Multiple ARM devices, each having multiple processing elements, linked together by an interconnect to form a coherent memory fabric in which each device has access to all of the processing elements located on all of the devices that are part of the coherent memory fabric. In order to comply with the ARM architecture, the system must have a global timer that is accessible to all of the ARM devices so that each of the devices can maintain the same timer value. The devices, systems, and methods disclosed herein provide for initial synchronization between multiple ARM devices that are joined together to form a coherent memory fabric. The initial synchronization is achieved by determining an offset between the timers of each ARM device and then minimizing the offset. The synchronization may be periodically checked and adjusted, as necessary, to maintain proper synchronization.

Many of today's computing devices (e.g., laptop computers, desktop computers, smartphones, tablets, and servers) utilize processors that conform to an instruction set architecture known commercially as the ARM™ (Advanced RISC Machines) architecture. ARM processors may have multiple processing elements located on a single device (e.g., processor). According to the ARM architecture, when a device has multiple processing elements, each processing element must have access to a global system counter (e.g., timer). Such a requirement ensures that all of the processing elements have a consistent notion of time.
In some current systems that have multiple processing elements (e.g., cores) on a single device, each of the processing elements has a dedicated parallel bus that is used to send the global timer value to that particular processing element, and each time the global timer value is updated for the processing elements, the new global timer value is sent again over the dedicated buses. However, such a configuration can cause problems when a large number of processing elements are present on the single device.
Synchronization is even more difficult to achieve in systems that utilize multiple devices, each having multiple processing elements that all must have access to the same global system counter.

Distributed timer subsystem across multiple devices


A pattern inspection apparatus comprises an illumination optics applying a first inspection light on a predetermined wavelength to a surface opposite to a pattern formed surface of the substrate, and a second inspection light whose wavelength is equal to the wavelength of the first inspection light to the pattern formed surface, a detector independently detecting a transmitted light from the substrate by irradiation of the first inspection light and a reflected light from the substrate by irradiation of the second inspection light, and a space separation mechanism provided in the vicinity of an optical focal plane toward the pattern formed surface, and spatially separates an irradiation area of the first and second inspection lights such that the transmitted and reflected lights from the substrate are imaged in two discrete areas separated on the optical focal plane.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a pattern inspection apparatus which inspects defects in a pattern, and relates in particular to a pattern inspection apparatus which inspects defects included in the pattern of a mask, a wafer, a liquid crystal substrate and the like used when a semiconductor element or a liquid crystal display (LCD) is manufactured.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, a pattern inspection apparatus has been developed which inspects a pattern by comparing design pattern data and detected pattern data on a mask used for production of a large-scale integration, and in this pattern inspection apparatus, a reflection optics is mounted in addition to a transmission optics so as to improve detection sensitivity (refer to "Performance of cell-shift defect inspection technique", Photo mask and X-Ray Mask Technology IV, Vol. 3096(1997), pp 404-414). In this apparatus, a difference is made between a wavelength used in a transmitted-light-based inspection and a wavelength used in a reflective-light-based inspection so as to separate the wavelengths by a filter in an optical system to be configured, and each light is put into a transmitted/reflected light detection sensor.
However, it is necessary to shorten the inspection wavelengths in order to enhance detection sensitivity, and further in order to perform an inspection conforming to the wavelength used in lithography. As the shortened inspection wavelengths complicate designing of an optical lens, it is especially difficult to design a lens reducing aberration in two wavelengths. This has posed a problem that it is difficult to adopt the optical system with the changed wavelengths of the transmitted/reflected lights in such an inspection apparatus that detects a defect size of 100 nm. Therefore, a method is needed to obtain transmission and reflection images by use of a single wavelength.
When both the transmitted light and reflected light are utilized for observation, in general, the same place was coaxially irradiated to acquire an observation image (e.g., refer to U.S. Pat. No. 5,572,598, U.S. Pat. No. 5,563,702). These methods adopt a beam scan technique and show an adequate consideration to acquisition of the transmission image and reflection image. However, when the same area is observed, the image needs to be optically separated in some way. A light amount loss is relatively small when the two wavelengths are separated by the filter as has conventionally been done, but the light amount loss is larger in the case of the single wavelength because the light amount to be obtained is half in a method that separates by a half mirror or the like.
Furthermore, a laser is often used as a short-wavelength light source, and a polarizing splitting method is used to separate a light of the laser. However, it has been pointed out in connection with the polarization split that complete separation of the transmission and reflection is difficult and a mutual interference occurs, that the light amount decreases-because polarization efficiency is decreased by a short-wavelength polarizing beam splitter, and that when the polarization split (such as the polarizing beam splitter) is used, a polarizing plate such as a λ/2 or λ/4 plate has to be inserted into a part of the optical system, thereby losing some optical amount in this part. Moreover, because an objective lens, which is most important among optical components, needs to be placed at a position facing a substrate surface, a configuration of the optical system is significantly complicated and expensive.
On the other hand, an optical system inspection method and apparatus have been proposed which separate transmitted light irradiation and reflected light irradiation without applying a beam to the same point so as to irradiate the beam within the same field of view of an observation optics (refer to Published Japanese translations of PCT international publication No. 2002-501194). Since this method in which the observation optics is separated within the field of view enables a configuration using only one objective lens that is the most important optical component, it can make up for weak points of U.S. Pat. No. 5,572,598, U.S. Pat. No. 5,563,702 mentioned above.
However, this method has a great loss of light amount in ways of irradiating an incident beam, separating the field of view, and leading the transmitted light/reflected light to the detection sensor. It especially has a disadvantage in that the light amount loss is not considered in a concept of splitting the transmitted light/reflected light from a reflection beam introductory part to the detection sensor. Moreover, an optical system is not introduced which can change the magnification independently in each part from the reflection beam introductory part to the transmitted light/reflected light detection sensor. Even if the detection sensors are laid out in close proximity to conduct a detection, a design that places the sensors in close proximity is realistically difficult in view of an optical magnification required for the inspection and a physical size of the sensors. In addition, a method has also been proposed for splitting the beam with a beam splitter in this part, but such a problem still remains that the light amount loss is not considered as described above.
From now on, when the inspection wavelength is shortened to 200 nm or lower, deterioration of light amount is a problem that needs the most attention. Further, in the abovementioned document, a simultaneous inspection with the transmitted light/reflected light is not considered in view of a difference of the light amounts to be obtained in the transmitted light/reflected light, leaving enormous difficulties in actual operation.
As described above, the conventional pattern inspection apparatus has a concept of utilizing both the transmitted light and reflected light, but it does not effectively use a light source power needed for the inspection apparatus. Moreover, the light amount loss is great in splitting the transmitted light and the reflected light within an inspection field, in a situation where the wavelength is being shortened, thus posing a problem of sensitivity decrease.
Therefore, is has been desired to realize a pattern inspection apparatus which can inspect pattern defects on a substrate by use of both the transmitted light and reflected light, which reduces the light amount loss associated with the splitting of the transmitted light and reflected light within the inspection field of a short-wavelength optical system, and which can conduct an inspection with satisfactory sensitivity.


A method for detecting interactions on a forwarding element in a network, the element adapted to forward data according to rules, a rule set installed on the element, and including a match set and corresponding action set, the match set including at least one match field and the action set including one or more actions wherein action to be performed when matching a match set includes determining one or more relations between match sets based on match field relations, determining one or more relations between action sets, determining one or more interactions between rules based on determined relations between match sets and action sets, each rule being tested against another rule for determining the interaction, and reducing the rule set to an actual rule set according to determined interactions so that the actual rule set includes only rules with no interactions among them.

In OpenFlow based networks each OpenFlow-enabled switch is configured to act according to so called OpenFlow rules OFR, installed by means of a OpenFlow protocol. Such an OpenFlow rule is defined by a match set, an action set and a rule priority. The match set defines to which network flows the action set is applied. The action set defines elaborations and forwarding decisions for incoming flows matching all the conditions in the match set. The rule priority is used to order a rule relatively to other rules installed in the OpenFlow switch. The network behavior is then defined by the combination of all rules installed at all OpenFlow-enabled switches and the topology of the network, i.e. the shape of the OpenFlow switches physical interconnections.
For example when an OpenFlow rule in a given OpenFlow switch is installed it may interact with a number of other rules installed in other OpenFlow switches depending on the network topology. A rule installed in an OpenFlow switch can make useless other rules installed in other OpenFlow switches along a certain network path. The presence or absence of such interactions between rules on different OpenFlow switches influences the behavior of the network in general. For example interactions may generate wrong behavior in the network. Such rule interactions are very difficult to detect since the total number of rules involved in an OpenFlow network, in particular in a big network, and the number of resulting possibilities of combining them according to the network topology is huge.
To help to define or program OpenFlow rules the language, called "Frenetic" may be used, which is a high level language based on functional programming paradigm. After programming the OpenFlow rules on the high level the rules are translated into a set of lower level packet processing rules, however, they are limited to a single OpenFlow switch. Interactions among the rules are solved on the high language level.
However, this has the disadvantage that once an OpenFlow switch has been provided with rules any amendment of the rules like port changing of forwarding rules, etc. may result in further interactions which cannot be solved anymore, if for example a decompiler is not present or another user does not have any tool for decompiling the installed rules in the Frenetic language.
It is therefore an objective of the present invention to provide methods and systems for determining network-wide interactions between forwarding elements.
It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a method and a system for detecting interactions on a single forwarding element
It is an even further objective of the present invention to provide a method and a system for detecting interactions in a network which are more flexible.
It is a further objective of the present invention to provide methods and a system for detecting network-wide interactions between forwarding elements in a network which are easy to implement while being reliable.
It is an even further objective of the present invention to provide methods and a system which reduce network resource consumption, in particular memory in the forwarding elements as well as processing load on the forwarding elements.
It is an even further objective of the present invention to enable analyzing of network-wide interactions.
It is an even further objective of the present invention to classify interacting rules.

Method and system for determining network-wide interactions between forwarding elements in a network


A high speed memory interface for a processor-based computing system provides a bridge component (made up of a controller and a data path), one or more data multiplexer/buffers, and a plurality of RAS/CAS generators. The high speed memory interface allows for the expansion of the memory subsystem without additional loading on the processor/system bus and without a reduction in memory transaction performance. The interface includes a single controller for receiving memory transaction commands from the processor/system bus, and a plurality of RAS/CAS generators, for generating RAS/CAS signals in response to memory transaction commands forwarded by the controller. Each RAS/CAS generator is coupled to one or more memory banks. A data multiplexer/buffer is coupled to one or more of the memory banks, and provides an interface between the memory bank(s) and the data path.

The newest processor subsystems for computing devices run on very high speed interconnects and include increasingly higher frequency processors. In order to take full advantage of the extra processor computing power such advanced processor subsystems provide, the amounts of system resources, such as main memory, must be increased. Traditionally, each additional memory subsystem added to a computing system has had its own memory controller connected directly to the processor/system bus. Dedicated memory controllers for each subsystem were necessary because of the limitations on the number of row address strobe/column address strobe (RAS/CAS) lines that each individual memory controller could drive. By attaching each memory subsystem to the processor/system bus directly, all memory subsystems thus have the same performance criteria, in terms of, e.g., latency, timing, bandwidth, etc.
With the ever-increasing bus frequencies available, however, loads on the processor/system bus must be minimized so as not to degrade system performance. Direct coupling of multiple memory controllers and associated memory subsystems to the processor/system bus, therefore, should be avoided, if possible. Thus, it is desired to provide a capability for expansion of the memory resources in a computing system, without a concomitant increase in load on the processor/system bus and without a reduction in memory transaction performance.

Scalable, high bandwidth multicard memory system utilizing a single memory controller


The present invention provides for method and system in which a heat-shrinkable plastic cover is placed over an individual conventional medicine container. The cover is heat shrunk around the container to form a tight-fitting seal which covers the majority of the original medication container. The seal must be opened in order to gain entry into an individual medication container just prior to the use or the administration of the product in the container. The seal includes an easy-open mechanism, such as a pull-tab or perforated tear strip. The purpose of the seal is to distinguish high-alert medications and requires an additional safety step in the medication administration process by requiring the removal of an additional cover which entirely encloses the container. The non-adhesive nature of the seal is significant in that the removal of the seal does not damage the original product labeling or leave unwanted residue on the medication container. The seal includes an integrated warning statement directed to point-of-use, high-alert medication preparations for the person preparing the medication for use. The level of repackaging would distinguish categories of high-alert medications, alerting users as to the classification of the medication. Application of the seal offers the user visual cues and “tactile awareness” different from the look and feel of the original container to distinguish high-alert medications from other medications.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates a method and improved alert system for medicine containers. In particular, the present invention relates to a method and improved alert system for medicine that when applied, will warn the preparer of the medication of the high risk nature of the pharmaceutical product and distinguish such medicine products with sound-alike and look-alike names.
2. Description of the Background Art
In preparing medication, the preparer needs to be alert for sound-alike and look-alike drug names and packages which can lead preparers such as physicians, pharmacists, nurses and other health care professionals to unintended interchanges of drugs which can result in patient injury or death. The existing medication-use system is flawed because its safety depends on human perfection. Simplicity, standardization, differentiation, lack of duplication and unambiguous communication are human factor concepts that are relevant to the medication-use process. These principles have often been ignored in drug naming, labeling, and packaging. Instead, current methods are based on long-standing commercial considerations and bureaucratic procedures. Although a variety of private-sector organizations have called for reforms in drug naming, labeling, and packaging standards, the problem remains.
Look-alike drug names and packages increase the risk of unintended interchanges of drugs that can result in serious complications, even death. Labels that are hard to read or confusing can also contribute to errors. Drug names appearing on labeling may be in small print. Two vials that appear to be virtually identical (except for the drug name) may contain vastly different drugs. If one of those vials contains a high-alert medication, the consequence of confusion could be tragic. One such example was recently printed in the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) Medication Safety Alert Newsletter. In a pediatric ICU, a respiratory therapist removed a vial of sterile water to prepare a nebulizer treatment. As he pierced the vial, he realized the vial was actually Atracurium (a paralyzing agent). The 10 mL Atracurium (Bedford) and sterile water (Abbott) vials have similar purple color accents. Other mix-ups have been attributed to Bedford's atracurium and acetazolamide vials—both have red and white coloring with black print and are packaged in identical sized and shaped vials (see picture 1).
As a further example, Ketoralac and Atracurium are two different medicines with similar lavender labeling and gray snap-off caps (see picture 2). However, as Atracurium is a neuromuscular paralyzing agent, the danger of confusion between these two drugs is of great concern. This problem is discussed in the publication ISMP MEDICATION SAFETY ALERT! Vol. 8, Issue 1 (Jan. 19, 2003).
Another such example is Narcan and Norcuron, which both sound alike when ordered verbally and look alike when handwritten. Confusion between these two drugs can result in serious harm to a patient, as documented in the publication, ISMP MEDICATION SAFETY ALERT! Vol. 3, Issue 20 (Oct. 7, 1998). In that publication, it is noted that a pharmacist misheard a verbal order and dispensed Norcuron, a neuromuscular blocker, when in fact, Narcan was ordered. This resulted in the patient having a respiratory arrest and requiring intubation. Other situations are also documented in this article between these two drugs.
Heparin 10 unit vials and Heparin 10,000 unit vials are also confusingly similar in appearance. The difference in dosage of this blood thinner medication is dramatic and the wrong dosage can be harmful to a patient.
In view of the foregoing discussion, there is a need in the product packaging art for a method and a system that serves to differentiate high-alert medications from other medication products in similarly packaged containers.

Alert medication safety seal system and method


Implementations of a public use tag marking kiosk. Aspects associated with particular implementations of a tag marking kiosk comprise, among others, automatically marking two sides of a tag within the kiosk, receiving the tag to be marked from the customer, engaging and aligning the tag to be marked, providing a closeable door between the marking implement and the customer while the tag is being marked, ejecting the tag from a tag holder after the tag is marked, and aligning the tag so that a desired tag side is required to be initially facing up on the tag holder. Housing for the kiosk may surround all of the system parts or may be split into a housing shell and a marking unit that fits inside the shell. Marking implements may be laser, mechanical stylus, paint, or others. Tags may be suspended in a cantilevered manner during marking.

1. Technical Field
Aspects of this document relate generally to public use kiosks for marking pet tags.
2. Background Art
Conventionally, pet tag marking kiosks are of four types: stamping, imprinting, stylus engraving and laser etching. Each type uses a different type of marking implement to mark a text message or logo or other image (collectively "image") on a pet tag. Conventional pet tags used in marking kiosks designed for pet tags are flat to not interfere with the marking machinery during the marking process.
Marking machines and kiosks come in various shapes and sizes. Some kiosks are designed as public use kiosks. In a public use kiosk, a customer is permitted to approach and operate the kiosk to customize the marking of a particular tag selection from inside the kiosk and cause the machine to mark a pet tag, but the customer cannot manually access the marking implement. An example of a public use kiosk pet tag marking machine is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,569,003 to Goldman et al. In operation of the public use product relating to this patent, which is distributed by The Hillman Group of Tempe, Ariz. and at the time this application was filed was found in many PetSmart and WalMart stores, the operator inserts a token, purchased from the store, selects a desired pet tag within the kiosk from the touch screen, enters the desired text message for the tag, and starts the system. The system stores several different shapes of flat, anodized aluminum inventory tags in columns that dispense to tag carriers that move to etching positions. A diamond tipped engraving stylus scratches the text onto the top surface of the anodized aluminum tag and then dispenses the etched tag to a tag dispensing tray.
Other known smaller pet tag marking machines which are not kiosks allow a trained store employee to place a flat pet tag in a holder within a small desktop engraving machine. The store employee has access to the marking implement and places the pet tag directly below the marking implement in a tag tray. The store employee then enters the text to engrave on the pet tag and causes the engraving machine to engrave the top surface of the pet tag. Such a system is distributed by The Hillman Group of Tempe, Ariz. under the product names VetScribe and PetScribe. In U.S. Pat. No. 6,943,314 to Kosted, Kosted describes a method whereby a Veterinarian marks a first side of a rabies tag with rabies vaccination information, manually turns the tag over, and then marks the second side of the rabies tag with personal information separately.
Another desktop pet tag marking kiosk to Newman (disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,976,814) discloses a pet tag marking kiosk that includes hexagonal, round, oval square or triangular placement pins on the work surface to keep a pet tag from twisting left or right on the work surface.


An optical element includes a sealed container having a first end wall facing a second end wall in a thickness direction, and a sidewall connecting the first and second end walls; a first polar or conductive liquid encapsulated in the container; a second liquid encapsulated in the container and not mixed with the first liquid so as to form an interface between the first liquid and the second liquid, the first liquid and the second liquid having substantially the same specific gravity and the first liquid having less light transmittance than the second liquid; and a voltage application unit configured to apply a voltage to the first liquid, wherein when a voltage is applied to the first liquid, the interface between the first liquid and the second liquid deforms to form a light transmission path that passes through the first and second end walls and extends in the thickness direction of the container.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical element.
2. Description of the Related Art
There has been proposed an optical element 10 that adjusts the amount of transmitting light using an electrowetting phenomenon (see JP-A-2000-356792).
The optical element 10 includes, as shown in FIG. 14, a sealed container 18 having first and second end walls 12 and 14 that face each other in the thickness direction, and a sidewall 16 that connects the end walls 12 and 14; a first polar or conductive liquid 20 that is encapsulated in the container 18; and a second liquid 22 that is encapsulated in the container 18 and has a transmittance higher than that of the first liquid 20.
A first electrode 24 is formed on the entire inner surface of the first end wall 12 that faces the inside of the container 18, and a hydrophilic film 30 is formed such that it covers the first electrode 24.
A second electrode 26 is formed on the entire inner surface of the second end wall 14 that faces the inside of the container 18, and an insulating film 28 is formed such that it covers the second electrode 26.
A water repellent film 32 is formed in a circular region that is part of the insulating film 28 and centered on the center of the second end wall 14. A hydrophilic film 34 is formed in an annular region that is part of the insulating film 28 and does not include the water repellent film 32.
Using two types of liquid as the first liquid 20 and the second liquid 22 that do not mix with each other and have a same specific gravity, only the first liquid 20 and the second liquid 22 are encapsulated in the container 18 without any other substances, such as air, contained. In this way, even when the container 18 is rotated or shook, the initial state in which only the first liquid 20 and the second liquid 22 are encapsulated in the container 18 is maintained, and the state in which a curved interface K that is convex toward the first liquid 20 is formed between the first liquid 20 and the second liquid 22 is also maintained.
When no voltage is applied across the first and second electrodes 24 and 26, the second liquid 22 is positioned on the water repellent film 32, while the first liquid 20 is positioned on the hydrophilic film 34.
When a voltage is applied to the first liquid 20 from voltage application mean to induce an electrowetting phenomenon, the interface K between the first liquid 20 and the second liquid 22 is deformed from the state indicated by the solid line to the state indicated by the broken lines shown in FIG. 14. This deformation forms a light transmission path T that passes through the first and second end walls 12 and 14 and extends in the thickness direction of the container 18.
Specifically, when no voltage is applied, the first liquid 20 entirely extends in the direction perpendicular to the light transmitting direction, as indicated by the solid line in FIG. 14, so that light transmission is blocked or reduced. On the other hand, when the application voltage is increased, the second liquid 22 comes in contact with the both end walls 12 and 14 to form the transmission path T, as indicated by the broken lines in FIG. 14. By adjusting the application voltage, the contact area between the second liquid 22 and the first end wall 12 is increased or decreased, so that the size of the transmission path T is adjusted.
To apply a voltage to the first liquid 20 from the voltage application means, the first liquid 20 always needs to be positioned over the second electrode 26 via the insulating film 28.
In the related art described above, two regions are formed on the second electrode 26, that is, the circular water repellent film 32 and the annular hydrophilic film 34, so that the first liquid 20 is positioned on the annular hydrophilic film 34 irrespective of the presence or absence of the voltage.
However, the region of the hydrophilic film 34 is an unwanted region that does not contribute to the light transmission and this unwanted region occupies a certain area, which imposes limitations on reducing the dimension of the container 18 in the direction perpendicular to the light transmitting direction, creating a disadvantage in reducing the size of the optical element 10.
Under the circumstances, it is desirable to provide an optical element that provides an advantage in reducing the size thereof and a method for manufacturing the same.


A seating unit system is provided to mount seats to a nose of a balcony. The seating unit system includes a balcony mount beam secured to the nose of the balcony. The balcony mount beam includes a front plate and a return. The front plate has an upwards extension. The seating unit includes one or more seats. Each seat has a balcony mount stanchion and a front rail socket connected to the balcony mount stanchion. The balcony mount stanchion includes a hook feature and a balcony mount beam bracket. The hook feature attaches to the upwards extension of the front plate and the balcony mount beam bracket attaches to the return. The front rail socket is configured to receive a front rail.

Various embodiments relate generally to seating systems and devices and, more specifically, relate to folding and telescopic bleachers.
This section is intended to provide a background or context. The description may include concepts that may be pursued, but have not necessarily been previously conceived or pursued. Unless indicated otherwise, what is described in this section is not deemed prior art to the description and claims and is not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.
Folding and telescopic bleachers 102, 202, 302 are seating structures that can be retracted into a compact vertical stack of tiered seating to save floor space. These seating structures 102, 202, 302 often are configured to store completely underneath a balcony 101 or other seated platforms. In many scenarios there are tiers of more fixed seating beyond this transition location. In these transitioning cases, facilities often require there to be chairs at or on the balcony 101. When the telescopic seating structures 102, 202, 302 are stored underneath the balcony 101, a barrier rail 106 (also known as a front rail) is also used for safety to protect those on the balcony level.
There are two common approaches to this situation are shown in FIGS. 1-2.
The first solution that is commonly used is shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 1 shows standard telescopic seating 102 with removable skid-based chairs 104 in both extended (FIG. 1A) and closed (FIG. 1B) configurations. The last row of chairs 104 on the telescopic seating structure are removed in full prior to operation. This can be accomplished using floor mounted fixed chair assemblies 104 attached to plates (referred to as skid-based chairs). These skid chair assemblies 104 typically are attached to the telescopic seating structure 102 using machine screws.
FIG. 1 shows a telescopic seating structure 102 that utilizes this solution. If the last row has a large enough row space, a portable chair can be used in the same way. This solution may work satisfactorily for smaller seating areas, such as small theaters or K-12 gymnasiums, where the facilities will not be required to remove large quantities of chair assemblies. However, for large venues, such as collegiate gymnasiums or arenas, where large numbers of chairs are required to be moved, this solution is not practical. These removable chairs are heavy and can require large amounts of space to store when not in use.
A second solution that some venues consider can be seen in FIG. 2. FIG. 2 shows standard telescopic seating 202 with riser mounted fixed chairs 205 in both extended (FIG. 2A) and closed (FIG. 2B) configurations. It uses a fixed chair that is installed to a vertical surface of the building structure rather than on the last tier decking of the telescopic unit. This type of chair is commonly referred to as a riser mounted chair 205. This chair could be installed to the front face of the balcony 101 and have the front rail 106 installed behind that row of chairs. This will locate the rail 106 further into the first row of the fixed seating and could cause egress issues. Another issue with this solution is that the stanchion designed for fixed riser mounted seating 205 cannot easily be changed, therefore the seat height is determined by the location of its attachment to the riser. At transitions between the telescopic seating structure 202 and the fixed seating area, there can be a variation in the rise due to construction variations, and therefore the height of the riser. Anchoring limitations and the riser mounted stanchion design 205 can make the seat height in this row to be difficult to maintain. This solution can only be used in a few best-case situations.
Some venues may have the capability to work around these limitations, however, not all can. If a venue cannot utilize any of these solutions, they would have to compromise some aspect of their desired seating layouts.
What is needed is a seating structure that overcomes these limitations with the prior art.

Balcony mounted chair and integral rail socket


A cluster compute server comprises a set of one or more compute nodes, each compute node instantiating at least one virtual network interface controller representing a network interface controller of a primary network node remote to the compute node and appearing as a local network interface controller to the compute node. A first network node comprising a network interface controller coupleable to an external network operates as the primary network node for the set. The first network node emulates link aggregation partners for virtual network interfaces of the set based on first link state information maintained at the first network node. A second network node comprising a network interface controller coupleable to the external operates as a secondary network node for the set. The second network node maintains second link state information that mirrors the first link state information maintained at the first network node.

1. Field of the Disclosure
The present disclosure relates generally to processing systems and more particularly to packet switching in a cluster server.
2. Description of the Related Art
Link aggregation protocols often are employed in networks to aggregate, or bond, multiple point-to-point physical links into a single logical link that can provide improved overall bandwidth and resiliency. Typically, these protocols rely on the exchange of link aggregation messages between the two ports at opposite ends of a point-to-point link in order to establish an aggregated group of links. To initiate link aggregation, a device transmits discovery packets over each of its link-aggregation-enabled ports of interest to determine whether the port at the other end is enabled to support link aggregation. Those links identified as supporting link aggregation at both ends then may be combined into a single logical link over which one or more packet flows may be distributed.

Resilient duplicate link aggregation emulation


A module containing an electronic package provides a housing for cooling and protecting the electronic package. A top metal shell and a bottom metal shell form a common cavity in which the package is embedded without touching the inner walls of the cavity. A flexible thermally conductive foil is fixed to each of the shells. The foil is adjustable to the surface of the package and is isolated from electrically conductive parts of the package. A cooling liquid fills the gaps between the metal shells and the foils. Flexible isolated circuit means connect the package to the outside of the housing, balancing means balance pressure and volume between the shells, and further means firmly hold together the housing.

Electronic packages generally include multilayer circuit boards or substrates with a large number of conductive and insulating layers formed thereon and an increasing number of semiconductor chips mounted on one surface of the multilayer board or substrate. The increased number of active elements per chip, although designed with reduced power dissipation, results in an increase in both the electrical power being consumed and the heat being produced. Improved cooling means for electronic packages are needed to keep the maximum temperature of the chips below their maximum operating temperature.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,879,629 discloses a liquid cooled integrated circuit module including a substrate and a plurality of chips mounted thereon. A compliant member, which is hermetically sealed at its perimeter to the substrate, completely seamless, overlies all of the chips. Between the compliant member and the chips, are thermally conductive studs carrying away the heat by conduction from the chips to the compliant member.
An integral heat pipe for transferring heat away from electronic components is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,833,567. In a sealed chamber around the electronic components a thin film of liquid working fluid is in direct contact with the electronic components. The fluid absorbs the heat generated by the components, and transfers the heat away from the components by thin film evaporation of the liquid.
It is, however, desirable to prevent liquid contact with the chips since the liquid coolant causes stresses on discrete wiring and interior pressures. One possibility to overcome these problems is shown in IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin Vol. 20, No. 2, July 1977. A plurality of heat sinks is molded into a flexible membrane so that each heat sink can be placed in contact with a chip to be cooled. The coolant transfers heat from the heat sinks to a finned-type cap by natural convection.
In order to obtain low thermal resistance between the object to be cooled and the coolant, good mechanical or physical contact with the object is important. One example where this is achieved is the flexible membrane described above that allows the heat sinks to conform to the chip surfaces for good conductive heat transfer.
To improve the effectiveness of cooling it is desirable to cool the top and bottom side of the module. This is realized in DE-Al-29-38-096 which describes a power semiconductor element arranged in a housing in a self-supporting way. Cooling pipes may be connected to external supply means provided at the top of the housing allowing a coolant to flow through the housing. The isolating coolant flowing through the housing cools the power semiconductor element arranged on a disk from both its sides.

International Business Machines Corporation


The invention relates to materials and methods for evaluating the prognosis of a patient presenting with chronic myelogenous leukaemia (CLL) and for CLL therapy.

Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) is the most common adult leukaemia in the Western World and is characterised by the accumulation of immuno-incompetent, monoclonal CD5+B-lymphocytes2. Some patients show rapid disease progression with a mean survival of less than 36 months, whereas others exhibit a more indolent disease profile with a better prognosis. Three important laboratory prognostic markers are used to stratify patient risk: somatic mutation of immunoglobulin variable heavy chain (VH) genes, the expression of CD38 and the expression of the T-cell tyrosine kinase, ZAP-701,3-10. There is evidence that different prognostic subsets of CLL cells have altered signalling properties that may contribute to disparity in clinical outcomes. Cells from CLL patients with mutated VH genes, who have a good clinical prognosis, often show a reduced response to IgM ligation of the B-cell receptor (BCR) as measured by changes in tyrosine phosphorylation11,12. In addition, the poor prognostic markers, CD38 and ZAP-70, have also been shown to correlate with the ability of CLL cells to signal via the BCR with high expression associated with signalling competence13,14. However, the interplay between the three prognostic markers and cell signalling is the subject of debate.
CLL cells with unmutated VH genes usually have higher ZAP-70 expression and, following anti-IgM ligation of the BCR, are able to activate NF-κB.6 Indeed, ZAP-70 appears to act as an enhancer of BCR signaling7. NF-κB proteins are transcription factors affecting many different survival signalling pathways and play an important role in the growth, differentiation and apoptosis of normal B-lymphocytes.8 In addition, NF-κB has been shown to be involved in the pathology of both non-haemopoietic and haemopoietic malignancies including CLL and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.9
NF-κB is a collective name for a group of inducible homo- and hetero-dimeric transcription factors made up of members of the Rel family of DNA binding proteins. In humans this family is comprised of c-Rel, Rel B, p50, p52 and p65 (Rel A) which when bound in the cytoplasm to inhibitory IκB proteins are inactive.10 Various factors including ligation of CD40 and the BCR result in proteasomal degradation of IκB releasing NF-κB which then translocates to the nucleus.8;10 Once in the nucleus NF-κB can enhance survival by inducing anti-apoptotic proteins including IAPs, FLICE (FADD-like IL-1β-converting enzyme) and FLIP (FADD-like interleukin 1β-converting enzyme-inhibitory protein).11-13 CLL cells have been reported to exhibit high constitutive NF-κB activation compared to normal B-lymphocytes.14-16 Whilst the exact causes of constitutive over expression of NF-κB are not fully resolved, many factors including Akt activation, BCR signalling, CD40 ligation, IL-4 and BAFF have been shown to increase NF-κB activity and enhance CLL cell survival with members of the Bcl-2 family being important transcriptional targets.6;17-20
The crucial question for patients presenting with CLL is the nature of the disease progression. Clearly, patients with an aggressive form of the disease need to receive early clinical intervention. In contrast those patients with a more benign form of the disease simply need to be monitored until such time as the disease takes on a more aggressive form at which point chemotherapy can be commenced. As many will appreciate, it is inappropriate to expose someone presenting with a disease that is unlikely to be life-threatening for up to 30 years with highly dangerous chemotherapeutic drugs. An assay that is therefore able to discriminate between an aggressive form of CLL and a more benign form would be useful.

University College Cardiff Consultants Limited


A folding closure that is foldable to a closed orientation having a pair of gabled lid sections oriented to be linearly aligned and abutting one another in an end-to-end relationship and a pair of lateral lid sections oriented to be linearly aligned with one another and abutting opposite sides of the gabled lid sections.

Improvement is desired in the construction of enclosable containers, particularly disposable drink cups. For example, coffee and other drinks are typically sold in paper or plastic cups having a separate lid that is friction fit to the cup. The use of separate lids is undesirable for logistics and performance reasons. For example, a separate inventory of lids is required and the lids often fail to provide adequate protection against leakage or spillage. In many instances, the lid is not fully seated onto the cup when installed or does not remain fully seated and simply grasping the cup when full will cause spillage. In the event the cup is dropped, the lid typically unseats and most if not all of the contents escape.
Accordingly, a need exists for improvements in the enclosure of containers, especially disposable containers such as paper or plastic cups.


An encoding apparatus wherein a difference between an input signal to be encoded and a prediction value is quantized, the quantized signal is generated, the quantized differential signal is inversely quantized, the sum of the inversely quantized reproduction differential signal and the prediction value is stored, the stored signal is read out on the basis of an address signal regarding the input signal, the read-out signal and the input signal are received as inputs and the prediction value is obtained. When the prediction value is derived, an evaluation function to obtain the prediction value is determined in accordance with chromaticity statistics of the input signal.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to movement vector detecting method/apparatus for detecting a movement vector of an object between frames and also relates to encoding method/apparatus using such vector detecting method/apparatus.
2. Related Background Art
What is called a block matching type is known as a movement vector detecting system.
According to the movement vector detecting system of the block matching type, one block is formed by extracting pixels of (8.times.8), (16.times.16), or the like between the previous frame and the present frame, a matching is performed for every block of data, and a movement vector is assigned to each block of the present frame.
A fundamental idea of the movement vector detecting system will now be described in detail hereinbelow.
A block in which the pixel position at the left upper corner on the present frame is set to (i, j) and which is constructed by m pixels in the lateral direction and n pixels in the vertical direction assumes a vector value B.sub.ij (m, n). A block at the same position on the previous frame as that of the block B.sub.ij (m, n) assumes a vector value P.sub.ij (m, n). In this instance, an evaluation function of an error between B and P is defined as follows: ##EQU1##
The movement vector is defined by using deviations x and y from i and j such as to obtain the minimum value of f when x and y are changed within a range from .+-.0 to s (s is a parameter of a retrieving area).
Generally, a color moving image is constructed in a form such that one frame is divided into luminance data (Y) and color difference data (C.sub.r, C.sub.b, etc.). The luminance data (Y) including much structure information is used to retrieve the movement vector. There is also known a method of retrieving a new vector by using the block just before or the vector obtained in the peripheral block as a center, a method of estimating a movement of the whole picture plane by obtaining a correlation between the vectors which are generated from the individual blocks and the block positions, or the like.
However, an actual meaning image (not a mere set of RGB luminance data but an image having information as what is ordinarily called a picture, such as person, scenery, test pattern, or the like) contains many colors and a set of points of the same hue inherently mean one collected object.
In the usual matching by the blocks using the luminance data, although an error value on calculation can be locally minimized, it is difficult to detect the same object in the image.
Therefore, when a movement of the whole picture plane is obtained from the vectors or when the vectors generated in the previous block or the peripheral blocks which have been processed are, used to retrieve the vector in the present block, then on the contrary a large error is caused.
According to the block matching system, since the an amount of calculation is very large, an averly wide range cannot be retrieved. Therefore, when a movement of an object is large, the movement width of the block can easily exceed the retrieval range, and the matching cannot be effectively executed.

Encoding apparatus and method for encoding a quantized difference between an input signal and a prediction value


A system and method for provisioning a primary mobile device from a secondary mobile device, including storing at the secondary mobile device provisioning data for the primary mobile device, the provisioning data including information used by the primary mobile device for communicating over a wireless network; establishing a direct wireless communications link between the secondary mobile device and the primary mobile device; and sending the provisioning data over the communications link from the secondary mobile device to the primary mobile device and storing the provisioning data at the primary mobile device.

The mobile device market is currently experiencing explosive growth as mobile devices evolve to deliver increasingly critical services such as organizational planning, wireless telephone, email, Internet browsing, and related services. However, conventional portable devices synchronize with a personal computer such as a desktop computer, typically through a cradle or wired connection. If the user's data that is stored on the mobile device becomes corrupted or inaccessible while the user is away from his computer or on a business trip, the user is not able to access the user's data until such time as the user returns to his or her computer and can synchronize the mobile device with the computer to restore the data. Additionally, information critical to wireless services used by the mobile device may become corrupted, thus cutting off communication to and from the mobile device. In a best case scenario, the user must then contact a system administrator to retrieve a password that can be used to initiate a wireless synchronization process, or other instructions on how to repair the device.
Accordingly, a portable system that provides for the ability for on-the-fly backup and restore of critical data is desired.
In the drawings, like reference numerals denote like elements or features.

System and method to provision a mobile device


A thrust reverser having an engine cowl, a nacelle, a blocker door, a nacelle door and a cascade vane. The engine cowl has a hollow body that shrouds a jet engine and which includes a cowl opening. The nacelle surrounds the engine cowl and includes a nacelle opening that is positioned outwardly of the cowl opening. The blocker door is associated with the engine cowl and movable between a first position, wherein the blocker door closes the cowl opening, and a second position, wherein the blocker door is disposed in the propulsive air flow and substantially clears the cowl opening. The nacelle door is associated with the nacelle and movable between a forward position, which substantially closes the nacelle opening, and a rearward position, which substantially clears the nacelle opening. The cascade vane is disposed between the engine cowl and the nacelle and positioned between the cowl and nacelle openings.

Jet aircraft, such as commercial passenger and military aircraft, utilize thrust reversers on the aircraft's jet engines to reduce the aircraft's speed after landing. One type of thrust reverser used in modern jet aircraft is the cascade type, which is described in more detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,448,884, which is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional aircraft nacelle is indicated by reference numeral 18. The nacelle 18 shrouds a jet engine 20, which is supported on a strut or pylon 22 that is coupled to a wing 24 (only a portion of which is shown). The nacelle 18 includes a nose cowl 26, a fan cowl 27, a thrust reverser sleeve 28, a core cowl 30 and a nozzle exhaust 32. Although several of these components are made up of two mirror-image sub-components that are split vertically in a clamshell arrangement, each component will be referred to herein as being one piece.
As shown in more detail in FIGS. 2 and 3, the thrust reverser system 34 includes an inner duct or fan duct cowl 36 and an outer sleeve 38. The outer sleeve 38 translates in an aft direction as identified by arrow 42 and a forward direction indicated by arrow 44. When the thrust reverser is deployed, the translating sleeve 38 moves aft from a stowed position shown in FIG. 1 to a deployed position shown in FIG. 2. In this process, cascade vanes 46 mounted to the thrust reverser support structure are uncovered. The cascade vanes 46 are slanted in a forward direction so that during the operation of the thrust reverser system 34, fan air (designated by arrow 47) from the engine fan is re-directed forward through the cascade vanes 46 to aid in decelerating the aircraft.
Air driven aft by the engine fan flows along an annular duct 48 that is formed between the fun duct cowl 36 and the core duct cowl 30. Movement of the sleeve 38 in the aft direction causes blocker doors 50 to pivot from their stowed positions (FIG. 3) to their deployed positions (FIG. 2) where the blocker doors 50 are positioned to block rearward movement of the air from the engine fan through the duct 48. In this manner, all rearward movement of the air from the engine fan is re-directed forward through the cascade vanes 46.
One drawback of the above-referenced thrust reverser system 34 is that such systems are integrated into both the nacelle and the bypass structure. Accordingly, any engine movement will effect the external nacelle flow lines.

Thrust reverser utilizing integrated structural bypass duct


An operator network is capable of routing incoming customer care calls to specific customer care representatives based on a subscriber profile and customer service representative (CSR) skill set. The device profile is retrieved from the mobile handset while the incoming customer care call is in a queue waiting to be connected to a CSR. The retrieved device profile is also used to determine an appropriate CSR to handle an incoming customer care call.

Smartphones are devices running feature rich operating systems such as Symbian, PalmOS, Microsoft WinCE, BREW (Binary Runtime Environment for Wireless) and Java MIDP compliant devices. Due to the complex nature and multitude of new features, these Smartphone devices are difficult to configure; compounded with limited keyboards, entering information such as personal details and configuration settings is not only difficult but also highly prone to human errors. A combination of complex features and associated configuration requirements requires great improvement upon current customer support solutions for wireless network operators.
With the wide availability of downloadable services and applications available for Smartphone users and the increasing costs of customer care, ensuring efficient and less-cumbersome support when problems arise is an increasing necessity. In contrast to traditional customer service applications that are available in Contact Center's today, CSRs (Customer Service Representatives) must undertake the extensive and time-consuming task of asking customer's complex questions pertaining to their wireless devices for problem diagnosis. This requires CSRs to be experts on Smartphones and their applications, and also requires customers to spend increased time on the telephone to receive support for their applications. The result is increased support costs, increased call handling times, complex diagnostic processes and overall frustration.
The current method of call routing is based on a simple queue where the next available CSR gets the next call. In this method there is no specialization since each CSR can get a call related to any phone or problem. Each CSR is a generalist and tries to solve all sorts of problems.
Gathering and obtaining Smartphone information required for diagnostics is manual and therefore complex, time consuming and prone to human errors. This problematic approach is an ineffective method of just-in-time customer support and does not guarantee effective problem resolution. This current method of call routing leave both the subscribers and customer support staff frustrated. In addition, obtaining diagnostic information requires a specialized support staff and Contact Centers must therefore hire and train specialized staff for specific tasks. For the Service Provider this means increased hiring and operational costs.
The customer support process is increasing in complexity. The level of expertise required by the CSR to understand numerous Smartphone devices and to search for up-to-date configuration data leads to increased costs in training, call-durations, and the overall operational costs.
With the emergence of Smartphones and wireless PDAs and their ability to download and install applications, the wireless industry is poised to see explosive growth in application usage by subscribers. Mobile operator customer care centers are focused on solutions for closed, voice-centric mobile phones. This infrastructure is not suited to efficiently solve the intelligent mobile data device and application problems described above. The proliferation of next generation "Smartphone" devices and the level of issues and problem solving needed has made existing customer care applications obsolete or unsuitable to meet these emerging business needs.
In general, incoming calls from callers to a call center supported by an operator network goes into a queue, called the incoming call queue. Irrespective of phone and subscriber profile each person who responds to a call is a generalist. Often, nothing is known about the subscriber, and even less about the subscriber's device, when a subscriber makes a call for customer service into an operator's call center. Several minutes are initially taken up just to collect the most basic information about the subscriber and the subscriber's device.
Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, through comparison of such systems with some aspects of the present invention as set forth in the remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings.

Operator network that routes customer care calls based on subscriber/device profile and CSR skill set

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


The present invention describes an extremely effective, simple, novel, inexpensive, safe and quick method to treat both acne and warts, each with a different etiology and different clinical symptoms, by topically applying an effective amount of one or more polyvalent metal compounds. The polyvalent metal compounds include, but are not limited to, bismuth compounds, zinc compounds, magnesium compounds, aluminum compounds, calcium compounds, copper compounds, titanium compounds, manganese compounds, chromium compounds, barium compounds and iron compounds. The present invention can also be applied to the treatment of rosacea. The present invention can also be employed to prevent scarring and to facilitate healing or elimination of the scars once formed.

Skin infection is commonly treated with antimicrobial agents orally and/or topically. Topical treatment is preferred because it can minimize any potential systemic adverse effects of drugs and it is also less expensive. Acne, mainly caused by P. acnes, and warts (i.e., verruca) caused by human papillomavirus, are two common, potentially serious skin infectious diseases ("Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment" by L. M. Tierney, Jr. et al., Lange Medical Books, NY, 2004, pp. 111-113 and 123-125; "Andrews' Diseases of the Skin, Clinical Dermatology" by R. B. Odom et al., Philadelphia, 2000, pp. 284-306 and 509-519.) Topical acne treatment commonly includes prescription-required antibiotics (such as erythromycin and clindamycin) and potent retinoids. The effectiveness of the above treatment method does not appear to be satisfactory since many weeks or months of continuous daily treatment are generally required. In one study, for example, only about 50% of patients showed satisfactory responses after 12 weeks of erythromycin or clindamycin treatment (J. J. Leyden, et al., J. Am. Acad. Dermatol. 1987; 16:822-827). Topical nonprescription drugs such as sulfur and salicylic acid are considered less effective. For topical treatment of warts, probably with the exception of salicylic acid, drugs such as bleomycin, 5-fluorouracil, podophyllin and imiquimod require a physician's prescription. Furthermore, at least two or three months of sustained treatment are generally required. Potential serious adverse effects of topical or systemic treatment for both acne and warts are well known. Furthermore, unsightly "permanent" scars are often present after completion of the treatment.
It is important to emphasize here that many reported antimicrobial compounds can kill the microorganisms and "cure" the diseases but often inhibit wound healing (U.S. Pat. No. 5,567,716 by Della Valle et al., Oct. 22, 1996). Furthermore, healing or treatment of a disease, a lesion or a wound may also result in the formation of an unsightly, undesirable scar on the skin ("Webster's New World Dictionary," edited by D. B. Garalnik, Prentice Hall Press, 1986, pp. 1271) as exemplified in the conventional treatment of acne, warts and herpes simplex.
The above brief review clearly indicates that there is an urgent need to develop a new, novel, simple, rapid, highly safe, highly effective topical treatment of acne and warts without leaving scars behind after the treatment. Ideally, the new drug treatment may not require a prescription, and the same drug can be used to treat both diseases. The present invention is aimed to achieve the above objectives.

Compositions and methods for topical treatment of skin infection


A center bearing assembly adapted to rotatably support a rotatable shaft on a vehicle frame includes an annular roller bearing that is adapted to receive and rotatably support the rotatable shaft, a support member for supporting the roller bearing, and a bracket for securing the roller bearing and the support member on the vehicle frame. The support member includes a reservoir containing a Theological fluid. A rheological fluid is any fluid that exhibits a significant change in its ability to flow or shear upon the application of an appropriate energy field, such as electrical or magnetic fields. A shear plate secured to the roller bearing includes a portion extending into the reservoir so that axial movement of the shaft with respect to the support member is permitted. The novel construction of this invention includes an effective center bearing assembly support member having variable vibration dampening characteristics which can also accommodate axial movement of the rotatable shaft.

The invention relates in general to bearings for supporting shafts for rotation and in particular to an improved structure for a center bearing assembly for rotatably supporting an intermediate portion of a vehicle drive line or coupling shaft assembly.
In most rear wheel drive vehicles, a source of rotational energy, such as an internal combustion or diesel engine, is located near the front of the vehicle. The engine is connected by means of a drive line to rotate one or more driven wheels located near the rear of the vehicle. The drive line typically extends between a transmission, which is connected to the engine, and a differential, which is connected to the driven wheels. In some vehicles, the distance separating the transmission and the differential is relatively short. In these vehicles, the drive line is composed of a single tube, usually referred to as the drive shaft. In other vehicles, the distance separating the transmission and the differential is relatively long, making the use of a single drive shaft impractical. In these vehicles, the drive line is composed of a drive shaft and one or more coupling shafts. The coupling shafts are connected to the drive shaft (and to each other) by universal joints.
Drive lines that are composed of a drive shaft and one or more coupling shafts require the use of one or more intermediate resilient support structures, which are generally referred to as center bearing assemblies or shaft support bearing assemblies. A typical center bearing assembly includes an annular roller bearing within which the coupling shaft is rotatably supported. The roller bearing itself is disposed within a generally annular resilient support member. The resilient support member is, in turn, disposed within a relatively rigid, generally U-shaped bracket which is secured to a cross member extending between the side rails of the vehicle frame.
The resilient support member is provided to reduce vibrations of the drive line in the vicinity of the center bearing assembly and to prevent such vibrations from being transmitted to the vehicle frame. In the past, the resilient support member has been formed from an elastomeric material, such as rubber. Under most vehicle operating conditions, known rubber support members are effective in substantially reducing the transmission of vibrations from the drive line to the vehicle frame. However, the vibration dampening characteristics of such known support members, which depend upon the specific material and the particular configuration thereof, remain constant regardless of the vehicle operating conditions. Accordingly, the vibration dampening characteristics of known support members can be optimized only for a single set of operating conditions. The vibrations generated by the drive line, on the other hand, constantly change with changes in the operating conditions of the vehicle. As a result, these support members may not provide optimum vibration dampening of vibrations under varying operating conditions. Vibrations generated by the vehicle and drive line also result in axial and radial movement of the roller bearing which receives the coupling shaft. In particular, the roller bearing is exposed to axial and radial movements transmitted from the coupling shaft. Such movements can be particularly objectionable during start up of a drive line.
It is desirable to provide an improved structure for a center bearing assembly which includes a support member having vibration dampening characteristics which can be adjusted in accordance with the changing operating conditions of the vehicle. Furthermore, it is desirable to provide an improved structure for a center bearing assembly which can accommodate axial and radial movements of the roller bearing during operation of the vehicle.

Center bearing assembly having shear plate


A solid catalyst component for olefin polymerization includes titanium, magnesium, a halogen, and a compound represented by the following formula (1): R1O—C(═O)—O—Z—OR2, and an olefin polymerization catalyst includes the solid catalyst component, an organoaluminum compound, and an optional external electron donor compound. An olefin polymer that has a moderate molecular weight distribution while maintaining high stereoregularity can be produced by utilizing the solid catalyst component and the olefin polymerization catalyst.

A solid catalyst component that includes magnesium, titanium, an electron donor compound, and a halogen as essential components has been used when polymerizing an olefin (e.g., propylene). A number of methods have been proposed that polymerize or copolymerize an olefin in the presence of an olefin polymerization catalyst that includes the solid catalyst component, an organoaluminum compound, and an organosilicon compound.
For example, JP-A-57-63310 (Patent Document 1) discloses that excellent polymerization activity and stereospecificity are obtained when using a solid titanium catalyst component that supports a specific electron donor, an organoaluminum compound (promoter component), and a silicon compound having at least one Si—OR linkage (wherein R is a hydrocarbon group).
JP-A-58-83006 (Patent Document 2) discloses using a phthalic ester as the specific electron donor, and JP-A-60-130607 (Patent Document 3) discloses using a cellosolve ester as the specific electron donor.
However, a solid catalyst component that supports such an electron donor does not necessarily ensure satisfactory polymerization activity and stereoregularity. JP-T-2005-539108 (Patent Document 4) discloses a solid catalyst component that utilizes a succinic ester, and WO2006/077945 (Patent Document 5) discloses a solid catalyst component that utilizes a cyclic ester having a structure similar to that of a succinic ester. It is suggested that an olefin polymer having a wide molecular weight distribution may be obtained using such a solid catalyst component.
JP-A-2005-187550 (Patent Document 6) discloses a technique that uses a 1,3-diether as an internal electron donor or an external electron donor. It is suggested that an olefin polymer having a narrow molecular weight distribution may be obtained using such a catalyst system.

Solid catalyst component for polymerization of olefin, catalyst for polymerization of olefin, and method for producing olefin polymer


A hydraulic control system for an automatic transmission used in a vehicle, the hydraulic control system includes a pressure regulating part for regulating hydraulic pressure generated from a hydraulic pump to constant line pressure, a manual valve selectively supplying hydraulic pressure to a drive pressure passage, a reverse pressure passage, and a first and a second speed pressure passage. A pressure control part supplies standard pressure to solenoid valves which are duty-controlled by a transmission control unit. The pressure control part has a solenoid supply valve. A damper clutch control part controls a damper clutch of a torque converter. A pressure distributing part distributes an appropriate amount of pressure to friction members, and has shift valves and clutch valves. A torque pressure generating part reduces the line pressure so that it can be used for initial shifting control. A pressure compensating device compensates hydraulic pressure by elastically storing the standard pressure when the hydraulic pressure fed to the torque pressure generating part, the pressure regulating part, and the damper clutch control part is reduced, the pressure compensating device being connected to the pressure control part.

A conventional vehicle automatic transmission has a torque converter and a multiple stage transmission gear mechanism connected with the torque converter. The gear mechanism includes hydraulically applied friction members for selecting one of the gear ratios of the transmission gear mechanism in accordance with vehicle operating conditions. A hydraulic pump produces pressure required to operate the friction members and control valves.
The friction members are controlled by a hydraulic control system. The hydraulic control system comprises pressure regulating means for regulating hydraulic pressure generated from the hydraulic pump, hydraulic control means for controlling shift shock and shift-responsiveness, damper clutch control means for controlling a damper clutch of the torque converter, and hydraulic pressure supplying means for supplying hydraulic pressure to each friction member.
The hydraulic control means controls supply line pressure acting on each friction member, torque converter supply pressure, solenoid valve supply pressure. These pressures substantially affect the smoothness of shifting.
Therefore, there is provided a conventional hydraulic control system which initially feeds torque pressure to the friction members and then replaces the torque pressure with drive pressure when synchronization is completed.
In such a hydraulic control system, each valve is provided with a solenoid valve which is duty-controlled so as to operate the damper clutch, vary line pressure, and supply torque pressure when initially shifting.
However, during the duty control of the solenoid valves for controlling the shift operation, fluid is drained through the solenoid valves, such that a stable level of pressure cannot be maintained. That is, it is difficult to stabilize the hydraulic pressure due to fluid loss, resulting in shift shock.

Hydraulic control system of automatic transmission for automotive vehicle


Novel compositions comprising one or more of an acid protease and an acidic buffer, the acidic buffer comprising an acid and a pharmaceutically or cosmetically acceptable carrier, vehicle or excipient, useful for treating or preventing abnormal biological conditions, diseases or disorders, and/or for improving the texture or appearance of the skin, and/or for enhancing epidermal exfoliation and/or for enhancing epidermal cell renewal and to methods for the use of the compositions. The acid protease comprises one or more proteolytic enzymes which exhibit proteolytic activity at pH values below that of the surface of the skin, i.e., approximately pH 5.5. The acidic buffer comprises inorganic and/or organic acids or mixtures thereof with a pharmaceutically or cosmetically acceptable carrier, vehicle or excipient. The buffer is capable of reducing the pH of the surface of the skin to less than pH 5.5 and is susceptible to neutralization by normal epidermal processes. Such types of abnormal biological conditions, diseases or disorders include skin atrophy, i.e., the thinning and/or general degradation of the dermis often characterized by a decrease in collagen and/or elastin as well as decreased number, size and doubling potential of fibroblast cells, and other maladies including, but are not limited to dry skin, severe dry skin, dandruff, acne, keratoses, psoriasis, eczema, skin flakiness, pruritus, age spots, lentigines, melasmas, wrinkles, warts, blemished skin, hyperpigmented skin, hyperkeratotic skin, inflammatory dermatoses, age-related skin changes and skin in need of cleansers.

It is well founded that exfoliation of epidermal layers of human skin induces an increased rate of epidermal cell renewal (E. Phillips, 1995, U.S. Pat. No. 5,431,913; W. P. Smith, 1994, Cosmetics and Toiletries 109:41-8). The human epidermis consists of multiple layers of stratified squamous epithelial cells in a constant state of renewal. New cells are formed first in the basal layer, which is the most internal membrane of the epidermis. These cells are displaced by the production of yet newer cells and subsequently are transported to the external layer of the epidermis, the stratum corneum, where they usually are shed (exfoliated) every two to three weeks. The general health and appearance of human skin depends greatly upon the rate of this process.
Certain situations or conditions, such as aging or exposure to the environment, can disturb this normal process and can lead to a generally reduced rate of cell renewal as well as an increased degree of intercorneocyte cohesion (VanScott and Yu, 1984, J. Am. Acad. Dermatol. 11:867-79). Because the time required for a cellular layer to migrate from the basal layer to the stratum corneum increases with the subject's age, the rate of epidermal cell renewal decreases. It has been reported that in a typical twenty year old person, the cells in the outer layers of the epidermis turn over on the average, every two weeks, while cell turnover intervals of more mature skin can be as much as twice as long (E. Phillips, 1995, U.S. Pat. No. 5,431,913). The decrease in cell renewal rate due to aging can be exacerbated by environmental conditions such as exposure to solar radiation and other climatic conditions (K. E. Burke, 1990, Postgraduate Medicine 88(1):207-27). A decrease in the cell renewal rate increases the time cells in the outer layers of skin are exposed to environmental conditions and may lead to further and/or cumulative damage. Certain studies suggest that a decrease in epidermal cell turnover rates is associated with an increase in intercorneocyte cohesion (VanScott and Yu, 1989, Cutis 43:222-28).
The cells of the epidermal layer are held together by proteinaceous components such as hemidesmosomes, desmosomes, gap junctions, glycosaminoglycans, proteoglycans, and other components present in the skin all of which have the ability to bind to each other and to cellular components. This binding together of the epidermal cells is described as "intercorneocyte cohesion", and the degree of the cohesive strength involved is affected by such factors as hydration and pH. Increased intercorneocyte cohesion results in hyperkeratinization and is characterized by thick and often dry or scaly skin caused by the retention of epidermal cells. The balance that exists between cohesion and cell turnover rates is responsible for normal rejuvenation of young skin and imbalances of these factors can result in the aged, rough, and unattractive look of mature epidermal surfaces. The search for topically active components that balance cell renewal rates and intercorneocyte cohesion is prominent in dermatological research efforts today (VanScott and Yu, 1984, J. Am. Acad. Dermatol. 11:867-79).
Recent advances in this research area have provided a number of topically active acidic compounds which show promise in this regard (Yu et al., 1978, U.S. Pat. No. 4,105,783; Yu et al., 1982, U.S. Pat. No. 4,363,815). Long term treatments with these acidic compounds result in an increased rate of epidermal cell renewal. Those acidic components known to be epidermally active, such as low molecular weight hydroxy or keto acids and esters thereof, are well documented with respect to their effectiveness as keratolytic/desquamation agents. High concentrations of these acids (e.g., salicylic and glycolic acids), as well as other acids such as trichloroacetic acid, are known for their ability to cause destruction of tissue at the site of application (W. L. Epstein, 1990, in Irritant Contact Dermatitis, Jackson and Glodner, eds., Marcel Decker, Inc., New York and Basel, pp. 127-165; Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, A. Osol, ed., Sixteenth Ed., Mack Publishing, Inc., Easton, Pa., 1980). At lower concentrations, these acids have been shown to have the ability to loosen the dead cells in the keratin-rich stratum corneum and interrupt intercorneocyte cohesion thereby facilitating desquamation; this activity is called "keratolytic activity" (Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, A. Osol, ed., Sixteenth Ed., Mack Publishing, Inc., Easton, Pa., 1980; W. P. Smith, 1994, Cosmetics and Toiletries 109:41-8).
Most keratolytics are skin irritants, including those listed above. Although some keratolytics are promoted as being more efficient than others, a comparison of the therapeutic index of each of these acids shows little advantage of one over another. The "therapeutic index" is an accurate method of rating the efficiency of these components which takes into account the component's keratolytic efficiency as well as the levels of irritation at a given concentration. It has been shown that even low levels of these components (greater than 4% acid concentration) cause significant skin irritation. The use of even lower levels of these components reduces irritation but generally reduces keratolytic effectiveness. Furthermore, prolonged use of the acids reduces the efficiency of cell renewal induction (W. P. Smith, 1994, Cosmetics and Toiletries 109:41-8). These shortcomings point out the need for a methodology to enhance the keratolytic effectiveness of these acids at non-irritating concentrations.
The application of proteolytic enzymes in topical therapy has been used for some time for such things as scar removal from burn wounds and as an adjunct to anti-microbial therapy (G. Rodeheaver, 1975, Am. J. Surg. 129(5):537-544). These enzymes include those generally restricted to plant sources, such as papaya (papain), fig (ficin), and pineapple (bromelain). Cosmetic formulations containing extracts from these plants and promoted as enhancing the removal of outer epidermal layers by proteolytic action have been marketed commercially. Although the substrate specificity and spectrum of activity in relation to pH suggest that the proteolytic action of these formulations should result in keratolytic activity at the outer epidermal layers, applications of proteolytic enzymes previously used in topical therapy have not been without drawbacks.
Those enzymes (e.g., papain, bromelain, and ficin) currently used in cosmetic applications generally exhibit proteolytic activity over a broad pH range of pH 3-pH 9 (Glazer and Smith, 1971, in The Enzymes, Vol. 3, P. Boyer, ed., Academic Press, New York, pp. 501-546). It is probably the broad pH range of these plant-derived enzymes that is responsible for at least some of the problems associated with prolonged skin exposure. Human epidermal systems maintain a pH gradient within the stratified layers of the skin; the outer layers have been reported to exhibit an average pH of 5.5 (W. P. Smith, 1994, Cosmetics and Toiletries 109:41-48). The pH of successive layers of the epidermis increases with depth, reaching a final pH closer to the physiological range (about pH 7.4) at the dermal layer. Because the plant-derived enzymes mentioned above remain active across this pH gradient, there is no pH control over these plant enzyme activities when they are applied to the skin.
The degree of therapeutic activity received by topical application of proteolytic enzymes has been governed by the intrinsic catalytic characteristics of those enzymes. The wide range of proteolytic activity, in relation to pH, exhibited by the proteases discussed above (pH 3-9) allows for little or no control over proteolytic activity by product formulation (Glazer and Smith, 1971, in The Enzymes, Vol. 3, P. Boyer, ed., Academic Press, New York, pp. 501-546). The plants from which these enzymes have been obtained are known to cause irritant contact dermatitis with symptoms including itching, edema, and blistering. It has been postulated that these enzymes are the primary cause of those symptoms possibly due to excessive decreases in intercorneocyte cohesion (W. L. Epstein, 1990, in Irritant Contact Dermatitis, Jackson and Glodner, eds., Marcel Decker, Inc., New York and Basel, pp. 127-165). The enzymes currently used in cosmetic applications can exhibit substrate-dependent proteolytic activity throughout all layers of the epidermis. Uncontrolled proteolysis of epidermal proteins that serve to stabilize intercorneocyte cohesion could decrease this intercorneocyte cohesion excessively and cause subsequent irritation. Proteolytic attack at the basal layer of the epidermis, where cell renewal originates, could cause imbalances in the rate of epidermal cell renewal. Blistering and edema could be the result of uncontrolled proteolytic attack by this class of enzymes at the basal membrane. This possibility is supported by the fact that injection of these plant enzymes into the skin of mammals is known to cause edema in the skin (Morimoto et al., 1987, Ensho 7(6):563-567). This finding has been used to produce experimental edema in dermatological research. Furthermore, the symptoms of irritant contact dermatitis listed above are similar to those induced by the most effective concentrations of epidermally active acidic components currently used in topical applications. Therefore, a more controlled approach to proteolytic activity with respect to topical applications should produce a desirable result without these side effects.
Compositions containing a proteolytic enzyme, pepsin, and several acids have been reported for the dissolution of dense necrotic formations seen, for example, with third degree burns (Soviet Union Patent No. 439288, 1974). There is no indication that these compositions are useful in enhancing epidermal exfoliation or that these compositions are active only for limited time periods.
Citation or identification of any reference in the background of this application shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the present invention.

Combination of acid protease enzymes and acidic buffers and uses thereof


In an aspect, in general, method for aligning an audio recording and a transcript includes receiving a transcript including a plurality of terms, each term of the plurality of terms associated with a time location within a different version of the audio recording, forming a plurality of search terms from the terms of the transcript, determining possible time locations of the search terms in the audio recording, determining a correspondence between time locations within the different version of the audio recording associated with the search terms and the possible time locations of the search terms in the audio recording, and aligning the audio recording and the transcript including updating the time location associated with terms of the transcript based on the determined correspondence.

This invention relates to re-synchronization of transcripts and media.
Many types of media include an audio recording which includes speech. For example, video media generally includes both a video recording and an audio recording which includes speech. In some examples, a transcript of the speech included in an audio recording is also included with the media. Such a transcript can be searched for keywords in order to determine a temporal location of an utterance in the audio recording of the media. The transcripts may also be used to overlay a closed captioned version of an audio recording onto a video recording of a video recording (e.g., a recording of a news program).
It is common for users of media editing software to modify media, including an audio recording (e.g., by removing sections of the audio recording) without taking care to also modify the transcription of the media.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


An antenna having a base film carrying at least one antenna structure and one electronic device with a contact region of the at least one antenna structure being provided on a tab formed from the base film and contacted with a contact region of the electronic device is made by first providing the electronic device inside a housing. Then the tab is inserted into the housing. Finally the housing is adhesively adhered in place on the base.

DE 10 2005 009 443 discloses an antenna formed as a film antenna for a vehicle. This antenna has a base film having at least one antenna structure, and an electronic device, a contact region of the at least one antenna structure being mounted on a tab formed by the base film, and contacted with a contact region of the electronic housing. The electronic device has a printed circuit board carrying electronic components in order to perform the function of the electronic device (for example, when used as an antenna amplifier). The electronic device is provided on the base film and brought into contact with the antenna structures. Afterward, this component that has been assembled in this manner is installed in a vehicle. However, this has the disadvantage that the electronic device with the delicate electronic components thereof is completely unprotected. Moreover, in a variant as described in the prior art, it is disadvantageous that the ends of the antenna structures that are located at the tab, must be connected to connectors, and the connectors are then brought into contact with complementary connectors of the electronic housing. This requires additional complexity in terms of assembly; and there exists the risk that, when mounting the apparatus of the electronic device on the base film, the user forgets to position a connector. As a result, the electronic device cannot function properly.

Antenna assembly and method of making same


A corrosion- and vibration-resistant battery terminal including a connector portion comprising a tin-coated, creep-resistant metal blade having a lead collar embedding one end thereof and receiving a battery terminal post therein.

Lead-acid traction batteries are ganged together in packs and used to power electric vehicles. Batteries in such packs require terminal connections which have very low electrical resistance and are not susceptible to loosening due to vibration or poor properties of the materials used to make such connections. Conventional battery terminals have not proven to be successful in satisfying these electric vehicle battery requirements. Such earlier terminals have typically coupled the cable connector directly to a lead-based component of the battery terminal e.g., via a bolt, clamp or other means. The tightness of such connections progressively deteriorates as the metallurgical creep of the lead results in a loosening of the connection which, in turn, increases the electrical resistance at the connection and allows corrosion to build up at the interface between the cable connector and the battery terminal. The problem is further accelerated due to the vibrations vehicular batteries are exposed to. Inasmuch as electric vehicle packs contain a plurality of individual batteries electrically joined together by a significant number of cable-battery connections throughout the battery pack, the additive effect of the resistance at each terminal is significant, and improved terminal connections are required to minimize the voltage and I.sup.2 R losses that can occur in a battery pack incident to these additive resistances.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved terminal for a traction-type, lead-acid storage battery which terminal provides a low resistance coupling between a cable connector and the battery, which coupling remains tight, secure and substantially corrosion free at the electrical interface between the cable connector and the terminal. This and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the description thereof which follows.


An electrically conductive shoe insole is disclosed for cushioning a user's foot and for transferring electrical charges from the wearer's foot to a conductive shoe. The shoe insole includes a cushioned layer, which contains an electrically conductive material, and a fabric, which is bonded to the top surface of the cushioned layer by a nonconductive adhesive. The fabric contains a noncorrosive electrically conductive fiber interwoven therein. The adhesive is applied such that the electrically conductive fibers in the fabric contact the cushioned layer. This allows transfer of electrical charges from the fabric to the cushioned layer.

Electrically conductive shoe insoles are used to keep static electrical charges from building up on a worker's body. Friction can develop between a person's hands and feet when in contact with other surfaces, and this can cause an accumulation of electrostatic charges as the person moves about. These electrostatic charges can pose a serious threat of injury if the air contains combustible gases or flammable liquids, as in a munitions factory. The build up of electrostatic charges on the body can cause a spark when a worker touches a grounded metal object. Depending on the conditions, the spark may cause the airborne combustibles to explode.
To prevent explosions, workers in combustible-laden work areas normally wear electrically conductive shoes. These shoes keep electrostatic charges from accumulating by providing a conductive path of relatively low electrical resistance from a worker's foot to the floor. Electrically conductive insoles must be used in the electrically conductive shoes to maintain the conductive path. This allows the electrical charges to be transferred from the user's foot to the conductive shoe. Patents which describe various types of such shoe insoles include: U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,150,418 issued to Berbeco; 4,642,912 issued to Wildman et al. and 4,926,570 issued to Fohst; as well as Japanese patents 88-039658/06 issued to Kokoku and 52-32744 issued to Sato.
It has been discovered that conventional electrically conductive insoles progressively lose their ability to conduct electrical charges through a process known as degradation. Such shoe insoles typically consist of a base layer rendered electrically conductive and an upper layer of conductive fabric laminated to the base layer with an electrically conductive adhesive. Degradation is apparently caused by perspiration from the user's foot seeping into the fabric. The perspiration may corrode metallic conductive elements or cause the electrically conductive adhesive to crepe and exude through the fabric. Either effect increases the overall electrical resistance of the shoe insole and lowers its ability to conduct electrical charges.
Degradation of an electrically conductive shoe insole is often subtle but can become lethal. It usually starts slowly, then accelerates rapidly as the electrically conductive adhesive begins to exude through the fabric. If undetected, this degradation may cause a sudden, spark-induced explosion.
Consequently, there is a need for an improved shoe insole which can maintain its electrically conductivity over time and which can resists degradation from human perspiration.