A digital voltmeter device is disclosed which displays both the numerical value of a measured voltage and a visual representation of an input waveform. The device includes an electro-optical display matrix utilizing display elements arranged in lines and columns. In order to make maximum use of the display matrix for representing input waveforms, the peak-to-peak voltage of the input waveform is measured and utilized as a reference for an analog to digital converter having output signals which form the address signals for the display matrix. The peak values of the input waveform thus appear at the top and bottom of the display matrix respectively.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates in general to a new and improved digital voltmeter which incorporates an electro-optical indication of the waveform being measured.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Voltmeters which indicate the measured voltage in digital form by means of liquid crystal displays are known. The common designs contain a full-wave rectifier for measuring alternating voltages wherefore the indicated measured value corresponds only with the effective value of the alternating voltage when its waveform is sine-shaped. Designs are also known which measure and indicate the effective value of the voltage independently of its waveform. However, so far no voltmeter is known which supplies information regarding the waveform. Often the waveform of technical alternating voltages is distorted, and the periodic signal and control voltages in electronic systems and units are practically never sine-shaped. Thus, it is almost always more important to visually observe the waveform than to measure a form-dependent voltage value.
Oscilloscopes are known which make visible the variation in time of a periodic voltage through the use of a liquid crystal matrix. Because these oscilloscopes are used instead of the customary cathode ray oscillographs, they must have a liquid crystal matrix with very many image elements arranged in lines and columns. The technical difficulties connected with the production of liquid crystal matrices and the addressing devices required for this purpose increase with the number of cells an indicating matrix contains. Accordingly, the costs for indicating matrices having a larger number of cells are unproportionately high.

Digital voltmeter with electro-optical indication of the waveform


A combined long spine board and vacuum mattress device is disclosed that is designed to extricate, immobilize, and transport accident victims in emergency situations in which potential spinal injury is suspected. The superior extrication features of a rigid board are combined with the improved comfort and immobilization attributes of vacuum splint technology in a single device. Large wing vacuum mattresses that partially enclose the chest to knee region of a patient and small wings used to secure the patient's head are attached to the main vacuum mattress. Vacuum mattresses are airtight, flexible casings containing small beads and air. Evacuating these mattresses creates a semi-rigid bed conforming to the patient's body which immobilizes the patient in relative comfort. The large wings fold under the narrow main vacuum mattress/rigid board to present a narrow profile for extrication maneuvers. The full length rigid board facilitates extrication and transport.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to backboards used in emergency extrication situations where possible spinal injuries may exist, and more particularly to a spinal immobilization device combining the superior extrication capabilities of a long spine board with the improved immobilization and comfort features of a vacuum splint.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The long spine board (LSB) has traditionally been used by emergency medical service (EMS) personnel as a platform to facilitate the extrication of accident victims from vehicles, to immobilize patients with suspected spinal trauma, and as a carrying device to transport the patient from the scene of the accident to the treatment facility. The LSB is a rigid board that is relatively narrow to permit access to automobile accident victims. In these situations, it is used to form a bridge between the seat of the automobile and the rescuers so that the patient can be positioned on it and then slid from the ear. The extrication of an accident victim, for example, might involve placing the LSB between the thigh of the injured person and the ear seat and subsequently sliding as much of the board as possible under the patient's body. Rescuers then use their hands to manually stabilize the head, neck, and back of the patient. A cervical collar may be employed at this point. The patient's hips are slowly rotated until the patient's body is parallel to the automobile seat. The patient's back is slowly lowered onto the LSB and the patient is then slid fully onto the LSB. In this position the patient is extricated from the ear and secured to the LSB with straps. Some type of head restraint is also used in conjunction with a cervical collar to immobilize the head. Thus immobilized, the patient is transported to an emergency department.
While the LSB is the most commonly used device for extrication, immobilization, and transportation of patients with spinal injuries, there are several problems. Patients immobilized on backboards frequently experience pain and discomfort from the board itself as well as from their injuries. It is often difficult for emergency staff to distinguish whether experienced pain is due to the immobilization or the injury, frequently resulting in unnecessary x-rays or other procedures. Furthermore, the degree of immobilization of a patient strapped to a rigid board is less than desirable. This can lead to additional spinal injury during the transportation process or while undergoing x-rays in an emergency room.
Various vacuum or air evacuated splint and mattress devices are known in the prior art, such as the vacuum immobilizer support of U.S. Pat. No. 5,121,756. A bag or casing is filled with small discrete elements such as round beads. A vacuum mattress or bag will conform to the patient's body when the patient is placed upon it. When the air is evacuated from the mattress, it becomes rigid while matching the contours of the patient's body, thus evenly supporting the body. When the patient is strapped to such a mattress, he is immobilized to a much greater degree than that which is possible using a rigid backboard. It is also much more comfortable for the patient. However, while the patient is sufficiently immobilized, the vacuum mattress is not sufficiently rigid by itself for extricating and transporting the patient. The patient is typically extricated to a backboard, then moved from the backboard to the vacuum splint. This additional handling could induce further injury and requires additional time.
While a LSB is a good extrication tool, it is a poor choice for immobilization of patients. Existing vacuum splints are good immobilization devices, but are too bulky and too flexible to be used as an extrication tool.


A partly oxidized substrate is disclosed. According to one aspect, the substrate is formed by subjecting a substrate made of a porous metal or metal alloy including particles of at least one metal or metal alloy bound by sintering. The substrate includes a first main surface and a second main surface. The porosity of the substrate gradually changes from the first main surface to the second main surface. The substrate is partially oxidized by an oxidizing gas such as oxygen and/or air. A method for preparing the substrate and high temperature electrolyzer (THE) cell including the substrate are also disclosed.

The first generation of high temperature electrolyzer cells or high temperature fuel cells, comprised a support formed by the electrolyte and was thus designated as an Electrolyte-Supported Cell (<<ESC>>). Such an electrolyte-supported cell is illustrated in FIG. 1: the oxygen O2 electrode (1) and the hydrogen or water electrode (2) are positioned on either side of the thick electrolyte which forms the support (3).
The second generation of high temperature electrolyzer cells or high temperature fuel cells comprised a support formed by an electrode and was thus designated as an Anode-Supported Cell (<<ASC>>) in <<SOFC>> terminology or Cathode-Supported Cell (<<CSC>>) in <<HTE>> terminology. Such an electrode supported cell <<ASC>> or <<CSC>> is illustrated in FIG. 2: the electrolyte (3) and the oxygen electrode (1) are positioned on the thick hydrogen or water electrode (2) which is used as a support.
The third generation of high temperature electrolyzer cells or high temperature fuel cells, in which we are more particularly interested herein comprises a porous metal support and is therefore designated as a Metal-Supported Cell (<<MSC>>). Such a metal-supported cell may appear according to two configurations which are respectively illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B depending on whether the electrode which is placed in contact with the porous metal support is the hydrogen or water electrode (2) (FIG. 3A) or else the oxygen electrode (1) (FIG. 3B). More details on these various types of <<HTE>> and of <<SOFC>> may be found in document [1].
The metal-supported cells illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B include four layers (including one metal layer and three ceramic layers), i.e.:                the porous metal support (4), generally with a thickness of less than 1 mm which ensures:                    the mechanical support of the cell by its mechanical properties and its thickness,            the distribution of the gases as far as (up to) the electrode with view to electrochemical reactions by means of its porosity,            the collection of the current by its conducting metal nature.                        The H2/H2O electrode (2) which is the anode for a SOFC and the cathode for a HTE. By means of the metal support (4), this electrode may be made thinner, with for example a thickness of less than 50 μm, its resistance to redox cycles is thus better and its cost is lower;        the electrolyte (3), an ion conductor for O2− ions. The electrolyte (3) may be made thinner, with for example a thickness of less than 10 μm, its operating temperature may thus be lowered;        the O2 electrode (1) which is the cathode for a SOFC, and the anode for a HTE. This electrode (1) may be made thinner with for example a thickness of less than 50 μm.
In documents [2] and [3] different types of metal materials are mentioned for elaborating porous metal supports. First of all, these are metal alloys produced by standard, conventional, metallurgy, and then alloys produced by powder metallurgy, which are presented in these documents as being better candidates for producing the metal support [2-3].
On these supports are deposited ceramic layers (anode, electrolyte, cathode) by a vacuum plasma deposition method (VPS, or Vacuum Plasma Spraying), which does not require any sintering step at a high temperature [2-3].
The method for making the porous material is not described in these documents, and optimization of the microstructure and of the porosity with optionally a gradient of the latter, is not either mentioned.
Further, partial oxidation of the porous metal support is neither described nor suggested in documents [2] and [3].
In documents [5] to [8], a porous metal support is described. Two options are contemplated for subsequently depositing the ceramic layers on this support:                either the ceramic layers are deposited on the <<green>> metal support, i.e. not sintered, and the assembly of the support and of the ceramic layers is then co-sintered at high temperature, but under a reducing atmosphere for avoiding significant oxidation of the metal support;        or the ceramic layers are deposited on the already sintered metal support and are then sintered independently, which should be accomplished at a lower temperature, doubtless for avoiding oxidation of the metal and its densification.
The techniques for depositing ceramic layers are in majority conventional wet techniques such as strip casting or screen printing.
The porous metal support may, according to document [4], be produced by strip casting [4].
Document [8] reports a tubular porous metal support made by isostatic pressing, doubtless because the tubular geometry does not allow strip casting.
Documents [4] to [8] do not mention any optimization of the microstructure, or of the porosity with optionally a gradient regardless of the technique used. Documents [4] to [8] do not either mention any preliminary partial oxidation step (pre-oxidation) of the porous metal support before its use.
In documents [9], [10], and [11], a two-zone metal support is used which is dense on the sides for ensuring tightness and pierced in the middle for distributing the gases.
The holes in the central portion of the support are made by machining (photochemical [10] or laser [11]) machining). The holes formed have a diameter of 10 to 30 μm. Document [9] proposes a cell structure for this porous portion of the support.
Because of the technology used for producing the holes, the size of the holes is identical, without any gradient, over the whole thickness of the metal support and there is no optimization of the microstructure.
An oxidation of the metal support prior to its use (pre-oxidation) is neither mentioned nor suggested in these documents.
The ceramic layers as for them are deposited by wet techniques.
The range of operating temperatures aimed in documents [9], [10], and [11] is only from 500° C. to 600° C.
Document [12] relates to tubular metal supported cells. It is simply indicated that the supporting tube made of a porous metal material is produced by <<techniques with an industrial cost>>, but without further information.
Document [13] mentions metal-supported cells, the porous metal support of which consists of metal (<<Hastelloy>>) plates with a porosity of 27.5% [13]. It would seem that these are rather plates pierced with holes of the type of those described in documents [9], [10], and [11].
Document [14] relates to tubular metal supported cells, wherein the metal support is porous with porosity between 20 and 75%. This metal support is prepared by a wet process and there is no mention of optimizing its porosity and even less of a gradient of the latter, or of any oxidation of the metal support before its use (pre-oxidation).
In document [15], a concept called <<bipolar plate-supported SOFC>> is discussed. A metal plate, which acts as an interconnector (or bipolar plate) between two adjacent cells of a stack, is also used as a support for ceramic cells. Between this dense plate and the ceramic cells, porous metal materials are inserted. They are deposited by wet techniques just as for the ceramic layers and are co-sintered with the latter [15]. There is no mention is this document [15] of any optimization of the porosity of the metal porous materials, and even less of any gradient of the latter, or of any oxidation of these metal porous materials prior to their use.
Document [1] already cited, mentions cells with a metal support made of a FeCr alloy, but no detail on this type of support and especially its porosity, as well as on its forming, shaping, is provided.
Document [16] relates to a metal-supported cell, the metal support of which is a metal plate having cavities and channels for distributing the gases as far as (up to), the electrode, these channels being made by chemical etching. So really, one cannot speak of porosity in this document and even less of an optimization or of a gradient of the latter. Further, no oxidation of the metal support prior to its use (pre-oxidation) is mentioned in this document.
Moreover it will be noted that in all the documents cited above, the <<HTE>> application is seldom or even never mentioned.
However, document [17] describes a method for preparing a reversible SOFC, i.e. which may operate in an SOFC mode or in a HTE mode. In this document, the use of a porous metal support especially made of ferritic stainless steel is mentioned. The porosity of the metal support is achieved by adding pre-forming agents during the manufacturing of the support and the porosity may be finely adjusted by acting on the amount of added pre-forming agents. However, there is no mention in this document of pore size or of porosity gradient. Further, in the examples of this document, it is specified that the porous support is produced by strip casting.
Finally, an oxidation of the porous support prior to its use (pre-oxidation) is neither mentioned nor suggested in this document.
The document of Molins et al. [18] presents a porous metal material, produced by pressing-sintering under hydrogen starting with the stainless steel commercial grade 430L and evaluates its resistance to oxidation. A porosity of 40% is indicated, and the conclusion is drawn that the resistance to oxidation of this porous material is not satisfactory for an SOFC application. This document does not mention the deposition of ceramic layers on this porous material, nor the optimization of microstructure and in particular of its porosity, nor the oxidation of the porous material prior to its use, i.e. the pre-oxidation of the porous material.
In none of documents cited above, is mentioned the question of optimizing the porous metal support for promoting adherence, anchoring of the ceramic layers, while this is a crucial problem for proper operation of an SOFC-HTE cell.
Therefore there exists a need for a porous metal support for a high temperature electrolyzer cell (<<HTE>>) or a high temperature fuel cell (<<SOFC>> or <<Solid Oxide Fuel Cell>>) which allows excellent adherence, anchoring of the ceramic layers and further excellent resistance to oxidation by the gases during use.
More generally there exists a need for such a porous metal support which has properties meeting the following criteria and requirements:
Physical and Physico-Chemical Properties:
1°) the support should play the role of a mechanical support for the cell: it should therefore have some cohesion and sufficient thickness, as well as sufficient mechanical properties;
2°) the support should ensure delivery and distribution of the gases as far as the electrode: it should therefore have a porosity adapted to the contemplated gases and flow rates;
3°) the support should ensure collection of the current:                it should therefore be an electron conductor, which is possible because of its metal nature,        it should remain an electron conductor over time, during operation for a long time of the cell at a high temperature, i.e. it should especially resist oxidation in the relevant atmospheres, i.e. H2/H2O or O2/air depending on the selected configuration;
4°) the support should allow deposition of the first electrode, which is a ceramic material (oxide), or a metal/oxide cermet (typically Ni-YSZ), it should therefore:                have a surface which allows both good physical and chemical adherence, anchoring of this ceramic or cermet layer;        be able to withstand the sintering step of the ceramic layers of the electrodes and of the electrolyte which may be required according to the selected methods for depositing ceramic layers. In order to be able to withstand this sintering step, the support should:                    retain its porosity during this treatment,            not be significantly oxidized.                        have a coefficient of thermal expansion compatible with that of the deposited layers of ceramics or cermet;        not chemically react with the deposited electrode material (oxide or cermet).Economic Properties:
5°) the support should be inexpensive, one of the goals being to reduce the cost of metal-supported cells as compared with other types of cells;
6°) the support should be able to be formed, shaped, with simple, fast, robust and not very expensive techniques;
7°) the support should be able to be formed, shaped, with various sizes and shapes which may be required for the application (circular, square shapes, small sizes, large sizes . . . ).
The goal of the present invention is to provide a porous metal support for a high temperature electrolyte cell (<<HTE>>) or high temperature fuel cell (SOFC or Solid Oxide Fuel Cell) which i.a. meets the needs mentioned above, which has the properties mentioned above, and which meets the criteria and requirements listed in the foregoing.
The goal of the present invention is further to provide such a porous metal support which does not have the drawbacks, defects, limitations and disadvantages of the metal porous substrates of the prior art, especially illustrated by the documents mentioned above, and which overcomes the problems of the porous metal supports of the prior art.

Substrate made of porous metal or metal alloy, preparation method thereof, and HTE or SOFC cells with a metal support comprising this substrate

Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives


A method for damping torsional vibrations in a power generation plant that includes a drive train, a rotor fitted at a rotor-side end of the drive train, and a generator driven via the drive train and fitted at a generator-side end of the drive train includes determining an angular difference between a first point and a second point on the drive train over time. The method further includes damping torsional vibrations in the drive train on the basis of the time profile of the determined angular difference by correspondingly presetting a load torque of the generator and a drive torque of the rotor.

The present disclosure relates to a method for damping torsional vibrations in a power generation plant, to a computing unit for carrying out the same and to a corresponding power generation plant.
Although, within the scope of this application, the present disclosure will primarily be described with reference to wind power plants, it is not restricted thereto but in principle can be used in all types of power stations and plants in which torsional vibrations of shafts, axles and the like, in particular also of shafts and axles with interposed gearboxes, can occur.
Drive trains, comprising components such as, for example, gearboxes, clutches and connecting elements (shafts), are important constituent parts of various electrical power generation plants, such as, for example, wind power plants, water power plants, etc. The drive train fulfills the task of producing a mechanical connection between a drive (for example a rotor of a wind power plant) and an output (for example an appropriate generator), via which energy is transmitted through a rotational movement. Drive train components, such as gearboxes, are used to transfer the rotational speed and the torque present on the drive to values which correspond to the working range of the generator. Clutches are used as required for isolation between drive and output, and shafts produce the mechanical connection between the components involved. In addition, further components, such as mechanical brakes or the like, can be integrated in the drive train.
Since the components involved cannot be made arbitrarily rigid but have a finite stiffness, excitations can lead to high dynamic loads and vibrations. In particular, natural vibrations can be excited. Such an excitation can result, for example, from a non-constant input power (in the case of wind power plants, for example as a result of wind gusts or wind turbulence), from external interference or from natural movements of other plant components. In addition, vibrations of another origin can result in vibrations in the drive train; in the case of a wind power plant, for example tower vibrations or vibrations on account of the tooth engagements of a gearbox.
Vibrations have a detrimental effect on the service life of the components involved, in particular of the gearbox. Continuous threshold loadings increase the wear of the components affected and lead to shorter replacement intervals, which means a financial and technical burden on the plant and network operator and reduces the plant revenue. In particular from the point of view of the anticipated increasing propagation of wind power plants in the offshore sector in the foreseeable future, this aspect plays a greater and greater role, since the replacement of damaged components is made more difficult there. The result is, therefore, the object of detecting these dynamic excitations and in particular of reducing the vibrations, in order to increase the service life of the components.
WO 2011/072820 A2 discloses a method for damping torsional vibrations in a power generation plant having a drive train, a rotor fitted to a rotor-side end of the drive train and a generator driven via the drive train and fitted to a generator-side end of the drive train, wherein, by using an angular position of the drive train at the generator-side end thereof and an angular position of the drive train at the rotor-side end thereof, a torsional moment acting on the drive train is determined, wherein torsional vibrations are damped by means of appropriate control of the generator.
This method is to be improved further. In particular, control concepts which lead to adequate damping of the torsional vibrations are desirable. It would also be advantageous to have available appropriate sensors (in particular those that are economical and suitable for mass production) which, in particular, are also suitable for updating existing drive trains.

Method for damping torsional vibrations in a power generation plant


A connector includes an insulative housing having a mating port; and a set of first contacts; and a set of second contacts disposed in the insulative housing. The first contacts include a power contact, a first grounding contact and a first pair of differential contacts. Each of the first contacts includes a first contacting portion exposed in the mating port and a first tail portion. The second contacts include a second pair of differential contacts, a third pair of differential contacts, and a second grounding contact. Each of the second contacts includes a second contacting portion exposed in the mating port, and a second tail portion. The first and second tail portions are arranged in one row in a transverse direction wherein all of the second tail portions are located between the first tail portions of the power contact and of the first grounding contact in the transverse direction.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a connector, and more particularly to a connector having improved contacts arrangement.
2. Description of Related Art
USB (Universal Serial Bus) connectors are widely adopted to connect electronic devices such as digital cameras, mobile phones and the like to a computer. The design of USB is standardized by the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) and has been under development for years. The recent design of the USB is USB 3.0 (SuperSpeed USB) which is disclosed in the USB 3.0 specification released on Nov. 17, 2008 by the USB-IF. Compared to an USB 2.0 plug connector, the USB 3.0 standard A-type plug connector usually comprises four contacts adapted for USB 2.0 protocol and five additional contacts comprising two pairs of differential contacts added thereto, thereby increasing transfer rate.
In order to satisfy a wide range of requirements, the tail portions of the four contacts and the five contacts are usually arranged in one row or two rows. However, when the tail portions are arranged in one row, the four contacts and the five contacts are usually staggered with each other at the tail portions, the distance between tail portions of each pair of the differential contacts will be increased by the staggered arrangement, and all the tail portions are not positioned in a desirable way to cooperate with each other to decrease crosstalk.
Hence, an improved connector with an improved contacts arrangement is desired to overcome the above problems.

Connector having improved contacts arrangement


Dynamic switching of uplink power control and synchronization in wireless networks involves switching a user equipment (UE) from a transmission point common (TP-common) mode to a transmission point specific (TP-specific) mode in a wireless network. The UE transmits at a high power level in a TP-common mode to compensate for a larger path loss between the UE and the TPs and at a low power level in a TP-specific mode to save battery power based on a smaller path loss between the UE and a specific, nearby TP.

In long term evolution (LTE) networks, user equipment (UE) may communicate with a base station (e.g., eNodeB, also referred to as "eNB" or macro cell) and one or more distributed low power remote radio heads (RRHs). For various reasons, UEs may transmit at a transmit power above the lowest required power level necessary to maintain connectivity, which results in a waste of transmit power as well as increased network interference.
There is, therefore, a need for improved control over uplink transmit power in a wireless communications system.

Methods and systems for dynamic switching, uplink power control and synchronization in wireless networks


A hitch assembly including a triangular flat portion mounted on the base plate of a guidable member for connecting an arm to the triangular flat portion and to a housing mounted above a plate on which is mounted a tube section having a reinforcing plate that is connected to a locking member which automatically closes on a locking pin being mounted to a coupler head by means of a tension spring that applies a pressure against a block being engaged on a threaded bolt with eye mounted inside the tube section, and which for disengaging the locking member from the locking pin one pulls backwards an attachment cord connected with the eye of the threaded bolt.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a hitch assembly for attaching agricultural implements to a tractor and more particularly, it relates to hitches which automatically align the agricultural implement into the hitch that automatically closing on the coupling element of the tractor.
2. Description of the Related Art
A search of prior art records has unveiled the following patents:
    1. CA 2,437,842 registered in 2003 to Champagne;    2. U.S. Pat. No. 4,792,151 issued in 1988 to Feld;    3. U.S. Pat. No. 5,549,316 issued in 1996 to Jones;    4. JP 2002 017 109 published in 2002 to Satoshi;    5. AU 511,221 issued in 1980 to Kempers;    6. U.S. Pat. No. 4,844,497 issued in 1989 to Allen;    7. GB 735,563 issued in 1955 to Chambers;    8. GB 937,035 issued in 1963 to House; and    9. U.S. 2003 178 810 published in 2003 to Kovash.

Self-aligning and self-locking hitch assembly

Abstract: A tube section mounted underneath the coupler head allows to receive each spring blade being held together by an attachment member. A spring blade includes a part member for enabling to apply a pressure against a squared plate portion mounted underneath each tow bar connected to the coupler head for raising the tow bars of the agricultural implement.


The present invention presents a unique class of physiological suppressors of cell division and cleavage. In particular, the present invention presents p21-activated protein kinase PAK I, also known as protease activated protein kinase I (with the same abbreviation xe2x80x9cPAK Ixe2x80x9d) which has been purified to apparent homogeneity. PAK I is inactive, e.g. as a protein of about 60 kDa (denoted xe2x80x9cp60xe2x80x9d, as determined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis) and is active when autophosphorylated, for example, following limited proteolysis, or binding of Cdc42, e.g., as a protein of about 58 kDa (denoted xe2x80x9cp58xe2x80x9d as determined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis). The present invention also presents a fragment of PAK I, a peptide denoted p37, which contains the catalytic domain of PAK I.

The present invention relates generally to the fields of biology and medicine. In particular, the present invention is directed to compositions and methods useful in suppressing cell division and cleavage.
Mature oocytes of amphibians are arrested in meiotic metaphase II due to the action of a multicomponent cytostatic factor (CSF) {Masui, Y., Biochem. Cell Biol., 70:920-945 (1992); Sagata, N., et al., Nature (London); 342:512-518 (1989) and Shibuya, E. K., et al., Development, 106:799-808 (1989)}. CSF is part of a Ras-GTP signaling pathway which acts through a MAP kinase (MAPK) cascade {Daar, I., et al., Science, 253:74-76 (1991); Fukuda, M., et al., J. Biol. Chem., 269:33097-33101 (1994) and Pomerance, M., et al., J. Biol. Chem., 267:16155-16160 (1992)}. The arrest is released upon fertilization with the completion of meiosis, and the early embryo undergoes a series of rapid cleavages. A major component of CSF, the Mos protein kinase, is synthesized in abundance during oocyte maturation and activates MAPK via phosphorylation of MAPK kinase (MAPKK) {Sagata, N., et al., Nature (London), 342:512-518 (1989); Sagata, N., et al., Nature, 335:519-525 (1988); Posada, J., et al., Mol. Cell. Biol., 13:2546-2553 (1993); Haccard, O., et al., Science, 262:1262-1265 (1993); Matsuda, S., et al., J. Biol. Chem., 268:3277-3281 (1993) and Kosako, H., et al., J. Biol. Chem., 269:28354-28358 (1994)}. Mos, which appears to be germ-cell specific, is rapidly degraded following fertilization and is not observed in cleaving embryos {Sagata, N., et al., Nature, 335:519-525 (1988); Yew, N., et al., Nature (London), 355:649-652 (1991); Watanabe, N., et al., Nature, 352:247-248 (1991) and Watanabe, N., et al., Nature (London), 342:505-511 (1989)}. Upon fertilization, MAPK and MAPKK are inactivated and remain inactive until the later stages of embryonic development {Haccard, O., et al., Science, 262:1262-1265 (1993); Kosako, H., et al., J. Biol. Chem., 269:28354-28358 (1994) and Ferrell, J. E., et al., Mol. Cell. Biol., 11:1965-1971 (1991)}.
Maturation promoting factor (MPF), which is required for progression through the cell cycle, is stabilized by CSF {Sagata, N., et al., Nature 335:519-525 (1988) and Pickham, K. M., et al., Mol. Cell. Biol., 12:3192-3203 (1992)}. MPF consists of the cell division control 2 kinase (cdc2) and cyclin. MPF activity is high during metaphase II arrest; following fertilization, cdc2 is inactivated by cyclin degradation and cyclin is regenerated during each division cycle.
Protease activated kinase I (PAK I) is a unique multipotential serine/threonine protein kinase which has been found in an inactive form in all animals and tissues examined to date {Tahara, S. M., et al., J. Biol. Chem., 256:11558-11564 (1981); Tuazon, P. T., et al., Eur. J Biochem., 129:205-209 (1982); Tuazon, P. T., et al., J. Biol. Chem., 259:541-546 (1984); Rooney, R. D. et al., FASEB J., 6:A1852 (1992); and Rooney, R. D., et al., FASEB J., 6:A1852 (1992)}. Studies with 3T3-L1 cells also led to the identification of an endogenously active form of the PAK I holoenzyme {Rooney, R. D., et al., FASEB J., 6:A1852 (1992)}.
To determine whether PAK I has a role in the regulation of the cell cycle and functions as a cytostatic protein kinase, the inactive holoenzyme and the proteolytically activated enzyme have been injected into one blastomere of 2-cell frog embryos {Rooney, R. D., et al., FASEB J., 7:A1213 (1993)}. Activated PAK I inhibited cleavage of the injected cell, while the noninjected cell continued dividing through late cleavage. Injection of the inactive holoenzyme or heat-treated PAK I has no effect on cell cleavage. The data suggests PAK I is a cytostatic protein kinase, involved in mediating inhibition of the cell cycle.
PAK I can be activated by limited proteolysis with trypsin or chymotrypsin {Tahara, S. M., et al., J. Biol. Chem., 256:11558-11564 (1981)} or a Ca2+-stimulated protease {Tahara, S. M., et al., Eur. J. Biochem., 126:395-399 (1982)}, hence the initial nomenclature. The inactive holoenzyme has been identified and partially purified from rabbit reticulocytes {Tahara, S. M., et al., J. Biol. Chem., 256:11558-11564 (1981)} and skeletal muscle {Tuazon, P. T., et al., Eur. J Biochem., 129:205-209 (1982)}, chicken gizzard {Tuazon, P. T., et al., J. Biol. Chem., 259:541-546 (1984)}, and 3T3-L1 cells {Rooney, R. D., et al., FASEB J., 6:A1852 (1992)}. PAK I from reticulocytes uses only ATP as a phosphoryl donor, with a Km apparent of 0.6 mM {Tahara, S. M., et al., J. Biol. Chem., 256:11558-11564 (1981)}. The enzyme requires sulfhydryl reducing agents to maintain activity. The optimal Mg2+ concentration for mixed histone as substrate is 45 mM; with less complex substrates, the Mg2+ optimum is 5-10 mM {Tahara, S. M., et al., Eur. J. Biochem., 126:395-399 (1982)}.
Following activation in vitro by limited proteolytic digestion, PAK I phosphorylates histones H2B and H4 {Tahara, S. M., et al., J. Biol. Chem., 256:11558-11564 (1981)}, myosin light chain from skeletal and smooth muscle {Tuazon, P. T., et al., Eur. J Biochem., 129:205-209 (1982) and Tuazon, P. T., et al., J. Biol. Chem., 259:541-546 (1984)}, translational initiation factors eIF-3, eIF-4B, and eIF-4F {Tahara, S. M., et al., Eur. J. Biochem., 126:395-399 (1982) and Tuazon, P. T., et al., J. Biol. Chem., 264:2773-2777 (1989)}, and avian and Rous sarcoma virus nuclear capsid protein NC {Leis, J., et al., J. Biol. Chem., 259:7726-7732 (1984); Fu, X., et al., J. Biol. Chem., 260:9941-9947 (1985) and Fu, X., et al., J. Biol. Chem., 263:2134-2139 (1988)}. In myosin light chain from smooth muscle, PAK I phosphorylates the same site as the Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent myosin light chain kinase {Tuazon, P. T., et al., J. Biol. Chem., 259:541-546 (1984)}. Phosphorylation of PAK I stimulates the actin-activated Mg-ATPase activity of myosin to the same extent as that observed upon phosphorylation of actomyosin by the Ca2+-dependent myosin light chain kinase. An alternative site is modified in myosin light chain from skeletal muscle {Tuazon, P. T., et al., Eur. J. Biochem., 129:205-209 (1982)}.
In the Rous sarcoma virion, NC is fully phosphorylated at serine 40 {Fu, X., et al., J. Biol. Chem., 260:9941-9947 (1985)}; following dephosphorylation, serine 40 is specifically modified by PAK I {Leis, J., et al., J. Biol. Chem., 259:7726-7732 (1984)}. Phosphorylation enhances the affinity of NC for single-strand RNA up to 100-fold by altering the conformation, allowing basic residues N-terminal to serine 40 to interact with RNA {Fu, X., et al., J. Biol. Chem., 260:9941-9947 (1985)}. Data with site-specific mutants of serine 40 indicate this residue is the switch between tight and loose binding {Fu, X., et al., J. Biol. Chem., 263:2134-2139 (1988)}.
It is an object of the present invention to provide compositions comprising PAK I or active fragments thereof and methods for the use of such compositions.
The present invention presents a unique class of physiological suppressors of cell division and cleavage. In particular, the present invention presents PAK I, a p21-activated protein kinase, formally designated protease activated protein kinase I (also abbreviated as xe2x80x9cPAK Ixe2x80x9d), which has been purified to apparent homogeneity. PAK I has several phosphorylation states, and a molecular mass of about 58-60 kDa as determined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Inactive PAK I, denoted xe2x80x9cp60xe2x80x9d, is activated when autophosphorylated (for example, by its binding to Cdc42), and denoted xe2x80x9cp58xe2x80x9d. The present invention also presents an active proteolytic fragment of PAK I, a peptide denoted p37, which contains the catalytic domain of PAK I and a small portion of the regulatory domain. The purification, characterization, nucleotide and amino acid sequences of PAK I and p37 are also disclosed.
Another aspect of the invention discloses the cytostatic activity of PAK I and its fragments. Further disclosed are the uses of these proteins and peptides for diagnosing and treating diseases, especially for cancer.

Compositions and methods comprising cytostatic protein kinase

The Regents of the University of California


The present invention disclosures a test system and test method for a simulation experiment of gas hydrate in a porous medium. The test system comprises a reactor, a sensor system, a hardware interface apparatus and a data processing system; the reactor is used for containing tested medium, the sensor system is mounted inside the reactor, and the sensor system is connected to the data processing system through the hardware interface apparatus; the test method comprises a procedure of experiment and measurement data acquisition, and a procedure of analyzing and processing measurement signals; by establishing of electrical model I, acoustic model II and the fused model III, realizing the simulation of the synthesis/decomposition processes of gas hydrate in the deposits in laboratory environment and implementation of the acoustic and electrical parameters combined test, an accurate gas hydrate saturation calculation model can be established at last.

To explore natural gas hydrate (referred to as gas hydrate hereinafter), it is required to quantitatively evaluate a natural gas hydrate reservoir. Physical properties of the reservoir may be detected by the geophysical logging technology, and necessary information may be further provided for the quantitative evaluation of the natural gas hydrate reservoir by the logging interpretation technology. At present, for the evaluation of the saturation of gas hydrate, the interpretation is carried out mainly on the basis of the conventional resistivity logging response and acoustic logging response. In comparison to the oil-gas reservoir, the natural gas hydrate reservoir has its particularity, and therefore, before interpretation of the logging response, it is required to establish a logging interpretation model suitable for the natural gas hydrate reservoir. The establishment of a logging interpretation model needs not only to establish a theoretical model, but also to collect lots of logging data and data on rock physical experiments to verify the theoretical model and to optimize parameters. Therefore, lots of rock physical simulation experiments are conducted on the natural gas hydrate to collect high-quality acoustic and electrical test data. This is of irreplaceable significance to the construction of an acoustic and electrical logging interpretation model for the natural gas hydrate reservoir, and further provides a model basis for the application of the acoustic and electrical logging technology in the fine evaluation of the natural gas hydrate reservoir. In addition, in the rock physical simulation experiment process for natural gas hydrate, the deep-going studies on new acoustic and electrical test systems and methods also provide theoretical basis for the development of new logging technologies, and also provide effective technical detection means for the exploration of the law of dynamics of the synthesis/decomposition processes of natural gas hydrate and the law of changes in the spatial distribution state of various phases of substances inside the porous medium.
In the prior test systems and test methods for a simulation experiment of natural gas hydrate, a majority of the involved acoustic and electrical test technologies are implemented separately. For example, CN103323352A discloses "an experimental device and method for tri-axial mechanic-acoustic-electrical synchronous test of natural gas hydrate deposits". The test system and method have the following disadvantages: by the conventional resistivity test technology, the resistance information of a medium to be tested is acquired, but the capacitive reactance information is ignored; only one pair of electrodes is used as the sensors, the tested spatial range is narrow, and information reflecting the anisotropy of the medium to be tested cannot be provided; as the compound of the electrical sensor and the acoustic sensor in a test space is not taken into consideration, the tested object (spatial tested range) of the acoustic sensor is not completely consistent with that of the electrical sensor, so that the information acquired by the two kinds of sensors cannot be unified, and the test data of the two kinds of sensors cannot be combined (fused).
Meanwhile, among methods for calculating the saturation of gas hydrate, in a prior method for calculating the saturation of gas hydrate based on electrical properties of a porous medium containing gas hydrate, the saturation of gas hydrate is estimated mainly by using resistivity data and in combination with the Archie empirical formula. In such methods, the law of changes in the saturation of gas hydrate in the porous medium is described only by using a part of electrical properties (i.e., resistance property) of the porous medium containing gas hydrate. The insufficient depiction of the electrical properties of the medium in the prior methods is one of the important reasons for inducing the calculation error of the saturation of gas hydrate. In addition, the limitation of the Archie empirical formula itself, for example, whether various assumptions provided for the porous medium containing oil, gas or other fluids are suitable or not for the actual situation of gas hydrate, is also a cause for resulting in the error.

Test system and test method for a simulation experiment of gas hydrate in a porous medium

CHINA UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM (EAST CHINA)


An air pad having a plurality of foam filled air chambers interconnected by at least one air passage connecting at least two of the air chambers to one another. The air passages are also filled with foam whereby the flow of air from one air chamber to another due to impact is restricted. The pad is manufactured by radio frequency welding of two layers of plastic film to one another about a foam body to join the plastic film in the area surrounding each of the air chambers.

This application claims priority from a provisional application filed Jul. 1, 1997, under U.S. patent application Ser. No. 60/051,419, entitled xe2x80x9cAir Pad.xe2x80x9d This invention relates to an air pad and in particular to an air pad that automatically spreads an impinging force over a larger area of a surface, reducing the force per unit area sufficiently to protect the surface from damage and/or to provide improved comfort.
Various types and structures of air pads are known. Many are difficult to produce on a large scale and at a low enough cost to be widely accepted in the marketplace. The present invention has been developed to provide an air pad which can be economically produced on a commercial scale and provide improved performance compared to previous air pads.
The air pad of the present invention includes first and second plastic film portions that are joined to one another forming two or more air chambers with integral, interconnecting air passages therebetween. Both the air chambers and the air passages contain foam.
The plastic film portions can be joined together by a heat joining process such as dielectric welding or sealing, also known as radio frequency welding, as well as a variety of other plastic heat joining processes including, but not limited to, ultrasonic welding, vibration welding, induction welding, microwave welding, friction welding, etc. In addition, adhesive bonding of the plastic sheets can be used in some embodiments of the air pad.
In one method of manufacturing the air pad, a layer of sheet foam is placed between the two plastic film portions. The plastic film portions are joined by radio frequency welding. During the joining process, the plastic film portions, in the areas surrounding the air chambers, are fused together to join the film portions. Additionally, where the plastic film portions are joined, the cellular structure of the foam layer between the plastic film portions is collapsed. The collapsed foam material forms a part of the fused joint between the plastic film portions.
In another method of manufacturing the air pad, a foam body is pre-molded or pre-formed in the shape of the air chambers and interconnecting air passages. The plastic film portions may also be pre-molded into the shape of the air chambers and interconnecting air passages. The plastic sheets are then joined together with the pre-molded foam body therebetween, substantially filling the air chambers and air passages.
The air pad is preferably manufactured as a sealed air tight pad. If desired, an inflation valve, or pump, to inflate the air pad, such as that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,566,137, hereby incorporated by reference, can be added to the air pad to enable the air pressure within the pad to be varied.
The air pad of the present invention can be used to provide impact protection for various parts of the body. When an impact is received, air will flow from one or more of the chambers, through the interconnecting air passages, to adjacent chambers in response to an increased air pressure within the chambers receiving the impact. The foam, within both the air chambers and the interconnecting air passages, slows the flow of air between chambers. This regulation or restriction of the air flow from one chamber to the next, prevents the air chambers from deflating as quickly as air chambers in a pad with no restriction of the air flow between chambers.
The air pad can be used to provide impact protection within protective equipment such as that worn during athletic events. This includes shin guards, knee pads, elbow pads, shoulder pads, within a flexible fabric or elastic cover, etc. The air pad can also be used to provide impact protection as a pad within a substantially rigid shell such as a helmet, shoulder pad, elbow pad, etc. The air pad can also be used in low or no impact applications where additional cushioning is desired for comfort, as opposed to impact protection. These uses include, but are not limited to, shoulder straps and handles for luggage, briefcases, computer cases, golf bags, back packs, etc. The air pads can also be used in shoes, shoe tongues, etc.
Since the air pad is made by placing a foam sheet between two layers of plastic and then fusing the plastic together between the desired air chambers, it is simple to manufacture the pad. As a result, economical manufacture on a commercial basis is possible. A wide variety of sizes and shapes can be made. Different performance characteristics, i.e., impact spreading and cushioning can be achieved by different foam thicknesses and types of foam.


A microelectronic network is fabricated on a fibrous skeleton by binding or complexing electronically functional substances to the nucleic acid skeleton. The skeleton comprises fibers with nucleotide chains. The assembly of the fibers into a network is based on interactions of nucleotide chain portions of different fibers.

The miniaturization of microelectronics and logics, at current technology, is approaching its practical and theoretical limits. Various design and operational considerations such as heat removal, heterogeneity, connectivity as well as present photolitographic techniques restrict the practical size of minimal feature in present, semiconductor-based electronic components to about 0.25-0.3 μm. It is clear that further miniaturization of electronic components must involve new approaches and concepts for the fabrication of the electronic components and logic circuits.
Nanometer scale electronics needs to consider two fundamental issues: operating principles of the corresponding electronic components and schemes to fabricate such components and their integration into useful circuits.
A number of operation principles have been suggested based on charging effects(1-6) which become increasingly prominent as the device dimensions diminish. The construction of nanoscale circuits cannot be implemented by existing microelectronics technology. In particular, inter element wiring and electrical interfacing to the macroscopic world become increasingly problematic. Molecular recognition processes and self-assembly of molecules into supramolecular assemblies may be used for the construction of complex structure(5). However, integrating electronic materials with these structures, or providing them with electronic functionality, has not yet been attained.
Nucleic acids possess self-assembly properties which can be used to form networks of nucleic acid fibers(27-30). DNA has already been employed as an organizer of nano structures in the assembly of colloidal particles into macroscopic crystal-like aggregates(14.15) and in dictating the shape of semiconductor nano particle assemblies(16,17).

Microelectronic components and electronic networks comprising DNA

Technion Research & Development Foundation Ltd.


An optical-quality part such as an ophthalmic lens is provided having a PET polarizing film integrally bonded thereto and, optionally, a hard coating integrally bonded to either the PET polarizing film or to the optical construct containing the PET polarizing film. In a preferred construction, the lens material or film may be surface treated, either physically and/or chemically, for integrally bonding the film to the lens material. Similarly, in another preferred construction, the film may be physically and/or chemically surface treated for integrally bonding a hard coating to the PET film.

The field of the present invention relates to optical-quality parts such as ophthalmic lenses, and particularly to an ophthalmic lens utilizing a polarizing film.
A variety of ophthalmic lenses are known as described in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,418,992 and 4,274,717, each of these disclosures hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. Such lenses may comprise a number of different types of materials ranging from inorganic to thermoset plastics, such as allyl diglycol carbonate sold under the CR-39(copyright) trademark of PPG Industries, Inc. (xe2x80x9cCR-39(copyright)xe2x80x9d), to more recent formulations using thermoplastic materials, such as polycarbonate (xe2x80x9cPCxe2x80x9d).
Commonly, polarizers used in hard resin thermoset lenses or polycarbonate thermoplastic lenses are based on polyvinylalchohol (xe2x80x9cPVAxe2x80x9d) films imbued with a polarizing material. For thermoset lenses, the polarizing film is either adhesively bonded to a lens substrate, or it is placed within a mold assembly and the liquid resin mixture placed around it (sequentially or simultaneously) to form the lens. For thermoplastic lens production, the film is commonly part of a multi-layer construction (often referred to as a wafer) designed for better rigidity and thermal stability. Often this construction involves joining or encapsulating the polarizer with other polymers such as PC or cellulose acetate butyrate (xe2x80x9cCABxe2x80x9d) by co-extrusion, lamination, calendering, etc.
There are several limitations with these approaches. The common PVA base film is temperature-sensitive and therefore difficult to process with thermoplastics. In thermoplastic lens manufacturing, for example, monomer or polymeric pellets are heated past their softening point (for PC, above 230xc2x0 C.), and injected into a mold form. Conventional polarizer films comprising PVA or similar polymers cannot withstand these temperatures. For instance, PVA has its glass transition temperature (xe2x80x9cTgxe2x80x9d) between 90-95xc2x0 C., and softens with decomposition at approximately 200xc2x0 C. Therefore, not only will the PVA film lose its shape, but it will also lose physical integrity (color, polarization efficiency, mechanical strength, etc.) at typical molding temperatures.
In addition to the temperature-sensitive film, the dyes or polarizing commonly agents used therein are also temperature-sensitive. The temperature-sensitivity of the common polarized film and the dyes or polarizing agents used therein can cause severe non-uniformity or non-reproducibility, adversely affecting either the optical and cosmetic quality of a given lens or lot-to-lot consistency.
The conventional approach to solve the temperature-sensitivity limitation of common polarizers has consistently been to clad the weak polarizing film with another more resistant plastic to survive the molding process. Such cladding is typically done by adhesively joining the film with at least one support layer or interposing the film between layers and adhesively combining the film to the support layers, as described for example in U.S. Pat. No. 5,051,309, which is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
Common adhesively joined products, however, are susceptible to delamination during either the lens molding process (heat and pressure excursions) or subsequent processing to form finished ophthalmic eyewear. Such delamination is a problem for thermoplastic molding, as well as thermoset resin lenses that sometimes depend upon adhesives to join the polarizer to the solid plastic lens substrate.
One reference, U.S. Pat. No. 5,059,356, which is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein, discloses a polarized film of polyethylene terephthalate (xe2x80x9cPETxe2x80x9d). This material has several advantages over PVA, including affordability, significantly better heat, moisture, and solvent resistance, and good mechanical stability. It is also more stable to ultra-violet radiation (UV), which is especially useful for lens production and coating processes with UV curing cycles.
The present inventors recognized that an ophthalmic lens utilizing PET film might offer advantages over an ophthalmic lens utilizing current PVA film if the PET film could be reliably incorporated into ophthalmic lens manufacture. Despite the potential advantages, the present inventors are unaware of effective use of PET film in ophthalmic lenses. Its absence of incorporation into ophthalmic lens manufacture can be attributed to a number of different reasons.
The primary reason is due to PET""s chemical inertness. A secondary reason includes PET""s relatively low degree of optical quality, which is not able to match or accommodate ophthalmic lenses.
With respect to its chemical inertness, the present inventors have experimented with PET film and noted that PET cannot be reliably adhered within or to the lens and additional coatings cannot be reliably adhered to the PET film. In particular, the present inventors discovered that simple adhesive bonding (application of liquid adhesives or glues) is not acceptable for ophthalmic lenses that will undergo additional processing, such as grinding to prescription strength or be subjected to additional coating processes for mechanical or optical enhancement. Accordingly, an ophthalmic lens and method or process of utilizing PET film to form the lens, wherein the film may be bonded to the lens substrate without additional plastic supports, without losing its required physical properties, and with high adhesion, is desired.
The preferred embodiments relate to an optical-quality part comprising an optical construct having a PET polarizing film integrally bonded thereto and, optionally, a hard coating integrally bonded to the PET polarizing film after it has been bonded to the optical construct. Such an optical-quality part includes, but is not limited to, semi-finished, finished prescription and non-prescription lenses, facemasks, shields, goggles, visors, displays or window devices, and the like.
In a preferred construction, the PET film may be surface treated, either physically and/or chemically, for integrally bonding the film to the optical construct such as a lens substrate. This may involve integrally bonding the film to an existing optical construct, or causing integral bonding to occur as the optical construct is formed against or around the PET polarizing film.
Similarly, in another preferred construction, the film may be physically and/or chemically surface treated for integrally bonding the hard coating to the PET film.
Various other embodiments may utilize some but not all of the above elements, or may include additional refinements, while obtaining the benefit of an optical-quality polarized part such as an ophthalmic lens utilizing PET film.

Ophthalmic lenses utilizing polyethylene terephthalate polarizing films


An image processing method includes dividing a first image into regions according to content of the first image; generating a second image by converting a gradation of pixels of the first image into a gradation of pixels expressible in an image forming apparatus for each region; generating a piece of simulation information of a result of the image forming/outputting process based on the second image and nozzle characteristic information of the image forming apparatus; calculating an error between the first image and a third image for each of the regions, the third image being obtained by converting the piece of simulation information with the gradation of pixels of the first image; and deciding one of the second images as rendering information used to cause the image forming apparatus to perform an image forming/outputting process, based on the calculated errors between the first image and the third images.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image processing method, a computer-readable storage medium, and an information processing apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, as information tends to be digitalized, image processing apparatuses such as printers or facsimiles used to output digitalized information or scanners used to digitalize documents have been essentials. The image processing apparatus usually has an imaging function, an image forming function, a communication function, and the like, and thus are configured as a multifunction machine which is usable as a printer, a facsimile, a scanner, and a copying machine.
Among such image processing apparatuses, a printer (hereinafter, referred to as an "ink jet printer") employing an ink jet scheme is known as an example of a printer used to output digitalized information. The ink jet printer includes a recording head with a nozzle ejecting ink, and performs image forming by applying pressure to an ink liquid chamber in the recording head through a PZT (PbZrO3—PbTiO3) element, a heater element, or the like and ejecting ink onto a sheet of paper which is a recording medium.
The ink jet printer performs image forming by ejecting ink in units of pixels forming an image of image data converted to a certain resolution based on the image data. Further, the ink jet printers are classified into a printer in which the density to express each pixel is a one gradation, that is, only chromatic and achromatic colors are distinguished and a printer in which three gradation expressions of dark, normal, and light are available according to its specification in addition to achromatic color.
On the other hand, in image data used for image forming/outputting, each of pixels configuring an image is configured to have more gradations than expressiveness of the density by the ink jet printer. For this reason, when image forming/outputting is performed by the ink jet printer, a half-toning process is performed by converting original image expressed by multiple gradations into gradations according to the expressiveness of the ink jet printer and preventing an image quality from deteriorating when viewed by people.
As examples of the half-toning process, a dithering technique and an error diffusion technique are known, and in recent years, a technique of directly obtaining and processing an error such as a direct binary search (DES) technique has been used as well (for example, see Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2009-171014).
In the ink jet printer, there is a problem in that a desired image is not formed due to a variation in characteristics (hereinafter, referred to as "landing characteristics") of ink which is ejected from the nozzle and fixed onto a sheet of paper. Examples of the landing characteristics include the size, the position, and the shape of ink ejected from the nozzle.
In recent years, for example, ink jet printers of a line type in which a plurality of heads is lined up and arranged in a longitudinal direction have been used. According to this type, it is possible to form an image of a wide range at a time, and thus it is possible to increase productivity by the ink jet printer.
However, in order to form an image of a wide range at a time, it is necessary to mount many nozzles, and the problem related to the landing characteristics of the nozzle is consequential as well. Particularly, since image forming/outputting are performed by single scanning, nozzles forming images of respective scanning lines are arranged at narrow intervals, and a variation in the landing characteristics between the nozzles has strong influence on the image quality.
Thus, in order to perform desired image forming/outputting using performance of an image forming/outputting engine, it is necessary to perform control according to characteristics of the image forming/outputting engine such as the landing characteristics of the nozzle.
Therefore, there is a need for image forming/outputting according to characteristics of the image forming/outputting engine without deteriorating the image quality.

Image processing method, computer-readable storage medium, and information processing apparatus for determining rendering information based on calculated errors between images


A device for treating acid reflux comprising a sleeve configured and dimensioned for insertion into the esophagus of the patient, the sleeve having a proximal portion, a distal portion and an intermediate portion between the distal and proximal portions. The sleeve includes a an inner member applying a radial force on the sleeve for securement within the esophagus, and a skirt connected to the sleeve to block acid backup from the stomach while not inhibiting passage of food into the stomach.

1. Field of the Invention
This application relates to an esophageal sleeve, and, more particularly, to an esophageal sleeve to inhibit acid reflux while not inhibiting swallowing.
2. Background of the Related Art
Acid reflux disease is a condition in which the esophagus becomes irritated or inflamed because of acid backing off from the stomach. The esophagus stretches from the throat to be stomach, and when food is swallowed, it travels down the esophagus. Normally, the lower esophageal sphincter prevents the backing up of acid. During swallowing, the sphincter allows food to pass. It then tightens to prevent flow in the opposite direction. With acid reflux disease, the sphincter relaxes between swallows, allowing stomach contents and corrosive acid to well up and damage the lining of the esophagus.
The need exists for an easily implantable device for effectively treating acid reflux.


A brake control system includes a brake line with a supply line, a pump for supplying brake fluid to the supply line, branch lines branched from the supply line to wheel cylinders, a pressure controller for allowing independent control of brake-fluid pressures within the wheel cylinders, and an ECU for controlling the pump and the pressure controller. The ECU includes an estimate part for estimating the pressures within the wheel cylinders in accordance with a flow amount of brake fluid obtained out of signals indicative of braking conditions, wherein it is estimated an amount of brake fluid flowing from the supply line to the wheel cylinder during execution of brake-fluid pressure control of the ECU and when the control is switched to pressure-increase control for the wheel cylinder having the pressure lower than that in the supply line, and wherein it is estimated the pressure within the wheel cylinder in accordance with the amount of brake fluid as estimated.

The present invention relates generally to a brake control system, and more particularly, to a system for estimating the brake-fluid pressure.
In recent years, vehicle-mounted braking devices have various functions added. Such braking devices are known, for example, in the form of an antiskid braking system for achieving shortening of the braking distance while maintaining the vehicle behavior stable by preventing wheel lock, a traction control system for preventing spin of driving wheels during vehicle acceleration and the like, a brake assist device constructed so that when the brake-fluid pressure operated by a driver is insufficient, this insufficiency of brake-fluid pressure is supplied to a wheel cylinder, and a vehicle-stability control system for securing the running stability of the vehicle by providing a braking force to the wheels regardless of presence of brake operation by a driver so as to remove oversteer or understeer of the vehicle.
With the above braking devices, accurate grasp of the fluid pressure within the wheel cylinder and that produced by operation of a brake pedal will allow more precise control of a driving time or the like of a control valve for controlling the fluid pressure, leading to further enhanced control accuracy of the braking devices. One approach is to provide a fluid-pressure sensor to a master cylinder or a wheel cylinder so as to measure the fluid pressure within the master cylinder or the wheel cylinder. However, this approach involves an increase in manufacturing cost of the device.
Due to such problem of manufacturing cost, another approach is proposed wherein only the fluid pressure within the master cylinder is measured by the fluid-pressure sensor, and calculation is made as to how this pressure varies in accordance with a fluid-pressure model of the braking device to estimate the fluid pressure within the wheel cylinder. Specifically, a variation in the fluid pressure calculated in accordance with a drive signal for the braking device is added to an estimated fluid pressure (previous value) within the wheel cylinder obtained using the fluid pressure within the master cylinder, thus estimating a current value of the fluid pressure within the wheel cylinder.
However, as will be described later, the latter approach raises a problem that an estimated fluid pressure within the wheel cylinder exceeds an actual fluid pressure.

System for estimating brake-fluid pressure


An alloy sheet having a pierced hole face and providing a desirable etching performance, comprising {331}, {210}, and {211} planes on the surface; the gathering degree of the {311} plane being 14% or less, the gathering degree of the {210} plane being 14% or less, and the gathering degree of the {211} plane being 14% or less; and the ratio of the gathering degrees expressed by the equation {210}/({331}+{211}) being 0.2 to 1. An alloy sheet having a pierced hole face providing a desirable etching performance, comprising planes of {111}, {100}, {110}, {311}, {331}, {210} and {211}; the gathering degree of the {111} plane, S.sub.1, being 1 to 10%, the gathering degree of the {100} plane, S.sub.2, being 50 to 94%, the gathering degree of the {110} plane, S.sub.3, being 1 to 24%, the gathering degree of the {311} plane, S.sub.4, being 1 to 14%, the gathering degree of the {331} plane, S.sub.5, being 1 to 14%, the gathering degree of the {210} plane, S.sub.6, being 1 to 14%, the gathering degree of the {211} plane, S.sub.7, being 1 to 14%; and the ratio of gathering degrees expressed by the equation (S.sub.2 +S.sub.4 +S.sub.6)/(S.sub.1 +S.sub.3 +S.sub.5 +S.sub.7) being 0.8 to 20.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an alloy sheet for electronic devices having high etching performance, and particularly to an alloy sheet suitable for the materials of shadow masks on color cathode ray tubes and of IC lead frames.
2. Description of the Related Arts
Fe--Ni alloys have been used as a material for shadow masks on color cathode ray tubes and for IC lead frames. The Fe--Ni alloys have a significantly low thermal expansion coefficient compared with low carbon steels which have been conventionally used as the materials for electronic devices. For this reason, for example, a shadow mask prepared from Fe--Ni alloy sheet rarely raises a problem of color phase shift caused by thermal expansion even if it is heated by an electron beam.
Fe--Ni alloy sheets used for shadow masks and IC lead frames are subjected to photo-etching process. Conventional Fe--Ni alloy sheets have, however, a disadvantage of inferior etching performance to low carbon steel. In concrete terms, Fe--Ni alloys show considerably poor corrosion to etching liquid and have a large crystal grain size compared with low carbon steels. Consequently, when Fe--Ni alloy sheets are etched to provide pierced holes, the distribution of hole diameters and the hole shape become dispersive. With the disadvantage, Fe--Ni alloy sheets serving as shadow masks tend to generate a blurred periphery on the masks when a light is penetrated through the fine holes prepared by etching. Furthermore, the brightness of masks penetrated by light is poorer than that of masks made of low carbon steels. In particular, high definition masks having fine pitch and fine holes, which have increasingly been requested by the electronics market, likely induce the above described problem which markedly degrades the quality of color cathode ray tubes. In addition, recent color cathode ray tubes strongly demand a high screen brightness, and a inferior mask brightness reduces the competitiveness of products. Regarding the matarials for IC lead frames, the movement toward high density (high integration) of IC demands a fine pitch of the pin arrangement on a lead frame. Since the conventional Fe--Ni alloys have the problems described above, they can not respond to the request for a fine pitch of the pin arrangement. Adding to the problem, conventional Fe--Ni alloys have a disadvantage of inferior performance of plating after etching.
Several technologies to solve the problem on etching performance of Fe--Ni alloys have been proposed. They include the following.
(1) Japanese examined Patent publication No. 2-9665 discloses an alloy sheet having a gathering degree of {100} plane of 35% or more on the surface of sheet as an Invar alloy sheet which realizes high definition and uniform etching.
(2) Japanese unexamined Patent publication No. 62-243782 discloses a method for producing a Fe--Ni Inver alloy which improves etching speed and reduces a blurred periphery of a pierced hole, the alloy having the {100} plane on its surface and a surface roughness of Ra in a range of 0.2 to 0.7 .mu.m and a Sm of 100 .mu.m or less and a crystal grain size number of 8.0 or more.
(3) Japanese unexamined Patent publication No. 2-270941 discloses a method for producing a Fe--Ni Invar alloy which improves etching speed, the alloy having a degree of {200} plane of 50% or more on its surface. The alloy also has 0.007 wt. % or less C, and impurities of 0.005 wt. % or less P and 0.005 wt. % S, the other impurities being 0.10 wt. % or less.
However, the technology of (1) cannot prevent the generation of a blurred periphery on a prepared shadow mask and is inferior in the brightness of the mask to conventional masks made of low carbon steel, though the technology improves the precision and uniformity of etching. The technology of (2) is inferior in the brightness of the prepared shadow mask to that made of low carbon steel, though the etching speed increases and the production of blurred periphery of pierced hole is improved.
The technology of (3) raises a problem of excessive side etching on prepared IC lead frames and of poor processing accuracy as lead frames.
These three technologies the have problem of inferior plating performance of IC lead frames processed by etching. For instance, when an IC lead frame obtained by the technology of (3) is subjected to solder plating, abnormal growth of acicular crystals called "whisker" occurs, which raises a quality problem.

Alloy sheet having high etching performance


An arrangement in a distributed multi-process system enables centralized monitoring of selected messages that pass through the distributed multi-process system, regardless of the message path or the results of the operations performed on the message by any of the associated processes. An event source process, configured for generating a message corresponding to an occurrence of an event, selectively sets a tracing bit in the message and outputs the message for reception by a destination consumer process. The source process also outputs a first trace message specifying that the source process has output the message. The system also includes an event distribution system having a plurality of distributed filter processes, each configured for selectively passing the message based on a corresponding filter condition. Each filter process also generates a corresponding tracing message indicating the operation performed on the message, in response detecting that the tracing bit is set. The tracing messages are sent to a centralized logging process, configured for collecting the trace messages for monitoring of the progress of the message. Hence, the path of the message throughout the multiple processes in the distributed multi-process system can be readily determined by a consumer process accessing the centralized logging process.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to distributed message passing systems in client-server networks implemented across a local area network or a wide area network.
2. Description of the Related Art
One of the uses for network management applications is to asynchronously monitor the performance of network operations, including support of client-server applications across a local area network or a wide area network. The network management applications provide information related to network performance by sending notifications or messages in response to detecting prescribed events that may affect a network resource. For example, a network management application monitoring a router performance may monitor the CPU utilization in a router; if the CPU utilization reaches a certain threshold, for example, 80%, the network management application may send a message to a monitoring application to notify that the router CPU is busy, indicating a potential problem. Hence, network management applications are important in maintaining network stability and robustness.
Client-server computing is becoming more advanced and sophisticated, with improved hardware infrastructure, high-speed, low-cost, wide-area bandwidth and distribution of computer applications across multiple computers connected by local area and wide area networks. These advanced networks use distributed objects for processing of distributed transactions across the wide-area network. An exemplary implementation of a distributed object architecture is the Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA) 2.0 specification adapted in December 1994 by the Object Management Group (OMG). The CORBA specification creates interface specifications, written in a neutral Interface Definition Language (IDL), that defines a component""s boundaries and enables objects to interoperate in heterogeneous client-server environments.
However, as systems become more complex, it becomes increasingly difficult to recognize and trace the progress of specific events, messages, and the like, as they flow through a system. For example, assume that a developer of a network application wishes to monitor the occurrence of events detected at a source application, also referred to a source process. The source process registers with an event distribution system that distributes messages received from the source process, including messages indicating the occurrence of the event. Consumer applications, also referred to as consumer processes, that are interested in obtaining information about a certain event register their interest with the event distribution system by specifying a prescribed filtered condition. Hence, the event distribution system, upon receiving a message from a source process, executes the filter process to determine whether the consumer process should receive the message corresponding to the occurrence of the event from the source process. The event distribution system selectively passes the message to the registered consumer process based on the message satisfying the prescribed filtered condition. Alternatively, the consumer process may periodically poll the event distribution system for events.
However, the monitoring for messages may be substantially complex if the event distribution system may divided into a cascaded group of multiple processes, where the message corresponding to an occurrence of an event passes through multiple filters as the message flows through the system. In particular, at any one point, the message may not be passed by the filter, but instead may be dropped or rejected by the filter. If the message is dropped due to an error in the filter, then substantial debugging efforts may be necessary in order to correct the faulty filter.
Prior attempts at tracing a progress of a message path have had limited effectiveness. For example, a trace route type function might be used to determine the path, or flow from process to process. However, multiple messages may be flowing from hundreds or thousands of different source processes throughout the system, creating a time consuming problem in attempting to identify a specific message or a specific filter. Hence, use of a trace route type function to determine the path or flow from process of a generic message may result in a tedious and laborious debugging process.
An alternative approach involves setting a specific trace debug option on each process and examining the trace output to determine how incoming messages are processed. For example, certain systems trace each and every event processed by each and every process within a distributed system. In this case, each process has its own associated log for storing the result of operation by the corresponding process on the message. In this case, however, a programmer would need to combine all the logs of the different processes within the distributed system and correlate the logs together to attempt to identify what process handled what message, and at what step in the message flow. Hence, substantial efforts would be necessary to identify the processes operating on a given message, locate the log entry for that message in the corresponding log, compile all the log entries from the different processes, and determine the appropriate order of the log entries relative to the path of the message.
There is a need for an arrangement that enables efficient tracing and monitoring of the progress of an event message as the message passes through a distributed multiple process event distribution system.
There is also a need for an arrangement that enables centralized monitoring of selected messages as they pass through a distributed multi-process system, regardless of the message path or the results of the operations performed on the message by any of the associated processes.
These and other needs are attained by the present invention, where a source process sets a tracing bit in a message that is to be traced as it passes throughout a distributed multi-process system. Hence, each process receiving the message determines whether the received message has the tracing bit set, and in response outputs a trace message, enabling the message to be traced throughout the system. A centralized logging process may be used for collecting the trace messages for the monitoring of the progress of the message throughout the different processes.
According to one aspect of the present invention, a system is provided for monitoring a progress of an event. The system includes a source process configured for generating a message corresponding to an occurrence of an event, the source process selectively setting a tracing bit in the message and outputting the message for reception by a destination consumer process. The source process also outputs a trace message specifying the outputting of the message by the source process. The system also includes an event distribution system having a distributed plurality of filter processes configured for selectively passing the message for reception by the destination consumer process based on respective prescribed filter conditions. Each of the filter processes having received the message outputs a corresponding trace message in response to detection of the tracing bit, indicating whether the message was passed by the corresponding filter process for monitoring the progress of the message. Setting of the tracing bit by the source process enables the filter process and any subsequent processes to identify the need to generate trace messages specifying the operation performed by the corresponding process. Hence, the path of the message throughout the multiple processes in the distributed multi-process system can be readily determined by a consumer process.
Another aspect of the present invention provides an event distribution system. The event distribution system includes a source process interface for receiving a message corresponding to an occurrence of an event from a source process, and a distributed plurality of filter processes configured for selectively passing the message for reception by a destination consumer process based on respective prescribed filter conditions. Each filter process having received the message outputs a corresponding trace message specifying whether the message is passed, in response to detecting a tracing bit set in the message, for tracing a progress of the message throughout the event distribution system.
Still another aspect of the present invention provides a method of tracing a progress of a message between a source process and a destination consumer process. The method includes receiving a message from the source process corresponding to an occurrence of an event in the source process, and selectively passing the message by a distributed plurality of filter processes based on respective prescribed filter conditions, for reception by the destination consumer process in each of the filter processes having received the message. The method also includes, in each of the filter processes having received the message, outputting a trace message specifying whether the message is passed based on the corresponding prescribed filter condition, in response to detecting a tracing bit set in the message.
Additional advantages and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned by practice of the invention. The advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Arrangement for monitoring a progress of a message flowing through a distributed multiprocess system


A horizontal scanning period correction value setting circuit compares a video signal representing a display image of pixel formation portions of polarity-inverted lines and a video signal representing a display image of pixel formation portions of the next row, and generates a signal width correction value for correcting the length of the horizontal scanning period. For this, the signal width correction value is set such that the charge ratios of the pixel formation portions are constant, regardless of a difference between a target voltage of the driving video signals when the polarity is inverted and a target voltage of the driving video signals when the polarity is sustained. Then, a source output control signal and a gate output control signal are generated based on the signal width correction value, and the scanning signals and the driving video signals are generated based on the source output control signal and the gate output control signal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to driving circuits and driving methods for liquid crystal display devices, and in particular to multiple line inversion driving in active matrix liquid crystal display devices.
2. Description of the Related Art
Active matrix liquid crystal display devices provided with TFTs (thin film transistors) as switching elements have been known for several years. Such liquid crystal display devices are provided with a liquid crystal panel which includes two insulating substrates that are arranged opposite one another. On one substrate of the liquid crystal panel, scanning signal lines and video signal lines are arranged in a lattice, and TFTs are arranged near the intersections of the scanning signal lines and the video signal lines. Each of the TFTs has a drain electrode, a gate electrode branching off from the scanning signal lines, and a source electrode branching off from the video signal lines. The drain electrodes are connected to pixel electrodes that are arranged in a matrix on the substrate for forming an image. Also, the substrate on the other side of the liquid crystal panel is provided with an opposing electrode for applying a voltage between the pixel electrodes and the opposing electrode, across the liquid crystal layer. The individual pixels are formed by the pixel electrodes, the opposing electrode and the liquid crystal layer. It should be noted that, for the sake of convenience, regions forming single pixels are referred to as "pixel formation portions". Moreover, a voltage is applied to the pixel formation portions based on a video signal that the source electrodes of the TFTs receive from the video signal lines when the gate electrodes of the TFTs receive an active scanning signal from the scanning signal lines. At each of the pixel formation portions, a pixel capacitance is formed by the pixel electrode and the opposing electrode, and the pixel capacitance holds a voltage indicating the pixel value.
Now, the liquid crystal has the property of degrading when a DC voltage is applied to it continuously. Therefore, an AC voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer in the liquid crystal display device. This application of the AC voltage to the liquid crystal layer can be realized by inverting the polarity of the voltage applied to each of the pixel formation portions in every single frame period, that is, by inverting in every single frame period the polarity of the voltage of the source electrode (video signal voltage) when taking the voltage of the opposing electrode as the reference. As technologies for realizing this, a driving method known as line inversion driving and a driving method known as dot inversion driving are known. It should be noted that in the following, the voltage applied to the pixel formation portions is referred to as "pixel voltage".
In line inversion driving, the polarity of the pixel voltage is inverted in every single frame period and at every predetermined number of signal scanning lines. For example, a driving method in which the polarity of the pixel voltage is inverted in every single frame period and at every two scanning signal lines is referred to as "2-line inversion driving". On the other hand, in dot inversion driving, the polarity of the pixel voltage is inverted in every single frame period, and also the polarities of pixels that are adjacent in the horizontal direction are inverted within a single frame period.
FIGS. 10A to 10C are polarity diagrams showing the polarities of the pixel voltages applied to the pixel formation portions on the display screen for a given frame period in a conventional liquid crystal display device. It should be noted that FIGS. 10A-C show the polarities only for a portion (four rows×four columns) of the display screen. FIG. 10A shows the polarities for the case of 1-line inversion driving. As shown in FIG. 10A, in the direction in which the scanning signal lines extend, the polarities of all of the pixel formation portions are the same. On the other hand, in the direction in which the video signal lines extend, the polarities of the pixel formation portions are inverted at every single pixel formation portion.
It is difficult to make the transmittance of the liquid crystal when the polarity of the pixel voltage is positive the same as the transmittance of the liquid crystal when the polarity of the pixel voltage is negative. The reason for this is, for example, that the on-current of the TFT differs depending on whether the polarity of the pixel voltage is positive or negative. For this reason, a pattern of horizontal lines tends to be perceivable in the case of the above-described 1-line inversion driving, for example when a uniform luminance is displayed on the entire display screen.
FIG. 10B shows the polarities for the case of dot inversion driving. As shown in FIG. 10B, in dot inversion driving, the polarities of the pixel voltages are inverted at all neighboring pixels, so that the above-noted problem does not occur. However, with conventional dot inversion driving, the polarity of the pixel voltages is inverted at every single scanning signal line, so that there is the problem that the power consumption is large.
In order to solve this problem, JP H08-43795A discloses a liquid crystal display device, in which the polarities of the pixel voltages are inverted at every two scanning signal lines and the polarities are also inverted between pixels adjacent in the horizontal direction. FIG. 10C shows the polarities of the pixel voltages of this liquid crystal device. With this liquid crystal device, the polarities are inverted between pixels adjacent in the horizontal direction, thus solving the problem that occurs in the case of line inversion driving. Moreover, the polarities of the pixel voltages are inverted at every two scanning signal lines, so that the power consumption is lower than in the case of inverting at every signal scanning signal line. It should be noted that the driving method of this liquid crystal display device is also referred to as "2-line dot inversion driving".
In recent years, however, the resolution of liquid crystal display devices is becoming increasingly higher, and the number of scanning signal lines in the device is steadily increasing. Therefore, the length of the horizontal scanning period is becoming shorter, and the time for accumulating charges in the pixel capacitances (charge time) may not be sufficient. Moreover, as liquid crystal display devices become larger, also the rise time until the voltage of the source electrodes of the TFTs have reached a target voltage with the video signals becomes longer. FIGS. 11A to 11E are signal waveform diagrams for the case of the above-described 2-line dot inversion driving. FIG. 11A shows the signal waveform of the video signal S(k) of the k-th column. FIG. 11B shows the signal waveform of the scanning signal G(j) of the j-th row. FIG. 11C shows the signal waveform of the scanning signal G(j+1) of the (j+1)-th row. FIG. 11D shows the signal waveform of the scanning signal G(j+2) of the (j+2)-th row. FIG. 11E shows the signal waveform of the scanning signal G(j+3) of the (j+3)-th row. T1 through T4 each denote one horizontal scanning period. As shown in FIGS. 11B to 11E, the scanning signals are successively made active in the direction in which the video signal lines extend. Also, the time of the active state (pulse width) is the same for all scanning signals G(j) to G(j+3). In this case, for the reasons explained above, a sufficient charge may not be accumulated in the pixel capacitances of the pixel formation portions to which a video signal S(k) is supplied whose polarity is inverted from the previous horizontal scanning period, as in the periods T1 or T3, so that only a pixel potential that is lower than the desired gray-scale potential is attained. On the other hand, in the pixel formation portions to which a video signal S(k) is supplied whose polarity is the same as in the previous horizontal scanning period, as in the periods T2 or T4, the signal voltage is already at a sufficiently high potential, so that sufficient charges accumulate in the pixel capacitances. Therefore, the charge amount accumulated in the pixel capacitances differs between the pixel formation portions to which a video signal is supplied whose polarity is inverted from the previous horizontal scanning period and the pixel formation portions to which a video signal is supplied whose polarity is the same as in the previous horizontal scanning period, which may cause a decrease in display quality. For example, when displaying a uniform luminance on the entire screen, a pattern of horizontal lines appears on the screen. It should be noted that in the following, the ratio of the actual pixel potential of a given pixel formation portion to the desired gray-scale potential of that pixel formation portion is referred to as "charge ratio."

Liquid crystal display device, driving circuit for the same and driving method for the same