison with a set value and, thereafter, transmits comparison information on the result of the comparison to the transmitter. Adjustment of the transmission power of the transmitter is made based on a correction value for the set value of the qualitative parameter of the received signal, in addition to comparison information from the receiver.

The invention relates to a method for regulating transmit power in a radio system. The invention is suitable in particular for use in a third-generation mobile radio system, but is not restricted to mobile radio systems.
The most widespread mobile radio system is GSM (global system for mobile communications), which was developed for a single service, i.e. voice transmission. The GSM mobile radio system is referred to as a 2nd-generation system.
In contrast to this, a plurality of services, which are intended to be transmitted within one transmission protocol via commonly used physical channels, are provided for its successor, the 3rd mobile radio generation, which is currently being standardized in Europe under the name UMTS (universal system for mobile communications).
The standardization documents ETSI SMG2/UMTS L23 expert group, Tdoc SMG2 UMTS-L23 357/98, dated 6.10.1998, Tdoc SMG2 508/98 and Tdoc SMG2 515/98, dated 16.11.1998, provide an overview of the current state of development of standardization and, in particular, of the requirements describing how a transmission protocol can support the transport of data of a plurality of services.
The use of a common physical channel for the transmission of data of a plurality of services requires a unique mapping rule to specify the allocation of the services to different segments of the physical channel. A physical channel is defined, for example, by a frequency band, a spread code (CDMA code division multiple access) and, if necessary, a time slot within a frame.
The following terms are used to describe the mapping rule:
Transport Format (TF):
A transport format defines a data rate, a coding, an interleaving, a data rate adaptation through punctuation and an error-protection rule of a transport channel for a service.
Transport Format Set (TFS):
This refers to a set of possible transport formats, which are permitted for a special service.
Transport Format Combination (TFC):
This term indicates a possible combination of transport formats of the different services which are mapped onto a common physical channel.
Transport Format Combination Set (TFCS):
This refers to a set of possible TFCs as a subset of all TFCs which are permitted for a special connection.
Transport Format Combination Identifier (TFCI):
This information indicates the currently used combination of transport formats within the TFCS.
Examples of the transport formats can be found in ETSI SMG2/UMTS L23 expert group, Tdoc SMG2 UMTS-L23 357/98, dated Jun. 10, 1998, pp. 14-16.
TFC modifiability and therefore regular signaling of the TFCI are required for user-oriented selection of the currently used combination of transport formats of the different services.
CDMA separation of the different channels is used in 3rd-generation mobile radio transmission systems. In order to achieve different data rates with the resources available on the air interface, the spreading of the data which are to be transmitted is variable. In order to achieve flexible spreading of this type, for example, either redundant data bits can be added as part of the channel coding, or data bits can be removed ("repetition"=expansion or "puncturing"=compression of data). Flexible spreading is also achieved by modifying the spreading factors of the CDMA spread codes which are used. If the current TFC is modified, this normally results in a modification of the spreading of the data to be transmitted. "Rate matching" can be achieved through the different spreading of the data, i.e. the available channel capacity is optimally utilized by the data to be transmitted.
In order to guarantee transmission quality which is as constant as possible (determined e.g. as the bit error rate or signal-to-noise or signal-to-interference ratio) at the minimum transmit power, feedback power regulation is required, in which the receiver transfers information to the transmitter relating to the required transmit power regulation using the signals received by it. The feedback from the receiver to the transmitter relating to the required adaptation of the transmit power is performed through corresponding signaling, referred to as the "TPC" (Transmit Power Control) bits. To do this, the receiver evaluates the useful signals received from the transmitter, for example, by evaluating the signal-to-noise ratio as a quality parameter of the receive signal.
In a favorable manner, the receiver could obtain the value of this quality parameter required for the respective TFC which is used from the TFCI transferred to it by the transmitter. In the FDD (Frequency Division Duplex) variant of UMTS, the complete TFCI is received at the end of a transmission frame. In the TDD (Time Division Duplex) variant of UMTS, the TFCI is transferred in each time slot. However, particularly with the use of a "joint detector", which performs simultaneous detection of all the spread codes which are used in the radio cell, a certain time passes following receipt of the TFCI before the TFCI is fully decoded. As a result, the receiver may not start the evaluation of the TPC bits for the current time frame until relatively late. The earliest possible time for transfer to the transmitter of the TPC bits determined by the receiver is thus also delayed. In the case of TDD, this results in a minimum spacing, which must not be understepped, between the two transmission directions (uplink and downlink). This signifies a restriction in the channel allocation for the transmission directions.
In J-H Wen et al, "Performance of Short-Term Fading Prediction-Based Power Control Method for DS-CDMA Cellular Mobile Radio Networks", a method is described which takes into account the short-term fading of the transmission signal when regulating the transmit power of a base station.
In DE 198 21 519 A1, the ratio of receive power to noise power is determined in the receiver of a mobile part, is compared with a set value and a signaling bit is transmitted to a base station depending on the result of the comparison. The signaling bit is then used to calculate the current or updated transmit power.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,987,333, a multichannel communications system is described in which, using an iterative method, the transmit power is monitored for each channel in such a way that a predefined minimal signal-to-noise plus signal-to-interference ratio (SNIR) is attained for the channels.

Method for regulating transmission power in a radio system


A two-dimensional code reading apparatus uses the image of a reference pattern of a known shape in the two-dimensional code to compute areas, shapes and positions of cells in the image of the two-dimensional code and corrects these computed values using correction values obtained by identifying cells isolated from cells of the same type in at least one direction whenever they appear and extracting their actual boundary coordinates directly from the image data. As a result, even if there is distortion in the image of the two-dimensional a reading scope for each cell to be read is set to a suitable area and the reading position of each cell is determined accurately in correspondence with the distortion and the content of the two-dimensional code is thereby read correctly.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a two-dimensional code reading apparatus for reading a matrix type two-dimensional code.
2. Related Art
Two-dimensional codes can record large amount of information compared with one-dimensional codes such as bar codes. In a two-dimensional code, each entry in a matrix is either black or white. That is, a two-dimensional code expresses data as a pattern of entries. These entries constituting basic units of data expression are called cells. To read data expressed by a two-dimensional code correctly, it is necessary to distinguish correctly the black/white type of each cell.
An example of this kind of two-dimensional code reading apparatus is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-180125.
A two-dimensional code reading apparatus detects an image of a two-dimensional code. When processing this as image data, the two-dimensional code reading apparatus usually carries out processing in pixel units. Accordingly, the obtained image data of each cell is also made up of a plurality of pixels.
For example, suppose that an image G of a black cell has been read in as 3.times.3=9 pixels. Then suppose that of these nine pixels, due to print blurring or soiling of the two-dimensional code, three have been detected as white pixels WT. In determination of the type of the cell under such circumstances, the type of the majority of the pixels is determined to be the type of the cell. In the example shown in FIG. 14A, because there are six black pixels BK and three white pixels WT, the type of the cell is determined to be black.
The number of pixels for determining the type of each cell, that is, the reading scope for one cell, has normally been set on the basis of a predetermined reference pattern existing in the two-dimensional code. For example, position detection patterns A, B and C and an extension pattern D whose positions and sizes can be obtained at the initial stage of reading are provided in the two-dimensional code. The size of one cell (a height and a width) is obtained from one of these and the obtained size is used to determine a number of pixels as a reading scope for each cell. In consideration of for example reading position errors, this number of pixels is sometimes set so that a reading scope is slightly smaller than the cell size obtained.
However, the two-dimensional code is not always detected without distortion as shown in FIG. 14B. Sometimes the two-dimensional code is read at an angle and there is distortion in the detected image, as shown in FIG. 15. In this case, the cell size will change depending on which of the position detection patterns A, B and C and the extension pattern D is used to determine the cell size. In the example of FIG. 15, because the position detection patterns A and C become small as image data, the size of a reading scope of one cell determined on the basis of either of them is inevitably small and the number of pixels used for determining cell type then is small. The position detection pattern B, on the other hand, becomes larger as image data than the position detection patterns A and C. As a result, the number of pixels for determining cell type becomes large.
Consequently, it is difficult to make the determination of which cell size determined based on each of the position detection patterns and the extension pattern should be used to determine the size of the cells. For example, to determine the size of cells, it is conceivable to employ an average value of different cell sizes determined using each of the position detection patterns respectively; however, when this is done, type determination using an excessive number of pixels may be carried out on cells in the vicinity of the position detection patterns A and C and type determination using too few pixels is carried out on cells in the vicinity of the position detection pattern B and the extension pattern D.
In FIG. 16A, when the nine pixels (3.times.3 pixels) of the scope shown with a solid line is a suitable number of pixels for reading the cell and this number of pixels is correctly set, there are six black pixels and three white pixels in that scope. Accordingly the type of the cell is determined on a majority basis to be black. However, when the 25 pixels (5.times.5 pixels) of an excessively large scope is set as the number of pixels for determining the type of the cell, because there are eleven black pixels and fourteen white pixels, on the same majority basis the cell is determined to be white and the type of the cell thus is not determined correctly.
This is also the same in reverse. That is, a cell determined to be white with a suitable 25 pixels may be mistakenly determined to be black with an insufficient 9 pixels.
It is therefore a first object of the present invention to provide a two-dimensional code reading apparatus which can set a scope for determining cell types suitably even when there is distortion in the detected two-dimensional image.
Also, to carry out black/white determination of cells correctly, it is important to accurately determine the center position of each cell.
In reading processing for the kind of two-dimensional code shown in FIG. 14B, first, three position detection patterns A, B, C are detected from the characteristics of the pattern. Then, timing cell rows E, F wherein white and black cells are disposed alternately running between these position detection patterns A, B, C are detected. Then, by image processing, the center positions of the cells of the position detection patterns A, B, C and the timing cell rows E, F are detected. When the center positions of these cells have been determined, the center positions of the other cells are obtained by calculation using the coordinates of the center positions of these cells.
That is, when the position detection patterns are scanned, predetermined frequency component ratios can be obtained from them, and on this basis the center coordinates of the position detection patterns A, B, C are determined first. Also, because the overall shapes of the position detection patterns A, B, C are predetermined, the center positions of the cells making up the position detection patterns A, B, C can also be obtained by calculation. The positions of the timing cells rows E, F disposed in predetermined positions between the position detection patterns A, B, C can also be obtained by calculation. Since the timing cell rows E, F consist of black and white cells disposed alternating cell by cell, by finding the boundaries of the cells by image processing the center positions of the cells making up the timing cell rows E, F can also be determined.
Then, with the cells making up the position detection patterns A, B, C and the timing cell rows E, F whose positions have been determined as described above as reference cells, from coordinate values of these reference cells, it is possible to obtain by calculation on the basis of cell widths and heights the positions of the cells other than those of the position detection patterns A, B, C and the timing cell rows E, F, that is, the positions of the so-called data cells.
Because it is possible to obtain the positions of all of the data cells in this way, by reading the data cells from these positions it is possible to detect the data expressed by the two-dimensional code.
However, the two-dimensional code is not always detected without distortion as shown in FIG. 14B, and sometimes the two-dimensional code is read at an angle and there is distortion in the detected image, as shown in FIG. 15. In this kind of case, for data cells near the position detection patterns A, B, C or the timing cell rows E, F, the positional deviation between the reading positions obtained by calculation and the actual positions of the cells is small. Therefore, reading of the cells is carried out correctly. However, with progress away from the position detection patterns A, B, C and the timing cell rows E, F the positional deviation between the reading positions and the actual cell positions becomes larger and it becomes impossible to correctly determine the types of the cells.
It is therefore a second object of the invention to provide a two-dimensional code reading apparatus which can set positions for reading cells correctly even when there is distortion in the detected two-dimensional image.


A method of gene transfer involving administering a recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) bearing the desired gene into the muscle of the animal is described.

Adeno-associated virus (AAV) is a replication-deficient parvovirus, the genome of which is about 4.6 kb in length, including 145 nucleotide inverted terminal repeats (ITRs). The single-stranded DNA genome of AAV contains genes responsible for replication (rep) and formation of virions (cap).
When this nonpathogenic human virus infects a human cell, the viral genome integrates into chromosome 19 resulting in latent infection of the cell. Production of infectious virus and replication of the virus does not occur unless the cell is coinfected with a lytic helper virus such as adenovirus or herpesvirus. Upon infection with a helper virus, the AAV provirus is rescued and amplified, and both AAV and helper virus are produced.
AAV possesses unique features that make it attractive as a vector for delivering foreign DNA to cells. Various groups have studied the potential use of AAV in the treatment of disease states. However, the performance of rAAV as a vector for in vivo models of gene therapy has been mixed.
What is needed is a method of improving rAAV-mediated gene transfer.

Method for expressing a gene in the absence of an immune response

The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania


A magnetic disk unit of form factor size with a low power consumption, a short average seek time and a high performance. The unit includes at least two spindles for supporting and rotating magnetic disks. Specifically, two 1.3-inch disks, three 1.0-inch disks or four 0.7-inch disks are arranged in a housing originally intended for a 1.8-inch magnetic disk. The unit further includes a device for writing and reading information while selecting a spindle. The card-type disk unit thus can be reduced in thickness, with a smaller power consumption for starting the disk rotation and further with an improved average seek velocity.

The present invention relates to magnetic disks such as flexible magnetic disk units and rigid magnetic disk units.
The conventional magnetic disk unit comprises a spindle for supporting and rotating a magnetic disk, at least one magnetic disk, a magnetic head arranged in opposed relation to the surface of each magnetic disk for reading and writing signals and a positioner for holding and positioning the magnetic head, all the components being contained in a housing. A device of this type is disclosed in JP-A-62-197975.
Examination by the present inventors, however, shows that in the case where a disk having a diameter corresponding to a housing of predetermined size is driven in that housing, the reduction in the power required for disk rotation and the increase in seek velocity are limited.
The present invention has been developed in view of the aforementioned points, and the object thereof is to provide a magnetic disk unit which has a large capacity and a low power consumption as a whole.
In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, according to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a magnetic disk unit comprising a plurality of magnetic disks, a plurality of spindles for supporting and rotating the magnetic disks, a plurality of magnetic heads arranged face to face with the magnetic disk surfaces for reading and writing signals, at least one positioner for holding and positioning the magnetic heads, and a housing for accommodating the aforementioned component parts, wherein a plurality of the magnetic disks are arranged in the same plane without being overlapped in the housing of 11 mm or less in thickness.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a magnetic disk unit comprising a housing which is, for example, for PCMCIA (Personal Computer memory-card International Association) Standard of PC card size: 54.0xc2x10.1xc3x9785.6xc2x10.1xc3x975.0 or less (Type II), 54.0xc2x10.1xc3x9785.6xc2x10.1xc3x973.3xc2x10.2 (Type I) (m/m), originally intended to accommodate a magnetic disk with a side having a predetermined data area, wherein a plurality of magnetic disks each smaller in diameter than the PCMCIA size""s magnetic disk are arranged in a plane within the housing, the magnetic disks having a total one-side data area equal to the one-side data area of the originally-intended magnetic disk.
According to still another aspect of the invention, there is provided a magnetic disk unit comprising at least two rotating mechanisms (spindles) in the housing and means for reading and writing information by selecting the rotating mechanisms.
The rotating mechanisms (spindles) are preferably arranged in a plane in the housing in order to achieve a thin structure of the disk unit. For example, a housing originally built for a 1.8-inch size disk is preferably adapted to accommodate two 1.3-inch magnetic disks, three 1.0-inch magnetic disks, or four 0.7-inch magnetic disks arranged in a plane.
Preferably, each positioner for holding and placing magnetic heads in position is separately configured in association with each magnetic disk spindle, or each positioner is shared by each one of groups of several magnetic disk spindles.
The outer dimensions of the housing for accommodating a plurality of magnetic disks in a plane may be not more than approximately 55 mm by not more than approximately 86 mm with a thickness of not more than approximately 5.0 mm or not more than approximately 55 mm by not more than approximately 86 mm with a thickness of not more than approximately 3.5 mm.
The thickness dimension of a magnetic disk is determined on the basis of various parameters:
(a) spindle thickness s+casing thickness ca
(b) disk thickness d+2xc3x97(head thickness (h))+casing thickness ca
(c) positioner thickness p+casing thickness ca, or
(d) circuit thickness ci+casing thickness ca.
The two dimensions s in the above paragraph (a) and p in paragraph (c) will be provide obstacles to make the disk thinner. The structural feature of a plurality of pairs of a spindle and a positioner will present a small driving power and a small dimension of thickness for the disk unit according to an aspect of the invention.
The magnetic disks are preferably arranged in the same plane as and without overlapping with circuit boards including a data writing and reading circuit board, a signal processing unit (circuit) board and a circuit board for controlling the starting operation of the magnetic disk spindles and the magnetic head positioners.
The above-mentioned effects are derived from the following operation. According to the present invention comprising at least two spindles arranged in a housing and selected for writing and reading information, even though a plurality of magnetic disks are arranged in the same plane in a housing for writing and reading information, individual spindles can be rotated with a low torque without reducing the information recording area on the disk since the disk associated with each spindle is very small in diameter. Further, power consumption can be reduced by rotating only a specified disk as required. The use of a magnetic disk smaller than the form factor size generally used permits the use of a thinner motor and a thinner spindle. The structure of the disk unit can thus be reduced in thickness.

Disk drive unit having multiple disks arranged in a plane


A semiconductor pressure sensor comprises a silicon substrate having a surface orientation of substantially (110), a diaphragm formed from the substrate, strain gauges disposed on the diaphragm, and a base joined with the substrate. The diaphragm has an octagonal shape whose sides are orthogonal to axis<100>, <110>, and<111>, respectively. This sensor causes substantially no output error and no fluctuation between output characteristics of the strain gauges irrespective of a change in temperature.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a semiconductor pressure sensor having a diaphragm formed by anisotropically etching a monocrystalline silicon substrate having a surface orientation of substantially (110) or (100).
2. Description of the Related Art
FIGS. 1(a), 1(b) and 1(c) show a conventional semiconductor pressure sensor. This semiconductor pressure sensor has a recessed diaphragm 4a having a substantially square shape formed by anisotropically etching a monocrystalline silicon substrate 1a having a surface orientation of substantially (110). With this surface orientation, strain gauges for forming a bridge circuit are arranged on the periphery and in the center of the diaphragm 4a.
In FIG. 2, a non-diaphragm area 5 of the substrate la is joined with a base 3 made of, for example, Pyrex (trade mark) glass. The base 3 has a pressure introducing hole 31 through which pressure is introduced from the outside to a recessed face of the diaphragm 4.
Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 60-13314 discloses another example of the semiconductor pressure sensor. This sensor has an octagonal diaphragm with sides extending parallel with two different crystal axis on the surface of a semiconductor substrate having a surface orientation of (100). In the sensor having this surface orientation, all strain gauges are usually arranged on the periphery of the diaphragm. This arrangement prevents a local concentration of stress and increases the maximum allowable applied pressure.
In the conventional semiconductor pressure sensor comprising the monocrystalline silicon substrate joined with the base, the diaphragm is subjected to thermal stress due to a difference in the thermal expansion coefficient between the substrate and the base. The thermal stress in the diaphragm fluctuates and causes the bridge circuit composed of the strain gauges to provide a thermal stress output. This output is an unwanted signal component (an offset voltage) mixed with a pressure signal. The offset voltage is usually nonlinear with respect to a temperature change and hardly compensated for in a simple electronic circuit, thereby deteriorating the accuracy of the pressure sensor. No effective measures have been proposed so far to solve this problem.
When fabricating semiconductor pressure sensors, it is also known to use a semiconductor substrate with respect to each of the two principal planes (110) and (100) and etch (preferably anisotropically) the substrate to form a diaphragm. This will be explained with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.
In the figures, a silicon substrate 1a has a surface orientation of (110). Strain gauges 2a are symmetrically arranged to form a bridge circuit on a front principal plane of the silicon substrate 1a. With the center of symmetry of the strain gauges serving as an etching center, a back principal plane of the silicon substrate 1a is anisotropically etched into a truncated pyramid to form a thin diaphragm 4a.
In a direction orthogonal to the principal plane, the center "s" of an etching start surface S2 defined by a photo mask from where the anisotropic etching is carried out agrees with an intermediate point (gauge center) "g" of the strain gauges 2a.
The diaphragm 4a deflects due to a difference in pressure between the front and back faces thereof, and accordingly, the strain gauges change their resistances to provide a voltage signal from an output terminal of the bridge circuit.
A semiconductor integrated circuit, usually arranged as an external circuit includes bipolar transistors for amplifying the signal from the bridge circuit and compensating the signal for temperature may be arranged on the silicon substrate 1a to reduce the size of the semiconductor pressure sensor. To fabricate such bipolar transistors, an epitaxial layer must be formed on the silicon substrate 1a, and to reduce crystal defects of the epitaxial layer, the substrate 1a must have the off-angle. Namely, the principal plane of the substrate must be inclined by several degrees with respect to planes (110) and (100).
When the substrate having the off-angle is anisotropically etched, a pair of slant faces (for example, slant faces 18 and 19 in FIGS. 3 and 4) extending from the sides of the diaphragm 4a are differently inclined with respect to the principal plane of the substrate due to the off-angle. If the off-angle is 3.degree. degrees in FIGS. 3 and 4, the slant face 18 has an angle of 32.3 degrees and the slant face 19 an angle of 38.3 degrees with respect to the principal plane (110).
As a result, the center s of the etching start surface that agrees with the gauge center g in the direction orthogonal to the principal plane may not agree with the center of the diaphragm 4a, i.e, the center "b" of an etching end surface S1. Due to this, a pair of the strain gauges arranged, in particular, in the center of the diaphragm 4a on opposite sides of the bridge circuit may achieve unequal strain-resistance characteristics to adversely influence the output characteristics of the bridge circuit.


A computer-implemented method using a convolutional neural network is provided. The computer-implemented method includes processing an input image through the convolutional neural network to generate an output image including content features of the input image morphed with style features of a style image. The convolutional neural network includes a feature extraction sub-network, a morpher, and a decoder sub-network. Processing the input image through convolutional neural network includes extracting style features of the style image to generate a plurality of style feature maps using the feature extraction sub-network; extracting content features of the input image to generate a plurality of content feature maps using the feature extraction sub-network; morphing the plurality of content feature maps respectively with the plurality of style feature maps to generate a plurality of output feature maps using the morpher; and reconstructing the plurality of output feature maps through the decoder sub-network to generate the output image.

In present, deep learning based on artificial neural networks achieves great progresses in fields including item classification, text processing, engineer recommendation, image searching, facial recognition, age recognition, and voice recognition, human-machine dialogue, etc. For example, the deep learning technology can be used to describe contents of an image, to recognize an object from a complicated background in an image, and to recognize a voice in a noisy circumstance. Moreover, the deep learning technology can generate and morph images.

Computer-implemented method using convolutional neural network, apparatus for generating composite image, and computer-program product


A method and system for the verification of software functions for a control unit, using a simulation model to simulate the software functions and the control unit, the software code for the software functions being generated automatically from the identical simulation model, firstly for a first experimental control unit and secondly for a second standard control unit, identical input variables for the software functions being used on both control units and the output variables of both control units resulting therefrom being detected synchronized in time, i.e., simultaneously, the software functions being verified through comparison of the output variables of both control units.

The increasing complexity of the control unit functions and/or of the individual automobile control units (electronic control units, ECU), but also the increasing networking and interaction of the control units and control unit functions in the vehicle composite system, as well as increased quality and safety requirements, make the verification of the software functions difficult and very complex. This also applies to the networking of control units and modules in other technical fields, such as machine tool manufacture, automation, etc. Currently, the software release for the individual systems is performed through systematic testing in the electronic composite system. Precisely in the field of automobiles, this is frequently only possible in the vehicle and is accordingly costly. In this case, under defined environmental conditions, fixed driving situation catalogs are run through in order to achieve the highest possible coverage during the software test. Since only very limited memory and run-time resources are available in standard control units for reasons of cost, the use of established test technologies, such as for code coverage analysis during the software release, is frequently not possible or is associated with increased costs.
This may be seen in German Published Patent Application No. 199 59 247 in that an additional code coverage memory is necessary for registering the code coverage. Thus, the invention in the unexamined patent application cited shows a microcomputer for use in a control and/or regulation unit for regulating a process in a motor vehicle. In order to be able to determine the code coverage of a control and/or regulation program of the microcomputer even while the motor vehicle is being driven, it is suggested that the microcomputer contain a code coverage memory, in addition and in parallel to the program memory and data memory, which is connected to the microprocessor via the address bus and the data bus. In this case, information may then be stored in the code coverage memory about which addresses of the program memory and/or the data memory are addressed in the framework of a write or read access during the execution of a control program from the program memory by the microcomputer while the motor vehicle is being driven. In this case, as a possible testing method for programs from the related art, the code coverage method for determining the code coverage is performed by a system execution analyzer. In this case, all addresses of the microprocessor applied to an external address bus result in an identifier in a memory overview. The address regions not identified at the end of the test were therefore not addressed in the framework of the performance of the program and the corresponding program parts were therefore not run. Through such an analysis of the test gaps, untested functions and faulty implementation of functional requirements may be recognized and corrected, for example.
However, if an additional code coverage memory and the corresponding computing time are not available, which is typical in a standard control unit, the method according to German Published Patent Application No. 199 59 247 is therefore not feasible. Then, except for the measurement of internal control unit variables, no access to the control unit software and/or the corresponding software functions is possible and the software functions may then only be tested as a black box. This situation leads to a goal conflict with the high real-time capability and reliability of the systems which is simultaneously required.
Since, in the near future, control unit software will also control and monitor safety-relevant driving functions, such as in X-by-wire systems, the quality requirements for software development and verification in embedded control systems will increase further.
The object of the present invention is to specify a method for verifying the software functions and/or the software code on the basis of an exactly defined, integrated function development process, using which the quality of the software may continue to be ensured, in order to optimize the situation resulting from the related art. For this purpose, besides the method, a system for verification and a corresponding computer program are also the object of the present invention.

Software verification method for control units and verification system


Included are embodiments of a gasket system. At least one embodiment of the gasket system includes a circuit enclosure and a 1-piece gasket, the 1-piece gasket including a plurality of tabs for the 1-piece gasket, the plurality of tabs configured for securing the 1-piece gasket with an aperture, the 1-piece gasket formed from a single piece of material.

Metal gaskets are currently used in enclosures that house electrical devices. These gaskets may be designed to keep unwanted electromagnetic interference (EMI) from escaping and in some designs can limit the amount of air that can pass through the gasket. Additionally, fabric and/or foam based gaskets can be cut to profile and surround openings that pass air from one enclosure to another. When a user utilizes a robust, flexible single piece gasket as a seal between two sheet metal enclosures that must slide together to line up openings through which air will pass from one enclosure to another, these solutions may not perform as desired. Additionally, many current flexible metal gaskets are designed to withstand sliding forces in one axis, so they cannot be used to surround an opening. Additionally, these gaskets are typically not robust enough to withstand the substantial forces generated when one sheet metal enclosure is plugged into another. The fabric and/or foam gaskets can provide adequate seal around an opening, but they may not be robust enough to withstand repeated insertions of the sheet metal enclosure.

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


An information processing apparatus deleting, from a second recording medium, a copy of electronic data once recorded in the second recording medium, an original of the electronic data being recorded in a first recording medium different from the second recording medium, includes: an electronic data deleting part deleting the copy of the electronic data from the second recording medium, which copy can be used when authentication is succeeded in based on medium identification information which is prepared for identifying the first recording medium; an electronic data validating part validating the electronic data once invalidated when the copy of the electronic data was created in the second recording medium; and a medium identification information deleting part deleting the medium identification information of the first recording medium which was recorded in a predetermined storage area when the copy was created in the second recording medium.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an image forming apparatus, and an electronic data movement canceling method, and, in particular, to an information processing apparatus, an image forming apparatus, and an electronic data movement canceling method for canceling processing of movement of electronic data between recording media.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, a multifunctional image forming apparatus (referred to as a 'fusion machine', hereinafter) has been provided which may function as a printer, a copier, a facsimile machine, a scanner or such as a result of a display part, a printing part, an image pickup part and so forth being provided in a single housing thereof, as well as relevant four programs enabling the machine to function as the printer, copier, facsimile machine, scanner or such being mounted therein and switching being made thereamong.
Such a fusion machine may be configured so that, in addition to the programs already mounted therein, another new function may be provided additionally as a result of an application module (simply referred to as a 'module' hereinafter), provided in a portable recording medium such as an SD card (which may also be called 'SD memory card'), being read in.
A fact that a new function may be easily added by means of an SD card or such s mentioned above may provide an advantage in particular in that an extensibility of the fusion machine is improved. On the other hand, since data stored in an SD card or such may be easily referred to via another apparatus such as a PC (personal computer) or such, the module stored in the medium may be tampered by a malicious person, whereby the tampered module may rather cause a fault in the fusion machine which executes the module. Furthermore, it is necessary to avoid illegal copy of the module stored in the SD card or such.
These problems may be solved as a result of the module being recorded in the SD card in the following manner: FIG. 1 shows an example of a configuration of the module in the SD card. In the SD card 510 shown in FIG. 1, an SDID 511 and a module 512 are stored. The SDID 511 is information (ID) used for identifying each particular SD card.
The module 512 includes a module file 513, a license file 514 and so forth. The module file 513 is a file in which a function to be achieved by the module is mounted. The license file 514 is a file in which license information of the module is stored.
The module file 513 includes program data 515, a module electronic signature and so forth. The program data 515 is a module program itself. Accordingly, as a result of the program data being processed, the function of the module is achieved. The module electronic signature 516 is used to verify a validity of the program data 515. That is, when execution of the module is requested, the fusion machine digitizes the program data by means of a message digest for example, and compares the thus-obtained value with a value of the electronic signature 516. When both values do not agree with one another, the fusion machine determines that the program data 515 is improper one, and thus, rejects execution thereof.
The license file 514 includes license data 517, a license electronic signature 518 and so forth. The license data 517 is data in which license data (for example, a term of validity, a number of usable times of validity, and so forth) of the module is recorded. Accordingly, when the license is invalid, or no license file 514 exists, the program data is not executed.
The license electronic signature 518 is data used for verifying a validity of the license data 517. That is, when execution of the module is requested, the fusion machine digitizes the license data 517 and the SDID 511 according to a message digest or such, compares the thus-obtained value with a value of the license electronic signature 518, and thus, determines a validity of the license data 517. Then, when the validity of the license data 517 is thus verified properly, a validity of the license of the module is then verified based on the license data 517.
Thus, the program data 515 and the license data 517 are authenticated with the use of the module electronic signature 516 or the license electronic signature 518, and thereby, it is possible to detect a tamper of the program data 515, the license data 517 or such. Thus, it is possible to avoid execution of an improper module.
Further, as a result of the SDID 511 being used for authenticating the license data 515, a unity between the module 512 and the SD card 510 may be ensured, whereby it is possible to avoid illegal copy of the module 512. That is, even if the module 512 is copied to another SD card, it is possible to detect that the copy was thus carried out as a result of the value digitized from the license data 517 and the SDID of this other SD card being compared with the license electronic signature 518 based on the SD card 510 and the SDID 511 upon authentication of the license data 517.

Information processing apparatus, image forming apparatus, and electronic data movement canceling method


A nitride semiconductor laser device comprises, on a principle face of a nitride semiconductor substrate: a nitride semiconductor layer having a first conductivity type; an active layer comprising indium, and a nitride semiconductor layer having a second conductivity type that is different from said first conductivity type, and on the surface of which is formed a stripe ridge; said principal face of said nitride semiconductor substrate having an off angle a (θa) with respect to a reference crystal plane, in at least a direction substantially parallel to said stripe ridge.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to nitride semiconductor devices comprising an active layer containing indium such as nitride semiconductor laser devices and laser diodes, light emitting diodes (LEDs), photodetectors, high-frequency transistors, and high-voltage transistors. More specifically, it relates to nitride semiconductor lasers and nitride semiconductor devices having improved device characteristics as the result of using a nitride semiconductor substrate having a specific off angle.
2. Background Information
Laser devices comprising nitride semiconductors such as GaN semiconductors can be used at emission wavelengths ranging from the ultraviolet region of 370 nm or less to wavelengths in the region of 500 nm or more. Substrates on which such laser devices are formed are grown using a lateral growth technique known as Epitaxial Lateral Overgrowth (ELO).
This is a technique wherein GaN is grown laterally to form a GaN layer on an underlying substrate on which a SiO2 mask pattern having periodic stripe openings is formed. Next, the underlying substrate is removed to produce a substrate comprising only the GaN layer. The GaN in the laterally grown region constitutes a low-dislocation (or defect) region. As the resulting low-dislocation GaN has good crystalline characteristics, the life of nitride semiconductor laser devices using this GaN as a substrate can be increased.
Furthermore, there is a demand for improved device characteristics in nitride semiconductor laser devices. Consequently, a substrate is required wherein not only is the dislocation density of the substrate itself reduced, but on which it is possible to grow a nitride semiconductor layer having good crystalline characteristics. Moreover, in order to make practical use of the nitride semiconductor device, it is necessary that the diameter of the substrate itself be increased.
Consequently, a substrate has been proposed that comprises a hexagonal system nitride semiconductor and forms an off angle, in a predetermined direction, of no less than 1° and no greater than 20° from the (0001) plane (see, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application JP-2002-016000-A).
However, the broad ranges proposed for the size and direction of this off angle for the nitride semiconductor substrate resulted in an uneven composition in indium, aluminum and the like, and an uneven distribution of impurities and the like within the laser device. In particular, in the case of laser devices comprising an active layer containing indium, depending on the emission wavelength, this may lead to increases in the threshold current. Nitride semiconductor laser devices are theoretically capable of laser emission over a broad range of wavelengths; in practice however, if compositional distribution, such as the distribution of indium in the active layer, is not uniform, problems arise such as the inability to achieve this broad emission range.
Furthermore, when preparing substrates having large diameters of greater than one inch, as pits and grooves remain on the principal face of the substrate, there are problems in that it is necessary to flatten the surface produced by forming the nitride semiconductor layer on the substrate.

Nitride semiconductor laser device and nitride semiconductor device


In various embodiments, a camera may be controlled by one or more motors in a base of the camera. Cables and other components may be used to manipulate the camera lens through the side arms of the camera. Putting the motors in the base may reduce the size of the outer case of the camera and add stability. A pan motor may pan the camera while a tilt motor may move a tilt pulley relative to a lens portion of the camera (which may or may not tilt the camera depending on the panning motion of the camera). In some embodiments, images from the camera may be converted into a serialized stream and transported over a cable from the lens through a center shaft of the camera.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to cameras and, more specifically, to video camera pan tilt mechanisms.
2. Description of the Related Art
Cameras may be used in a number of video applications. For example, cameras may be used in filming movies or providing live video in video conferences. Camera types may include film and charge-coupled device (CCD) among others. Cameras often include a lens portion mounted to a stand. The lens portion may be aimed at a subject by panning or tilting the lens. The lens portion may be moved directly by a user or indirectly through a motor coupled to the lens portion. Some camera lenses may also be zoomed in or out on a subject.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A system uses a two-stage electrohydraulic servo valve that includes an additional control port that commands a fail-fixed valve to lock the position of a device in the last commanded position. The additional port is modulated by an existing land on the EHSV valve element, adding little to no complexity. Major technical benefits of the disclosed system are that it adds little to no cost, complexity, size, or weight the device being controlled. The disclosed configuration allows for the use of a relatively small and simple fail-fixed valve, and the control ports on the controlled device keep “drift” to a minimum, when transitioning between normal operating mode and fail-fixed operating mode.

The position of a device, such as an actuator, may be hydraulically controlled by varying the pressures of fluids applied to one or more sections of the actuator. The pressures may, in many instances, be controlled by another device, such as an electrohydraulic servo valve (EHSV). Many EHSVs are implemented as two-stage EHSVs, which use a first stage motor, such as a torque motor, to control the position of a second stage spool. Moving the spool, via the first stage motor, opens and closes various fluid passages to control the pressures connected to the device being controlled.
Depending on the particular end-use environment, it may be desirable to maintain the last commanded position of the device being controlled in the unlikely event of a power interruption to the EHSV. However, when power is interrupted, control pressures can vary and the fluid holding the device in position may flow and allow the device to deviate from the position it was in when the power interruption occurred. While it is known to shift an EHSV to a failsafe position in the event of a power interruption, EHSV second stage spools may also leak and thereby not adequately prevent fluid flows or hold a piston in position. Thus, some systems include a fail-fixed valve between the EHSV and the device being controlled. However, the control of these fail-fixed valves can be relatively complex, and thus, relatively costly, relatively large is size, and relatively weighty. Moreover, known configurations do not address the unique technical challenges that can occur when the EHSV is implemented as a two-way, four-stage EHSV.
Hence, there is a need for a system that maintains the last commanded position of a device that is controlled by a two-way, four-stage EHSV upon power interruption that adds little or no cost, little or no complexity, little or no size, and little or no weight to existing systems. The present invention addresses at least this need.

System that maintains the last commanded position of device controlled by a two-stage, four-way electrohydraulic servo valve upon power interruption


The present invention applies to the field of communications technologies and provides a method and a system for controlling packet traffic. The method includes: comparing the number of tokens in a token bucket at a current time point with a length of a packet to be sent and a preset virtual threshold when the packet to be sent is received, refreshing the current number of tokens in the token bucket according to a comparison result, and marking the packet to be sent with a color.

In modern communications technologies, based on a rapid increase in IP traffic, a QoS technology emerges to ensure user experience of a quality of service (Quality of Service, QoS) and becomes increasingly important. Traffic control is one of main technical means for implementing QoS. In a network processor chip, a user provides differentiated access rates and access bandwidths for users at different service levels through flexible configuration. Basically, in an existing traffic control technology, a token bucket algorithm is used as a basis, and common token bucket algorithms are a single rate three color mark algorithm (Single Rate Three Color Mark, SrTCM) in IETF RFC2697, a two rate three color mark algorithm (Two Rate Three Color Mark, TrTCM) in RFC2698, and an MEF10 algorithm evolved from the two algorithms.
The SrTCM is taken as an example. In this algorithm, three parameters are defined: a committed information rate (Committed Information Rate, CIR), a committed burst size (Committed Burst Size, CBS), and an excess burst size (Excess Burst Size, EBS). Generally, a structure of two buckets, that is, a C bucket and an E bucket, is set. A maximum depth of the C bucket is the CBS, a maximum depth of the E bucket is the EBS, and a token is generated only at a CIR rate. A token is firstly added to the C bucket, and CIR tokens are generated in a unit time; after the C bucket is full, a token is added to the E bucket; and when both the C bucket and the E bucket are filled up, a newly generated token will be discarded, and the number of tokens in the buckets no longer increases.
In color-blind mode, it is assumed that a packet length of an ingress is L, the number of tokens in the C bucket is Tc, and the number of tokens in the E bucket is Te,
if L<Tc, a packet is marked with green, and the number of tokens in the C bucket is reduced by L;
if Tc<L<Te, the packet is marked with yellow, and the number of tokens in the E bucket is reduced by L; and
if Te<L, the packet is marked with red, and both the number of tokens in the C bucket and the number of tokens in the E bucket are not reduced.
For example, at a time point t0, the number of tokens in the C bucket and the number of tokens in the E bucket are represented by using Tc(t0) and Te(t0), respectively. It is assumed that at a time point t1, a next data packet arrives. In this case, the number of increased tokens (assuming that the C bucket is not full) is ΔT×CIR within time ΔT (t1-t0). During design implementation, each time when a data packet arrives, the number of increased tokens and the number of tokens that needs to be subtracted when a packet passes need to be recalculated, and the current number of tokens in the C bucket and the current number of tokens in the E bucket are refreshed. Meanwhile, different colors are marked on packets. A processing procedure in color-aware mode is similar to that in color-blind mode, which is not repeated herein.
It can be seen from the foregoing traffic control process that when the total length of packets that arrive at an ingress within a unit time is greater than a CIR, because a speed of accumulating tokens is less than traffic when data arrives, according to the foregoing control result, a problem that most (even all) packets marked with green are short packets and most (even all) packets marked with red are long packets may occur. However, in an actual product application, a red packet is generally discarded. Therefore, the foregoing token bucket algorithm causes a problem that traffic imbalance occurs to long and short packets that have undergone traffic control.

Method and system for controlling packet traffic


Provided is a plasma processing apparatus including a microwave radiating mechanism configured to radiate microwaves output from a microwave output unit into a processing container. The microwave radiating mechanism includes: an antenna configured to radiate the microwaves; a dielectric member configured to transmit the microwaves radiated from the antenna, and form an electric field for generating surface wave plasma by the microwaves; a sensor provided in the microwave radiating mechanism or adjacent to the microwave radiating mechanism, and configured to monitor electron temperature of the generated plasma; and a controller configured to determine a plasma ignition state based on the electron temperature of the plasma monitored by the sensor.

As one of the methods of monitoring a state of plasma, there has been known optical emission spectroscopy (OES). The optical emission spectroscopy qualitatively analyzes a wavelength of an inherent bright line spectrum (atom spectrum) of an element obtained by evaporating, vaporizing, and exciting the object element in a sample by using discharge plasma, and quantitatively analyzes light emission intensity. See, for example, Japanese Patent Application Publication Nos. 2016-207915, 09-192479, 2011-060852, and 2013-077441.

Plasma processing apparatus and control method


Thermal dye transfer printing method comprising the step of imagewise heating a dye-donor element comprising a support having thereon a dye layer thereby transferring a dye image to a transparant dye-image receiving element comprising a support having thereon a dye image-receiving layer and optionally having one or more back layers on the opposite side of the support, characterized in that said receiving element is such that when a dye image has been transferred onto said receiving element the specular gloss of the obtained dye image measured from the readable side of the image in areas having a transmission density of at least 2.00 is at the most 90, and transparant dye-image receiving element for use according to said method.

Thermal dye sublimation transfer also called thermal dye diffusion transfer is a recording method in which a dye-donor element provided with a dye layer containing sublimable dyes having heat transferability is brought into contact with a receiver sheet and selectively, in accordance with a pattern information signal, heated with a thermal printing head provided with a plurality of juxtaposed heat-generating resistors, whereby dye from the selectively heated regions of the dye-donor element is transferred to the receiver sheet and forms a pattern thereon, the shape and density of which is in accordance with the pattern and intensity of heat applied to the dye-donor element.
A dye-donor element for use according to thermal dye sublimation transfer usually comprises a very thin support e.g. a polyester support, one side of which is covered with a dye layer, which contains the printing dyes. Usually an adhesive or subbing layer is provided between the support and the dye layer. Normally the opposite side is covered with a slipping layer that provides a lubricated surface against which the thermal printing head can pass without suffering abrasion. An adhesive layer may be provided between the support and the slipping layer.
A dye-image receiving element for use according to thermal dye sublimation transfer usually comprises a support, e.g. paper or a transparant film, coated with a dye-image receiving layer, into which the dye can diffuse more readily. An adhesive layer may be provided between the support and the receiving layer. On top of said receiving layer a separate release layer may be provided to improve the releasability of the receiving element from the donor element after transfer is effected.
The dye layer can be a monochrome dye layer or it may comprise sequential repeating areas of different colored dyes like e.g. of cyan, magenta, yellow and optionally black hue. When a dye-donor element containing three or more primary color dyes is used, a multicolor image can be obtained by sequentially performing the dye transfer process steps for each color.
One of the possible applications of thermal dye sublimation transfer printing is the production of hard copies of medical diagnostic images. Although such a hard copy can be produced on a reflective support such as paper, in most applications hard copies are produced on transparancies. Depending on the particular application these hard copies can be monochrome, in particular monochrome black, or multicolored.
Hard copies of medical diagnostic images produced on transparancies are read from the front of a light box through a light source.
A disadvantage of the known thermal dye sublimation transfer recording materials for producing hard copies of medical diagnostic images is that when the image produced on the thermal dye sublimation transparancy is observed from the front of a light box, small angle reflections from the near surroundings (e.g. the observer seeing himself as in a mirror, reflections from a light source approximately behind the observer) make it difficult to interpret the actual image, especially in the high density areas and hence disturb the diagnosis.

Thermal dye transfer printing method for obtaining a hard copy of a medical diagnostic image


An indwelling catheter set is provided with a catheter, a cover connected with a proximal end of the catheter and a connector having a hemostatic valve housed therein. The connector is fixed to the cover. A hollow needle for transfusion to a patient is slidably fitted to an inside of the catheter.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an indwelling catheter set for transfusion, which is applied in a case of dialysis treatment, fluid infusion, blood infusion and such, and more particularly, to an indwelling catheter set which effectively prevents blood leakage in every step of the transfusion, for example, inserting the indwelling catheter set to the body of the patient and connecting a blood infusion circuit to the syringe, and which assures safety after drawing out a needle from the body of the patient.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Japanese Patent Publication of examined application No. H3-70502 discloses a related art of the indwelling catheter set. The application discloses an indwelling catheter set provided with a hemostatic adapter detachably attached to a catheter. The hemostatic adapter is provided with a plurality of packing seals disposed separately with each other, each of which has a cylinder-bottomed shape. When the catheter is drawn out of a needle thereof, the plural packing seals prevent blood leakage.